KSR / Rhodes Colossus...Tell me about it.

[angelspade]

I was wondering if some of the guys here that have owned or spent time with the Rhodes / KSR Colossus could chime in. I have been checking these amps out on-line and they have really peaked my interest. Right now my primary amp is the Diezel D-Moll and I am a fan of both the EVH and Peavey versions of the 5150. Other amps that have felt pretty good to me over the years include the Mesa Mark III, Diezel Herbert and Wizard Metal 100. I like really versatile heads that don't need to be cranked to get great tone. Please tell me more about the KSR Colossus...Is this an amp that I should investigate further? I am considering either the Colossus and the EVH Stealth presently.

 

[Pushead]

I've used the Artemis as my main amp since this summer. I also have a 6505+, 5150III, and a Single Rec and have recently had a TriAxis and JSX.

In terms of sound, the Artemis can cover what the 5150III does and then way more. I bought the Artemis to replace the TriAxis I'd had for over a decade, and wanted something that was midi controlled and gave me similar shaping options as the TriAxis did, but with a more modern voice. What I've found in the last few months playing with it, is that I can dial in some basic settings for EQ and gain, then as I go through each channel, you can boost things (EQ areas and gain) using the switches. I have the gain on my Lead 1 channel at 1:30 or so. But if I need more gain for a certain part, I can just change the gain stage mode, which increases the gain. If I want more mids during a solo, I can change do a different voicing.

It's hard to describe in writing, and I feel a bit dumber now, trying to think of the right words to say it. Suffice it to say, it's a very versatile amp. So much so, that I had a difficult time picking a few sounds and sticking with them. I still tweak as I go.

Low volume playing is very nice. The Presence and Resonance controls ("Top" and "Bottom" knobs on the amp) really help in that regard.

I've never played a Colossus, though Kyle says that the Colossus sounds are in the Artemis. From what I've read, the Colossus doesn't have quite as many shape shifting options as the Artemis, Gemini and Othos models do. The sounds I like best use the "Wood Mod" settings from the Colossus. I'm not exactly sure what the Wood Mod does, but I think it's pretty popular.

I think it's probably something you'd want to at least look further into.

Kyle is fantastic to work with, if you're buying new, but there are (were?) two different KSR/Rhodes amps in the sales threads at extremely good deals. I have no dog in this fight, just sharing experiences.

 

[Pushead]

There's a thread by member lessthan12 (I think) from yesterday playing the Colossus at low volume on one of the lead channels. But this is one of the nicest clean videos I've seen of the amp.

 

[Rev]

I've played the product lineup from KSR. The Colossus is fantastic with the separate EQ's for each channel. The Artemis has the same tones just three channels and rack mounted. The Gemini has a few different switching options such as a saturation control with the clean channel that when activated gives saturation to the drive channel. The Orthos is a stripped down version of the Gemini but has the "new" crunch channel as shared with the Ares. The Ares shares the same drive channel of all the amps. The crunch of the Ares/Orthos is straight up British sounding, where as the drive is the KSR/SLO/Mark series type smooth lead tone for modern rock and metal. The KSR drive channel in all the amps is straight up monstrous sounding. There is a roar that I've never heard in another amp. Check out the Gary Hoey's video from this year's NAMM. That will give a good idea of how versatile the Colossus can sound.

 

[rottingcorpse]

If the colossus has the same gain as my Gemini, it's a total keeper. Sometimes I wish I had bought a used colossus instead, but then my Gemini has kt88s in it. Makes me very happy, but the cats hate it.

 

[Candiria]

I've had a Colossus for about a year now. I'd say if you like Diezel style tones you'll probably like the Colossus. I can't confirm that because I haven't played a Diezel, but the way people describe the Diezel as a "refined tone" is the way I hear my amp. It has a very big sound to it in the vein of a Dual Rec or Uberschall but the gain structure is totally different and it's just as tight as a Mesa Mark. It's like a ...Diezel...Uber...Mark maybe?

It's not chainsaw aggressive like a 5150 or 2 channel Dual Rec, it's in the smoother Mark/SLO camp. However it doesn't really sound like those amps. It's much more bass heavy and is missing their old school rawness. Mark's have a ton of low end, but none of it is really usable whereas on the KSR stuff you can bring the bass up to get a really thick tone without it flubbing.

The Colossus is a much more refined sound. It reminds me of the tone from Revocation's album Deathless. That's a 5150 III I believe, but the Colossus can sound a lot like that recorded tone. It doesn't really sound like a 5153. I think that's the biggest thing I've noticed about the Rhodes gain channel. It sounds like it's had some studio work done on it already, so it's a very heavy, angry sound that is also pleasing to the ear and devoid of a lot of high end harshness.

The clean channel is really nice. Similar to the Mesa Mark V Fat clean with Bold switch flipped on. The crunch channel is the one thing I'm not really a fan of. The low end disappears on mine, and it gets more harsh in the top end than I would like. Maybe it's a preamp tube, but I haven't checked the tube chart or played with the tubes.

If you're looking for a modern heavy tone with a legit great clean channel and a fantastic master volume, then KSR is probably the best around. If you want something more old school then you might be disappointed because it's not going to have that raw pissed off tone.

There's a thread by member lessthan12 (I think) from yesterday playing the Colossus at low volume on one of the lead channels. But this is one of the nicest clean videos I've seen of the amp.

That's my amp and the guy I bought it from

 

[InFlames235]

All I know about it is you should be more interested in the Gemini and buy my used one in the marketplace

 

[angelspade]

Very helpful so far...I wish I had an opportunity to demo this amp. I really does sound very appealing based on what I am reading from you guys.

 

[geese_com]

Very helpful so far...I wish I had an opportunity to demo this amp. I really does sound very appealing based on what I am reading from you guys.

Where are you located? I might be able to help if you are nearby.

 

[angelspade]

Very helpful so far...I wish I had an opportunity to demo this amp. I really does sound very appealing based on what I am reading from you guys.

Where are you located? I might be able to help if you are nearby.

Greatly appreciated....Unfortunately, I'm on the West Coast. Thanks You.

 

[rottingcorpse]

Very helpful so far...I wish I had an opportunity to demo this amp. I really does sound very appealing based on what I am reading from you guys.

Every amp I own I bought as a leap of faith, not from YouTube clips or that kinda shit. I bought them based on my friends advice, people who knew my playing style and what I liked in an amp. Yeah, I got a couple that had to go away quickly, but everything still in the collection is kick ass and a keeper. The KSR Gemini is in the top 5 for sure.

As stated above by someone else, this is a more refined amp. It's not raw. It's that polished Diezel Herbert type of tone (another top 5 amp for me). And for what a colossus sells for used around here, IMO it's a good amp to buy without being able to try it first. But I would steer one of my bros towards a used Gemini.

I would like to thank my brother gsxrbusa Tom for talking me into ordering my Gemini. Owe you big.