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Best Amp Companies

W

wld3

Jun 22, 2008
646
8
#1
I've read many threads on TB that address which amp is one's favorite, which has the best tone, control, etc. For this thread, I'd like to know which amp makers/companies are the best to deal with.

They may or may not make top products too but, simply in terms of how they operate, customer service, communication, quality control, etc., which are among the best?

Conversely, which are among the worst?

Please stick to the amps and cabinets only for this thread, not instruments themselves. There's another thread for that.

Also, you don't necessarily have to label your comments as best or worst; just share your experiences with any company(ies) that you have dealt with and whether that interaction resulted in a more positive or a negative view of them.
 
#4
Euphonic audio (EA)

Read in bassplayer that a dude had to send back his head because the power supply wasn't working anymore. Well some time after, he received the head repaired (without having to pay for shipping) along with a new power supply, a new head (yes another one free) and a 1x15 cab. Now, that is customer service.
 
#5
I recently purchased a bass cab from Acme Sound LTD. I have nothing but good things to say about their customer service. When I called their toll free number I spoke to the owner Andy Lewis. This was on a Saturday and he spent at least a half hour chatting with me about his cabs and anything else. Very knowlegable person, cares about his customers, and all of his business is word of mouth. He does not advertise and his company is selling cabs all over the world. That IMO says volumes about this company. Besides that my new cab is fantastic. I recommend them without hesitation.
 
#7
Genz Benz is hands down the finest company I've ever dealt with in any industry. Better customer service than anyone, imho, and d@#n fine products as well. Most of the times I've called, I've spoken directly with Jeff Genzler, the founder. They bend over backwards to stand behind their products. They also treat everyone the same: I got no better treatment while I was an endorser than I did before or since. Basically, they treat any player who buys a Genz product as well or better than any other company I've known treat their *endorsers*.

Simply an amazing company.

Cheers,
Liam
 
#8
I use Ampeg but if I had a choice to use a different amp I would, the one I have are all being made overseas :rollno:

What USA based bass amp companies are left, that actually builds and assembles their amps in the USA?

GENZ-BENZ I think is one of them.
 
#9
14736251 said:
I use Ampeg but if I had a choice to use a different amp I would, the one I have are all being made overseas :rollno:

What USA based bass amp companies are left, that actually builds and assembles their amps in the USA?

GENZ-BENZ I think is one of them.
Click to expand...

Genz amps are designed and tested here, built overseas. However, they are built in a dedicated Genz Benz-owned factory, not outsourced to a shop that does other work. Maybe Roger (Hasbeen) can clear up anything I've gotten wrong, or left out if he sees this?

For stateside stuff, Carvin and Mesa Boogie are both USA-built, and there may be others ... not sure.

EDIT: Roger posted some clarification. I'm quoting it here in my post just for completeness:
hasbeen said:
very close but a little clarification- our cabinets are all built in our shop in Arizona. Our electronics are usually all assembled in our shop overseas from parts made in the U.S., Europe and Taiwan. They are then shipped to our shop for qc and burn in. I say "usually" because on some, we do some final assembly in Arizona too.
Click to expand...

Cheers,
Liam
 
#10
ashdown are absolutely brilliant to deal with. they reply to email queries very rapidly and are usually amazingly helpful and sympathetic (when it comes to problems out of their control). when i registered my amp with them i got a thank you email too.

great amps too

they produce their cheaper amps in china, but the classic series are produced in Essex, UK or now in the USA.
 
#13
IME the following are all great companies..
Accugroove - cabs
Epifani - preamp and cab
Mesa Boogie - amps
& QSC - amp

and I just gotta add that while my B-15N has no support, it works out just fine..... 'cause it DOES'NT NEED ANY!!
 
#14
liam_g said:
Genz amps are designed and tested here, built overseas. However, they are built in a dedicated Genz Benz-owned factory, not outsourced to a shop that does other work. Maybe Roger (Hasbeen) can clear up anything I've gotten wrong, or left out if he sees this?

For stateside stuff, Carvin and Mesa Boogie are both USA-built, and there may be others ... not sure.

Cheers,
Liam
Click to expand...

Peavey is US made (hey they affordable too!), Yorkville and Traynor are Canadian made, great amps. Trace Elliot is still made in the uk I'm pretty sure. Mark Bass is made in Italy.

Anyways I pretty much made the decision to only buy amps made in countries like those where quality control is more proficient on average. I know I may be limiting myself a bit but I mainly buy on the used market now anyways and I can't afford my gear breaking on me, even if it will be more expensive at first.

Ashdown Mag-made in UK (earlier model)
Yorkville 115b-Made in Canada
 
#16
I'd have to say G.K., had their 800RB since 1984 and never had a problem to where I had to contact them.
Best customer service is never having to use it.
Bought a "used" Eden 212XLT, thought there was a problem with the horn or crossover, David and Lane of Eden went well out of their way to rectify my problem.
 
#17
PastryChef said:
ashdown are absolutely brilliant to deal with. they reply to email queries very rapidly and are usually amazingly helpful and sympathetic (when it comes to problems out of their control). when i registered my amp with them i got a thank you email too.
Click to expand...
I don't have an Ashdown amp but I have exchanged emails with Martin from Ashdown and I can attest to Ashdown answering emails incredibly fast.
 
#18
Thunderfunk Labs. Dave is great to talk bass with. I've never had one of his amps let me down but I'm sure he'd take care of any problem that may occur. My other amp is made by Genz-Benz, who are legendary for their excellent support.
 
#20
liam_g said:
Genz amps are designed and tested here, built overseas. However, they are built in a dedicated Genz Benz-owned factory, not outsourced to a shop that does other work. Maybe Roger (Hasbeen) can clear up anything I've gotten wrong, or left out if he sees this?

For stateside stuff, Carvin and Mesa Boogie are both USA-built, and there may be others ... not sure.

Cheers,
Liam
Click to expand...

very close but a little clarification- our cabinets are all built in our shop in Arizona. Our electronics are usually all assembled in our shop overseas from parts made in the U.S., Europe and Taiwan. They are then shipped to our shop for qc and burn in. I say "usually" because on some, we do some final assembly in Arizona too.
 

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