Tube Town PI18
12/05/2023
Author: Karsten Hein
Category: Explorations
Tag(s): Guitar Amplifier
Some weeks ago, Martin asked me if I could help him sell his guitar amp in Frankfurt. Having only limited experience with equipment for musicians myself, I asked him if he really thought I was the right person to contact about this.
He explained to me that he was selling an 18 watts all-tube amplifier similar to the old Marshall legends. At its heart was a generous Tube-Town board by the name of PI18. This allowed the finished amplifier to resemble the well-known Friedman "Pink Taco”.
Martin had not built the amplifier himself but rather asked Peter of Linnemann Amplifiers in Ilmenau to do the job for him. Upon Martin’s request, Peter set the amp’s board to “tight” to resemble the British sound. The 18 tube watts in combination with the 12-inch Celestion full-range driver were sufficient for an ultra-dynamic sound experience. This amp could play loud if needed. On the other hand it could be played sofly, just from changing the settings on the amp.
At over 60cm in width and 50cm in height, this was a sizeable guitar amplifier, and its 17kg of weight did serve to highlight the quality of materials and craftsmanship throughout. Nothing seemed amiss or even accidental on this amplifier. The synthetic leather finish had been applied seamlessly around its softened corners. The colour scheme was perfect.
And although I was not too happy carrying Martin’s amplifier upstairs and have not yet heard it perform myself, I can easily understand that this one deserves to find a new owner who will once again appreciate its genuine capabilities that are so much more than modern digital equipment sometimes has us believe.
Specifications
- Type: all-tube guitar amplifier
- Amplifier output power: 18 watts
- Features: FX loop (bypass)
- Tubes: 3x 12AX7 (pre), 2x EL84 (pwr)
- Tone adjustment: tri-band equalizer + gain
- Tone structure: tight (British sound)
- Sound impression: ultra-dynamic
- Resistance: 4 / 8 / 16 Ohms, adjustable
- Full range driver (12"): Celestion G12 M
- Speaker power: 65 Watt
- Frequency response: 75-5,000 Hz
- Operating voltage: 240 volts / 120 volts
- Replica: Friedman "Pink Taco"
- Dimensions: (W) 610mm, (H) 530mm, (D) 230mm
- Weight (incl. power cable): 17 kg
- Manufacturer: Peter Linnemann Amplifiers, Ilmenau
- Country of manufacture: Germany
- New price: approx. 1,400.00 EUR
- Year of manufacture: 2021
