Boosted Marshall Jub = Poorman’s Wizard MC?

[S̷͖͑m̵͎͂á̵̺s̸͚̈́h̴̬̑]

Wish I could try a wizard here in Texas because I’m not hearing anything I like. Every wizard video sounds too bright and too open. Like my ultralead but brighter, which I don’t like either. Just not for me I guess? My engls are much more for me. (Invader 2 and savage). I just don’t get it.

A lot of people hear the wizard love and get confused because the amp doesn't sound like what they would expect.

If you like compressed amps, a wizard isn't for you. The punch and immediacy are very much impressive, but they are very open.

I have played a few compressed amps, and they can be fun. They are especially fun for people with sloppy technique because they hide it quite well. It is always odd when I hear open as a derogatory term.

But long story short, there are plenty of wizards in texas, and if you want to try one, come to an amp fest. What city are you in?

 

[Greazygeo]

Good. It’ll save me a lot of money lol!

If you like Engl I would look at amps like the 5150. They are more similar. Very compressed sounding. Not necessarily a bad thing. I like 5150’s and the Engl Ritchie Blackmore for some things.
In a trio setting Wizards are awesome, they fill up the room.

 

[Clay K]

A lot of people hear the wizard love and get confused because the amp doesn't sound like what they would expect.

If you like compressed amps, a wizard isn't for you. The punch and immediacy are very much impressive, but they are very open.

I have played a few compressed amps, and they can be fun. They are especially fun for people with sloppy technique because they hide it quite well. It is always odd when I hear open as a derogatory term.

But long story short, there are plenty of wizards in texas, and if you want to try one, come to an amp fest. What city are you in?

I am not a sloppy player. Been playing for 37 years. I have an ultralead that I can play well. I just don’t like it. Mushy in the low end compared to my Engls and not enough gain. I play metal and it just doesn’t do it for me. But I hear you. Not all amps are meant for everyone. Btw I live in New Braunfels about twenty to thirty minutes from San Antonio on I-35. Would love to come to an amp fest. Last one I saw was in Dallas if I remember correctly. That’s 4 1/2 to 5 hours from here each way.

 

[Beyond Black]

I’ve said this more than once. The Jubilee reissue does not come sounding like it should. Check the bias and maybe even change the power tubes. I was ready to give mine away until I did it. Now it’s one of my favorite amps to play. I’ve never played a Wizard. The only problem I have with the Jubilee is that it doesn’t push the low end like I’d like. But that’s what a bass player is for.

I’ve had a reissue, biased it and rolled all sorts of tubes. My favorite was a combo of EL34’s and KT90’s (thanks Tom).
I boosted it with a Fortin TS9 and ran a Gup Tech Que Bec in the loop ala Gary Holt for a little extra presence and additional shaping off the lows.
Had that amp sounding absolutely killer.
That being said my MTL still buried it and they had nothing in common.
The Jube is a great amp, but a Wizard is next level.

 

[Greazygeo]

I am not a sloppy player. Been playing for 37 years. I have an ultralead that I can play well. I just don’t like it. Mushy in the low end compared to my Engls and not enough gain.

If your UL is mushy compared to an Engl, something may be wrong with the UL. Engl is not something I think of as very tight. I only have experience with the RB, PB and FB heads. They all remind me of the 5150.
Bought the Og 5150 new when they first came out and was my main amp for 8-10 years. Then bought an UL and used it for another 8 years and now the Wizard for the last 21 years.

I gigged the UL loud and the bottom end never gave out. Took awhile to get used to the UL after the 5150. Thought it had way less gain. So much less compression made it seem like less gain.

 

[Clay K]

If your UL is mushy compared to an Engl, something may be wrong with the UL. Engl is not something I think of as very tight. I only have experience with the RB, PB and FB heads. They all remind me of the 5150.
Bought the Og 5150 new when they first came out and was my main amp for 8-10 years. Then bought an UL and used it for another 8 years and now the Wizard for the last 21 years.

I gigged the UL loud and the bottom end never gave out. Took awhile to get used to the UL after the 5150. Thought it had way less gain. So much less compression made it seem like less gain.

Sent my ul to Fryette for a check up and it came back worse. Kept popping tubes every 2-3!months Four times then I gave up on it. POS if u ask me.

 

[RedB4Black]

I am not a sloppy player. Been playing for 37 years. I have an ultralead that I can play well. I just don’t like it. Mushy in the low end compared to my Engls and not enough gain. I play metal and it just doesn’t do it for me. But I hear you. Not all amps are meant for everyone. Btw I live in New Braunfels about twenty to thirty minutes from San Antonio on I-35. Would love to come to an amp fest. Last one I saw was in Dallas if I remember correctly. That’s 4 1/2 to 5 hours from here each way.

I think there’s a guy in San Antonio with several Wizards you could probably go try. If I’m not mistaken, he knows how to make an Ultra Lead sound pretty good as well!

 

[S̷͖͑m̵͎͂á̵̺s̸͚̈́h̴̬̑]

I am not a sloppy player. Been playing for 37 years. I have an ultralead that I can play well. I just don’t like it. Mushy in the low end compared to my Engls and not enough gain. I play metal and it just doesn’t do it for me. But I hear you. Not all amps are meant for everyone. Btw I live in New Braunfels about twenty to thirty minutes from San Antonio on I-35. Would love to come to an amp fest. Last one I saw was in Dallas if I remember correctly. That’s 4 1/2 to 5 hours from here each way.

Sorry. I am a sloppy player. I wasn't insinuating you were.

I live in round rock. A lot of ampfests end up being in san antonio. We have been talking about one in austin

 

[Clay K]

Sorry. I am a sloppy player. I wasn't insinuating you were.

I live in round rock. A lot of ampfests end up being in san antonio. We have been talking about one in austin

No sweat man.

 

[Greazygeo]

Sent my ul to Fryette for a check up and it came back worse. Kept popping tubes every 2-3!months Four times then I gave up on it. POS if u ask me.

If this was recent and KT88’s not a surprise. The 90’s-2000’s Sovtek KT88 were good and reliable. Never had a bit of trouble with mine and it was gigged every weekend.

 

[Clay K]

If this was recent and KT88’s not a surprise. The 90’s-2000’s Sovtek KT88 were good and reliable. Never had a bit of trouble with mine and it was gigged every weekend.

Yes kt88. Had the original tubes in the forever,then boom!

 

[Greazygeo]

Yes kt88. Had the original tubes in the forever,then boom!

If they were the old Sovteks, they did last a long time. If you still have the amp maybe try some current 6550’s. I put some PSvane 6550’s in a Marshall 2203 not too long ago. So far so good. Sounded pretty decent for new.