Metro Plexi

[cryptozoo]

Got a Metro 50 Watt Plexi clone on the way... anyone have any experience with 'em?

 

[csteward]

No, but I have a Metro JTM 45 that I converted to 50w bass specs in the circuit, and its great. The amp you got should be great, you should be able to get all the tones you want.

 

[gutpile]

I've built two! One for me and one for another forum member... GREAT amp!! more versatile than the 100w IMO... It cleans up more and you get more clean headroom... there is a quick test clip of my 50w in my signature, it was my first recording micing my cab! Congrats!

 

[cryptozoo]

Yo Gutpile, love that Cold Gin... ah yeah! The amp sounds great.I'm looking forward to getting mine.

 

[SimonBarSinister]

I have one that George Built.... It is totally smoking....

 

[Mark]

I've built two! One for me and one for another forum member... GREAT amp!! more versatile than the 100w IMO... It cleans up more and you get more clean headroom... there is a quick test clip of my 50w in my signature, it was my first recording micing my cab! Congrats!

More clean headroom than the 100 watt ???

 

[gutpile]

CLEAN headroom... not overall headroom!! to get the same cleans on my 100w I need to have the volume set at about 3 as opposed to about 6 on the 50w... There is only about 4db difference in volume between the two amps - just one click on the hotplate! The cleans (at least on my amps) are better on the 50w than the 100w... dimed, the two are just about equal in gain...

 

[Mark]

I always did like the 50 watt better.

 

[BrickwallJackson]

CLEAN headroom... not overall headroom!! to get the same cleans on my 100w I need to have the volume set at about 3 as opposed to about 6 on the 50w... There is only about 4db difference in volume between the two amps - just one click on the hotplate! The cleans (at least on my amps) are better on the 50w than the 100w... dimed, the two are just about equal in gain...

Hey Bro,

This is great information! Thanks so much for posting. I am in the process of deciding which amp I am going to build, and I have opted for a 50 watter, for the reasons you stated. I really like to be able to clean up with the volume knob on the guitar, and then go from there.

I have an original 76 Superlead that is just a flamethrower. It doesn't break up gracefully, it goes from clean to Black Sabbath in one notch. Since I'm more of a Skynyrd/Bad Co. guy, that don't work for me.

I got to play through one of Jim Seavall's metro 50 watters and it did what I wanted right from the beginning.

Do you have any insight into why the 50 watters clean up better? Just curious because I would think you'd have more clean headroom in the 100 watter.

Also, what is it about the metal panels (besides the output couplers and the V2 bypass cap) that makes them such animals?

BTW, love your clips dude!!

Thanks,

Johnny Reb

 

[skhan007]

I've been really interested in building the 50 watt Metroamp at some point. Can anyone tell me how it's better/different than the 1987 reissue Marshall? IIRC, better OT, better caps, and PTP wiring right?

 

[59Vampire]

Yo Gutpile, love that Cold Gin... ah yeah! The amp sounds great.I'm looking forward to getting mine.

Dayam that sounds great !!

 

[gutpile]

I've been really interested in building the 50 watt Metroamp at some point. Can anyone tell me how it's better/different than the 1987 reissue Marshall? IIRC, better OT, better caps, and PTP wiring right?

Maybe wookie can chime in here... He has a 1987 reissue and changed out the OT to a Heyboer and put in a PTP board from Metro... basically, converted it to a Metro 50w and I know he is quite happy with the results!

 

[gutpile]

Hey Bro,

This is great information! Thanks so much for posting. I am in the process of deciding which amp I am going to build, and I have opted for a 50 watter, for the reasons you stated. I really like to be able to clean up with the volume knob on the guitar, and then go from there.

I have an original 76 Superlead that is just a flamethrower. It doesn't break up gracefully, it goes from clean to Black Sabbath in one notch. Since I'm more of a Skynyrd/Bad Co. guy, that don't work for me.

I got to play through one of Jim Seavall's metro 50 watters and it did what I wanted right from the beginning.

Do you have any insight into why the 50 watters clean up better? Just curious because I would think you'd have more clean headroom in the 100 watter.

Also, what is it about the metal panels (besides the output couplers and the V2 bypass cap) that makes them such animals?

BTW, love your clips dude!!

Thanks,

Johnny Reb

Thanks Johnny! Here are the difference in the circuits of my amps... the top one is the 100w and the bottom is the 50w... as you can see the circuits are similar between the two... the two big .22 caps on the far right side of the 50w are there to eliminate popping when switching in and out of standby... Sounds like the 50w is the ticket for you! The 50w is a GREAT amp!!!

 

[soldano16]

Wow - folks agreeing a 50 watt Marshall has better cleans than a 100 watter.

I prefer my 100 watter. The cleans sound bigger IMHO.

 

[gutpile]

Wow - folks agreeing a 50 watt Marshall has better cleans than a 100 watter.

I prefer my 100 watter. The cleans sound bigger IMHO.

I have yet to hear two Marshall's sound and act exactly the same! I can only speak to what I have experienced through my amps... I should clarify that my '66 spec 45/100 (KT66's) cleans up the best... In my post above, I was referring to a '69 spec 100w vs. a 50w (both have el34's)... The '67 spec (el34's) cleans up better than the '69 spec and comparable to my 50w... the '68 12xxx series is the evh amp... I have little to no experience with any of the modern 100w'ers (TSL/DSL/VM/JVM, etc...) so I really can't say anything!!

 

[Wookie]

I've been really interested in building the 50 watt Metroamp at some point. Can anyone tell me how it's better/different than the 1987 reissue Marshall? IIRC, better OT, better caps, and PTP wiring right?

YO!!! Absolutely the Wookie will chime in here, that must have been my cue...

What the hell is this thing here anyways ->:foghorn !!!! Does this mean BIG COCK!?!?

Anyways, the stock Marshall 1987x Reissue was way bright and hot, all due to the huge bright cap that comes stock on it, and even when changed or removed it's still a very hot amp with lots of gain. If you rolled back on the volume it cleans up but it doesn't retain the thick full-bodied tone you'd get from a real PTP amp.

The Metro 50 watter, or conversion that I did, warmed up the tone considerably and gave a MUCH more usable sweep in the clean to scream range on the guitar. It's SMOOOOoooooth like butta, thick as a brick, and no where near the harshness that the stock amp had. With the guitar volume on 2-3 it's like a Tele, 4-5 it's like a dirty little whore, 6-7 it's smoking time, and 8-10 it's Kicking It. Plus you've also got the EVH spongy-saturation in spades if you jump the bugger.

Expect a great amp right out of the box, and an incredible amp after 100 hrs or so. They age like fine wine and will intoxicate your soul with tonefull bliss.

I can also say, from A/B ing all the Metro flavors, that the pots are also WAY more usable than stock Marshall - more sweep/range.

You want Skynyrd? You want Bad Company? It'll do those plus more, but Gutpile can attest the 100 watter is more geared towards the Skynyrd flavor. That is if you're splitting hairs here and want to nail it. But then again, if you were trying to be 100% accurate on the Skynyrd note you'd be looking for a Peavey.

 

[soldano16]

In my post above, I was referring to a '69 spec 100w vs. a 50w (both have el34's)...

me =

'68 50 watter
'72 Super Lead

I love both amps and the basic clean tones are pretty similar but the SL is just richer/fuller sounding with the same cab!

Both amps are loaded with '64 Mullard ECC83's but the SL does have brown base Tesla's whereas the plexi is JJ EL34L's.

 

[bjm007]

I ordered George's first 50 watter of his bench a few years ago. Although I don't own it now, it was an awesome amp. I can't say enough nice things about Metro. George is a class act :salude

 

[timmy 2 tone]

YO!!! Absolutely the Wookie will chime in here, that must have been my cue...

What the hell is this thing here anyways ->:foghorn !!!! Does this mean BIG COCK!?!?

:lol :lol :lol :lol :lol :rofl :rofl :rofl :rofl

 

[Mars Hall]

My Metro upgraded JTM45ri is my "go to" amp. PTP board installed along with a Marstran OT and choke.

Currently in the process of upgrading my 97 Marshall "35th Ann" 1962WSP Bluesbreaker. Will be outfitted with PTP board, Sozo Premium caps, OT and choke all from Metro. Here's a pic.

My next project will be the 50 watt kit with bass specs.