The guitar amp market is hugely diverse. From traditional valve amps to modern digital modellers, the amount of choice these days is staggering. With a wealth of different guitar amp brands out there too, this means that things can get confusing and even overwhelming when shopping for something new.
To help to distinguish between them, you’ll find that most seasoned guitarists will associate certain companies with the genres that their amps are best suited for. For example, Marshall amps are synonymous with classic rock and metal because of the crunchy, saturated distorted tones that they can achieve. On the flipside, Fender amps are popular with jazz and blues musicians as they sound crystal-clear and have lots of headroom and dynamic range.
However, there’s yet another variable that gets thrown into the mix — whether an amp is ’boutique’ or not. For fastidious tone connoisseurs, boutique guitar amps are considered the only way to go. But what makes these particular types of amps so desirable? In this article, we’ll expose the main qualities of boutique guitar amps to help you to decide whether they’re right for you!
What Makes a Guitar Amp ‘Boutique’?
Apart from perhaps sporting a luxurious grille cloth and an eye-watering price tag, what makes a boutique guitar amp ’boutique’ has far more to do with its construction, electronics and sound rather than its classy aesthetic appointments. Looks are still important though! You’d probably feel more inspired to play an amplifier with character compared to something that looks conventional or bland.
Valve Power
First and foremost, for a guitar amplifier to qualify as ’boutique’ — it should feature valves. This analogue technology goes as far back as the ’50s, when dedicated electric guitar amps became more readily available to consumers as rock ‘n’ roll music hit its mainstream stride. The majority of boutique amps are designed to capture the spirit of vintage valve combos from this “Golden Era”, particularly those made by Fender, and thus valves are essential in recreating their nostalgic sounds.
Even today, traditional tube amps are still considered king when it comes to achieving the best guitar tones possible. Although digital modelling amps from the likes of Kemper, Line 6 and Neural DSP can closely imitate their tonal idiosyncrasies, many traditionalists still believe that valve amps emit the purest and most authentic guitar sounds conceivable.
Superior Components, Hand-Wired
Boutique amps are typically expensive, but there are a few reasons as to why they’re worth the extra cash. For example, passionate boutique amp builders are meticulous about the quality of the components that they use. The finer the materials and circuitry that they can incorporate into an amplifier’s design, the better it will ultimately sound. As you’d expect, using premium components isn’t cost-effective! But true amp aficionados strive to construct amps that are superior to those that are mass-produced; hence their high-end expense.
Although mass-produced, PCB-based guitar amps can sound excellent; the extra attention-to-detail that goes into the build of a boutique amp makes a difference. ‘Hand-wired’ usually refers point-to-point construction, so many players feel more assured that a boutique amp will offer greater reliability, as extra care is put into the way that it’s soldered. Point-to-point also allows amp designers to utilise larger caps and resistors. This can have a large influence on the sound of an amp — usually for the better.
Why Should I Buy a Boutique Guitar Amp?
If what was described in the previous section didn’t whet your appetite for a boutique guitar amp — the points raised in this part might convince you. As it turns out, there’s actually far more to boutique amplifiers than being notoriously expensive! They have a few extra perks that make them more than worthwhile.
Easy To Maintain
As we explained, there are many guitarists who believe that boutique amps are more reliable than those made on factory assembly lines. Of course, there are some that would contest that opinion — especially as printed circuit boards are made with excellent precision and consistency.
But in general, all valve amps are susceptible to malfunctions because tubes eventually expire. If something does go wrong, point-to-point circuitry is considered easier to service than a complex PCB layout as components are more accessible to repair or replace. This means that maintaining a boutique guitar amplifier would probably cost far less in the long run.
Resale Value
There’s a huge market for second-hand guitar gear. In fact, our dedicated second-hand page is one of the most visited on our entire website! While seeking pre-owned bargains can save you a lot of money, being aware of the resale value of your gear is also very important if you regularly change things up.
A boutique guitar amp is far more likely to retain its cost over time, whereas mass-produced amps will generally depreciate with age. This will obviously vary depending on the brand and model, as well as other common factors like condition. But just like custom-made and vintage guitars, boutique amps can hold their value or even increase over time. A boutique amplifier can therefore be thought of as an investment, as well as something that probably sounds and looks fantastic!
Customisation
Boutique guitar amp companies are typically comprised of relatively small teams of people, with enough man-power to produce just a handful of amps per day (or even less). They may also not have dedicated product lines or catalogues like larger brands do; instead offering just a few models.
But the ability to request a customised amp is therefore much easier and more realistic. In fact, many boutique amp companies rely almost entirely on the specific demands of their customers. With the ability to request tolex colour, tubes, speaker type, built-in reverb tanks and more — ordering your dream one-of-a-kind amp is definitely achievable via a boutique brand.
What Boutique Guitar Amp Brands Are There?
Nowadays, there are tonnes of brands out there that specialise in boutique guitar amps. And frankly, you’re spoilt for choice at Andertons! We stock Victory, Magnatone, Tone King, Morgan, Milkman, Friedman, Hamstead and Hook Amps. There’s also a few large and established companies that offer premium boutique-style amplifiers alongside their standard lines — including Fender, Marshall, Orange, Vox and Laney.
Introducing Magnatone Amps! - Authentic American Valve Tones!
We're thrilled to be stocking Magnatone Amps! Armed with Custom Shop Fender Telecasters and Custom Shop Les Pauls, The Captain and Danish Pete get blown away by the Magnatones' authentic valve tone & classy boutique styling. | https://tinyurl.com/yjbsq4k6
» Magnatone Twilighter 1x12 Combo Amp | https://tinyurl.com/yjtkybnb
» Magnatone Twilighter Stereo 2x12 Combo Amp | https://tinyurl.com/yfga342x
» Magnatone Panoramic Stereo 2x10 Combo Amp | https://tinyurl.com/yhqsxana
» Magnatone Varsity Reverb 1x12 Valve Combo Amp | https://tinyurl.com/yzjjpc9c
» Magnatone Super Fifty-Nine M-80 Valve Amp Head | https://tinyurl.com/yfwrjmn8
» Magnatone 2x12 Master Series Speaker Cabinet | https://tinyurl.com/yzdbdu7m
Priding themselves on their American manufacturing processes, Magnatone pledges to build "the best amps in the world" using only the finest components and building techniques. The Magnatone range has fidelity and tone that must be heard to be believed. They are the epitome of the true American sound. If these amps are good enough for Billy Gibbons, they are good enough for us!
🎥 Looking to watch something else? Check out our previous episode!
» https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c5WvjLJoi6c
⏰ Timestamps ⏰
» 0:00 Intro Jam
» 2:58 Lee's New Tele in Action!
» 3:46 Introducing Magnatone!
» 9:33 Let's Take a Look at the Magnatone Twilighter
» 12:58 Let's Crank it Up!
» 13:57 What Does the Vibrato Sound Like?
» 16:16 Let's Add Some Gain
» 17:58 Let's Try the Twilighter Stereo with Reverb
» 18:42 Trying Channel 2
» 20:10 Adding Loads of Reverb
» 20:58 Let's compare Stereo and Mono
» 24:05 Let's Add Some Gain
» 24:56 Moving on to the Magnatone Panoramic Stereo
» 29:43 Adding Some Gain
» 32:36 Let's Take a Listen to the Magnatone Varsity Reverb
» 37:14 Lastly, the M-80!
» 47:19 ALL THE GAIN
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Make sure to subscribe to Andertons TV for more great videos!
Andertons Guitar & Bass YouTube Channel: https://goo.gl/kRJCpb
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#Andertons #Magnatone #ValveAmps
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2021-10-06T14:00:17Z
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But if you’re wondering which manufacturer was regarded as the the first proper boutique amp company, many consider it to be Mesa/Boogie. Founded by Randall Smith in the ’70s, Mesa/Boogie started life as a mod-shop for Fender amps. Smith upgraded their circuitry in order to deliver higher amounts of gain, and a number of high-profile players started using his customised amps— with Carlos Santana being one of Mesa/Boogie’s earliest proponents! You could therefore argue that this approach initiated the ’boutique’ ethos. That’s because the majority of boutique amps are essentially clones of ’50s and ’60s Fender circuits, with some slight alterations.
Mesa Prices Come Down But Will The Captain & Pete Boogie?
Mesa Boogie are the leading brand when it comes to supreme build quality & game-changing tones! As a direct dealer, Andertons are excited to announce a new Mesa Boogie dealership offering you the same quality & specs but now at a lower price! ➡️ https://tinyurl.com/yy4fzuqz
» Mesa Boogie California Tweed 40 Watt Head | https://tinyurl.com/y3v4ouwk
» Mesa Boogie California Tweed 1x12 Cabinet | https://tinyurl.com/y5pr5ckz
» Mesa Boogie Fillmore 50 1x12 Valve Combo Amp | https://tinyurl.com/y2dakdnv
» G&L USA Fullerton Deluxe ASAT In Lake Placid Blue | https://tinyurl.com/yyuwkopc
» Check out our Full Range of Mesa Boogie Pedals | https://tinyurl.com/yyspjbsw
» Check out our Full Range of Mesa Boogie Bass Amps | https://tinyurl.com/y59ywqx7
From California Tweeds to Mark V amplifiers, Mesa Boogie never fails to impress when it comes to quality. Introducing a new direct dealership between Andertons & Mesa Boogie, the Captain & Danish Pete take a look at the classic Mesa Boogie amplifiers we all know & low but now at a more affordable price... So be a Dual Rectifier, Bass Amp or Pedals, there has never been a better time to buy Mesa than now!
↪️ Episode Guide ↩️
» 0:00 Intro Jam Between The Captain & Danish Pete
» 2:52 Mesa Boogie's New Price List & What Does It Mean?
» 10:13 Mesa Boogie Fillmore Sound Demo & Specs
» 24:11 Mesa Boogie California Tweed
» 33:10 Final Thoughts & Price Drops
Want To Sound Like The Captain & Pete? Check Out Their Rigs Here!
➡️ The Captains Rig | https://www.andertons.co.uk/captain-andertons-rig
➡️ Danish Pete's Rig | https://www.andertons.co.uk/danish-petes-rig
👕 Buy A T-Shirt 👕 | https://tinyurl.com/vdq7rmg
You've watched the videos & seen the store, now join the Andertons Family with our exclusive, official merchandise! With free UK delivery on all orders containing only a T-Shirt, Hoodie or Jumper & super low international shipping costs, there is no better time to be an Andertons fan than now!
Interested in other Andertons YouTube channels? Click on one of these links to find out more…
Andertons Guitar & Bass YouTube Channel: https://goo.gl/kRJCpb
Andertons Drummers YouTube Channel: https://goo.gl/9yKSS9
Andertons Synths, Keys & Tech YouTube Channel: https://goo.gl/ns172M
Andertons Shopping Website: https://goo.gl/TPsG2Q
Make sure to subscribe to Andertons TV for more great videos like this: https://goo.gl/aAzyQM
#Andertons #MesaBoogie #CaliforniaTweed
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PT36M53S
2020-07-27T14:00:12Z
141428
Want To Learn More?
If you want to learn more about guitar amps in general, check out our selection of dedicated amp guides by clicking here. And if you want to expand your overall knowledge of music gear; view all of our Learn articles! Related blogs: