There's a lot to look at on-line when it comes to high-grade US boutique amps;Walter Broes said:I've been looking at Carrs online .... they're way above my budget for an amp anyway... what's not to like about two 6L6's, thirty watts, reverb and tremolo!? I just thought it's very obvious where he got the idea for the Rambler cab - the 1X12 almost looks like it's a direct copy of the Guild cab, dimensions-wise.
http://www.victoriaamp.com/visitor/models
http://www.clarkamplification.com/
http://www.buffaloamps.com/
...and, you're right, compared to clones and vintage, they are expensive. The economics are that the manufacturers and dealers need to make money on them pushing the prices to the high $US1,000s - mid $US2,000s. I've seen VGC used Victorias and Clarks over on The Gear Page being offered at $1,400 - $1,800; essentially stripped of the mfr/dealer markups but they still don't get to 'affordable'. Agree that the Carr Rambler, with it's grill opening and gray tolex, is strongly reminiscent of early Guild amps. At some point, the prices of better-grade vintage are going to intersect with the prices of used boutique; given equivalent tone and other than simple preference, hard to determine a basis for choice. J