Wizard MTL amps...

[lowmantotempole]

Ok, what does everybody know about them? Years, revisions, options?

How about personal experiences with them? Tips? Dos and do nots? Tube suggestions?

GO!

 

[Tone Monster]

They are loud, expensive, built like tanks, non compressed, and full of amazing tone.

 

[glip22]

There were three versions since 2011 and then the 2016 revision. 2016 has "V" transformers. The earlier amps had the "A" transformers. As to exactly what was different only Rick will know that.
I can tell you the 2016 is the quietest as far as noise. IMO it was closer to the MCII. The gain tapers were changed as well as the master volume and was very similar to the MCII. The switching relays were beefed up also so switching was quieter. I think some of the early ones had a few relay failures. I owned an MCII that had this happen.
The 2016 was tamer than the earlier amps.

 

[fusedbrain]

They are loud, expensive, built like tanks, non compressed, and full of amazing tone.

Agree 1000%
I've got an MTL & an MCII and my amp gas is dead dead dead. Sold an amp this week (101b) for the first time in a looooong time, and I have a buddy from work coming over next week to take 2 more off my hands. You can't go wrong with a Wizard. They are special amps

Tips: I like my amps best through my Wizard 4x12 with a mix of Herritage G12M-25's & Herritage G12H-30's. The MTL sounds good through a 4x12 with greenbacks and V30's. The MCII not so much.

Do's and don'ts: Don't play a Wizard and then play your current amp. Most amps will sound like a toy next to a Wizard. Don't plug into a Wizard unless you have the cash in your pocket and are prepared to buy it. It will haunt you.

Tubes: Plate voltage is 500V + . Rick ships the amps with JJ's. Unless you have a NOS tube stash, just roll with it. Not a lot of CP power tubes will last at that voltage. The amp will be biased hot from Rick though, so you may want to cool it down a little. Or not. That's a personal call.

 

[jharpersj]

KILLER AMPS, you can get all the MC2 tones but you also can get much more with the depth, scoop, and saturation. Saturation really changes the feel and roundness of the notes and is key to have. Basically the greatest amp I have personally ever heard or played through. Nothing compares. I also have the MC25 and it is equally as good. Mine is a 2016. It does crush everything.

 

[Devilinside]

Can honestly say the best amp I've owned!!!
I've had a ton of high end amps, but I did know as soon as I flipped out of standby that there was something speacial. Mine is a 50 watter and while plenty loud, I've never got the whole point of it being so much louder than other amps, not to say it's lacking in volume either.
Some amps you fire up and dig around for a few hours to find what you are liking for, but as soon as I strummed I knew I'd never heard that type of 3D character, or clarity. The killer Kali or Fortin was the closest to this amp but I still prefer the Wizz.

 

[lowmantotempole]

Awesome input! Thanks!

So I picked up a 2012 50 watt Wizard MTL head. I have a decent arsenal of guitars and plenty of pickups. So far I've found that it's not liking any pickups I'm using that are over 14k. I'm playing a Mayones Setius loaded with a BareKnuckle Cold Sweat in the bridge. Seems to really fit well. A ceramic Nailbomb was too boomy, a custom MCP was mushy, my KM7 with ceramic Warpigs was way overboard. I have some other lower output pickups I can't wait to load up. Mainly a Humbucker From Hell.

I started out with JJ EL34L power tubes, then tried some Svetlana EL34 Green, then landed on JJ KT77s. Those sounded best to me so far. I'm going to try some EH 6CA7 tubes next.

Haven't touched the Chinese 12AX7s yet, and I may not even bother.

The saturation knob gets crazy really quick. Only been able to play with IRs through my Torpedo live.

 

[sg guy]

Awesome input! Thanks!

So I picked up a 2012 50 watt Wizard MTL head. I have a decent arsenal of guitars and plenty of pickups. So far I've found that it's not liking any pickups I'm using that are over 14k. I'm playing a Mayones Setius loaded with a BareKnuckle Cold Sweat in the bridge. Seems to really fit well. A ceramic Nailbomb was too boomy, a custom MCP was mushy, my KM7 with ceramic Warpigs was way overboard. I have some other lower output pickups I can't wait to load up. Mainly a Humbucker From Hell.

I started out with JJ EL34L power tubes, then tried some Svetlana EL34 Green, then landed on JJ KT77s. Those sounded best to me so far. I'm going to try some EH 6CA7 tubes next.

Haven't touched the Chinese 12AX7s yet, and I may not even bother.

The saturation knob gets crazy really quick. Only been able to play with IRs through my Torpedo live.

-I'm curious to hear your opinion on the EH 6CA7's, I've tried the stock JJ E34L's & GOLD LION KT77's, not a huge difference, the GOLD LION's sound bigger with maybe too much harmonic's, mine is a MC 1 that has been updated & modded, anyone know if a volume pot with more sweep/taper will help with the 1 to 11 issue? or is there more to it than that,

-apologies for the thread derailment-

 

[lespaul6]

Here is some useful info on pots I picked up in my reading... Not sure if Rick uses a linear volume or an audio taper that acts like a linear percentage wise?

" Some manufacturers produce potentiometers with tapers mostly in standard linear or 10% log styles. Larger manufacturers however produce potentiometers in a multitude of taper styles. There are six basic tapers used in audio/log type pots. The tapers are usually in standard 5, 10, 15, 20, 25 and 30 percent. A 30% taper is closest to the linear taper. The problem with this is you cannot tell exactly which taper a potentiometer has by looking at it. The only way to figure it out is if you have the entire manufacturer part number code or by actually measuring the thing. So if you see a pot with A1M on it then you know it is an audio/log pot of 1 Meg resistance but do not know the taper.

Well hopefully your gain or volume pots are about 10% taper. Most amplifiers and people seem to like those best.

Your technician will not know the the audio/log taper of a potentiometer unless it was specifically ordered or it is looked up.

Measuring your audio/log taper is fairly easy. Of course the pot has to be disconnected in order to measure the resistance. Place the dial at halfway, 50% rotation point. Measure the resistances from wiper (center tab) to each side. A 10% taper on a 1M pot will read about 100k on one side and about 900k on the other. A 25% taper on a 1M pot will read about 250k on one side and about 750k on the other.

A true audio/log pot will gradually increase exponentially in resistance as you turn the dial.
Now a straight line taper is, in a way, a faked audio taper. It will measure a fairly low resistance like a 10%-15% taper all the way up to 70 or 80 percent rotation of the dial and still read below 200k. After that it will climb in resistance very fast from the 200k mark to 1M."

 

[bobbtoz]

Awesome input! Thanks!

So I picked up a 2012 50 watt Wizard MTL head. I have a decent arsenal of guitars and plenty of pickups. So far I've found that it's not liking any pickups I'm using that are over 14k. I'm playing a Mayones Setius loaded with a BareKnuckle Cold Sweat in the bridge. Seems to really fit well. A ceramic Nailbomb was too boomy, a custom MCP was mushy, my KM7 with ceramic Warpigs was way overboard. I have some other lower output pickups I can't wait to load up. Mainly a Humbucker From Hell.

I started out with JJ EL34L power tubes, then tried some Svetlana EL34 Green, then landed on JJ KT77s. Those sounded best to me so far. I'm going to try some EH 6CA7 tubes next.

Haven't touched the Chinese 12AX7s yet, and I may not even bother.

The saturation knob gets crazy really quick. Only been able to play with IRs through my Torpedo live.

I recently acquired a 2012 Wizard MTL/ no loop. I concur w/ all the rave about these amps, but my issue was taming the huge ass end. The wizard has a much broader range in the highs and lows then I'm used to dealing w/ in other amps. Lots of thick ass end right up to cutting highs. The knobs are extremely interactive and a little twist here and there goes along way. I was fighting w/ this amp for the first month or so. I'd get the tone I was looking for and than the next day is sounded completely different (frustrating). It took a bit of time to get my ears acclimated to the tone of the amp and accustomed to the amps eq.

Here's where I'm at for getting the most out of this amp right now. I already had a Power Station so no loop was not an issue (Power Station attenuates and offers loop!). 2 pedals that interact really well for dialing out some of the bass- the Timmy and the Pettyjohn Lift. The Lift is perfect match for the Wizard, especially if your trying to slightly add/subtract highs and lows- Works better imo than VFE Rocket EQ and Empress ParaEQ.




The openness of the amp is what its all about for me. Tried many pedals to assist w dialing out some of the bass while goosing the front end (I like to slightly hit the front of any amp I'm using w a slight boost).
So w/ out getting into all the pedals I've tried here are the top 3 for assisting

 

[lowmantotempole]

I recently acquired a 2012 Wizard MTL/ no loop. I concur w/ all the rave about these amps, but my issue was taming the huge ass end. The wizard has a much broader range in the highs and lows then I'm used to dealing w/ in other amps. Lots of thick ass end right up to cutting highs. The knobs are extremely interactive and a little twist here and there goes along way. I was fighting w/ this amp for the first month or so. I'd get the tone I was looking for and than the next day is sounded completely different (frustrating). It took a bit of time to get my ears acclimated to the tone of the amp and accustomed to the amps eq.

Here's where I'm at for getting the most out of this amp right now. I already had a Power Station so no loop was not an issue (Power Station attenuates and offers loop!). 2 pedals that interact really well for dialing out some of the bass- the Timmy and the Pettyjohn Lift. The Lift is perfect match for the Wizard, especially if your trying to slightly add/subtract highs and lows- Works better imo than VFE Rocket EQ and Empress ParaEQ.

The openness of the amp is what its all about for me. Tried many pedals to assist w dialing out some of the bass while goosing the front end (I like to slightly hit the front of any amp I'm using w a slight boost).
So w/ out getting into all the pedals I've tried here are the top 3 for assisting

I know one pedal right off the bat that will shape up some flabby bass... THE FORTIN GRIND! I have one and it's a flabby bass killer!

So this brings me to another interesting subject - PICKIPS... Bobbtoz, what pickup are you using with your Wizard? Here has been my experience with my Wizard and various pickups...

First guitar I played when I get the amp was my trusty USA PRS Tremonti. I have always used that guitar as my benchmark because I know how it sounds and reacts to various amps. I'm always swapping pickups in it too. Right now it has a custom Motor City Pickup around 17k that works well with my Fortin modded JCM800 and my Driftwood Nightmare. I played it into the Wizard and it was MUSH, there was no dialing that out. Just hitting the amp too hard I guess.

Second I grabbed my Bill Kelliher LTD with a BareKnuckle Nailbomb @ 15k - The top end and mids were ok at best but that massive bottom end was killing me. Still too hot...

Third I grabbed my Page Hamilton LTD with the stock DiMarzio Air Zone @ 17k - You guessed it... MUSH! I was beginning to get frustrated...

Then I grabbed my PRS Holcomb with a BareKnuckle Impulse @ 12K - BALMMO! Sounded great! Nice and articulate, very balanced.

Lastly I played my Mayones Setuius loaded with a BareKnuckle Cold Sweat @ 13K - YUP! This is it man, that's the one, nice tight lows, searing mids, no fizz on top.

I know I know all the guitars are vastly different from each other and that could be making a difference as well. I have a lot more lower output pickups, so I'm going to experiment with my trusty Tremonti and make clips for comparison.

From my current experience I believe this amp will be best with pickups around the 10k range (give or take a few k)...

 

[Racerxrated]

Try lowering those hotter pickups too, I have an Afwayu in one of my axes and lowering it turned into a great match with the 50 MTL.

 

[bobbtoz]

I recently acquired a 2012 Wizard MTL/ no loop. I concur w/ all the rave about these amps, but my issue was taming the huge ass end. The wizard has a much broader range in the highs and lows then I'm used to dealing w/ in other amps. Lots of thick ass end right up to cutting highs. The knobs are extremely interactive and a little twist here and there goes along way. I was fighting w/ this amp for the first month or so. I'd get the tone I was looking for and than the next day is sounded completely different (frustrating). It took a bit of time to get my ears acclimated to the tone of the amp and accustomed to the amps eq.

Here's where I'm at for getting the most out of this amp right now. I already had a Power Station so no loop was not an issue (Power Station attenuates and offers loop!). 2 pedals that interact really well for dialing out some of the bass- the Timmy and the Pettyjohn Lift. The Lift is perfect match for the Wizard, especially if your trying to slightly add/subtract highs and lows- Works better imo than VFE Rocket EQ and Empress ParaEQ.

The openness of the amp is what its all about for me. Tried many pedals to assist w dialing out some of the bass while goosing the front end (I like to slightly hit the front of any amp I'm using w a slight boost).
So w/ out getting into all the pedals I've tried here are the top 3 for assisting

I know one pedal right off the bat that will shape up some flabby bass... THE FORTIN GRIND! I have one and it's a flabby bass killer!

So this brings me to another interesting subject - PICKIPS... Bobbtoz, what pickup are you using with your Wizard? Here has been my experience with my Wizard and various pickups...

First guitar I played when I get the amp was my trusty USA PRS Tremonti. I have always used that guitar as my benchmark because I know how it sounds and reacts to various amps. I'm always swapping pickups in it too. Right now it has a custom Motor City Pickup around 17k that works well with my Fortin modded JCM800 and my Driftwood Nightmare. I played it into the Wizard and it was MUSH, there was no dialing that out. Just hitting the amp too hard I guess.

Second I grabbed my Bill Kelliher LTD with a BareKnuckle Nailbomb @ 15k - The top end and mids were ok at best but that massive bottom end was killing me. Still too hot...

Third I grabbed my Page Hamilton LTD with the stock DiMarzio Air Zone @ 17k - You guessed it... MUSH! I was beginning to get frustrated...

Then I grabbed my PRS Holcomb with a BareKnuckle Impulse @ 12K - BALMMO! Sounded great! Nice and articulate, very balanced.

Lastly I played my Mayones Setuius loaded with a BareKnuckle Cold Sweat @ 13K - YUP! This is it man, that's the one, nice tight lows, searing mids, no fizz on top.

I know I know all the guitars are vastly different from each other and that could be making a difference as well. I have a lot more lower output pickups, so I'm going to experiment with my trusty Tremonti and make clips for comparison.

From my current experience I believe this amp will be best with pickups around the 10k range (give or take a few k)...

The guitar and pu combo that's working out best right now is the Rebel Yell's in a les paul axcess (stoptail). The axcess had no ass at all in my other amps, but w the Wizard it sounded huge and still a bit too much bass. Eventually I got it dialed in and the axcess w rebel yells is a good match.

 

[lowmantotempole]

I've got a few more pickups and tubes incoming soon so we shall see. I'm not giving up on this one until I've exhausted all resources and scenarios.

I like it now but I'm sure it can get better.

 

[fuzzyguitars]

i use a pettyjohn lift with my wizards too.

match made in heaven


always use low output pickups too

try something 8-9k range

 

[Devilinside]

i use a pettyjohn lift with my wizards too.

match made in heaven


always use low output pickups too

try something 8-9k range

This!
No need for hot pups, let the amp do the work.
I use wolfetones, sheptones, and some Will Boggs with my Wizard. Sounds great!
I cannot imagine that amp sounding like mush though, regardless of what was plugged into it

 

[peterc52]

What cabs are everyone using?

Love my MTL '16

 

[Devilinside]

What cabs are everyone using?

Love my MTL '16

Bogner Uber and a splawn 212 all w/V30's

 

[glip22]

PV is usually around 480. Bias the Wizard around 33 on the hottest tube.

 

[lowmantotempole]

PV is usually around 480. Bias the Wizard around 33 on the hottest tube.

Yeah mine is like 500.