WATTKINS INC

Wattkins, Inc. operates Wattkins Amp Forums. The forums are a series of online discussion web sites dedicated to the construction and modification of tube (valve) guitar and bass amplifiers. Our stated purpose is "the advancement of education, cultural preservation, and the promotion and development of the arts.”

Our forums provide a friendly, no-cost environment to learn about vacuum tube amplifiers in a practical, hands-on, manner. Safety is a core value, and participants have the opportunity to learn about electronics theory, as well as practical skills, such as woodworking and cabinet making, metalworking and chassis building, and soldering, as it applies to their own personal projects.

Many of the amplifiers discussed in the forums are no longer manufactured, or are limited to expensive boutique re-issues. The forums provide resources to restore, rebuild, repair or recreate popular musical instrument amplifiers made from the 1940s onwards.

In terms of promoting and developing the arts, there are two aspects to consider: to promote the creative innovation and artistic development of the amplifiers themselves; and to promote the practical use of the amplifiers and the music that is played through them.

The following sites are all part of Wattkins Amp Forums:

• PPwatt.com (for push-pull amps) – dedicated to push-pull (PP) vacuum-tube guitar amplifier circuits. PP is defined by two tubes or multiple pairs of tubes working in a push/pull arrangement to maximize circuit amplification.

• SEwatt.com (for single-ended amps) – dedicated to single-ended (SE) vacuum-tube guitar amplifier circuits. SE is defined by a single output tube.

• 45watt.com (for JTM45 & Bassman amps) – dedicated to Marshall JTM 45/Fender Basement circuit. The Marshall JTM45 Amplifier is a derivative of the Fender Basement and these circuits are known historically as the Fender (American) and Marshall (British) sounds.

• Wattkins.com (a place for the amp building community to hang out) – The community center and contains various topics surrounding vacuum-tube guitar amplifiers, including but not limited to, tubes, transformers, cabinets, guitars, effects pedals, and printed circuit boards.

• Tubeface.com – The official online store for Wattkins Amp Forums, where project parts can be purchased, including official printed circuit boards as well as no-cost non-commercial licenses. Donations are also accepted through this vehicle.
• TonePerBuckClub.com – The goal of TPBC is to create the highest qualify amplifier per dollar invested in parts. TPBC facilitates amplifier design by the community based on inexpensive, readily available parts. This has led to exploring the use of surplus vacuum tubes that are not commonly found in current production amplifiers.

The forums are run by unpaid, volunteer moderators, some of which have commercial interests in the guitar amplification business.