3rd Power Amps
3RD POWER develops and manufactures a range of professional guitar products utilizing patent-pending technologies. The HLH100 Guitar Amplifier System features the HD100 hand wired, tube amplifier head that produces quite possibly finest mid-to-high gain distortion sound available.
Tom Weber, guitar tech for “Mr. Eruption” himself, says of the ’68 plexi inspired HD100, “This amplifier so far surpassed my expectations. There was nothing that I asked it to do that was not met by no less than stellar performance.” Weber continues, the HD100 is “... truly what I feel the Plexi should have become by now. I certainly would love to own one of these myself!”
Based in Nashville, TN and located within the premier rehearsal facility, Soundcheck, 3RD POWER is Distributed by TSI Distributing, a subsidiary of Tour Supply, Inc. For more information visit www.3RDPOWERamps.com or www.TSIdistributing.com.
Ark Amps
Ark Amps was officially launched in the fall of 2005 by Matt Schellenberg (CEO and main artist/wood worker) and Bill Compeau(co-designer of cabs and circuits as well as marketing) with only one flagship model in our line: The Model A which was designed over the better part of a decade.
In early 2008 Ark Amps started working together with the very gifted amp designer/builder Randy Fay of Phaez Amps in Windsor Ontario and have since released 5 new models with a 6th (The Model T)on the way as well as our first custom bass amp.
Ark is hoping to release some of our long awaited and very unique guitar designs in the very near future.
Blues City Music
Blues City Music is a small boutique guitar, amp, and effects shop located
in Memphis, Tennessee, the home of Elvis Presley and Delta Blues. We have
a very large online presence, but also operate our storefront out of
Leeway Music, which is a working recording studio in the heart of the
city. We are the world's largest Soldano amplifier dealer, but also stock
products by Splawn, Diamond, and 65 Amps, with Solid Cables being our only
high end guitar cable. On occasions, we sell other guitars and amps but
only if in pristine condition. Blues City is all about tone, but YOUR
tone is what matters. You can contact Blues City Music via the web at
www.bluescitymusic.com, www.myspace.com/bluescitymusic, Twitter at
BluesCityMusic, or at 901-485-8250.
Bluesman Vintage
Bluesman Vintage Guitars is a Full service custom shop that specializes in Vintage clones, and restorations. We strive to build high quality/Low cost dependable instruments with the touring musician in mind. We spend hours studying,measuring, and researching original guitars to help improve the look and feel of OUR guitars.
We offer Two Guitar lines that cover a wide array of options
TRUE VINTAGE and VINTAGE CUSTOM.
TRUE VINTAGE models are faithful reproductions of classic designs the way LEO designed them. We take EVERYTHING into account here in order to remain "era correct" even down to what month the "blackguard" changed form slot head to philips head screws, and which screws changed FIRST!
VINTAGE CUSTOM models offer the option of taking any model guitar we build and "adding" your own design. This could include things like custom mixed colors, adding humbucker pickups, or even swapping specs around from different years. i.e. If you wanted a butterscotch T-Style with a large headstock rosewood S-style neck and a humbucker in the bridge position. That would definitely be a VINTAGE CUSTOM! So let your mind wander a bit and see what you come up with.
Bluetron
In 2004, I set out to improve upon the classic amplifiers that Leo Fender made in the 60's. My goal was to develop a true professional-grade amplifier with the best possible tone, tremendous versatility and the highest quality construction. Although those blackface amps defined the sound of rock, blues and country for over a generation, in my opinion, when pushed hard their tone left much to be desired. The harsh flabby breakup they exhibited was in part a fundamental limitation of the single volume knob design philosophy.
Through extensive experimentation with guitar amplifier circuitry and endless critical listening I drew two conclusions. First there are two types of distortion: euphonic and dissonant or good and bad. Second when pushed gently into overdrive a tube gives up very euphonic distortion quite easily. Push it harder and it creates more and more dissonant distortion. I discovered that the secret to getting great tone is to control the gain at every stage and let each tube contribute just a little bit of euphonic distortion.
Cascading this concept over five tube stages results in an amplifier with smoother overdrive, greater dynamics, and clearer more vibrant tone. Applying this design philosophy to an old classic resulted in the Blueverb: the worlds first amp that gives you total control over the drive at EVERY gain stage. This unprecedented amount of control allows you to dial in your individual sound throughout the amplifier rather than at just one point. By running each gain stage at relatively the same level of overdrive, you can tailor the overall amount of overdrive the amp delivers and still have fantastic dynamic range and sonically-rich clear tone. What this means is that when the amp is being pushed hard it will still have great definition and touch sensitivity, and the ability to achieve a cleaner tone by rolling off the volume knob on the guitar or simply picking lighter.
Boobtone
What's BOOBTONE? It's a Class A, single ended 10-watt super amp hand built in the USA. True point-to-point wiring using the highest grade materials available. An Articulate amp that delivers the warm, clean sounds of the 50's and 60's as well as the rich harmonic distortion of the 60's and 70's. Touch sensitive tube driven tone... That's BOOBTONE!!!
Channing Amplifiers
Guitarist Jeff Beck put Channing amplifiers on the map in 2009 when he toured the U.S. and Europe with his Channing CL45 amps. In addition to the CL45, Channing Amplifiers offers several models based on classic amplifier designs.
Channing Amplifiers is based in Los Angeles, California. For more information, call 310-494-0464 or visit www.channingamps.com.
ChromeDomeAudio
As with many businesses, this started as a hobby and grew into an infinite passion for soulful tone.
Our team at ChromeDomeAudio has an average of over 25 years experience in appreciating, understanding and engineering high end, quality sound equipment.
Creation Audio Labs
Creation Audio Labs, Inc. manufactures high-end tone tools for musicians. Guitar effects pedals, electronics and studio gear designed with true pro-audio specifications for guitar and bass. With a worldwide reputation as leaders in restoring and modifying professional studio equipment, they are bringing pro-audio signal preservation and tone shaping to the guitar and bass market. Creation Audio Labs™ - Blow it out your amp!™
Crow Hill Guitars
A Crow Hill instrument reflects the synthesis of music and musician by promising a guitar that not only looks and sounds great, but feels right to play. For this reason, I construct my guitars by hand, one at a time, in an effort to create an instrument as unique as the person who plays it. An instrument that aids in the transition to that moment where there is only sound and everything else fades—Crow Hill.
Daab
Eric Clapton has been famously quoted (or misquoted) as saying "'tone'...is all in the trousers" or something to that effect. I wholeheartedly agree that it is the player's unique perspective and character that creates 'tone'. My goal as an amp builder/designer is to produce the most responsive guitar amplifier possible. From my point of view, an amplifier should be an extension of how one plays the guitar and not just a louder, tacked-on sound that the speakers emit. Everything, from the angle of your pick/fingernail to the dynamics you feel, should be coming out of the speaker and reaching your audience. Nothing of the character that a player puts into a note should be lost. It's what I call the TrouserTone™ standard.
Delgado Guitars
Manuel Delgado is a third-generation luthier from Los Angeles, living and working in Nashville. Trained by his father and grandfather and a family business started in 1928, Delgado learned traditional techniques for building stringed instruments that pre-date automated systems and even electricity. He and his family have made instruments for Los Lobos, Ozomatli, Andrés Segovia, Arlo Guthrie, Jackson Browne, Paul Young, Peter Fonda, Rade Serbedzija, Charo, José Feliciano, songwriter Kerry Kurt Phillips and dozens of other artists from all genres of music as well as movies like “The Three Amigos” and “Once upon a Time in Mexico”. Featured in “Esquire”, “The Fretboard Journal”, “Acoustic Guitar” and many other magazines and television programs like “Reading Rainbow”, “Visiting with Huell Houser”, “Tennessee Crossroads”. Currently in a “Bose” commercial and also has been in a “Hartford Insurance” commercial, plus two separate exhibits at the Smithsonian Institution. Manuel has been involved in guitar construction since he was seven years old and has a waiting list for his instruments.
Digitech
Our passion for sound drives us to create the world's most innovative multi-effects products and stompboxes for musicians at every level of skill—from garage-rockers to stadium-rocking pros. Our products enable musicians to explore new tones and create their own sonic personality.
Dynamic Amps
In 1996, David Carambula founded Dynamic Music Technologies. In the first years of the 21st century, as he rediscovered electric-guitar music, Carambula experimented with early-'60s tube amplifiers particularly blackface Fenders and Ampeg amplifiers. Eventually he hooked up with an engineer/designer, and the two set out to create an amplifier that "...embodies classic American amplifier characteristics, coupled with a dose of British classic chimey complexity, pick dynamics, and a few features that made for easy dialing in. The theory is that if the amp does the job for me, it should satisfy the needs of other players like me."
Gopher Entertainment Group
Silent Auction Table to benefit the National Kidney Foundation of Middle Tennessee. All proceeds benefit the foundation.
Gopher Entertainment Group is an artist/event consulting agency based out of Nashville Tennessee. Specializing in helping musicians get armed with the tools necessary to survive in the music business. GEG began in 1996 with Aljon playing and promoting his own band. Aljon had experience in radio, television, promotions and graphic design so he began promoting showcases and events. In 2003 GEG expanded with the addition of Kristen to assist with image consulting and public relations. GEG has organized and promoted events such as the Save the Predators concert and benefit; Rock the Vote concerts, My Space Mixers, National Kidney Foundation benefits, the annual Local Buzz Rock Awards and The World's Largest Pedalboard Party.
Guitar Mill
we're just a small custom shop offering American Made custom built to spec guitars, nitro finishing, replacement bodies and necks and relicing services. We also take in finish work from other builders.
Hipkitty Products
In an effort to bring the purest, sweetest, but meanest tones to the world, HipKitty Products has been serving the musical community since 1987. With it's committment to top quality, unique products and real customer service, HipKitty Products continues to provide hand-crafted and hand-painted pedals to musicians everywhere. Each pedal is finished to provide it to be a one of a kind...no two pedals are exactly the same (even the knob colors can be different).
Component boards in the pedals are hand etched, populated and soldered by us at HipKitty Products. The component boards in our amplifiers are hand populated, soldered and wired in-house as well. Each unit, be it pedal or amplifier, is constructed from start to finish in-house, with the only exception being the amplifier cabinets, which are hand constructed by Lions Den Custom Cabinets. A personal touch is applied to each pedal and amplifier that can rarely be found in today's day and age.
Industrial Amps
I started playing the guitar in 1953. I was 7 years old . When I was 15 I joined my brothers band playing rhythm guitar and singing . Playing out in large halls created my deep desire to know more about amplification. What was it that actually made the different sounds(highs, mids, and lows) and volume and how can I cause some effect on these things? I was always striving to create a better/different sound.
When reverb came on the scene I purchased an Ampeg Gemini II with 15 inch Jensen speaker. It sounded very good by itself, but I wanted to spread out the sound. I acquired a used 12 inch speaker in a homemade 3/4 inch plywood box free from my uncle Karl. I wired it in parallel using a 1/4 inch jack in the side panel on both the amp and speaker cabinet. WOW! what a sound now for both voice and guitar; it brought out a better combination of mid-ranges , and highs, yet the lows were still there, simply heavenly and I could distribute the sound better as well.
I left IBM in September of 2004 and moved to Florida. There I met a guy who repaired guitars/bass/audio amplifiers out of his garage. He had come up with an amplifier circuit that sounded almost exactly like the modified Gemini II circuit I once had . Now it so happened that he was looking for a partner to invest and help build and develop the amps. I thought, now I have a chance to actually design and build an amp like the one I use to have plus more. So I decided to work along with him to develop amps . We worked and worked on the sound and the cabinets for about a year. Finally the amps were ready . In our line up was the Overdrive 15 watt (Gain and Master Volume type that rocks with sound that one can not believe it is only 15 watts) , Crunch 15 watt gets gain the old fashion way by increasing the Level control which gets loud distortion), Blues 60 watt(2 channel clean with reverb and Heavy channel which renders pure rock radical distortion) and also the Rock 120 watt (2 channel clean with reverb and a Heavy channel for sound/tone you can feel that rock intensive power ).
Industrial Amps has been in existence about 4 1/2 years and will continue on making/developing amplifiers with only the best military grade / bullet proof components to accomplish its pure unique tone you can feel that makes a guitar player feel good about the sound of his talent.
International Songwriters Competition
The International Songwriting Competition (ISC) is now accepting entries for the 2009 competition. Now is your chance to enter what the NY Times calls "the competition to take note of" with $150,000 (US) in cash and prizes - including $25,000 (US) cash for the grand prize winner alone and the best judges for any songwriting competition in the world. Judges for 2009 include: Tom Waits; Kings Of Leon, Jeff Beck, Black Francis (Pixies), Loretta Lynn and 5 record label presidents from major and independent records labels. For entry information and a complete list of judges please visit - http://www.songwritingcompetition.com
Jensen
CE Distribution is the exclusive U.S. importer of Jensen Musical Instrument Speakers.
We are a premier distributor for JJ/Tesla, Winged C, Groove Tubes, Valve Art and Svetlana vacuum tubes and we have access to the largest supply of New-Old-Stock vacuum tubes in the world. In addition, we offer a vast line of hard-to-find parts for all your needs. If you don't see what you need, contact us, we may be able to get it for you.
We are committed to providing excellent customer service, product availability, fast delivery, fair pricing and honest ethical business practices. We are confident that these qualities will benefit you as our customer.
Jimmy Velvet
Jimmy Velvet was a young recording artist in the 1950’s /1960’s and still performs today with hit songs as ‘We Belong Together’, ‘Teen Angel’, ‘It’s Almost Tomorrow’ and ‘Blue Velvet’, just to name a few. His history in the entertainment industry is rather unique and incredible and only a mere dream for most. Jimmy was fifteen years old when he first met Elvis Presley. (Elvis was 20) Elvis and Jimmy remained life long friends.
As a performer, Jimmy Velvet had toured with just about everyone in the rock n’ roll business and also rubbed elbows with many noted celebrities in hollywood. By his side was his camera and he took thousands of photos and has built a large library of unbelievable unpublished candid shots. Jimmy has now compiled these photos and has released his photo-biography entitled
“Inside The Dream: The Jimmy Velvet Story”
Kingdom Amplifiers
Kingdom Amplifiers started with a desire to create. To create tools for musicians, tone that satisfies and friendships that edify. To pursue a long carried dream of producing a product that satisfies more than just the ears, as we believe that knowing when something is right goes deeper than hearing.
Nearly every design choice we make as a company stems from the fact that we feel that great tone is principally in the player and not the amplifier. Our products' versatility and advanced functionality are present only to serve the guitarist.
We love what we do and look forward to a future of fruitful relationships and products that fulfill the needs of those around us.
Korg
Korg began with an idea: use the latest technologies to create the finest electronic musical instruments, and allow musicians to sound their very best. Since 1963, that has remained our passion. Along the way, Korg has earned a reputation of technological leadership, ease-of-use, and stunning sound. We’re Korg. We set out to create an organ and came up with Japan’s first synthesizer. Innovation is in our DNA. And yet we remain very human. We are a company of musicians and music enthusiasts that see ourselves as your musical partner. Like you, we love great sounds, we love a good interface, and we love music. We’re Korg.
Krusa Guitars
Kipp's relationship with wood began in 1993 when he attended The Northwest School of Wooden Boatbuilding in Port Townsend, Washington. There he gained a foundation of traditional woodworking skills through the craft of boatbuilding. In 1994 he attended the Timeless Instruments School of Lutherie. Realizing immediately that guitarbuilding was all but unavoidable, Kipp worked for the next few years on commercial fishing boats as he put his shop together. During this time period he developed his skill as a craftsman by studying traditional woodcarving with Chris Pye and Raymond Gonzalez, marquetry with Silas Kopf, japanese woodworking with Toshio Odate and furniture design/construction with Chris Becksvoort, Brian Boggs, Curtis Buchanan and Mike Dunbar. Kipp is deeply indebted to all of these craftsmen for helping him to develop his relationship with both wood and workmanship.
Working with Michael Millard and Andy Mueller at Froggy Bottom Guitars, Kipp deepened his understanding of the intricacies of the traditional X-braced guitar and the guitar building process. It is this traditional foundation from which his designs evolve.
Kipp has worked as a sculptor, a furnituremaker, a CNC programmer, a guitar designer, and a luthier. He has carried with him in all of these professions a pursuit of perfection, purity, and innovation. As a luthier, Kipp combines his mastery of skill with an adept and distinct talent for design.
Landry Amps
My goal in designing this amplifier was to produce an amp for the professional musician that has a practical layout design and is user friendly with no compromises in tone. The LS100 achieves the design and feel of the amp I’ve always wanted.
-Bill Landry
Lion’s Den Custom Cabinets
Makers of custom amp cabinets.
Lindy Fralin
Little Walter Tube Amps
Little Walter Tube Amps is a small company in the Sand hills of North Carolina. The company specializes in hand built amps that emphasize tone and the tactile feel of the guitarist. We use only 8-Pin (octal) tubes at this time as to emulate the early tube amps. We use no printed circuit boards or tag boards as to give true point-to-point construction. Our amps have only a volume and a tone control as to minimize the signal path as we believe the shortest signal path equates to the purist tone. Our cabinets come in Walnut, Cherry, or Maple as well as special order Sunburst finishes that are constructed here in North Carolina. Our amps are built with pride right here in the United States. Look for our upcoming review in Guitar Player Magazine.
The Low End
I started The LowEnd in late 1994. It was a hobby I started on my parents computer after I came back from UT Knoxville my freshman year. I was 20. I graduated from University of Memphis with a Marketing degree years later. The LowEnd was a website I setup for buying, selling and trading on my parents computer in 1994. I never really thought much of it at the time but met a lot of guys all over the country and did a little trading. Many times it was even swapping or a few bucks here and there, but I never really thought much of it more then getting a chance to check out high-end basses. Like most, there wasn’t much to check out, so it was always cool to try something new. Harmony-Central was really the only place for classifieds and music gear. No stores really had sites at that time and there sure wasn’t any eBay, TalkBass or anything else of that nature. Heck, up until around 1998 or so the only guys that even had any type of business websites was me (LowEnd), Dan Lenard of Luthier’s AccessGroup, Beaver Felton of Bass Central and Steve Barr of the Dudepit. Its was a small world then and scams weren’t even thought much of at that time. Heck, business’s were just starting to get websites, and eBay was something small. Funny times to look back and how far things have come.
-Brian Barrett
Mahalo Amps
Marshall
Mather Amp Cabinet
We have been building speaker cabinets for amp companies and individual musicians since 1996 . We can design cabinets tailored to your specific needs and offer reproduction or custom enclosures for vintage and modern amplifiers.
Metropoulos Amplification
Metropoulos Amplification is dedicated to building the finest replicas of vintage Marshall amplifiers available. Discerning guitar players are using our recreations and leaving those valuable plexis at home, where they are safe. We also search out and supply restoration grade parts to builders and DIY'ers in our online store. There you can find all of the parts needed to restore classic amplifiers or build one from scratch. When NOS parts are no longer available, we have them manufactured.
Our amp kits feature accurate chassis layouts, vintage spec transformers, correct component values and step by step instructions that are second to none. No corners have been cut and the tone is world class. Compare them to other kits available and we think you'll agree.
Nolatone Ampworks
At Nolatone Ampworks we hand build our amplifiers one at a time using ultimate care and attention to detail to create an instrument that will last a lifetime and deliver tone and feel that will allow you to express yourself in ways you may never have thought possible!
We do this by using only the highest quality parts, well though out circuit layouts, and impeccable build quality.
Paul Cochrane Audio
Tim & Timmy Pedals
PedalGear.net
Our involvement started back in 1998 when we helped Pedalboard.com develop the Modular PedalBoard. Tom Knesel, the founder of the Pedalboard.com and a guy that really understands tone, saw a need for better power supplies, switching systems and pedalboards. The initial designs were developed to fit his personal needs and evolved into products with a demand.
Peavey
Pro Stage Gear / Pedaltrain
In 1999 the J. Chandler Company introduced the Pedaltrain brand of guitar effects pedalboards. This award winning product line has become widely recognized as the industry standard in affordable pedalboard systems; combining innovative patented designs and tour proven durability. In 2005 Pro Stage Gear LLC was formed, building on a six year foundation of quality, service and value.
Quidley Amps
Several years ago a renaissance of the all-tube sounds began with the rediscovery of the circa 1966 Marshall© 18 watt "practice" amplifiers. Now, many boutique amp manufacturers are moving into the 15 to 25 watt market and developing amps that can reproduce the sounds of large overpowered and way-too-loud amps at usable volume levels. The Quidley Guitar Amplifier is the ultimate example of this revolution in tube amplifiers. It has a thickness and breadth that makes it truly unique. The amp is designed to provide harmonically rich, brilliantly clean tones when cleaned up, and thick, grinding overdrive when leaned on, and everything in between.
The Quidley Guitar Amplifier is a hand made, point-to-point wired, all tube amplifier capable of up to 22 watts of output power. It consists of a single channel preamp with selectable gain changes at three locations within the circuit and has the ability to operate in open-loop or in negative feedback modes. Two of the three gain changes are selectable with the included footswitch or front panel switch and the third is selectable via the high/low gain input jacks. Other unique features include active 4 band EQ, bypassable master volume, and parallel type effects loop. The preamp is coupled to a push-pull dual EL84 driven power section. The 22 watt output is designed to provide a perfect stage level mix at the full master setting for most live performance environments. A Pentode/Triode switch allows the amp output power to be reduced to 8 watts when lower output is desired. Many guitarists are using the lower power selection in live performances in small to medium venues and it's perfect for the living room as well. The guitarist can get the very best achievable tube distortion sounds without the use of distortion pedals (although pedals can still be used if desired) and still clean up the amp by backing the guitar output down. Guitarists quickly adjust to the capability of having instant control of "tube burn" at their fingertips. Available in 1-12 combos or head and cabinet models. Prepare to be totally impressed by the Quidley 22's capabilities. The timbre and versatility of this amp will quite simply BLOW YOU AWAY!
Reason Amps
Reason Amplifier Company will be debuting a new model- the Bambino, at the Nashville Amp Expo. The Bambino is a 7 watt recording/practice amp that features:
7 watt push/pull power section
1 watt mode
Speaker compensated line out
Headphone out with level control
Foot switchable
Reason’s proprietary StackMode, three channel front end
Visit us at the show for special introductory offer on the Bambino and to test out our complete line of amplifiers!
Reeves Amplification
At Reeves Amplification, we believe that while there are many amplifier choices on the market today, some discriminating players still prefer the classic British designs of the Dave Reeves HIWATT™ era. These amps were known for their legendary mil-spec build quality and peerless reliability, and of course for their unique tone unlike any other amp back then or since.
With this in mind, Reeves Amplification has put out the Custom line of hand wired tube amplifiers built to these same lofty standards. Our amps are hand built with the highest quality components available and wired by hand. Our cabinets are constructed of 13-ply Baltic Birch for tone and durability. No circuit boards, no pressed boards, no short cuts, no compromises.
Redentore Guitars
Meticulously constructed, flawlessly finished, and painstakingly set up, Redentore archtop guitars are destined to be classic works of art—both aesthetically and musically.
These instruments are hand built by one man (luthier Mark Piper — nearly 30 years experience) in his own shop in limited numbers. One set of hands and one set of eyes from start to finish. The result is a very beautiful, very playable, rich and even-sounding guitar of exceptional quality. If you have an eye for beauty and an ear for the same, look no farther than Redentore Guitars.
Reinhardt Amplification
BI know how important good tone is to creating great music, and that is the number one goal here....
To make that tone in your head come to life.
Retro King Amplification
Retro-King Amps builds a line of custom tube amps with a variety of cosmetic and tone options custom built to order. Billy Gibbons purchased 7 of the Retro-King 18 Watt Combos and used them on his latest recordings.
RG Custom Basses
RG Custom Basses was designed and built by Rich Guerrero As a bass player, Rich was unhappy with most basses he played, liking certain aspects of reputable companies but just not happy with the whole package.
His first design was that of a slimmer and flatter neck than any of the basses he owned, leading to the 0001B. This bass was the first one that "fit" Rich's hands. . So he went a step further and decided to shave off the "roundness" of the neck as is standard, and go with an "asymmetrical design" that fits the hand more naturally without awkward bendings or contortions of the wrist. This led to a very playable and "fast" neck on the RG Custom bass product line.
With the sustain of a neck-through design, excellent pickup choices, the new asymmetrical neck model, and the sheer beauty of the exotic woods and pin-striping effect, we believe RG Custom Basses are some of the most comfortable, warm and fun playing basses on the market today. but dont take our word for it, play one, see what you think.
SamAmp
Sam Timberlake grew up surrounded by both music and electronics. He began playing music at age six and later, while learning to play guitar, started searching for guitar tone. He discovered tube amplifiers and wanted to know why they worked so well with the electric guitar. He spent countless hours pouring over schematics and vacuum tube reference manuals. He soon began "fixing up" old tube guitar amps.
While attending Auburn University (`81-`88), Sam split his time between working on his physics /mathematics degree, playing in bands, and working as guitar and amp tech at The Guitar Shoppe (`84-`88).
After receiving his degree, Sam (now known as Amp Sam) relocated to Birmingham and started repairing amps for several local guitar stores. His customer base soon grew to include players from all over the southeast. In October 2004, Sam developed his V.A.C. circuit and applied for a patent. He built a prototype amplifier and, when it was so well received, started building the VAC 45 combo. He is constantly developing new models.
Shepard Products
Simple Amps
Amps should be an extension of the artist playing through them. In creating that extension, Simple Amps has gone into great detail developing touch sensitivity, tone clarity, and overall integrity of tone pathways. The choice in component selection allows the power tubes to color the tone. This in turn removes harshness out of the tone path and greatly reduces ear fatigue. Simple Amps allow a musician to play for hours on end at high volume with no "ear burn", even with the addition of boost pedals. Another unique element is touch sensitivity. This sensitivity allows the artist to translate what they are emoting through their instrument. The tone is articulated by the amount of pressure and velocity at which the instrument is played. Simple Amps has spent countless hours ensuring these elements are present. You have to play it to believe it!!!
Sommatone Amps
At Sommatone Amplification we focus on tone with an unrelenting passion for detail. We've created our line of hand-wired boutique amplifiers for the player who wants the ultimate sound experience – our tone and build quality are unparalleled. Hear The Difference...
Stage Craft Gear
For over 5 years, Anthony Bonadio and a group of dedicated craftsmen have been making quality cabinets, for high end boutique amp companies. His Our customers include:
Reason Amplifier Company
GDS Amps,/Guytron
Gabriel Sound Garage
Brown Note Amplification
Category 5 Amplification
Glaswerks
The mission of Stage Craft is to deliver unmatched selection and customizability without charging “Custom” prices or lengthy “Custom” lead times. The Stage Craft line of products reflects years of experience and commitment to quality. Stage Craft has built thousands cabinets for guitar players around the world and have learned what works and what doesn’t. Designs are proven, reliable and will give you many years of enjoyment and great tone!
Come See Stage Craft for special Nashville Amp Expo show pricing.
StudioProGuitars.com
George Cocchini, founder of studioproguitars.com has been a session guitarist for over 30 yrs and played on 22 gold & platinum albums, three of which won grammies. Some of the notable players George has recorded with include, Steve Winwood, Michael Mcdonald, Steve Gadd, Jeff Porcaro, Jerry Marotta, Tony Levin, Matt Chamberlain, Luis Conte, Alex Acuna, Rick Marotta, Ben Gramm. His first offering is a DVD titled: "Advanced Tuning & Maintenace for Guitar & Bass" & helps players of all skill levels to acchieve professional level tuning & intonation without the need for a guitar tech.
Studioproguitars will also offer, tone consultation, recording assistance(tones, amps & guitars) guitar overdubs, re-amping, and a forum for dialog covering live & session playing, recording techniques, etc.
Superior Music
Swamp Works Amplifiers
Take a step in the right direction in your quest for amazing tone.
We don't cut corners. We don't tell you what you want. We won't pressure you into buying something you haven't asked for. We know that we make the best tube guitar amplifiers out there period. If you want to see what your guitar was really meant to sound like, or if you're ready to invest in an amp that you'll never have to replace because you found something better, this is it.
Talos Instruments
For years, large-volume amp manufacturers have piled myths upon half-truths on the buying public in order to divert attention from the cheap parts, poor design, and inferior craftsmanship of their products. We want to slaughter a few of these “sacred cows” by getting past the hype and examining the actual science of sound.
Technical Audio Services
Headed by David Rochester, Technical Audio Services begins offering local recording studios very high quality Acoustic, Audio System and Electrical Design and Consultation, Equipment Installation and Repair.
Titan Amps
My goal, my MISSION, is to break the mold that has been formed about what an amplifier should be capable of. You no longer have to deal with a clean channel that is just "OK". No longer will you have to compromise in your quest for YOUR tone. And that is what all of this is about...YOUR tone. I want to help you find it...and in the process, find your inspiration. When you love the sound of your amplifier, it's almost like you rediscover what made you want to play guitar in the first place.
Tone Factor
We're dedicated to bringing you the finest in hand-made, boutique effects. Not a corporate superstore ... we specialize in custom analog effects made one at a time by real people. Looking for TONE? Look no further.
We carry many pedals that you won't find at other music stores. Our goal is to introduce new and upcoming effect makers to the market. We also carry some the best and most unique in "production" pedals (including Electro-Harmonix and HAO), as well as accessories.
Trillium Amplifer Company
Steve and Scott Campbell first began building things alongside their dad, who ran a summer camp that was forever being expanded and renovated. Although both earned liberal arts degrees, they have always been artists and craftsmen at heart. Steve has worked in set design, art conservation, and photography, and he is always learning what he can about other trades, be it stained glass or ironsmithing. Since 1993, Scott’s artistic leanings have been focused primarily on his work as a luthier, building and repairing guitars for local music stores. Both brothers play the guitar and sing, and have performed together from time to time.
Steve and Scott have a combined woodworking experience of more than 32 years and have worked together building high-end cabinetry and furniture for more than a decade. They opened their own shop, Trillium Cabinet Company, in 1999. Even though custom cabinetry has kept them busy, they’ve never stopped loving music, and it was inevitable that they would eventually combine their interests in fine woodworking and music. The result? Trillium Amplifier Company.
Tungsten Amplification
Chasing tone is in my blood. As a child, I looked for sound and music in nearly everything around me. In my late teens, I stumbled upon a vintage 5 watt, Class A tube amplifier, and it changed my life. I was immediately drawn to the warmth and breakup of that single 6V6 pumping through a miniscule 8" Alnico speaker. That sparked a lifelong obsession and pursuit of good tones, which has yet to be quenched.
Living in California at the time, I had access to a multitude of blackface amplifiers and began to acquire them as often as I could. As it became apparent that these amps would require maintenance, I began learning about what made these amps work and how to repair and modify them.
Not too long after that, I became involved with Hammond organ repairs and restoration, and under the tutelage of Master Hammond Technician, Bob Schleicher, I spent five years learning everything about vintage Hammond organs. That knowledge and experience, coupled with my own research and experimentation with classic amp designs was the genesis of Tungsten Amplification. I've been designing and building Tungsten amplifiers for several years now, and I am constantly looking for new designs to add to the Tungsten line and to refine my existing models.
-Adam Palow
Ugly Amps
Uglyamps was started in 2003.
The design goals are simple in nature for a more raw pure tone, then tweaked based on players needs and wants. We listen to you working guitar players and try and craft our amps around the players out there.
We build custom guitar amps and cabinets for the working musician, We work very hard to create unique offerings with special attention to detail. The amps are Hand crafted in the USA, They are strong simple circuits that allow the guitar to control the amp, for responsive, clear, focused sounds.
We are looking forward to seeing some great guitar players in the Nashville area,
we are also looking for dealers in the area.
We have some really great amps at very affordable prices.
Vango Digital, Inc.
Studio and Live Equipment Rentals, Sales and Service:
Pro Tools
Software
Mic Pre’s
Compressor Limiters
Outboard Gear
Microphones
Amplifiers, including the phenomenal Randall MTS and Industrial Amps Rock 120
Live PA, from small songwriter demo rigs to large scale concert systems
Lighting
Vintage Instrument Services
Vintage Instrument Services is focused on acquiring and selling the best in vintage guitars, basses, amps, and other gear for our customers. We service any collection, large or small, and our consignment service is second to none, with the lowest rates in the industry. Boasting over 600 pieces in our current inventory, we have many rare items and more coming at all times. We specialize in rare British made tube amps and boast the best selection anywhere, including pieces from Marshall, HiWatt, JMI, Orange, Laney, Sound City, Matamp, White, Simms-Watt, Selmer, Vamp Power, Vox,and Watkins-WEM, to name a few. Should you be looking for anything, no matter the rarity or price, Vintage Instrument Services has a vast network of sources and can get you the best possible vintage guitar or amp for your money.
VOX
VVT
VVT Amps is a high end amp maker specializing in high quality tube amplifiers for guitarists. Our goal at VVT is to provide the highest level of quality, value and uncompromised tone.
The company was founded by Jim Hill. In the 60's and early 70's Jim was a gigging guitarist in Georgia who learned about tube amps through tech school and went on to radio and television repair in a time when most everything in the world was running on vacuum tubes. Fast forward to 2001. Jim starts Vintage Vacuum Tubes, aka VVT Amps making mostly Fender clones such as the 5E3 Deluxe, Bassman, Vibroverb, including a few of his own 6V6 based designs, two of which were later dubbed the Earthquake 2.2 and 4.5, as well as doing amp repairs and modifications..
At a swap meet in 2003, Jim meets Tony Albany. Tony is an accomplished guitarist, seasoned veteran of the Washington, DC music scene, amp enthusiast, and all around tone freak. In short order, Tony is on board with VVT and brings with him an ear for tone that is truly exceptional. Together Tony and Jim start researching, prototyping, and testing numerous designs. Early on they form a relationship with Rick Derringer who falls in love with and begins using the 6V6 models. Eventually the Derringer Hyperdrive signature model is released. In 2006, VTT is approached by Lindy Fralin to design what Lindy feels would be the perfect combo amp. Using Lindy's specific requirements, Tony and Jim design and create the Lindy Fralin Combo which received rave reviews in the guitar publications and was embraced by the guitar community.
Today VVT Amps produces several models of amps covering the needs of of diverse guitar styles and sounds. VVT enjoys it's working relationships with many high profile professional musicians and strives to do one thing. Create uncompromising tone that you can hear and feel down to your bones.
Wallace Amplification
Wallace Amplification is the innovation of Brian Wallace out of Livonia Michigan. With a family history of electronics Brian began modifying amps in the early 70’s. in 1995, he was approached by Guytron and asked to help while they began launching their company. This experience propelled Brian as he embarked on his own series of amplifiers, similar to the JTM45, 50W and 100 watt models.
Recently, Wallace Amplification introduced the Abaddon, a 50 watt master volume head consisting of four gain stages in the preamp. From top to bottom the design and layouts prove to be a step in the right direction as Wallace Amplification breaks away from the pack and introduces power to the music world in original designs and layouts, not to mention SOUND! Wallace Amplification is “The power of yesterday, and the strength of tomorrow.”
Warehouse Guitar Speakers
Warehouse Guitar Speakers® LLC is an Internet-based retail speaker supplier and manufacturer based in Paducah, KY - an area of the country with a long history in speaker manufacturing that includes the original CTS company, Credence Speakers, Voice Communication Coil, and Hawley Products - the oldest cone manufacturer in the world. When an OEM speaker manufacturer needed to clear warehouse space in 2006, WGS was born and began manufacturing and selling American-assembled guitar speakers to the public.
Today we build a wide range of high-quality and reasonably priced 10 and 12-inch Alnico and Ceramic magnet guitars speakers that celebrate and reprise the golden era of speaker manufacturing in the USA and England during the '60s and '70s, including the 15 watt Alnico Black & Blue™, 50 watt Alnico BlackHawk™,60 watt Veteran 30™, 25 watt Green Beret™, 80 watt British Lead™, 65 watt ET65™, 30 watt Reaper™, and 75 watt Retro 30™, among others. WGS also builds high-power bass and PA speakers, and we are constantly developing and adding new speaker models to meet the demands of today's guitarists.
Wharfedale Musical Instruments
Wharfedale, as a brand, was one of the very earliest pioneers of high-quality audio reproduction. Founded in 1932 by Mr. Gilbert Briggs, the company started life as a tiny cottage production line. Indeed, the first drive units ever made by Wharfedale, the 'Bronze' model which won first prize in the 'Bradford Radio Society' annual competition was manufactured in Gilbert's own attic in the sleepy village of Idle, near Bradford in the valley of the river 'Wharfe'.
Today, to remain at the very forefront of audio, Wharfedale has a dedicated 1.5 million square foot manufacturing operation in which every single product and process takes place in-house. Instead of having to use off-the-shelf components from a catalogue as most other purported 'Hi-Fi' companies choose to, we are able to build a complete vision - to engineer every single component from scratch to achieve a harmony in performance and balance.
With a Wharfedale loudspeaker, you get 75 years of experience, the most advanced research and development programme - and the most integrated and thorough manufacturing and quality control process in the industry.
Wizard
WIZARD is dedicated to the design and manufacturing of high-end tube amplifiers and speaker cabinets.
All Wizard products are built in Canada by Wizard Amplification Inc. with construction consisting of military type turret boards, true point to point soldering, premium capacitors and metal film resistors for stability and tolerance.
XITS Sound
I have been trying to decide what it is I should say "about" XITS. This is a hard task and how is one to communicate in words something that helps other artists express themselves through sound? Today I will start with the basics, the why.
When I was five years of age I was introduced to the sound and images that for the most part would define who I was and am today. These sounds and images were the Beatles. Pure magic! As I like to say I was abducted by the Beatles and saved by the Small Faces and the Who (The Who Sings My Generation). The truth being I was truly saved by Paul Weller. Yes the Small Faces and the early Who had a huge impact on me but it was Mr. Weller that helped me truly understand who I am. What does this have to do with tube amps? Well, VOX AC30's, Mod, Raw Passion, Truth... The list could go on and on. When I saw and heard my first Vox AC30 it forever changed my life. When I opened a Guitar Player in early 1992 and read about Matchless I truly knew what my calling in life was.
