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.

 

[ZEN Amps]

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

We had one on loan for a bit.

It sounded more modern overall - extended lows and highs, faster feel, fairly uncompressed. Big Wizard sound (I really dig the MM trannys) but a good 2203 is unbeatable, so a shift from that is always going to be a tough sell.

 

[ZEN Amps]

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?

Sorry missed the OP.

- Unhelpful answer, but think of it as between a 2203 and MCii.
- Yep
- Don't recall
- Yeah pretty punchy, and not lacking in clarity. Only downside is it lacks the Marshall voicing a little, which might be turn off for some.

 

[VHTStark]

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

Both are raw and punchy.
The w800 has more available (and usable) gain on tap. Much more usable range and power on the tone controls.

It is tighter, but I actually find my w800 more forgiving and easy to play....unless I get the Marshall up to stage levels (which being a dinosaur, that is where it is meant to be played at).

For ME, it is no contest: I would take the w800 every single time. Compared to other Wizards though, my MCII and Rock Standard can both do what the w800 does.

 

[S̷͖͑m̵͎͂á̵̺s̸͚̈́h̴̬̑]

Both are raw and punchy.
The w800 has more available (and usable) gain on tap. Much more usable range and power on the tone controls.

It is tighter, but I actually find my w800 more forgiving and easy to play....unless I get the Marshall up to stage levels (which being a dinosaur, that is where it is meant to be played at).

For ME, it is no contest: I would take the w800 every single time. Compared to other Wizards though, my MCII and Rock Standard can both do what the w800 does.

I think the rock standard would be a fun amp to try

 

[VHTStark]

I think the rock standard would be a fun amp to try

It would be right up your alley man: single channel beast of an amp!

 

[Eazy-ESP]

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

Man... that new EQ recording was perfection. What cab were you using? Anything particular about the W800 like tubes, etc? Or are they all the same?

 

[RedB4Black]

the MC2 on channel 1 can get really close to the W800. If you own the MCII, I wouldn't bother getting the W800...go with an MTL

here's a quick comparison I did between the W800 and MCII awhile back. They pretty much sounded the same.

 

[Clay K]

Sounds the same to me. Good job

 

[S̷͖͑m̵͎͂á̵̺s̸͚̈́h̴̬̑]

Man... that new EQ recording was perfection. What cab were you using? Anything particular about the W800 like tubes, etc? Or are they all the same?

Silver dragon 12ax7 preamp
Mills cab with v30 k100 in an x

 

[heavision]

Well shit man, I got kinda excited when I read “tone reminiscent of 80s rock bands”—or whatever—on the Wizard site. I was imagining a Wizard (thump, clarity) but with some serious JCM/JMP shit going on.

 

[S̷͖͑m̵͎͂á̵̺s̸͚̈́h̴̬̑]

Well shit man, I got kinda excited when I read “tone reminiscent of 80s rock bands”—or whatever—on the Wizard site. I was imagining a Wizard (thump, clarity) but with some serious JCM/JMP shit going on.

I would say it is very raw compared to the other wizards. But i wouldnt say it was reminiscent of a jcm that much. But i did have a non metal guy play on it, and it did sound kind of classic rock. I just think that i would go another route if that is what you were looking for

 

[Metlupass2]

If you've got a MCII then pass on the W800. You'll likely be very underwhelmed.