Toronto-based Tony Texeira has been building amplifiers for over 15 years under the Tex/Texeira name, and has been pivotal in bringing the "projector amp" concept into the marketplace following in heralded amp builder Bernie Raunig's footsteps. One look at the Tex lineup and you'll see that namesake proudly represented. Tony has taken the concept and formalized it into a robust, well-built design that has proven to be much more road-worthy and reliable than some of the more finicky vintage projector circuits of the 50s and 60s. Just ask Wilco's Jeff Tweedy and Bahamas' Afie Jurvanen.

The current Tex lineup includes a number of compact yet tonally monstrous amplifiers, mostly built around a 1x10 combo format (the EF86 model and occasional one-off build will get you into a 1x12 combo). Powered exclusively by EL84s, one might think Vox, but the moment you plug into a Tex you're quickly reminded of that whole projector amp tonality. These amps have loads of harmonic richness and depth combined with a dynamic response very few amp builders have been able to match. Sure, you can pull some of the brighter, chimier Vox-isms out of a Tex, but there's a fullness in the low end and low-midrange that provide a more balanced and frankly bigger sounding amp without the blistering volume.

This particular model- the 5 Watt- is one of Tony's newer models, and is the most compact and low-powered amp offered. However, we're not so sure you've heard a 5 watt amp sound quite like this one. Tone is full and rich despite the smaller cabinet, so the notion of a smaller cab imparting a "boxy" sound doesn't apply here. Superb dynamic response allows for really great low volume cleans, and with a crank of both the volume and tone knob, you're afforded some amazing tube-driven overdrive with clear, defined midrange and great top end sparkle. This is such a great amp for small club gigs, and an obvious choice as a go-to weapon in a studio setting.

Rare NOS components that made vintage amps so sonically revered are carefully selected and implemented in each amp Tony makes, and that includes tubes! You're not apt to find many another amp builders out there who build amps stock with vintage tubes. Tony is all about delivering the best possible version of his circuits to the player, every time.

It probably goes without saying at this point, but we're giddy about these amps and we're so excited to get these in your hands!