Re: Kendrick amplifier

[Barry Schaede <barrys@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

I've always wondered about the markup on these amps.  Boutique amps that 
is.  Kendrick spends loads of time on the phone and has a good catalogue 
all of which cost money.  Still the cost of many of their parts is very 
high.  The reprint of the RCA tube manual is $20.00 from them and less 
than $15.00 elsewhere.  Their transformers and speakers cost less from 
other vendors.  50 % less sometimes.  Perhaps it's associated overhead.  
I've been to their factory in Pflugerville it's out in the middle of 
nowhere.  Can't be costing them that much to lease.  Still all and all 
their quality of construction is outstanding and the people there are all 
extremely nice and helpful.  Sam the guy that handles parts and answers 
the phone is an absolute riot to talk to.  Funniest guy I've spoken with 
in a long while.  A couple of technical points about the new amplifier.  
It's a single 12" speaker in a new patented semi floating baffle board.  
They run the bias current higher than usual and it is supposed to distort 
at lower volumes.I've never heard the thing except for over the phone, 
but I liked it then.  I'm truly curious as to opinions from harmonica 
players that have tried this amp but so far I have heard none with the 
exception of Paul Orta an Austin area player who's playing is pretty 
good.  Hey Tim why don't you try it out?  You're the one that loves 12's" 
so much.  Just sell your car to pay for it.  Maybe they'll send you a 
review copy.  Hey Jeff tell your engineer buddies that you know of a 
national harmonica publication that would be willing to accept a Kendrick 
amp for review in a national harmonica forum.  FJM