Sewell Texaplex 50 Head

This is a Sewell 2007 Texaplex 50 head. I use the amp to play classic rock & roll. Single channel, but with a foot switch that serves as a volume control override. No effects loop. It was supplied with (2) EL34 output tubes and a tube rectifier. My main cabinet is a 2 x 12 semi-open back with a Celestion Gold and a Tone Tubby Alnico. The amp can be used with a solid state rectifier also. For a small club I play, I substitute Groove Tube EL84 adapters and tubes, bringing the power down to 15 watts. Only rated a "9" because the amp is not completely "versatile", but it's not meant to be. It's built for a specific sound.

My main guitar is a PRS Custom 24. This amp replaced a 50w Marshall and a 60's Vibrolux Reverb. I have to admit, when I auditioned the amp in a local music store I really didn't like it. It was very clean, and the distorted sound was also clean (I know that doesn't make sense). After talking with Doug Sewell and doing alot of soul searching, I ordered it, believing I could somehow make it work. Brand new it was very "tight" and took about 50 hours or so to loosen up. I was getting acceptable tone, but I still wasn't totally happy...until the first night on stage. WOW, this amp is a live stage amp!!! Using a little overdrive, I was getting tone like never before. Just by changing pick pressure I could make the guitar almost talk. Folks, don't go to Guitar Center and expect this amp to wow you. It probably won't. It will take lots of break-in, lots of small changes to your settings, but when it all comes together it's something really special.

I had an intermittent problem with the amp (I thought). One tube red plated. Switched the tubes and the problem followed the tube. Replaced the set and have not had a problem since. It's a testament to the build quality that the bad tube did not crash the amp.

Doug hand delivered the amp to me. When I requested 3 mods to the amp, he came and picked it up, did the mods, brought it back a day later and charged me $33. This guy is a prince. If you can't afford a Sewell amp in the next year, you can order a PRS amp by Sewell next year. Yes, Paul Reed Smith has entered into agreement with Doug to build an amp line for him.

I've played 40+ years, and I sound better with this amp than any I have had before Including a Marshall Plexi and Blackface Vibrolux. I liked it so much that I bought a 35W Sewell Blistertone. Incredible amp by an incredible man. I can't thank Doug Sewell enough.

2007 Sewell Texaplex 50 watt Head and Cabinet. Totally handwired boutique amp, all tube, with option of adding a rectifier tube and bringing it down to 45w. The matching cabinet is 55watts, with a Celestion G12 30w and Greenback 25w, wired for 4ohms.

Has a Volume, Treble, Bass and Master. Cleanest master volume I've heard, ever. Smooth.

Has a few hidden surprises :) No Effects loop, but that's ok. I like my signal a little wet with delay :(

Texaplex goes from a spanky Fender tone to Marshall Plexi. Paul Reed Smith is a sewell fan and has a high gain mod put into his by Mr. Sewell himself. Well, I found a little switch in the back that sets it to high gain mod if you like. That was surprise #1.

Surprise #2: The footswitch operates as a booster pedal (has a volume knob!), so if you want to go clean, you can kick in the footswitch and get loud, dirty rhythm, or enough gain for bluesy leads. I love this setup best. I use a fulltone OCD or a treble booster on top if I want different textures.

I play an Eric Johnson strat and a Les Paul, which wound fantastic thru it.

My main amp is a 77' Marshall JMP 50w. I was looking for a boutique amp that got close to it. The Texaplex is darn close.

I'd use it w/o a backup, and buy another one if anything happened to it. I just got it a week ago, so I can't say 10. Everything is built well. It's pretty darn solid!

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I had a Marshall JTM45 reissue and a Fender Twin (both brand new) sitting in my music room and collecting dust. Why? Dunno. They were great amps, just not my cup of tea. I traded those two towards this and am very glad I did.

Marshall and Fender are doing decent reissues at best, and I got sick of factory made crap. I wanted something that embodied the best of both, but from a guy with attention to detail lacking in today's big name work.

If you're going to buy a Sewell, do it. It's money well spent.