Always wondered... (Wizard amps)

[GRK]

What's the difference between Modern and Vintage Classic? Is it pretty much like the difference between CCM and CCV?

Are they handwired? PTP?
Are they all tube? I remember silicon diodes added for more gain? Not that it matters if it sounds good. Just wondering. I've heard amazing clips!

 

[FortinAmps]

The Vintage Classic is Rick's take on a Marshall 1959 circuit with a few value changes.

The Modern Classic has more preamp gain. It has a diode clipper circuit. I agree, that it doesn't matter because it sounds great

All of the Wizard models are hand wired on a turret style board with a separate power supply perf board, also PTP wired.

Here is a gut shot of a Modern Classic. It is not mine and I think I downloaded it from RT so it probably belonged to a member

Maybe they can chime in

Cheers,
Mike

 

[PeteLaramee]

Greazygeo knows a lot about their stuff and owns a few heads and cabs.

 

[Digital Jams]

Wizards have that roar and seem to be very articulate sounding even with more complex chords, I like them a lot.

Very nice build

 

[Digital Jams]

Wizards have that roar and seem to be very articulate sounding even with more complex chords, I like them a lot.

Very nice build

I would love to have a Wizard Vintage Classsic without the volume. Where did you hear one?

A band here in CT had a Classic going playing a ton of Rush tunes. Also George's clips.

 

[thegame]

What's the difference between Modern and Vintage Classic? Is it pretty much like the difference between CCM and CCV?

Are they handwired? PTP?
Are they all tube? I remember silicon diodes added for more gain? Not that it matters if it sounds good. Just wondering. I've heard amazing clips!

Strictly gainwise, I don't think any Wizard will come close to any Cameron. The higher gain Wizards are not as saturated as Rectos, 3rd ch. Bogner Ecstacy, etc. Some have an additional gain boost circuit in the preamp that gives considerably more gain, buts its a VERY uncompressed gain structure. So it remains quite dynamic no matter how high you set gain at. It makes you dig in, playing wise which makes it difficult to play certain styles on it IMO.

 

[FortinAmps]

Here's a few of my old Wizards

The only one I have left is a Metal 100W

Cheers,
Mike

 

[MichaelG]

Here's a few of my old Wizards

The only one I have left is a Metal 100W

Cheers,
Mike

Damn!

 

[Greazygeo]

Here's a few of my old Wizards

The only one I have left is a Metal 100W

Cheers,
Mike

The Metal is my favorite, love that amp!!

 

[FortinAmps]

The Metal is my favorite, love that amp!!

It's my favorite as well

I just couldn't part with it. I got it off of ebay back in '98 for $1400.00

Cheers,
Mike

 

[Greazygeo]

The Metal is my favorite, love that amp!!

It's my favorite as well

I just couldn't part with it. I got it off of ebay back in '98 for $1400.00

Cheers,
Mike

I was lusting for one at that time. Got mine off Ebay as well, but it arrived in pieces. I got Rick to put it back together and tweak it for me. Those V front cabs are killer also.

 

[FortinAmps]

I was lusting for one at that time. Got mine off Ebay as well, but it arrived in pieces. I got Rick to put it back together and tweak it for me. Those V front cabs are killer also.

Very cool that Rick did that for you
I dug those V front cabs too, they were just so damn heavy to lug around.

Cheers,
Mike

 

[Greazygeo]

I was lusting for one at that time. Got mine off Ebay as well, but it arrived in pieces. I got Rick to put it back together and tweak it for me. Those V front cabs are killer also.

Very cool that Rick did that for you
I dug those V front cabs too, they were just so damn heavy to lug around.

Cheers,
Mike

I had to bug him for a few years till he got to it. Yes those V cabs are heavy!

Do you have the high gain boost in yours? Gary told me about that, so I had it put in....

 

[GRK]

Hey thanks all for the replies.
Thanks for the pics Mike. Those guts look delicious! Not that I know anything about amp building but I know a clean amp when I see one hehe

 

[FortinAmps]

I had to bug him for a few years till he got to it. Yes those V cabs are heavy!

Do you have the high gain boost in yours? Gary told me about that, so I had it put in....

No, I don't have the gain boost in mine. I did check out Gary's and it's very cool. He also had the loop put in. Now I wish I had it on mine

Cheers,
Mike

 

[FortinAmps]

Hey thanks all for the replies.
Thanks for the pics Mike. Those guts look delicious! Not that I know anything about amp building but I know a clean amp when I see one hehe

No problem The Wizards are very solid built amps.
If you want more pics, I could open up my Metal and take some sexy shots

Cheers,
Mike

 

[GRK]

Hey thanks all for the replies.
Thanks for the pics Mike. Those guts look delicious! Not that I know anything about amp building but I know a clean amp when I see one hehe

No problem The Wizards are very solid built amps.
If you want more pics, I could open up my Metal and take some sexy shots

Cheers,
Mike

Why not!

 

[Greazygeo]

I had to bug him for a few years till he got to it. Yes those V cabs are heavy!

Do you have the high gain boost in yours? Gary told me about that, so I had it put in....

No, I don't have the gain boost in mine. I did check out Gary's and it's very cool. He also had the loop put in. Now I wish I had it on mine

Cheers,
Mike

I hardly ever use it, but it's there. Rick also put a power boost in mine and the FX loop and updated the power supply to the new specs. On my Modern he put in the Bright control from the Metal and a different gain boost. He sent me one of the new OT's for it too.

A pic of my Metal

George

 

[thegame]

On my Modern he put in the Bright control from the Metal and a different gain boost.

George

George, what do you mean different gain boost ? The boost on Jay's Metal seems to have the same effect as our MC's gain boost. Though his is on permanently, no push/pull knob.

 

[JeF]

Here's a few of my old Wizards

The only one I have left is a Metal 100W

Cheers,
Mike

KILLER R&D Department Mike ! ! !