ToneTron Amplifiers

07/16/2025

From El Diablo Amps post:
Rich Hinman Vs Adam Levy - It was such a pleasure to catch these gentlemen at the show last night 😃🙌🏼
It was even sweeter to know that the amps they used were designed, built and handwired right here in Minneapolis! Adam played through a ToneTron Billy Rocker 10 (15W, 6V6, Reverb, 10” Weber FerroMax) and Rich played through a ToneTron Hall Rocker 35 (35W, 7521 power tubes, 3 Band Eq). The band sounded great (shout out to and )! If you’re in the Eau Claire area, you can catch them tonight

09/22/2024

The Hall Rocker 35: 35 watts from a pair of 7591 output tubes, cathodyne phase inverter, three-stage preamp, 12" Weber Chicago speaker; three-band EQ. The usual Hall Rocker model comes in 20-watt or 50-watt versions. I figured there should be something in between. I'm selling these through El Diablo Amps & Guitars. $1,699. You can also order direct from me (about 6-week lead time).

07/20/2024

Occasionally I get a request for ToneTronAmps' version of a Matchless DC30. This time the guitarist wanted it to be compact with a matching Billy Rocker style speaker cabinet (one 12" speaker rather than the usual 2x12). I decided to house the head in a metal cage. I've been using these more frequently lately and really like the look. Instead of the usual Celestion speakers found in the DC30, I used a Weber Gray Wolf.

06/14/2024

As some of you know, a few months ago I opened up a second shop, one for repairs only because I need to keep amp repairs separate from amp manufacturing. My home shop is now for building amps. My new repair shop is located inside of El Diablo Amps & Guitars at 2521 27th Ave S. in Minneapolis. I'm there mainly during midweek but you can drop off and pickup your amps Monday through Saturday. And while you're there check out the great guitars, pedals, and amps (including ToneTron Amps) in the store.

08/21/2022

The last Hall Rocker just sold but I'm building more to be available soon. 20-watts, 12" combo, 6V6 fixed-bias, 3-band EQ, reverb. Each has a different grill cloth and a few other details.

10/23/2021

Here's one I just built for a local jazz master. Gretsch-style cabinet: 15 watts from 6V6 fixed bias, 10" Weber speaker, bias-modulating tremolo, reverb to the max, and lots of headroom but will also overdrive with warm harmonics. Excellent for jazz, country, and surf.

06/20/2021

I'm building new cabinet versions of the Full-Five. The Full-Five is a 5-watt amp using dual ECC99 tubes for a quad of triodes in push-pull configuration. For details visit eldiabloamps.com or tonetronamps.com

04/14/2020

ToneTron Amplifiers Custom 100: this handwired clone of a four input 1972 HiWatt Custom 100 DR103 was built to order for a good client of ours, who asked Jeff Falla to take his time and spare no expense. Jeff took this project to heart, carefully sourcing the very best components (including the custom-wound Partridge-spec Heyboer transformers), and meticulously recreating the military-spec wiring of a David Reeves/Harry Joyce era HiWatt. Three months later, here is the result! Of course, we HAD to plug it in before it went home to its new owner..! 😄 Given modern P.A. systems, it’s a rare experience these days to play a 100W head at performance volumes, but if you get a chance, do it!! My ears are still ringing...but what a glorious sound!! Lush, full-bodied, powerful cleans rang out like church bells and pushed against my lungs. It’s no wonder players like David Gilmour gravitated to the Custom 100!

03/23/2020

The SE-Five is a 5-watt amp with a big sound. You can switch between a 6V6 or an EL84 output and get the best of both sonic worlds. It has decent headroom considering it's size and very versatile tone range. The 10-inch Weber Ferromax speaker holds together beautifully to allow for all the glorious even-order harmonics this amp puts out. And point-to-point construction. I'll be bringing one to El Diablo Amps in the coming weeks, but you can contact me anytime if you're interested in owing one of these machines.

03/21/2020

A pair of Billy Rocker II amps, one in classic tweed, the other with "El Diablo" cabinet (so-named because Billy Rockers with that cab are sold through El Diablo Amps in NE Mpls.). These are 40-watt combos, powered by a pair of 5881 output tubes. You can order these directly from me or through El Diablo where I try to keep one or two in stock.

03/21/2020

I thought I'd post some photos some of the amps I've built in the past couple of months, starting with this one: a variation of a Matchless DC30 (at about half the price). This one switches between the two channels with a footswitch or panel switch. It's 30 watts and 15 watts as determined by High/Low power switch on back of chassis (EL84 powered). As shown, this is a true point-to-point construction.
If you have any amp ideas you'd like to run past me for a possible build, feel free to email or call. As always, you'll get the amp you want at a very fair price.

02/06/2020

http://www.eldiabloamps.com/tonetron-amps-billy-rocker-10/

Minneapolis based boutique amp retailer & guitar repair shop