Rock Standard Review

[VHTStark]

Thanks,

Any idea if the 3 way toggle is the same between some of the amps when that option is installed?

I have this three-way on my vintage classic and it’s awesome. It changes the gain up, though I don’t know the values.

That would be a question for @WizardSouth-JP as I know he has owned the older RS when Rick started making them.

I wanna say, from playing around with one on a VC, it varies the bright cap + gain and I think it is similar on the older RS and w800....both of which did away with the 3 way switch.

 

[WizardSouth-JP]

The toggle was related to bright caps, Rick changed the design to have just a simple pull for bright. I own a 2025 EL34 50w Rock Standard and it will do any tone you can imagine in your head - assuming you’re not averse to boost pedals.

 

[Corey James]

I think mine also adds gain.

Check this out at about the 30 to 40 second mark when I change the three-way switch. Definitely more than a bright cap unless I just don’t know any better.

I did email Rick, but he did not wanna provide any feedback once he knew that I bought the amp used!

 

[rocker]

100%. The RS has upper mid kerrang more like the w800. The cool thing though, is you can use the "sweep" control to go from Marshall mids to more lower mid focus, kinda like a Bogner.

Thanks man.

 

[VHTStark]

Thanks man.

Absolutely. I will let you know when I compare/contrast with my MCII.

 

[rocker]

Absolutely. I will let you know when I compare/contrast with my MCII.

Have you got the time to compare the Wizards?

 

[VHTStark]

Have you got the time to compare the Wizards?

Ahh I totally forgot about this! I had all the Wizards out over the Holidays, so I did get to compare them.

So: MCII Vs w800 - with the rythm boost and black kat mod, they definitely can get very close in feel and tone. A bit more upper mid kerrang from the w800...but pretty close.

RS vs w800: the RS can absolutely be dialed in to do what the w800 does, tone wise. A bit more saturated gain structure in the RS.

RS vs MCII: Rythm boost and black kat and the RS without bright/boost, some eq'ing and the sweep up can get similar tone wise. Again, the RS in these modes is a bit more naturally saturated.

Notes/provisos: When I say "a bit more saturated, I am literally talking 5% more. Just a little bit more that may/may not matter to a player. The RS is still a fairly "dry" amp.
- The RS, with its versatile eq section, can do some tones my MCII and w800 cannot. It has more give in feel (bounce, chew...however you describe it) and with tweaking the sweep and bright, you can get some really cool Bogner-esque tones that retain the signature punch and clarity. Pretty amazing!!

Actually, I have decided I may move my beloved w800, due to the overlap with the MCII rythm channel and RS. Never thought I would consider that, because I really do love it, but the MCII And RS can get close enough to what it does and I am kinda hankering for a MTL or maybe even a Hellrazor.

Hope that was helpful!!

 

[rocker]

Ahh I totally forgot about this! I had all the Wizards out over the Holidays, so I did get to compare them.

So: MCII Vs w800 - with the rythm boost and black kat mod, they definitely can get very close in feel and tone. A bit more upper mid kerrang from the w800...but pretty close.

RS vs w800: the RS can absolutely be dialed in to do what the w800 does, tone wise. A bit more saturated gain structure in the RS.

RS vs MCII: Rythm boost and black kat and the RS without bright/boost, some eq'ing and the sweep up can get similar tone wise. Again, the RS in these modes is a bit more naturally saturated.

Notes/provisos: When I say "a bit more saturated, I am literally talking 5% more. Just a little bit more that may/may not matter to a player. The RS is still a fairly "dry" amp.
- The RS, with its versatile eq section, can do some tones my MCII and w800 cannot. It has more give in feel (bounce, chew...however you describe it) and with tweaking the sweep and bright, you can get some really cool Bogner-esque tones that retain the signature punch and clarity. Pretty amazing!!

Actually, I have decided I may move my beloved w800, due to the overlap with the MCII rythm channel and RS. Never thought I would consider that, because I really do love it, but the MCII And RS can get close enough to what it does and I am kinda hankering for a MTL or maybe even a Hellrazor.

Hope that was helpful!!

It was very helpful. Thank you so much