Aracom Amplifiers PLX BB18 (2x12) Combo w/ Reverb
Product Description
PLX BB 18 (Bluesbreaker)
A popular 18 watt, mid size amp with Tremolo and Reverb The PLX BB 18 (Bluesbreaker) amplifier is our tribute to the Marshall 18 watt Tremolo amp that was originally introduced in 1967. The term "Bluesbreaker" originated from the Marshall JTM 45 Tremolo Combo amp that Eric Clapton made famous when he was with John Mayall and the Bluesbreakers. While the JTM 45 Tremolo is the original "Bluesbreaker", many people also refer to the early 50 watt and 18 watt Marshall amps with Tremolo as Bluesbreaker amps.
The 18 watt PLX BB 18 is often the perfect wattage amp for many players. The volume level is enough or more than enough for jamming with the band, playing live at small and medium clubs, or “mic’ed” for even larger venues. The PLX BB 18 can be cranked up enough to overdrive the output tubes, at a much lower volume level as compared to a 50 or 100 watt amp.
The PLX BB 18 is a very versatile two channel amp. The Tremolo channel is the brighter channel, while providing more clean headroom than the Normal channel and just enough saturation when fully cranked up. The non-tremolo Normal channel is the darker, hotter channel providing more grind and distortion as you twist the volume knob.
PLX BB 18 Channel Description
Tremolo Channel
While the original 1967 Marshall 18w Tremolo amplifier did not offer much clean headroom, we’ve designed the Tremolo channel on our PLX BB 18 to have a bit more. Of course the clean headroom will not be as much as a 50 or 100 watt amp, but it does add enough to make the amp more versatile. The guitarist can select between using the cleaner, brighter Tremolo channel or the darker dirtier Normal channel. Many guitarist like the simplicity the Tremolo channel’s single tone control knob to dial in the tone. When cranked up, this channel provides an awesome overdriven tone, while not being too oversaturated. This provides a nice distorted tone, while still offering great note and pick attack definition. The natural sounding tube driven Tremolo effect has Intensity and Speed controls. This effect can be turned on or off via remote footswitch pedal or by the master Tremolo on/off toggle switch, located on the back of the amp.
High and Low input jacks are provided, which allows the guitarist to control the amount of the guitar’s signal level driving the first preamp stage. The Low input jack cuts the guitar’s pickup signal by 3db.
The Tremolo channel is very versatile providing impressive touch sensitivity and a wide range of tones, especially when controlled by the guitar’s volume control. The Tremolo channel is perfect for a wide spectrum of tones from jazz, grinding blues, classic rock and modern rock.
Optional Tube Driven Spring Reverb (Tremolo Channel) for Combo Amps While it is rare to find an original Marshall 18 watt amplifier from the 60s with Reverb, the PLX BB 18 is offered with an optional tube driven spring Reverb. The Reverb effect sets ARACOM PLX BB 18 amplifier apart from other non Reverb 18 watt amps. Nothing beats the natural tone of an actual tube driven, mechanical reverb circuit and the PLX BB18 sounds amazing with the added reverb option. The Reverb effect is provided on the Tremolo channel and can be used simultaneously with the Tremolo effect. A single volume knob controls the Reverb intensity. The Reverb and Tremolo can be turned on and off via a remote footswitch pedal. The optional Reverb feature adds even more versatility to the PLX BB 18 combo amp.
Note: The Reverb version is available on the PLX BB 18 and PLX 18 Combo 1x12 and 2x12 configurations and not available with the Head Cabinet configuration.
Normal Channel Plug into the Normal channel, crank it up, and you will hear the awesome singing overdriven tone these amps are known for. The Normal channel is the darker and hotter channel. It provides great saturation and overdriven tone. Perfect for leads and playing heavy rhythm sections. Like the Tremolo channel, the Normal channel also has High and Low input jacks; however the Normal channel preamp circuit is configured different than the Tremolo channel. The High input jack on the Normal channel adds a second preamp stage in parallel with the Lo Input’s single preamp stage. The paralleled preamp stages allow the power amp tubes to be driven harder, providing an awesome overdriven tone. For less overdrive and more Blues grind the Low input jack can be used. Like the Tremolo channel, the Normal channel has a single Tone knob that dials in the tone.
A popular 18 watt, mid size amp with Tremolo and Reverb The PLX BB 18 (Bluesbreaker) amplifier is our tribute to the Marshall 18 watt Tremolo amp that was originally introduced in 1967. The term "Bluesbreaker" originated from the Marshall JTM 45 Tremolo Combo amp that Eric Clapton made famous when he was with John Mayall and the Bluesbreakers. While the JTM 45 Tremolo is the original "Bluesbreaker", many people also refer to the early 50 watt and 18 watt Marshall amps with Tremolo as Bluesbreaker amps.
The 18 watt PLX BB 18 is often the perfect wattage amp for many players. The volume level is enough or more than enough for jamming with the band, playing live at small and medium clubs, or “mic’ed” for even larger venues. The PLX BB 18 can be cranked up enough to overdrive the output tubes, at a much lower volume level as compared to a 50 or 100 watt amp.
The PLX BB 18 is a very versatile two channel amp. The Tremolo channel is the brighter channel, while providing more clean headroom than the Normal channel and just enough saturation when fully cranked up. The non-tremolo Normal channel is the darker, hotter channel providing more grind and distortion as you twist the volume knob.
PLX BB 18 Channel Description
Tremolo Channel
While the original 1967 Marshall 18w Tremolo amplifier did not offer much clean headroom, we’ve designed the Tremolo channel on our PLX BB 18 to have a bit more. Of course the clean headroom will not be as much as a 50 or 100 watt amp, but it does add enough to make the amp more versatile. The guitarist can select between using the cleaner, brighter Tremolo channel or the darker dirtier Normal channel. Many guitarist like the simplicity the Tremolo channel’s single tone control knob to dial in the tone. When cranked up, this channel provides an awesome overdriven tone, while not being too oversaturated. This provides a nice distorted tone, while still offering great note and pick attack definition. The natural sounding tube driven Tremolo effect has Intensity and Speed controls. This effect can be turned on or off via remote footswitch pedal or by the master Tremolo on/off toggle switch, located on the back of the amp.
High and Low input jacks are provided, which allows the guitarist to control the amount of the guitar’s signal level driving the first preamp stage. The Low input jack cuts the guitar’s pickup signal by 3db.
The Tremolo channel is very versatile providing impressive touch sensitivity and a wide range of tones, especially when controlled by the guitar’s volume control. The Tremolo channel is perfect for a wide spectrum of tones from jazz, grinding blues, classic rock and modern rock.
Optional Tube Driven Spring Reverb (Tremolo Channel) for Combo Amps While it is rare to find an original Marshall 18 watt amplifier from the 60s with Reverb, the PLX BB 18 is offered with an optional tube driven spring Reverb. The Reverb effect sets ARACOM PLX BB 18 amplifier apart from other non Reverb 18 watt amps. Nothing beats the natural tone of an actual tube driven, mechanical reverb circuit and the PLX BB18 sounds amazing with the added reverb option. The Reverb effect is provided on the Tremolo channel and can be used simultaneously with the Tremolo effect. A single volume knob controls the Reverb intensity. The Reverb and Tremolo can be turned on and off via a remote footswitch pedal. The optional Reverb feature adds even more versatility to the PLX BB 18 combo amp.
Note: The Reverb version is available on the PLX BB 18 and PLX 18 Combo 1x12 and 2x12 configurations and not available with the Head Cabinet configuration.
Normal Channel Plug into the Normal channel, crank it up, and you will hear the awesome singing overdriven tone these amps are known for. The Normal channel is the darker and hotter channel. It provides great saturation and overdriven tone. Perfect for leads and playing heavy rhythm sections. Like the Tremolo channel, the Normal channel also has High and Low input jacks; however the Normal channel preamp circuit is configured different than the Tremolo channel. The High input jack on the Normal channel adds a second preamp stage in parallel with the Lo Input’s single preamp stage. The paralleled preamp stages allow the power amp tubes to be driven harder, providing an awesome overdriven tone. For less overdrive and more Blues grind the Low input jack can be used. Like the Tremolo channel, the Normal channel has a single Tone knob that dials in the tone.
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