Introducing Lang Amps

One thing I like to talk about, when I’m not talking about effect pedals, is amps.  Love amps. I love tube amps. When you’re figuring out your tone, it comes down to a good guitar and a good amp. That is the foundation you need to start with. But just like guitars the amp can give you a particular flavor. And there are so many varieties out there, with a ton of options. If I had the cash, I would have a pile of amps laying around.

So that brings me to Lang Amps out of Las Vegas, NV. Daniel of Lang Amps builds Plexi style amps which has the plexi “brown” sound, made famous by Eddie Van Halen. I popped over to YouTube, and I found some good examples.

Here is some class Van Halen tone straight from the amp.

This is a great clip on how the guitar cleans up when the volume is rolled off. This the amp with a strat.

I thought I’d send over a few questions for Daniel to answer. Below are the questions and responses:

– How long has Lang Amps been creating amps?
I have been building custom low number amplifiers since 1988 but I started full production about 2006

– What got you into making amps?
And how did you decide to make them at a production level? I wanted the Van Halen Brown but the Marshall I bought didn’t come close. So I started modding and building amps to get that sound. Soon i was building other tones for customers

– What do you think is most important when it comes to amp design?
The tone! You have to have a good ear for tone and you have to know what all the section of amp does to the tone

– Where do you feel amp designers struggle when it comes to design?
In my opinion, I see a lot of designs that copy existing designs. Even the Marshall Plexi’s are similar to the old Fender Bassmans. But little  changes can make a big difference sometimes.

– What primary ‘styles’ of amps do you focus on? And why?
Plexi brown sound with more features and the ability to get great tones at even low volumes. It covers a lot of the tones we love from our favorite songs

– Why should we buy a Lang Amp?
For the tone and features!

– Any musician’s we know sporting a Lang Amp?
Joe Bonamassa has had one since around 2006. His Lang amp is pictured in his Guitar Player magazine interview in 2009

If you’re looking a for a new head, give Lang Amps a look. I’ve been seeing @Lang_amps tweeting a sale for Lang tube guitar amps being on sale for $1699. You can learn more about Lang Amps at their website, follow them on Twitter and like them on Facebook.