Meet the Maker
Hi, I’m Desmond.
I’ve been fascinated by tube amps since my high school band days, the glow, the tone, the weight. I even launched a small amp company once. I spent 15 years in tech as a programmer. It was fun... until it wasn’t. I missed working with my hands. Tiki Tube Amps are a blend of everything I love: analog sound, glowing tubes, fire, music, and Tiki. Each one is handmade, one-of-a-kind, and full of soul.
I love building them. I love listening to them and I think you will too.
The Secret to Great Sound
My design philosophy is simple: the fewer the components, the better the sound.
Guitar amps are designed to create sound with tone controls, reverb, presence, and other effects built in. But hi-fi systems are different. They’re meant to reproduce music as faithfully as possible. That means getting out of the way and letting the music speak for itself.
In my builds, I keep circuits clean and minimal just the essentials for pure analog warmth. Of course, if you prefer tone controls, I’m happy to include them. But in my experience, simplicity is where the magic lives.
The Warmth of Analog
All my amps are pure tube, no digital, no solid-state. Vacuum tubes don’t just sound warmer, they feel warmer. They glow. They breathe. They pull you in.
Like firelight, tube warmth speaks to something ancient. It’s not just about sound, it’s about presence, heat, and atmosphere. A glowing nod to the spirit of Tiki.
Handcrafted
All my amps are pure tube, no digital, no solid-state. Vacuum tubes don’t just sound warmer, they feel warmer. They glow. They breathe. They pull you in.
Like firelight, tube warmth speaks to something ancient. It’s not just about sound, it’s about presence, heat, and atmosphere. A glowing nod to the spirit of Tiki.
Made by Hand, Under the Sky
Each Tiki Tube Amp is handmade in my open-air workshop in Los Angeles. Sometimes it rains. That’s life.
I start with sustainably recovered logs, no trees are cut down.
The log must be the right fit... and it has to want to become a Tiki.
I carve each one using chisels, gouges, and power tools, sometimes an angle grinder or chainsaw when needed. Every piece of brass hardware is custom made. Why brass? It’s beautiful, saltwater-resistant, and steeped in the history of seafaring. Just like a good Tiki should be.
Wired by Hand, One at a Time
Every Tiki Tube Amp is wired point-to-point by hand, no PCBs, no shortcuts. I solder each connection myself using my trusty Weller soldering iron.
I use Only the Finest components: audio-grade capacitors, 1% metal film resistors, and classic cloth-covered solid core wire.
Since every Tiki is unique, the internal layout is custom-fit to the carve. That’s something mass production won’t do but I’m not mass production.
Why Tiki?
Most hi-fi stereos look the same; cold, boxy, and forgettable.
I wanted something different. Something fun. Tiki Tube Amps aren’t made to disappear into a cabinet. They stand out.
They spark curiosity. They make people ask, “What's that?”
Tikis are joyful, bold, a little weird and that’s exactly why I love them. Because great sound should come with great personality. And there’s nothing like listening to music while your stereo stares back at you.
Contact us Now!
Ask a Question
Send an email to info [at] tikitubeamps.com
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Schedule a Demo
Book your appointment with Desmond in Santa Monica to experience our Tikis in real life, explore all the available options, and start designing your one-of-a-kind Tiki.
