MasterTone Amplifiers

 

What we do

MasterTone Amplifiers was formed in 2008 and is focused on modifying valve amps to improve reliability, and bring out the amplifiers potential to give great tone and to create a tone to suit the users needs.

 

The range of amplifiers we modify and range of mods we offer is growing all the time.

 

We specialise in fitting Power Scaling™ to allow pre-amp and output tube break-up and distortion at  low volumes using circuits and techniques developed by London Power.  The long-term goal is to produce hand built valve amplifiers.

 

Why we do it

For years I've played guitars and had several amps but as someone who played exclusively for myself, at home and mostly in the evenings I have always struggled to get a good sound at low volumes - and I'm convinced that many other people have the same problem.

At the same time I found that most of the smaller, lower cost valve amplifiers were capable of producing an improved tone and that hum and noise in these amps could be reduced.  This enables players to get great sounds without spending hundreds of pounds on boutique amps or effects.

I also discovered a way to get beautiful breakup/distortion from a valve amp at low volumes without the need for pedals.

I play bluesy stuff and like to have some break-up/distortion.  I tried valve amps, Fenders and Peavey, but they had to be played too loud to get the sound I wanted.

I tried solid state modeling amps like Line6 but this was not the sound I wanted (VOX got nearest) and I spent too much time playing with the amp settings instead of playing the guitar.

Finally I decided to look for a valve amp that could give me the sound I wanted down to 'bedroom' levels.

There was very little choice and, in the end, I spent a lot of money and bought a Carr Mercury that goes down to 1/10th watt.  It's a great amp but I got to thinking that there ought to be a less expensive solution. 

I have a technical background and started researching different solutions based on the Fender Champ 600 and the Epiphone Valve Junior.

The biggest challenge was finding a way to get full pre-amp and output tube distortion at volumes down to around 1/10th watt so that players could get 'that sound' at low volumes.

After months of testing and comparisons I decided that London Power's Power Scaling™ is the most complete solution.