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Specs: 1x12 vintage 30 loaded combo, all tube, uses one Randall MTS module so you can configure it several different ways. Has a gain and volume boost that is footswitchable, so you can add more preamp gain *and* volume, or just gain, or just volume. Very cool feature. Line level tube buffered series fx loop, and a really nice sounding recording XLR output. Can also do 'silent recording' with the the XLR and the internal speaker muted.
Used it at a band rehearsal where we were playing 70s rock and 80s pop stuff... amp worked great. Reminded me of the Mesa .22+ amps I had in the past, but with a better tone - beefier, not as raspy. Amp is single channel, but even on the higher gain modules, you could get a passable rock clean by rolling the guitar volume back. The footswitchable boost makes it pretty useful too, since you can dial in a good level for solos and give your tone more grind/gain at the same time. It's all tube, so it sounds better IMHO than boosting with a pedal, and it's not as noisy either.
I tried it with a Blackface (fender inspired) module - sounded great, a lot like a Princeton. With the boost engaged and cranked gain-wise, one could do country solos and maybe 70s rock stuff.
With a Plexi module it was 70s rock to a T... not quite enough gain for me with the boost cranked, but not bad.
The Deluxe module was nice, could do the 70s thing and it cleaned up SUPERBLY. I need to try this with a boost pedal in the front for more gain.
An XTC module was pretty sweet too. Didn't get as clean, but gobs of gain and sustain.
Also tried a stock Recto module, and it was surprisingly versatile. Dialled in tons of mids, and it had a nice bark with the V30.
I'm not sure if I'd buy one new (the Head is $679 street without a module, not sure what the combo is) but used one would be killer for a home or small studio. Apparently Ty Tabor of King's X used one of these for some tracks in the studio. I'm going to try to gig with mine, since it's much lighter than a cab and my rack.
Pete
Used it at a band rehearsal where we were playing 70s rock and 80s pop stuff... amp worked great. Reminded me of the Mesa .22+ amps I had in the past, but with a better tone - beefier, not as raspy. Amp is single channel, but even on the higher gain modules, you could get a passable rock clean by rolling the guitar volume back. The footswitchable boost makes it pretty useful too, since you can dial in a good level for solos and give your tone more grind/gain at the same time. It's all tube, so it sounds better IMHO than boosting with a pedal, and it's not as noisy either.
I tried it with a Blackface (fender inspired) module - sounded great, a lot like a Princeton. With the boost engaged and cranked gain-wise, one could do country solos and maybe 70s rock stuff.
With a Plexi module it was 70s rock to a T... not quite enough gain for me with the boost cranked, but not bad.
The Deluxe module was nice, could do the 70s thing and it cleaned up SUPERBLY. I need to try this with a boost pedal in the front for more gain.
An XTC module was pretty sweet too. Didn't get as clean, but gobs of gain and sustain.
Also tried a stock Recto module, and it was surprisingly versatile. Dialled in tons of mids, and it had a nice bark with the V30.
I'm not sure if I'd buy one new (the Head is $679 street without a module, not sure what the combo is) but used one would be killer for a home or small studio. Apparently Ty Tabor of King's X used one of these for some tracks in the studio. I'm going to try to gig with mine, since it's much lighter than a cab and my rack.
Pete
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