My Rant

[ckpop]

I was searching on ebay for modded amp heads just to see what was out there. I can not believe what I saw........A Cameron modded sovtek mig for $1900, Friedman modded 50 watt marshall buy now for $2899 ???? and the list go's on. To me whats with the really stupid prices ? Now it's not the builders but the one's who think they have the magic bullet and try to resell at double the value.
People try to sell the illusion of some secret knowledge inside and guess what ? it's BS. Over 25 years across my bench I have seen the inside of a Lee Jackson, Levi, Langer,Caswell, And many different Jose Arredondo marshalls. It's funny to me there are only three marshall mods, a extra stage pre eq, post eq, and parallel stages. Most mods are just different take on each of the three. Ask yourself this.... are most of the amp guys out there really doing something you have not heard in a amp ? No then why the crazy prices ? I have the real Jose mod but not trying to sell it as some big secret.

[Colossal]

I was searching on ebay for modded amp heads just to see what was out there. I can not believe what I saw........A Cameron modded sovtek mig for $1900, Friedman modded 50 watt marshall buy now for $2899 ???? and the list go's on. To me whats with the really stupid prices ? Now it's not the builders but the one's who think they have the magic bullet and try to resell at double the value.
People try to sell the illusion of some secret knowledge inside and guess what ? it's BS. Over 25 years across my bench I have seen the inside of a Lee Jackson, Levi, Langer,Caswell, And many different Jose Arredondo marshalls. It's funny to me there are only three marshall mods, a extra stage pre eq, post eq, and parallel stages. Most mods are just different take on each of the three. Ask yourself this.... are most of the amp guys out there really doing something you have not heard in a amp ? No then why the crazy prices ? I have the real Jose mod but not trying to sell it as some big secret.

it seem the culture that goes for modded Marshalls has reached cult status. These guys hold the modders in high esteem and so I think the celebrity status bestowed upon them by their followers is what has generated high prices. Demand creates supply. The elusive nature of Tone and gear chasing is one of those things that creates this fervor. The internet has greatly facilitated that. Tone is a seductive and fickle mistress and many will often pay high prices to reach what they think is the best sound. I think the guys willing to shell out large sums are non-ampbuilders so the magical 'mod' and the guys who create The Mod are held in some kind of mythical regard.

I guess you could say the ultimate modder is Dumble. $55,000 for an amp? It's just economics and we all value different things. Freidman, Cameron, et al are good at what they do and make great sounding amplifiers. My hat's off to them if they've made a successful business. Look at Apple. They have done their homework, created rock-solid, well thought out products, truly innovated. They are now the most valuable company in the world. Marketing is part of good business.

[Aurora]

Maybe this is somewhat similar to the HiFi bussiness, where those with little or no technical knowledge seems to believe any myth created by some of the more "inventive" manufacturers. Trying to kill some of these myths are downright impossible, as they all have to defend their purchase of a couple of 1000$ capacitors that will take them all the way to nirvana....

Some of these amps are probably very good ones,- but I guess I'll never live to see or hear one, as I live in the outbacks of this world ( and being quite happy with that).
Some of the superlatives does however have some striking similarities to HiFi hype....

[Reeltarded]

Look at Apple. Marketing is part of good business.

I fixed your quote!

[9pins]

Yah right... look at apple, there's a massive lawsuit coming for those smucks...

People will buy anything if you can get them to make a "personal" investment in a "brand", politically, socially, ecumenically...

[Colossal]

People will buy anything if you can get them to make a "personal" investment in a "brand", politically, socially, ecumenically...

Why all the angst ?

The Invisible Hand doesn't care or moralize. Modding is just good capitalism regardless of what we amp builders think. Personally the hyper consumption in this country sickens me and the gross negligence, greed, and decadence has landed us in a real mess that is going to take a decade to climb out of, if we ever do. But objectively and rationally, business as just that: separating people from their money as fast as possible.

Styx: America spells competition, joins us in the blind ambition, get yourself a brand new motor car.

[Reeltarded]

The whole World can be summed up at the Metro EVH forum.

[selloutrr]

I was searching on ebay for modded amp heads just to see what was out there. I can not believe what I saw........A Cameron modded sovtek mig for $1900, Friedman modded 50 watt marshall buy now for $2899 ???? and the list go's on. To me whats with the really stupid prices ? Now it's not the builders but the one's who think they have the magic bullet and try to resell at double the value.
People try to sell the illusion of some secret knowledge inside and guess what ? it's BS. Over 25 years across my bench I have seen the inside of a Lee Jackson, Levi, Langer,Caswell, And many different Jose Arredondo marshalls. It's funny to me there are only three marshall mods, a extra stage pre eq, post eq, and parallel stages. Most mods are just different take on each of the three. Ask yourself this.... are most of the amp guys out there really doing something you have not heard in a amp ? No then why the crazy prices ? I have the real Jose mod but not trying to sell it as some big secret.

Sounds to me like you need to give yourself a catchy name, buy an amp, Mod it.. sell it to yourself and then resell it for double what you bought it for The reason the prices are stupidly high is A: someone is willing to pay that much. B: insurance, if you can prove that is the replacement price you can insure it for that price.

I agree it's silly but so riding a motor bike in flip flops and wife beater, But I see it everyday.

[LeftyStrat]

The whole World can be summed up at the Metro EVH forum.

Never been there, is it anything like The Gear Page?

[Reeltarded]

Ummm...

[selloutrr]

The whole World can be summed up at the Metro EVH forum.

Never been there, is it anything like The Gear Page?

Yeah... I just wish they would all JUMP!

[Reeltarded]

We are going to have to take this act on the road.. under assumed names, obviously!


Bobby Pantry

[ckpop]

Great replies because I just thought I was becoming a jaded, bitter amp guy aahhhhhhhhhhh Jaded amps I found a amp name.

[Colossal]

Great replies because I just thought I was becoming a jaded, bitter amp guy aahhhhhhhhhhh Jaded amps I found a amp name.

No, I hear ya man. It seems pretty ridiculous that these amps are commanding these prices when to you or I, they are the aforementioned variation on the Holy Trinity of Marshall mods, not really much more. But the objective side of me scratches my head and says, damn, they're sure killin' it on the business side.

Jaded Amps...I love it! You need a nice emerald green dyed super gloss flamed maple head cab

[Reeltarded]

Love it! I want one in cardboard!