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Boutique guitar amps, (a handmade, high quality amp custom made for a specific type of guitar player) have increased so much in popularity and sales in the last few years that they’re nearly a phenomenon. I’m first explaining what boutique guitar amps are and their roots. Then I will cover the major players, big and small, who make them. Then I’m covering the major players, big and small, who make them, since there are dozens of manufacturers building amps for styles ranging from country, classic rock, modern rock, to the heaviest of Heavy Metal.

There’s a “lingo” that often goes along with the description of these amps and you’ll learn it. Methods of construction, electronic parts, cabinetry, and customization are key for boutique amps. We’ll look at what some of these are.
Finally, some boutique amps are like older vintage amps, some are modern, while others are a mixture of both. I cover this, too.

Origins
Boutique amps came about because of player’s demand for a quality higher than what they could buy at the average music store. Performance demands created different requirements that only custom amps could fulfill. The addition of distortion, volume, and varying effects in popular music has changed amps through the years. When Eric Clapton played a Marshall amp distorting the tubes by playing at full volume, it changed the way amps were used. As bands played bigger stadiums, bigger amps with more volume were needed to compete with the sound systems. The addition of fuzz and wah pedals by Jimi Hendrix and others changed the way amplifiers sounded, and circuit changes were needed to accommodate this. Existing amps could not do this, so bigger amps, with different circuits were created.

Guitar players can be very adamant about the sound of their instrument, and want a product that delivers a unique tonal quality. This is where the custom-made boutique amp comes in to satisfy these performance demands.

Two Styles of Creation
There are two styles used in creating these amps: Manufacturing printed circuit boards and an old process called point-to-point wiring.

Before the advent of the transistor and circuit boards, amps and electronics were mounted to thin eyelet boards made of compressed paper fibers, or a plastic/phenolic type of material. These electronic components were then soldered to the board and connected by electrical wire to the different parts. This method was (and is) labor intensive, requiring someone with a lot of skill and experience to make a durable product that also sounded good.

When circuit boards were created, many amp makers began using them to cut labor costs and time. They were also able to increase production and output volume. All the wires could be etched onto a circuit board, and components mounted directly onto the board often by machines, or an assembly line. This let the manufacturer make more amps at a lower cost. However, the quality of the sound often suffered with poor conductivity, cheaper made components, and lack of attention to detail. These circuit boards were often hard to fix or replace. This made a broken amp disposable.

So, vintage amps using the “old” style of craftsmanship came in demand since many musicians felt they both sounded better, and were more durable. Because of the time and care involved, prices increased. For after sale service, technicians were needed to repair and maintain them. As technician’s skills increased, many felt they could build amps based on the vintage styles, even improving some of the original circuits.
Thus, almost every boutique maker started first as a technician, and then as a custom builder.

Some boutique companies have created very high quality circuit boards using superior grade components while hand wiring the vital parts to create a hybrid of new and old. This method is common in the larger volume boutique company to keep costs down, while still delivering a high quality product that a consumer can afford.
For me, I feel the original point-to-point method is the best when done by a highly skilled technician. I’ve found these amps seem to be more durable, easier to service, and to my ears, produce a superior quality sound.

Vacuum Tubes and Amps
Vacuum Tube technology is most often employed in this type of amp. This older technology still dominates the boutique market because of a tube’s unique tonal characteristics. A tube reacts to the signal passing through it and makes a distinct tone that’s considered pleasing to the ear by many musicians. By comparison, transistors can sound harsh.

Vacuum tubes are still made in the former Soviet Bloc countries, and China. But some players consider these inferior, so old US and European made tubes, have become in demand because of the perceived higher quality. These older vacuum tubes have become very expensive and are difficult to find in good condition. Vacuum tubes do wear out and have to be replaced. Original unused vintage tubes are called NOS for New Old Stock. These are used by some of the boutique amp makers, and can cost several hundreds of dollars for the upgrade.

Transformers
Transformers are also an integral part of a boutique amp’s sound. They are also the most expensive part of the amp. Transformers control the voltage coming into and out of the amp. They’re metal plates bolted together with thin strands of wire wrapped around them. The type of metal used, the wire, and the size affect the sound and power handling capabilities. Many boutique amp makers have their transformers custom wound with special components and metals to create the company’s signature sound. Aftermarket companies now make reissue transformers and custom transformers for most applications. Some are quite expensive, but have superior quality tone.

Electronic Parts
Electronic parts also affect the quality of sound. This includes capacitors, resistors, volume potentiometers, tube sockets, and input jacks. Higher quality made parts are considerably more expensive, but react better in tonal qualities, and durability when put into a tube circuit. Each component can add to the quality, or detract if a lesser quality part is used. The gauge and quality of wire and solder used is important, too. That’s because the more freely electrical current flows to and from the electronics can make or break an amp, literally. Each component is vital for a successful boutique amplifier.

Amp Cabinets
The cabinet the amp chassis sits in is part of the boutique amp experience. Some of the woods used are antique pine, figured maple, oak, zebrawood and others. The method used to make many of them is the same used on fine furniture and cabinetry. The corners are usually made with a method called “finger jointing” or “dove tailing.” This procedure uses a special tool that notches the wood creating “fingers” that fit together like a puzzle. This increases the strength of the corners. When finished with clear lacquer, it’s quite beautiful.

Some cabinets are covered with a heavy cloth type of material usually referred to as “Tolex”. Vintage amps were covered with this material from a manufacturer that called their product “Tolex”. Even though the material used today is from different manufacturers, most people still use this name to describe it. Many colors and patterns are used, usually as a custom option. Knobs and faceplates are often custom made, too. For some player’s the amp’s appearance is almost as important as the sound. Many options are available, and some makers will do almost anything, for a price.

Price
Price is the other thing that sets apart most boutique amps. Several thousand dollars for an amp is common, and it’s usually bought by skilled musicians and collectors with disposable income. The people who buy these amps know what they’re looking for and have specific needs. These amps are like custom sports cars like a Corvette, Viper, or in some cases a Ferrari or Lamborghini. If you have the money you can get whatever features you want.

Kinds of Amps

Types of amps are important in selection of a custom amp.

Amplifier Heads
A stand alone amp with just the electronics and chassis inside of a cabinet is referred to as a “head”. These amps have no internal speakers, and need a separate cabinet with speakers inside to create sound. They are connected with a speaker cable to jacks installed on the back of the amp and cabinet. These types of amps are usually of a higher wattage and used in louder applications.

Combo Amps
The next type of amp is a cabinet that houses the electronics chassis, and a speaker (or speakers). These are called combo amps, which is short for the combination of electronics and speaker(s). One is not better than the other, just different. Each can be used for different applications, and most manufacturers make both types.