Alpha Stryke
Well-known member
yep -Your premise is way off. There is NO such thing as an atheist. All people worship something. Amps, guitars, Self, sex, money ect.
yep -Your premise is way off. There is NO such thing as an atheist. All people worship something. Amps, guitars, Self, sex, money ect.
I agree. That’s the point also I think. There are great amp guys and they all produce great amps and they are all different. I really wonder how so he never played in a band because he is great player or at least he didn’t to my knowledge. And yes, Mark have achieved a specific sound, absolute brutality and great harmonic distortion that is still unmatched.regardless of all the bad twists and turns Mark had some the best hard rock amps and mods i’ve ever played through, for my tastes. perfect modded marshall meets boogie tones that are easy to dial in and touch sensitive greasy. even his most homely sf bassman mongrel with dymo labels killed the other big ticket items in the room.
even though his circuits/mods/schematics may be widely available and jose based, no one else is producing mods or amps that sound exactly the same to me.
Ceriatone, Hermannson, @EddyLenz @FourT6and2 etc all have great unique sounding high gain amps/mods but they all dial them in differently. so does Mark.
Thanks for the PTSD.Ok, so from everything that I have read here on Rig Talk, this is what I have understood so far:
The earliest information that I have found about Mark was that he worked in a guitar shop in LA in the 90s.
The owner of this guitar shop bought everything from José Arredondo’s shop after his passing. I think this was also confirmed on the Tone Talk show in the José-dedicated episode (the part about the guitar shop buying the remaining equipment). This actually came from a post by a user who said that he was friends with Mark. On the day everything was supposed to be loaded onto the truck, he and Mark were there and loaded all the gear, including a lot of amps with labels of famous guitar players.
There was also one pretty beaten-up amp on which “ATOMICA” was sprayed. They plugged into the amp and, according to the guy, it was the best-sounding Marshall he had ever heard. Mark was the only one who looked inside this amp as he was that main tech for the shop at the time. Later on, the amp was sold and restored to stock specs. This is how the Atomica came about, but it is also clear evidence of Mark’s earliest first-hand knowledge of the whole José mod world.
Before the Brad-Mark era, Mark was busy modding and designing amps, so Cameron Amplification was probably semi-established—maybe unofficially, maybe officially—and all the orders were coming through someone named Chris.
The first logical question here is: why?
Some people are saying that Mark already had delay problems with his own eBay account thats why he had to use someones other account. Whether that is true or not, I have no idea—I’m just trying to analyze all the information here. There were some amps sent to Mark, but the owners never got their amps back, from what I can find. Some of the people are also members hier. Mark’s explanation was that he was very sick during this period (depression). This is where a lot of accusations came about substance use, fake excuses for delays, and eventually Mark just disappearing with the amps.
This has to be taken into consideration because, no matter what the truth is, Mark already had a kind of bad reputation. I’m not trying to defend anyone here, but we also have to ask ourselves: how naive do you have to be to send your amp and money to just someone and rely only on his good intentions? I mean... this is asking for trouble. It’s pure risk, and when you roll the dice, you know there is a real possibility that you can lose, right?
I heard in a recent show that Alexander Dumble didn’t pick up the phone for Stevie Ray Vaughan for a year and had already taken his money about an amp, so this is not the first or the last case like this.
In January 2011, Brad King announced on the forum that he had begun exploring a possible takeover and restructuring of the Cameron Amplification project after discussions with Mark Cameron.
He stated that he had spoken directly with Mark and that Mark was open to the idea of stepping back from day-to-day operations while Brad investigated whether production could be stabilized and properly organized.
Brad explained that there were unresolved issues involving customers who had previously paid for CCV amplifiers through earlier arrangements involving Mark Cameron and other intermediaries, including individuals identified as Jerry and Chris. Customers had not received their amplifiers, and Brad described the situation as a breakdown in trust and fulfillment rather than a functioning business operation. Brad also said that he will not take money in advance to prevent previous practice but later on, as we are going to see he will do that.
Brad made it clear that any future involvement would require him to take full control of sales, production, and financial handling, and that Mark Cameron would not be involved in money handling or fulfillment going forward. Mark’s role, if the project moved ahead, would be limited strictly to design input.
He also said that Mark wanted to turn things around for good but didn’t really know how.
Brad also stated that his priority was to avoid repeating the previous situation by ensuring that all new production would be directly controlled, financed, and distributed through him, and that he would only proceed if he could guarantee delivery and protect his reputation.
At the same time, he acknowledged that resolving the earlier unpaid orders would be difficult, as the funds had already been spent or lost within the previous structure, and that any attempt to make those customers whole would depend on future production revenue.
He emphasized that the entire effort was still preliminary, could fail at any stage, and that he was not entering a partnership with Mark Cameron, but rather attempting to salvage and reorganize an already damaged product situation under strict control.
Under Brad King’s direction, production was moved to professional builders, including well-known industry figures such as:
The goal was, I guess, to separate design (Mark Cameron) from production (professional manufacturing team) and from business operations (Brad King).
- Dave Friedman
- George Metropoulos
- Rob Navarrette
New amplifier runs were eventually produced and shipped. Models like the CCV and Atomica began reaching customers. But even with these improvements, the legacy issues from the earlier years remained unresolved for many customers. People were keep on pushing for the remaining dues.
The whole run was pretty successful for about one or two years, or at least for the first 25 run CCV amps. There was also an attenuator model made. Matching cabs were also produced for the CCV. There was an official presentation of the CCV where Mark himself introduced the amps, and there are videos of it on YouTube.
There was also talk about new models like the “Old Bitch,” which was originally the Aldrich mod or the Norum mod (opinions differ). Then suddenly, something happened just before the second 25 CCV run.
By 2013, even Brad King acknowledged the complexity of the situation.
Hier is where same misstake was made second time, orders were taken with money upfront.
Some customers had received their amps from this second run.
Others had been refunded or moved into new or different products, but some unresolved cases still remained, and the brand itself carried a complicated legacy:
A reputation for incredible tone... but also for inconsistency, controversy, and unmet expectations.
An official apology from Brad was posted here on this forum, and Cameron Amplification fully collapsed.
In this whole story, there were some very poor decisions made and a lot of bad karma, I guess.
What the hell happened before the second run in 2013?
The only thing Brad says here is that Mark is gone for some reason and that he made a big mistake. At the moment the account of Brat on Rig Talk is blocked.
Was there a money problem? Mark was supposed to take some of the profit, but he also had to pay out the missing amps first according to Brad—was that the reason for Mark leaving? If he barely made money to live than is that not a such surprise I guess. A lot of people assuming that this was just an ordinary move of the not reliable Mark but is it? Mark have never made any interviews to deny or confirm all this.
Who knows.
But what I really don’t understand is why George, Dave, or Rob have never stated anything official. Why don’t they put the whole story straight?
There are also people who have stated that Brad is not telling the whole truth. What could that means?
There were some “Old Bitch” amps made, but I think that this is happened after Mark left, and the circuit was never approved by Mark. So is this what is supposed to be? Some people are saying that the voice switching is doing almost nothing or the values were totally wrong according to Mark himself!
One thing I know for sure: Mark Cameron has made, makes, and will continue to make great-sounding amps.
There is no doubt about his talent, his ear, and he is also a great guitar player, which is very important when someone is designing amplifiers.
Mark has been underground for more than 13 years now.
I hope that he will come back one day to clear his name once and for all.
Ok, so from everything that I have read here on Rig Talk, this is what I have understood so far:
The earliest information that I have found about Mark was that he worked in a guitar shop in LA in the 90s.
The owner ....
[I had to shorten your post because I hit a 10,000 character limit![]()
I’m pretty sure that the contract they signed was not well made; otherwise, things would have turned out very differently. But if we try to analyze the situation, we end up with some very interesting questions.For starters - welcome to Rig-Talk
The historical account you laid out seems pretty accurate to me and I am not the expert in the room. I never communicated with Mark Cameron, never spoke to Brad on a live call, and I've never played a Cameron amp. But your recount of the story seems fairly spot on to what we already know. In other words, I didn't find anything in your account of the story to be new info, not that you claimed it to be.
I do have 3 suggestions/comments:
1. In the beginning you mentioned Mark Cameron took (some) people's amps and never gave them back. He also took (some) people's money, and even a combination of the two.
2. In the middle you mentioned "Brat" on Rig-Talk was blocked. (typo)
3. If you saw the 'contract' that Brad and Mark had - you'd realize neither of them should be in business, it was a terribly written contract and I used to write contracts for living.
4. Lastly one more, you mentioned that anyone who sends money to someone that is already sketchy is taking a risk. That is absolutely true but people still do it to this day (I'm mainly speaking to you Helmut/novosbir/Larry Amplification. Although Larry has a chance still in his life to make things right, I'm not sure Mark can still. But I see amps being shown on YT, so the beat goes on I guess. My point here was merely the frustration of seeing people take advantage of a trusting guitar community - like we have here mostly.
PS: I have been making a collection of threads and posts over the years - mostly in a collection thread of mine: My collection thread
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2026 Cameron Summary - (The abridged Cameron saga thread you are in right now)
Any news on Cameron lately
https://www.rig-talk.com/forum/threads/any-news-of-cameron-lately.214795/
Reaching out to Mark Cameron
https://www.rig-talk.com/forum/threads/reaching-out-to-mark-cameron.216894/
Rocknchippy's Cameron Honor thread or whatever the fuck it is called
https://www.rig-talk.com/forum/threads/rockinchippy-2022-cameron-amps-rig-rundown.250717/
The unofficial official fucked 14
https://www.rig-talk.com/forum/threads/the-official-unofficial-list.87236/+dawnofdreamx97 (so that's 15?)
Fucked Fifteen
https://www.rig-talk.com/forum/threads/cameron-rundown.279002/page-2#post-3517865
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CharvelDan's thread where 46&2 said he visited MC's house and saw stacks of amps
That one day EXP Custom stepped on a land mine
FUCKED 15 right here:
1. ed84246 (Charles) - 6/30/09 - $1500
2. MODDEDMARSHALL (Paul) -1/15/2010 - $3000
3. johnpace2 (John) - 3/30/10 - $2700
4. turtlefingers (Bruno) - 4/29/10 - $2700
5. Ampaddict (Todd) - 6/19/10 - $3000
6. Doubleneck (Eddie) - 6/??/10 - $3000
7. mdc1mdc11 (Mark) - 7/29/10 - $3000
8. Seitz333 (Chuck) - 9/08/10 - $3000
9. chameleon (Jose) - 9/08/10 - $3000
10. riffsfordaze (Wyatt) - 10/04/10 - $3000
11. sansoldati (Sergio) - ???
12. tlingen (Tim) - 10/09/10 - $2000
13. JeffHilligan
14. NewReligion - 8/04/2016 sent Marshall amp
15. dawnofdreamx97 (Nick)
*16? @drumdude (see if Cameron were in jail thread)
This data mostly came from multiple threads including one from Brad King himself.
Edit: Also, I've asked multiple times that if any of the info above is wrong or has been rectified please let me know. Happy to fix. No dog really.
EXP Customs verbal that he wants these 15 people to be made whole
If Cameron were in jail or something
Edit: not trying to single out @EXPcustom (Sucker Free Gear), and I did not create the list either. Brad King did. I only updated it as no ones else is doing it and documentation is in order.
Mostly found here-
My collection thread
Not using his real name but here is-
Thread were EXPcustom said he was going to try to make everyone whole
(I've since read that @EXPcustom had to close his business, suckerfreegear.com)
Not to steer the thread off-topic, but since you mentioned it, your SLO clone build was a work of art. My OCD appreciated the hell out of it…There's a reason the SLO Clone forum has a section called "Diode Clipping Dystopia" lol... this shit is soooooo played out.
Thank you! It surprises me anybody remembers that thing. It was like 12 years ago and I think it was only my third amp build ever.Not to steer the thread off-topic, but since you mentioned it, your SLO clone build was a work of art. My OCD appreciated the hell out of it…
If you notice, that post was deleted. And not by me. Same story for a couple posts in other threads.
I’m pretty sure that the contract they signed was not well made; otherwise, things would have turned out very differently. But if we try to analyze the situation, we end up with some very interesting questions.
So, Brad saw that there were people having trouble getting their amps and money back and decided to be the hero of the day—to come and save them all. Well, let me think… he would have to be the nicest man alive after Jesus. Well I don’t think so. What’s more likely is that he saw a business opportunity. He would take Mark’s know-how, establish a company and brand that could make him a fortune, and in return give a small part to Mark.
One thing I know: if Mark has taken advantage of naive people, then he knows exactly what not to be. I have no idea what kind of conversations took place between Brad and Mark—probably a lot of promises and talk about a “secret sauce.” But after a while, Mark understood the direction things were going, so he left. I don’t really see any other logical reason for that. Something critical must have happened to lead to this.
As for trust, I think forums are more like bars: you go in, chat with people who share your interests, and then you go home. If you’re lucky, you might make some friends. But you don’t walk into a bar and hand over your car keys and all your money just because it’s the same place you visit every Saturday night.
I’ve also tried to summarize all the information about this story because it’s spread across 30 different threads. It’s useful for new members and for anyone who wants to understand what actually happened with MC—why he’s no longer in the business and why his name feels almost like a curse when you mention it to an amp guy.
That was really frustrating for me because I didn’t understand what the whole situation was about. I really wanted the sound of MC because I think it’s something unique. But every time I asked someone about Mark’s work, it was like dropping a bomb—followed by complete silence.
There has to be a separation between the person and their work of art, whether it’s a guitar player, singer, amp builder, footballer, actor, or anyone else. There are many people who are terrible individuals, yet we still listen to their music and watch their movies
May I ask—if you’ve never spoken with Mark or Brad and have never played a Cameron amp—why are you so interested in this whole story? I’ve noticed you’ve published quite a few threads about it.
You are wrong again, my beloved heretic, as you have been so many times in the recent past - and I may discreetly remind you of this thread, in case you didn't remember it for understandable reasons of age:4. Lastly one more, you mentioned that anyone who sends money to someone that is already sketchy is taking a risk. That is absolutely true but people still do it to this day (I'm mainly speaking to you Helmut/novosbir/Larry Amplification. Although Larry has a chance still in his life to make things right, I'm not sure Mark can still. But I see amps being shown on YT, so the beat goes on I guess. My point here was merely the frustration of seeing people take advantage of a trusting guitar community - like we have here mostly.
You are wrong again, my beloved heretic, as you have been so many times in the recent past - and I may discreetly remind you of this thread, in case you didn't remember it for understandable reasons of age:
Order stop at Larry Amplification
Helmut/novosbir/Larry Amplification still doesn't take money for the deposit of an amp order, not from anyone in this world and no matter how much (and yes, I've actually been offered up to 3,000 euros extra on top of the regular price if I make an exception and build someone an amp within a shortened waiting period of 6-9 months - I had refused).
Furthermore, I am currently seriously considering whether I will ever finish my order stop at all and maybe not start building amps again after I have built the almost 50 amps that currently still are on my backorder list.
Especially for you. A little more detailed for your easier understanding:3. So you've never requested deposits, sold amps via local retail/skipped the customers order spot?
Especially for you. A little more detailed for your easier understanding:
Since I have order stop, I no longer accept orders and consequently I don't take any deposits anymore since then.
However, I would have expected you to do so much logical thinking.
But thank you for being so concerned about my eye health![]()
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