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Demeter TGA 2 Inverter

Demeter TGA 2 Inverter

A rare 2 channel Demeter TGA 2 100 watt amp head with tube buffered effects loop in excellent condition. Read any online reviews to get a sense of how good these amps are.

Famous players who used these amps back in the day include Dean DeLeo, Bonnie Raitt Ry Cooder and Ben Harper…amongst many others

These have a black face Fender clean channel and a 2nd higher gain “plexi” channel with a switchable boost that gives almost a fuzz face sound when pushed hard.

I have had this amp for over 20 years. I was told from the original owner that it was part of Ben Harper’s Australian touring rig. I can’t prove that now but it makes sense when reading the article below.

A great sounding well made boutique amplifier.

From a review in Vintage Guitar magazine from 1998:

Demeter Amplification has been around since 1980 making revolutionary electronic gear that finds its way into the best of hands. Players like Bonnie Raitt and Ry Cooder rely on Demeter’s guitar amp and tremolo boxes, while savvy studios ncluding Ocean Way and A&M rely on state-of-the-art compressors and tube-mic preamps. We were lucky enough to get our hands on a TGA-2 Inverter head destined for the collection of none other than Ben Harper, and it was a supreme pleasure to play. The design is simple borrowing from the Marshall plexi-type head with the Demeter nameplate proudly displayed in front: construction is all-tube, with a hand wired steel chassis and custom built transformers. There are two channels, with separate voicing on each. Number one is a truly vintage-sounding Fender blackface, albeit bigger and more solid than most especially when heard through a 4 X 12 bottom. Channel two is all balls; a Marshall plexi on steroids with singing harmonics. The tube-buffered effects loop and pentode-triode switch add versatility to an already superb package

When driven through even a small package like a single 12″ GT bottom, the results were dramatic: a blast of dynamic, singing guitar through channel one, with shimmering highs and a firm not flabby, low end. Multiply this by a factor of 10 through a half-stack: enough to knock you over (not talking volume, but tone). Channel two, using a stock Strat, was a powerhouse of sound, with headroom to boot. Loved it. Demeter also makes cabinets to match, the twin 12 being a favorite. And there is a special order Inverter combo that’s available on a limited basis. Co-reviewer Jon Butcher asked plaintively with his guitar plugged into channel one, “I’m running my humbucker now how do I get the gain up?”

I cranked the gain knob to two, and Jon began to chortle as he ripped out a series of skanky single-note leads, a la Jeff Beck. “This is one helluva sound. It’s smooth and buttery, and I just love the overtones and depth. The bottom end is tight and distinct; there’s no muddiness or distortion. It’s easily as good or better than an older Marshall plexi with my Stratocaster, and the first channel is just a thrill to play. I give it the highest thumbs up!”

Jon noted the TGA-2 sounded better with at least twin 12’s beneath, “… giving it room to breathe, to open up.”

    $2,995.00Price
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