The Greer Amps SOMA 63 Vintage Preamp puts a vintage brown-era California amplifier in a pedal. Greer describes it as "based on the tone and feel of vintage brown era amplifiers from California," and says the pedal "simulates the entire preamp, phase inverter, power section, and even the feel of the vintage 10 inch Utah speakers" in those amps1. It is the first pedal in Greer's XFR series, and it can be used as a tone-shaping preamp or as an overdrive pedal1, placing it alongside the maker's drive pedals such as the Lightspeed Organic Overdrive and Southland Harmonic Overdrive.
Controls
The SOMA 63 keeps its control set focused on tone shaping rather than gain staging:
| Control | What it does |
|---|---|
| Tone stack | Designed to provide a wide and dynamic range of tonal options to the user1 |
| Presence | Works with the tone stack, designed as a wide range control affecting the overall sound of the entire circuit1 |
Running at 9 volts versus 18 volts
The SOMA 63 accepts 9 to 18 volts with a negative center pin, and Greer says the voltage changes the feel of the pedal1.
- At 9 volts: "the SOMA '63 will have more grit and texture"1
- At 18 volts: "you can expect higher headroom, a bit stiffer response, and less overall grit"1
Greer specifies "9-18 volt neg. center pin ONLY" for this pedal1. Use a supply with negative center polarity, and note the current draw rises from 10mA at 9 volts to 18mA at 18 volts1.
Warranty
Greer Amps backs the SOMA 63 with a 5 year warranty that covers manufacturing defects and component failure for the original owner. It does not cover misuse or abuse1.
Videos
Andertons Music Co
Premier Guitar
Peter “Danish Pete” Honoré
Questions
What is the difference between running the Greer SOMA 63 at 9 volts and 18 volts?
Greer Amps says that at 9 volts the SOMA 63 will have more grit and texture, while at 18 volts you can expect higher headroom, a slightly stiffer response, and less overall grit. The pedal accepts 9 to 18 volts with a negative center pin, so players can choose between the two with the same supply as long as it is set correctly.
Can the Greer SOMA 63 run on a battery?
Greer Amps specifies power as 9 to 18 volt negative center pin only, and describes the pedal as running off a standard negative center pin 9 volt power supply. No battery operation is mentioned on the maker's product page, so plan on a pedalboard power supply or adapter with the correct polarity.
What amps is the Greer SOMA 63 based on?
Greer Amps says the SOMA 63 is based on the tone and feel of vintage brown era amplifiers from California. The pedal simulates the entire preamp, phase inverter, and power section of those amps, and even the feel of the vintage 10 inch Utah speakers they used.
Does the Greer SOMA 63 work as an overdrive pedal or only as a preamp?
It works both ways. According to Greer Amps, the SOMA 63 can be used as a tone-shaping preamp, or as an overdrive pedal. Running it at 9 volts gives more grit and texture, which suits the overdrive role, while 18 volts brings higher headroom and less grit.
What polarity power supply does the Greer SOMA 63 need?
The SOMA 63 needs a negative center pin supply. Greer Amps specifies 9 to 18 volts, negative center pin only, and notes the pedal runs off a standard negative center pin 9 volt power supply. Current draw is 10mA at 9 volts and 18mA at 18 volts.
What does the Greer Amps warranty cover?
Greer Amps' 5 year warranty covers manufacturing defects and component failure for the original owner. It does not cover misuse or abuse. The warranty applies to the SOMA 63 as sold by Greer Amps.
Sources (1)
- SOMA 63 Vintage Preamp, Greer Amps
