Martin Guitars - The Myth And The Legacy

 

1970 Martin 0-16 New Yorker

In 1973, when I was 21, I purchased my one and only Martin guitar. It was a Martin 0-16NY and it came with a soft-shell case, all for $250. The salesman mentioned I was lucky as Martin was raising their prices soon. 

I don’t know if I was lucky or not. Had I understood more about that guitar, I might have opted for something different. 

It was a lovely instrument, with a solid spruce top that had a satin finish. The back and sides were solid mahogany. The only binding was around the instrument’s top. 

The wide neck with a 12" radius, had a rosewood fretboard with a slotted headstock on top of the 12-fret mahogany neck. The only marker was on the top side of the neck at the fifth fret.

O-16 New Yorker Bridge

The bridge saddle was flat to match the style of a “New York” Martin guitar. On the downside, this was a creation of the “folk era” so it was lightly braced for silk and steel strings or nylon strings. During that era Martin also made a 0-21NY model. That one had a Brazilian rosewood back and sides, but was a similar instrument in all aspects. My guitar did not have a very loud sound like the D-18’s and D-28’s that some of my friends owned. 

I am a stickler for tonality. I would get that guitar in tune, but playing chords never sounded right. The “G” string always seemed to be flat. It drove me nuts. I sent that guitar back to Martin twice. The second time it arrived with a note telling me I did not know how to tune a guitar. 

After two years of struggling, I traded that guitar. However, I did fall in love with the small body shape, and craftsmanship of that guitar. I wished I could have kept it. 

2026 Martin Guitars

Now when I look at Martin guitars, I see the prices are just too far out of my budget. Martin still builds guitars in Nazareth, Pennsylvania, but  also opened a facility in Navojoa Senora, Mexico where the X series and the Road series are built.

Martin LXK2

Many of the X series are made using high pressure laminate wood products. This is similar to flooring material. A friend of mine refers to this “Glit”,  as it is made of  sawdust, and paste, or as he puts it “Glue and Sh*t.” Some of the X series do have solid soundboards, but I cannot see paying $600 for an instrument made  with high pressure laminate back, sides, and neck. 

In my opinion it is like someone at Martin thought, "Hey, we have an abundance of sawdust, instead of throwing it away let's make a guitar out of it, and slap a Martin sticker on it. Someone will buy it."

D-12E

The Mexican made Martin Road series guitars are made of solid wood and are retailing for $1000 to $1900. The Martin Retro Series, and Jr Series are also “Hecho in Mexico” due to cheaper labor. 

It is a fact that the cost of labor has driven every guitar manufacturer to open facilities, or contract with facilities outside of the United States. Admittedly there are some brilliant guitar factories around the world, some of which are manufacturing wonderful guitars. 

Most well known acoustic guitar brands have factories outside of the United States that build guitars for those wanting to purchase an instrument at a lower price point. For example some Taylor guitars are built in Mexico. Gibson builds Epiphone guitars using different Asia-Pacific factories. Though Guild is proclaiming they are once again building USA made guitars, the Guild trademark is owned by The Yamaha Musical Instrument company after they bought out The Cordoba Guitar Company.

For those of us that grew up in the 20th Century, we need to realize we are now existing in a world economy. The C.F. Martin Company has an obligation to be profitable. It's Mexican factory has added to the company's goal of offering guitars for every player's budget.

000-15M

It now seems that the current “budget” brand of Nazareth Pennsylvania made Martins are the all- mahogany 00-15, 000-15, and D-15 guitars, and they are indeed nice instruments. They are well constructed, nearly handmade by Martin craftsmen, however at $1800 each they are quite expensive. A plush gig bag is included in the price.

Martin Standard Series

Martin Standard Series guitars now retail from $2400 to $10,000. 

Museum Inspired Martins

From there the prices go from $3500 to over $10,000 for their “museum inspired” guitars, such as the custom shop 2-17 all mahogany acoustic, to the D-111 which sells for $10,129, or the Custom Shop D-41 for $8700, and the D-45 1934 Project 91-2 which retails at $150,000. 

'63 O-16NY $3500

As much as I love good tone, and even if I was a working musician, I would be concerned traveling with such expensive instruments. Though it drove me crazy, I should of hung on to my Martin 0-16NY. On the used market they are listed from $2500 to $6000. 

When I look on the Facebook "Martin Guitar Owners" page, I was surprised to find so many complaints about their guitars. Most of them had to do with the binding coming loose, or a crack in the finish. That seems shameful for such fine instruments. There may be other contributing factors, such as humidity, poor handling, or damage in shipping.

To be fair, most of the group's comments are glowing reviews about Martin guitars. 

Martin Neck Rods

One of the problems with older Martin guitars was the lack of an adjustable truss rod. From 1934 to 1967 Martin guitars had a non-adjustable T-Rod in the neck. This changed in 1967 to a non adjustable 3/8" square hollow tube. 

It was not until 1985 that Martin began using an adjustable truss rod.

When I was a young man many of my guitar playing friends owned a Martin guitar. As of now, most of those men, and ladies have sold or traded their Martin instruments. Some of those folks needed cash, while others just wanted a different guitar. 

Jennie Daniels Pitney
with her Taylor Guitar

Some friends went on to purchase Taylor guitars, while others now own Ovation, Yamaha instruments, and other brands. My friend Jennie once owned a Martin D-35. She now owns a beautiful Taylor guitar.

Seagull Grand 

I acquired a Seagull Grand parlor guitar 12 years ago in a trade. Seagull, and other Godin guitars are built in La Patrie, Canada. It has a solid cedar top, and 3 ply cherry laminated back and side that are sourced from local lumber.

Nashville A Team Guitarist
Jimmy Capps with his
Blueridge Guitar

Many stage performers seem to prefer Takamine guitars. I have even noticed some Bluegrass players using Blueridge guitars, which are imported from China by Saga Music Company. 

But C.F. Martin was the originator, beginning at his New York City shop in 1833 after ending his apprenticeship under Vienna luthier Johann Stauffer and relocating to the United States.

Martin popularized the "X" bracing on the guitars he created. At his wife's insistence he moved his business to Nazareth, Pennsylvania, where it remains. 

Chris Martin IV

Christopher Martin IV reluctantly joined the company in the early 1970's, learning the ropes by working with the builders, becoming a salesman, and then stepping in as Martin's CEO. He brought about some excellent changes to Martin Guitars.  He lead the charge regarding sustainable wood.

During his tenure he lifted the company from selling as few as 3,000 guitars a year, in the early 1970's up to 130,000 to 140,000 guitars annually according to the company's most recent report. I recall reading an interview in which he said that some of the Martin guitars created in the early 1970's were not up to snuff. Based on my experience with my 0-16 New Yorker, that stuck with me.

Chris Martin retired as CEO in 2020 at age 70, but remains as Executive CEO on Martin's board of directors, keeping the Martin legacy alive.

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Some of these videos are long, but worth watching to understand Martin's current strategy

Golden Age Guitar Player Magazine - February 2026

Geezer Butler is a Geezer. 

by Di Arrehea Pantz

Ever since he was a young boy, Michael Joseph Butler was called “Geezer”. This apparently was a 1960's Cockney expression equivalent to “hello mate”, or in the USA, “Dude”. 

Geezer Butler 1970's

Michael, uh Geezer was by all accounts a bright lad and did well in school, despite his family’s poverty. In 1963 he had seen The Beatles on the TV, and once waited outside a London television studio, where the group was filming, just to get a glimpse of the Boys. It was there that he met, and struck up a friendship with another Beatle fan named John Ozzy Osbourne. 

It would be another five years, but in 1967 the two would form a band called The Rare Breed. Butler chose to play rhythm guitar. Eventually they met Tommy Iommi, who joined the band, which by 1969 changed it's name to" Earth." 

Because there was a rival band with the same name, and Butler was a fan of old horror movies, the band’s name was changed to Black Sabbath. Iommi wanted to be the only guitarist in the group, so Geezer Butler, at 20 years of age, became the group’s bass guitarist. 

Through the group’s ups and down Geezer remained with Black Sabbath. Geezer Butler played in other band’s as well, including his own band “GZR”, and a group called Heaven and Hell.

Geezer Butler 2025

Quite notably, Geezer Butler was possibly the first bass player to use a Wah-Wah pedal. He also tuned his instrument down to C#-F#-B-E, which is , by all accounts, a very strange tuning. 

Having a career that has lasted nearly six decades, Geezer Butler has successfully bridged the “Duffer” years. And though he is not yet in his eighth decade, Geezer Butler has achieved the venerated title of "Geezer" that all old guys cherish. Congratulations!  

Angus Young is No Longer Young

by Jock McTassie

Angus Young was born in Australia in 1955. In the mid 1950’s his father relocated to Glasgow, Scotland. 

Angus Young

Angus, his mother, and six siblings resided there for seven years. But due to the harsh winters of 1962 and ’63 most of the family said the heck with this, and returned to Sydney Australia. 

Music was a big part of the Young family life with most of the family members playing a musical instrument. Angus Young took up the guitar at age six. He first learned chords on a banjo that he had strung with six strings. He was entirely self-taught. He had been enrolled at Ashfield Boys High School, but dropped out at age 15 to pursue work and earn a living.

Young's very first guitar was a cheap acoustic model purchased second-hand by his mother. After high school, Young bought his first Gibson SG second-hand in 1970 from a music shop just down the street from his home on a payment plan. He stated that “I got out and got a Gibson SG that I played until it got wood rot because so much sweat and water got into it. The whole neck was warped. I bought it second-hand; it was about 1967.”  After that he purchased a different Gibson SG.

Angus’ brothers, George and Malcolm eventually were founding members of the Easybeats, which had a hit record called Friday on My Mind. 

AC/DC

Then in 1973, at age 18, Angus and his brother Malcolm started the group, AC/DC. The group's name came from his sister Margaret who had seen “ac/dc” written on the back of her sewing machine. Margaret was also instrumental in the group by creating Angus' first stage clothing. Unfortunately, the outfits fell apart. 

So at the first concert Angus Young, who is a slight man, wore his Ashfield Boys High School uniform, complete with cap and short pants. This costume, the Gibson SG, and his unique version of Chuck Berry’s duckwalk have become his trademark through the history of AC/DC. 

The group’s original vocalist, Bon Scott, passed away at age 33 from alcohol poisoning. Malcolm Young, the band's rhythm guitarist, became ill in 2014 and passed away. 

Angus Young at 70

Currently, at age 70,  Angus is still the front man of the band, and continues performing. He can still  play those hot licks, and still struts his stuff. But in my opinion, it is sort of sad to see this little old, and nearly bald man, decked out in  schoolboy attire, dancing across the stage with those boney white legs.  Aye Angus , ye are no longer a wee laddie. 

Keef’s Arthritis Tips 

By Polly Esther Fabrique 

I first saw The Rolling Stones on the Ed Sullivan Show in October of 1964. I was smitten by the “guitar bug” earlier that year when the Beatle made their US debut on that show. 

I was only 13 at the time but convinced my folks to purchase a Silvertone guitar and amplifier. Although I was a girl, and I wanted so badly to be in a rock band. 

The Rolling Stones 10/26/1964

At the time The Rolling Stones had two guitar players. One was Brian Jones, and the other was Keith Richards. Keith didn't look to be much older than me. He seemed to be more into playing guitar than the moody Jones. 

Though The Stones had recorded a few albums, the band’s first big hit was I Can’t Get No Satisfaction (because of the double negative, does that mean they can get satisfaction?) That song had such an awesome guitar riff,” Duh-duh - duh duh duh - duh duh duh”, you know the one. 

Keith was the guy that played it on his guitar. At the time I was puzzled how he achieved that incredible sound. I later learned he was using a Maestro Fuzztone. I bought one in the late 1960's for my Silvertone Twin Twelve amp. I never quite got that sound, but it was very close.

After Brian Jones left The Rolling Stones their songs got edgier and I really liked that. 

Keith's Hands

Now at age 82, Keith Richards is still playing guitar, but he has terrible arthritis and swollen joints in his fingers. Richards says that the pain is minimal, and the arthritis is benign, but mercy, his hands look really terrible. 

Through the years, Keith says he has modified his guitar playing to accommodate this disease. He has done so by playing songs using “open chords”, using lighter gauge strings, and modifying his guitars to use only five strings. 

The Boss on His Role As A Preacher

By Al O'Vera

I first heard of Bruce Springsteen around 1974 when I heard his album, “The Wild, The Innocent, and the E-Street Shuffle.” There were some pretty good songs on that album. 

The following year he gave us the iconic “Born to Run” album. His songs were about fears of growing old, and rebellious youth and they reflected the times we were living in back then. 

Bruce Springsteen

By 1982 Springsteen and the E-Street Band recorded “Born In The USA”. This was a great song about a disillusioned Vietnam veteran, the struggles that working class Americans experience, and putting the blame on the politicians in power for the country’s problems. This was Springsteen’s first dip into politics and the beginning of expressing his political point of view through music.  I can certainly relate to the struggles our nation experienced during and following the Vietnam War.

In the late 1980’s Bruce dissolved the E-Street Band. He then became involved with worldwide political causes. Springsteen went on to do perform many acoustic concerts around this same time, in which he sang songs, and spoke of issues he felt were important. However sometimes the crowd was just there to hear Springsteen’s music. I recall a 1981 concert in my fair city where he was criticized for promoting and charging patrons for a concert, but then spending most of the concert pontificating.   

By 2016 Bruce had become totally immersed in preaching to audiences, tossing in a little music. 

Streets of Philadelphia

Back in 1994 Bruce wrote a song called Streets of Philadelphia which depicted the plight of AIDS. 

Now in 2026 “The Boss” recorded "Streets of Minneapolis" which was his protest of the Immigration, and Customs Enforcement arm of the federal government. Bruce wrote the song on Saturday, Jan 24; recorded it on Monday, Jan 26; released Tuesday, Jan 27, 2026. It was a rush job, and it certainly sounded like it.

Bruce Springsteen has a right to air his views. The Vietnam War was terrible. I felt it was run by the Defense Industry. However what is going on in Minnesota is much different. Protesting is one thing. Openly attacking law enforcement...Nah. There has to be a better way. 

Streets of Minneapolis

As for my opinion of Bruce's new song. well I gave it a listen. I really tried to like it. The man is entitled to his opinion.  However old Bruce's voice sounds like a poor imitation of Bob Dylan with a very bad head cold, attempting to unsuccessfully navigate to hit the proper musical notes. Musical notes that it seems he could not find with a flashlight and a search warrant.

Bruce, you and I are no longer young guys. Be happy you achieved a lot of influence, fame and wealth.  But at 76 maybe it is time to retire and let the young guys have their turn. Just sayin'.

One Pill Makes You Larger, And One Pill Makes You Small

By Willie Maekit

Illicit Drugs

Although I never got in to popping pills, when I was 18 I had a bunch of friends that seemed to thrive on taking sopers, yellow jackets, black bettys, and poppers. At the time I didn't quite understand the purpose of those pills. I doubt if my young chemically enhanced friends did either.

2026 Drugs

Jump forward 65 years, and now myself, my friends, and relatives rely more on drugs than we ever did back in the days when we were young. But now they have names like Metoprolol, Atorvastatin, Cardura, Torosemide, Eliquis, and Losartin. As Doctor Seuss once said, "Getting old is not for sissies." 

My fellow old druggies, keep poppin' to survive!

Can You Afford A New Fender American Made Instrument?

by Pollo Cacciatore

Fender American Instruments

The short answer is no. The longer answer is, if you have $2500 to blow on a new instrument it better be a write off for your business. There are certainly wiser options. 

You can purchase a similar new instrument at a much lower price. Hey, I know you want to "buy American", support your country, I dig it. 

Fender Fullerton Factory

If you look back to the 1950's all of those Fender guitars and basses that are now vintage were made by Hispanic men and women in Fullerton, California that worked at the Fullerton factory. Perhaps that is one reason that Fender Musical Instrument Corporation built a plant in Ensenada, Baja California, Mexico.  

FMIC also has plants in Japan, and Indonesia, and of course Corona, California. Lately tariffs are hurting the company. Last May, Moody's downgraded the company's loan. Though Fender wanted to go public back in 2012, they withdrew their IPO and are still a privately held company. 

Fender American Guitars

$2500 is a lot of money for a luxury purchase, plus the amplifier you use will effect the sound. My advice is, try before you buy. Don't waste your money.

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The Reverend Springsteen doing some preaching,

Tickets to the event - $200 each! No thank you.

Kustom Amplifier - Bud Ross - Complete History

 

Late 1960's Kustom Amps

There are some men that just seem to be born to become entrepreneurs. I don’t know how they obtained their skills and knowledge, but they put it to use and succeed. 

Leo Fender learned how to repair and build radios.  

He later built musical instrument amplifiers, and then electric guitars and created not one, but two successful businesses. 

Charles Bud Ross

Another man, Charles “Bud” Ross built amplifiers and public address systems and created an iconic guitar amplifier company that he eventually gambled away. He then went on to create a satellite manufacturing business, another amplifier company, and guitar pedals, handheld radar units used by police departments, and corner rounding equipment used by print companies. In his spare time, he built boats.

 

Bud Ross was a man, born in West Virginia as the son of a coal miner, that never graduated from high school, who went on to run several million dollar companies. He taught himself and applied his knowledge to the businesses that he created.

I am going to concentrate on the unique amplifiers that became so popular in the 1960’s. Many of these amplifiers were so well constructed that they are still functioning today. 

Bud Ross' music career began at age 18, after meeting Hal Nichols in the Soda Shop in Overland Park, Kansas. Nichols had a four-piece band and Ross became the band's manager. Ross landed the Hal Nichols Band a regular Friday and Saturday night gig at a club called Berry's Barn. It was one of the Kansas City area's earliest rock 'n' roll venues. The club paid the band $50. $10 for each band member and $10 for Ross. 

18 year old Bud Ross

Since this seemed to be a steady gig for the Nichol’s band, they decided to get rid of Ross. Bud Ross wasn’t having this and he convinced the owner of Berry's Barn to hire a new band. This band was called "The Rebel Rousers," and Ross was the lead singer. 

The Sliders - Ross on Bass

Ross later joined a band called "The Sliders" and taught himself to play bass. To save money he built his own amp. This was in 1959 and the first one he ever made. in 1959. In 1960, 

Ross then opened The Promenade Ballroom in Kansas City with John "The Barber" Roeder. By then Ross had formed a new band that he called "The Bygones" that played throughout the area, including at The Promenade Ballroom, The Coke Bar in Grandview, Berry's Barn and The Soc Hop in Overland Park. 

Tuck and Roll Upholstery

At The Soc Hop one night, Ross met Dave Gates, who had experience doing custom auto upholstery work. Gates asked if he could "tuck and roll" Ross' homemade amplifier. This was an upholstering technique using Naugahyde that was popular for hot rod seats at the time. The eye-catching look soon became Ross' unofficial trademark. 

Ross became tired of tube amplifiers breaking down all the time and taught himself about electronics. He moved toward transistors and solid-state technology, and away from the temperamental tube technology in standard use at the time. 

The amp he built was incredibly sturdy, with a big, clean, loud sound. It quickly attracted attention from musicians of the era, and Ross started building amps out of his garage. 

1965 Kustom K50

By 1964, Ross had enough business to form Kustom Electronics in Chanute, Kansas and make amplifiers on a full-time basis. 

JW Jenkins' Sons Music

Jenkins Music was the big chain in the area, and they had about 15 stores, with maybe four or five in Kansas City, and locations in Topeka, Oklahoma City and Tulsa," "J.W. Jenkins was the president and they carried my amplifier. 

"He took most of the volume. He was very good to me. When an amp breaks down, they would call him and I’d go get it, then fix it up." 

The First Kustom Factory

In 1964, Kustom had built a reputation. Bud Ross acquired a facility that was formerly a supermarket in Chanute Kansas. He set up shop there and hired local people and taught them. Ross and his family lived in an apartment on the upper floor of the building.

New Kustom Factory

By 1966 the business had grown and surpassed expectations. Kustom moved to a new 54,000 square foot building. 

Second Kustom Factory

Within a year the business was doing so well that Bud opened a second manufacturing facility by purchasing a nearby building that once housed an automobile dealership.

Kustom K250 & K100

This all occurred during an era when a more processed guitar sound was coming into fashion, with distortion and other effects, and Kustom amps were a perfect fit. Big amplifiers were in vogue.

1968 Fender Solid-State Amps 

Around this same time Fender attempted to create and sell solid-state amplifiers, which was a dismal failure for this major company. Standel Amplifiers tried the same and most of their solid-state amplifiers were returned due to mechanical problems. 

In 2026 there are many Kustom amplifiers built in the mid 1960’s that are still in working order with little or no maintenance. 

Vox Super Beatle

During the British Invasion the Vox company was very popular with all the British bands. But Vox could not keep up with the demand and became cash strapped. They signed an agreement with the Thomas Organ Company to build solid-state amplifiers, under the Vox brand, for distribution in the United States. Perhaps the US made Vox amps were the closest to Kustom at the time. 

Kustom Organ & Guitars

Bud Ross eventually branched into making organs, drums, microphones, guitars and other items, but he got too thin and ended up going bankrupt. He was forced to sell Kustom in June 1972 to Baldwin Pianos. 

Unfortunately, Charles Bud Ross, the founder, was a passionate gambler and in 1973 lost the company in a poker game! The company was renamed Kustom Electronics, Inc., and continued to operate, although it went through many changes in ownership. 

Kustom 400 PA

Artists such as the CARPENTERS, JACKSON 5, LEON RUSSELL, CARL PERKINS, JOHNNY CASH, and others relied on them. The Creedence Clearwater Revival used the custom-made Kustom 400 PA System, which provided excellent sound for their concerts from 1969 to 1972 but was financially impractical to transport. 

Kasino Club 2-12

It was in 1972 Bud Ross launched a parallel amplifier company that he called Kasino. By doing this he could avoid dealer licensing conflicts, allowing another store in town to sell the same gear under a different name. 

Much like Kustom, these amplifiers are known for a warm, thick, solid-state sound, often considered great for clean tones. 

They featured conventional Tolex coverings rather than the flashy Kustom "Tuck-and-Roll" style. 

Kasino Amplifiers and sound equipment was made from 1972 to 1975. This bridged the sale of the company to Baldwin Pianos. The internal components of Kasino amplifiers are very similar to those of Kustom amplifiers. 

Kustom Guitars

During the time Bud Ross owned Kustom he produced a line of guitars from 1967¬ to 1969 designed by Doyle Reading, who also designed guitars for Wurlitzer. These were made by the Holman-Woodell Company of Neodesha, Kansas. 

After the sale of Kustom Electronics to the Baldwin Piano Company, Baldwin went on to build their own amplifiers using some of the technology from Kustom amps, but added a few touches inspired by their organs. 

Baldwin Exterminator

Perhaps the most notable amplifier was the huge Baldwin E-1 Exterminator, which pumped 250 watts into two 8", two 12" and two 15" speakers. It weighed a ton!

Baldwin C-1 Professional

Willie Nelson has used his Baldwin C1 amplifier for years. This was a 45 watt amp with twin twelve inch speakers and an interesting “Supersound” tone circuit controlled by the colorful push buttons on the right-hand side of the control panel. 

The Supersound was basically pre-set EQ settings for Treble, Mid 1, Mid 2, Bass, and a mix. A three-way toggle switch allowed the user to switch between normal operation, Supersound operation, and dual operation. 

1966 Kustom K200

Getting back to the original Kustom Tuck and Roll amplifiers, the first one offered from 1965 through 1967 was the K200. 

1968 Kustom K Series Amps

From 1967 to 1971 the K200A and the K200B (bass) and the K100 were offered.  I once owned a Kustom K100.

1971 Kustom Amps

From 1971 through 1974 the front panel was slightly slanted. These models included 150, 250, 300, 500, 600 which replaced the previous series. 4x12 and other speaker configurations became standard. 

The Naugahyde coverings included sparkle finishes, Cascade (teal), black, charcoal, red, blue, and silver. All Kustom amplifiers used high-quality speakers like CTS, Altec Lansing, or JBL. The amplifier chassis was made of steel. The speaker cabinets were made of wood. All were covered with a layer of foam padding that was topped with the tuck and roll Naugahyde covering.  The effects that were built into the amplifiers included tremolo, and a pan reverb.

Baldwin Guitars

By 1972 the profits for Kustom Electronics had dwindled to only $37,700. Feeling burnt out from multiple commercial failures, Bud sold Kustom Music to Baldwin Pianos the same year for $3 million. Baldwin had purchased the Burns Of UK guitar company and needed a companion amplifier. Baldwin's venture into the guitar industry was too little, too late, and short lived.  

By 1977, Bud launched yet another company: ROSS Musical Products. In doing so, he introduced the world to a new line of simple and exceptional-sounding guitar pedals. 

Current Ross Effects Pedals

Although a popular guitar pedal company, JHS, began selling Ross guitar effect pedals in 2023, they dropped the brand in 2024. Ross Audibles is now being run by Bud Ross' grandson, Cameron Ross. In my opinion the Ross Compressor pedal is by far the best. The circuitry of all five Ross guitar effect pedals are based on the Kustom amplifier designs.

Davitt and Hanser

In 1924 a musical instrument and supply manufacture known as Davitt and Hanser started up in the musical instrument business in Cincinnati, Ohio. 

They eventually moved to a warehouse in the Delhi Township, a suburb in the western section of Cincinnati. By the late 1980’s they had purchased the Kustom name and began importing solid state amplifiers for sale using the Kustom name. 

1980 Kustom Amp

Though the amplifiers bore a logo-badge that said "Kustom", these amps looked nothing like the ones Bud Ross made. However here was some interest in their products. 

Kustom '72 Coupe

In 2005 Davitt and Hanser got serious about Kustom amps and started experimenting with different models. Davitt and Hanser also came out with a large model tuck and roll model tube amp and P.A System. The amplifier looked and sounded great, but were not successful, perhaps because these were manufactured in China at a time that Chinese products were deemed inferior. 

Kustom '66 Dart - 10 watts

But within just a few years, most major musical instrument manufacturers began building Chinese manufactured products with their logo. 

Kustom '36 Coupe

In my opinion Kustom put this product out a few years too early. Hanser eventually offered a tube amplifier with a tuck and roll design on top that was a great amp. 

Current Kustom Amplifiers

Currently the company is known as The Hanser Music Group, and is still located in Cincinnati, Ohio. They still sell Kustom amplifiers, though they are quite different from the original designs. 

Kustom Sienna 30

Their products have evolved over the years, but I can attest they are dependable. I purchased a Kustom Acoustic amplifier twenty years ago and it is still in great working order.

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