skoora
Well-known member
What tonal differences are there between the two models and what is the Z mod on the Metal and plexi boost mod for the clean channel.
S
sswanson
Member
I've had both, they are both fairly similar but with a different voicing. My metal was slightly darker and smoother than the Modern Classics I had. The Z-mod is just a term for the preamp control and not an actual mod.
There are some differences in the power amp and the way the two amps "feel" as well but overall they are pretty similar, the modern classic evolved from the Metal.
There are some differences in the power amp and the way the two amps "feel" as well but overall they are pretty similar, the modern classic evolved from the Metal.
skoora
Well-known member
Thanks....I've been looking for a high gain head for a while and have played the usual suspects, Marshall jvm 's, 6505's, dsl's. Basically what a Gc would_ have in stock. I've owned vht UL before (too stiff in the mids and a little harsh when the treble is up) and a 101b (nice tone but too smooth) and find even though I already have a Plexi clone I need the high gain head to still have the good characteristics of a vintages style amp too. All the high gainers seem pretty good at the chug but are so sterile and lifeless when doing anything less than. It seems the wizard might be the right kind of high gain head for a classic rock minded player. That and maybe the 20th XTC.
thegame
Well-known member
Comparing the two :
MC = More lows, highs. Highs are more harmonically rich. Lows growl more.
Metal = More immediate feel. Upper end has more nasty grind than MC. Midrange more focussed compared to the more open MC.
Both very tight, with the Metal a tad tighter. High gain head for the classic rock player is a PERFECT description of these amps. Lots of gain, but extremely UN-compressed.
MC = More lows, highs. Highs are more harmonically rich. Lows growl more.
Metal = More immediate feel. Upper end has more nasty grind than MC. Midrange more focussed compared to the more open MC.
Both very tight, with the Metal a tad tighter. High gain head for the classic rock player is a PERFECT description of these amps. Lots of gain, but extremely UN-compressed.
skoora
Well-known member
Obviously new these amps are big bucks. If a used older metal came up at a good price is it worth getting a new metal with the extra features or is the old metal still so good if your saving a lot of cash you should grab it. I must admit amps that have depth mods or similar that I've owned in the past I rarely used it that much. Good for acoustically filling the room but rarely made a difference on tape/disc. Also is a 100 watter a must or is a 50 still girthy and tight when running higher gain.
wheelman
Member
Those older 50 metals can roar and take pedals like a champ. You can push them more without taking your head off. Its hard to go wrong with any of them really. I think the MC sounds more raw uncompressed tone compared to the Metal. The Metal seems to have a smoother slightly more compressed yet still open tone. I'm sure during the transitional period they may be a little closer to each other. All are great the MC100 is awesome for that raw hard rock classic tone. If the riffer has the goods and right guitar ( speaker combo ) it can do most genres. Plus I love how it pushes the speaker. Speaker crunch is about 50 percent of my inspiration. I don't think anyone can comment on the new stuff just yet. I hope rocker gets his gear soon we will have a good idea what to expect then. One thing to consider Wizard built a underground following with famous rockers and studios on the Core tone of their Metals, and Modern Classics. There is a reason for that.
S
sswanson
Member
I agree with wheelman, if you can get your hands on a Modern Classic or a Metal for a fair price, old or new I don't think you'll be disappointed.
studiodunn
Member
I'm still honeymooning with my MC, but to this point it is without a doubt the best channel switcher I've owned or played. In the realm of high gain heads I've never had one that
was so tight and natural feeling at the same time. It really is the perfect amp for a classic rocker who wants to dish out some chug every once in awhile. Classic rock, 80's shred and a brootalz are all there and can be dialed in on the guitar. I can play a whole nights worth of different styles and never touch the amp. I also like that rolling back the guitar volume, the amp doesn't drop tons of volume. it almost feels like the gain knob is being turned down, but the volume is still there.
Also, unlike allot of great sounding high gain heads I've had, The MC is a completely different amp with different guitars. A Tele sounds like a tele no matter how much gain you feed the amp. It tends to like HB's IMO, but I could pull off a goat roping gig with this amp - no problem.
I started out playing it through a Recto 4x12(my benchmark cab) and really wasn't too happy. Really bright, harsh and just that beaming too loud type of tone. I couldn't get the amp past 2 and was kind of bummed. After scoring a Wizard 2x12 though, I have no desire to try other cabs or speakers. The amp is now running on 4 and the cone breakup is awesome. The tone is darker and balanced and sounds completely different.
I need to shut up now. Awesome, awesome amp I am now getting cold feet about moving.
was so tight and natural feeling at the same time. It really is the perfect amp for a classic rocker who wants to dish out some chug every once in awhile. Classic rock, 80's shred and a brootalz are all there and can be dialed in on the guitar. I can play a whole nights worth of different styles and never touch the amp. I also like that rolling back the guitar volume, the amp doesn't drop tons of volume. it almost feels like the gain knob is being turned down, but the volume is still there.
Also, unlike allot of great sounding high gain heads I've had, The MC is a completely different amp with different guitars. A Tele sounds like a tele no matter how much gain you feed the amp. It tends to like HB's IMO, but I could pull off a goat roping gig with this amp - no problem.
I started out playing it through a Recto 4x12(my benchmark cab) and really wasn't too happy. Really bright, harsh and just that beaming too loud type of tone. I couldn't get the amp past 2 and was kind of bummed. After scoring a Wizard 2x12 though, I have no desire to try other cabs or speakers. The amp is now running on 4 and the cone breakup is awesome. The tone is darker and balanced and sounds completely different.
I need to shut up now. Awesome, awesome amp I am now getting cold feet about moving.
johnnyjellybean
Well-known member
That's my old #2 amp right? Of course you know that amp has some special sauce added!!studiodunn":1ddog7wi said:
drburns73
Member
Once I got my MC100 I sold my VH4, and two of the best modded Marshalls I'd ever heard. There was no need for them any more.
My MC100 is decked out with two gain boosts, but the older ones are just as good. Truthfully, I prefer the straight lead channel with no boost. I love these amps. A friend of mine has a Metal from '93 that I've played a ton as well. It's just as cool as the new amps. A little different, but it still has that unmistakable Wizard grind. The Metal evolved into the MC, so they are VERY similar. You won't be disappointed with any Wizard you decide to go with.
-mike
My MC100 is decked out with two gain boosts, but the older ones are just as good. Truthfully, I prefer the straight lead channel with no boost. I love these amps. A friend of mine has a Metal from '93 that I've played a ton as well. It's just as cool as the new amps. A little different, but it still has that unmistakable Wizard grind. The Metal evolved into the MC, so they are VERY similar. You won't be disappointed with any Wizard you decide to go with.
-mike
studiodunn
Member
johnnyjellybean":r3sk851o said:That's my old #2 amp right? Of course you know that amp has some special sauce added!!
Could be but I didn't buy it from you. I actually picked it up from Sir Boye here..............a monster non the less.