Pignose is best known for its completely portable transistor amp weighing only 5 pounds and measuring 9 x 6 x 4". The Pignose puts out about 3 watts R.M.S. (5 watts peak) into a 5-inch speaker and is powered by six AA batteries.

The first Pignose amplifier was designed and patented by Richard Edlund and Wayne Kimbell in the late 1960s. Pignose Industries was established in 1972 to market this amplifer by guitarist Terry Kath and other members and associates of the band Chicago in 1972. The Pignose amp was launched to music industry at the 1973 Summer NAMM show. Magazine adverts showed the Pignose was small enough to fit on a magazine page labeled "actual size". It had rugged, steamer-trunk cabinet styling (the earliest models had real pigskin covering). It proved an instant success, Pignose's endorser list include America, Frank Zappa, The Eagles, Led Zeppelin, and Cheech and Chong.

In 1974, Pignose Industries was sold to Chicago's band accountant, who ran it until 1982, when ownership passed to the company that made its sturdy, 3/4", finger-joined wood cabinets. Pignose originally retailed for $79.95, but inflation and increased manufacturing costs eventually drove its price as high as $159.95. In 1985, Pignose Industries was acquired by Howard Chatt and is now called Pignose-Gorilla. The product range expanded to include guitars/basses/ukes with built-in amps, effects pedals and pro-tube amps designed by Dennis Kager.

Source: Pignose Amps History (archived 2005)