65amps is a musical equipment manufacturer, founded in 2002 (incorporated in 2004) by Dan Boul and Peter Stroud. Based in North Hollywood, CA, they manufacture hand-wired tube-powered guitar and bass amplifiers and cabinets.
Advances in in-ear monitor technology and the pursuant lower stage volumes led to the need for low-powered amplification solution for guitar players that still sounded as full and rich as larger tube amps. Peter Stroud and long-time friend Dan Boul developed an amp in Boul's garage that would be robust enough for Stroud’s show with Sheryl Crow while he played it at low volume. The amp was first shown to the public at the NAMM Show in 2004; Boul left his employer to devote his time to 65amps full-time in 2007.
Concept and design
Boul worked to expand the vocabulary of current low watt amps. He started with an 18 Watt Marshall and a Vintage VOX AC15 as his inspirations, and after much experimentation, he evolved the circuits of his amps to be more tonally versatile.
65amps are built by hand in North Hollywood, CA, using high quality components, including optimized transformers from Mercury Magnetics. The company utilizes "mil-spec" wiring techniques that ensure a consistent and reliable build for each amp.
The initial product offering, dubbed the "London," made its official debut at the 2005 Winter NAMM show. Subsequently, the company added one or more new amps each year to the product line, which now includes:
The Ventura - Shown at the January 2012 NAMM Show in Anaheim, the Ventura is the second amp in the company's Red Line. The compact, portable Ventura employs a 2-6V6 power section and front end utilizing 65amps’ most popular circuits, The Color channel of the London and the Bump Circuit of the SoHo.
The Producer - Introduced in late 2011, The Producer is the first amp to use 65amps new transformer and circuit technology that results in extremely efficient use of its EL34 tubes. The result is very long lasting tubes with a variety of sounds from clean to crunch.
Empire - The Empire premiered at the January 2011 NAMM show. This British-inspired 22 Watt head has 3 main sounds from three distinct eras.
London Pro - The London Pro was introduced in Los Angeles in October 2010 and has 18 watts of power and two channels that can be combined into a third.
Tupelo - Handwired 20 watt, solid state rectifier, 2 x 6V6 power section, head or combo; it aims to replicate the classic American circuitry of the late 1950s and early-to-mid-1960s. Released January, 2010.
Lil' Elvis - Handwired 12 watt (2 x EL84), tube rectified, 3 x 12AX7, tremolo. Released January, 2009.
London - Handwired 18 watt, tube rectified, 2 x EL84 power section, 12AX7, EF86, tremolo. The London offers 2-amps-in-one. Released January, 2005.
Marquee Club - 35Watt (4 x EL84), tube rectified, 3 x 12 AX7, two channels. 65 Amps second model introduced after the London. One 12AX7 is in a "cascode" circuit instead of using an EF86 as was used in the London. It is a bigger sounding, louder version of the London in some respects, endowed with great headroom and presence.
Stone Pony - 25 or 50 Watt (2x7591), tube rectified, EF86-12AX7 cathode follower. Employs an EF86 preamp tube feeding a 12AX7 phase inverter. Released January 2008
SoHo - 20 watt (2 x EL84) or 35 watt (4 x 7591), Tube rectified, EF86-12AX7 cathode follower. Released January 2007.
Monterey - 22 watt (2 x 6V6), Monterey HP: 38 Watt (4 x 6V6), EF86-12AX7 cathode follower; formerly known as the Memphis. Released January 2007.
Royal Albert-45 Watt (2xKT77), solid state or tube rectified, dual 12AX7. Powered by two KT77 or EL34 output tubes and runs in Class A/B. Released January 2007.
Apollo - 50 Watt tube bass head and 1x15 cabinet. Winner of Bass Gear's Outstanding Amp for 2009 Award. Apollo features a 3-way “Pad” switch that adjusts the input levels to accommodate modern basses with active electronics. Released January, 2010
The company also manufactures a Colour Boost pedal and several sizes and configurations of extension cabinets.
