Curious Audio LLC is based in historic downtown Newburgh, Indiana. We’re musicians who hand-build tube amplification products for musicians, with components that are carefully chosen to achieve the utmost sonic quality and character without being unrealistically expensive.

“The Curious Oddity”

In 1995, Chad Corley and Jim Herrell had an idea for a small tube amp that could be a legitimately useful tool for recording musicians with space and loudness concerns. In 2008 they built the Audity One prototype (“#0”), which Chad immediately put to rigorous use, in his work as a producer and musician. After years of using his Audity in studios and on stages (and countless people asking him to build one for them), Chad decided to give Jim a call to discuss the possibilities. A few weeks later, Curious Audio was a company.

Building tube amplifiers combines our passions for music, tube audio, and quality hand-built gear. We’d love to help you design your custom amp, so contact us with your inquiry, or customize your Audity online, and we can start building your amplifier!

About The Curious Team

Chad Corley was introduced to the world of tube amps in 1995 and has never recovered. In the ensuing years he’s repaired and modified scores of amplifiers, a useful skill alongside his endeavors as a writer, performer, and music producer, and as a founding member of the Sleep-ins and 128 Records. He is also a partner in Self Help International recording studio in Nashville, TN.

Jim Herrell began playing guitar at an early age, although beset with adversities. He was often mocked and disparaged as a left-handed freak, and could only manage to cobble together a plank with some utility wire strung up as an instrument. As a result of his struggles, he took up woodworking and eventually became a master craftsman. In 1995 he met Chad, who begrudgingly agreed to associate with him in exchange for his woodworking talents and amazingly chunky rhythm guitar playing capabilities, as long as they were never seen in public together. Jim also began building fine cabinetry under the psuedonym ‘Dick Louden‘ in order to evade his dubious past.