The MC100 I had, the mids were fairly close to a Marshall but still its own thing. If you buy a Wizard expecting a typical Marshall mid response you may be a little disappointed. But they cut just fine, and certainly aren't scooped. The MTL is scooped though, IMO. The MTL I had was from 2012, and maybe they are different now.
Not Mesa like or about being scooped, more of the character/texture. Listen to a overdriven Hiwatt and a Marshall (whether it’s a jcm800, JMP, SuperLead or Plexi), the Wizard’s have a sound that’s somewhere in between the 2 in character, but higher gain and more modern than both
Even the Rev 1 is not the most growly or raw amp. It’s still more on the smooth, polished side, but less so than the later revisions. Very possible you could still find it to have that generic thing (same with the Beta). The Rev Blue I remember being brighter and more cutting, which maybe could make it a more practical amp for things like band use, but they just don’t have the same over the top thing going on. The Rev 1 I think is sort of a one trick pony since it’s always compressed, quite dark (Rev blue may have been trying to “correct” that) and over the top, but it has this brutal, cartoonish, thunderous thing going on that imo just got lost in the Rev 2, Blue and Twin Jet. Might be my most brutal amp in many ways, but doesn’t have it all
The CCV and Beta also have a similarly easy to play feel, just not quite as much as the Uber. The Rev 1 almost plays itself, like a built in talent booster. I like a lot of different flavors despite my complaining (especially about hollowness lol) as long as it’s a high enough quality tone, so have kept quite a few lol. I think there’s a good chance you’d like the feel of the Naylor’s and maybe some Marshall’s, but the Naylor’s don’t have that much more gain on tap than a stock jcm800
With mine it sounds good after a long warm up and master volume at 5 or up . It’s just a weird amount of time before it’s killer
Yeah if you get a chance Naylor, late ‘70’s 2203 or early ‘70’s SuperLead all are great amps and they all take boosts extremely well
Ya . Idk .It’s strange. It starts off boxy and ratty then after an hour it’s like damn sodium’s good . I also play my wizard mostly so I might have some weird ear shit going after the wizard all the time . Wizards are so expensive but with them you see the worth . So good
I have no experience with the MTL. Any “metal” type amps I have tried I didn’t like, so never thought to try one. Had one of the 90’s Wizard Metal 100’s, was my first Wizard. It was pretty nice and brighter voiced. My MC is a custom one Rick built for me before he got back into making amps full time. Probably different than current ones. Never needed to look for any more amps after getting it.
I think, if I remember right the first Wizard Metal (instead of MTL) were essentially what the MC100s would be in the later 2000s....the MTL 50 that I had wasn't a super high gain 'metal' type amp; it had the saturation on all the time vs the MC100 where I could switch it off; and it was essentially a 2203 in total gain. The MTL was more low mid centered and was like a boosted mid-scooped 2203.
Haven’t tried a MTL, didnt sound like something I would like. Must be something with the newer MC’s or because mine is custom. It has what I want out of it everytime I turn it on, no good days or bad days, put the knobs pretty much in the center and good to go. Through a 4 hour gig, tone never changes.
Right my Metal had the big headshell with the gothic looking grill deal. He told me the “Metal” was just that it was built super heavy duty. Circuit wise it was a bit different looking and had the Bright knob. Mine had a pull out gain boost Rick added and bass boost that was already on it…it had plenty of gain, like an 2203 with a sd1. Brighter than my MC. Like a higher gain Dirty Deeds kinda tone.
