Wizard Modern Classic owners: what tubes, speakers U using?

[Jack71]

I recently acquired a Wizard Modern Classic 100 half-stack that I'm loving. I love to experiment with different tubes and speakers, etc. so I'm just wondering what you other Wizard owners have found works best for you?

Right now I have all Chinese 12ax7's in the preamp and JJ E34L's in the power section. I did replace the no-label Chinese tubes in V1, V2 and V4 (phase inverter) with GT 12ax7c's. I know they're basically the same tube but I had the GT's lying around and figured, what the heck.

I play mostly classic rock and hard rock (Alice in Chains, GnR, etc.) covers so I'm not looking to make the amp into a monster metal shredding machine or anything like that. So what preamp and power tubes have you guys had luck with? Also, what bias range do you think sounds best?

What about speakers? I have the Wizard 4x12 straight cab with the Rock 20 speakers which I like. They'll probably sound even better once they're broken in. Does anyone know who makes these speakers for Wizard? I know they are supposed to be reminiscent of the 20 watt Greenbacks but I find them a little tighter and brighter than that. Does anyone know if they are lower efficiency speakers like real Greenbacks? I had a quad of Scumback M75's in my CAA cab that I liked a lot. I'm thinking they would be a great fit with the Wizard. Although, with the 100 watt Modern Classic, I think I would go with the 65 watt versions this time instead of the 25 watters I had before.

So let's hear it guys. Tell me all about your Wizard tweaks. When I get a chance, I will post some good quality clips of my rig for everyone to hear.

 

[jcj]

PM or call Josh Sage at Rebel Amps. He can answer the speaker questions for you.

 

[Greazygeo]

In mine right now (100 watt Modern Classic Road model).....V1 60's Mullard in V1 the rest are Chinese 12ax7B's....power tubes are Svetlana El34's (JJ tubes are blech sounding even though Rick likes them). EH El34's and Winged C's also sound good. JJ EL34, EL34L and KT77's are a no no....

Cabs are two older Wizard Multi Dispersion 4-12's (V front) with Rock 20's and a new 2-12 V front also with Rock 20's. Eminence makes them. Same sensitivity as GB's.

Rick built mine in '06 and I had him put in the tube buffered FX loop, Bright control and a pull gain boost on the lead channel (now a stock feature). It also has a different OT. Cool amp.

 

[thegame]

I have Sylvania 6L6s in my 100w MC right now. Generic 12AX7s. My Modern is an older one, & it has a sharper "kerrrang" to the attack than other Moderns I've tried, which are a bit browner sounding.

Speakers; I like it with GBs, 65s, original g12-80s, even v30s as long as they're in a warm cab
Did not like it with H30s, 75s, CL 80s, Century 80s.
Moral of the story is the Wizard likes midrangy speakers to sound its best IMO.

 

[Jack71]

Good stuff guys. George, when you said Svetlana, I assumed you meant the SEDs which are supposed to be the old Svetlanas. Apparently the new Svetlanas are a different tube and not so great. Are you running the older Svets which would be the equivalent of the new SEDs?

Man, I tried an NOS Mullard in V1 of my Metal 100 when I had it and that tube did not last more than a few days. I just figured it couldn't handle the high voltage of the Wizard. Maybe I just got a bad one? What are the Chinese 12ax7b's? What does the "b" connote?

I've got the newer MC with dual inputs but no fx loop. Apparently Rick will not install them anymore. Not sure why. Which output tranny do you have George? A, B, or C? I'm guessing I have the latest one but some people say they like the older ones better. They claim it's a little warmer sounding.

Btw, I don't know what pickups you guys are using into your Wizards but I'm really liking the WCR Darkburst with Alnico 2 magnet in the bridge of my LP Standard. The Alnico 2 adds a touch of compression and top end smoothness that I think complements the Wizards very well.

Game, the 6L6's sound intriguing. I know some of the Metals ran 6L6s and supposedly they sound great. I don't know if I would need some sort of resistor change to run 6L6's in the Modern Classic though. I bet two 6L6s and two EL34s would sound smokin!

 

[Greazygeo]

Good stuff guys. George, when you said Svetlana, I assumed you meant the SEDs which are supposed to be the old Svetlanas. Apparently the new Svetlanas are a different tube and not so great. Are you running the older Svets which would be the equivalent of the new SEDs?

Man, I tried an NOS Mullard in V1 of my Metal 100 when I had it and that tube did not last more than a few days. I just figured it couldn't handle the high voltage of the Wizard. Maybe I just got a bad one? What are the Chinese 12ax7b's? What does the "b" connote?

I've got the newer MC with dual inputs but no fx loop. Apparently Rick will not install them anymore. Not sure why. Which output tranny do you have George? A, B, or C? I'm guessing I have the latest one but some people say they like the older ones better. They claim it's a little warmer sounding.

Btw, I don't know what pickups you guys are using into your Wizards but I'm really liking the WCR Darkburst with Alnico 2 magnet in the bridge of my LP Standard. The Alnico 2 adds a touch of compression and top end smoothness that I think complements the Wizards very well.

Game, the 6L6's sound intriguing. I know some of the Metals ran 6L6s and supposedly they sound great. I don't know if I would need some sort of resistor change to run 6L6's in the Modern Classic though. I bet two 6L6s and two EL34s would sound smokin!

In my MC are the Svetlana not the SED. They don't sound bad, a bit different than the SED's but not that different. I have the SED in my Metal though. Wizard's pretty much sound good with anything really...but I don't like the JJ's or Teslas. The SED's I like best. You must have just got a bad Mullard...they are in V1 of both mine. My amps won't run Tung sols...hums like crazy.

The 12ax7b are probably just better selected for noise and microphonics. I use them for about everything, Good tone and gain.

My OT is the A. Let me know which one is in yours.

As for pickups, that's more of what matches the guitar than amp imo. All my guitars sound great thru either amp and they all have different pickups.

 

[thegame]

Game, the 6L6's sound intriguing. I know some of the Metals ran 6L6s and supposedly they sound great. I don't know if I would need some sort of resistor change to run 6L6's in the Modern Classic though. I bet two 6L6s and two EL34s would sound smokin!

Yes I believe a resistor change is neccesary. Most of the Wizards made in the 90s came with 6L6s or 5881s, when it was difficult to find good EL34s. I prefer 6L6s in the Wizards, though I may be in the minority on that one.

Rick won't do the FX loops anymore ? Good, I guess my amp just went up in value

3 different OTs in the MC over the years ? I had a 2001 MC, bit more vintage character than my current 1995 or 96 one. He's probably building them a bit more vintage oriented as his tastes change.

 

[Greazygeo]

Game, the 6L6's sound intriguing. I know some of the Metals ran 6L6s and supposedly they sound great. I don't know if I would need some sort of resistor change to run 6L6's in the Modern Classic though. I bet two 6L6s and two EL34s would sound smokin!

Yes I believe a resistor change is neccesary. Most of the Wizards made in the 90s came with 6L6s or 5881s, when it was difficult to find good EL34s. I prefer 6L6s in the Wizards, though I may be in the minority on that one.

Rick won't do the FX loops anymore ? Good, I guess my amp just went up in value

3 different OTs in the MC over the years ? I had a 2001 MC, bit more vintage character than my current 1995 or 96 one. He's probably building them a bit more vintage oriented as his tastes change.

I wish mine had 6l6's. I'd settle for some Sylvania 6CA7's

 

[thegame]

I wish mine had 6l6's. I'd settle for some Sylvania 6CA7's [/quote]

6CA7s, yeah you and me both

Jay had his 6L6 80w Modern converted to EL34s by Rick and he liked the 6l6s better. It wasn't night and day different. Other guys I talked to preferred 34s when they made the same switch. Seems old-school players like 34s more in the Wizzies.

 

[Greazygeo]

6CA7s, yeah you and me both

Jay had his 6L6 80w Modern converted to EL34s by Rick and he liked the 6l6s better. It wasn't night and day different. Other guys I talked to preferred 34s when they made the same switch. Seems old-school players like 34s more in the Wizzies.

Did he use the same OT?

 

[Jack71]

George, I don't know which output tranny I have in mine. How do I tell?

As far as 6CA7's, I've thought about them too as they are a bit closer to 6L6s tonally but bias up like EL34s. I've heard that the new EH 6CA7s sound real nice.

 

[Greazygeo]

George, I don't know which output tranny I have in mine. How do I tell?

As far as 6CA7's, I've thought about them too as they are a bit closer to 6L6s tonally but bias up like EL34s. I've heard that the new EH 6CA7s sound real nice.

There should be a sticker on top or it might be on one of the bells.

Those old Sylvania big bottle 6CA7's are awesome. Too bad they are $500 a quad.

 

[thegame]

6CA7s, yeah you and me both

Jay had his 6L6 80w Modern converted to EL34s by Rick and he liked the 6l6s better. It wasn't night and day different. Other guys I talked to preferred 34s when they made the same switch. Seems old-school players like 34s more in the Wizzies.

Did he use the same OT?

Yeah.