Well, NOT putting down John Suhr, Reinhardt etc., BUT, the components are not THE most costly and tbh the job (if bought in kit form) is not rocket science.
Now, for mods and 'new' ideas, sure, 'known' amp makers are amazing. But nowadays it is very easy for someone to get what would be a high price booteek amp for way less money by assembling yourself or even getting a tech. to do it.
It is also a WONDERFUL way to learn more about tube amps etc. and become more educated on them.
He was ill but 'ampmaker' who is in the UK sells a VERY reasonable and easy kit which is highly regarded and a great intro to tube amps.
The power scaling box is $200 or about 100gbp, not a whole lot when ya think about attenuators etc. which do not come close to this. Just 1 example of the bits and pieces that don't actually add up to thousands.
Course, we are not trying to make a living, pay wages, pay overheads, pay taxes from amp building, but still ;) Nik at Ceriatone has ruffled ALOT of feathers this side of the pond thats for sure!
And I realise I am currently in the US but most venues here if needing great volume have a PA, and those that don't well ya just run ya amp.
What I mean is, really, who NEEDS a 100watt amp these days?
With PS (from my ears) tone is now not an issue (ie can get that sat. tone at low vol.) so with modern gigs (with PA) why go gung ho?
And this is coming from me sitting in a country that STILL builds V10 cars, sheesh :roll:
18watt or even 30 if ya must is LOUD!!!!!!!!!!! and can now be enjoyed at bedroom levels.
I smell an amp revolution coming.
Statistics show guitar sales are historically VERY high and most are bedroom players. To me this means bedroom volumes but wanting that 'my hero' tone.
Exciting times me thinks.
