Looking to buy my "dream" head!

[Mailman1971]

exo-metal ` I've been trying to buy my dream amp over 30yrs

A 'FN' MEN!!!

Still looking as well.

 

[fusedbrain]

I want a versatile amp that lets me play everything from Death Metal to R&B or even Jazz, basically whatever creative ideas I have would not be hampered by having the wrong amp.

Lots of love for Wizard amps in this thread so far...but if the quote is indeed the mission statement, I'm not sure that Wizard is the answer.
Wizards are legendary for good reason, because they do this "thing".
And that "thing" is the most raw, aggressive, rip your head off and kick you in the nuts tone you've ever heard.
They don't sound polished, and I wouldn't call them versatile, but to stand in a room with one is breathtaking...

When I get asked about an amp suggestion to meet your criteria, my go-to response is Bogner Ecstacy or JP2C.
The Bogner if you gravitate towards the Marshall side , or the JP2C if you're a Boogie guy.
Both amps sound fantastic and are extremely versatile, but they aren't necessarily "the best" at every style on your wish list.

To be honest, I'm not sure that your "dream" amp actually exists. You are probably going to have to decide if the priority is going to be Death Metal or Jazz/R&B or whatever, or just go with 2 amps. You certainly have the budget for 2 really nice amps.

YMMV

 

[longfxukxnhair]

H&K Tri amp

 

[FourT6and2]

For non-Marshall versatility, I'd go with Diezel or KSR. H&K Tri-Amp always sounds good when I've played them but never spent enough time with one.

 

[Metlupass2]

Ahh are there any others on my list that are Marshall based? Also I'm in Chicago which you would think should have a decent selection...

Where in Chicago are you? I've got a Mesa JP-2C you could come check out as long as you're not a serial killer. You're not right?

 

[MetalHeadMike]

They don't sound polished, and I wouldn't call them versatile, but to stand in a room with one is breathtaking..
YMMV

I most respectfully disagree with this. The MCII goes from gorgeous cleans, to the most raw aggressive punch you in the guts/kick you in the nuts metal tone, to a deeply saturated smoothed out and relatively polished metal tone when boosted and with the contour knob really low, to killer killer classic rock tones. All IMHO of course.

 

[protoplasma]

Ahh are there any others on my list that are Marshall based? Also I'm in Chicago which you would think should have a decent selection...

We have several customers in Chicago, some of which have been known to have guys over to check out stuff.

We're in the Cincinnati area, and if you ever get down this way, feel free to hit me up for a shop tour and jam session.

 

[fusedbrain]

They don't sound polished, and I wouldn't call them versatile, but to stand in a room with one is breathtaking..
YMMV

I most respectfully disagree with this. The MCII goes from gorgeous cleans, to the most raw aggressive punch you in the guts/kick you in the nuts metal tone, to a deeply saturated smoothed out and relatively polished metal tone when boosted and with the contour knob really low, to killer killer classic rock tones. All IMHO of course.

Hey, don't get me wrong, my MCII is gonna be burried with me!!
Best amp I ever played. Period.
I agree that the rhythm channel does some cool "plexi " type clean tones and can cop a good classic rock tone, but the power supply is so damn tight and punchy you ain't gonna get anything like those saggy Fender Tweed or Vox tones out of a Wizard. Wizards don't do sag
And like you said, if you don't hit the front end with a boost, it's not ever going to smooth out or saturate...but that's not a bug, that's feature for sure
I just wanted to make sure the OP knows what to expect if he goes down the Wizard rabbit hole.

 

[jco5055]

I want a versatile amp that lets me play everything from Death Metal to R&B or even Jazz, basically whatever creative ideas I have would not be hampered by having the wrong amp.

Lots of love for Wizard amps in this thread so far...but if the quote is indeed the mission statement, I'm not sure that Wizard is the answer.
Wizards are legendary for good reason, because they do this "thing".
And that "thing" is the most raw, aggressive, rip your head off and kick you in the nuts tone you've ever heard.
They don't sound polished, and I wouldn't call them versatile, but to stand in a room with one is breathtaking...

When I get asked about an amp suggestion to meet your criteria, my go-to response is Bogner Ecstacy or JP2C.
The Bogner if you gravitate towards the Marshall side , or the JP2C if you're a Boogie guy.
Both amps sound fantastic and are extremely versatile, but they aren't necessarily "the best" at every style on your wish list.

To be honest, I'm not sure that your "dream" amp actually exists. You are probably going to have to decide if the priority is going to be Death Metal or Jazz/R&B or whatever, or just go with 2 amps. You certainly have the budget for 2 really nice amps.

YMMV

If I had to choose, I guess I’d choose like “medium” level heavy metal/rock? Like the kind of tone you’d want to use for everything from the black album to Van Halen, journey, or even like Toto on rockier songs.

 

[jco5055]

Ahh are there any others on my list that are Marshall based? Also I'm in Chicago which you would think should have a decent selection...

Where in Chicago are you? I've got a Mesa JP-2C you could come check out as long as you're not a serial killer. You're not right?

Hey man I live off the Wellington stop in Lakeview! I went to rock & roll vintage guitars with my brother to try the Mesa I mentioned. A few other places like MakinMusic and CME are boutique dealers but Mesa appears to be the only stuff from my list they have in stock.

 

[jco5055]

Ahh are there any others on my list that are Marshall based? Also I'm in Chicago which you would think should have a decent selection...

We have several customers in Chicago, some of which have been known to have guys over to check out stuff.

We're in the Cincinnati area, and if you ever get down this way, feel free to hit me up for a shop tour and jam session.

Thanks! Maybe I can also find some of your Chicago customers to let me try out their stuff.

 

[ultimatemetalguitartones]

Just for fun I shot a really quick clip of my mark III + parametric eq + boss sd 1 to have an idea of what the old marks sound like in a bedroom

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qelGoRW9lbM

 

[Luca79]

If you want an amp for many genres, you need one can sound good with many speakers/cabs.

 

[fusedbrain]

I want a versatile amp that lets me play everything from Death Metal to R&B or even Jazz, basically whatever creative ideas I have would not be hampered by having the wrong amp.

Lots of love for Wizard amps in this thread so far...but if the quote is indeed the mission statement, I'm not sure that Wizard is the answer.
Wizards are legendary for good reason, because they do this "thing".
And that "thing" is the most raw, aggressive, rip your head off and kick you in the nuts tone you've ever heard.
They don't sound polished, and I wouldn't call them versatile, but to stand in a room with one is breathtaking...

When I get asked about an amp suggestion to meet your criteria, my go-to response is Bogner Ecstacy or JP2C.
The Bogner if you gravitate towards the Marshall side , or the JP2C if you're a Boogie guy.
Both amps sound fantastic and are extremely versatile, but they aren't necessarily "the best" at every style on your wish list.

To be honest, I'm not sure that your "dream" amp actually exists. You are probably going to have to decide if the priority is going to be Death Metal or Jazz/R&B or whatever, or just go with 2 amps. You certainly have the budget for 2 really nice amps.

YMMV

If I had to choose, I guess I’d choose like “medium” level heavy metal/rock? Like the kind of tone you’d want to use for everything from the black album to Van Halen, journey, or even like Toto on rockier songs.

Here ya go - for sale right now in the RigTalk classifieds:

Mint JP2C - $2400
+
Bogner 20th Shiva - $1700

Just an example of the type of rig you could put together with your budget.
That's a badass combo of amps right there...not much you couldn't cover with that
This is the type of setup I'd be looking at if I were you.....right in your wheelhouse for tones, plus 2 really nice clean channels to work with.

 

[Racerxrated]

I would suggest a Wizard MCII, yes they are Marshall based but also different enough to be their own thing. I love a good Marshall and the reason I sold a MTL is the mids are just not there like a good 2203. Which might be what you want, but IMO the MCII CAN get you Marshall tones while being versatile enough to go away from that tone as well. Very versatile due to the great range in the EQ...extended lows and extended highs is a very good description. They take boosts well unlike the MTL I had, that will allow you to try many different boosts to changeup the tone.
I can say this with great certainty...NO AMP has the power/thump of a 100w Wizard. I had my MCI next to my Mesa Coliseum and the Wizard out thumped it. Unreal. No chance that amp is 100w lol. Clarity is on par with the best, SLO etc. Maybe better.

 

[FourT6and2]

I've never heard a clip/video/recording of a Wizard amp that I actually liked. I don't get it. They all sound fizzy and grainy and kind of generic. It's gotta just be the recordings, right? I checked out every clip on Wizard's own website and none of them sound good to me. Never heard one in person. Yeah I know AC/DC uses them and all, but I definitely prefer their older sound with actual Marshalls.

 

[MetalHeadMike]

They don't sound polished, and I wouldn't call them versatile, but to stand in a room with one is breathtaking..
YMMV

I most respectfully disagree with this. The MCII goes from gorgeous cleans, to the most raw aggressive punch you in the guts/kick you in the nuts metal tone, to a deeply saturated smoothed out and relatively polished metal tone when boosted and with the contour knob really low, to killer killer classic rock tones. All IMHO of course.

Hey, don't get me wrong, my MCII is gonna be burried with me!!
Best amp I ever played. Period.
I agree that the rhythm channel does some cool "plexi " type clean tones and can cop a good classic rock tone, but the power supply is so damn tight and punchy you ain't gonna get anything like those saggy Fender Tweed or Vox tones out of a Wizard. Wizards don't do sag
And like you said, if you don't hit the front end with a boost, it's not ever going to smooth out or saturate...but that's not a bug, that's feature for sure
I just wanted to make sure the OP knows what to expect if he goes down the Wizard rabbit hole.

on their on they do not sag, but are just the polar opposite. I'm just amazed at the way these amps take an OD; like it just soaks one up into the circuit but leaves all the core tone intact. The wife snagged me a Savage drive for Christmas, can't wait to try that one through this amp. I need to get back on the rhythm ch with the LP; there's some sweet sweet rock n roll in there.

 

[Racerxrated]

I've never heard a clip/video/recording of a Wizard amp that I actually liked. I don't get it. They all sound fizzy and grainy and kind of generic. It's gotta just be the recordings, right? I checked out every clip on Wizard's own website and none of them sound good to me. Never heard one in person. Yeah I know AC/DC uses them and all, but I definitely prefer their older sound with actual Marshalls.

And this is why clips are just pure BS. I've heard good clips of amps that I've tried, like EVH, and couldn't return it fast enough. SLO clips suck ass as well, but my exp is they are well deserved of the reputation they have. 2C+ clips mostly suck, and sound just like a Mark III clip. They aren't close when you play them in person...like taking a blanket off the speakers close LOL. You have to take the word of guys that have played them, and give it a shot..unless you can find one to try. The good part is if you don't like the amp, as long as you've bought used you'll get your money back. I love a good Marshall as much as a Wizard, but the Wizard has more balls than any amp made IMO. No amp has more clarity, maybe some are equal. Honestly it's an amp I think everyone here should try just to experience, it's almost like a tonal amusement park ride. And there are low volume spots that sound good, yes they are great pushed but don't believe the bs about they have to be loud to sound good...every amp made is like that. Always best loud.

Point is, clips aren't the best way to judge an amp. In fact I would take people's experiences here over any clip anytime based on my actual experiences with amps vs clips. Clips have fooled me, while guys here have been spot on when I've asked questions.

 

[RedB4Black]

I can say this with great certainty...NO AMP has the power/thump of a 100w Wizard.

Well.... my 150W Wizard does

To the OP....I’m a big Wizard fan, so that’s what I’d recommend... but I also think you’d probably like the Fryette Ultra Lead, KSR Gemini or a Mesa JP2C (don’t even consider a Mark V over this).

 

[lespaul6]

I've never heard a clip/video/recording of a Wizard amp that I actually liked. I don't get it. They all sound fizzy and grainy and kind of generic. It's gotta just be the recordings, right? I checked out every clip on Wizard's own website and none of them sound good to me. Never heard one in person. Yeah I know AC/DC uses them and all, but I definitely prefer their older sound with actual Marshalls.

There's always one on every forum... congrats

OP, you dont really need to spend a lot of money for the sound you want... just get an engl or 5150 variant or even an original dual rectifier. all the metallica you can handle and a clean channel!