Carstens amplifiers have been enjoyed by such artists as Joe Walsh, Billy Corgan, The Smashing Pumpkins, Adam Jones & Danny Carey (TOOL), Will Putney, Mike McCready, Dweezil Zappa, Misha Mansoor, Joe Barresi, Jeff Tweedy, Brad Paisley, John Fogerty and more.
They have graced the studios of Rick Rubin's Shangri-la Studio in Malibu, CA, Blackbird Studio in Nashville, TN, Joe Barresi’s House of Compression and Will Putney’s Graphic Nature Records.
ABOUT CARSTENS AMPLIFICATION®
Every Carstens amplifier is hand built to produce a beautiful, 3-dimensional, transparent tone.
What I find most inspiring when playing is a beautifully transparent and dynamic response. I want the tone coming out of my amplifier to sound like that guitar and not just amplified guitar, so that each instrument has its own voice and identity.
Dynamics and responsiveness are hugely important! They are what create the interaction between you, the player and your amplifier. They are that extra10% that keep you engaged, inspired and encouraged to keep plugging back into your Carstens amplifier.
There are many guitar amplifiers on the market, but in my experience there are only a few that genuinely inspire. The philosophy of Carstens Amplification® is to build products that truly motivate you, the artist, to create.
By taking a less-is-more approach to both the circuits and the design, I use high quality components to create completely handmade, responsive amplifiers built to inspire you to create music. - Brian Carstens
Every Carstens amplifier is handmade by Brian Carstens from start to finish. Each cabinet is handmade by one artisan from start to finish. All amplifiers are made in limited quantities.
ABOUT BRIAN CARSTENS
As an amp tech for many years, including working for The Smashing Pumpkins, Brian Carstens has repaired, modded and/or restored some of the finest amplifiers ever made for some of the worlds best musicians.
After a long duration spent working for Tim Schroeder in Chicago, Brian formed and then spent years running the Amp Repair Department at the Chicago Music Exchange, the world’s largest vintage amplifier retailer.
As an amp designer, Brian has handmade custom amplifiers for professional musicians including Billy Corgan and Sean Lennon.
From vintage to new, from five figures to free, Brian Carstens has serviced gear for professional musicians from Fleetwood Mac, Mike Campbell, The Smashing Pumpkins, Billy Corgan, Billy Gibbons, Wilco, Lenny Kravitz, Buddy Guy, Joe Bonamassa, the Deftones and more, to garage players and bedroom rock stars. As a musician and former recording engineer, Brian has developed a discerning ear for tone.