Greer Amps SOMA 63 Vintage Preamp

The SOMA ’63 Vintage Preamp is the first pedal in Greer Amps’ XFR series, designed around the tone, response, and feel of vintage brown-era American amplifiers from California. Rather than recreating only a preamp or drive section, the SOMA ’63 is voiced to simulate the complete amplifier experience—including the preamp, phase inverter, power section, and even the character of the vintage 10" Utah speakers found in those classic amps.

At the heart of the SOMA ’63 is a steel-core audio transformer placed directly in the signal path. The transformer contributes to the overall tone and feel of the circuit, and as the Gain is pushed—particularly with higher-output pickups—it begins to saturate in a way that responds much like the transformer in a vintage amplifier.

The five-control layout provides extensive control over both gain and EQ. Gain determines the amount of overdrive, while Volume sets the overall output level. Bass and Treble shape the low- and high-frequency content of the preamp section. The post-preamp Presence control has an especially wide range: below noon it darkens the overall response, while settings above noon bring out a more pronounced, peaky top end that helps the guitar cut through a mix.

The SOMA ’63 can be used as a full-range tone-shaping preamp, a clean-to-gritty boost, or an overdrive pedal. Its response also changes depending on operating voltage. At 9V, the pedal has more grit and texture. Running it at 18V increases headroom, produces a slightly stiffer response, and reduces the overall amount of grit.

Like Greer Amps’ other pedals, the SOMA ’63 is hand-wired one at a time in Athens, Georgia and features true-bypass switching.

Features:

• Vintage-style preamp and overdrive
• First pedal in Greer Amps’ XFR series
• Inspired by vintage brown-era American amplifiers
• Simulates the preamp, phase inverter, power section, and speaker response
• Voiced around the feel of vintage 10" Utah speakers
• Steel-core audio transformer in the signal path
• Transformer saturation increases as the circuit is pushed
• Wide-ranging preamp tone stack
• Post-preamp Presence control
• Volume, Gain, Bass, Treble, and Presence controls
• Works as a tone-shaping preamp or overdrive
• More grit and texture at 9V
• Increased headroom and stiffer response at 18V
• True-bypass switching
• Hand-wired in Athens, Georgia
• 5-year manufacturer warranty

Specifications:

• Effect Type: Vintage Preamp / Overdrive
• Controls: Volume, Gain, Bass, Treble, Presence
• Audio Transformer: Steel-Core Transformer in Signal Path
• Bypass: True Bypass
• Power Requirements: 9–18V DC, center-negative
• Current Draw at 9V: 10mA
• Current Draw at 18V: 18mA
• Enclosure Dimensions: 4.77" × 2.6" × 1.39"
• Country of Manufacture: USA