Boutique amps... pros and cons...

[Edgecrusher]

Re: Boutique amps... pros and cons...

Also, Mesas are everywhere they are very common amps. In Europe ENGL, Framus and Diezel are not rare amps they are common.

What part of europe are you in that Diezel's are common? I cant speak for all of europe but for all the local shows around Veneto ive seen and all the guitar stores ive been in Diezels are a rare thing around here most guitarists here have never ran into a Framus and most have only heard of ENGL not actually played.

 

[Edgecrusher]

Re: Boutique amps... pros and cons...

I think that's where te misconception lies. Some people view boutique as expensive 5k designs that are made from small market companies ie garage builders ala custom. I view boutique as upper end elite small market companies ( compared to Mesa and Marshall). Correct me if I'm wrong but I view fryette as boutique. His amps are top notch and he really knows his stuff. More over a deliverance sixty new cost $1600 which compared to a new Mesa or Marshall is actually a lot cheaper

Yeah see and I agree here on the idea of "boutique" Theres too many home builders in a garage building mission amp kits to use the production or factory size as the standard for what defines boutique. Hell I myself have put together a couple Marshall 18watt kits but that doesnt make me a boutique builder by anymeans.

 

[Archer_of_Fish]

Re: Boutique amps... pros and cons...

What part of europe are you in that Diezel's are common? I cant speak for all of europe but for all the local shows around Veneto ive seen and all the guitar stores ive been in Diezels are a rare thing around here most guitarists here have never ran into a Framus and most have only heard of ENGL not actually played.

Go to the German speaking countries. They are not as rare in Germany, Austria etc as amps like Germino to Carr are in North America.


I haven't been to shops in Italy (though there are some damn nice Italian made guitars and amps) so they may be rare in your country.

 

[mwalluk]

Re: Boutique amps... pros and cons...

I wouldn't call Fryette boutique anymore than I would Mesa, ENGL, Diezel or Framus. I've had one apart,
it looks like any other modern, multi channel amp. Take apart a Carr or a Zinky or a Harry Joyce and
you see boutique innards.

I would say there are many levels of amps, from cheap to one man Dumble sort of makers. When you
have PCBs and other elements the grey area begins.

Just my opinion, what others think is fine too

See I put Mesa in the Category with Marshall, Fender, Vox, Peavey, etc. They're so common around the States.

Out of curiosity sakes, what would you considered companies like Framus, Fryette, Cornford, ENGL, Diezel, etc.

 

[Brow]

Re: Boutique amps... pros and cons...

Out of curiosity sakes, what would you considered companies like Framus, Fryette, Cornford, ENGL, Diezel, etc.

I'm not sure on the others but out of those I personally wouldn't say ENGL or Cornford are boutique.

I'm not overly up on my Engls but Cornford have several ranges of cheaper amps (sub £600 in some cases) that are normal production line stuff so I personally wouldn't say they're boutique.

I have a 100w twin channel JCM800 that I found for £220 when I was 15. Providing you can crank it (which most of the time you can't) it sounds great. If you can't, it has a realy fuzzy edge to the overdrive tones.

As I got older and looked more into what my favourite players were using alot of them had modified Marshalls. So when my time came for a new amp, that's why I ended up with my Splawn. It'll do all the 70s and 80s Rock/Metal tones I want with gain and volume to spare without having to use external boosts and EQs etc. It's as close to my perfect amp as I think I'll find as it allows me to just plug straight in, forget the pedals and just play knowing that it'll sound awesome (regardless of my playing of course ).

 

[mwalluk]

Re: Boutique amps... pros and cons...

What would you consider those companies though. Well maybe not Cornford, I just threw it in since it's a rarity in the STates. What would you call Splawn and/or VHT/Fryette?

They're not mass produced by any means in comparison to Marshall, Mesa, Fender.
Nor are they "boutique, boutique" like Pure Sixty Four Amps, Two Rocks, Carol Ann Amps, etc.

I think we need to eastablish some rating scale to define these amps..

1. Budget amps -Line 6, Roland CUbes,
2. Mass Produced amps - Marshall, Mesa, Fender
3. ?????????????????? - Fryette, SPlawn, Engl, Framus, Diezel, Madison, Genz Benz, Bogner?
4. Boutique - Pure Sixty Four Amps, Two Rocks, Carol Ann Amps, etc.
4. Custom - self explanatory

 

[Archer_of_Fish]

Re: Boutique amps... pros and cons...

See I put Mesa in the Category with Marshall, Fender, Vox, Peavey, etc. They're so common around the States.

Out of curiosity sakes, what would you considered companies like Framus, Fryette, Cornford, ENGL, Diezel, etc.

All of the companies you listed make some super nice amps. Call them boutique people can label them whatever they want to. I actually think over classification is a bit silly. I never thought of my ENGL or my DIezel as a boutique amp, never thought of my Dr Z or my Harry Joyce as boutique gear. I always thought of them as nice amps.

I do think that Fryette, Framus, Diezel and Mesa are a little unique in that list since they dont make any Asian units aimed at the middle level or entry market. Having said that I have played some pretty cool sounding import amps.

 

[macki]

Re: Boutique amps... pros and cons...

I do own a boutique amp I think (Tone King). What drew me to it? I think I always have been drawn to the "small guy", maybe because I am a biz owner myself and I like to support small businesses. Apart from that I don't really have a preference.

As far as pricing....I don't flip or change me amps at all. So paying more up front isn't a big deal. I am not holding on to it as an investment, I just want to play and enjoy the amp. I had an 1983 2203 head for ~25 years and my TK I will have for another 25 years. I have no desire to pursue amps as long as I am happy with what I have.

Pros: Supporting a local or national business with (ideally) all aspects of the company using "local" resources. May not be as constrained, in terms of design, and can try new things or tweaks that enhance the amp.

Cons: one major con that may come into play is that the company may not have a long lifespan so if you ran into problems in the later years it maybe harder to get the amp fixed. Also price will usually be higher.

 

[Brow]

Re: Boutique amps... pros and cons...

What would you consider those companies though. Well maybe not Cornford, I just threw it in since it's a rarity in the STates. What would you call Splawn and/or VHT/Fryette?

They're not mass produced by any means in comparison to Marshall, Mesa, Fender.
Nor are they "boutique, boutique" like Pure Sixty Four Amps, Two Rocks, Carol Ann Amps, etc.

I think we need to eastablish some rating scale to define these amps..

1. Budget amps -Line 6, Roland CUbes,
2. Mass Produced amps - Marshall, Mesa, Fender
3. ?????????????????? - Fryette, SPlawn, Engl, Framus, Diezel, Madison, Genz Benz, Bogner?
4. Boutique - Pure Sixty Four Amps, Two Rocks, Carol Ann Amps, etc.
4. Custom - self explanatory

Well personally, I'd call Splawn boutique too.

Small setup, only a few guys are involved in making them, not production line stuff etc.

I guess Matamp could be called Boutique too then (if anyone outside the UK has heard of them that is).