It's all about Tone and Sensitivity
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  • The 185

    Elektra Amps The 185

    Golden icon brought into the present

    Elektra Amplifiers Europe brings back the sounds of old with 'The 185' family of guitar amplifiers.  

    Each model shares essential DNA with the pre-war Gibson EH185. Elektra Amplifiers transports the original circuit into the present, offering a range of iconic tones spanning 30s Big Band Jazz, 50s Rockabillly, 60s Rock & Roll, Blues Roots, steaming Rock & Roll and contemporary Rock music. All with modern day reliability and ease-of-use.
     
    The two-channel 16W design feels at home in Recording / Home Studio environments, as well as small- to medium-sized live Clubs. 

    Obsessed with detail

    Shellac lacquered tweed, hand-stitched leather corners and handles, vintage correct rosette speaker screws, a silk-screened logo on the grille, an etched brass control face plate and ivory colored chicken head knobs. Just to name a few.
     
    And most importantly, the Tone!
    Power transformer, choke and output transformer are custom wound for every amplifier. Tubes and electronic components are handpicked and matched to achieve the best possible consistency with only the best sounding materials.
     
    Where required, Elektra updated the original circuit to improve safety and reliability, while preserving the essence of the EH185's tone.
     
  • The models

    Elektra Amps The 185 - 12" Combo

    12" Combo

    Punchy, direct and focussed
    EU €2695,- incl. 21% VAT
    non-EU €2227,-
    Elektra Amps The 185 - 15" Combo

    15" Combo

    Big warm tone with rich dynamics
    EU €2750,- incl. VAT
    non-EU €2273,-
    Elektra Amps The 185 - Head & Cabinet

    Head & Cabinet

    Glorious stage projection
    - inquire for price -

  • Dave Gonzalez introduces Elektra Amps

    Dave Gonzalez of The Paladins explains what it is like to play the Elektra amp.
    His personal favourite is the 15" Combo - the model that it all started with.
     
    More videos of Dave Gonzalez and the Paladins can be found on the artists page, where you'll also find their new album that was recorded fully with the Elektra Amplifiers The 185 15" Combo.
  • Artists playing Elektra Amplifiers

    Artists

    Visit our artists page for tonnes of videos of live performances and links to albums recorded with Elektra Amplifiers.
     
    We could tell you how great we think our amps are, but hearing the amplifier in the hands of good players in live and recorded settings tells the story all on its own!
     
    Be sure also to check out Walter Broes' comments on his first real live encounter with the Elektra Amplifiers 15" Combo.
     
    (page may load slowly)
  • Reviews

    Elektra 'The 185' nominated for Gear of the Year 2016

    Guitar and Bass magazine nominated the Elektra 'The 185' 12" combo for 'Gear of the Year 2016' in the category Amplifiers above £1000. While Tone King amplifiers took the crown, we couldn't help but be proud as a monkey with seven tails amidst the other nominees!
    Huw Price of Guitar and Bass magazine added his personal note to the nomination:

     

    “Resurrecting a pre-WWII amplifier may seem inauspicious, but the Elektra 185 is a painstakingly accurate recreation of the Gibson EH-185. Cathode-biased ‘coke bottle’ 6L6s combine with three 6SQ7 octal preamp valves to send 14W through a Celestion Gold speaker. From old-school jazz tone to Neil Young meltdown, this is an outstanding amp built by a true enthusiast.”

     

    Huge thank-you Huw!



    Guitar & Bass Magazine 12" Combo review

     
    Guitar & Bass Magazine review
    9/10 Award!

     
    Guitar & Bass magazine UK reviewed the 12" Combo in their March 2016 issue.
    Read the full article online here, laden with beautiful photography and raving enthusiasm.

  • Elektra Amps on national TV

    On may 14th 2017, VPRO Vrije Geluiden aired the interview with Dave Gonzalez and two new songs of the Paladins on Dutch national TV.
     

  • Chasing Charlie's Tone with Ray and Michiel

    In this vid we explore, together with Ray Nijenhuis, how close the Elektra 185 gets to the original tone of a vintage EH150 & ES150 setup, when combined with a Slaman DS-250 guitar. In the video Ray concludes that the original tone is there completely and that the Elektra Amp has a lot more tunable range than the originals.
    This video was originally a Facebook live event, so it's long - we didn't leave out any details!

    Ray Nijenhuis is an expert on Charlie Christian's style and tone. 
    Also, he recently published a course on Western Swing guitar on Truefire.

  • Slaman Guitars interviews Elektra Amplifiers

    Since we both build instruments from the same era, it seemed like a good idea to get together with Daniel Slaman of Slaman Guitars. What followed was an inspiring meeting that lead to this spontaneous interview, where Mr. Slaman interviews Michiel Helsloot of Elektra Amplifiers Europe.
     
    The voices got very noisy after they got boosted to audible levels. The amplifier tone is unprocessed, exactly as it was recorded during the session.
  • The Team

    Michiel Helsloot

    Michiel Helsloot

    The Netherlands 
    - Initiative, Elektronics, R&D, Organization, Contacts
    Michael Böhme

    Michael Böhme

    Germany
    - Initiative & Cabinet builder
    Geoff Vane

    Geoff Vane

    The Netherlands
    - Graphic tweaks, Project consultancy
    Jayce Mumford

    Jayce Mumford

    Australia
    - Faceplate graphics

    Adrian McKenna

    England
    - Copy consultant, waffle maker
  • Media


    Elektra on Facebook

    Follow us on facebook for the latest updates and events!
    Elektra Amps on Youtube

    Elektra on Youtube

    Tons of live videos and demos

    Elektra on Instagram

    Only tasty photos here!
  • Where to Try & Buy

    GuitarKing

    GuitarKing

    GuitarKing Main Site
    GuitarKing Customshop Lounge
     
    Kerkstraat 14a
    5427 BC Boekel
    the Netherlands
     
    +31 (0)492 324038
    Luthier's Gitaren

    Luthiers Gitaren

    Luthiers Gitaren
     
     
    Vughterstraat 133
    5211 GB 's-Hertogenbosch
    the Netherlands
     
    +31 (0)73 6146174
     
    Kauffmann's Guitar Store

    Kauffmann's Guitar Store

    Kauffmann's Main Site
     
     
    Ouvertureweg 135
    2402 DX Alphen aan den Rijn
    the Netherlands

    +31 (0)172 417990



    Elektra Amplifiers Europe

    Or sends us a message through the contact page if you're in the neighbourhood and want to try an amp. We're happy to come meet you in a 1h radius from 's-Hertogenbosch, NL and from Leverkusen, Germany.
  • Contact us

    Elektra Amplifiers Europe is based in 's-Hertogenbosch, the Netherlands.
    Visits by appointment only - send us an email!
     
    Retailers contact us at sales@elektra-amps.com
    Dutch Camber of Commerce (KvK) registration no. 61136999
     
     
    Any questions about the 185? 
    Want to order an amp directly?
    We love to hear what you think!
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  • Disclaimer

    * Gibson is a registered trademark of Gibson Guitar Corp - Neither we nor 'The 185' are in any way affiliated with Gibson Guitar Corp.
    * Gretsch and Duojet are registered trademarks of The Gretsch Company

    Legal Notices

    Please read the following legal information carefully before using our website. If you use our site, you consent to the terms of use contained in this Legal Notice. If you do not agree to our terms, please leave our site immediately.
      • The information provided on our website, in particular names, texts, pictures, diagrams and plans are legally protected in our favor or in favor of third parties.
      • Our site contains links to other websites ("links"). We have no influence on the design or information of other websites and the way that informatios is used, since they are not ours. If we become aware that an external website contains illegal information, we will remove the link immediately. In addition, we are not liable for links.
      • We reserve the right to modify these terms at any time. Changes will be posted here.


     
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    • The 185
    • Models
    • Intro
    • Artists
    • Reviews
    • tv
    • tonedemo
    • Interview
    • The Team
    • Media
    • Try
    • Contact
    • Disclaimer
    • Home
    • The 185
    • Models
    • 12" Combo
    • 15" Combo
    • Head & Cab
    • Artists
    • Reviews
    • Interview
    • The Team
    • Merchandise
    • Media
    • Try & Buy
    • Contact/Order
    • Disclaimer
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