ToneTron Amplifiers - Artists and Customer Comments
While I only build a limited number of amplifiers a year, I work mainly by special request and accept requests from anyone serious about having a high-quality amp tailor-made for them. A few of the artists who have ToneTron Amps include:
Kat Bjelland - Babes in Toyland
Brett Bullion - Producer, Mixer, Engineer
Nate Case - The4onthefloor
Marshall Crenshaw - Solo
Gabriel Douglas - The4onthefloor
Dan Duerloo - Producer, Mixer, Engineer
Michael Lopez - Nightinghales
Eric Martin - Jillian Rae
Danny O’Brien - The Farewell Circuit
Jason Medvic - Devon Worley Band
Kat Bjelland - Babes in Toyland
Brett Bullion - Producer, Mixer, Engineer
Nate Case - The4onthefloor
Marshall Crenshaw - Solo
Gabriel Douglas - The4onthefloor
Dan Duerloo - Producer, Mixer, Engineer
Michael Lopez - Nightinghales
Eric Martin - Jillian Rae
Danny O’Brien - The Farewell Circuit
Jason Medvic - Devon Worley Band
Customer Comments
Custom-Built Amplifiers:
When I started playing in blues bands in the nineties I used a 58 Vibrolux with a 12” Jensen (a friend had cut a bigger space for the speaker). I loved that amp, but in those days they weren’t micing the amps at gigs, so it was a bit low. Years later I bought a 59 Deluxe when they were still “cheap.” I gigged with that for a long while, but when the prices soared I sold it because I needed the money. I’ve had many vintage amps over the years and a few boutique ones (like the Carr Rambler - which is a nice amp). But the Deluxe was my favorite. I always dreamed of an amp that combined the tweed Vibrolux and Deluxe, but couldn’t find anyone willing to build it. Finally, I brought the idea to Jeff and he was willing. Man oh man did he succeed beyond my wildest dreams!! The amp does both of what the Vibrolux and Deluxe did. Jeff put in a low gain and high gain channel and a Princeton style tremolo. My 69 Epi Riviera with the two mini buckers rocks like crazy even in the low gain channel. Chords are loud and distinct and it is very sensitive to adjustments on the guitar’s tone. Leads break up slightly like you would want for Chicago style blues. The tremolo puts you in Magic Sam heaven. In the high gain channel you get more natural break up. Simply sounds incredible, through both channels, with and without the tremolo. I’m not much of a pedal person, I’ll have to try it with OD petals soon (I figured the neighbors had enough). I also played it with my single P 90 62 Epi Coronet. It screamed nicely in the high gain channel. My guess is this amp would kill with old Specials and Juniors. As it also would with 335s, 330s, Strats and Teles. I’ll let Jeff describe the more technical details, ask him if you’re interested. Oh, I had him do it in a beautiful tweed - to remind me of my old friends. This amp is plenty loud for small and medium size clubs and mic’d could be used on any gig. For a tad under $1700 - I can’t imagine a better custom amp. I’m super happy I found Jeff. I’m getting older and who knows how much longer I’ll be gigging - but this will definitely be my amp for the duration. Great job
Jerry R.
California
The amp arrived in fine shape. Your craftsmanship is impeccable; the wiring, soldering, cab, and tolex all 1st class....In an A/B test, it definitively made my prized vintage Deluxe Reverb sound weak and tinny. I am both upset and exuberant!
On to the tone, moving the treble and bass knobs an eighth of a revolution has more effect then moving the Deluxes' stop to stop! And the depth, and sustain....damn! Then the dynamics....damn again!
To sum things up, I must say that in 45 years of playing guitar, this is my favorite amp, bar none ( it's easy to tell. I sit down to pluck a minute and an hour goes bye-bye). I may order another one.
Jim A.
Colorado
Hey Jeff, got the amp. Damned thing will keep me awake for a week. God it sounds good. Thanks again for a great amp. I think I will write a letter to Vintage Guitar also.
Gene T.
Missouri
Hey Jeff, had to take a moment to write you. The Billy Rocker you built for me is opening up wonderfully. In Spring terms it's blooming, blossoming, and going through a most wonderful metamorphosis, or, to put it simply, this is one truly great amp. I'm playing more, getting a lot of guitars out that have been hibernating all winter. All my guitars are sounding great. Pedals sound great in front of it but I must say just to plug in and play is a mighty delight. Thanks so much man. I mean thanks so very damn much. Bravo !
Paul W.
New York
Hi Jeff. These pre amp channels are AMAZING! I’ve used them on two full albums already! Thank you for your hard work and quality builds over the years! I’m really glad to be supporting your gear! Thanks again!!
Danny O.
Minnesota
Hi Jeff, I finally got a chance to play through the new amp this afternoon. I knew it would be a great amp, but I never imagined it could be as nice as it is. I tried it with a Strat. I have played Strats for 50 years--all kinds of pickups, string guages from 9's to 12's. I've played them through Twins, Super Reverbs, Showmans, Deluxes. But I never experienced hearing all 18 string magnets distinctly before. All were unbelievably clear and well-defined.. It was a revelation; it really was. The well-defined, rich low end is EXACTLY what I was hoping for.I also have never heard the mids on a Strat this way before--it's delightful. My Strat still "quacks," but is a mellower, deeper quack. I couldn't be happier with this amp!
I also tried it with a Heritage version of an ES175. Wonderful jazz tones and wonderful sensitivity--which I think will increase as the speaker breaks in. It's beyond anything I've ever played through already. And just as you said, the reverb is distinctive. You characterized it as "dark," but I would say "lush" and "wet," rather than dry and tinny as even Fender outboard reverb units can sound if you don't adjust them very carefully. The same is true of the tremolo--it pulsates beautifully. It has a "transparent" quality that makes it feel musical rather than as an effect.
Finally, it's beautiful to behold. I love the red of the control panel and the cabinet is just gorgeous. This amp will influence the way I play--the sensitivity and definition is profound for me. I am very grateful to you, Jeff. Your artistry is embodied by the amp in so many ways. I am so very proud to play through it.
Many thanks to you,
John P.
Minnesota
Hey Jeff, Amp arrived Thursday. I would have emailed you sooner but my spare time has been spent playing my amazing new amp! Thank you for building an extremely beautiful sounding and beautiful looking amp. It is everything i was looking for in a small tube amp. Nice warm tone and takes my pedals nicely. Thanks again,
Mark T.
Michigan
Repairs:
Just had my 1965 Princeton Reverb Original repaired by Jeff at ToneTron Amplifiers, South Minneapolis. It was noisy, crackily, had a whirling hum, all things no one else in the area (tried a few well-known repair guys) seemed to be able to find or address, to the point that it was useless to me and was ready for a trade-in. Not anymore! The amp is back and better than ever. Dead quiet, responsive, I mean dead quiet, not an unwanted noise anywhere. Quick turnaround time and the price was very, very reasonable. Jeff at ToneTron Amplifiers is, from now on, my only amp guy. Thanks again Jeff. Great job and a pleasure to meet you.
Pat S.
Minnesota
Modifications:
Tons of tonal possibilities. I really like the sustain, feedback, at reasonable levels. Thanks again for your great work.
Glenn G.
Minnesota
Thank you so much for the clean fantastic work you've done on this amp! It finally sounds the way I have always longed for it to sound, and I only wish I had discovered you sooner!… If I run across anyone needing amplifier work done, I will be certain to send them your way without hesitation!
David D.
Minnesota
. . . can’t believe just how good your mods made the BJr. sound! Sounds like a completely different, higher end amp. Not Fender’y per se, maybe more like a vintage Ampeg (but I haven’t heard one of those since my band days in the late ‘60’s). Only spent about an hour with it (at modest clean volumes and with my old settings save for fully opening up the guitar tone) - no more strident highs, clearer notes, more dynamics). Can’t wait to play with it at a bit higher volume and with some break-up. Very happy! Thanks again,
Dennis T.
Minnesota
Custom-Built Amplifiers:
When I started playing in blues bands in the nineties I used a 58 Vibrolux with a 12” Jensen (a friend had cut a bigger space for the speaker). I loved that amp, but in those days they weren’t micing the amps at gigs, so it was a bit low. Years later I bought a 59 Deluxe when they were still “cheap.” I gigged with that for a long while, but when the prices soared I sold it because I needed the money. I’ve had many vintage amps over the years and a few boutique ones (like the Carr Rambler - which is a nice amp). But the Deluxe was my favorite. I always dreamed of an amp that combined the tweed Vibrolux and Deluxe, but couldn’t find anyone willing to build it. Finally, I brought the idea to Jeff and he was willing. Man oh man did he succeed beyond my wildest dreams!! The amp does both of what the Vibrolux and Deluxe did. Jeff put in a low gain and high gain channel and a Princeton style tremolo. My 69 Epi Riviera with the two mini buckers rocks like crazy even in the low gain channel. Chords are loud and distinct and it is very sensitive to adjustments on the guitar’s tone. Leads break up slightly like you would want for Chicago style blues. The tremolo puts you in Magic Sam heaven. In the high gain channel you get more natural break up. Simply sounds incredible, through both channels, with and without the tremolo. I’m not much of a pedal person, I’ll have to try it with OD petals soon (I figured the neighbors had enough). I also played it with my single P 90 62 Epi Coronet. It screamed nicely in the high gain channel. My guess is this amp would kill with old Specials and Juniors. As it also would with 335s, 330s, Strats and Teles. I’ll let Jeff describe the more technical details, ask him if you’re interested. Oh, I had him do it in a beautiful tweed - to remind me of my old friends. This amp is plenty loud for small and medium size clubs and mic’d could be used on any gig. For a tad under $1700 - I can’t imagine a better custom amp. I’m super happy I found Jeff. I’m getting older and who knows how much longer I’ll be gigging - but this will definitely be my amp for the duration. Great job
Jerry R.
California
The amp arrived in fine shape. Your craftsmanship is impeccable; the wiring, soldering, cab, and tolex all 1st class....In an A/B test, it definitively made my prized vintage Deluxe Reverb sound weak and tinny. I am both upset and exuberant!
On to the tone, moving the treble and bass knobs an eighth of a revolution has more effect then moving the Deluxes' stop to stop! And the depth, and sustain....damn! Then the dynamics....damn again!
To sum things up, I must say that in 45 years of playing guitar, this is my favorite amp, bar none ( it's easy to tell. I sit down to pluck a minute and an hour goes bye-bye). I may order another one.
Jim A.
Colorado
Hey Jeff, got the amp. Damned thing will keep me awake for a week. God it sounds good. Thanks again for a great amp. I think I will write a letter to Vintage Guitar also.
Gene T.
Missouri
Hey Jeff, had to take a moment to write you. The Billy Rocker you built for me is opening up wonderfully. In Spring terms it's blooming, blossoming, and going through a most wonderful metamorphosis, or, to put it simply, this is one truly great amp. I'm playing more, getting a lot of guitars out that have been hibernating all winter. All my guitars are sounding great. Pedals sound great in front of it but I must say just to plug in and play is a mighty delight. Thanks so much man. I mean thanks so very damn much. Bravo !
Paul W.
New York
Hi Jeff. These pre amp channels are AMAZING! I’ve used them on two full albums already! Thank you for your hard work and quality builds over the years! I’m really glad to be supporting your gear! Thanks again!!
Danny O.
Minnesota
Hi Jeff, I finally got a chance to play through the new amp this afternoon. I knew it would be a great amp, but I never imagined it could be as nice as it is. I tried it with a Strat. I have played Strats for 50 years--all kinds of pickups, string guages from 9's to 12's. I've played them through Twins, Super Reverbs, Showmans, Deluxes. But I never experienced hearing all 18 string magnets distinctly before. All were unbelievably clear and well-defined.. It was a revelation; it really was. The well-defined, rich low end is EXACTLY what I was hoping for.I also have never heard the mids on a Strat this way before--it's delightful. My Strat still "quacks," but is a mellower, deeper quack. I couldn't be happier with this amp!
I also tried it with a Heritage version of an ES175. Wonderful jazz tones and wonderful sensitivity--which I think will increase as the speaker breaks in. It's beyond anything I've ever played through already. And just as you said, the reverb is distinctive. You characterized it as "dark," but I would say "lush" and "wet," rather than dry and tinny as even Fender outboard reverb units can sound if you don't adjust them very carefully. The same is true of the tremolo--it pulsates beautifully. It has a "transparent" quality that makes it feel musical rather than as an effect.
Finally, it's beautiful to behold. I love the red of the control panel and the cabinet is just gorgeous. This amp will influence the way I play--the sensitivity and definition is profound for me. I am very grateful to you, Jeff. Your artistry is embodied by the amp in so many ways. I am so very proud to play through it.
Many thanks to you,
John P.
Minnesota
Hey Jeff, Amp arrived Thursday. I would have emailed you sooner but my spare time has been spent playing my amazing new amp! Thank you for building an extremely beautiful sounding and beautiful looking amp. It is everything i was looking for in a small tube amp. Nice warm tone and takes my pedals nicely. Thanks again,
Mark T.
Michigan
Repairs:
Just had my 1965 Princeton Reverb Original repaired by Jeff at ToneTron Amplifiers, South Minneapolis. It was noisy, crackily, had a whirling hum, all things no one else in the area (tried a few well-known repair guys) seemed to be able to find or address, to the point that it was useless to me and was ready for a trade-in. Not anymore! The amp is back and better than ever. Dead quiet, responsive, I mean dead quiet, not an unwanted noise anywhere. Quick turnaround time and the price was very, very reasonable. Jeff at ToneTron Amplifiers is, from now on, my only amp guy. Thanks again Jeff. Great job and a pleasure to meet you.
Pat S.
Minnesota
Modifications:
Tons of tonal possibilities. I really like the sustain, feedback, at reasonable levels. Thanks again for your great work.
Glenn G.
Minnesota
Thank you so much for the clean fantastic work you've done on this amp! It finally sounds the way I have always longed for it to sound, and I only wish I had discovered you sooner!… If I run across anyone needing amplifier work done, I will be certain to send them your way without hesitation!
David D.
Minnesota
. . . can’t believe just how good your mods made the BJr. sound! Sounds like a completely different, higher end amp. Not Fender’y per se, maybe more like a vintage Ampeg (but I haven’t heard one of those since my band days in the late ‘60’s). Only spent about an hour with it (at modest clean volumes and with my old settings save for fully opening up the guitar tone) - no more strident highs, clearer notes, more dynamics). Can’t wait to play with it at a bit higher volume and with some break-up. Very happy! Thanks again,
Dennis T.
Minnesota