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 [...]

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 [...]

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 [...]

I’ve been down a dark rabbit hole called Wizard lately. I keep pulling up YouTube clips of these amps because I keep hearing that something I really like, which is that Marshally upper-mid thing with extra Hiwatt-ish shimmer. I’ve heard it different places

Part 1 A few weeks ago I’d never heard of Electroplex amps let alone actually heard one. But Electroplex was at the NY/NJ Amp Show and I was too, so…. I stepped into the Electroplex room with my Les Paul, saw a bunch of Fender-looking amps and thought: I doubt it but I’ll give it [...]

Part 2 (Here’s the second part of the interview with Andy Fuchs about his killer Mantis amp.) AmpGAS: First this amp was called the Frost, then the Viper and now the Mantis. Are they all basically the same amp?

Part 1 I live in New Jersey (doesn’t everyone?!) which happens to also be home to a few of the premier amp builders on our planet. One of these men is Andy Fuchs, who has his HQ about an hour from me. So naturally I had to go there, and am I glad I did.