18 Watt TMB vs 20 Watt Lead & Bass

[Duppy]

I was really close to ordering a 50 watt Plexi 1986 head, but stopped at the last minute thinking about the ongoing "turn it down" comments I get from sound men. I'm a firm believer in cranking an amp to get the best tone and I don't really like attenuators.

So I was thinking what should I go for instead; the 18 Watt TMB or the 20 Watt Lead & Bass?

Have any of you guys got an opinion on this or can describe the difference in tone to me. I really want the EL34 growl of there big brothers.

[Pastor Bentonit]

I have both a 1986 head (Marshall '74, plenty road-worn but still going strong! Possibly the best Marshall I've played or even heard) and the Ceriatone 20W Lead and Bass head. They both have the same (blendable - you know the trick) insane bite and fat bottom, only the 1986 is a bit louder (and has more of the annoying "no volume - full volume" feature). The TMB I haven't tried; I'm sure it's good too, but the 20W will *nail* the tone of a 1986 IMHO. Simplicity rules.

That said, I think your sound man would object to your turning up the 20W past "2" on stage, lest you also turn your (miked, I suppose?) cabinet backwards. Only that - and bear with me for a moment of clarity - I once did exactly that using the 1986 in a small sports bar (we crammed in ~500 beer-guzzling guests that evening and played for the friggin' door...aaah, those were the days!); the next day the bar owner had gotten notice from the hotel reception right behind the off-stage door (!!) that "the police would (yada yada retractable batons yada)" if that EVER happened again...you get the picture.

Just my 2 cent's worth, et cetera.

Peace,

/The Rev.