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GALLERY: Nashville Amp Expo 2010

A sampling of the new, cool, and wacky amps at the second annual Nashville Amp Expo

"As part of their extensive presentation, Category 5 displayed the rig bassist Jorgen Carlsson is currently using in Gov't Mule. Category 5's Don Ritter explains: ""These heads are part of the 'Cat5 block' Gov't Mule uses onstage. These amps sit on two extra-tall 4x12 cabs that are internally baffled and loaded with Austin Speaker Works KTS-60 ceramic 12s, which are double-coated to take the bass abuse. The top amp is a 100-watt Joe Bonamassa model that drives the dirt on the first 4x12. Below thatяdriving the second 4x12яis Emily, a custom 200-watt head that's a blend of several plexi-style circuits and an ultra-linear circuit to give Jorgen a cleaner signal. Emily has an effects loop, a preamp out jack to send a signal to Warren Haynes' bass monitor, and a 100/200-watt switch to knock the output down a notch for smaller venues and media appearances."""

On the weekend of August 21-22, amp builders, musicians, collectors, and tone fanatics from far and wide convened in Music City for the second annual Nashville Amp Expo. The organizers—Creation Audio Labs—reserved the entire Hyatt Place hotel in nearby Brentwood, Tennessee, for the event.

Hundreds of attendees roamed the hotel hallways, stopping at exhibitors' rooms to hear and test drive some of the world's finest boutique amps, and also ogle guitars, pedals, and related accessories. There were seminars too, including a guitar recording workshop led by Michael Wagener (Ozzy Osbourne, Alice Cooper, Extreme, Metallica, Skid Row, Dokken, Mötley Crüe, Megadeth). Our photo gallery brings you a hint of the wild sounds and beautiful gear that made this year's Nashville Amp Expo such an exciting experience.