The British Amp Invasion: How Marshall, Hiwatt, Vox and More Changed the Sound of Music

This book deals in depth with every important British amp produced post WW11, it covers the technical details in a manner that is understandable to us non "techie's"! And reminds us who played through them and why, plus lots of insider stories that gives us a real understanding of life in the music industry during those "British Invasion" years. As a musician growing up during that era who played the Vox, Selmer & Marshall amps because they were all that was generally available this is a wonderful reminder of what great products they were and still are!

Dave Hunter's command of technical information is matched by an engaging sense of story such that in addition to the sort of detail that will satisfy 'screw-counters', his books take you inside the world at hand through the characters he's writing about. Even if you aren't inclined to get excited about tube complements or rectifiers, THE BRITISH AMP INVASION is unputdownable simply because it's ultimately about people as much as it's about technology. From the amp executive who admonished his staff not to be innovative because innovation was expensive, to Jack Bruce recounting what happened when Jimi Hendrix encountered his first Marshall stack, this is an exciting tale and, like all of Mr. Hunter's work, exceptionally well-told. Essential.

Yeah, we all know about Vox and Marshall, and those two brands are covered quite well, but Dave Hunter also shows the many other British amps that most of us don't know about. The book does a very good job of being technical enough in terms of tubes, circuitry and such, but also telling some fun stories about the many players who used these amps to create some of the greatest music in rock.

...but using the then-available British electronic components made it uniquely a Marshall, and of course Celestion in a closed back cabinet helped complete the Marshall sound. And then we get to Vox, glorious, wonderful Vox, maker of the AC10, AC15, and the AC30 used by the Beatles. I love this book.

Very interesting book. From beginning to end, I found it hard to put down. Loads of info about many of my favorite amps. Just enough tech info without going over the top also. Great picture also. I really don't have anything negative to say about this book.

Very informative. Author does a great job discussing and presenting photos of the history of classic British guitar amplifiers

Nice overview of the whole British amp industry with emphasis on the majors, but plenty of minor players too. Great photos of some very rare amps.

Great reference book for amp freaks!!

This is a simply fabulous book and an essential read for any guitarist. Eminently readable and superbly illustrated with photographs, the best thing about this book is Dave Hunter’s writing. His is a personable and affectionate style. He clearly has a passion for the subject and the diligence of his research and love of the subject will rub off on any reader.

Dave writes for both the musician and technician and also for the general fan who may fall inbetween those two disciplines. A good read!

Good images with thier own text boxes - which thankfully arent repeats of sections of the main text. On the other hand he makes use of blocks of very large text which looks stylish but IS repeating sections of the main text - where as I would rather have had him use the space to more fully explain the tubes and thier manufacturers esp since there were key British ones involved. And maybe a chronological listing at the back of all the manufacturers and there amps that he wrote about. Pleasant, refreshingly un-american, even un-canuck english writing style.

sehr informativ!

Great reference and great photos