Some would say that no amp can beat the original Marshall Plexis in the tone game, but nearly any amp can beat it in the user-friendly-features game. Noting this, boutique amp shop Aracom Amplifiers has just unveiled it's take on golden-age Marshalls, their new Aracom Evolver Series.

The Evolvers come in two flavors, a dual EL34-powered head switchable between 50 and 25 watts, and a dual 6L6 / KT66-powered head that pushes either 45 or 20 watts -- that one's more of a JTM-tone. The wattage-switching is just one of the many practical features that the Evolver series, not least of which is a modern two-channel layout with variable "Tube Overdrive" and Mster Volume added on the second channel. Both channels are footswitchable. Handy! Or rather. . . footy!

The two-channel arrangement works thusly:

• Channel 1: Master Volume Control "off", for maximum clean headroom.
• Channel 2: Master Volume Control "on", with Tube Overdrive activated separately via remote footswitch.
• Channel 2 allows for overdriven rhythm and lead tones.

The "Tube Overdrive" on channel two is also remotely footswitchable, adding a little grunt to the "lead" channel when necessary.

Also added to the vintage design are Bright and Bright Cut Switches more greater tonal variety, as well as a "bite" switch that kicks up the mids.

The hand-wired Evolvers are available either as heads or in 1x12, 2x10 or 2x12 combo configurations; a host of other custom options are available as well, but you'll have to contact Aracom directly for pricing. Old school.