Researching all things Plexi: suggestions wanted

[Dave Scepter]

WHAT???.. speak up son, I can't hear you!

 

 

 

🤣

[Feynman]

I thought I had selected the wrong sound output and started turning up the volume...got it back down just in time.

[LucSulla]

26 minutes ago, Feynman said:

I thought I had selected the wrong sound output and started turning up the volume...got it back down just in time.

I gave a warning about that at the beginning and then accidentally hit a chord anyway. Setting up a VO mic would have led to me just giving up and using a smartphone. 

[Saul Goodman]

Hey @Travis, Not sure this will help. But I'm the Video Guy.

 

[Travis]

Well, I just got one of these for Christmas. And since it has a “plexi” channel, I’ll be giving it a go before I spend the big money on a “real” plexi…

FYI, I have the best wife ever…

[django49]

The Friedman preamp pedals are good and reasonably priced options. As is the sorta related Tone King preamp pedal (my personal preference) but it is not in the Plexi vein, of course.

[RobB]

1 hour ago, Travis said:

FYI, I have the best wife ever…

Yeah, you do! You’ll love the IR-J. I’ve had my IR-X for a coupla years now and really dig it. Every time I have a moment of weakness, thinking a ToneX is in my future, I always snap out of it. While not nearly as versatile as a modeler, it always sounds great and you can use stompers in the loop.

 

[WiskiTangoFoxtrot]

On 9/14/2025 at 5:01 PM, topekatj said:

Anyone have any experience with the JTM45 Reissue that was produced during the early 2000’s? Would seem to check many boxes

• 2x 5881
• 3 x 12AX7
• GZ34 recto
• 4 inputs 
• 30 watts output

I realize that it’s not PTP, but

In terms of a JTM, I’d get any hand wired clone over a circuitboard Marshall. The name brand means absolutely nothing, the circuit and components do. My JTM is a hand wired Jet City JCA45 and it is a fantastic amp even with the stock Chinese tubes.  Get it to 6 o’clock and stick a pedal in front and a good attenuator behind and it’s sonic bliss.  I’d take KT66 and good iron over anything else. I don’t care what name is on the emblem, if the circuit is done right as well as the iron is gtg it will rock. 

[Disturber]

On 9/15/2025 at 12:01 AM, topekatj said:

Anyone have any experience with the JTM45 Reissue that was produced during the early 2000’s? Would seem to check many boxes

• 2x 5881
• 3 x 12AX7
• GZ34 recto
• 4 inputs 
• 30 watts output

I realize that it’s not PTP, but

These are great sounding amps. They still had good trafos etc, and PTP or not PTP is not an issue. They have good components and sound and feel like the real thing. They can be found at good prices too (at least over here) and are a real bang for the buck.

[santellavision]

This is my current favorite Plexi style amp. Fargen Mini-Plex MkI. Very simple, huge tone. Has a 3-position 'Decade' selector switch for 60/70/80s. Cathode Bias so, it can run all kinds of different tubes without biasing. I am currently running a mixed set of tubes. A Sylvania greyplate 12AX7 (Ken Fisher's fav) feeding into a JJ 6L6 on one side and a Ruby 12AX7-HG feeding into a Valve Arts KT66 on the other. The 6L6 side is big & round and the KT66 side is all grind and chime. Absolutely killer sounding little amp. Many think the MkI version sounds the best and I agree (There are 3 versions) Sometimes don't mess with greatness!

[Gabe]

How about an Xotic SL-drive into a Fenderish (clean) amp?

can that give a convincing Marshall sound?

 

Gabe 😀

[HamerHokie]

Olly from Canada has finally produced a Plexi version of his amazing line of pedal preamps:

I swear by the Tubesteader Roy as the perfect AC30 preamp, but had he made this first I would have scooped it up in a heartbeat.  Still might.

[django49]

Thumbs up on Tubesteader products. So, the Gainlord fills into their line of tube driven preamp pedals......The earlier ones took on the Tweed, Vox and Dumble styles. Oh yeah, also Magnatone. And they do it quite well, based on the two I have tried.

My only hesitation on this one is that I have the Friedman IR-D, essentially a "Dirty Shirley" (modded JTM-45) in a box.  That one fits me pretty well. But either this one or one of the other Friedmans (IR-X?) should be a good choice for someone wanting that more modern M style, as in even higher gain.

The Friedmans seem to be just a bit more versatile.

[bubs_42]

If your amp or pedal has a gain knob on it…. It’s not a Plexi. MV or a level control, OK but a gain knob is blasphemy 

The interaction between a guitar into a plexi is unparalleled in my opinion. You wont understand until you stood in front a one and worked your volume knob to get every tone you're  looking for. 

 

[HamerHokie]

On 1/4/2026 at 11:15 AM, django49 said:

Thumbs up on Tubesteader products. So, the Gainlord fills into their line of tube driven preamp pedals......The earlier ones took on the Tweed, Vox and Dumble styles. Oh yeah, also Magnatone. And they do it quite well, based on the two I have tried.

My only hesitation on this one is that I have the Friedman IR-D, essentially a "Dirty Shirley" (modded JTM-45) in a box.  That one fits me pretty well. But either this one or one of the other Friedmans (IR-X?) should be a good choice for someone wanting that more modern M style, as in even higher gain.

The Friedmans seem to be just a bit more versatile.

I don't understand why Friedman mostly danced around the Plexi with his pedal preamps.  The Gainlord is direct - channel 1 is a Plexi, channel 2 is an 800.

[murkat]

On 1/4/2026 at 3:51 PM, bubs_42 said:

 

If your amp or pedal has a gain knob on it…. It’s not a Plexi. MV or a level control, OK but a gain knob is blasphemy 

 

Bullshit.

[bubs_42]

47 minutes ago, murkat said:

Bullshit.

I stand by my statement.

 

 

[django49]

Starting with the understanding that I am NOT an expert on M types......And that is not my primary tone center.....

It appears from the demos and limited experience I have, that the combination of knobs labelled as gain, then a volume control is not all that much different than a VOLUME control followed by a master. Obviously, circuits can vary from one builder to another. 

And if a person uses a boost or OD in FRONT of the preamp, well......

Now if we are talking about driving the AMP into POWER AMP distortion, I guess that is a different discussion all together.

Def NOT an M-type, but some of my favorite sounds now are using the Swart SST, with initial gain (volume) cranked on the high input, master set to offset, then control it all with the v knob on my guitar. And more or less what I do with such as the Friedman type preamps anyway. All the more so if the guitar can go from SC to HB output.....

As always, IMHO......😉

[RobB]

Keep in mind that with plexi circuits, the magic really happens when you have them C.R.A.N.K.E.D. That elusive, beautiful tone… Variacs, master volumes and low wattage power sections can only get you CLOSE, but you get the cigar when you let it rip. 

In today’s live music environment, the idea of uncorking a 100w plexi can almost never happen. Modellers, going direct? Fugeddabout it! One of the joys of growing up in L.A. when I did was there were hundreds of great bands and dozens of great venues. Years before anyone knew about the storied lore of the EVH approach, we just cranked our Marshall’s until we got the sound. I used to turn my cabs around, facing the back wall to attenuate the volume a bit (drummers LOVED that move!). Getting my first JMP MV (and later, JCM800s) was a revelation, but I still had to crank it to get the power section cooking.

Life (and gear) was simpler then,  and this gear fetishism (TONE!) was NOT a thing. 

Edited January 9 by RobB

[velorush]

The college bar we hung out at in the '80's was a dance club in a strip center, but they decided at some point to expand into the unoccupied space next door. They knocked a door through the wall and set up a stage for harder rock / metal. They brought in great bands from Memphis and Nashville, and it seemed the requirement to load in was at least one Marshall stack per guitarist and they were being run like you said, cranked until they got the sound. I've never had the privilege of plugging into a real one but was deafened many a night by those guys. Great times and great tones! 

[Disturber]

On 1/9/2026 at 6:19 AM, RobB said:

Keep in mind that with plexi circuits, the magic really happens when you have them C.R.A.N.K.E.D. That elusive, beautiful tone… Variacs, master volumes and low wattage power sections can only get you CLOSE, but you get the cigar when you let it rip. 

In today’s live music environment, the idea of uncorking a 100w plexi can almost never happen. Modellers, going direct? Fugeddabout it! One of the joys of growing up in L.A. when I did was there were hundreds of great bands and dozens of great venues. Years before anyone knew about the storied lore of the EVH approach, we just cranked our Marshall’s until we got the sound. I used to turn my cabs around, facing the back wall to attenuate the volume a bit (drummers LOVED that move!). Getting my first JMP MV (and later, JCM800s) was a revelation, but I still had to crank it to get the power section cooking.

Life (and gear) was simpler then,  and this gear fetishism (TONE!) was NOT a thing. 

Yupp. Need to crank it. I was listening to the latest Glenn Hughes album and the guitar sounds are so good and still kinda without vibe. I am thinking it's all recorded within modelers or plug ins. I don't know, it's just a guess. This album would have sounded so much better if the guitar sounds felt more live and real. Like in the old days of recording. The way it sounds now it's just to perfect. Makes it un-interesting.

Even though my band is on hiatus I still pay 100 bucks a months for a place in our rehersal room. I keep two 70's Marshall amps there and three cabs. Plus my pedal board.

Playing at home with a fully attenuated amp is good for what it is. But going down to the rehersal place and crank up a 50 watt Marshall from the 1970's at full blast, that is like riving up a Harley Davidson. It just rattles the bones. It's where it's at and how it's supposed to be. It was why I got into this thing with guitars in the first place. Nothing comes close. You need to play differently, you need to be aware. The strings become evil. It's like riding a damn dragon.

[HamerHokie]

Oddly enough, this is the sound I've been looking for in a Plexi:

Most Oranges sound 'fuzzy' to me but this OR80 reissue captures the midrange snarl perfectly.

[django49]

Not officially announced, but there is a pretty strong hint that the B.A.D. folks are about to formally announce a Tone King Royalist in a tube driven preamp pedal. Given their winner in the Tone King Imperial pedal, it would tend to make some news. Supposedly more "pure" M type as opposed to the Friedman/modded M type such as the Dirty Shirley based IR-D. 

Likely switchable for Plexi and other M types. MV(?)

Great demos of the original Royalist AMP (not least, Greg Koch) are available.

I suppose if past form prevails, a release date will be announced by the end of NAMM.

A brief sneak preview shot(?).....

ETA.....The guy who is the social media face of Tone King confirms the release. Product details said to be coming any moment. I would assume a shipment date a few months down the road if past practice holds.

Edited January 21 by django49

[Jakeboy]

On 1/2/2026 at 6:04 AM, Disturber said:

These are great sounding amps. They still had good trafos etc, and PTP or not PTP is not an issue. They have good components and sound and feel like the real thing. They can be found at good prices too (at least over here) and are a real bang for the buck.

I had an early 2000s Bluesbreaker (JTM with tremolo). I did have the circuit modded slightly to original 60s specs. I loaded KT66s and old Euro and US preamp tubes.  It was very loud and glorious when cranked. Beano tones abounded. What surprised me was the pristine cleans the amp generated. Chimey and punchy.

It went into feedback easily. 

Though technically a plexi, it was a fairly bass-heavy amp and did not generate the tighter more aggressive JMP tones that I associate with the term “plexi.” 
 

But it was a great amp.

[Jakeboy]

I would agree with both @bubs_42 and @Disturber that playing most classic NMV amps is a wonderful experience. Clean to mean with the volume knob and yes, you must be aware of what you are doing, especially at stage volume. So many tones abound. With the exception of my Valvetech, I play all my MV amps with MV dimed as I prefer the power tubes to really be cooking. So that means I often use attenuators.