Kustom Amplification
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Kustom Amplification is a manufacturer of guitar and bass amplifiers and PA systems.
Founded in 1966, the original main selling point of Kustoms was their appearance: Kustom was the first to mass-produce amplifiers covered in Tuck-And-Roll naugahyde, similar to some automobile upholstery at the time. The amplifiers featured solid-state circuitry instead of vacuum-tube-based designs so common in the 60s.
Kustom was originally started in a factory in Chanute, Kansas by its founder Bud Ross. Ross was a compulsive gambler and eventually lost the company during a poker game. Along with Kustom he manufactured an amplifier line called Kasino, that were the same as Kustom's amplifiers internally, but carried the traditional tolex covering of Fender style amplifiers. They were used by performers mainly in the country music industry, who felt the Tuck-And-Roll Naugahyde models were too flashy. Waylon Jennings was an early supporter of the line. There was also a line of guitars with DeArmond pickups in a variety of colors, including the infamous Pink to Green sunburst that fans have affectionately named "Watermelon Burst." In an original promotion Kustom gave away "Kustom Kats" with the purchase of an amplifier. The Kustom Kats were the same as the original Naugas that the Naugahyde company produced. The original Kustom Amps came in a variety of colors, including Red Sparkle, Blue Sparkle, Teal (which was called Cascade Sparkle), Charcoal Sparkle, White (called Champagne Sparkle), and Flat Black (which contained no glitter). The company produced several models of guitar amplifiers, bass amplifiers, and P.A. systems.
Original Kustom amps state "Kustom by Ross" on their plastic medallion on the grill cloth. Eventually production shut down at the Chanute factory and the company name was sold. Before Bud Ross lost the company, as a promotional event, he covered the stage of the local Eagles hall with Red Sparkle, Champagne Sparkle, and Blue Sparkle Tuck-And-Roll, which is still visible there today.
Today, Kustom amplifiers are considered fairly collectible and preferred by vintage enthusiasts for their solid state tone. Rockabilly and Motown musicians originally used these amps. Other artists known for using the Kustom brand for live applications are Creedence Clearwater Revival, The Altamonts, 3 and Sheryl Crow. In its heyday, users of Kustom amplifiers and P.A.s included Creedence Clearwater Revival, Leon Russell, Johnny Cash, Roy Clark, The Jackson 5, Carl Perkins, and The Carpenters.
A reformed Kustom has started in 2005 incorporating tube pre-amplifier and power amplifiers in some of its models. Early models in the new line seemed to be geared towards beginners and were of poor quality. However, newer models are geared towards serious players and try to emulate many features of the originals. Kustom also originally used Altec-Lansing speakers. However, since Altec-Lansing has ceased production of their instrument speakers in favor of consumer grade speakers, the new Kustom amps use Eminence speaker.
