Wiktor Wise
Ampeg, also known as amplified peg, is a manufacturer best known for its bass amplifiers. The company was originally established in 1946 in Linden, New Jersey, by Everett Hull and Stanley Michaels as Michael-Hull Electronic Labs. Over the years, Ampeg has changed hands several times. In 1971, it was acquired by Magnavox, which owned musical instrument manufacturer Selmer. In 1980, Ampeg was acquired by Music Technology, Inc. (MTI). More recently, in 2005, LOUD Technologies Inc. purchased St. Louis Music and its brands, including Ampeg. Finally, in 2018, the Ampeg brand was acquired by Yamaha Guitar Group, Inc., which currently owns the company.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name of company that bought AMP Electric Company | Yamaha Guitar Group, Inc. |
| Year of acquisition | 2018 |
| Previous owner | Transom |
| Previous owner before Transom | LOUD Technologies Inc. |
| Year of previous acquisition | 2005 |
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What You'll Learn
Ampeg was acquired by Magnavox in 1971
Ampeg, the company founded by upright bass player and jazz aficionado Everett Hull in 1946, was acquired by Magnavox in 1971. Hull's invention, which involved placing a transducer atop a support peg inside a bass instrument, was named "Ampeg" by his wife Gertrude, derived from the words "amplified" and "peg".
The acquisition by Magnavox, a company known for televisions, radios, and hi-fi components, marked a significant point in Ampeg's history. Magnavox already owned musical instrument manufacturer Selmer, and the purchase of Ampeg expanded their presence in the music industry.
The following year, Magnavox made the decision to dissolve Ampeg's incorporation and relocate Ampeg's management to the Selmer-Magnavox offices in Elkhart, Indiana. This move signified a shift in Ampeg's operational structure, bringing it under the direct oversight of its new parent company.
In the subsequent years, Ampeg underwent several changes. In 1974, Magnavox, facing economic struggles and production capacity surpluses, opted to close Ampeg's Linden plant, consolidating production by moving it to a portion of a Magnavox electronics factory. This decision reflected the financial challenges the companies were navigating.
During its time under Magnavox's ownership, Ampeg continued to innovate and collaborate with other companies. In 1975, Ampeg partnered with the Swedish guitar company Hagström, leading to the development of their first guitar/synthesizer hybrid, the Swede Patch 2000, which was released in 1976. This collaboration demonstrated Ampeg's ongoing commitment to creating cutting-edge musical instruments.
The period between 1971 and 1980, when Ampeg was acquired by Music Technology, Inc. (MTI), witnessed a mix of operational adjustments, collaborations, and product innovations. Ampeg's journey during this timeframe underscores the dynamic nature of the music industry and the evolving landscape of musical instrument manufacturing.
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Ampeg's management was moved to Elkhart, Indiana in 1972
Ampeg, the manufacturer best known for its bass amplifiers, was acquired by Magnavox in 1971. The following year, Magnavox dissolved Ampeg's incorporation and relocated its management to the Selmer-Magnavox offices in Elkhart, Indiana.
Elkhart is a city in northern Indiana, positioned near the Michigan border. It is known for its musical heritage, particularly in the realm of band instrument manufacturing. Elkhart has been home to several prominent instrument manufacturers, including the Selmer Company, which played a significant role in shaping the city's musical legacy.
The move to Elkhart represented a significant shift for Ampeg, which had previously been based in Linden, New Jersey. Ampeg was established in 1946 in Linden by Everett Hull and Stanley Michaels as "Michael-Hull Electronic Labs." The company specialised in the production of bass amplifiers and became renowned for its innovative designs.
However, by the early 1970s, Ampeg faced challenges. In 1971, production of their "Horizontal Basses" line ended, and designer Dan Armstrong left the company. This was followed by the acquisition by Magnavox and the subsequent relocation of Ampeg's management to Elkhart in 1972.
The move to Elkhart placed Ampeg in the heart of a musically rich environment, surrounded by instrument manufacturers and talented artisans. This new location may have provided Ampeg with opportunities to collaborate and innovate, drawing on the expertise and resources available in the area.
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Ampeg was acquired by Music Technology, Inc. in 1980
Ampeg, the company behind some of the music industry's most innovative and memorable products, was acquired by Music Technology, Inc. (MTI) in 1980. This acquisition marked a significant turning point for the company, which had a long history of producing high-quality amplifiers and musical equipment.
Ampeg was founded in 1946 by Everett Hull, a 42-year-old upright bass player and jazz enthusiast. Hull's invention, the "Ampeg," was a transducer or pickup that attached to the peg of his instrument, amplifying its sound. The name "Ampeg" was coined by Hull's wife, Gertrude, combining "amp" and "peg." Over the years, Ampeg grew and evolved, with Hull forming partnerships and expanding his operations.
By the early 1960s, Ampeg had become a prominent name in the music industry, known for its innovative products such as the B-15, the first combination amplifier dedicated to the bass guitar. However, the company also faced challenges, including struggles with manufacturing and disagreements among its leadership. In 1967, Ampeg became a subsidiary of Unimusic Inc., as investors sought to capitalize on the fragmented music equipment market.
In 1971, Ampeg was acquired by Magnavox, a company known for its televisions, radios, and hi-fi components. This acquisition led to changes in Ampeg's management and operations, including the closure of its Linden plant in 1974. Despite these shifts, Ampeg continued to produce high-quality amplifiers and musical equipment.
Finally, in 1980, Ampeg was acquired by Music Technology, Inc. (MTI), a wholesaler specializing in amplifiers from Japan and keyboards from Italy. Under MTI's management, Ampeg prototyped new amplifiers, including the SVT and V series, and introduced a range of solid-state and tube amps, as well as effects pedals. MTI's ownership marked a new chapter for Ampeg, allowing the company to expand its reach and continue its legacy of innovation in the music industry.
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Ampeg was acquired by Transom in May 2018
Ampeg, the bass guitar amplification company, has changed hands several times since its founding in 1946. In May 2018, the Ampeg brand was acquired by Yamaha Guitar Group, Inc. (YGG) from the restructured LOUD Audio LLC. This acquisition followed Transom's purchase of Loud Technologies Inc. in October 2017.
Transom Capital Group, headquartered in Los Angeles, California, is an operations-focused private equity firm in the middle market with more than $500 million in assets under management. The firm's functional pattern recognition, access to capital, and value creation process enable it to work closely with management teams to drive operational efficiency, significant top-line growth, cultural transformation, and distinctive outcomes.
The acquisition of Ampeg by Transom and its subsequent sale to YGG marked a significant step in the brand's evolution. Ampeg has a long history of innovation in the music industry, dating back to the 1940s, and holds six U.S. patents under its brand name. Ampeg was the first company to introduce the combo bass amp and the first guitar amp with reverb, and its SVT line became the bass amp of choice for rock bassists.
The Yamaha Guitar Group, on the other hand, is a U.S.-based subsidiary of the Yamaha Corporation, Japan, dedicated to serving the needs of guitarists worldwide through its Yamaha, Ampeg, and Line 6 brands. YGG's acquisition of Ampeg brought the brand under the same roof as Yamaha basses, guitars, and amplifiers, as well as digital innovators Line 6. This merger allowed YGG to honour Ampeg's rich history while leveraging its expertise to introduce redesigned products, such as the Rocket Bass combo amplifiers, which feature the company's new Super Grit Technology circuit.
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Ampeg is now part of the Yamaha Guitar Group
Ampeg, the amplifier and pedal maker, is now part of the Yamaha Guitar Group. Yamaha acquired Ampeg in May 2018 from LOUD Audio (formerly known as Mackie Designs and LOUD Technologies Inc.).
Ampeg was founded in the 1940s in New Jersey by Everett Hull, an inventor and musician. Hull designed a transducer that sat atop a support peg inside a stringed instrument, amplifying its sound. His wife, Gertrude, named the invention the "Ampeg", an abbreviation of "amplified peg". The company was originally known as "The Ampeg Bassamp Company" and was based in Manhattan, above the New Amsterdam Theatre.
Ampeg grew rapidly throughout the 1950s and 1960s, with its amplifiers known for their "clean, undistorted sound". By 1966, the company had 200 employees and 40,000 square feet of manufacturing space. However, Ampeg struggled to keep up with demand and, amid internal conflicts, co-founder Jess Oliver resigned in 1967. That same year, Ampeg became a subsidiary of Unimusic Inc., which pursued a new strategy of targeting the rock market.
Following a series of acquisitions and ownership changes, LOUD Technologies (later LOUD Audio) acquired Ampeg in 2005. Under LOUD's management, production of Ampeg products was moved to Asia. In 2017, Transom Capital Group acquired LOUD Technologies and rebranded it as LOUD Audio, LLC. Less than a year later, LOUD Audio sold Ampeg to Yamaha, bringing the amplifier brand under the umbrella of the Yamaha Guitar Group.
With Yamaha's acquisition of Ampeg, the guitar group added a legendary brand to its portfolio, which already included Yamaha's own products and Line 6. Ampeg is known for its bass amps, such as the SVT, as well as its range of respected guitar amps and history of musical instruments. The integration of Ampeg's expertise in amplification technology with Yamaha's amplifier design experience and resources is expected to lead to innovations in the bass amp market.
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Frequently asked questions
Ampeg, a manufacturer best known for its bass amplifiers, was acquired by Yamaha Guitar Group, Inc. in 2018.
Ampeg was previously owned by Loud Audio LLC, which was a restructured version of Loud Technologies Inc.
Loud Technologies Inc. purchased Ampeg from St. Louis Music in 2005.
Ampeg was acquired by Music Technology, Inc. (MTI) in 1980.
In 1971, Ampeg was acquired by Magnavox, which was known for manufacturing televisions, radios, and hi-fi components.
