Hayden

Hayden developed as a British specialist amplifier company centered on electric-guitar equipment. Its published identity links it closely with Ashdown Engineering, which is described as a sister company producing high-quality hand-wired valve amplifiers in England. Rather than operating as a general consumer-electronics manufacturer, Hayden concentrated on musical-instrument amplification, with products aimed at guitarists seeking tube-based sound and traditional amplifier construction. The company’s product catalogue combined British-made hand-wired models with more affordable offshore-manufactured products. The United Kingdom-made hand-wired line included several families designed around different output levels and circuit configurations. The Peacemaker 100 was a high-powered head using EL34 output valves. The Classic Lead 80 was offered as both a head and a combo, while the Cotton Club range provided lower-powered combo formats. The Petite models addressed compact amplification, and the Speakeasy and Mofo families expanded the range into higher-output heads and combos. These products used combinations of ECC83 preamp valves and output tubes including EL34, EL84, 6V6, 6L6, and 6550. At the end of 2007, Hayden announced that Dave Green, then Matamp’s chief engineer, would join the company full-time as its “Valve Amp Guru.” A new range designed by Green was subsequently launched. His involvement is a notable technical turning point in the available history because it tied Hayden’s product development to an engineer associated with British valve-amplifier expertise. The company also stated that valve pedals were expected in early 2011, although the available reference does not provide confirmation of a commercial launch. Alongside its British-made models, Hayden listed offshore-manufactured versions of some products. These included an offshore Mofo 30, the Mofo 15, the Mofo 40 Classic with a traditional wooden cabinet, and the HGTA 20 and HGTA 40 high-gain all-tube amplifiers. This two-tier approach allowed the brand to maintain a hand-wired British range while offering lower-cost models for a wider customer base. Hayden also had earlier product families that were subsequently marked as discontinued. The Peacemaker series included 40- and 60-watt combos and a 60-watt head, while the Fallen Angel line included a 180-watt head. The FA DSP family comprised 50- and 100-watt DSP combos and a 100-watt head. These discontinued products show that Hayden’s catalogue was not limited exclusively to conventional hand-wired valve amplifiers; it also experimented with digital signal processing in guitar amplification. The brand’s visibility was supported by associations with professional musicians. The cited users came from acts including Dirty Pretty Things, Editors, We Are Scientists, Orson, the Young Knives, Embrace, Biffy Clyro, Marmaduke Duke, Eagles of Death Metal, and Velouria. The available source does not provide a complete chronology of Hayden’s founding, corporate changes, production volumes, sales, or current operations. Accordingly, its founding year and present operating status remain unconfirmed.

• 2011

  Planned valve-pedal expansion

  [1]Hayden (electronics company)en.wikipedia.org

  Hayden was reported as expecting to introduce a range of valve pedals in early 2011. The supplied reference does not confirm the final commercial outcome.

• 2007

  Dave Green joins Hayden

  [1]Hayden (electronics company)en.wikipedia.org

  At the end of 2007, Hayden announced that Dave Green, previously Matamp’s chief engineer, would join the company full-time as its “Valve Amp Guru.”

A specialist British guitar-amplifier brand emphasizing hand-wired construction, valve circuitry, varied power ratings, and stage-oriented electric-guitar tones.

• Hand-wired valve amplifier head

  Peacemaker 100

  A United Kingdom-made hand-wired amplifier head rated at 100 watts and built around four EL34 output valves. It represented Hayden’s high-powered traditional valve-amplifier offering for electric guitarists requiring substantial stage volume.

• Hand-wired valve amplifier head and combo

  Classic Lead 80

  An 80-watt hand-wired amplifier offered in both head and combo formats. Its listed configuration used four ECC83 preamp valves and four EL34 output valves, placing it among Hayden’s higher-powered British-made guitar amplifiers.

• Hand-wired valve combo amplifier

  Cotton Club

  The Cotton Club family consisted of lower- and medium-powered combo amplifiers, including 7/15 and 15/30 variants. The models used ECC83 preamp valves with EL84 output valves and were positioned as more compact alternatives within Hayden’s hand-wired range.

• Compact hand-wired valve amplifier

  Petite 2 and Petite 5

  Compact amplifiers designed around lower output levels. The Petite 2 used an ECC83 and a 6V6, while the Petite 5 added further valve circuitry and switchable output options involving a 6V6 and EL84. They broadened Hayden’s range beyond large stage amplifiers.

• Hand-wired valve amplifier head and combo

  Speakeasy 50

  A 50-watt head and combo family using five ECC83 valves and switchable EL34 and 6L6 output configurations. The switchable design gave the product a broader tonal and power-valve character within Hayden’s traditional hand-wired offering.

• Valve guitar amplifier heads and combos

  Mofo series

  The Mofo family included British-made and offshore-manufactured models ranging from the Mofo 15 to the Mofo 100. Depending on the model, the series used EL84, EL34, 6550, or 6L6 output valves and appeared in head, combo, and lower-cost formats.

• High-gain all-tube amplifier head and combo

  HGTA 20 and HGTA 40

  High-gain, all-tube guitar amplifiers offered in 20- and 40-watt versions, with head and combo formats listed. The HGTA 20 used EL84 output valves, while the HGTA 40 used EL34 output valves, giving the line distinct power-stage configurations.

• Valve guitar amplifier heads and combos

  Peacemaker series

  An earlier Hayden family comprising 40- and 60-watt combos and a 60-watt head. The listed reference identifies the Peacemaker series as discontinued, distinguishing it from the later hand-wired catalogue.

• DSP guitar amplifier heads and combos

  FA DSP series

  A discontinued series using digital signal processing, including 50- and 100-watt combos and a 100-watt head. The range demonstrates Hayden’s earlier use of DSP technology alongside its better-known valve-amplifier products.

1. 1Hayden (electronics company)en.wikipedia.org