Markbass is a manufacturer of high-quality bass amplifiers, cabinets and combos, in San Giovanni Teatino, Italy. The company was founded in 2001 by Marco De Virgiliis, and now has distribution around the world. The company’s mission is to create bass amplification products that reproduce the natural sound of your instrument, in a compact, lightweight, package, using top-quality components and construction for superior reliability.
Website: www.markbass.it
ESR was founded in 1990 as a professional PA sound rental company. The company shortly began producing custom made audio equipment. The goal of the company was from the very beginning to develop and produce products for the demanding professional musician, with a superior sound quality and features not seen on any other guitar effect pedal. Due to their extensive knowledge of the professional music industry, and contacts with a wide range of demanding musicians, the company have been able to maintain a high quality of products and now have a range of 28 high quality guitar effect pedals, with more to come in the future. In 2005 the company released their first point to point handmade tube amplifier the Custom Shop 50, the line now includes heads,- cabinets as well as a bass stacks.
Website: www.carlmartin.com
Hughes & Kettner is a German brand of guitar and bass amplifiers, cabinets and effects processors. It was founded in Neunkirchen in 1984 and is based in St.Wendel since 1987.
Notable users of Hughes & Kettner products include Alex Lifeson and Tommy Thayer, who have signature amplifiers by the company (The TriAmp MKIII Alex Lifeson and the
Duotone Tommy Thayer). Other Hughes and Kettner users are Peredur ap Gwynedd, Nuno Bettencourt, Tony Macalpine, Rocky George and Allan Holdsworth. The tubes in Hughes & Kettner amps go through extensive tests; tests that push the tubes farther than they are rated. Hughes & Kettner, up until recently, relied on its flagship Statesman family of amplifiers. Recently, however, Hughes & Kettner has worked to establish itself in the high-gain 50-100 watt amp head market. With the recent release of the Coreblade amplifier head, Hughes & Kettner is spending most of its resources in this market.
Website: www.hughes-and-kettner.com
Fuchs Audio Technology has established itself as a highly respected new voice in the boutique hand crafted tube amplifiers for guitars. The company’s growing product lines includes models from 7 through 150 watts and on to three channels, employing innovative construction and circuit designs and unmatched tone and response.
Website: www.fuchsaudiotechnology.com
