What is a good subsitute for a Plexi?

[Quencho092]

Re: What is a good subsitute for a Plexi?

how hard is it to change a transformer? Plexis used drakes right? HMMMM.....Could one slap one of those on a Peavey classic '75 50w 2x12.....mwhahahahah!

 

[ledzepp29]

Re: What is a good subsitute for a Plexi?

I think the circuit board, output tubes etc. would come into play as well...

 

[Fusion1]

Re: What is a good subsitute for a Plexi?

Sans Amp GT2 has a decent plexi sound.... $90 used on Ebay...

Marshall JMP-1 decent Plexi sound on tweakable presets... $300 - $400 on Ebay.

 

[Stevo]

Re: What is a good subsitute for a Plexi?

the only trouble I see with these is that for the price of a used yba-1 plus plexi mods you are at about the price of a used marshall 1987x plexi

I agree. That's why I have a 1987x. I was just suggesting an alternative, and this amp has been suggested by the Marshall gurus that I talk to. I personally would not spend a bunch of money modifying one of these, but maybe Tim would just like the amp as-is.

 

[ledzepp29]

Re: What is a good subsitute for a Plexi?

ya, there realy is no way to get plexi tones without "a" plexi or something priced just as high, thats what I've conviced myself...I'm just where you are Tim. By the way Stevo, if you had to choose between either one of your marshalls, which one would it be?

 

[Xeromus]

Re: What is a good subsitute for a Plexi?

www.voodooamps.com

they make a smokin plexi lookalike

 

[Stevo]

Re: What is a good subsitute for a Plexi?

By the way Stevo, if you had to choose between either one of your marshalls, which one would it be?

I like the 1987x more than the 2204. The plexi tone seems more complex, also, the clean tone is pretty sweet. I use a MASS attenuator with it. It would be way too loud with the amount of volume that I give it.

 

[Lewguitar]

Re: What is a good subsitute for a Plexi?

I like the 1987x more than the 2204. The plexi tone seems more complex, also, the clean tone is pretty sweet. I use a MASS attenuator with it. It would be way too loud with the amount of volume that I give it.

I totally agree. At one point I had a pair of JCM-800 '82 and '86 50 watt master volume amps and '70 and '71 1987 50 watt heads. All had killer tone but the non-master volume 1987 heads were easily the best. I picked the best of the four and sold the rest. I should get an attenuator like Stevo recommends because, great as it is, I rarely play my Marshall 1987 anymore. My hearing is so shot I just don't want to stress out my ears anymore. Lew

 

[STRATDELUXER97]

Re: What is a good subsitute for a Plexi?

I had a 50 watt JCM 800 Marshall but unless you can really crank this baby up,it was always too much preamp gain and didn't work right for what I wanted in my Marshall tones...Every guitar player's Marshall tones that I Loved was all about the earlier non-master volume heads..The non-master volume heads are smoother and almost border on being clean like a Fender amp..I've been playing through my old 73 Plexi spec 50 watt head for many years now and it nails the 70s classic rock tones my styles and my band need..Not to say that the 800 doesn't rock and grind,but it is a one trick pony by comparison in my opinion compared to the early pre 800 master volume heads...

When you think about Hendrix,Clapton,Page,Beck,Angus Young,Early Trower etc..You're hearing the non-master heads workin...

John

 

[midnite_man]

Re: What is a good subsitute for a Plexi?

Stevo, Lew, and John: Thanks for posting your reviews on this subject. I've been considering a Marshall purchase for sometime now and find your insight most helpful. I know there are many big fans of the JCM800's, and they definitely have their place in the music scene. But I'm beginning to understand that they have their drawbacks as well, and although they are great amps I'm beginning to think that what I may need to consider is either a 1987x RI or Vintage (pretty hard to find these days), or a DSL 50 watter.
I'll need to get out and play these amps before buying any of 'em though, of course.
....Bob

 

[STRATDELUXER97]

Re: What is a good subsitute for a Plexi?

Stevo, Lew, and John: Thanks for posting your reviews on this subject. I've been considering a Marshall purchase for sometime now and find your insight most helpful. I know there are many big fans of the JCM800's, and they definitely have their place in the music scene. But I'm beginning to understand that they have their drawbacks as well, and although they are great amps I'm beginning to think that what I may need to consider is either a 1987x RI or Vintage (pretty hard to find these days), or a DSL 50 watter.
I'll need to get out and play these amps before buying any of 'em though, of course.
....Bob

Bobby....Actually the 1987 and the 1959 50/100 watt reissues are readily available..An original 1987 or 1959 head will set you back however...Your styles tell me you should check out the reissue 1987 and the DSL 50...Check out the reissue JCM 800 2204 also because "you can" :13:

 

[Alvin Lee Fan]

Re: What is a good subsitute for a Plexi?

OK, you gotta define a price range. You can get some killer plexi replacements from Mojave, Roccaforte, Aiken, VooDoo if you want to spend $$.

Are you talking under $1000...$2000..?

 

[Alvin Lee Fan]

Re: What is a good subsitute for a Plexi?

THD Flexi 50 is a killer amp for about $1500 new, you see them for sale used once in while.

 

[kevlar3000]

Re: What is a good subsitute for a Plexi?

Yes...with some mods those can made into excellant amps. Hammond Transformers are used in them and they are excellant transformers. But they don't sound like a Marshall...they only have similarities. Still...if a guy is looking for a cheaper alternative, the Traynor or even the Sovtek are pretty good. I mean: a Toyota Corolla is a cheaper alternative to a Mercedes in alot of ways - it'll get you on the road. But it won't feel like you're driving a Mercedes.

Lew

I gotta disagree ( I also recognise you are not bashing the amp, but I think they deserve more credit than you give them)the Bassmaster is as close as you can get to a Plexi w/o buying a Plexi and at the price point it is almost foolish not to buy one to find out. It has the same mustard caps and vitually the same circuit all handwired in perhaps the most reliable amp ever made, with a couple simple changes the blindfold test is worth taking. Traynor Bassmasters Tweaked to Plexi specs are jaw droppers, even stock they are among the best of any vintage head out there, tweaked they are every bit as good as any 3000.00 Plexi you could toss my way. They are the real deal and perhaps the best value in vintage amps going. I chuckle at the prices folks are paying, the circuits are all just about the same in many vintage amps, its just the name on the box that people are paying for. I paid 260.00 for the Traynor, changed two volume pots, three caps and had a bias pot installed. I think it would be crazy to change what are among the best transformers ever made in the Hammonds. It is not radical surgery these amps need and they are extremely easy to work on because the circuit is topside. It took more work and more bucks the get my Plexi RI sounding as good as it does now and still my Bassmaster might be the better amp. My stable of misfits will hang with any amp thrown my way, I owe huge props to Terry Kilgore for showing me the light ( lol ) guy has taught me some amazing stuff over the past few months.

 

[Lewguitar]

Re: What is a good subsitute for a Plexi?

I gotta disagree, the Bassmaster is as close as you can get to a Plexi w/o buying a Plexi and at the price point it is almost foolish not to buy one to find out. It has the same mustard caps and vitually the same circuit all handwired in perhaps the most reliable amp ever made, with a couple simple changes the blindfold test is worth taking. Traynor Bassmasters Tweaked to Plexi specs are jaw droppers, stock they are among the best of any vintage head out there, tweaked they are every bit as good as any 3000.00 Plexi you could toss my way. They are the real deal and perhaps the best value in vintage amps going. I chuckle at the prices folks are paying, the circuits are all just about the same in many vintage amps, its just the name on the box that people are paying for. My stable of misfits will hang with any amp thrown my way, I owe huge props to Terry Kilgore for showing me the light ( lol ) guy has taught me some amazing stuff over the past few months.

I've owned both...or rather my brother Bruce (htt://www.missionamps.com) owned the Traynor and I had unlimited access to it so I could make direct comparisms to my Marshalls. The Traynor is a good alternative but didn't sound like a $3000 Plexi. No way! Even after a total recap and total circuit upgrade to plexi specs. The Hammand Trannies in the Traynor are excellant but the voltages and impedences are just to differant from the trannies Marshall used from 1965 to 1973. Besides...they're BUTT UGLY! Not saying they don't sound real good...they do sound real good. That's why I said they were a good alternative...one of the best, IMO. Lew

 

[Lewguitar]

Re: What is a good subsitute for a Plexi?

One more thing in response to Kevlar3000's post: The Traynor we're discussing probably IS WITHOUT A DOUBT the best low cost alternative to a real Plexi. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED! Fair enough?

 

[STRATDELUXER97]

Re: What is a good subsitute for a Plexi?

One more thing in response to Kevlar3000's post: The Traynor we're discussing probably IS WITHOUT A DOUBT the best low cost alternative to a real Plexi. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED! Fair enough?

Lew....I went down that route of wanting the Marshall tone and trying to get it by other methods...Pretty much if you want the Marshall tone,you have to buy a Marshall...There's no short cutting that...

John

 

[PUCKBOY99]

Re: What is a good subsitute for a Plexi?

Thanks for all the learned info given in this thread!!!

For now, I've settled for the "Plexi" patch on my SansAmp PSA-1, which IMHO is pretty good.........but I've never had the opportunity to play with or even hear a REAL Plexi live.

 

[Lewguitar]

Re: What is a good subsitute for a Plexi?

Lew....I went down that route of wanting the Marshall tone and trying to get it by other methods...Pretty much if you want the Marshall tone,you have to buy a Marshall...There's no short cutting that...

John

Total 100% agreement! The title of the thread is What's a Good Substitute tho. If a guy's on a $300 budget, the Traynor is a "good" substitute, as Kevlar3000 noted.

Wouldn't be "good" enough for me or you of course!

But then again, we know what the real thing thing sounds and feels like! :burnout:

Lew

 

[kevlar3000]

Re: What is a good subsitute for a Plexi?

One more thing in response to Kevlar3000's post: The Traynor we're discussing probably IS WITHOUT A DOUBT the best low cost alternative to a real Plexi. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED! Fair enough?

I'll say there ain't nothing Toyota about the Bassmaster, that amp stands loud and proud all by itself. I play mine daily and have gigged out with it and go from where the hell did you get that thing to how the hell can I get one of those. If that head had a Marshall logo on it it would fetch thousands. I personally love the god awful looks, keeps em cheap for the smart fellas.