Whatever Happened to Atomic Amplifire?

[MistaGuitah]

Apparently the Atomic Amplifire is still available. It was getting a lot of notice a few years ago because of the price, sound quality, looks, and potential to become a very competitive product. However, they haven't updated it yet so it still has the tiny screen and is a hassle to navigate settings. Anyone still play one? Anyone know why the product seems suspended in an agonal state? I read somewhere that the company was basically paralyzed by the pandemic. If that's the case, it's a shame.

 

[japetus]

I really don't know. They came out of the gate hot but it's just such a crowded and competitive market segment that is constantly evolving..it's gotta be tough to compete.

 

[Spaceboy]

i thought they came out with a version 2 like last year or something. i dont think they are very good with marketing themselves tbh.

 

[Findthetone1]

i thought they came out with a version 2 like last year or something. i dont think they are very good with marketing themselves tbh.

That's kind of the impression I get as well. I thought some of the clips sounded great and I like the ease of use. But they seem to be spotty with support and ongoing development.

 

[Chubbs]

My memory’s a bit hazy but I think I heard they were working on a new version and stopped supporting the older version for the most part. I think the supply chain stuff probably jacked up any plans of a new production model. I still use mine, for effects in a loop, as a preamp into a power amp, and as a quiet practice rig. You really need to set it up with a laptop to fine tune things but it’s size and functionality are hard to beat.

 

[tonedover]

I had the little firebox v1 and really enjoyed the simplicity of that product - no screens just 8 knobs and 3 switches and 2 dpdt… and it did ALOT right. Computer interface to change what those things did was easy to use.

I was annoyed at how the v2 was not the improvement that at the time i was looking for but its been long enough i dont remember what those difference were. But for the price its great.

Agree w the above they should have had some better youtube demos and reviewers.

 

[Inearthed]

pandemic wasn’t kind to them for sure. They’re supposedly still active but on a couple of the Atomic Amplifire pages on FB people are complaining about long waits on repairs or answering emails. The main guy they employed that was responsive and very active on their social media & sharing lots of tips / troubleshooting / tones no longer works for them and no one has filled that void. Product is great though, raw amp tones can hang with Axe/Kemper/Neural/Helix

 

[jchrisf]

I've got one.. sounds great.. but I love my FM3 so I don't use it anymore. I need to sell it along with my Headrush and Helix.

 

[Chris6870]

They probably sell enough CLR speaker cabs to keep them busy. They had the Atomic Amplifire 12 button unit that looked great, but no way I was investing in that over a product from a proven company like Fractal or even Line 6.