The challenge : Try to find the lost headphone amps!
Sore-throat guitar amplifiers were built and sold from late 1987, to 1996, and in smaller numbers from 1999 to the present. Each amp has its own unique serial number, so when we find one we can look up some background info on it.Sometimes we've got the original owner's name , but many have been sold to people who wish to remain anonymous.Although the bulk of the first 100 amps were sold in the Salem /Keizer area, many were mailed overseas to Germany, Europe, and Canada.The style of amps changed often, and were converted to a two-box unit by the time sales were happening at Portland Saturday Market.Believe it or not, the Portland market is the last stop many tourists make ,before hopping on the plane back to whatever country they're from.So off fly the little amps to who knows where!

The other customers at the market were the local musicians , both amateurs and pro.The pro's seemed to hang on to the little amps , using them to sound-check guitars and pre-amp the PA's.But the locals would trade them to their friends, sell em on the street or at the local pawn shop.
So now you know why we are so curious to find out WHAT HAPPENED to all the Sore-Throat Guitar Amplifiers. Can you help us find the LOST headphone amps ? All we want is the serial number and the general location, so we can fill in the blanks on what sketchy records we do have. We also buy-back any and all S.T.G.A.'s that are for sale for a small amount, even broken units.

 As we locate the units with interesting stories and backgrounds, I will share the info and the history.

What’s it all about? The Sore-Throat Guitar Amp is like an open source machine-it is meant to be repaired and modified by any user that has the knowledge and ability. All components are standard, heavy duty quality, and can easily be replaced. The integrated circuit amp is in a socket, and can be replaced by over three different numbers and many manufacturers.
In some models, surplus and outdated parts are used to keep the costs low, so layouts and styles vary by part availability. The smallest possible circuit board is used with only resistors and power components that won’t normally need to be replaced.
I build headphone amps all year, now that I set up a new work shop in 2011. These little amps have been shipped all over the USA and Europe and Japan.
It all started in 1988. So its been 25 years of distortion, dead batteries, and earwax.
The best placed to look at whats currently available is www.etsy.com/sorethroatguitaramps .
The next blog post will have the most up to date listing of serial numbers, and bunch more photos.
Input-Gain-Volume, "its a blast".