I've been playing my Fortin Cali mod next to an XTC 101B.

[Digital Jams]

I've had the Fortin for a while now and it's gotten me off swapping. But i have been going through amps for a few months because i wanted something with a great clean and nice crunchy mid gain tones. After a Lonestar and an Electra Dyne I've got a XTC, suprise suprise. It's a 101b from 07 and i just installed the Marvel mod which took all of 5 minutes, SIMPLE stuff.

I think I've had enough time with the amps to make an honest comparison. If i were playing a gig tonight i would be bringing the XTC. It's versatile, sounds good, great footswitch and a very good effects loop. The clean is nice, the blue channel is very nice and i like it a lot with a pedal boosting it. You could probably buy an XTC and never use the red channel if you have some pedals for high gain on the blue channel.

The red channel is another story and I'm still playing around with it. Compared to the Fortin....no comparison. The Fortin Cali mod is tighter, more gain, better overall feel, cleans up better, better feeling bottom end. And I'm using the Cameron mode on the XTC and it's just not as fun to play as the Fortin.

Now the red channel isn't a total dog and with some more tweaking I'm sure i can get something better from it. I'm suprised by how much gain it doesn't have without the boost engaged. Even with the boost engaged it's nowhere near as saturated as the Fortin and it's still loose sounding as compared to it. But i have been using a BB preamp to tighten things up, but i think a different pedal would work better with this amp, probably something with less compression and more sparkle.

But, they're both great amps and i do enjoy playing around with all the tones each one offers. It's hard to beat the versatility of the XTC.

I think if Mike Fortin reworked that red channel and got it close to the Fortin, then that might just be the amp to end all amps.

Cool comparison.

I've always liked the XTC's.

I can honestly say that the Fortin I played had more compression and saturation than pretty much any amp I've ever tried.

No joke when people say the notes jump off the board.

If you set it up that way, it can also be very open and raw with little compression by using the toggle switches.

Absolutely.

Didn't mean to imply anything else

Yeah, it can be set up to auto shred with a flick of a switch though

I have not played a Friedman and think they sound great but I dont think they are as tight in the low end as Mike's mod, the Cali can be used as a percussive instrument it is so tight.

 

[thiswaythatway]

I've had the Fortin for a while now and it's gotten me off swapping. But i have been going through amps for a few months because i wanted something with a great clean and nice crunchy mid gain tones. After a Lonestar and an Electra Dyne I've got a XTC, suprise suprise. It's a 101b from 07 and i just installed the Marvel mod which took all of 5 minutes, SIMPLE stuff.

I think I've had enough time with the amps to make an honest comparison. If i were playing a gig tonight i would be bringing the XTC. It's versatile, sounds good, great footswitch and a very good effects loop. The clean is nice, the blue channel is very nice and i like it a lot with a pedal boosting it. You could probably buy an XTC and never use the red channel if you have some pedals for high gain on the blue channel.

The red channel is another story and I'm still playing around with it. Compared to the Fortin....no comparison. The Fortin Cali mod is tighter, more gain, better overall feel, cleans up better, better feeling bottom end. And I'm using the Cameron mode on the XTC and it's just not as fun to play as the Fortin.

Now the red channel isn't a total dog and with some more tweaking I'm sure i can get something better from it. I'm suprised by how much gain it doesn't have without the boost engaged. Even with the boost engaged it's nowhere near as saturated as the Fortin and it's still loose sounding as compared to it. But i have been using a BB preamp to tighten things up, but i think a different pedal would work better with this amp, probably something with less compression and more sparkle.

But, they're both great amps and i do enjoy playing around with all the tones each one offers. It's hard to beat the versatility of the XTC.

I think if Mike Fortin reworked that red channel and got it close to the Fortin, then that might just be the amp to end all amps.

Cool comparison.

I've always liked the XTC's.

I can honestly say that the Fortin I played had more compression and saturation than pretty much any amp I've ever tried.

No joke when people say the notes jump off the board.

If you set it up that way, it can also be very open and raw with little compression by using the toggle switches.

Absolutely.

Didn't mean to imply anything else

Yeah, it can be set up to auto shred with a flick of a switch though

I have not played a Friedman and think they sound great but I dont think they are as tight in the low end as Mike's mod, the Cali can be used as a percussive instrument it is so tight.

Yup, tighter than Cano's home run tonight deep into the Fenway stands.

 

[Digital Jams]

I've had the Fortin for a while now and it's gotten me off swapping. But i have been going through amps for a few months because i wanted something with a great clean and nice crunchy mid gain tones. After a Lonestar and an Electra Dyne I've got a XTC, suprise suprise. It's a 101b from 07 and i just installed the Marvel mod which took all of 5 minutes, SIMPLE stuff.

I think I've had enough time with the amps to make an honest comparison. If i were playing a gig tonight i would be bringing the XTC. It's versatile, sounds good, great footswitch and a very good effects loop. The clean is nice, the blue channel is very nice and i like it a lot with a pedal boosting it. You could probably buy an XTC and never use the red channel if you have some pedals for high gain on the blue channel.

The red channel is another story and I'm still playing around with it. Compared to the Fortin....no comparison. The Fortin Cali mod is tighter, more gain, better overall feel, cleans up better, better feeling bottom end. And I'm using the Cameron mode on the XTC and it's just not as fun to play as the Fortin.

Now the red channel isn't a total dog and with some more tweaking I'm sure i can get something better from it. I'm suprised by how much gain it doesn't have without the boost engaged. Even with the boost engaged it's nowhere near as saturated as the Fortin and it's still loose sounding as compared to it. But i have been using a BB preamp to tighten things up, but i think a different pedal would work better with this amp, probably something with less compression and more sparkle.

But, they're both great amps and i do enjoy playing around with all the tones each one offers. It's hard to beat the versatility of the XTC.

I think if Mike Fortin reworked that red channel and got it close to the Fortin, then that might just be the amp to end all amps.

Cool comparison.

I've always liked the XTC's.

I can honestly say that the Fortin I played had more compression and saturation than pretty much any amp I've ever tried.

No joke when people say the notes jump off the board.

If you set it up that way, it can also be very open and raw with little compression by using the toggle switches.

Absolutely.

Didn't mean to imply anything else

Yeah, it can be set up to auto shred with a flick of a switch though

I have not played a Friedman and think they sound great but I dont think they are as tight in the low end as Mike's mod, the Cali can be used as a percussive instrument it is so tight.

Yup, tighter than Cano's home run tonight deep into the Fenway stands.

Ortiz........................

 

[gibson5413]

I've had the Fortin for a while now and it's gotten me off swapping. But i have been going through amps for a few months because i wanted something with a great clean and nice crunchy mid gain tones. After a Lonestar and an Electra Dyne I've got a XTC, suprise suprise. It's a 101b from 07 and i just installed the Marvel mod which took all of 5 minutes, SIMPLE stuff.

I think I've had enough time with the amps to make an honest comparison. If i were playing a gig tonight i would be bringing the XTC. It's versatile, sounds good, great footswitch and a very good effects loop. The clean is nice, the blue channel is very nice and i like it a lot with a pedal boosting it. You could probably buy an XTC and never use the red channel if you have some pedals for high gain on the blue channel.

The red channel is another story and I'm still playing around with it. Compared to the Fortin....no comparison. The Fortin Cali mod is tighter, more gain, better overall feel, cleans up better, better feeling bottom end. And I'm using the Cameron mode on the XTC and it's just not as fun to play as the Fortin.

Now the red channel isn't a total dog and with some more tweaking I'm sure i can get something better from it. I'm suprised by how much gain it doesn't have without the boost engaged. Even with the boost engaged it's nowhere near as saturated as the Fortin and it's still loose sounding as compared to it. But i have been using a BB preamp to tighten things up, but i think a different pedal would work better with this amp, probably something with less compression and more sparkle.

But, they're both great amps and i do enjoy playing around with all the tones each one offers. It's hard to beat the versatility of the XTC.

I think if Mike Fortin reworked that red channel and got it close to the Fortin, then that might just be the amp to end all amps.

Cool comparison.

I've always liked the XTC's.

I can honestly say that the Fortin I played had more compression and saturation than pretty much any amp I've ever tried.

No joke when people say the notes jump off the board.

If you set it up that way, it can also be very open and raw with little compression by using the toggle switches.

Absolutely.

Didn't mean to imply anything else

Yeah, it can be set up to auto shred with a flick of a switch though

I have not played a Friedman and think they sound great but I dont think they are as tight in the low end as Mike's mod, the Cali can be used as a percussive instrument it is so tight.

Yup, tighter than Cano's home run tonight deep into the Fenway stands.

Funny how you and I have similar tastes on just about everything with the exception of baseball. Die hard Sox fan here. Not because of 2004. I've been a fan since the early to mid 80s.

Should be a fun season!

 

[Digital Jams]

Oh Chad.................I used to like you

Calling Mike to make a "special" sounding amp just for you...........................

 

[gibson5413]

Oh Chad.................I used to like you

Calling Mike to make a "special" sounding amp just for you...........................

Such is life for a Red Sox fan. Hopefully the Rig-Talk Gods can look past my transgressions.

Mike always said "Special amps for special guys!"

On a serious note, I am getting super ansty for my Cali mod. I know Mike is recovering and my wish is for a speedy recovery from his surgery. Sometimes my GAS makes me crazy!

 

[Strat+Marshall]

Yeah, I really like, the XTC but have to admit if it has a downfall it is the red channel. It really only worked for me for over the top leads. If you dial it back a bit, you might as well be back on the blue channel with the boost.

 

[thiswaythatway]

Oh Chad.................I used to like you

Calling Mike to make a "special" sounding amp just for you...........................

Where's guitarman9654? Whenever there's a Yankee/Red Sox tussle he's usually the first one in for the chowdaheads!

I wouldn't be suprised if Big Roidy wasn't even in the Sox lineup later in the season. And between with all the talk of Yanks and Sox, a lot of people are in love with the Rays. I know one thing, when the Yanks play the Rays Jorge Posada should NOT, i repeat NOT, be in there at catcher. The Rays are going to run the bases like crazy and I' love to see Victor Martinez try to throw anyone out. He's like Posada, great hitter, lousy catcher. At least the Yanks can throw in Cirvelli who is a better catcher. Let Jorge DH the Rays games.

 

[thiswaythatway]

Yeah, I really like, the XTC but have to admit if it has a downfall it is the red channel. It really only worked for me for over the top leads. If you dial it back a bit, you might as well be back on the blue channel with the boost.

I spent some time playing them both last night. If people think the red channel on the XTC is great for leads then they'd shit their pants if they plugged into my Fortin. It's really no contest.

 

[yngzaklynch]

Yeah, I really like, the XTC but have to admit if it has a downfall it is the red channel. It really only worked for me for over the top leads. If you dial it back a bit, you might as well be back on the blue channel with the boost.

I spent some time playing them both last night. If people think the red channel on the XTC is great for leads then they'd shit their pants if they plugged into my Fortin. It's really no contest.

Can we get an A/B video of the two amps?????

 

[thiswaythatway]

Yeah, I really like, the XTC but have to admit if it has a downfall it is the red channel. It really only worked for me for over the top leads. If you dial it back a bit, you might as well be back on the blue channel with the boost.

I spent some time playing them both last night. If people think the red channel on the XTC is great for leads then they'd shit their pants if they plugged into my Fortin. It's really no contest.

Can we get an A/B video of the two amps?????

I'll try but i can tell you this, what i hear in the room and what's on video are not the same thing.

 

[Mailman1971]

I'll try but i can tell you this, what i hear in the room and what's on video are not the same thing.

+100 on this....everything gets compressed and it pales in comparrison.

 

[lolzgreg]

Brentsp has some mod for the xtc that I thought sounded killer, not sure which channel though.

What made you get an xtc anyways?

Well i got the Fortin placed on my minds list of things that won't get sold. Saved up a little and have been doing the amp swap with the 2nd amp. And it was sitting in GC and it's in MINT shape. I do like the XTC better than other modern high gain switchers like the Diezels and Engl's of the world.

I need to try it on some Greenbacks. When i have some extra coin I'm going to try some Scumbacks. I think i could see myself keeping the XTC though, the clean and Blue channels are really nice. Just wish the red channel was a bit tighter.

Was this the XTC at the Paramus Guitar Center of NJ 15 for $2495.00? My friend works there and sent me a picture of it as soon as it came it. Then I responded, sorry, this will be at my house in three weeks:

On that note Danny, I'd love to hear that XTC a/b'd with the "XTC" that Dave Woodhouse built for me, and if you like what he did to the red channel, you should consider him to mod it. If you ever want to swing by my house for a mini ampfest (hell, I own eight amps, thats like an ampfest right there ), come on down! I'd love to hear your Cali and Ecstasy among what I have here.

 

[Digital Jams]

Yeah, I really like, the XTC but have to admit if it has a downfall it is the red channel. It really only worked for me for over the top leads. If you dial it back a bit, you might as well be back on the blue channel with the boost.

I spent some time playing them both last night. If people think the red channel on the XTC is great for leads then they'd shit their pants if they plugged into my Fortin. It's really no contest.

 

[MrDan666]

I spent some time playing them both last night. If people think the red channel on the XTC is great for leads then they'd shit their pants if they plugged into my Fortin. It's really no contest.

I found the same thing at the Mini-Ampfest we had at my place, when we all tested out both my Cali Mods and also FlyAngus' XTC 101B to compare. The XTC is a killer amp and feels easy to play, but the Cali Mod was even easier to play and had more saturation on tap The look on Angus's face was priceless when i first plugged him into the Cali

 

[Digital Jams]

I spent some time playing them both last night. If people think the red channel on the XTC is great for leads then they'd shit their pants if they plugged into my Fortin. It's really no contest.

I found the same thing at the Mini-Ampfest we had at my place, when we all tested out both my Cali Mods and also FlyAngus' XTC 101B to compare. The XTC is a killer amp and feels easy to play, but the Cali Mod was even easier to play and had more saturation on tap The look on Angus's face was priceless when i first plugged him into the Cali

PIcs of that sexy bastard Angus

 

[rocker]

I spent some time playing them both last night. If people think the red channel on the XTC is great for leads then they'd shit their pants if they plugged into my Fortin. It's really no contest.

I found the same thing at the Mini-Ampfest we had at my place, when we all tested out both my Cali Mods and also FlyAngus' XTC 101B to compare. The XTC is a killer amp and feels easy to play, but the Cali Mod was even easier to play and had more saturation on tap The look on Angus's face was priceless when i first plugged him into the Cali

Thanks Dan for giving me even more gas, the waiting now will not be so hard.

 

[MrDan666]

I found the same thing at the Mini-Ampfest we had at my place, when we all tested out both my Cali Mods and also FlyAngus' XTC 101B to compare. The XTC is a killer amp and feels easy to play, but the Cali Mod was even easier to play and had more saturation on tap The look on Angus's face was priceless when i first plugged him into the Cali

PIcs of that sexy bastard Angus

 

[MrDan666]

Thanks Dan for giving me even more gas, the waiting now will not be so hard.

 

[espquade]

I've had the Fortin for a while now and it's gotten me off swapping. But i have been going through amps for a few months because i wanted something with a great clean and nice crunchy mid gain tones. After a Lonestar and an Electra Dyne I've got a XTC, suprise suprise. It's a 101b from 07 and i just installed the Marvel mod which took all of 5 minutes, SIMPLE stuff.

I think I've had enough time with the amps to make an honest comparison. If i were playing a gig tonight i would be bringing the XTC. It's versatile, sounds good, great footswitch and a very good effects loop. The clean is nice, the blue channel is very nice and i like it a lot with a pedal boosting it. You could probably buy an XTC and never use the red channel if you have some pedals for high gain on the blue channel.

The red channel is another story and I'm still playing around with it. Compared to the Fortin....no comparison. The Fortin Cali mod is tighter, more gain, better overall feel, cleans up better, better feeling bottom end. And I'm using the Cameron mode on the XTC and it's just not as fun to play as the Fortin.

Now the red channel isn't a total dog and with some more tweaking I'm sure i can get something better from it. I'm suprised by how much gain it doesn't have without the boost engaged. Even with the boost engaged it's nowhere near as saturated as the Fortin and it's still loose sounding as compared to it. But i have been using a BB preamp to tighten things up, but i think a different pedal would work better with this amp, probably something with less compression and more sparkle.

But, they're both great amps and i do enjoy playing around with all the tones each one offers. It's hard to beat the versatility of the XTC.

I think if Mike Fortin reworked that red channel and got it close to the Fortin, then that might just be the amp to end all amps.

Cool comparison.

I've always liked the XTC's.

I can honestly say that the Fortin I played had more compression and saturation than pretty much any amp I've ever tried.

No joke when people say the notes jump off the board.

If you set it up that way, it can also be very open and raw with little compression by using the toggle switches.

Absolutely.

Didn't mean to imply anything else

Yeah, it can be set up to auto shred with a flick of a switch though

I have not played a Friedman and think they sound great but I dont think they are as tight in the low end as Mike's mod, the Cali can be used as a percussive instrument it is so tight.

I will have to disagree as my Friedman SLP can get as tight as needed with the Power drive feature on the back of the amp .

With the Power drive dimed it can almost get VHT tight , but with that great Marshall crunch !!!!!