Austin learned how to play guitar at age 11, and has been a touring musician since the age of 15. He has been fortunate enough to play with some of the great veterans of the industry while honing his craft, and has multiple recording, engineering, and producing credits to his name. While performing at night and touring on weekends, Austin also attended The University of Texas at Austin where he gr
aduated with a degree in Electrical Engineering. He studied Vacuum Tube Amplifier Design with one of the most acclaimed Professors in the field, and designed multiple guitar amplifiers during his studies. All of the innovations implemented in Roach Amplification designs have been inspired by the nexus of his artistic talents and technical strengths focused on providing inspiration to the musician’s ears and fingers. Roach Amps is fortunate that each design spin and modification is able to get thoroughly evaluated on-stage, in a live mix, by the chief designer to ensure that any enhancement or voicing change rings true through the ears and fingers of the musician in a live setting. While playing guitar professionally, Jay was inspired by an interest in Effect Pedal design to return to the University of Texas at Austin and graduated with a degree in Electrical Engineering. He has subsequently worked professionally in various Technology Development, Manufacturing, and Product Engineering Management roles in the Semiconductor and Computer Manufacturing industries. Jay’s extensive engineering, manufacturing, and business experience dovetails well with Austin’s artistic and technical strengths to help drive the vision and mission of Roach Amplification.
