Sam Timberlake, the son of a professional musician and ham radio buff, grew up surrounded by both music and electronics. He began playing music at age six and later, while learning to play guitar, started searching for guitar tone. He discovered tube amplifiers and wanted to know why they worked so well with the electric guitar. He spent countless hours pouring over his father’s library of electronics and vacuum tube reference manuals. He soon began "fixing up" old tube guitar amps.  

 While attending Auburn University ('81-'88), Sam split his time between working on his physics /mathematics degree, playing in bands, and working as guitar and amp tech at The Guitar Shoppe. 

 After receiving his degree, Sam (now known as Amp Sam) relocated to Birmingham and started repairing amps for several local guitar stores. His customer base soon grew to include players from all over the southeast. Since 1989 he has repaired, hot-rodded, and built amplifiers and pre-amps for his customers. 

 In October 2004, Sam developed his V.A.C. circuit and applied for a patent. He built a prototype amplifier and, when it was so well received, started building the VAC 45 combo. He builds them one at a time to: sound and "feel" great, be rugged, lightweight, and reasonably priced.  He is constantly developing new models.