The British Amp Invasion: How Marshall, Hiwatt, Vox, and More Changed the Sound of Music

by Dave Hunter

Although rock 'n roll is America's all-time leading cultural export, half of the classic rock sound – hard-hitting, skintight, audacious, and vibrant – was born across the pond. Musician, journalist, and writer Dave Hunter's The British Amp How Marshall, Hiwatt, Vox, and More Changed the Sound of Music charts the forty-plus year confluence of British industrial ingenuity and popular culture that grew a minor “also-ran” offshore industry into a true world leader. Art inspired engineering, engineering influenced art, and, as both evolved at breakneck speed, the finest amplifiers in the world were devised and refined on the British Isles. The symbiotic relationship born of this partnership produced the most powerful music ever known to mankind – a sound that still resonates today in the most literal sense possible. Hunter's original account provides a ground-level perspective of the simultaneous development of an adolescent audio industry and a nascent musical style, documenting their twin struggle to find their footing and stride forward. Rich with behind-the-scenes accounts and high-resolution images of the era's greatest (and highly collectible) amplifiers, many of which have never been told or seen before, this book is a welcome addition to the libraries of audio aficionados, guitarists, bassists, and other musicians, classic rock fans, collectors of vintage gear, and anyone with an eye for fine photography and an ear for compelling histories.

176 pages, Paperback

Published June 1, 2017

Reviews

[David · Rating 3 out of 5]

If your really into amplifier design and history this is a decent read...

[Brent Bonet · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent book if you're a guitarist or a keen fan of music. There was a brief technical introduction at the beginning of the book, but it would have been nice to have a bit more knowledge as a lot of the content speaks of the different ways the electronic components shaped the sound of the amps.

[SnezhArt · Rating 4 out of 5]

Чтобы понимать, что стоит за буковками на лицевой панели знаменитых комбоусилителей.