Plexi Tone..

[Si.]

I'm GASing again for some sort of plexi, but a 100w is no use to me.. what are the decent lower (20w) power clones out there that won't break the bank. I fancied a 2061 but can't find a used one and there too expensive new.

[p90fool]

Used JTM45 reissue? Only 30watts, and pretty well unbreakable.

[Koss59]

Check out Cage amps http://www.valvepower.co.uk/18w_amp.htm
A mate of mine had an old one before the power scaling and it sounded pretty cool but not a patch on the 2061x.
The new ones might sound different though.

[Stevieb76]

Probably something like this chap was selling: http://forum.musicradar.com/showthre...ll-Plexi/page4

With the Power Scaling on, it would probably work great for you. Definite value for money at those sort of prices, Martin's amps are exceptionally good.

Or speak to him direct: http://www.martamp.com/amps.html

[John_A]

These 18 watters while great little amps are not plexis, they are a cathode biased EL84 amp with a very different curcuit to a plexi, and sound very different too. I've built a couple of 18 watt plexi style amps and they are a lot more complex in both build and sound than the 18 watters.

[Koss59]

These 18 watters while great little amps are not plexis, they are a cathode biased EL84 amp with a very different curcuit to a plexi, and sound very different too. I've built a couple of 18 watt plexi style amps and they are a lot more complex in both build and sound than the 18 watters.

While this is true, the Marshall 2061x is the closest thing I've heard to a cranked plexi 50 watt but at useable volumes.
Have you tried one? They are really quite surprising, really shouldn't have sold mine.

[ICBM]

I've tried one, and owned three original ones over the years, including an actual plexi panel one. They don't sound like a 'Plexi' - as in a 50 or 100W Marshall. It's partly the cathode-bias EL84 power section, but also that the preamp is completely different - in particular they don't have the cathode-follower tone stack which is the most important circuit element in the Plexi tone. (I've also owned original Plexis.)

They do sound 'Marshally' through the right speakers, but that's not quite the same thing. It really puzzles me that people think they are...

If you want 20W Plexi tone, get a JTM45 and fit it with 6V6s (needs a rebias) or Yellowjackets (cathode bias, but still closer than a 2061 power section because the bias is independent).

[Si.]

The JTM is a definite option.

not sure how "plexi" they are but I'm loving the youtube clips of the Suhr Badger.. shame there so expensive.

[Koss59]

I agree the 2061x doesn't sound spot on like a plexi but as a low volume substitute they are great and are damn close.
I've never found an attenuator that I liked and much preferred the 2061 with a boost in front to get classic tones.
His a vid from a few years ago, can't remember if it was a fuzz or a klon pushing it.

http://youtu.be/IQ_WHMyvy9Q

[hywelg]

Someone was selling a JTM clone in the classifieds a while back. Nice one in tweed. I think Martin Whelan built it.

Edit: just spotted it was a Bassman clone not a JTM. Close enough as makes no difference. Could easily be converted to JTM spec.