"Aftermarket/Boutique" Amp Companies

[some_dude]

Re: "Aftermarket/Boutique" Amp Companies

I don't know if the term "Aftermarket/Boutique" is suitable, I just don't know what word I could use to describe them. Call it a lack of a better word syndrome. My other thread got me thinking. What are some companies that we're big but faded away in recent years or still going strong. I would like to keep this to companies off the norm. Mainstream amp companies like Fender, Marshall, Mesa, Peavey need not apply.

Here's what I got so far;

VHT/Fryette - Both are still making amps, VHT went down hill when Fryette established his own company.

Madison - Out of Production

Framus - Out of Production

Diezel - Only in Germany

Bogner - Still going strong

Splawn - Still going strong

Soldano - Still going strong

This list reminds me of metalcore. It seemed that for awhile metalcore guitarists were going nuts over any new high gian amp in an effort to not sound exactly like every other metalcore band out there. It seemed like every month or two they were jumping ship from the 5150 to the Knucklehead to the Ubershall to the Cobra to the Powerball to Krank to whatever came next.... pretty much anything to avoid using a Rectifier.

It seems like a lot of the "other" brands you're talking about died down when metalcore died down.

[Mattr4president]

Re: "Aftermarket/Boutique" Amp Companies

This list reminds me of metalcore. It seemed that for awhile metalcore guitarists were going nuts over any new high gian amp in an effort to not sound exactly like every other metalcore band out there. It seemed like every month or two they were jumping ship from the 5150 to the Knucklehead to the Ubershall to the Cobra to the Powerball to Krank to whatever came next.... pretty much anything to avoid using a Rectifier.

It seems like a lot of the "other" brands you're talking about died down when metalcore died down.

Good point though many of them were around before metalcore started.

[mwalluk]

Re: "Aftermarket/Boutique" Amp Companies

This list reminds me of metalcore. It seemed that for awhile metalcore guitarists were going nuts over any new high gian amp in an effort to not sound exactly like every other metalcore band out there. It seemed like every month or two they were jumping ship from the 5150 to the Knucklehead to the Ubershall to the Cobra to the Powerball to Krank to whatever came next.... pretty much anything to avoid using a Rectifier.

It seems like a lot of the "other" brands you're talking about died down when metalcore died down.

I guess you can say so. I was more so curious about other brands. I was thinking about some of these amps a few days ago and was wondering what happened to them? Kind of like VH1 where are they now.

I still hear of Splawn, Engl, Soldano, Fryette, etc but some of em have died down quite a bit ala Diezel, Framus, etc.

I don't play metal, but do write some songs in the heavier side of things. I like the tightness of a lot.

You nailed it with "It seemed that for awhile metalcore guitarists were going nuts over any new high gian amp in an effort to not sound exactly like every other metalcore band out there." Just replace metalcore w/ modern rock. If I ever decide to replace my VHT, I'm def. going off this list. I like more unique voicing and not sounding tonewise like everyone else out there.

[Diego]

Re: "Aftermarket/Boutique" Amp Companies

The one brand I've noticed that seems to do a lot more than just "Metal" amps from that list of Metal amps is ENGL.

They've got a big list of models, and it seems they cover a broad range of sounds, from extreme brutality and tightness to something Marshall would be proud of.

[aleclee]

Re: "Aftermarket/Boutique" Amp Companies

If you're asking why a number of brands that aren't available at GC have gone under, maybe because it's because they're not sold at GC. Much as some of us bag on GC, the fact is that their volume and reach in the marketplace makes them very influential. If they're pimpin' your stuff, you're gonna get sales. If not, good luck with that.

When you get down to it, the real surprise is the number of indy brands that stay in business without being available at GC.

[ksmith63]

Re: "Aftermarket/Boutique" Amp Companies

If you're going blast me at least be knowledgable and READ my post. I was simply asking, for other amps. NOT one's you could easily buy at a GUITAR CENTER like MESA, ORANGE, etc. I'm not disputing MESA makes high quality amps.

I did read your post, where you clearly wrote that Fryette was not high end....What does the term "high end" even mean, if an entry amp @ $1500 isn't? Actually that's the only "qualification" that you mention in the post while you also declare that "mesa has reached marshall status"....status of what? Read it again and see what it implies.

This entire thread you keep going back and forth between "high end" and "sold at guitar center"...without actually specifying (until now) which one you want. Go back and read your own posts, or even the title...."aftermarket/boutique..."

I would recommend that you change the title/first post to "Hard to find amps not sold at guitar center"...which is a ridiculous concept anyway because Guitar Center is a dealer for most everything listed here. The stuff at the store is there because it sells but they will order just about anything for you.

[Dirtbagg]

Re: "Aftermarket/Boutique" Amp Companies

Metropoulos amps - plexi replicas you can take on the road.
Tomaszewicz Amps
Ugly Amps

All theses guys are very cool.
I met all of them aty the last LA Amp Show.

[some_dude]

Re: "Aftermarket/Boutique" Amp Companies

I did read your post, where you clearly wrote that Fryette was not high end....What does the term "high end" even mean, if an entry amp @ $1500 isn't? Actually that's the only "qualification" that you mention in the post while you also declare that "mesa has reached marshall status"....status of what? Read it again and see what it implies.

This entire thread you keep going back and forth between "high end" and "sold at guitar center"...without actually specifying (until now) which one you want. Go back and read your own posts, or even the title...."aftermarket/boutique..."

I would recommend that you change the title/first post to "Hard to find amps not sold at guitar center"...which is a ridiculous concept anyway because Guitar Center is a dealer for most everything listed here. The stuff at the store is there because it sells but they will order just about anything for you.

Do you mind if we move on? Or do we need to keep beating this dead horse?

[Lazarus1140]

Re: "Aftermarket/Boutique" Amp Companies

Komet
Genz-Benz
Two Rock
Category 5

[King IzzO)))]

Re: "Aftermarket/Boutique" Amp Companies

http://verellenamplifiers.com

[Red_Label]

Re: "Aftermarket/Boutique" Amp Companies

You've got some loose screws dude.

Your Wheaties... it would appear that someone might have urinated in them this morning.

[ksmith63]

Re: "Aftermarket/Boutique" Amp Companies

Your Wheaties... it would appear that someone might have urinated in them this morning.

Yes, they did. Regardless, I shouldn't have let it leak into this thread and have since apologized to mwalluk for being an ass. Now, back to my cereal.

[Stratman]

Re: "Aftermarket/Boutique" Amp Companies

CELTIC Amplifiers

[Fresh_Start]

Re: "Aftermarket/Boutique" Amp Companies

CELTIC Amplifiers

If you start listing custom, semi-production amp makers the list gets really long. I'm not knocking Scott's product at all - there are plenty of happy Celtic owners here - but Celtic is not in the same league as Divided by 13, 65 Amps, et al. For example, I didn't list Randall Aiken but he's been around for a long time.

Chip

[mwalluk]

Re: "Aftermarket/Boutique" Amp Companies

Genz Benz was another. ANyone ever play the EL Diablo? I occasionally see them around