Fortin Natas: Resurrection

[lolzgreg]

There was a lot of talk about the Fortin Natas in its developmental stage, but now that the prototype has been built and tested, and that the final amp is 95% finished, let's discuss.

I, for one, am very proud to admit that I was one of the first people to hear this amplifier in action AND will be one of the first three owners of a Natas... I happen to know who the other two lucky men are, as well.

From my time with the amplifier, I can easily say that it doesn't sound like any other amplifier I've played.

This amp is quite impressive on many levels, and addresses a lot of issues that other high gain amplifiers have. For example:

-The noise floor is incredibly low for an amplifier with such an insane amount of gain
-The clean channel is pristine, chimey, and full bodied; definitely not what some high-gain amp manufacturers call "clean"
-The amp saturates in a very pleasing way where notes get juicier; the gain is never stiff
-Fizz is a thing of the past
-A presence knob that is actually usable throughout the entire rotation of the pot; it does not hinder the high frequency response at any point, but more-so changes the character of it
-Great control over the equalization and the character of the amp

I hope Mike can chime in on this thread. I promise you all VERY extensive clips as soon as I get mine next year

 

[Digital Jams]

Never heard of it.

 

[the4thlast1]

I wish you lived closer to me so I could borrow it every weekend.

He lives close to me !

 

[thegame]

I happen to know who the other two lucky men are, as well.

What gave it away ?

 

[lolzgreg]

Maybe all the people with the Natas in their avatar are getting one...

 

[RedB4Black]

The hype train is now departing.....All Aboard!!!

 

[thegame]

The hype train is now departing.....All Aboard!!!

Destination... your house. This amp will quench your high gain thirst like an Abyss does for a lover of deep Russian Imperial stouts.

Try to out hype that statement

 

[MrDan666]

If i put it in my avatar, can i have one too?

 

[glassjaw7]

Greg, have you played or heard (in person) a DAR Forza or Tuzzia? Reason I ask is they are claimed to have all the qualities you listed above, and are supposed to be the "future of high-gain amps". That's not a direct quote BTW from DAR, just my take on their demographic. Thoughts?

 

[RedB4Black]

The hype train is now departing.....All Aboard!!!

Destination... your house. This amp will quench your high gain thirst like an Abyss does for a lover of deep Russian Imperial stouts.

Try to out hype that statement

Hype notwithstanding, if it is the Abyss of the amp world, it'll definitely be taking residence at my house.

 

[lolzgreg]

Greg, have you played or heard (in person) a DAR Forza or Tuzzia? Reason I ask is they are claimed to have all the qualities you listed above, and are supposed to be the "future of high-gain amps". That's not a direct quote BTW from DAR, just my take on their demographic. Thoughts?

I haven't heard one in person, but I've heard clips, and I haven't been impressed just yet.

The design seems awesome, the cosmetics are great, it does innovative things, but even from the recorded clips I've heard, the character isn't something that I jive with.

I'd love to try one in person. Anyone near Long Island, New York, have one?

 

[diagrammatiks]

any comparisons to the pittbull UL or the Soldano SLO or the Suhr OD100se+/PT100?

Anyone know how many gain stages in the overdrive channel?

 

[Clawfinger]

Greg, have you played or heard (in person) a DAR Forza or Tuzzia? Reason I ask is they are claimed to have all the qualities you listed above, and are supposed to be the "future of high-gain amps". That's not a direct quote BTW from DAR, just my take on their demographic. Thoughts?

The design seems awesome, the cosmetics are great, it does innovative things, but even from the recorded clips I've heard, the character isn't something that I jive with.

There's a Contour control that changes the character of the tone stack. Cool, huh?

 

[Ancient Alien]

any comparisons to the pittbull UL or the Soldano SLO or the Suhr OD100se+/PT100?

Anyone know how many gain stages in the overdrive channel?

I would say it has something in common with the Ultralead.
The similarity is that it never muds out and stays tight even with the gains dimed.
Plus, like a UL, it has a very low noise floor.
Excellent note separation and fullness.
The OD100SE+ etc, muds out when the gain is past a certain level.
And the SLO can't compete IMHO.
I've played the NATAS and have owned all the above mentioned amps.
Still have a few UL's.
Soon to be Meathead owner if my X wife doesn't rape me any further.

 

[yngzaklynch]

Can't wait for the clips

 

[Digital Jams]

any comparisons to the pittbull UL or the Soldano SLO or the Suhr OD100se+/PT100?

Anyone know how many gain stages in the overdrive channel?

I would say it has something in common with the Ultralead.
The similarity is that it never muds out and stays tight even with the gains dimed.
Plus, like a UL, it has a very low noise floor.
Excellent note separation and fullness.
The OD100SE+ etc, muds out when the gain is past a certain level.
And the SLO can't compete IMHO.
I've played the NATAS and have owned all the above mentioned amps.
Still have a few UL's.
Soon to be Meathead owner if my X wife doesn't rape me any further.

Yeah, the UL reminds me of the natas but to the next level and the scary part is that Mike has hung out further headroom and gain while keeping the articulation since we have played it........................ah that should keep the hype machine rolling

SLO is a totally different amp and same goes for the CAE.

 

[Jay Strange]

Hey Digital Jams, Sweet boat dude!!

 

[Digital Jams]

Hey Digital Jams, Sweet boat dude!!

Dont have it yet, that is there telling me no more gear so that I can get it

 

[duodecim]

There was a lot of talk about the Fortin Natas in its developmental stage, but now that the prototype has been built and tested, and that the final amp is 95% finished, let's discuss.

Let's discuss what? Half a year of blabbing and still not a single clip... There just isn't much to talk about and we've all heard the hype a few thousand times already.

 

[Ancient Alien]

There was a lot of talk about the Fortin Natas in its developmental stage, but now that the prototype has been built and tested, and that the final amp is 95% finished, let's discuss.

Let's discuss what? Half a year of blabbing and still not a single clip... There just isn't much to talk about and we've all heard the hype a few thousand times already.

I hear you.
But in respect to Mikes position on the clips, you kinda have to understand that he wants "proper" clips of the amp up.
I agree with him since I did get to play the amp in person and hear the clips that were posted.
They did not sound anything like what they should have.
Plus the fact that he brought out a prototype of the amp that was not completed.
And you know how rarely you hear a "good" clip of an amp.
I'm sure they are in the works right now.
Hopefully Mike himself will record them.
Cause that man is an animal on the guitar.
My jaw is still dragging on the ground after hearing him play.