American Made Amps?

nocontrols · #1 04-10-2011, 09:34 AM

Just because I'm curious and not because it's vitally important, which commonly available and widely distributed (meaning boutique amps sold through limited channels don't count) amps are made in America?

Again, this is not a deal maker or breaker and I'm not even shopping right now, I'm just asking for the sake of curiosity.

And let's not make it political.

Are there still Peavey models made in the US?

I think Ashdowns are made in Kentucky but which ones? Does Ashdown make heads or just cabs and combos?

Are all Ampegs made overseas these days or just a lot of them?

Thanks!

DanNowhere · #2 04-10-2011, 09:36 AM

Ashdowns in Kentucky? That's a new one on me. Eminence makes speakers here, that's about all I know about.

mouthmw · #3 04-10-2011, 09:37 AM

All Ampeg are made overseas now except for the Heritage series which are USA.

I'd add Gallien Krueger as USA made amps, but I think their backline series might be made overseas. The artist series are USA made.

Sundogue · #4 04-10-2011, 09:38 AM

Parts will always be outsourced to other countries, but Mesa, Peavey and Carvin off the top of my head are made in the USA, even if some of their parts aren't.

tylerwylie · #5 04-10-2011, 09:38 AM

Genz Benz?

Deluge Of Sound · #6 04-10-2011, 09:41 AM

Fairly certain there are at least some Peavey models still made in the US.

cableguy · #7 04-10-2011, 09:43 AM

Tech 21 and I think Aggies are as well.

nocontrols · #8 04-10-2011, 09:46 AM

Thanks for the contributions so far, everyone.

Good stuff.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sundogue

Mesa, Peavey and Carvin off the top of my head are made in the USA

Quote:

Originally Posted by Deluge Of Sound

Fairly certain there are at least some Peavey models still made in the US.

I wonder which models specifically? Sometimes you can just guess by looking at price but not always.

will33 · #9 04-10-2011, 09:56 AM

Can add Ampeg and GK to the list of, top of the line models made here, budget and midgrade stuff overseas. Should really say assembled here or something. Nearly all the little parts inside come from somewhere else.

Buster Brown · #10 04-10-2011, 10:36 AM

Yep - Ashdown is building in Louisville Kentucky. I do not know which models, but they are building some there....Here is their press release from a while back...http://www.ashdownmusic.com/news.asp...8&news=&ID=218

Deluge Of Sound · #11 04-10-2011, 10:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nocontrols

Thanks for the contributions so far, everyone.

Good stuff.

I wonder which models specifically? Sometimes you can just guess by looking at price but not always.

That I'm not sure about. I think I remember something in the VB-2/VB-3 threads about controversy over origin country, and BbyBld (who works with/is associated with Peavey) stepped in and clarified that they were made in the US.

Now, I could be remembering this incorrectly... it was a while ago.

BassBob1 · #12 04-10-2011, 10:39 AM

yeah the ampeg heritage line and their neo cabs are made in the USA. Mesa is and i think genz benz is.

KsPiNeSh · #13 04-10-2011, 11:17 AM

Genz Benz cabs are made in Arizona, amps are made in their dedicated factory in Taiwan and inspected here.

shoot-r · #14 04-10-2011, 11:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KsPiNeSh

Genz Benz cabs are made in Arizona, amps are made in their dedicated factory in Taiwan and inspected here.

Off hand I can't think of any that are "totally" manufactured in the U.S.
Genz has been very honest, their amps are designed in the U.S. and have some assembly work done in the U.S., GK is the same.
I read here at T.B. somewhere, Eminence now has a manufacturing facility in China.......Sooooo

Jim C · #15 04-10-2011, 11:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shoot-r

Off hand I can't think of any that are "totally" manufactured in the U.S.

Think Mesa might be the exception that the full line is made in CA.
(although China may have bought CA by now)

shoot-r · #16 04-10-2011, 11:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jim C

(although China may have bought CA by now)

+1...

BillJarrett · #17 04-10-2011, 11:44 AM

Mesa are 100% made in USA, though I dont think there is an amp out there anywhere (at least to my knowledge) with 100% USA parts and construction.

Although, I'd love to be wrong.

IntrepidCellist · #18 04-10-2011, 11:47 AM

Aguilars (pedals and amps) are assembled in New York. I've been to the factory. I'm not sure about the cabs, although I'd assume that they're at least assembled in the US too.

seamonkey · #19 04-10-2011, 11:55 AM

I think the only way you know is to ask the manufacturer, or look at the country of origin printed on the gear.

Part of engineering gear is designing a build process, to allow it to be made. A good process is going to be portable to where the components come from. It's easier to keep a constant flow of components in an area of where they are manufactured themselves. Importing components into the US at the time they're needed for manufacturing it tougher than collecting the components for assemblies in an area where most of the components are made.

"Engineered in America" and assume this means the designer put together a manufacturing process to duplicate the amps anywhere.

Low tech amps, I don't care where they're made. I like to see US focus on high tech. Leading technology is much more important than just building stuff.

cavedweller · #20 04-10-2011, 12:23 PM

I believe peavey,carvin,gallien krueger are the main 3 that i am aware of made in the U.S. although they are outsourcing some of their lower line gear. People always say that the inner components all come from other countries which I am sure happens to a degree but I have never taken an amp apart to see where the guts come from. I try to buy American made gear/merchandise as much as possible as long as the quality is there and the price is'nt totally rediculous simply to keep jobs here,especially in tough economic times like we see today.