I was one of the guys who started Sunn Amplifiers back in the mid-sixties.  Sunn is now recognized as one of the historical leaders in reliable quality tube guitar and bass amplifiers.  I also co-founded Biamp Systems best know for their mixing consoles, graphic equalizers and electronic cross-overs.  More recently I’ve been involved in building quality hand-wired guitar amplifiers and bass tube pre-amps. 

I love building guitar and bass amps.  There is nothing I would rather do.  It is my passion.  I’m in love with the vacuum tube.  There is something about the tone of tube amps that gets into your head, heart and blood and it just won’t let go of you.  That’s me. 

In high school I was building Hi-Fi equipment with JBL speakers and tube pre-amps and amplifiers.  I remember one very complex rear-loaded folded horn that incorporated a single JBL D130F speaker.  This later became the inspiration for the very popular Sunn 200S and  2000S bass amps that changed the history of bass amplification.  I “received” that design in the twilight of my sleep.  I got up the next morning, built the cabinet, loaded it with 2-15” JBL speakers and WOW!  This is the cabinet my brother Norm used when traveling the country playing bass for the Kingsmen of “Louie, Louie” fame.  Sunn Amps were used by many big-name groups during the late 60’s including  Jimmi Hendrix, The Beach Boys, Buffalo Springfield and The Who.

Recently, I remembered hearing a guitar player by the name of Joe “Jo Jo” Johansen from Seattle back in 1966.  He was playing his hollow body Gibson through a 1959 Fender Bassman 4x10” with Jensen speakers.  I can still remember that tone.  I’ll never be able to forget it.  What a great player, what a great sound.  That memory lead to me building a custom replica of that amp for my brother.  Strange how history repeats itself!

I’ve learned so much  about tone and tubes since the 60s.  If I knew then what I know now, Sunn would have been know for its guitar amps equally as well as it was known for its great bass amplifiers.

So that leads me to where I am today, semi-retired and doing again what I love best.  Conrad Engineering is just me applying my craft to every unit that is produced.  I dream up a better way to design an amp and then I build it.  Being free from the mass-production business model that rules the marketplace today frees me up to do just one thing...develop serious amps with serious tone!  All of the amps are hand wired by me with point to point or eyelet board construction, just like the good old days.  However, there have been advances in the technology of available passive components including wire and solder and I take full advantage of those advancements.         (see technology page)

I have discovered a unique combination for blending old and new technologies that brings out the best out of a tube. It is so awesome to be able to hear what a tube is really capable of.  I’ve been experimenting with this same application of new technology in the recording studio, with outstanding results.  I am now able to apply what I’ve learned to the CONRAD Guitar and Bass amps with great tone.   Today’s technology combined with vintage  and modern circuits has the potential for producing hand-wired amps that are superior even to the great vintage amps of yesteryear.

I invite you to join me in the search for the ultimate tone. 

(see testimonials)

 

                         Conrad Sundholm

Name: Kevin Smith

Age: 20

Birthday: March 27th

College: State University

Major: Marine Biology

Favorite Color: Orange

Favorite Book: Surf USA

Favorite Movie: Big Tuesday

Favorite Food: Pizza

Favorite Quote: Lorem ipsum consectetuer adipiscing elit. Curabitur vel eros.

My photo albums

Yosemite

July 2006

Reunion

May 2006

Whistler

March 2006

My favorite songs

Hello, Beautiful

One of These Days

One Funky Cat

My favorite links

1. •www.loremtincidunt.com
   

2. •www.rasnliber.com
   

3. •www.roinmetusurnaporta.com