Custom Amplifier Builds
Tropical Fish designs and builds custom tube amplifiers for vintage electronic keyboards, musical instruments and standalone applications. Our work includes newly designed amplifiers for early Wurlitzer electronic pianos, amplifier rebuilds for rare electronic instruments, and custom combo amplifiers and preamps.
We specialize in one-of-a-kind projects that combine vintage amplifier design with technical expertise that makes these instruments reliable and recording-ready.
Inquire about a build
Please describe the amplifier that you are looking to have built or rebuilt. Whether you have a specific circuit in mind or simply an idea for an amplifier you’d like us to build, we’re happy to discuss the possibilities.
We are currently accepting orders for both standalone amplifiers and amplifiers that will be installed in Wurlitzer electronic pianos.
Some onboard amplifier designs require assembly or installation. For customers beyond our pickup and delivery range, we can advise on mail-in options or help you find a local technician to complete the work. Please provide your location so that we can determine the most practical arrangement for your project.
Photos are optional, but we’re happy to review photos or video if that will help illustrate what you have in mind.
Wurlitzer electronic piano amplifiers
The Wurlitzer electronic piano balances both tone and portability. Their compact amplifiers served these priorities well, but often left little room for modifications or additional features. In that case, we build custom amplifiers that maximize cabinet space while adding features that are useful for today’s workflow, such as effects loops and aux outputs.
If you prefer to keep the original amplifier, our extensive rebuilds reduce noise and include passive aux outputs to increase recording potential.
Projects for other vintage instruments
If you have a vintage instrument with an onboard amp that is not fitting your needs, we are able to rebuild it. In most cases, we adapt the original circuit topology, only making adjustments that improve reliability, noise floor, and recording potential. We can also modify the design to incorporate features and capabilities that the original amplifier lacked.
Our previous projects include the Selmer Clavioline. We also accept rebuild projects for organs, carillons, and other vintage analog instruments.
Custom combo amps & heads
We are currently accepting custom orders for combo amplifiers and heads. Our amplifiers reflect our appreciation for the unconventional circuit designs found in vintage electronic instruments, reimagined for contemporary use.
Our past cabinet designs included handmade bentwood cabinets as well as found cabinets. We are happy to work with you and create a cabinet that fits your vision for the amplifier.
Connect your Wurly to your favorite external amplifier
The Tropical Fish M3 is a preamplifier that provides clean power and tube warmth to the Wurlitzer reed bar, so that it can be used with external amps and mixers. It is an adaptation of the Tropical Fish M1 and M2, internal preamplifiers designed to fit inside of Wurlitzer 120- and 140-series cabinets.
We are able to further adapt the M-series preamplifiers to a design that is optimized for your recording or performing workflow. We can create an external combo amplifier, or a preamplifier with a balanced output.