Someone made a comment here recently about how Victoria Amps were the Lazy J of their day, and it struck me as very true.
It got me thinking of other amps that were once holy grail amps and are now passed over in favour of the newest latest and greatest.
Budda spring to mind. Hugely impressive reviews, great user list, some excellent video demos (the Bonamassa one of the SD45, for instance) and basically tremendous amps.
One buyout by Peavey later, and despite the fact the amps are still just as good, and the fervour died.
And yes, they were the Friedman of their day. The Superdrive 45 head retailed at over two grand new, and to this day it's one of the best rock amps I've ever heard and played. A tremendous amp full of massive KT66 goodness.
There's one in Coda right now for £700. It's an absolute bargain, that! Imagine a Buxom Betty or Dirty Shirley selling for that kind of cash in a shop?! It would last five minutes!
Mind blowing.
Any other good examples of this?
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Also 65 Amps, although I think they have had some "difficulties". I had Soho and a 2x12 cab. I still have the cab but in hindsight the amp must be one of the most overrated ever!
Of all the companies mentioned other than H&K this seems to have been an issue.
In time it will be interesting to see if Friedman struggle in the same area, although it does seem that they are managing quality and quantity very well at the moment.
The risk with Friedman is he's not that young and the temptation is there to take a buyout offer. If Dave sailed away with a wad of cash the brand would suffer as he's clearly a good designer and marketeer (a rare combination IME).
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