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This site is dedicated to all of the great KUSTOM products and the tens of thousands of musicians and sound engineers who have used them!

In the mid 1960's, a product line was designed that captured the imagination of a generation.
This new company was founded by Bud Ross and was located in Chanute KS USA.

Now Available!

Thunderbolt Records Presents:

"Kustom Krazy"

Track 13 is an audio liner that discloses which
Kustom gear was used on each song!

These great songs are written and performed by The Calhouns.
Kustom Krazy is produced by Cherokee Point Productions.
Distributed through Broadway Music Co. and CDBaby.com

Click here for more information and to order!

Click here for samples for more albums from The Calhouns!

Kustom started out with a bang, offering several models of guitar amplifiers as well as Bass rigs and P.A. systems. The designs were fresh, the ideas hot and the technology was cutting edge for its time.

Within the first two years of its existence, Kustom had grown to be one of the major manufacturers in the world. They expanded their product line to include guitars, bass guitars and organs. They also started building concert quality pro sound gear for sound companies.
The first products had badges that said Kustom By Ross, Inc.

Kustom By Ross Logo

The next year the logo was slightly changed to say Kustom Electronics Inc.

These fine products, everything from amplifiers, sound reinforcement, stage lighting, organs, electric pianos to guitars, were built in Chanute, KS. U.S.A.

Although famous worldwide for their "Tuck & Roll" design, Kustom did their best to keep up with the times, introducing newer black vinyl designs in the mid 1970's.

The new products included an ever expanding line of high end pro sound gear as well as a new product line geared for the weekend player and beginner.

By this time in the history, the Kustom company was bought and sold several times. This was a common practice in the 1960's and 1970's for several big conglomerates to acquire and then sell any company they could buy.

The 1970's saw Kustom having much success in getting a large dealer network in North America.

Kustom changed their logo in the late 70's to the famous big white "K". Most of these designs were covered in heavy duty black "Tolex".

1975 - 1983 Era Logo

The late 1970's saw Kustom developing designs aimed at church installations and other designs for Disco installations.  The products produced at this time were rugged and reliable, just like all of the earlier models.
The Tolex is almost indestructible and the heavy construction of the cabinets made Kustom gear perfect for heavy touring. This era also saw an upgrade in technology. Better sounding products with a much improved signal to noise ratio.

Some late 1983 through end of the line models sported a "reverse" logo. Black "K" with white lining.

Kustom was sold several times in the late 70's and early 80's. It was owned by the folks who owned Baldwin for a while and it was also owned by Gretsch. I believe remembering something about a Showbud connection also.

The original Chanute, KS plant ceased operation in the mid 1980's and for a couple of years the name was part of history. It has been said a few Kustom amps were built in Nashville TN in the mid 80's.

The following information was provided by T.Baxter (Thanks for the info!)

Baldwin, in the mid-60s, fancied itself quite the conglomerate, and began buying stuff up left and right. Burns guitars in '65, Gretsch in '67 and Wurlitzer at some point in there, I think.

They were the parent company. Baldwin/Gretsch also owned Sho-Bud, so there's that connection. Gretsch and Kustom were merged in '79. Baldwin itself fell on hard times in the late 70s and early 80s, possibly as a result of their spending spree.

They spun off Gretsch in '82 or '83. For a brief period in the early 80s, there was some Gretsch production at the Chanute Kustom plant. I don't know how many guitars were made, but it would be very, very few.

Baldwin was based out of Cincinnati, so there may be some connection there with the reformed company. What I'm really trying to figure out is whether or not Kustom made any of Gretsch's late 70s/early 80s amps. Any info on that would be much appreciated. If you have information on these Gretsch models contact tbaxter@kc.rr.com

In the late 1980's, a new company bought the rights to Kustom and started producing products. The new company, based in Cincinnati, OH whole heartedly embraced the Chanute products and history. They do not have schematics and parts though.

They worked hard to keep the Kustom name associated with quality. The new logo was used on all of their early products.

The following information was provided by Michael Menard (Thanks for the info!)

I really enjoyed your Vintage Kustom Site. About 15 years ago or so I
went to a one time only factory guitar amp sale on the west side of
Cincinnati. There I met Bob Monday who claimed he owned the Kustom
name at that time. He also said he had purchased the Kansas factory
inventory. He was selling odds and ends of (new) amps in various
stages of manufacturing. I bought a KLA185 head that day. He didn't
have a matching bottom. Some years later I was at a guitar show in
Cincinnati and spotted a blue sparkle Kustom head but it was a new
solid state chassis. The owner said he had worked for Bob Monday as a
technician and built it from new and old parts. I ended up buying it
too. It is a KLA100 (same preamp as my KLA185) but with a 100watt
power amp mounted in cabinet covered with original blue tuck n roll
vinyl. He must have been telling the truth because is matches my 1968
blue sparkle bottom perfectly.

I use to see Bob from time to time at shows and events but haven't
seen him lately. I'm sure he is still in the music business and most
likely still in town. A lot of the older musicians in town seem to
know him so I'm sure if you posted a message on a Cincinnati music
site someone could put you in touch with him if you wanted more
information.
 

Late 80's - Early 90's Logo

TIn the mid 1990's the new Kustom company slightly altered the big K logo and started using it on most of their products.

Mid 90's to Present "K" Logo

Kustom is now using Both the original Kustom Logo and the big K.

All of the new products are designed in the U.S.A. but are made in China using components from the US and abroad. They have just opened a large new factory and promise great products in the future!
As of 2005, Kustom is still making a line up of sound equipment. Most of the new gear is aimed at the hobbyist and weekend musician. They have some great new gear. I have used it and the new Kustom folks are doing a good job bringing back the Kustom name!

Visit the new Kustom Company

.....Beware of Bogus Kustom Gear.....

Kustom Home ....1960's Tuck & Roll  .. 1970's Tuck & Roll. ..... Mid 70's Vinyl     70's - 80's Tolex

Piano & Organs    Kustom Guitars     Camco Drums By Kustom     Product Evaluation    Studio Series

.Misc. Kustom Products     Kustom Facts and Trivia     Kustom Schematics     New Kustom Company Home
 

Speakers Re-coned by RICHARD JOHNSON finein@communicomm.com

.......................

Kasino By Kustom..............Woodson, Kustom's Missouri Cousin

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VISIT THESE OTHER GREAT KUSTOM SITES!

www.vintagekustom.com

www.kustomplayer.com

Some bands that currently use Kustom gear:

Firebush ..... The Calhouns    Lee Steel The_touchables kustomplayer
 

Be sure to visit my other sites!

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