BUDGET BOUTIQUE Amps – What Are They and Why Should You Buy One?
You’ve finally made your decision to slap down some of your scarce cash on a reissue or new model tube amp built in the Far East for a BIG name manufacturer.
Read about Budget Boutique guitar amps...
What’s With The Low Prices?
Heatseeker HS-18: tube guitar amp, hand built, awesome tone, gig-worthy and versatile too ... for $750.00. How???
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How Mack Gets $2,500 Tone From A $750 Amp
Mack Music believes that circuit design has a greater impact on amplifier tone than the use of rare, esoteric, mythical - EXPENSIVE components.
Read how Mack Amps creates boutique tone...
Pedal Friendly Amps - Myth or Magic?
The term Pedal Friendly is very trendy at the moment. What does it mean? Are certain amps more palatable with pedals? Stay tuned and we’ll find out!
Read more about what makes a guitar amp friendly...
The Tone Survey: Better Then or Now?
Is electric guitar tone better now than it was in rock’s ‘golden age’ in the 60’s and 70’s? The Tone Survey tackles that hot topic!
Check out The Tone Survey and the survey results...
Getting Great Guitar Sound On Stage
Check out some tips on how to improve your live tone.
Read about great live guitar tone...Check out The Tone Survey and the survey results...
Guitar Amp Tone Controls: Tone and Gain Sucking Leaches?
Learn why typical guitar amp tone controls may NOT be your best friend!!
Read about the problems with Treble-Middle-Bass tone controls...
Tube Tone Crystal Ball 2010: Amp Trends and Future Predictions!
It's once again time to take stock of what's happening in the world of tube guitar amps. I'll examine some interesting happenings in 2009, make some predictions and revisit Tube Tone Crystal Ball 2009 to see if any of last year's guesses came true!
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What Is A Boutique Guitar Amp?
Most guitarists instantly create an image in their minds when they think of 'boutique' guitar amps. But, what does the term really mean?
Read about what a boutique guitar amp really is...
Maximize Low Volume Guitar Tone
In this article we take a look at what happens when you listen to an amplified electric guitar at low volume and how to enjoy your low volume sessions to the greatest extent possible.
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Sound Clips. Truth or Gimmick?
In this article we investigate whether guitar amp sound and video clips are actually useful and what makes a good one.
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Tone Collectors. Who Are They and Why Do They Need Our Help?
Humans collect things. Hubcaps. Teaspoons. Calendars. Paper. Rocks. Scissors. Dead butterflies. Guitars. Guitar Amps. Almost anything. Not knowing anything about collectible teaspoons, we’ll focus on why many guitarists buy multiple tube guitar amps!
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Tube Guitar Amp Versatility
There is a wide spectrum of versatility when it comes to guitar amps. At the skinny end are one trick ponies that produce a single, signature, killer tone. They’re great for performing a narrow range of music or in a recording studio, but it’s likely that you won’t be happy if you play songs with any sort of tonal variety … and you don’t have the cash to buy an amp for every tone you want.
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More Thoughts On Tube Guitar Amp Design
At Mack Music, we base our amp design philosophy on three beliefs. First, our goal is to provide the best value possible in a hand made, tube guitar amp. Second, we target our amps at a particular audience: rock and blues players. Third, our amps can gig if you want them to.
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Heatseeker Debuts On Stage
Saturday August 19, 2006 marked the stage debut of the Mack Music Systems Heatseeker guitar amp. That night the Heatseeker head with its accompanying 1 X 12 Mack Music cabinet was used by Rob Dobson, guitarist for the Granite orcines at a hospital fund charity event.
Read about the Mack Heatseeker on stage...
The Power Of The Power Supply
The power supply is either an overlooked or a misunderstood system within a guitar amplifier. It’s a contributor to tone generation and is important enough to investigate when buying an amp. On the other hand, tone hounds that adhere to the “vintage design is the only way to produce hot tone” mantra often misunderstand it.
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Heatseeker Sound Clips Recording Session
Recently sound clips of the Heatseeker hs-18 tube guitar amp were recorded by Mack Music's guitar-slinger friend Richard Smyth. Dave Ferri's Orchard Studio was the recording venue of choice.
Read about recording Heatseeker HS-18 sound clips...
The Player Behind The Sound Clips
Richard Smyth, a Toronto based guitarist extraordinaire, is the player behind Mack Music’s sound clips. We think Richard's playing is killer and we couldn't be more pleased with his contribution.
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Safety
These are the three primary ways you can be hurt, maimed or killed when fooling with a tube amp.
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