American-Made

EddieLee · #1 07-28-2010, 08:32 AM

I am shopping around for the best AMERICAN-MADE combo. Any recommendations?
Thanks

KramerBassFan · #2 07-28-2010, 08:35 AM

Mesa Boogie, used, Buster 200w in 1x15.

mike_v_s · #3 07-28-2010, 08:45 AM

There are a lot of factors to consider. What sort of situation are you in? More specifically, what style of music do you play? Do you prefer tube or solid state? Volume/power requirements? Budget? Weight? Size?

Mike

BurningSkies · #4 07-28-2010, 08:48 AM

Apparently the only requirement is American?

mike_v_s · #5 07-28-2010, 08:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BurningSkies

Apparently the only requirement is American?

Well, I think the original SWR Workingman's 1x10 was American made, but the 80 watts of bone crushing power into a single 10 inch speaker might not be enough.

Mike

a01020201 · #6 07-28-2010, 09:10 AM

I have allways liked Carvin

BurningSkies · #7 07-28-2010, 09:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mike_v_s

Well, I think the original SWR Workingman's 1x10 was American made, but the 80 watts of bone crushing power into a single 10 inch speaker might not be enough.

Mike

It would stand up the the screamin' 5w of my American made 1965 Fender VibroChamp guitar amp in a fair fight.

EricF · #8 07-28-2010, 09:32 AM

1) Ampeg B-15
2) Mesa Walkabout Scout

Your intended use (gigs, rehearsals, home practice...), power requirements, and budget would help us.

mpdd · #9 07-28-2010, 09:39 AM

stuff made in england can be pretty nice too

BurningSkies · #10 07-28-2010, 09:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mpdd

stuff made in england can be pretty nice too

But only if it's American Made English stuff.

BigOldHarry · #11 07-28-2010, 09:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mike_v_s

Well, I think the original SWR Workingman's 1x10 was American made, but the 80 watts of bone crushing power into a single 10 inch speaker might not be enough.

Mike

The "Workingman" series was made offshore, as I recall (hence the lower price).

mike_v_s · #12 07-28-2010, 09:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BigOldHarry

The "Workingman" series was made offshore, as I recall (hence the lower price).

The earlier stuff (like my WM 160) was manufactured in Sylmar, CA. Even after SWR Engineering became SWR Sound, production stayed in the US. I think it was the sale to Fender that led to production moving to Mexico.

The costs were initially kept down by a simple lack of options and cheaper components. The Workingman's amps were all solid state. The combos and cabinets used cheaper drivers (low line Celestian in the WM15 vs PAS in the Basic Black) and were made out of particleboard instead fo plywood.

Mike

RTL · #13 07-28-2010, 10:10 AM

Out of all the great combo amps I can think of (current production), not one of them is American-Made. Just a sign of the times. Labor is cheaper overseas, and yields just as good or better results. Just look at Genz-Benz.

If you just can't bear to own anything made by highly-skilled foreigners, then I suggest hitting up the used market for an Aguilar AG500 combo, or an Eden Metro.

Matt Dean · #14 07-28-2010, 10:12 AM

Mesa combos are still made in Petaluma CA. Now, I know many don't think of Northern California as "America," but technically we are still a part of the union.

MJ5150 · #15 07-28-2010, 10:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mike_v_s

The earlier stuff (like my WM 160) was manufactured in Sylmar, CA.

Een-teresting. I just bought an amp for my truck stereo, and it shipped out of Sylmar, CA.

-Mike

RTL · #16 07-28-2010, 10:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Matt Dean

Mesa combos are still made in Petaluma CA. Now, I know many don't think of Northern California as "America," but technically we are still a part of the union.

Ah HA! That's right! Mesa!

There you go, OP. Get a Mesa wrapped in red, white, and blue tolex. Just make sure you take those Chinese-made tubes out of the front end - or the terrorists win!

BurningSkies · #17 07-28-2010, 10:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RTL

Ah HA! That's right! Mesa!

There you go, OP. Get a Mesa wrapped in red, white, and blue tolex. Just make sure you take those Chinese-made tubes out of the front end - or the terrorists win!

He should probably replace any other electronics that are non-US as well.

That couldn't be too many, right?

RTL · #18 07-28-2010, 10:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BurningSkies

He should probably replace any other electronics that are non-US as well.

That couldn't be too many, right?

Naw... Just the PCBs, tube sockets, capacitors, resistors, and the majority of the harnesses and wires..

15 minutes on the bench, max.

BurningSkies · #19 07-28-2010, 10:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RTL

Naw... Just the PCBs, tube sockets, capacitors, resistors, and the majority of the harnesses and wires..

15 minutes on the bench, max.

How about the chasis? American made too? It probably wouldn't be much of a problem to re-fabricate it if you needed.

RTL · #20 07-28-2010, 10:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BurningSkies

How about the chasis? American made too? It probably wouldn't be much of a problem to re-fabricate it if you needed.

I'm pretty sure the chassis is American made... But it's made out of foreign steel, and that's definitely not acceptable.

You're right, though. Fabricating a new one is no big deal.. I had to do this with my old Ashdown, once I found out it was made in the UK (shudder). All I had to do was find some quality American steel, so I pulled the right front quarter panel off my F-150, which I later found out was made in Mexico....

Wait... Nevermind...