Amp Show Impressions, What To Do Different Next Time

Coming To a City Near You?

In case you haven’t read parts 1 and 2 of the NY/NJ Amp Show “review” yet, read those first: here and here.

Would I go to another Amp Show? Hell yes I would. But next time I’d do it a bit differently.

First, I’d show up right as the doors opened or a little early. That way there are shorter waits, or at least there should be (see anecdote below). Maybe the show clears out a bit in the final hour or so, too, so that might be another strategy.

Second, I’d carry my guitar in a soft case, as most people did. Just strap it on your back and walk. My hard case was a pain and got in the way. I did see a few guys walking around just with guitars on straps. Makes sense from a quick and easy standpoint, but you might want to consider the very real possibility of multiple dings. I wouldn’t do it.

Third, I’d narrow my expectations. I was there for 4 hours and had decent visits with just six manufacturers out of about 60 at the show. Aside from the six I reviewed in parts 1 and 2, I also stopped in at Analog-Man to hear the Beano Boost (it was sweet!) and poked my head in at Cameron amps to listen to shredders go at it. But that was it – and if anything, I would’ve liked to spend more time at the companies I did visit.

I’d also not have the expectation of meeting all the builders personally. They all have staff there and most seemed to be off doing something somewhere.

Last but by no means least, I’d at least be wiser about people’s common sense about how much and how long to play. I tried to strike a balance between being selfish and considerate as did several others I saw, but some people didn’t.

The funniest part about that was that these were often guys who played at such a low volume that even if they were playing jazz or whatever, they couldn’t possibly tell whether the high-dollar amp they were playing through was that much better than any other amp.

One example: I stopped by the Fuchs room and hung out there for 5 minutes watching a guy noodle around on a couple of strings at very low volume while chatting with friends. Somewhere between two and four people were waiting to play. I mean, I get that the guy wanted to play through that amp, but come on!

In other words, some people will be all business about wanting to try this and that amp, and then get out. Some will be there to try one amp for as much time as they can because they’re on the fence about buying it. Others will be there just to hang out with friends and have fun.

I guess it’s all good.

For time reasons, I didn’t get to visit several manufacturers I wanted to see and hear, including DigiTech, Fane Speakers, Fuchs, TC Electronics, Voodoo Amps (the Voodoo room was packed with shredders), Vox and Wizard Amps, let alone other great manufacturers who were there just waiting to be “discovered.”

Go!

If you’ve ever thought about going to an Amp Show, go. Don’t be bashful. I heard a teenage kid struggling through some VH riffs, I only played basic Classic rock stuff – you don’t have to be able to shred.

Go because:

• It’s fun
• It’ll open your eyes and ears to just how many good boutique (smaller) amp manufacturers are out there
• You might be able to find “your sound” there
• You will hear a lot of WoodyTone!

Plus, where else are you going to get to try all these boutique amps? Not at Guitar Center or Sam Ash.

Last but not least, as we all know, there simply is NO SUBSTITUTE for playing amps in person. This is true of guitars, and just as true if not more so when it comes to amps because Internet-delivered audio and especially video can’t do any amp justice, especially an amp played at volume. It can give you an impression, but not a feel.

Coming To a City Near You?

Loni Specter with BFG!

And in case you can’t make it to NY/NJ or Los Angeles, the Amp Show might be coming to a city near you. Here’s a quick Q&A with Amp Show founder Loni Specter:

WT: How long has the Amp Show been around?

Loni: Our fifth (LA) show will be on Oct. 3rd in LA. This was our third New York show.

How many per year are held and where?

So far there are only two per year, LA and New Jersey. There will be a third show soon. We may revolve the location from city to city, in other states. No specific dates yet, but candidates are Nashville, Austin, Chicago, Atlanta and Seattle.

What would you like to say to people who might be bashful about attending one of these events?

I can think of no reason a guitar or bass player who cares about their tone, would not want to attend.
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There you have it. I’m glad I went and I’ll be there again next year.

If I could make one suggestion to Loni it would be to set up a room – or several: one classic rock/blues, one jazz, one metal, one bass – containing amps from different manufacturers, and give everyone who signs up a timed 10 or 15 minutes in that room.

This should let people try more amps than they might be able to just wandering (and waiting) around the show, and saves manufacturers from being in the uncomfortable position of trying to hurry a potential customer off an amp so another potential customer can play it.

Category: Amp Show