Based on the original "Super Amplifier" from the 1966 time period also known as the JTM-45/100. Original examples of these early amps are getting harder and harder to find, and prices keep escalating. The Monterey 100 “Super Amplifier” is a faithful re-creation of the JTM-45/100 in every way with extreme attention to detail in both build quality, parts used and the incredible sound.
The aluminum chassis is made with 1" folded and spot welded corners for strength out of .90 gauge material. Perforated tag boards are used for both power supply and main board assembly. Cosmetically the Monterey 100 sports a white back panel with black lettering and accurate “Super Amplifier” script. A gold “plexi” front panel is used with correct font. The aluminum chassis is mounted in a full size 100 watt flat lip head cabinet with gold piping and accurate radius of the front panel cutout. Transformers are the fabled Drake 1204-43 3" stack power transformer and Merren Audio replica Drake 1202-84 2" stack output transformer. The 1204-43 PT delivers a whopping 550 vdc at the plates of the KT-66 output valves. This is original spec voltage for this P/T running at correct AC input voltage. The Merren Audio1202-84 replica O/T uses a 4K primary impedance as the original. Output selection is 16 ohms, 8 ohms, and 100v line. Obviously the 100v line was never used but the winding does affect the sound of this unit.
Inside the heart and soul of the Monterey 100 you will find all the quality components that Germino Amps have set a new standard by which others are judged. Meticulous wiring with the absolute best quality parts available abound. The spot welded .90 aluminum chassis, custom wound paper bobbin transformers with correct interleaving ratio's, PEC 2 watt MIL spec potentiometers in correct audio tapers (Presence control is linear taper), Rifa electrolytic capacitors, Sozo coupling capacitors, Carbon film & Allen Bradley NOS carbon comp resistors, hand drilled turret boards, Castelco switches, Cliff jacks, NOS Cinch tube sockets and stranded copper wire. Wiring and assembly is second to none.
The Monterey 100 circuit is the typical Bass circuit from the JTM era. Tone control values are now a 33K slope resistor and 500pf capacitor to add upper mid emphasis. Power supply filtering is very low as the original JTM-45/100 and is key element to the feel and response.
This amplifier was made to fully capture the tone and vibe of the early Marshall Super Amplifier. The most fabled performance being the Jimi Hendrix Experience at Monterey Pop Festival in the summer of 1967 hence the name Monterey 100. These early 4 KT-66 powered amps with high voltages and very low filtering produce a unique tone that was used by many greats in early recordings.
The Monterey 100 fully captures the tone AND feel of these early amps with the addition of unparalleled reliability and quiet operation. The early tones of Hendrix, Free, Cream and others are readily available for those who have trained their hands and hearts in the musical sense.
"First off, I gotta tell you how much of an honor it is to have this amp. I'm not worthy! The amp sounds great. Quiet as a mouse unless I'm playing, and no radio noise ... The amp sounds very full and well balanced, with plenty of bottom. This baby likes pedals a lot. I used a Big Muff and it was very happy. I compared it with a Matamp GTVtc and a 200W Orange (both very beefy), all amps at full tilt; the Monterey won easily. Very toneful at all volumes." - Germino Monterey Classic owner
All Germino amplifers are available in the following colors at no additional charge.
    
Germino amplifiers are available exclusively through our network of dealers. To see a list of Germino dealers, please click here.
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