Would you buy an Amp from me?

[Norman_T]

Re: Would you buy an Amp from me?

Scott,

I am also playing devils advocate here - but what sort of returns policy, repairs, guarantee would you be able to give, how long would it take for amps to be built and shipped out? A lot of people will say yes what a great idea but when it comes down to reality and committment you will often find that these people will say sorry can't do it, not got the money or too much gear etc etc. In other words promises don't mean anything and you could lose friends/people if things start going wrong with your own suppliers. There is a limit as to how far you can stretch friendships.

Of course you have run businesses and you will know what a hard slog it can be and I am sure that you will have a good sound business plan but it would have to be based on fact and actual orders. I am not trying to discourage you in any way but you have also got to see all the negative and positive sides of any venture. To many people when they start any new ventures only look at how much it will bring them but don't take into account the risks that go with it.

So good luck and I really do hope that all goes well if you do want to do it. Oh by the way can I try one of these amps on a 3 month basis - of course you'll have to ship to the UK!!

 

[Vasshu the humanoid typhoon]

Re: Would you buy an Amp from me?

If I had the extra dough right now...I would.

 

[Jonnylane]

Re: Would you buy an Amp from me?

Someone mentioned it earlier in the thread, but you should offer kits too. I reckon people would really go for that, because there's not many places you can get 'em

 

[Ez74]

Re: Would you buy an Amp from me?

I would think that there would be way too much risk involved. If it were me that wanted to build amps, I would first build in my spare time and get some out in public and get feedback on them. Get unbiased opinions. There are so many boutique builders out there doing fender, marshall, vox.... whats going to set you apart from them? As for dealing boutique amps ..... do dealers make much profit on them?

 

[rspst14]

Re: Would you buy an Amp from me?

You strike me as quite a skilled businessman, and I have no doubt that you could make this thing fly. The main concern I would have if I were you is how much of your free time is this going to take up? You seem to do a ton of travelling for your job, how will this affect a custom amp business? You don't want to end up in a situation where you spend all of your time either travelling or building amps, with no time left over for family, playing guitar, relaxing, etc. My advice would be to do this on a small scale. Keep only a few projects going at once, and don't get so involved that this becomes a second full-time job for you. Norman brings up a good point too, what type of tech support and guarantee will you offer? Do you have an electronics background similar to that of someone like Kent_S or Artie, or will you need to improve you knowledege of electronics before starting? These are all things you might want to keep in mind.

Ryan

 

[Kent S.]

Re: Would you buy an Amp from me?

Well Scott, the operative thing is if I was in the market (especially if you offered a recreation of the super champ, not vintage in the strict sense of the word), then I would. It's nice to have someone that cares for what they do, and that will always reflect itself in the product. I agree with the considerations of whether or not it will turn into a *job*, and the amount personal time that will be used up. As far as the business concerns I think you are well aware of that, and you can handle that, plus the wonder of the internet biz is low overhead, with a little bit of capital, a small garage, a computer, and a friendly UPS guy you can cover the world ... ;-)
I really do not understand how the whole internet thing is set up as far as search listings, their listing order and what not, as far as people doing searches looking for amp makers in general. So your connections, and networking will definitely be an advantage there. I figure that on the issues of servicing and warranty that you will have come up with whatever guide lines, and how that will be conducted from the get go, before actually implementing the business. The cool thing though about a web based biz (and yes I wish to eventually get one set up for various guitar related things ... just not amps), is that you can start as small as you want, maybe offer three models to start with, as business pickups up you can expand your lines. Also concerning production you can accept orders or not depending on production constraints, kinda a backorder on production. Even large businesses do such at times, but then I'm telling you something you already know. If you have the time, and want to do it, then I'd say go for it ... I do know someone who sets up websites for companies, but her minimum account is around 5 grand. Plus something tells me you already have that issue covered ... :cool3:

 

[Falstaff]

Re: Would you buy an Amp from me?

Yes, in a heartbeat!

 

[Lewguitar]

Re: Would you buy an Amp from me?

Hi Scott, I think you'd have a easier time selling boutique amps from established builders than you would building and selling your own. It's just not as easy as it might seem...even when you're copying vintage Fenders part for part. Besides that, it's been done to death already!

Transformers are the heart of the amp...do you know much about transformer impedences and voltages and how differant a output impedence affects the tone, etc.?

It gets pretty complicated finding a source for the right trannys (not to mention cabinetry and chromed chassis's)...at a price you can mark up and make a buck on.

Good luck tho!

Lew

 

[Curly]

Re: Would you buy an Amp from me?

Scott,

my answer to the original question is "yes"

going back and reading over your post again, I realized that you said you're not just selling your own amps

in addition to what Lew and others have said, I'll just repeat that I have my doubts about the 'building your own' aspect. I've known a couple really good amp techs, well qualified who just couldn't make it pencil out - it seems like some of the successful builders these days kind of get pushed into it after selling a couple custom projects. My amp tech here in San Diego is a great player, went to school at a major amp company (Hafler?), and spent years prototyping his own 18 watt, class A amp. It sounded terrific, but in the end, I think he decided it just didn't pencil out - he explained to me that he couldn't sell them for less than $2500 and make money... it's just hard to do onesy-twosey stuff economically, since electronic parts pricing is all based on numbers

all that said, I know you're a good salesman. I have a friend who is also interested in something along the same lines. He's also a good businessman, and like you, a good salesman. Personally, I think you two would make good partners, but I have no idea if either one of you is interested in a partner or not. Even so, I think he'd at least have some good insight for you, since he's talked or dealt with several of the boutique makers, and owns several amps like that

if you're interested, PM or email me, and I'll try to hook you guys up ... he's up in the Bay Area, btw

Peace,
G

 

[Jaganath]

Re: Would you buy an Amp from me?

If you
a) ship to the UK
b) post sound clips for each amp
and c) the prices are good

Then hell yeah, I'd buy from you

Also, the thought of modding an amp scares the heck out of me, but with your experience and expertise you could offer pre-modded amps maybe?, probably wouldn't need more than a good sound clip to convince people of your handywork. :headbang:

 

[JfromHouston]

Re: Would you buy an Amp from me?

Yes I would buy from you...you should start buy selling me that Vox AD60 head

 

[Bones]

Re: Would you buy an Amp from me?

Scott, I would not. But hear my reason, you already have a good income job, so why don't I just go to the guys that only do this work for a living. I was thinking about doing this with my father because he says the guts of the amps are just a cakewalk.

 

[Blueline]

Re: Would you buy an Amp from me?

I thnk you really may have something here Scott
You're an amp fanatic as it is and you truly have a knowledge of the material - which would put you at an amazing advantage of any boutique amp shop which is basiclaly in the business of driving kids out of the store before they break something

i say go for it

 

[some_dude]

Re: Would you buy an Amp from me?

It seems most boutique amp builders are amp techs that kinda grew into a boutique builder. I would assume that most of them still do tech work as their bread and butter, and the boutique business is a gravy item.

 

[Scott_F]

Re: Would you buy an Amp from me?

Interesting comments. Thanks to each of you.

 

[Scott_F]

Re: Would you buy an Amp from me?

In the last 24 hours, I've gotten 3 different boutique guys that are interested in establishing a foothold in my part of the world. Time to find a capital infusion it seems.

 

[wasteofo2]

Re: Would you buy an Amp from me?

Hell, I'm looking around for a small tube amp and loving the Blues Jr., if you can make a Blues Jr. with a distortion channel within the budget of a 16 year old, I'd very seriously consider buying it.

 

[Wattage]

Re: Would you buy an Amp from me?

I think it is a fantastic idea and since I am buying an amp from you now I guess you know my answer.

Go for it!

 

[Scott_F]

Re: Would you buy an Amp from me?

I think it is a fantastic idea and since I am buying an amp from you now I guess you know my answer.

Go for it!

I'm glad you wrote this, cuz I probably would have forgotten to get it to Fed Ex tomorrow morning.

I've been traveling all day. :smack:

 

[beandip]

Re: Would you buy an Amp from me?

Scott, if I had the money, I would.