Jack Kay

Global Industry Spotlight is a conversational series focused on providing resources and insight for the creative entrepreneur.Tx-Watt Amps was conceived and founded by Jack Kay of Buda, Texas (just outside of Austin). As a touring musician in the 60’s and 70’s, Jack played primarily on Marshalls and kept several of them in the truck so he always had one available. Whenever one broke, he would cannibalize one of the Marshall carcasses for parts to keep others running. The lack of quality in commercially made amplifiers always surprised him. Marshall rigs were by no means cheap.This led to the dream of someday building a “guitar player’s” amp. Sound and tone would be the only focus. Cost of the build would not be a factor. As a Texas boy, the first name that came up was Texas Watt. He realized that was too long and shortened it to Tx-Watt. When his record label folded around 1980, he came home and did nothing with the idea for more than 30 years. (NOTE: the original/legacy 70’s logo and the story behind it, is still available by request)Many years later, he revived the Tx-Watt idea, contacted old friends whose life works were in analog amplification, transformers, speakers, and cabinets. After Several more years of R&D and road testing, Tx-Watt was born.Tx-Watt received patents on the designs that make their amplifiers. The patent applies to the Tx-Watt Flagship/signature Series, the Tx-Watt Tube Hybrid Guitar Amp and the Tx-Watt Tube Hybrid Bass Amp. Apparently, there really “Ain’t Nothin’ Else Like It !