JJ Electronic tubes continue to win converts for their reliability and consistency, so it was seriously interested when I heard about their three new power tubes: 6CA7, 6550 and a new tube called an EL844. We recently covered the 6CA7 over on WoodyTone.com, so here’ we’ll just deal with the other two. To find out [...]

[Here's part 1 if you missed it –Ed.] AmpGAS: Anything else you’d like to mention or highlight about Mack Amps construction? Don: Yes. We strive to produce the lowest-cost handmade boutique amps on the planet, but that doesn’t mean we cut corners.

Don Mackrill Interview, Part 1 Mack Amps has always billed itself as one of the most affordable boutique amps out there. And this year the company announced it lowered prices even more. How’s that possible? I wanted to know, so I asked. Here’s some info

If you spend any time searching YouTube for Edward Van Halen-related tones, you’ll probably run across vids by Curt Granger, who owns an amp company by the same name. His 50-watter sounds “just like” that mythical tone in many ways. When I heard it, I had to know more. I chased him down for a [...]

Times are hard, man. They are, else I would be snapping up great amps left and right! It’s also a good time to be making sure your current investments in amps remain good investments – especially if you have cats, kids or even…gig. In that spirit, here is the ultimate

A few weeks ago, I ran across this blurb somewhere on the web:

WTF is a Thor amp? That would’ve been my reaction before I ran across a recent thread at the Metroamps board. The thread is authored by tubetramp, more properly known as Terry Kilgore, who grew up with Ed Van Halen, is friends with him, was in DLR’s band for a bit and no doubt has [...]

Do you hear “it” in this vid? “It” of course being a bit of EVH. This is a ’68 spec Metro Amp kit, which refers to a 1968 Marshall Super Lead-spec – a la EVH’s prized Marshall plexi head…and it certainly sounds like it. What’s remarkable about this clip is that it’s live, played with [...]

I got thinking about the Peavey Mace – at one time an amp I pursued (a little) – from a recent WoodyTone post on Neal Schon’s early gear. In the late ’70s into ’80, Neal was a Mace user which like the old Music Man amps had a solid state preamp and a tube power [...]

In the final part of this interview series with Satellite Amplification‘s Adam Grimm, he talks about why his amps are embraced by punk rock guys (it’s the vintage in them), his “bass boat” tolex (my term for it) and amp pricing. He’s a great interview, and you will be seeing more from him in the [...]