GERMINO HEADROOM 100

Slightly over 40 years ago the sound of modern rock-n-roll took a significant step forward with the introduction of the Super Lead 100 watt amplifiers.

The Headroom 100 specifically emulates the sound and construction of the very early 68 100 watt plexi panel Super Lead and Super Bass amplifiers to exact detail! From the very first glance of the zinc plated steel chassis and plexi panels to the perforated tag board assembly the workmanship and attention to detail is simply stunning. The early Super Lead's from 68 were the first to use a circuit specifically voiced for lead guitar with split cathode pre-amp, specific values in the tone section and output stage as well as a brite cap for an automatic brightening of the amp at low volume. The Headroom 100 is available with either a Super Lead circuit for the ultimate in singing sustain or, Super Bass circuit values for those wanting a cleaner amp with a more rounded tone.

The steel chassis is folded and spot welded at the corners. Plexi panels in gold highlight the original style knobs. A replica hand-wound Dagnall 1.5 output transformer and replica Dagnall 1.8" power transformer by Merren Audio is used and is the most accurate version being made today. PT delivers 460vdc to the plates just as the late 67/early 68 versions did. This spec is a little bit easier on tubes and allows the amp to overdrive smoother. Inside the amp a beautiful and very accurate tag board is populated with carbon film/carbon comp resistors and vintage mustard style coupling capacitors.

Details include cheese head bolts on transformers, Brass hardware, authentic turret board layout, NOS tube sockets.

The amp is for those with good hands! The sounds of the Headroom 100 are bold and tight with an extremely percussive attack that tracks with every detail the players touch. Bottom end is big, full and tight, an attribute of the four valves and power supply.

The Super Lead version hits the area of singing sustain around 6 on the volume control. Great upper midrange crunch, smooth warm sustain and quick percussive attack.

The Super Bass version is a cleaner amp with Bass circuit values and has a rounder tone/flat frequency response. This amp is great for a bold clean a/la SRV/Hendrix style with a strat. Very fitting for Malcom Young type riffing as well, bold, punchy and just the right amount of crunch.

Re-live the era of the golden age of rock, the Headroom 100 takes you there and beyond if you are ready.

 

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.