June 2012 \ Features \ Field Report \ GALLERY: New York Amp Show 2012

GALLERY: New York Amp Show 2012

Highlights from this year's amp extravaganza.
Premier Guitar June 2012

     

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Comments

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Loni Specter
on 07/05/2012 		Thanks Premier for your great pictures of some of the amps at the NY SHOW! As to if these amps are worth the money, I guess the only way to find out is to play them yourself at the next LA AMP SHOW or contact the manufacturers for a list of dealers etc. I personally would never pay more than a month's rent for any amp or guitar.
dtlewis
on 06/18/2012 		To my ears, and I'm just a guy who's been playing gtr for 40 yrs and have done so through all p2p hand-wired stuff e.g. early Vox(Pacemaker) Fender tweeds (Champ & Deluxe), blackfaces ala Deluxe and Twin Reverbs, and I've played through some with solid state and, pcb circuitry: in the final analysis I have to conclude the simpler the better as far as how the tone and dynamics of amps appeal to my ear and touch. I'll take a low wattage all tube (preferably EF86 preamp, EL84 power tube(s) and a tube rectifier) cranked till the power tubes just saturate. That way you really can use your guitar vol alone to go from relatively clean to screamin with a tiny adj to one knob.

I find most p2p tend to stay as simple as possible i.e. shortest possible circuit paths and rely on lots of experience in component selection and layout to minimize noise on the signal path and maximize harmonic content. If a builder can achieve that with a PCB of 1st class quality, it will be reasonably dependable but once you get into the mass production SMT and cheezie pcp stuff reliability does tend to diminish. Nothing innately inferior with PCBs per se but mass production techniques tend to be accompanied by diminished quality standards all around.
Terry
on 06/13/2012 		Anyone check out Dynamo Amplification at the NY Amp show?? Some how they were missed by Premier Guitar yet Premier posted a web article and featured them in the Jan 2012 issue page 240 #1 spot for new gear. They amps are built for touring!!!! Check out The Tone King video from the Amp Show!!
Rob
on 06/13/2012 		@ Eric: Nailed it. @ SRV: some non-"Republicans" can actually save their money and buy their dream amp. Imagine that! @ Charlie: you're massively disconnected with the current reality of independent builders vs. mass-produced gear. $500 doesn't even pay most people's water&gas bills and get 2 weeks worth of groceries anymore. How is it going to get you anywhere NEAR the amplifier that a builder with a life's-legacy devoted to their craft can build for you?? ..when it might take that guy more than two weeks to build it! Plus parts!! ugh. To address your comments any more specifically than this is, at this point, a waste of time for everyone. And no, I'm not an amp builder! I'm a broke-assed guitar player who will still save up for the right amp - no matter what.
d'uh
on 06/12/2012 		Charlie - Dude, I can't reasonably take you seriously. Are you REALLY comparing a mass produced Fender (Which I own) to a custom made hard wired boutique amp (which I own as well It's the same logic in going to Ikea to buy your furniture or going to a custom builder. You get what you pay for. A mass produced Fender sounds great, a boutique amp sounds better. I'm no cork sniffer, it simply sounds better.
tdclns
on 06/11/2012 		I honestly think that anyone ('kids' included) who has any sense can 'shop' for an amp, try/demo it to their satisfaction, & make a good choice to their 'liking.' This is not 'rocket science,' as some would portend. It all comes down to the personal preference. The main reason why you see a lot of artists touring with Fender, Marshall, & Vox, is that they are time tested/ reliable amplifiers. Pure & simple. Not to mention that they still make great amps, of course. And, a lot of pro's DO USE BOUTIQUE AMPS 'ON TOUR'. Al Dimeola, Guthrie Govan, EVEN Buddy Guy, tour with boutique amps. And, we haven't even touched base yet on Fractal Axe FX, which a lot of artists are now using on the road. Maybe we can save that topic for another debate...because I know a few people who own one; & one happens to be a 16 year old student of mine. So, to sum it all up; I really see nothing to support this 'rant.'
Eric
on 06/10/2012 		One of my personal favorite stories is about Hendrix being introduced to Jim Marshall and his amps. At the time Jim was still building stuff all by himself. If I recall correctly, out of his garage. He and Leo Fender both started making amps at home one at a time. One of the things I love the most about the amp I have now is having spoken directly with the guy who designed and built it. It's my own personal version of meeting Jim Marshall and him telling me all about how he thinks and does things. For me, and the music that I play, in my band, it's exactly what I was after and I couldn't be happier.
Bill
on 06/10/2012 		oops, typo I stopped to cork-sniff. That last line should have read: how about creating a website for startup musicians with your recommendations?
Bill
on 06/10/2012 		Ahh, finally some reasonable discourse here. Charlie has finally made some logical points. I concur that all the greatest stuff of my youth (and a lot of contemporary) was cranked out on those such named amps. One point you seem to overlook--those coveted classics ie Fender Blackface Twins and Marshall Plexis are not exactly cheap amps anymore. The newer inexpensive versions, most would agree are not quite the same. This is certainly debatable as well. I think the boutique market took off b/c most are made in the same meticulous way the original classics were. I personally enjoy speaking to the man making my amp (like Ben Fargen for example) There is something very sweet about being involved in the process and giving business to a growing company and yes, paying more for it. Charlie, I think why you have been widely disparaged here is for the reason that Eric articulated so well. My cohorts who purchase these amps are very savvy. They know exactly what differences are in components, etc. You are presuming everyone else is just too ignorant to know the "real truth" What if someone buys a $3000 PRS guitar. Do you rail on them b/c it's not a Strat or a Les Paul? It's still a free country, last time I checked. You're ostensibly trying to protect kids but of course I think you are disingenuous. If a kid was really considering purchasing a $1000+ amp, whose money are they spending? It is the parents responsibility to do the homework. I certainly would not let one of my sons make any huge purchase without my intense oversight. Raise them up and off they go. When they reach age of maturity if they make a foolish purchase (amp or otherwise) that's there life's lesson. Who appointed you protectorate of the naive, fledgling musician? If you are so concerned about protecting the masses, instead of dogging out these products/manufacturers (which, in this venue, shows a incalculable lack of tact) how about creating a website for startup musicians with your recommen
Eric
on 06/10/2012 		Charlie, being a parent myself I sincerely respect and appreciate your concern for kids getting snookered into spending useless money. Dude I'm right there with you on that. Kids are hit from all angles to spend. The way I look at that situation is it's my responsibility as a parent to help my kids process advertising in general. Every company wants your money just the same. Candy, video games and amps. In all 3 of those examples there are good and bad, reasonable and over priced items. The thing I personally am having a hard time with in your point is it seems like it's not ok with you for other people to figure out what is good or bad, reasonable and over priced for themselves I personally have a boutique amp and I love it. I'm happy with what I paid and my tone is the best I've had in the 30 plus years I've been playing. Many other people have the same feeling. To quote Mr. Rodgers, "and that's, ok." I'm pumped for you that you dig your amp man, I like mine too. Win win.



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