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KMD Amplifier. Model #GS100S
Mid 80's
Solid State. 100 watts with one of those circular toroidal transformers in it.
Distributed by the Kaman Corporation for 2 years only. Made in England.
Richie Sambora and a few other cats were KMD endorsees back in the day.
This amp has an effects loop, high and low input, 2 footswitchable channels (clean and distortion) and a footswitchable true spring reverb.
Rumour back in the day was that Laney had something to do with manufacturing these amps. This one is very clean. Each channel has its own completely seperate EQ.
The toroidal transformer is a great idea. Other manufacturers used them for a while because they are extremely effecient and high power. They are also extremely quiet. Unfortunately, they are also very expensive to manufacturer. This amp is made very well internally. Its clean. How does it sound? To me, like a VERY loud Laney.
Its certainly Marshall based. The clean is very good. The reverb is outstanding. I think its an accutronic unit. The effects loop is very user friendly. The gain channel can do anything from blues to crunch to high gain metal. Its a little fizzy but to me.. it sounds exactly like how most SS amps from the 80's sounded like. Awesome for old school 80's metal.
Anyway.. its rare. KMD went very hot and heavy with marketing for these amps. They made SS versions, hybrid SS/tube and all tube. This marketing blitz included some high caliber endorsees. After a 2 year stuggle Kaman bailed out and stopped making these amps. There aren't many around. This one is a very good example. I scored it cheap from a kid who found it in an old studio. It didn't work. I took it apart and both 2.5amp internal fuses were blown. I replaced them and the amp works great. Obviously, somebody was probably doing something stupid with the amp and popped both of them. Other than that.. the amp is clean clean stupid clean.
Here are a few pics. Trust me.. you won't see to many of these around.
Mid 80's
Solid State. 100 watts with one of those circular toroidal transformers in it.
Distributed by the Kaman Corporation for 2 years only. Made in England.
Richie Sambora and a few other cats were KMD endorsees back in the day.
This amp has an effects loop, high and low input, 2 footswitchable channels (clean and distortion) and a footswitchable true spring reverb.
Rumour back in the day was that Laney had something to do with manufacturing these amps. This one is very clean. Each channel has its own completely seperate EQ.
The toroidal transformer is a great idea. Other manufacturers used them for a while because they are extremely effecient and high power. They are also extremely quiet. Unfortunately, they are also very expensive to manufacturer. This amp is made very well internally. Its clean. How does it sound? To me, like a VERY loud Laney.
Its certainly Marshall based. The clean is very good. The reverb is outstanding. I think its an accutronic unit. The effects loop is very user friendly. The gain channel can do anything from blues to crunch to high gain metal. Its a little fizzy but to me.. it sounds exactly like how most SS amps from the 80's sounded like. Awesome for old school 80's metal.
Anyway.. its rare. KMD went very hot and heavy with marketing for these amps. They made SS versions, hybrid SS/tube and all tube. This marketing blitz included some high caliber endorsees. After a 2 year stuggle Kaman bailed out and stopped making these amps. There aren't many around. This one is a very good example. I scored it cheap from a kid who found it in an old studio. It didn't work. I took it apart and both 2.5amp internal fuses were blown. I replaced them and the amp works great. Obviously, somebody was probably doing something stupid with the amp and popped both of them. Other than that.. the amp is clean clean stupid clean.
Here are a few pics. Trust me.. you won't see to many of these around.
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