Synergy Plexi 2-Channel Tube Preamp Module

There's no question about it. A cranked British stack is, was, and always will be the sound of rock. From the moment in the 1960s when these amps were created to keep up with the likes of Pete Townshend, Jimi Hendrix and Eric Clapton, a revolution in thick-creamy overdrive was born. Since that time, there have been a string of British amps so iconic that they continue to rule stages around the world. From the Bluesbreakers album to Malmsteen’s high-flying precision, the company that invented the amp stack is still synonymous with everything hard rock and metal.

If British amps are the sound of rock, the Plexi is the sound of British amps. Eddie Van Halen, Jimi Hendrix, Angus Young, J Mascis, and Jimmy Page are just a handful of players that have pushed their genre-defining riffs through these dominating walls of guitar amplification. Originally developed to keep up with ever-growing demand for more volume and distortion from the burgeoning hard rock scene of the '60s, these Plexis have continued to define what rock guitar sounds like. With no master volume and the need to make up for the less-than-adequate PA systems of their day, the only way to get the most from your Plexi was to crank it to punishing volume levels. But if the ever increasing popularity of these amps is any indication, that's just how guitar players like it.

The sound of a cranked Plexi is one that every guitarist needs in their arsenal. There are a million ways out there to approximate that tone, but the Dave Friedman-designed Synergy Plexi preamp module nails it with an authenticity of sound and feel that you won't find anywhere else. And it does it at volume levels ranging from performance volume to silent recording. The two channels of the Plexi module can be dialed in for jumping between a great rhythm and lead tone. While each channel's I and II controls work much the same way as jumping the inputs on the original amps, allowing you precise control over the shape of your gain. With the 12AX7-driven Synergy Plexi Preamp Module, you're adding the undisputed sound of rock guitar to your palette.

The Synergy Plexi pre-amp module features two channels, each with input I gain, input II gain and volume. Both channels share a three-band EQ.

Cathode Select Switch
The Plexi module features a three position switch on the PCB which allows you to configure the input tube bass response to match the original circuit of the selected module. This will affect the feel and tightness. Each amp designer has a specific combination of components that makes up their input tube circuit. The designers have selected the three most popular combinations which you can access with this switch. For example, Friedman modules use position 2. The USA voiced modules typically use setting 1. The Soldano SLO uses position 3. Of course, you can experiment and try any of the positions to see what you prefer. The modules will come preset to the designers preferred setting which for the Plexi module is position 2 (2.7K resistor and .68uf capacitor).