Molly Ayala
Mike Matthews founded Electro-Harmonix in 1968 with just $1000. The company's first product, the LPB-1 Linear Power Booster, helped bring about the Age of Overdrive, which significantly impacted modern music. Electro-Harmonix has since become a leading brand in the electric music business, with Mike Matthews at the helm as CEO. In 2022, Matthews discussed the challenges his company faced due to new tariffs imposed by the Trump administration, and he expressed his intention to sell the company. However, as of 2022, Matthews remained committed to Electro-Harmonix and its operations, including its Russian tube factory.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name | Mike Matthews |
| Company founded | Electro-Harmonix (also known as EHX) |
| Year founded | 1968 |
| Initial investment | $1,000 |
| Company type | New York City-based company that makes electronic audio processors and sells rebranded vacuum tubes |
| Known for | Guitar effects pedals, including the LPB-1 Linear Power Booster, Big Muff distortion/sustain pedal, and the Electric Mistress |
| Business philosophy | Merit-based advancement for employees, "outside the box" thinking |
| Recent developments | Facing challenges due to tariffs imposed by President Donald Trump, owns a vacuum tube factory in Russia |
| Current position | CEO |
| Intention to divest | No intention to sell the company or the Russian plant as of 2022 |
Explore related products
What You'll Learn
Mike Matthews founded Electro-Harmonix in 1968
Mike Matthews founded Electro-Harmonix (EHX) in October 1968 with just $1000. As a child, Matthews displayed an entrepreneurial spirit, selling items such as golf balls and fishing lures. This spirit continued into adulthood, with Matthews founding EHX at 26 years old.
The first product of Electro-Harmonix was the LPB-1 Linear Power Booster, a device that helped bring about the Age of Overdrive and profoundly impacted modern music. Matthews created the LPB-1 with Bob Myer, an award-winning inventor from Bell Labs. The LPB-1 remains a best-seller over 50 years later.
In the following decades, Electro-Harmonix's product range expanded significantly. By 1978, the company employed over 250 people, and Matthews was named New York State's Small Business Person of the Year. Electro-Harmonix became known for its line of guitar effects pedals, including the Big Muff distortion/sustain pedal, the Small Stone phase shifter, and the Electric Mistress flanger. The company also produced guitars, amplifiers, and vacuum tubes.
As of the 2010s, Electro-Harmonix continues to operate as an independent and innovative company under Matthews' leadership. In a 2019 talk, Matthews discussed the company's struggles in the face of new tariffs imposed by the Trump administration. As of 2021, Electro-Harmonix offers over 150 active products and continues to launch new ones regularly.
Surge Protection: Electricity Chain's Guardian?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
He started the company with just \$1000
Mike Matthews founded Electro-Harmonix (EHX) in 1968 with just $1000. The first product, the LPB-1 Linear Power Booster, was also born that year. Matthews, who was 26 at the time, had quit his job at IBM to start the company.
Matthews' entrepreneurial spirit was evident from a young age. Growing up in the Bronx, NYC, in the 1940s, he would sell items such as golf balls and fishing lures to his classmates. This spirit continued into adulthood, and in 1967, he entered the effects pedal business, building the Foxey Lady fuzz pedal for Guild.
Matthews' early days at Electro-Harmonix were marked by his partnership with Bob Myer of Bell Labs. Together, they created the LPB-1, a device that boosted the signal strength from electric instruments, allowing guitarists to achieve an "overdrive" sound without blowing their speakers. The LPB-1 remains a best-seller over 50 years later.
In the following decades, Electro-Harmonix's product range expanded significantly. By 1978, the company was thriving, employing over 250 people, and Matthews was named New York State's Small Business Person of the Year. Electro-Harmonix has been credited with changing the sound of rock and roll and remains a powerhouse in the electric music business.
As of 2021, the company offers over 150 active products, including pedals, amps, and strings, as well as over 360 vacuum tubes. Matthews continues to be involved with the company, and in 2022, he was still attending events and promoting new effect pedals.
UK Electrical Socket Installation: A Simple Guide
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Electro-Harmonix is known for its guitar effects pedals
Electro-Harmonix (EHX) is a New York City-based company founded by Mike Matthews in 1968. The company makes electronic audio processors and sells rebranded vacuum tubes. Electro-Harmonix is best known for its series of guitar effects pedals introduced in the 1970s and 1990s.
Matthews first entered the effects pedal business in 1967 when he built the Foxey Lady fuzz pedal for Guild. The following year, he quit his job at IBM and launched Electro-Harmonix with just $1000. The first product was the LPB-1 Linear Power Booster, a device that helped usher in the Age of Overdrive, profoundly impacting the sound of modern music. The LPB-1 remains a best-seller even today.
Electro-Harmonix went on to pioneer several iconic pedals, including the Big Muff distortion/sustain pedal, the Small Stone phase shifter, the Small Clone analog chorus pedal, the Electric Mistress flanger, the Memory Man delay pedal, and the Holy Grail reverb pedal. The company was the first to manufacture and market affordable state-of-the-art "stomp-boxes" for guitarists and bassists. Electro-Harmonix also created the first guitar synthesizer in pedal form, the Micro Synthesizer, and the first tube-amp distortion simulator, the Hot Tubes.
In the 1980s, Electro-Harmonix spun off The Alien Group, producing the Voice Box and Voice Box II, external speech synthesizer boxes for computers. During this period, the company stopped making pedals but resumed in the mid-1990s, reissuing popular old pedals like the Big Muff Pi and Small Stone. Electro-Harmonix continues to innovate, regularly launching new products and offering over 150 active products, including various types of pedals, amps, and strings.
The success of Electro-Harmonix is closely intertwined with the life and spirit of its founder, Mike Matthews. His entrepreneurial drive and unconventional approach to business have been key to the company's remarkable accomplishments. Matthews remains actively involved with the company, as evidenced by his lectures and demonstrations of new effect pedals as recently as 2022.
How Energy-Efficient Is Your PlayStation?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Mike Matthews is still CEO as of 2022
Mike Matthews founded Electro-Harmonix (EHX) in 1968 with just $1000. As a child, Matthews had a tenacious entrepreneurial spirit. He once said, "Ever since I was five years old, I was into business. I always knew I wanted to start my own business." This spirit would continue into his adult life, as he founded Electro-Harmonix at the age of 26.
Electro-Harmonix is best known for its series of guitar effects pedals introduced in the 1970s and 1990s. The company has created iconic products such as the LPB-1 Linear Power Booster, the first stomp-box flanger (Electric Mistress), and the first guitar synthesizer in pedal form (Micro Synthesizer). As of 2021, the company offers over 150 active products, including pedals, amps, and strings, which is a remarkable accomplishment considering its humble beginnings.
Matthews has been recognised for his achievements, being named New York State's Small Business Person of the Year in 1978. He has also co-written an article for Scientific American, explaining the technology of guitar effects.
As of 2022, Mike Matthews is still the CEO of Electro-Harmonix. He has faced challenges, such as new tariffs imposed by President Donald Trump, which have impacted the business. Despite these difficulties, Matthews continues to innovate, with Electro-Harmonix set to launch new products such as a brand-new design of wah pedal and a synth stompbox for guitarists.
The Evolution of Bubble Pop Electric: Release and Impact
You may want to see also
Explore related products
The company has faced difficulties due to Trump's tariffs
The company Electro-Harmonix (EHX) was founded by Mike Matthews in 1968. It is a New York City-based company that manufactures electronic audio processors and sells rebranded vacuum tubes. EHX is best known for its guitar effects pedals, including the iconic LPB-1 Linear Power Booster, which was its first product.
In 2025, Mike Matthews shared his concerns over the future of the company due to the tariffs imposed by former US President Donald Trump on imported goods. Trump introduced 25% tariffs on imports from Mexico and Canada and imposed new tariffs on goods from China. This posed a significant challenge to EHX, as the company relied heavily on overseas raw materials and components, particularly from China.
Matthews acknowledged that while EHX had sufficient inventory to weather the initial impact of the tariffs, the company would inevitably face challenges due to increasing costs. He stated, "We're gonna have to continue to buy our raw materials from overseas, even with the tariffs." Matthews also highlighted that the tariffs would primarily impact small and medium-sized companies, as they might not have the volume to offset the additional costs.
Furthermore, EHX faced additional complications due to its ownership of a vacuum tube factory in Russia, which was subject to a 35% tariff on imports. The combination of rising production costs and intense competition in the pedal market left Matthews uncertain about the company's future profitability. He expressed his dilemma, stating, "I'll have to scratch my chin to think about it – you know, can I still make a profit? You sort of just guesstimate. Like by raising your prices, what will that do?"
The tariffs caused disruptions in the supply chain and uncertainty for EHX and other companies in the guitar industry. As a result, executives from various US guitar brands joined together to advocate for the industry's survival and urged exemptions for the musical instrument market.
Weed on Satellite Dish: Electric Danger?
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
Yes, Mike Matthews is still with Electro-Harmonix. As of 2022, he is the CEO of the company.
Mike Matthews founded Electro-Harmonix in 1968. He is an entrepreneur, an inventor, and a rhythm and blues keyboard player.
Electro-Harmonix sells electronic audio processors, guitar effects pedals, and rebranded vacuum tubes. As of 2021, the company offers over 150 active products, including pedals, amps, and strings.
Mike Matthews' philosophy for Electro-Harmonix is centered around innovation and creativity. He prioritizes creating interesting new sounds and letting musicians decide how to use them. He also believes in merit-based advancement for his employees, as demonstrated by the diverse backgrounds of EHX's leadership team.
