Handwired Guitar Amps

We craft Handwired Guitar Amplifiers
in South Africa

Contact karel@marsamps.co.za

R18 000
(shipping anywhere in South Africa included)

When it comes to Electric Guitar Amplification, custom built handwired amplifiers have always set the standard for tone. Untill the 80's, just about all guitar amplifers were hand made as a matter of fact. And these amplifiers have become legends in the current era where mass manufacture dominate.

Apart from their durability and longevity, these amplifiers are easy to maintain or customise (and reverse all the changes if need be). Musicians all over speak fondly of the open warm tone that characterise these classics, and not to mention their scarcity.

You may well ask: Now what are these classics you speak of. Think of the sound of ZZ Top. Billy Gibbons collected Orange Amplifiers, and when you plug into a well set up Orange into a 4 X 12" Speaker cabinet, crank the amp to max and play a chord, you know why. These amps rock.

Other amps in this category has to be the Marshall Plexi, Hiwatt heads, Fender Tweeds and the VOX AC30/AC15.

Well, we have good news for you: the amps are back. Pro musicians have an enviable choice of all the great models you can think of, and some more.

To celebrate the occasion we have provided a special on the JTM45 head:

R14 000
(shipping included anywhere in South Africa)

• Class A/B all Tube Amplifier
• Output: ~45 watts
• Circuit: 1987
• Fixed Biased w/ adjustable potentiometer
• Tubes: 2 JJ EL34, 1 JJ GZ34/5AR4 Rectifier, 3 JJ 12AX7
• Resistors & Capacitors: Carbon Comp, Sprague, TAD, Mallory 150 Series and Mojo Dijon
• Custom Mojo brown XX gerolite board w/ forked turrets

We source source the cabinets and hardware from MOJO and Ted Weber. All the amplifiers are assembled by musicians in Paarl. You get a classic amp that will become a family heirloom. We offer a two year carry in warranty on our work, and a 6 month guarentee on the tubes. Our workshop is always open for tweaking, modding and servicing amplifiers. If you live far from us, we can recommend service technicians closer to you on request.

But now we get to the real stuff. When you want people to shut up and listen, nothing beats a 100 watt valve amp. You have the choice between five models:

1. Marshall Style 100 watt head
2. Orange Style 100watt Head
3. Sun Style 100 watt Head
4. Hiwatt Style 100 watt Head
5. Boutique Hard Rock 100 watt Head

Same Price each: R18 000
(Shipping included anywhere in South Africa)

Marshall Style 100 watt Head

• Super Lead Class A/B all Tube Amplifier
• Output: ~100 watts
• Circuit: 1959
• Fixed Biased w/ adjustable potentiometer
• Tubes: 4 JJ EL34, 3 JJ 12AX7
• Resistors & Capacitors: Carbon Comp, Sprague, TAD, Mallory 150 Series and Mojo Dijon
• Custom Mojo brown XX gerolite board w/ forked turrets

Orange Style Head

• Single Channel 100 watt head
• 4 output tubes (KT66 or EL34)
• 2 pre amp tubes (ECC83)
  
• Volume, Treble, Mids, Bass, Drive, Boost, Master Volume and Presence Controls
• Schematic available on request at karel@marsamps.co.za.
  

Hiwatt Style Head

• Classic 100 watt British circuit
  
• with a duet of KT88's for that Hi Watt punch.
  
• One word : BALLS
• Schematic available on request at karel@marsamps.co.za

Sun Style Head

This amp is super clean and super loud.

• Two KT88 power tubes
• 12AU7 and EF86 preamp
• 12AU7 phase inverter
• The master volume has a pull-boost that disconnects the negative feedback for even more volume.
• Schematic available on request at karel@marsamps.co.za
  

Hard Rock Head

Replicates the signature roar of hard rock bands.

• Single channel 100 watt head with full Tone Stack, Presence, and MV.
• Choice of output tubes: EL34, KT88 or KT100
  

NOTE: These amplifiers are built by hand. It takes us about two weeks (14 days) to have the amps ready to ship. We also play on the amplifier to check for any problems.

If you want to build any of these amplifiers yourself, see

www.marsamps.blogspot.com

Contact karel@marsamps.co.za