GERMINO CLUB 40

The Germino Club 40™ is the defining early sound of the JMP-50 watt Bass heads with a circuit voiced for full frequency response like the larger Super Bass models. Output transformer is a Drake replica of the 784-139 specifically designed for EL-34's Plate voltage is 425vdc with ss rectifier. Power transformer is externally selectable for 120v, 200v, 220/230v and 240/250v operation.

 

The Club 40 as with all Germino amplifiers use the same quality components.  Carbon film and carbon comp resistors along with film/foil caps mounted on a hand wired turret board.  F&T electrolytic capacitors, military spec pots, Cliff jacks and premium tube sockets all mounted in an aluminum chassis with spot welded corners for strength. Custom wound transformers are period correct using 1202-118 P/T, 784-139 OPT and 352-114 choke by Heyboer.

 

The Club 40 moves from big beautiful clean tones to bold crunch effortlessly and excels with either single coils or humbuckers. This amp is very responsive to volume control adjustments from the guitar and gives the user extreme flexibility running the amp with or without pedals. An array of early tones that go from incredible cleans to the definition of British crunch are all there. Pushed, the Club 40™ gives great response and singing single note lines. The perfect amp for a semi clean/slightly distorted tones with single coil or humbucking pickups. The Club 40 covers a wide range of late 60's and early 70's classic rock sounds when paired with either a 2 X 12 or 4 X 12 cabinet.

The Club 40 can be built optionally as a specific JTM-50 replica with GZ-34 rectifier and higher voltages in pre-amp section for those wanting an exact Black Flag JTM-50.

Note: These product specifications apply to Germino models 2016 only, not earlier product.

ABOUT GREG GERMINO

Greg Germino became immersed in music as many did by the British Invasion of the 60's by groups such as The Beatles and The Rolling Stones. Hours were spent by an old RCA Hi-Fi unit spinning records by these and other groups while singing along.

 

By 1969 Greg had begun playing acoustic guitar learning some basic chords, however his full love affair with electric guitar tones was inspired by an early 1972 live performance of The Allman Brothers Band. His first Les Paul was acquired soon-after along with his first tube amp, an Ampeg B12XT Portaflex. Greg began listening intently to music by the ABB, Eric Clapton, Led Zeppelin, The Who and others. He began playing with bands the following year in 1973.

 

During High School he took his first electronics class and began learning about circuits. Playing during his High School years and afterward he acquired his first 100 watt Marshall around 1977. Vintage equipment was more prolific in those days. After noticing that older Marshall amps sounded better than his 1974 Super Lead Greg changed many of the board components to match his friends 69 Super Lead.

 

Through the late 70's and into the 80's Greg played with various bands and continued to educate himself regarding tone, playing technique and absorbed what he could regarding tube amps. Beginning 1984 through 1995 Greg worked as a technician primarily on DC circuits. By the early 90's he was working part time with Rich Bogart of  "The Tube Farm" who originally marketed and trademarked the Accu-bias and where another future amp builder, Steve Carr also worked on occasion.

 

In 1995 Greg worked briefly in music retail at Fat Sound Guitars. This was short lived due to moving to the mountains of North Carolina and working the next 3 years as guitarist for the Boone based band "Chicken Fat".

 

Returning off the mountain in 1998 Greg worked for Bull City Sound as a bench technician working on a variety of tube amplifiers. After this Greg did service work briefly for Shomaker Guitars before moving on to work with Mojo Musical Supply in January 2001. There he handled phone orders, repairs, questions in reference to Marshall amps and helped expand the company's aftermarket Marshall parts and cabinet offerings. Late in 2001 he was commissioned to build the Mojo "Tone Machine" amplifier consisting of a run of 30 pieces.

 

In May 2002 Germino Amplification began with the first production pieces being shipped to dealers at that time.

 

Greg has remained active in bands, playing small 100-200 seat clubs to 1200 seat theatre rooms in a variety of settings over the years. His commitment to his product is evident in workmanship, passion for work and continued excellent customer support.