3rd Power Amplification Systems HD100

The HLH100 head is the best guitar amplifier I have EVER owned. I have one of the first few heads off the line, and it has been nothing but awesome since I got it. The amp has a very active EQ section that allows for lots of different tones to be had. The Tone Stack switch allows me to switch between a more vintage and more modern sound. The "bold" setting allows for the mids to be brought forward, while the "smooth" setting has a real vintage 100 watt vibe...nice and creamy. The amp has a separate Lead Volume level which can be engaged via foot-switch. Rolling back the volume on your guitar really makes for a nice clean tone. For those two reasons I consider this amp a three channel head. The amp does not feature an effects loop, but I don't find it a must. The line out jack allows for a Wet/Dry/Wet set up to be had with the matching triangular cabinets. This feature blows an effects loop to pieces in my opinion.

I have used this amp in every way possible since I got it. At home, in the studio, live....you name it, the 3rd power rig can do it. The 100 watts is more than enough for me, but what I have found is that the amp is very responsive to the room and cabinet configuration. 100 watts can sound like too much, but the amp is so responsive at low volumes that the wattage isn't an issue. Additionally, the three triangular cabinets create a continuous wave of sound that is much better than the typical sound beams in normal cabinets.

I use every type of guitar/pickup configuration out there. The 3rd Power HLH100 sounds phenomenal with every one I use. I typically play Gibson Les Pauls and Explorers, but have used teles, strats, and a few hollowbody guitars with the rig as well. I've noticed that the amp really allows for the specific characteristics of each guitar to be more vivid. The guitars with similar style pickups don't necessarily sound the same. Each guitar has an individual sound through this amp. That's something I haven't experienced in any other amp yet.

I play in pop-rock and classic rock style bands. The amp has already found its way into both settings. I originally thought I would have to use additional or different amps for certain situations, but the 3rd power rig is all I need for both.

The 3rd power amp is a beast when it comes to lead guitar work. The amp simply ROARS when you unleash it. The head has a lot of gain on tap, but it isn't too overpowering. Unlike most amps, the 3rd power head doesn't lose a substantial amount of tone quality when the preamp gets cranked. It sounds great from 1 to 10.

This amp is very reliable. I have yet to have any problems with this amp, outside of my own stupidity. Within days of owning the amp I blew a fuse thanks to a mistake I made when connecting a cabinet to an incorrect ohm setting on the amp. The amp did what it was designed to do in this situation instead of allowing the incorrect match to cause real problems. I was able to fix this easily since the amp worked as it was supposed to. The superior construction and design by the 3rd Power crew makes this head the most reliable amp I have ever owned.

I first heard of 3rd Power from summer NAMM reports. I thought the amp design was very interesting, but wanted more information. Lance was kind enough to invite me down to the shop to play the full rig and check out all that they were up to. Jamie, the designer, was more than gracious with his time and expertise when I made it down to the shop. I got to play the amp for a solid hour on my first visit, and I can honestly say that I was hooked within minutes of playing it. Jamie and Lance have been more than willing to answer any questions that I've had since I made my first trip to see the amp. Numerous emails, phone calls, and additional visits have been made...all of which have resulted in my increased faith in this company. I don't believe there is any better company out there for customer support.

-The amp comes with a lifetime warranty.

Overall Rating = 100 out of 10. This is the BEST amp I have ever played, and I imagine ever will play. I've been playing guitar for about 12 years. I've used tons of amps (Orange, Mesa, Egnater, Marshall, Peavey, etc.) and although I love a lot of those amps, none of them compare to the 3rd Power, rig in my opinion. I don't know what I would do if something happened to this amp. It is an essential part of my rig, and one that I would immediately replace if I had to. This is my end all do all amp. I plan to support this company for a long time.

I got this amp in October of 09 and was lucky to grab number 5 in a white tolex. The amp itself is a streamlined 100-watt EL34 single channel amp. I have found that with this amp I able to get a huge range of sounds from a usable clean to a crushing lead and rhythm tone that suits the wide tonal variety of the hard rock/metal band I play in. The amp does have an fx loop and lead boost which is controlled via a foot switch.

This amp is a dream come true. I know its hard to believe when you see people say this. I always think the same thing. However it is true. I have played through almost every amp out there and have always found that certain amps are really good for certain things but I was not ever able to find an amp that was versatile enough to do it all. That was until I plugged into a 3rd Power amp. I can only guess that it is Jamie's years of experience as a touring musician that he was able to capture what a guitar amp should sound and feel like. I am able to cover the full spectrum of music genres with this amp and the lead tone is unbelievable. It sounds like a strange way to describe this ....its almost like its 3D the way the amp brings to life all the different nuances of your playing. It feels like it is an extension of my fingers and whatever I do on the fretboard gets transferred through the amp as it should. It makes me want to play even more than I already do. Another thing that I wanted to mention is that you can get an amazing tone at low bedroom levels and when you turn the amp up it just gets bigger. In a band situation this amp cuts through with ease and sits well with bass and drums. I would highly recommend getting one of these amps.

I have not had any issues at all with this amp and don't think I will.
The build is emaculate slick and rugged.

Amazing. I think it is really unique that you can call Jamie directly and talk about the amps. He will bend over backwards to make sure you are happy and have all the information you need. Again Jamie is an experienced musician and knows what it is like trying to find your voice with your instrument and wants to help people find that.

I have been playing 20+ years, if not more, I think I have lost track.
If this amp were stolen I would get another. I put this amp up against
a modded JCM 800, a Mesa Boogie Mark V, a Bogner, an Orange and it beat them all.

I just purchased my 3rd Power amp, serial #11, from Jamie Scott and company, following a solid referral from a best friend in Naashville. The head is an EL 34 powered tone monster, single channel with a dedicated lead boost with a separate volume control. The front panel features a smooth/bold toggle switch that shifts the tone stack a bit.....think "vintage/modern."

The tones from this 100w head are VERY inspiring......no frills or push pulls here, just the real deal from the tight bottom end thump all the way to the presence control, all very musical and touch responsive. From my Les Pauls and PRS McCarty with humbuckers, to P90 honk, to Tele single coils, this amp simply rocks! The amp has plenty of thick and juicy gain on tap and is also extremely quiet.

The amp is PTP construction and appears to be built like a battleship.
It arrived from Nashville to Orange County CA in perfect working order, and Jamie stated "I packed it myself!" The power tubes were separately packed and numbered for a seamless power up.

3RD Power customer service/support receives a strong and consistent A++. Company owner and founder Jamie Scott is easily accessible via email or phone. His product knowledge is very impressive, including recording engineering, and his amp excitement is contagious.

I've been playing guitar over 30 years and have owned and played most amps out there. I love this amp, and that's an understatement! Trust me, you will love the company "vibe" as well. The master volume works perfectly at ALL volumes. I was up until 3am the first night she appeared, with 6 guitars throughout the bedroom, so this amp could cause some serious sleep deprivation....remember to hit the standby switch and take a break! Keep up the great work Jamie!

My amp is #4, so an early example from this new company. This is a 100-watt EL34-based single channel tube amp with foot-switchable boost. This amp does not attempt to be "feature laden". It has the features that you need in order to achieve excellent rock-n-roll tone, and nothing else. I actually really like the basic approach. You don't need 27 knobs/presets/etc when you have solid "real" tone like this.

I play old Charvels and GMP's, primarily with humbuckers, though every now and then I get the urge to pull out the American Deluxe Strat. This amp KILLS with both buckers and single coils. The sound I'm going after is the classic 80's and 90's hard rock to metal crunch and lead. Apparently this is the same sound that 3rd Power is going for because they have nailed it...in spades. The amp is super quiet, especially considering the gain it is capable of, and had loads of bottom end power and thunk. It is a single channel, but it does a wonderful job of cleaning up nicely when you roll the guitar volume back. You can get a wide range of great, usable tones just by twisting your guitar volume around. The amp will get seriously loud, as any 100w tube amp, but doesn't need to be overly loud to sound amazing. It honestly sounds pretty much the same throughout the volume range...an amazing master volume.

Hand-built with loving care in Nashville, TN by VERY seasoned industry pros. I don't foresee any issues here.

They're awesome. If you have any quesitons/issues at all the owner of the company, Jamie, is a quick phone call or email away. Very responsive.

I can't stress enough how people should try these guys out. I've had literally EVERYTHING over the years. Every Marshall, VHT, Wizard, Diezel, Rivera, Engl, blah, blah, blah...and this amps hands it to all of them. I will have this, or one of Jamie's amps, from now on.