Announcement: Fortin – Randall – Metallica & more

FortinAmps · **Posted:** Fri, Dec 09, 2011 3:31pm

Hey Guys!

I am proud to announce that I will be designing, as well as overseeing the production of, a new tube amplifier line with Randall. This includes a new amp for Kirk Hammett, which is based off the MEATHEAD amplifier. The picture that just surfaced is based on my Meathead that I hand built for Kirk and Randall. Here are a couple of pics of them. The production versions will not say Meathead on them, cosmetics will much different and non-toilet tank looking i.e. smaller in height. These are just protos at the moment:

http://www.rig-talk.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=106462

Proto 1

Proto 2

I flew down with Randall in late August to Metallica HQ in SF. We brought 2 prototype amps and a new 4x12 cab. We got to meet everyone there. We got face time with both Kirk and James. At one point each of them were playing through both amps at once. That was a super cool moment for me! Kirk’s proto stayed and went directly into his rack. The other amp unfortunately we could not leave it with James because it belonged to one of my customers. First show with the new Randall proto was the Big 4 show at Yankee Stadium. After that, the rig went over to India for all those shows in that part of the world. We just delivered his 2nd prototype days after US Thanksgiving.

Another aspect of my involvement will include addressing some of their current production amps, tube and solid state. In case some of you were not aware, Randall was purchased by JAM Industries in Aug. 2009. There have been lots of changes at US Music Corp. The people that I will be working with have their hearts 100% into making killer quality amplifiers. I feel honored that I have been given the opportunity to be part of the team that breath life back into Randall’s product line. JAM is investing a lot of resources into bring Randall back on the map.

As for Fortin Amps, that will still continue. I will be bringing on some people shortly to help with certain aspects of the business. I am switching production over so I can get off the bench and more units can head out the door with much less wait times. This Randall project has taken a lot of time and effort, which has affect my ability to fill orders. This is not an excuse, it is completely my fault. I sincerely apologize to the customers I’ve had to refund orders to, turn down for modification works, and inability to accept new orders.

Stay tuned, there are lots more stuff to come in 2012!!! :rock:

Cheers,
Mike

Rogue · **Posted:** Fri, Dec 09, 2011 3:34pm

Congrats! Must be exciting.

Skrapmetal · **Posted:** Fri, Dec 09, 2011 3:36pm

Hah, so that thread this morning about Kirk re-badging a Fortin was all wrong.

Congratulations.

JakeAC5253 · **Posted:** Fri, Dec 09, 2011 3:37pm

Much respect Mike. Your amp work is fantastic and it's great seeing you get recognition on a larger scale, much deserved that is.

beachbum · **Posted:** Fri, Dec 09, 2011 3:41pm

Hope to get more pix tonight

beachbum · **Posted:** Fri, Dec 09, 2011 3:44pm

Skrapmetal wrote:

Hah, so that thread this morning about Kirk re-badging a Fortin was all wrong.

Congratulations.

The people saying Kirk rebadged it were wrong, lol.

danyeo · **Posted:** Fri, Dec 09, 2011 3:46pm

Congrats Mike. Wish you all the best.

tweed · **Joined:** Sat, Jun 24, 2006 3:48pm **Posts:** 8824

Hot Damn!!! Congrats Mike!!!!

Jakem · **Posted:** Fri, Dec 09, 2011 3:47pm

Congrats, Mike! That sounds fantastic! :thumbsup:

-Jaakko

roadifier · **Posted:** Fri, Dec 09, 2011 3:49pm

That's awesome, Mike!! Good luck to ya, must be pretty exciting to get your amp line recognized like this!! :rock:

lolzgreg · **Joined:** Thu, Sep 24, 2009 1:06am **Posts:** 2694

Hammer time

ACShreds · **Posted:** Fri, Dec 09, 2011 3:54pm

I knew it was only a matter of time before you got approached by a major amp company...

Joeytpg · **Posted:** Fri, Dec 09, 2011 3:56pm

that's some great news man...... now, talk to us about that moment man.........Kirk and James together playing your amps...... any cool story?

Now we know Kirk will be an all Randall rig, but is Hetfield looking to turn away from his Diezels or the Mesa stuff?

killertone · **Posted:** Fri, Dec 09, 2011 4:00pm

jkdsteve · **Posted:** Fri, Dec 09, 2011 4:00pm

Congrats, any chance you'll be working on the MTS line? That could always use some new developments :-)

rjmmusic · **Posted:** Fri, Dec 09, 2011 4:07pm

Congrats!!! Randall's lucky to have you on board - they could really use a killer amp design right about now.

I look forward to checking out the end result!

quinnethan · **Posted:** Fri, Dec 09, 2011 4:07pm

Congrats that is fantastic! Can you retool Nuno's amp too and make in the US? :lol: :LOL:

MrDan666 · **Posted:** Fri, Dec 09, 2011 4:10pm

Awesome Mike!! You know I wish you all the best man, you've worked hard and you deserve this opportunity!

Laura · **Posted:** Fri, Dec 09, 2011 4:13pm

Awesome!

fearhk213 · **Posted:** Fri, Dec 09, 2011 4:28pm

That's awesome!

Ampaddict · **Joined:** Tue, Oct 31, 2006 1:40pm **Posts:** 1341

A+ man!

Les Zombie · **Joined:** Fri, Jun 23, 2006 10:47pm **Posts:** 3411

congrats, I'm really happy for you, keep us updated!!

johnpace2 · **Posted:** Fri, Dec 09, 2011 4:48pm

Mike is the freakin MAN. I'm thrilled that Mike is being recognized for his great work. Even better, he's a great person as well and has always provided top notch customer service.

Cheers to MIKE!

gibson5413 · **Posted:** Fri, Dec 09, 2011 4:52pm

This is such great news. Congrats on the new endeavor!!

dainbramage0 · **Posted:** Fri, Dec 09, 2011 5:24pm

Good show old chap! :rock:

King Guitar · **Posted:** Fri, Dec 09, 2011 5:26pm

awesome.

gtr31 · **Posted:** Fri, Dec 09, 2011 5:33pm

Awesome news Mike .Excited to hear of new designs you have. hopefully you can find a place for the Cali mod .etc

Stramm8 · **Posted:** Fri, Dec 09, 2011 5:40pm

Congrats!! It must have been unbelievable to hear Hetfield playing through one of your amps :rock:

I would love to hear the back-story on how all of this came about...

Clawfinger · **Posted:** Fri, Dec 09, 2011 5:52pm

So much "congratulations" that a simple congratulation isn't strong enough.

duesentrieb · **Posted:** Fri, Dec 09, 2011 5:53pm

Über-cool, Mike.

Congrats and I will cross my fingers for you !

Olaf

Motorpud · **Posted:** Fri, Dec 09, 2011 6:07pm

Good shit Mike :rock:

You would've thought they would've been more after the NATAS :dunno:

jmgman69 · **Posted:** Fri, Dec 09, 2011 6:13pm

Awesome news man,you deserve it Mike!

Juggernaut · **Posted:** Fri, Dec 09, 2011 6:26pm

That is fucking awesome Mike, congrats!!!!

You should tell them that the original century 200 was an amazing SS amp and they should rerelease it, those were my favorites among all of their amps..... But I'm seriously stoked to see what you guys come out with, I'm an old school Randall fanboy.

tokyo tapes · **Joined:** Fri, Jan 26, 2007 10:36am **Posts:** 168

Sooo Cool!!! Man, you really deserve it!!!!

Kirk from Metallica · **Posted:** Fri, Dec 09, 2011 6:29pm

I'm really glad to be working with Randall AND Fortin, can it get any better than that? James won't leave my amp alone!

Tone Monster · **Joined:** Sat, Apr 10, 2010 8:53pm **Posts:** 672

Congrats Mike! You just hit the amp builer's Powerball!

Ventura · **Posted:** Fri, Dec 09, 2011 6:31pm

Ace work... Make sure they treat you well, and remember - don't go changing!!

Maybe, if given another opportunity to work closely with Metallica, you could modify Kirk's wah to have an OFF/OFF toggle :dunno:

Seriously, mega congrats... You going to stay in ON??

Mo :salute:

Mailman1971 · **Posted:** Fri, Dec 09, 2011 6:33pm

Wow....just get home from work and see this thread! :shocked:

Congrats Mike!! :rock:

Laura · **Posted:** Fri, Dec 09, 2011 6:36pm

Kirk from Metallica wrote:

I'm really glad to be working with Randall AND Fortin, can it get any better than that? James won't leave my amp alone!

Juggernaut · **Posted:** Fri, Dec 09, 2011 6:44pm

Kirk from Metallica wrote:

I'm really glad to be working with Randall AND Fortin, can it get any better than that? James won't leave my amp alone!

For real? Or troll?

Hope your the real deal, would be cool to have both Gary and Kirk from Exodus on here... Metalliwho? :lol: :LOL:

Digital Jams · **Posted:** Fri, Dec 09, 2011 6:55pm

Congrats Mike, Glad to see this come to a very positive conclusion for you!

Not bad being the amp man for the largest metal band in the world :rock:

Those guys can play anything and you were selected :rock:

Doubleneck · **Posted:** Fri, Dec 09, 2011 7:01pm

Couldn't happen to a better person...Congrats :rock:

glpg80 · **Posted:** Fri, Dec 09, 2011 7:07pm

goes to show hard work pays off, congratulations Mike cannot wait to see what comes from all of this! :cheers:

Digital Jams · **Posted:** Fri, Dec 09, 2011 7:09pm

glpg80 wrote:

goes to show hard work pays off, congratulations Mike cannot wait to see what comes from all of this! :cheers:

I have a feeling awesome amps at fair pricing points :thumbsup:

glpg80 · **Posted:** Fri, Dec 09, 2011 7:15pm

Digital Jams wrote:

glpg80 wrote:

goes to show hard work pays off, congratulations Mike cannot wait to see what comes from all of this! :cheers:

I have a feeling awesome amps at fair pricing points :thumbsup:

Should have taken the evil pumpkin to them instead so we could have had a chance at a production version :lol: :LOL:

roadifier · **Posted:** Fri, Dec 09, 2011 7:27pm

Juggernaut wrote:

Kirk from Metallica wrote:

I'm really glad to be working with Randall AND Fortin, can it get any better than that? James won't leave my amp alone!

For real? Or troll?

Hope your the real deal, would be cool to have both Gary and Kirk from Exodus on here... Metalliwho? :lol: :LOL:

Gary is on here!?!?

jasonP · **Posted:** Fri, Dec 09, 2011 7:29pm

Congrats Mike! Rock on!

snowdog · **Posted:** Fri, Dec 09, 2011 7:32pm

Congrats Mike. :thumbsup:

Was the other prototype a version of the NATAS?

JTyson · **Posted:** Fri, Dec 09, 2011 7:36pm

Thats killer Mike, could not happen to a nicer guy :rock:

I kinda wondered when you'd get approached by someone in this capacity, very happy for you

YOU DA MAN!!

JTyson · **Posted:** Fri, Dec 09, 2011 7:38pm

Kirk from Metallica wrote:

I'm really glad to be working with Randall AND Fortin, can it get any better than that? James won't leave my amp alone!

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Announcement: Fortin – Randall – Metallica & more

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