Boutique Guitar Amplifiers

If you're thinking about buying truly great amplifiers with a unique sound and style, consider shopping for boutique guitar amplifiers.

Just like a boutique clothing store only sells specialized articles of clothing from very reputable designers, boutique guitar amplifiers are very high quality amps produced by smaller, independent companies in small batches. These amps are almost always assembled by hand, and they generally contain the best electronics money can buy. Due to the way they are produced, these amps have a certain uniqueness and attention to detail that cannot be replicated by the larger companies that mass-produce their amplifiers. Made in smaller local workshops, these amps are brought to life in the presence of the engineers who designed them. Therefore, no amp leaves the shop without being calibrated to the highest standards.

Boutique amps are becoming more and more popular as guitarists look for fresh ways to improve their sound. Also, more and more people are becoming interested in buying locally and supporting small businesses. Buying from a boutique amp company is an excellent way to support the entrepreneurial spirit and craftsmanship of smaller communities.

Because boutique companies typically produce amps in smaller numbers, it is typical for each company to only sell a few models. They typically zero in on a sound that they want to create and then perfect it. So before you decide to buy, you will want to shop around to all the different companies and listen closely to what the amps have to offer. To begin, most sites post sound clips on the web. While this is obviously not the same thing as getting in the room with the amp and playing it, it can be surprisingly useful in orienting you to the general feel of each amp.

• Mack Amps – Mack Amps sell two models, the Heatseeker and the Skyraider. The website describes Heatseeker as having a chime that most players will find addictive, as well as crunch and distortion that has a decidedly "British" sound. The Skyraider boasts a classic clean sound, but it produces crunch and distortion that feels like a combination of British and California styles. Both amps are available in either 18 or 38 watts, and they are available as stand-alone heads or as a combo with a single twelve-inch speaker.

• Dr. Z – Dr. Z amps are one of the most popular and well-known companies producing boutique guitar amps. They advertise a three point philosophy. First, all their amps are made in the U.S.A., and this should mean they are the finest quality available. Secondly, Close Enough doesn't cut it. Third, never compromise if it hurts the tone. They carry a rather large selection of amps for a boutique company, so there is a good chance you'll find an amp that suits your style.

• Carr Amps – Carr Amps are beautifully crafted products that spare no expense. They feature hospital grade power chords and dovetailed pine cabinets built in the same factory as the amps. Their models vary from the small but powerful Raleigh to the highly versatile Slant 6V. Carr Amps exude tone, and they look as classy as they sound.

• 65 Amps – 65 Amps are inspired by the best sounds of 1960s' rock-n-roll. All their amps are voiced and hand-wired by seasoned musicians to ensure the highest tonal standards. They are hand-assembled and shipped from North Hollywood, California.

• Fire Belly Amps – Fire Belly Amps are designed after the blackface Fender amps of the 1960s, and they are hand-assembled in Southern California. They typically only produce around twenty-five amps a year, and the process takes four to six weeks per amp in order to construct, test and burn in the amp before it gets to you. Their prices are competitive, and the amps can be customized to include master volume knobs, tilt-back legs, cabinet casters and more.

Typically, boutique amp companies only sell through dealers like smaller guitar stores in urban areas. When you visit the manufacturers above, follow their links to dealers or where to buy. If there is a store in your city that sells an amp you like, you're in luck. If there's not, don't worry. Contact the store that is closest to you and talk to the people who work there. If you find something you really like, you can always have it shipped to you.

Boutique amps typically cost considerably more than factory produced amps. However, as the old adage goes, you get what you pay for. All the amps noted above are guaranteed for life, and they are designed to be the last guitar amp you will ever need to buy. If you play electric guitar, your amp is a part of you instrument. A great amp can really bring your sound and style to life in ways you never thought possible.

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