*The* amplifier designer at PRS started like this...buying and collecting amps. A Dallas architect, he started rebuilding/building tube amps as a hobby (he worked East Europe sources hard to find tubes). Within a few years he was selling boutique amps and eventually met Paul Reed Smtih at a guitar show. Hired away from his architect business, he moved to MD. His designs are now the basis of the line of PRS amps available to us common folk while (his) PRS custom amps are on tour with some top level musicians.
Not bad for a self-taught hobbyist. :)
"It takes a lot of devotion and work, or maybe I should say play, because if you love it, that's what it amounts to. I haven't found any shortcuts, and I've been looking for a long time."
-- Chet Atkins
