Germino monterey/fillmore

[onstage76]

I know I am in the minority but I am strictly a tele player (american deluxe w Don Mare pups) that is after some marshall goodness.

I play live only - NO BEDROOM level issues for me. rock-oriented alt country.

Amps used currently are non-master 71 twin reverb, Victoria tweed twin, 67 bandmaster, 68 deluxe reverb - in order of decreasing size of venues. problem is with bigger stages, I find the whole fender thing lacking mids and presence - increasingly keeping my TS-kind pedal (maxon od820) on to get me in the mix. I prefer a bluesy kind of sound to country twang. Although I don't mind the twangy tones from Cropper into Marshall stacks in Oslo!!

I'm totally sold on a germino. BUT, given my preference for fat hairy cleanish tones as opposed to raunchy grind, I wonder which of the two germino models is for me - the monterey or the fillmore?

I'm in oz so can't play either. Want to get to a good level on the amp volume but not be too grindy, just big round and warm with a hint of hair (think axis bold), at gig volumes.

4 valves and lots of iron is an absolute necessity - I need to be able to feel it. (and happy to use attenuator if required on very moderate settings).

Cheers to you guys who might have experience with these gorgeous amps.

 

[amp boy]

Email Greg.
Sounds to me like you want the 45/100 model......"big round warm"

 

[onstage76]

Cheers - yep am in email contact with greg but always keen for opinions - esp when buying an amp unheard in the flesh!

 

[Third Stone]

I'd guess the Monterey. I've played it and it's fantastic. Big round warm for sure. You should really talk to Greg though.

 

[dewman]

I was thinking Classic 45 or Club 40...but if you have got to have 4 valves, Monterey.

 

[cg]

I woudl say Club 40 as well. I am an alt country guy and the club 40 does this very well.

 

[Third Stone]

I can't see too many places where the club 40 won't be loud enough, but that being said, I believe Greg used a db meter once on the Monterey and it was only 1.5 db's louder than the C40. I think that's only slightly perceptible to the human ear.

 

[onstage76]

Thanks.

I have ordered the monterey - it was tough between the monterey and club 40 but I am very used to a fender twin on stage and even though I only use it at the same volume as i would a bandmaster, I just like the depth of soundstage or grunt that the bigger iron and 4 valves give. I've read that the monterey is the same - not much louder but just a bigger feel - and I like that. And I don't plan on overdriving the amp, so need to be loud even at low levels on the volume knob. I'm doin the alt country thing too.

I think if it is the amazing amp I expect it to be I will get a smaller version too and then either choose between them or keep both.

I almost bought an original 72 superbass on ebay the other day but am so glad I found a few builders who are building good-sounding and reliable equivalents.

 

[onstage76]

PS - have read lots from you dewman prior to ordering a germino - thanks! What attenuator is generally considered the best for very light/moderate attenuation with the germino stuff? Am thinking of getting one for smaller rooms so I don't have to take a seperate amp.