Hey all, I was wondering what are some of the Marshall 18 watt clones being made right now? Are there any for less then $1000 dollars? I tried one out the other day and the tone was incredible, but the Marshall price tag was a bit too much...a bit WAY too much. Thanks!
http://www.trinityamps.com/
These folks have a stunning 18 watt replica. Three different kinds to be specific. The TMB is a standard 18 watt with treble, mid and bass eq and two channels (one has no eq). The SIII is the same, but the second channel is voiced with less gain and therefore is more like a plexi. There is a tremelo version as well. These amps get high marks at HC and the heads start at $950.
Read more here...
But seriously, if you're at all handy (capable of soldering and following directions at the least) the 18 Watter is one of the simplest DIY amps out there, next to a Champ. (Assuming you forego the tremolo and build a "Lite" variant). You can build it from scratch, buy a kit, or source your own assortment of parts from a variety of vendors.
+1 on 18Watt.com. They are THE resource for DIY, clones, 18 Watter derivatives, kits... everything.
Perhaps the cheapest/easiest route to 18 Watt tonal bliss is to convert a Fender Blues Jr. Start with a used Blues Jr., so you don't have to build a cabinet, punch holes in a metal chassis, etc. The BJ already has the right tube complement and transformers. There are some documented projects out there that show how to convert the circuit. You may even be able to find a pre-fab board to fit. If you're not gifted with a soldering iron, I bet your high school electronics shop class could build iy for you, if you ponied up the donor amp and paid for the new parts.
And don't forget to stick a G12H30 clone in there. That Fender speaker sux.