I know there is a killer WW amp thread, but I am just curious if anyone can offer a bit of history about the man himself. Any stories you have or any history as to how he got into the business of making incredible amps would be appreciated. THanks.
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Double Bass The Man behind the legendary WW amp.
- Thread starter sadowskyschmaus
- Start date
If you look at one of the old Rufus Reid books there's a WW ad. He apparently started up in Van Nuys. I suspect it was a stones throw from Polytone in North Hollywood. The "Valley" as we call it in So. CA.
Somewhere I remember hearing that Walter Woods worked for Polytone and/or worked for Tommy Gumina. Is this information in the WW thread that you mention?
That's another story altogether, I'm sure. I played Polytone for a long time. In the last few years I became aware that players were asking Tommy to build amps with more power and he wouldn't do it. Suposedly this is why Walter Woods left and got his start so many years ago. Carol Kaye would know for sure but she's a very loyal "Tommy" supporter and wouldn't say anything bad about either. She might grin widely however.
I'm sure Walter dismissed all this long ago and he has obviously gone on to make some popular, innovative and powerful amps. I hope to own an Ultra one day, just for fun if nothing else. Walter was immediately accessible by mail a few years back. I requested and received a brochure, a letter with current prices and a business card. It was a prompt reply as I recall.
Anyone else out there with additional history?
Somewhere I remember hearing that Walter Woods worked for Polytone and/or worked for Tommy Gumina. Is this information in the WW thread that you mention?
That's another story altogether, I'm sure. I played Polytone for a long time. In the last few years I became aware that players were asking Tommy to build amps with more power and he wouldn't do it. Suposedly this is why Walter Woods left and got his start so many years ago. Carol Kaye would know for sure but she's a very loyal "Tommy" supporter and wouldn't say anything bad about either. She might grin widely however.
I'm sure Walter dismissed all this long ago and he has obviously gone on to make some popular, innovative and powerful amps. I hope to own an Ultra one day, just for fun if nothing else. Walter was immediately accessible by mail a few years back. I requested and received a brochure, a letter with current prices and a business card. It was a prompt reply as I recall.
Anyone else out there with additional history?
In addition to being a musician (he plays the sax), Walter has a degree in electrical engineering. After working in the aerospace industry in SoCal in the late 60's, he decided to do something on his own. His first amp, the legendary Mini Amp (AKA the Ice Cream Sandwich), came out around 1970. Amazingly he's still doing it after all these years and says he has no plans to retire. Walter is a fascinating guy to talk to, and he has a lot of interests. Incidentally, each one of his amps is entirely hand made by Walter alone.
For anyone interested, there are lots pics that show the history and evolution of Walter Woods amps in the TB WW megathread here: http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showthread.php?t=265259
For anyone interested, there are lots pics that show the history and evolution of Walter Woods amps in the TB WW megathread here: http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showthread.php?t=265259
robgrow said:
Walter actually played sax in the US Army Band. He also worked for JBL at some point.
