Tone to the Bone

In the past 50 years, tube amplification has come a long, long, way. Many of the early 50's Fender amplifiers are thought of as the holy grail of amps as far as tone goes due to the components used, and the fact they were hand assembled. While there is no doubt something special about the mid to late fifties Fender Amps, and as well as the guitars and bases that were built, there are currently many amps being built as well as amp clones, that are in the $500.00-2,000.00 price range that have amazing tone and pack a lot of bang for there buck. Here are a few specimens.....

The Fender Blues Jr.... I own this Amp and while it is a little guy, its in the $500.00 price range, and when you crank up the volume and let it start to break up, it has a great blues tone, and packs a nice little bunch... very respectable for the price

Victoria Amps....These guys are based out of the Naperville area, and I have a buddy who plays one and the tone is impressive. 2 channels and sounds great with an overdrive pedal. roughly $1500.00 msrp

Bad Cat Amps....These guys pack a nice little punch and are roughly 5-15 Watt beasts that can really shake you up

Mesa Boogie have a reputation for a reason. They have been around forever and have nice tone and tubes that help you find whatever tone you're looking for from Rock to Jazz and inbetween

This is the amp you dream of the highly sought after Dumble. Not many exist and if you find a legit original expect to pay in excess of 20k!!!!!!! but the tone is unmistakable and some of the greats have sworn by them, specifically SRV!

Buddy Miles King of the Funky Drummers

Buddy Miles was a master of Blues and Funk drumming. He was a personality that could keep the back beat strong while hitting the high notes and having fun the whole time. He could play all styles of music and had a way of just finding the groove. He played with a variety of people and bands, but is best known as the drummer for Band of Gypsys with Jimi Hendrix, and Billy Cox. Buddy also played drums on Electric Ladyland. He was in my opinion by the far the best drummer that Hendrix played with and when you listen to them together you can just feel how they groove and bring out the best in each other. You can tell from the pic's below that Buddy and Jimi were tight and if you sitdown with a few beers and let band of gypys play you can hear some of Jimi's best work because of Buddy. And how can you not love a big dude rocking an american flag harley trike in the late 60's. RIP Buddy!

Buddy and Jimi kicking it in the studio Buddy and Jimi post show beverages Buddy and Jimi talking out song selection at Newport Jazz Festival