Wizard W800 guys: school me

[heavision]

I own a MCII. I love it. I’m kicking around the idea of getting another Wizard. W800 is intriguing. I’ve read description on Wizard site. But I’m curious about people’s real-world experiences with it.

How’s does it compare to the MCII?
Can you roll back guitar volume for decent cleans?
How’s the onboard boost? Ample? Killer? Subtle?
Does it have the clarity, definition and punch like the MCII?

 

[S̷͖͑m̵͎͂á̵̺s̸͚̈́h̴̬̑]

The W800 is a very different amp. I loved it, but the W800, MCII and MTL are all very different while retaining what makes a Wizard special.

I definitely rolled back the volume for cleans. The lower input is another great way to play vintage stuff. The W800 has a lot more raw of a sound in my opnion. I close micd it a ton. Let me give you some examples. Please forgive my shitty playing.



Here is one on the low input with a volume roll for the single note stuff



Here is one with a boosted non boosted comparison
https://soundcloud.com/chris-eaker-...d&utm_medium=text&utm_campaign=social_sharing

Here is another that you can hear halway through when i kick on the boost



here are a few with v 30s with no boost



https://soundcloud.com/chris-eaker-...d&utm_medium=text&utm_campaign=social_sharing

https://soundcloud.com/chris-eaker-...d&utm_medium=text&utm_campaign=social_sharing

Lmao. Here is one with no boost and v30s where I was kind of poking fun at the way that reza demos amps

https://soundcloud.com/chris-eaker-...d&utm_medium=text&utm_campaign=social_sharing

 

[TheGreatGreen]

I'm curious to hear from anybody who might know how the W800 compares with a stock JCM 800. How different are they?

 

[MetalHeadMike]

I'm curious to hear from anybody who might know how the W800 compares with a stock JCM 800. How different are they?

Quite similar in some ways but different in others IME. Wizard mids, gain structure, highs, are very different, still has that stiffer Wizard feel as well. However, the dynamics, pick attack and punch/balls are similar.

I much prefer the JCM800. I prefer the MCII over the W800 and also over the MTL, Hybrid, and Hellrazor by a wide margin.