This is a great amp, and it's just not the sound for me. I'm more of Fender guy at heart, I guess, or at least a JTM45 guy. Although cranked up, this amp sounds truly glorious. Anyway, I've included the original seller's description here, because there's a bunch of technical stuff that I don't understand at all and he did the mod to the amp, changing it from a Masonette to a Lead 35.
Here it is:
"This amp started life as an early Masonette with SN 26. When the lead 35 came out, I called Greg Germino and asked him about the differences. He indicated that both were the lead 55 circuit (68 Pexi 50 split cathode type), but that the lead 35 had a new Stancor Trainwreck style output transformer that allowed for a bit more power and a huge variety of tube swapping with just rebiasing, and no having to mis-match speaker/switch impedance. He suggested that I could just switch the output transformer on the Masonette rather than having to order a new amp. I ordered the OT from him, did the switch (I'm a professional tech) and it definitely was an upgrade.
The now Lead 35 has more headroom than it had as a Masonette, and the EL34s have more low mid grunt and a less-glassy breakup than the 6V6s.
It will definitely give up the early EVH with the bright channel volume around 9, even more gain if you want to go past that. Keep in mind this is NOT bedroom levels! It is full on club date/loud drummer capable volumes, but still much more quiet than a 100W. Same tone, no ear-bleed. Even more ear friendly if you're using vintage style, inefficient Celestion greenbacks. It will of course nail all the classic rock M tones.
Amp is in excellent condition cosmetically, just a few tolex marks, no tears. Electronically, well, it's a Germino, so it's built like a tank. Mallory couplers, carbon comp resistors, JJ Filters, JTM45 type PT, Lead 35/Trainwreck Stancor OT.
Comes with brand new EL34JJs, JJ 12AX7 in V1/2, NOS GT12AX7M (one of the good ones!) in the PI, and a NoS Miltary US made 5R4GWB rectifier tube (the kind found in B-52 bombers). I chose that rectifier for its voltage drop with lower heater current draw than a 5U4, along with ability to handle higher filtering/current than a 5Y3. Shows 380-390V on the plates of the EL34s, depending on biasing.
Can also us the following tubes without impedance mismatch (needs to re-bias however): 6CA7, KT-77, 6L6GC, 5881, KT-66, 6v6.
Comes with the original Masonette output transformer (fully working and in excellent shape) in case you want to convert back to lower wattage and 6v6 power tubes."
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Listed | 6 years ago |
Condition | Excellent (Used) Excellent items are almost entirely free from blemishes and other visual defects and have been played or used with the utmost care.Learn more |
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