The "Boutique" Amp Builders Thread [Archive] - GuitarsCanada.com

Geek

08-17-2007, 03:52 PM

http://www.ckamps.com

I was hired by them to design and build amps and I've got the OK to distribute the designs amongst the DIY communities for personal use.

I consider us to be in the mid-range of boutique - not cheap, but definately not over the top.

Always looking for local (Fraser Valley, BC) beta testers to gig our stuff and share opinions.

Cheers!

GuitaristZ

08-17-2007, 06:02 PM

crate

crateamps.com

Geek

08-17-2007, 06:20 PM

Define "boutique"...

Basically, non-mass produced.

IMO, a "limited" run handcrafted by a mass producer could be considered a boutique amp, as well as a one man shop working out of his garage.

One man's def:
http://www.psg.com/~dlamkins/Articles/boutique-amps.php

To toss in another fine boutique amp maker:
http://www.straubamps.com/

SZ Addicted

08-17-2007, 06:39 PM

Hughes and Kettner.

German-made. Hand assembled. I don't think they have an "affordable" line of amps. Mostly high-end/professional stuff. You get your money's worth from this company.

http://www.hughes-and-kettner.com

-Twiggy

iaresee

08-17-2007, 06:56 PM

Basically, non-mass produced.
Well then...
Koch (http://www.koch-amps.com/)
Teixeria Amps (http://www.teixeiraamps.com/)
Tony Bruno Amps (http://www.brunoamps.com/)
Divided by 13 (http://www.dividedby13.com/)
Matamp (http://www.matamp.co.uk/)
Carr (http://www.carramps.com/)

torndownunit

08-17-2007, 07:06 PM

http://www.gcamplifiers.com

Canadian custom amp builder.

Robert1950

08-17-2007, 07:14 PM

I believe there are at least two builders who post on this forum. Mr. Adicted to Tubes and the guy who's built amps for Eastwood Guitars. I also have no doubt that Wild Bill could build you anything from his pile of capacitors, resistors and whatever he has.

greco

08-17-2007, 09:10 PM

Scott_F builds boutique amps and is often on the Seymour Duncan forum:

http://www.celticamps.com

Dave

Robert1950

08-17-2007, 09:28 PM

By the way,... it's pronounced ,... BOOOOO- TEEK

Skoczylas

08-18-2007, 08:56 AM

Abriel Amps, made by Tom Abriel in Halifax. Great sounding amps!

amphead

08-18-2007, 07:43 PM

I believe there are at least two builders who post on this forum. Mr. Adicted to Tubes and the guy who's built amps for Eastwood Guitars.

Hey everyone,

I'm the "guy who's built amps for Eastwood Guitars".

Cheers!
Don

Geek

08-19-2007, 05:22 AM

Hi,

Abriel Amps, made by Tom Abriel in Halifax. Great sounding amps!

Doesn't Google. Got a URL or info?

Southbay Ampworks

08-19-2007, 10:18 AM

I make them in batches of 10. Just got my latest batch of the new aluminum chassis in.

guitarhound

08-24-2007, 12:58 PM

The guitar player in one of the bands I was playing with last night had an amp by "Homewrecker" which is apparently made in Toronto. It looked like a Matchless clone and it sounded great. Has anyone heard of this company before and how to get in touch with them?

ssdeluxe

09-16-2007, 12:22 PM

http://www.gcamplifiers.com

Canadian custom amp builder.

Hey Ian ! have you heard these amps ? they look quite nice.... let me know if you've had a chance to hear them and any opinions would be cool.
thanks
stephen

iaresee

09-16-2007, 02:09 PM

Hey Ian ! have you heard these amps ? they look quite nice.... let me know if you've had a chance to hear them and any opinions would be cool.
thanks
stephen
Which Ian are you referring to? There are a few of us here...

bluezombie

09-16-2007, 02:38 PM

I'm not sure about this one, but Genz Benz?

November5th

09-29-2007, 06:22 PM

For those who into Dumble like tones.
Two-Rock amps. www.two-rock.com
Fuchs amps. www.fuchsaudiotechnology.com
Glaswerks amps. www.glaswerks.com
Brown Note amps. www.brownnote.net
Enjoy!

Dean

Adicted to Tubes

11-11-2007, 04:11 PM

My site is www.claramps.com

Purely for informational purposes.

Slidewinder

11-30-2007, 02:05 PM

Victoria, hands down. www.victoriaamp.com
My Victorilux 1x15 with an old JBL is the best amp I've ever played and I've owned a s##load of old amps.
I almost didn't go for one because the clips on their site are not the greatest, but then I played a couple and was hooked.
They'll do anything but metal and with the right pedal would probably even do that.

mhammer

12-07-2007, 12:19 PM

Charles "Chuck" Gilbert in Quebec City makes some nice amps, and some pedals too. Had a pleasant time chatting with him at the equipment-makers' "salon" at last year's Montreal Jazz festival.

http://chucktronic.ca/

Paul

12-07-2007, 12:28 PM

Slidewinder

12-09-2007, 12:20 PM

If you guys with 1x15 victorias come across an old JBL 2135 try it.
I liked the legend 15 in mine and just tried the JBL for a couple of weeks but after putting the legend back in I had to go back to the JBL.
Although it's about 4 lbs. heavier than the legend it's a great speaker and well worth the extra weight. Rounds out the tone and sounds fantastic even when pushed, although it's a 100 watter so no problem there. I hear the Jensen Blackbird is also a really good speaker but I'm told it only comes in a 12" version at the moment.

pattste

01-05-2008, 09:59 AM

Did anyone get the chance to play an amp by Chuck Electronique (Quebec City)? How are they?

KHINGPYNN

01-06-2008, 06:41 PM

http://www.soldano.com/

http://www.wizardamplification.com/

ssdeluxe

01-13-2008, 10:12 PM

chuteamplifiers.com

Carl Chute, very nice young guy making a really nice amp with "only the good features".

o_marlin

02-03-2008, 08:03 PM

any of these growl like a bitch in heat? thats what im looking for!

Robert1950

02-03-2008, 10:09 PM

any of these growl like a bitch in heat? thats what im looking for!

I would help if you had a guitar with P90s. Maybe a set of Wolfetone Meaner and Meanest P90s.

4x12

02-25-2008, 01:03 PM

Hi guys,

1st post here and thought this was a good one to start with!! As for Boutique amps, theres a lot out there and heres a few of them that come to mind...

Splawn
VHT
Diezel
Bogner
Cameron amps
Dr.Z
MadProffesor
Framus
Suhr
65 amps
Richtone amps
Divided by 13 amps
Fuchs amps
Stevensons guitars
Koch amps
Swart Amp
Two-Rock amps

4x12

02-25-2008, 01:18 PM

I forgot one...

JFL Amplification (http://www.myspace.com/thetubeampbuilderdude).

I think hes loacated in Vaudreuil, Qc. He does custom work for players like Stephane Dufour. The main track on his myspace page his played by Stephan using one of his customs.

µ¿ z3®ø™

03-27-2008, 05:13 PM

For those who into Dumble like tones.
Two-Rock amps. www.two-rock.com
Fuchs amps. www.fuchsaudiotechnology.com
Glaswerks amps. www.glaswerks.com
Brown Note amps. www.brownnote.net
Enjoy!

Dean

as well as...

carol-ann (http://www.carolannamps.com/). alan doesn't care to be identified as a d*mble 'clone' maker. oops! i'll have his new model, the tucana, within a few weeks.
bludotone (http://www.bludotone.com/). brandon has extensive knowledge of HAD's amps and is also rather adept at hand tuning amps to satisfy customers requests. i LOVE my bludo.
gil ayan (http://ayanmusic.com/) also makes really good d*mble 'clones' (right down to the appearance), evidently.

any discussion involving boutique amps (i really don't like that term, tho') would be remiss if they were to not mention komet (http://www.kometamps.com/overview.html), who make really great amps that have been designed by ken fischer.

mrmuzikhead

04-17-2008, 08:40 AM

Red Iron Amps from Lockhart Texas. Paul Sanchez is building the finest amps I've ever heard. So impressive, I've bought 3 from him this year! Still waiting for the 3rd but the first 2 are absolutly incredible. Two of my friends have gotten on the bandwagon as well and have ordered more than one after hearing mine. They are a steal. Paul is a great guy to deal with as well. Check them out www.redironamps.com for sound clips see www.guitar25.com

Cottage

04-17-2008, 02:28 PM

Don't forget Top Hat.

Beevee

05-13-2008, 11:49 PM

Bludotone
Top Hat
Two Rock

Swampdonkeyamps

05-23-2008, 01:57 PM

any of these growl like a bitch in heat? thats what im looking for!

I build that amp!

We are a boutique builder you should consider. Check out our website, www.swampdonkeyamps.com and then click to our MySpace page. I posted a video of the inside of the Swampdonkey M50 chassis up there and it will show you how we build... meticulously by hand.

Cheers!

RobQ

05-29-2008, 01:51 PM

Bad Cat
Allen
Trainwreck

Budda

06-22-2008, 10:05 PM

Mako:

www.makoamplification.com

I'm debating saving up for a Mak2..

audioman

07-13-2008, 09:00 AM

Straub Amps (http://www.straubamps.com)
https://straubamps.sslpowered.com/cantusfront.jpg
Blockhead (http://www.blockheadamps.com/)
http://www.blockheadamps.com/assets/03amps/blk_100/blk_100.jpg

FortinAmps

10-16-2008, 10:36 AM

Hello Everyone,
I build custom amps one at a time and to order. I have a couple of base models that features can be added to. I currently have a single channel amplifier with a lot of add on features as well as a 6 channel amp with Midi to be release at the end of this year. I also do modifications to existing amps. Contact me for details. I look forward to discussing your needs.
Cheers,
Mike

http://www.fortinamps.com/images/_STU8205.JPG

http://www.fortinamps.com/images/_STU8211.JPG