Amplification

What would the world of modern music be like today without amplification? Lucky we don't have to imagine such a thing because Leo Fender and Clayton Kaufman started a company called K&F in 1945 building the first commercially available guitar amplifiers. After Mr. Kaufman left the business, Mr. Fender went on to start the Fender Electric Instrument Company and released the first true Fender amp in 1947. Basically all amplifiers made from that point until 1965 when the company was acquired by CBS, have remained in high demand until today. The main difference between today’s amplifiers and the vintage variety are vacuum tubes. The vintage amps used vacuum tubes to achieve a rich golden tones. The difference in sound, according to true guitar aficionados is phenomenal, many younger people disagree. The value of vintage amplifiers continues to increase as more and more younger guitarist discover the differences, as well as more collectors enter the hobby.

A short list of vintage amplifier makers, Fender, Marshall, Gibson, Vox, Epiphone, Ampeg, Gretsch, Magnatone, Danelectro ( Montgomery Wards brand )