Germino

Current lead time with reservation is running 6-8 weeks.

Our best selling Germino model offering tremendous tones ranging from flawless 60's British cleans to modest, but smooth and creamy overdrive all available via your pick attack or the guitar's volume control.

Greg Germino has tirelessly searched for period correct cosmetic components right down to the pan head transformer bolts, Drake replica transformers, etc....

Check out the 5th photo above for Greg's ingenious rear panel solution to hiding the solid state/tube rectifier switch to maintain cosmetics purity while retaining ease of access.

Every detail of a Germino is perfection and the tone and feel astounding!

The Club 40 is an early style circuit voiced for a flat frequency response. The combination of the GZ-34 rectifier and the output transformer with 3.4K primary for EL-34's makes the Club 40 a direct descendant to the early JTM-50.

The early plexi circuit as used in the Classic 45 is carried over in the Club 40.

The output transformer is a Drake replica of the 784-139 specifically designed for EL-34's however will also work with various other tubes such as 6L6, 5881 and KT-66's. For lower power output 6V6's may be used also.

Plate voltage is around 415vdc with GZ-34 rectifier. Initial filtering is 64uf. Remaining stages are 32uf each.

Power transformer is externally selectable for 120v, 200v, 220/230v and 240/250v operation.

Available in Black, Red, White, Purple and Orange "Levant" style covering at no additional cost.

Fat Sound Award for Sonic Excellence!

Customer Comments

"Stu,

Man the the Club 40 is pure awesomeness. This is the sound i've been looking for a long time. Props to Greg, he sure knows how to make one hell of an amp. The shipping was so fast! You guys run a great business and I will definitely come back for more guitar stuff! Anyways, thank Greg for an awesome amp and thank you for some great business!"

Austin
 

"This particular Amp is the best sounding Germino I have ever played. I was totally stunned by it. Thanks to Greg Germino for making an early morning trip from Saxapahaw with his '58 Plain Top to visit Fat Sound and record a few tracks for us!"

Stu Carter - Fat Sound Guitars

Our best selling Germino model offered here in a 212 combo configuration with period-correct colors including gold tipped handle and gold vent grille. Tremendous tones ranging from flawless 60's British cleans that are very Hendrix-ian in nature to modest, but smooth and creamy overdrive all available via your pick attack or the guitar's volume control. In 212, dual Greenback configuration I was also able to achieve super thick crunch tones that made me want to riff Classic Early 70's Rock for days.

Lead time for build after reservation: 4-6 weeks

Greg Germino has tirelessly searched for period-correct cosmetic components including pan head transformer bolts, Drake replica transformers, etc....

Tube/Solid State rectification switch can either be located on the face plate for easiest access or on the side of the chassis with access via a rear panel port for a more period-correct faceplate look

Every detail of a Germino is perfection and the tone and feel astounding!

The Club 40 is an early style circuit voiced for a flat frequency response. The combination of the GZ-34 rectifier and the output transformer with 3.4K primary for EL-34's makes the Club 40 a direct descendant to the early JTM-50.

The early plexi circuit as used in the Classic 45 is carried over in the Club 40.

The output transformer is a Drake replica of the 784-139 specifically designed for EL-34's however will also work with various other tubes such as 6L6, 5881 and KT-66's. For lower power output 6V6's may be used also.

Plate voltage is around 415vdc with GZ-34 rectifier. Initial filtering is 64uf. Remaining stages are 32uf each.

Power transformer is externally selectable for 120v, 200v, 220/230v and 240/250v operation.

Available in Black, Red, White, Purple and Orange "Levant" style covering at no additional cost.

Fat Sound Award for Sonic Excellence!

Lead time for the Lead 55 and Lead 55 Lo-Volt version build after reservation: 4-6 weeks

The Lead 55 models use a classic dual EL-34 output section and "lead" circuit values. Both models are voiced the same with the only difference being the power transformer in the LV model supplies lower voltage at the output stage. Filtering is the same in each model and is period correct for 68/69 JMP-50 specs.

Both models use "Lead" tone control values of 33k and 500pf, along with a split cathode pre-amp arrangement with .022uf output stage coupling capacitors. These lead circuit values give more midrange emphasis with the classic crunch associated with the tones of the late 60's and early 70's.

The 1202-133 power transformer which is stock for the Lead 55 supplies 450vdc to the plates of the output tubes. The 1202-118 power transformer which is stock for the LV model supplies 415-420vdc in tube rectifier mode and 430-435vdc in ss rectifier mode. This model PT is what was used in the majority of JMP-50 amplifiers from 1967 thru 1969. Amp is selectable for 120v, 200v, 220v/230v and 240v/250v operation on the back panel.

Output transformer is a Drake 784-139 replica with 3.3K primary impedance. Original style laminate is used with correct slotted steel and correct “cheese head” screws. Primary and secondary windings are interleaved as originals. Speaker output is selectable for 16/8/4 ohms.

Choke is Dagnall replica C 1999. 

An incredible sounding amplifier with all the classic late 60's and early 70's sounds. Goes from a slightly crunchy clean to a thick smooth lead tone with just a twist of the guitar's volume control. This is the sound of the famed 1968/69 plexi 1987 model at its very best.

Component list is the same as our other products. Spot welded aluminum chassis, hand drilled tag board, carbon film and NOS carbon comp resistors, 2 watt Mil spec PEC potentiometers, period correct round black bat switches from the UK , BCR and F&T filter capacitors. Sozo brand "mustard" coupling caps all hand wired and assembled to perfection! Shipped with winged "C" Svetlana EL-34's and Tung Sol 12AX7's. 

Also available in 212 combo format: $2600.00

Available in Classic Black, Orange, Red, White and Purple "Levant" style coverings

Lead time for build after reservation: 4-6 weeks

A finely tuned replica of the JTM-45 using a Merren Audio custom wound version of the Radio Spares output transformer which has 6.6K, 8K, 9K and ultra-linear taps on the primary. The 6.6k primary is used as on early JTM-45's. This relatively high primary impedance works well with 6L6GC/5881 tube types and of course KT-66's. The Classic 45 with these tube types is rated at 35-40 watts. Additionally the Classic 45 can be fitted with 6V6's when using a 5Y3 rectifier. Re-biasing the amp for this tube type is necessary.

The Classic 45 is a Bass circuit as were all early JTM era amplifiers. Early plexi tone control values are used consisting of a 56K slope resistor and 270pf capacitor. Filtering in the Classic 45 is low giving the amp a soft feel. Initial stage is 64uf, remaining stages are 32uf each with tone control stage and preamp sharing 16uf. Plate voltage is 465-470vdc with GZ-34 rectifier. The Classic 45's power transformer is selectable for 120v, 200v, 220/230v and 240/250v operation. This power tranny features connections with solder tabs as the originals for period correct looks. The R/S output transformer is selectable for 4/8/16 ohm operation. Try the 16 ohm setting with 8 ohm cabs for a more dynamic response/feel from the amp.

Each amp I personally hand build using the finest parts and materials. Spot welded aluminum chassis, PEC 2 watt mil spec potentiometers, heavy duty Carling switches, Cinch tube sockets, Cliff jacks, BCR, ARS and F&T electrolytic capacitors, “Sozo” brand coupling capacitors and carbon film resistors mounted on a hand drilled turret board completes the interior layout of components. Original diameter copper stranded wire is used for all wiring. Each amp is laid out and assembled as an original JTM-45 would be.

The Classic 45 faithfully replicates the tone of an original JTM-45, only better! This amp is a delight to play being just at home doing "Beano" era Clapton as it is replicating AC/DC to early ZZ Top. The Classic 45 goes from an amazing clean tone to the best crunchy overdriven sounds imaginable. Excellent bottom end, incredible frequency response and exceptional 3D balance are all there to enjoy. The Classic 45 takes pedals extremely well and is not overly compressed sounding.

Classic 45 is shipping with either TAD KT-66 or TAD 6L6WGC output tubes on request. 

Available in Classic Black, Orange (as pictured above), Red, White and Purple "Levant" style coverings

Also available in 212 combo format: $2600.00

Recommended speakers for combo or extension cabinet pairing:
Celestion G12M Greenback Reissue (yes, the Chinese versions which are still my favorites)
Celestion Heritage G12-65 - add $75.00 per speaker. 

Lead time for build after reservation: 4-6 weeks

Audio clips recorded at Fat Sound Guitars on 3-16-2010 and featuring Greg Germino on all Les Paul tracks and Brian Dennis of DAG at the Gavin DeGraw Band on all Strat tracks - Thanks Guys!!
Note that all tracks were recorded with identical amplifier settings.

The first thing you need to know is that the Club 40 has been our best seller and that having recently played this amp I found it to be similar in tone, but with a bigger feel, like your guitar's string gauge just went up 4 sizes, but......and here's the part that stumped me.....at its sweet spot the Monterey 100 is only 1 dB louder than the Club 40 running at its sweet spot!

Greg Germino wasn't stumped by this at all explaining about voltage this and voltage that etc......(that boy talks over my head 80% of the time. I don't build amps; I just know tone!) This is a fantastic amp and when paired with the new Germino 412 cab with Vintage Bluesbreaker Pinstripe grille cloth is the ultimate in Hendrixian tone.

From Greg:

"Based on the original "Super Amplifier" from the 1966 time period also known as the JTM-45/100. Original examples of these early amps are getting harder and harder to find, and prices keep escalating.

The Monterey 100 “Super Amplifier” is a faithful re-creation of the JTM-45/100 in every way with extreme attention to detail in both build quality, parts used and the incredible sound.
The aluminum chassis is made with 1" folded and spot welded corners for strength out of .90 gauge material.
Perforated tag boards are used for both power supply and main board assembly.

Cosmetically the Monterey 100 sports a white back panel with black lettering and accurate “Super Amplifier” script. A gold “plexi” front panel is used with correct font.

The aluminum chassis is mounted in a full size 100 watt flat lip head cabinet with gold piping and accurate radius of the front panel cutout.

Transformers are the fabled Drake 1204-43 3" stack power transformer and Merren Audio replica Drake 1202-84 2" stack output transformer. The 1204-43 PT delivers a whopping 550 vdc at the plates of the KT-66 output valves. This is original spec voltage for this P/T running at correct AC input voltage.

The Merren Audio1202-84 replica O/T uses a 4K primary impedance as the original. Output selection is 16 ohms, 8 ohms, and 100v line. Obviously the 100v line was never used but the winding does affect the sound of this unit.

Inside the heart and soul of the Monterey 100 you will find all the quality components that Germino Amps have set a new standard by which others are judged. Meticulous wiring with the absolute best quality parts available abound.

The spot welded .90 aluminum chassis, custom wound paper bobbin transformers with correct interleaving ratios, PEC 2 watt MIL spec potentiometers in correct audio tapers (Presence control is linear taper), Rifa electrolytic capacitors, Sozo coupling capacitors, Carbon film & Allen Bradley NOS carbon comp resistors, hand drilled turret boards, Castelco switches, Cliff jacks, NOS Cinch tube sockets and stranded copper wire. Wiring and assembly is second to none.

The Monterey 100 circuit is the typical Bass circuit from the JTM era. Tone control values are now a 33K slope resistor and 500pf capacitor to add upper mid emphasis. Power supply filtering is very low as the original JTM-45/100 and is key element to the feel and response.

This amplifier was made to fully capture the tone and vibe of the early Marshall Super Amplifier. The most fabled performance being the Jimi Hendrix Experience at Monterey Pop Festival in the summer of 1967 hence the name Monterey 100. These early 4 KT-66 powered amps with high voltages and very low filtering produce a unique tone that was used by many greats in early recordings.

The Monterey 100 fully captures the tone AND feel of these early amps with the addition of unparalleled reliability and quiet operation. The early tones of Hendrix, Free, Cream and others are readily available for those who have trained their hands and hearts in the musical sense."

Fat Sound Award for Sonic Excellence!

Lead time for build after ordering is 4-6 weeks

Slightly over 40 years ago the sound of modern rock-n-roll took a significant step forward with the introduction of the “Super Lead” 100 watt amplifiers.

The Headroom 100 specifically emulates the sound and construction of the very early 68 100 watt plexi panel Super Lead and Super Bass amplifiers to exact detail! From the very first glance of the zinc plated steel chassis and plexi panels to the perforated tag board assembly the workmanship and attention to detail is simply stunning. The early Super Leads from 68 were the first to use a circuit specifically voiced for “lead” guitar with split cathode pre-amp, specific values in the tone section and output stage as well as a brite cap for an “automatic brightening” of the amp at low volume. The Headroom 100 is available with either a “Super Lead” circuit for the ultimate in singing sustain or, Super Bass circuit values for those wanting a cleaner amp with a more rounded tone.

The steel chassis is folded and spot welded at the corners.

Plexi panels in gold highlight the original style knobs.

A replica hand-wound Dagnall 1.5” transformer by Merren Audio is used and is the most accurate version being made today. Heyboer custom wound T-2562 power tranny delivers 460vdc to the plates just as the late 67/early 68 versions did. This spec is a little bit easier on tubes and allows the amp to overdrive smoother.

Inside the amp a beautiful and very accurate perforated tag board is populated with carbon film resistors and Sozo brand coupling capacitors. F & T electrolytic filter caps are used, PEC 2 watt mil spec pots and Castelco switches from the UK are some of the components that stand out amidst the incredible wiring and layout.

Brass hardware is used for tube sockets and board mounting and original style “cheese head” screws are used on the Dagnall replica transformers. Even the clamshell output transformer bracket was reproduced in exact detail.

The amp is for those with good hands! The sounds of the Headroom 100 are bold and tight with an extremely percussive attack that tracks with every detail the player's touch.

Bottom end is big, full and tight, an attribute of the four valves and power supply.

The Super Lead version crunches quickly with the high value brite cap and hits the area of singing sustain around 6 on the volume control. For those who want a smoother transition into the sweet spot of the amplifier a lower value 100pf cap is used. This is recommended for strat players.

The Super Bass version is a cleaner amp with Bass circuit values and has a rounder tone/flat frequency response. This amp is great for a bold clean a/la SRV/Hendrix style with a strat. Very fitting for Malcom Young type riffing as well, bold, punchy and just the right amount of crunch.

SED winged “C” EL-34's are used with the best 12AX7's currently made that can be sourced. At 460vdc at the output stage tube reliability is excellent with current production and NOS tubes.

Re-live the era of the golden age of rock, the Headroom 100 takes you there and beyond if you are ready. 

Available in Classic Black, Orange (as pictured above), Red, White and Purple "Levant" style coverings 

Price includes $350.00 upcharge for Pinstripe grille cloth option on 212 cabinet

Lead time is 6-8 weeks when ordered with this grille cloth

Lead 55LV

The Lead 55 models use a classic dual EL-34 output section and "lead" circuit values. Both models are voiced the same with the only difference being the power transformer in the LV model supplies lower voltage at the output stage. Filtering is the same in each model and is period correct for 68/69 JMP-50 specs.

Both models use "Lead" tone control values of 33k and 500pf, along with a split cathode pre-amp arrangement with .022uf output stage coupling capacitors. These lead circuit values give more midrange emphasis with the classic crunch associated with the tones of the late 60's and early 70's.

The 1202-133 power transformer which is stock for the Lead 55 supplies 450vdc to the plates of the output tubes. The 1202-118 power transformer which is stock for the LV model supplies 415-420vdc in tube rectifier mode and 430-435vdc in ss rectifier mode. This model PT is what was used in the majority of JMP-50 amplifiers from 1967 thru 1969. Amp is selectable for 120v, 200v, 220v/230v and 240v/250v operation on the back panel.

Output transformer is a Drake 784-139 replica with 3.3K primary impedance. Original style laminate is used with correct slotted steel and correct “cheese head” screws. Primary and secondary windings are interleaved as originals. Speaker output is selectable for 16/8/4 ohms.

Choke is Dagnall replica C 1999. 

An incredible sounding amplifier with all the classic late 60's and early 70's sounds. Goes from a slightly crunchy clean to a thick smooth lead tone with just a twist of the guitar's volume control. This is the sound of the famed 1968/69 plexi 1987 model at its very best.

Component list is the same as our other products. Spot welded aluminum chassis, hand drilled tag board, carbon film and NOS carbon comp resistors, 2 watt Mil spec PEC potentiometers, period correct round black bat switches from the UK , BCR and F&T filter capacitors. Sozo brand "mustard" coupling caps all hand wired and assembled to perfection! Shipped with winged "C" Svetlana EL-34's and Tung Sol 12AX7's.

The Grille Cloth

The best Pinstripe grille cloth available brought to you by Eric Collins

Don't be fooled by less expensive versions of this grille cloth. This is as close to the the real deal as it comes and of much higher quality than other, similar looking, cloths available and sold online via various websites.

Yes, at a $350.00 upcharge this new grille cloth is quite an extravagance, but for those of you who are as obsessive about getting the right look as well as the right tone this added expense will be well worth it.

Used briefly by Marshall from late 1965 through early 1968, this quality of "Pinstripe" cloth has been unavailable for over 40 years and now finally there is an entrepreneurial, Marshall fanatic who decided to reproduce it properly in all its glory. The exclusive Silk Screening process is not a cheap digital reproduction, but rather has the exact look and incredible silky feel and, more importantly, sonic properties of the original material.

Seeing, feeling and, yes, hearing this cloth in person will make a convert out of almost any die hard Marshall fan.

The sound of Hendrix and Bluesbreaker era Clapton are partially attributed to the unique tonal qualities of this grille cloth material

The process involved in reproducing this cloth is extremely labor intensive and to date, Greg Germino is the only Plexi-style amp builder bold enough to invest in this cloth and offer it to his clients who are among the most discerning Marshall fanatics.

From EC Collins website:

"It took nearly a year to just source the correct "open weave" base fabric, which is loomed at one of the finest mills in Europe. This is the only exact match to the original 1960s base fabric still being manufactured in the world today! My wholesale cost for this base fabric, is actually more per-yard than the retail price of the wholly inaccurate "Reissue" Bluesbreaker Grill Cloth. With this authentic base fabric in hand, it undergoes an entirely HANDMADE process, which takes nearly five hours to complete and took over a year of full-scale prototyping to perfect!

It takes 18 precise steps to transform a yard of base fabric into a yard of

TRUE "BLUESBREAKER-PINSTRIPE"®"

Still not convinced the tonal difference justifies the expense:

"In fact, I refer to the Bluesbreaker-type cloths in particular as 'tone cloths,' because they are of such a heavy weave that they alter the sound." - Michael Doyle, page 124, The History of MARSHALL

Lead time for build after reservation: 2-4 weeks

The best Pinstripe grille cloth available brought to you by Eric Collins

Don't be fooled by less expensive versions of this grille cloth. This is as close to the the real deal as it comes and of much higher quality than other, similar looking, cloths available and sold online via various websites.

Yes, at a $400.00 upcharge this new grille cloth is quite an extravagance, but for those of you who are as obsessive about getting the right look as well as the right tone this added expense will be well worth it.

Used briefly by Marshall from late 1965 through early 1968, this quality of "Pinstripe" cloth has been unavailable for over 40 years and now finally there is an entrepreneurial, Marshall fanatic who decided to reproduce it properly in all its glory. The exclusive Silk Screening process is not a cheap digital reproduction, but rather has the exact look and incredible silky feel and, more importantly, sonic properties of the original material.

Seeing, feeling and, yes, hearing this cloth in person will make a convert out of almost any die hard Marshall fan.

The sound of Hendrix and Bluesbreaker era Clapton are partially attributed to the unique tonal qualities of this grille cloth material

The process involved in reproducing this cloth is extremely labor intensive and to date, Greg Germino is the only Plexi-style amp builder bold enough to invest in this cloth and offer it to his clients who are among the most discerning Marshall fanatics.

Since this cloth purchased separately costs $510.00 for a piece large enough for a single 412 cab, you are actually saving over $110.00 by ordering it pre-installed on one of Greg's cabinets.

From EC Collins website:

"It took nearly a year to just source the correct "open weave" base fabric, which is loomed at one of the finest mills in Europe. This is the only exact match to the original 1960s base fabric still being manufactured in the world today! My wholesale cost for this base fabric, is actually more per-yard than the retail price of the wholly inaccurate "Reissue" Bluesbreaker Grill Cloth. With this authentic base fabric in hand, it undergoes an entirely HANDMADE process, which takes nearly five hours to complete and took over a year of full-scale prototyping to perfect!

It takes 18 precise steps to transform a yard of base fabric into a yard of

TRUE "BLUESBREAKER-PINSTRIPE"®"

Still not convinced the tonal difference justifies the expense:

"In fact, I refer to the Bluesbreaker-type cloths in particular as 'tone cloths,' because they are of such a heavy weave that they alter the sound." - Michael Doyle, page 124, The History of MARSHALL

Logo available in upper left hand as pictured above (recommended 'cause I Like it there) or in usual center position.

Cabinet is available in both straight and slant versions and features period correct caster receptacles.

Heritage speakers available for an additional $75.00 per speaker, but I really dig the standard G12M Greenback.
 

The example pictured above is a purple Levant Straight cabinet, but all other Germino colors are available.

All cabinets are made from Baltic Birch ply with finger jointed corners for strength. Baffles and back panels are made of Baltic Birch as well. Stainless steel hardware is used throughout in assembly. Grille cloth is original style basketweave that is salt and pepper in color. This is obtained from the original supplier in the UK that Marshall used in the late 60's and early 70's.

Both slant front and straight front 4 x 12 cabinets are handbuilt using as a pattern two original basketweave cabs from 1968 and 1969. Along with the basketweave grille cloth and original construction methods these are the best sounding cabinets made.

Speaker choices are: Celestion reissue G12M or G12H 

Available in Classic Black, Orange, Red, White and Purple (as pictured above) Levant style coverings 

Lead time for build after reservation: 2 weeks

Germino's 2 x 12 extension cabinet and 2 x 12 combo cabinet are both made in the Style I "Bluesbreaker" look with top valance panel. These were patterned from an original 1965 Style I "Bluesbreaker" extension cab. Dimensions are 28" X 22" X 12" All 2 x 12 extension cabs come stock open back. A one piece back panel for closed back use is available as an option.

All cabinets are made from Baltic Birch ply with finger jointed corners for strength. Baffles and back panels are made of Baltic Birch as well. Stainless steel hardware is used throughout in assembly. Grille cloth is original style basketweave that is salt and pepper in color. This is obtained from the original supplier in the UK that Marshall used in the late 60's and early 70's.

Speaker choices

• Celestion reissue 25 watt Greenback G12M at 97 db efficiency.
• Celestion reissue 30 watt 70th anniversary G12H at 100db efficiency.
• Heritage G12-65 watt at 97 db efficiency.

Prices

• 2 x 12 cabinet with reissue G12M or G12H - $750
• 2 x 12 cabinet with Heritage G12-65 - $900.00

Available in Classic Black, Orange , Red, White (as pictured above) and Purple Levant style coverings