Wizard amp owners? MC vs MCii

[drspearing]

I demoed an MC I and the added clean gain and bright control on the MC II made it worth going to the MC II. I don't really use the Contour that often. I also sold some amps and other gear and bought a MTL. Love them both and don't intend to sell either.

Like has been said, don't discount the different transformers Rick offers. Some people have stated that the MC II is too modern sounding but they had the "V" transformer. I got my MC II with the "C" transformer and I think it does the classic thing very well. In my opinion, it makes the amp a "little" more Marshall sounding. I did get the MTL with the "V" transformer though. It may be the different amps or the different transformers but the MC II seems to be slightly brighter and it punches a little more.

Both great amps so you can't go wrong with either. Just depends on what you want

 

[Racerxrated]

Hi there, for all of you Wizard owners, can you name an amp which is similar to a Wizard? I know, no other amp like the Wizard, but what would be one step behind the Wizard? SLO maybe?

When I've heard a Wizard live, it sounds like a boosted Marshall Jubilee on steroids. A Jubilee does have some HiWatt DNA from what I've read, and the LED clipping in the Jubilee is also in the Wizard to some extent. But don't buy a Jubilee thinking it will be a Wizard. I really like a boosted Jubilee, and shortly I will have a Wizard MTL. I can then give a more detailed comparison.

 

[cnote]

I had an MC1 from 2006. To me it is a mix between a Marshall Plexi and a Hiwatt. Not useable at lower volumes. Originally developed to produce stage volumes for Malcolm. They do that very well. Also James Hetfield used his MC1 a lot on the Garage albums in the 90s, and it looks like his using it again for Hardwired. It has to be crazy loud for that. Plate voltages are very high - mine is at 550V.

 

[VC4Ever]

I've had the MC, MC 2, and MTL. Only Wizard I got along with was the MC.

 

[lespaul6]

For those in the market, Christmas 2009 is the demarcation point for the updates to the MC I. New transformers and master volumes were introduced. The next update came with the MC II introduction. Bright knobs for both channels and all functions footswitchable from that point on. With the new updates the ground wiring layout was revised and no more pop when switching channels. Hope this helps

 

[LP Freak]

Do any of you guys that have the MCII use the loop? Is it transparent like the Friedman or does it color the tone? What's the trick to using the send and return levels?

 

[232cap]

Paul is getting itchy finger.

 

[drspearing]

I use the loop in my MC II and it works fine. May, and I mean may cut a slight amount of bass. BTW, no popping when changing channels and the master works very well. Loop can also be used for a Master volume too.

 

[RedB4Black]

The loop on mine is as good as on the BE. I really don't use it much though. I use the send for w/d/w, sounds a lot better IMO.

 

[halebox]

Is the led clipping similar to zener jose? I don't think I'm a fan of led clipping. I played a jubilee for a minute and recognized the similarities to wizard. Perhaps I would like the MTL

 

[lespaul6]

^^probably not