Aiken Invader 30W or Germino Club 40?

Discussion in 'Amps and Cabs' started by haslar, Apr 28, 2005.

  1. Apr 28, 2005 #1
    haslar

    haslar Member

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    I'm looking for an amp to go along with my Marshall '75 4x12" (blackback G12Ms).

    I play mostly clean or semi-clean. Guitars are a Suhr Classic w/V60LPs and a Heritage H535 w/Darkbursts.

    My 4-piece band plays soul, jazzy and bluesy stuff.

    The sound I'm looking for is Hendrix clean, think Band of Gypsies era ("Who knows", etc.).

    Occasionally, I'll be pushing the front end of the amp with a Xotic RC Booster and/or a Fulltone Drive II in order to get a Warren Haynes / Duane Allman kind of tone with my Heritage.

    I'll use the amp in small-to-medium venues, with a band that doesn't play very loud.

    I'm really focused on those two amps; I'm sure I can't go wrong with either, but I need to decide which one to buy.


    Any recommendations?
     
    haslar, Apr 28, 2005
    haslar, Apr 28, 2005
    #1
  2. Apr 28, 2005 #2
    GrisGrisFunk

    GrisGrisFunk Member

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    I would defnatley go with a Germino. I have a Classic 45 that I use in my band and it's truly phenominal! I play alot of Warren Haynes/Gov't Mule/Allman bros. stuff and the Classic 45 does an awesome job of covering that kind of music.

    For Hendrix clean you would probably be better off with the Club 40. The Classic 45 has awesome clean too, but my drummer plays awfully loud, so i don't get quite the clean headroom i need to play clean; even with the guitar volume knob turned down. I'm running my Classic 45 at around 8'ish.

    I'm actually thinking about getting a Club 40 myself after hearing the clips on Greg's site. But then again I'm thinking about getting a Fender Super Reverb/or a clone for clean stuff. I'm still debating on what route I want to take.

    But you should look into Germino, I highly recommend his work. This is the first time I've actually had an amp that sounds this great. I've had a plethora of amps, trust me. Hope this helps!

    Mike
     
    GrisGrisFunk, Apr 28, 2005
    GrisGrisFunk, Apr 28, 2005
    #2
  3. Apr 28, 2005 #3
    cocheese

    cocheese Silver Supporting Member

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    I have a Club 40 and absolutely love it! I don't see how you could go wrong with one. Any way you slice it, they are just great amps. :)
     
    cocheese, Apr 28, 2005
    cocheese, Apr 28, 2005
    #3
  4. Apr 28, 2005 #4
    Moods

    Moods Member

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    One more Club 40 fan. I am diggin' mine big time. Nails the Jimi Marshall thing in spades. Should sound spot on through your cab.

    Good luck!

    <M
     
    Moods, Apr 28, 2005
    Moods, Apr 28, 2005
    #4
  5. Apr 28, 2005 #5
    tuna

    tuna Member

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    tuna, Apr 28, 2005
    tuna, Apr 28, 2005
    #5
  6. Apr 29, 2005 #6
    Third Stone

    Third Stone Member

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    The Club 40 all the way...you won't be sorry.
     
    Third Stone, Apr 29, 2005
    Third Stone, Apr 29, 2005
    #6
  7. Apr 29, 2005 #7
    mattmccloskey

    mattmccloskey Supporting Member

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    The invader has killer reverb, an attenuator, and 2 very different voicings with the plexi/ali switch. It will be more versatile, and the attenuator allows any level of overdrive at any volume. The germinos sound great, but they are more bare-bones as far as features.
     
    mattmccloskey, Apr 29, 2005
    mattmccloskey, Apr 29, 2005
    #7
  8. Apr 29, 2005 #8
    haslar

    haslar Member

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    Yes, and that is why I hesitate... Those Aikens sure do look tempting !!!

    My main concern with the Aiken Invader is headroom.
    I'm sure this amp is awesome for doing the Marshall crunch thing at lower volumes, but I don't know if I can get a clean Hendrixy sound at gigging volume with it.

    And for my use, what I need is really a pedal platform that plays clean or semi-clean at this kind of volume. If I need overdrive, I'll use my RC Booster or my FDII.

    At the moment, I use a Rivera M60 50W combo, and I feel this kind of power is adequate for my needs.
    So I'm not sure the aiken 30 watts (or 18 watts!) would be enough...
     
    haslar, Apr 29, 2005
    haslar, Apr 29, 2005
    #8
  9. Apr 29, 2005 #9
    ethomas1013

    ethomas1013 Member

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    How large are your gigs? I have an Intruder 30 head that I use with a 2x12 cab. There is WAY more than enough clean/semi-clean volume with one of these for clubs. If the Invader/Intruder 30 is not loud enough then you are playing way too loud for a club!
     
    ethomas1013, Apr 29, 2005
    ethomas1013, Apr 29, 2005
    #9
  10. Apr 29, 2005 #10
    haslar

    haslar Member

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    I play anything from small bars up to 200 seater venues.
     
    haslar, Apr 29, 2005
    haslar, Apr 29, 2005
    #10
  11. Apr 29, 2005 #11
    dbeeman

    dbeeman Gold Supporting Member

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    My Invader was used in a large hall with around 200- 300+, with the attenuator 3 clicks down! Turn the guitar vol down to clean up and back up to get the grind
     
    dbeeman, Apr 29, 2005
    dbeeman, Apr 29, 2005
    #11
  12. May 3, 2005 #12
    haslar

    haslar Member

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    Has anyone A/Bd both amps?

    If so, to your ears, which one had the best clean and semi-clean?
     
    haslar, May 3, 2005
    haslar, May 3, 2005
    #12
  13. May 3, 2005 #13
    bluessyndicate

    bluessyndicate Member

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    I a/b'd the Germino Massonette with an Aiken Invader 30w...and there was no comparison...the Aiken was hands down the more versatile and better sounding amp "for my particular need" which based on what you said is the same as your needs.... don't know how the Massonette compares to the club 40.
     
    bluessyndicate, May 3, 2005
    bluessyndicate, May 3, 2005
    #13

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