Here's a twist

[GordB]

For the techs -

Out of all the major brands of guitar amplifiers out there, which ones would you consider well made, engineered and reliable?

I bought my GK based on the recommendation of my tech, who stated "I don't see a lot of them". And it has been rock solid for the year and a half I've owned it.

Generalizations are fine, specifics welcome and if you have any stories to share, please do!

Thanks!

[Randall]

If you mean by today's standards, as in being made right now, I'm afraid I can't think of much as far as major brands go. It's mostly all off shore crap IMHO. Some of the Fender re-issue stuff isn't too bad, and I've seen a couple of new Orange amps that I liked, but that's about it for me.

[drewl]

I've repaired quite a few GK's.

Everything breaks.
Older amps were usually built better but need maintenance if not already done, but a 60's Fender that's been serviced will last another fifty years.

[J M Fahey]

Agree.
Basically they are all the same, in some cases literally, as in 4 or 5 brands being made by the same OEM manufacturer, go figure.

Brands mean nothing, they are just silkscreened labels.

That said, most are very well made, considering the very low production cost.

All use same technology, as in same type of boards, components, connectors, hardware, etc. , all built in same robot factories.

The only real difference is not technological but "human" , as in some stand by their products and give you very good servicing, back customers and Techs, etc. , while others are a nightmare, and that should be the deciding point.

Inside they are all the same.

Less than a month ago I posted a little search I made where I found the same OEM supplier making parts and subassemblies for Orange, VOX, Fender, Crate and 1000 more from its 15 plants all over Asia, from India to China, Taiwan, Korea, Singapur, etc.

Amps became as generic a commodity as can be.

[GordB]

Great stuff JM

Agree.
Basically they are all the same, in some cases literally, as in 4 or 5 brands being made by the same OEM manufacturer, go figure.

Brands mean nothing, they are just silkscreened labels.

That said, most are very well made, considering the very low production cost.

All use same technology, as in same type of boards, components, connectors, hardware, etc. , all built in same robot factories.

The only real difference is not technological but "human" , as in some stand by their products and give you very good servicing, back customers and Techs, etc. , while others are a nightmare, and that should be the deciding point.

Inside they are all the same.

Less than a month ago I posted a little search I made where I found the same OEM supplier making parts and subassemblies for Orange, VOX, Fender, Crate and 1000 more from its 15 plants all over Asia, from India to China, Taiwan, Korea, Singapur, etc.

Amps became as generic a commodity as can be.

Expand on that statement regarding the human side if you will. Can you relate a story where someone made the extra effort and it stood out in your mind?

[GordB]

I've repaired quite a few GK's.

Everything breaks.
Older amps were usually built better but need maintenance if not already done, but a 60's Fender that's been serviced will last another fifty years.

This is good information also. Thanks D

[J M Fahey]

Just browse MEF and you'll find them.

Peavey seems to have the best record standing behind their products, on multiple areas, such as being well made in general, have a good Service network, freely sending even end customers schematics, selling you parts direct (almost nobody else does that) , even designing and making available cheap replacement modules for 20 years old out of production amps , etc.

Fender is also very good, although they'll refer you to some of their registered service techs.

On the other extreme, some like Behringer or Samson are secretive, don't send schematics to anybody, even less offer parts (unless to a registered sghop and just while on warranty, forget a 2/3 years old product) and in some cases even not having an extended service network, and requiring you ship everythingb to factory or at best to a couple centers (say "East coast" or "West coast")

There's a couple brands, mainly big Class D PA and Bass amps, say French/Italian/Danish/etc. which require you send amps to Europe for servicing, but in that case it may be somewhat justified, crazy as it looks, because those are very small, very high tech companies .

[g1]

Agree with JM, the two brands that stand out to me in terms of support are Peavey and Yorkville sound.

[GordB]

Speaking of European manufacturers, I replied on another thread about Markbass. I have a combo sitting in the jam room, dead from a power surge that makes me mad every time I look at it.

Parts are an issue. Might as well be a BIC lighter.

Yorkville/Traynor yes absolutely.

[Mick Bailey]

Might as well be a BIC lighter.

Exactly. Many customers think they're buying a Zippo, but what they're getting is a plastic disposable lighter. A kid who gets an amp in a Christmas starter package is unaware that those production methods set the standard for the rest of the range. A bigger box, still with a clock-radio quality PCB. And the only reason the cabinet isn't made from cardboard is they found something cheaper.

The problem is that the things are produced so cheaply and the intrinsic value of many amps is pitifully low. Circuit boards made with no human contact, run off by the thousand, snapped into place by people paid 1/10th of a US or European wage.

[teemuk]

Then again, folks often should look in mirror and ponder the fact that they bought an amp with a price that's only few times higher than potential cost of doing ANY service/repair for the said unit.

Do you really expect to get superb-quality, lasts-through-lifetime -amp with a price that's less than the price of, say, good flatscreen TV, fridge, washing machine, bicycle, laptop, etc. In low price range in which most amps are you're mostly shopping for disposable stuff.

And for such category most amps are actually built pretty damn good.

[GordB]

Point taken. However it is reasonable to expect that when the product breaks, that the manufacturer stand behind it in the form of service. If they can't at the price point they are working with, at the very least make parts available.

Then again, folks often should look in mirror and ponder the fact that they bought an amp with a price that's only few times higher than potential cost of doing ANY service/repair for the said unit.

Do you really expect to get superb-quality, lasts-through-lifetime -amp with a price that's less than the price of, say, good flatscreen TV, fridge, washing machine, bicycle, laptop, etc. In low price range in which most amps are you're mostly shopping for disposable stuff.

And for such category most amps are actually built pretty damn good.

[Enzo]

"We'll send you a new one." sounds like standing behind it to me.

Fender for example DOES make parts available for the do not repair amps. Most parts are generic already, like electronic components. So really the parts that might be needed are mostly controls and maybe the cheap speaker.

[TomCarlos]

As a hobbyist technician, I have had very good experience with Peavey and Traynor (Yorkville).

On another post, I was asking for help with my Traynor YCV80. I don't recall who in this forum gave me the name of an Engineer at Traynor. I wrote to him seeking an older version of the schematic. I got a reply within two days with the older schemetic, and tips on converting to the new version. That project was a major rebuild- there were lots of missing parts, the Power Supply and electronic standby had issues, wires flying everywhere. But once I got that amp working, it's been a nice edition to my music room.

Peavey has also been excellent from the Customer Service perspective- sending a schematic every time I requested one. The older equipment has nice pc boards, thick traces, you can work on them!! Some of the newer stuff with micro components, well I wont even try to touch it. I really like to older Bandit series. I also have a KB60A, KB100, TNT 100, and a Mark III bass head. All in excellent working condition.

Ok, I will plug Fender too. I have a Stage 100 combo and Stage 100 head. Both are nice amps, easy to work on, solid. I am on the hunt for an older Fender Tube amp... just to have one in the collection.

As a weekend warrior musician, I prefer that an amp be an amp. Some of these amps with all the gizmos, DSP, multiple channels, well it's too much under the hood. I would prefer my money go towards a solid "amp." It's like "plug-n-play" - you want instant sound and not having to rely on taking a class to learn how to use an amp!

So there is my short list, the older Peavey, Fender, and Traynor amps.

Tom

[Chuck H]

Ok... I'll say it since no one else has (sigh).

Not sure about how they roll now, but Mesa has historically been very good with customer support, parts for older amps, etc. (I just threw up in my mouth a little)