Fryette UL vs Rivera KR7 vs KSR Colossus(Gemini)

[garey77]

I have had a UL and currently a Gemini. Although the Gemini doesn't have the additional eq section the UL has, it has a plethora of other options, including assignable master volumes and a multitude of voicing options. I do sometimes miss my UL, but only momentarily.

 

[Candiria]

Sorry. I am a metal guy. Mostly brutal stuff like Cannibal Corpse etc
I wanna tight, clear, brutal tone with no fizziness.

VHT.

KSR is almost as tight, but with much greater saturation. Though Mode off and Fat off is more on the VHT/dryer side of things. However, if you're looking for brutal and percussive I wouldn't recommend KSR. They can get plenty heavy, but it's a much juicier, sweeter sound. It's more of a lead tone than an aggressive rhythm sound.

 

[RedB4Black]

Guys how about a wizard MC2 ? Or more brutal MTL ? Its least talked about amp here... but i been hit by the clips of MC2 lately... amazing sounding amp but too high regarded in the price range...

I own the MTL, MC II and an UL. The MTL is definitely the winner in the group for tight/percussive, clear/no fizziness tone, but the UL can definitely hang and is close enough. The UL lacks a little bit of the punch that the Wizards have but has more range in voicing with the EQ. The MC II can do it too, but doesn't quite have the metal voicing the other 2 can get. If I could only have one amp, it'd be the MTL.

 

[garey77]

Sorry. I am a metal guy. Mostly brutal stuff like Cannibal Corpse etc
I wanna tight, clear, brutal tone with no fizziness.

VHT.

KSR is almost as tight, but with much greater saturation. Though Mode off and Fat off is more on the VHT/dryer side of things. However, if you're looking for brutal and percussive I wouldn't recommend KSR. They can get plenty heavy, but it's a much juicier, sweeter sound. It's more of a lead tone than an aggressive rhythm sound.

Dunno 'bout that. I put a od808 in front and it smokes for sick, grindy broots chugs.

 

[Wizard of Ozz]

Guys how about a wizard MC2 ? Or more brutal MTL ? Its least talked about amp here... but i been hit by the clips of MC2 lately... amazing sounding amp but too high regarded in the price range...

I own the MTL, MC II and an UL. The MTL is definitely the winner in the group for tight/percussive, clear/no fizziness tone, but the UL can definitely hang and is close enough. The UL lacks a little bit of the punch that the Wizards have but has more range in voicing with the EQ. The MC II can do it too, but doesn't quite have the metal voicing the other 2 can get. If I could only have one amp, it'd be the MTL.

Hey Matt...

Is the Wizard MTL in the same heavy, modern and metal ballpark as say an Engl SE or Herbert? Not heard one in person (just clips), but they don't seem as heavy, thick, and saturated as say an Engl or Diezel. Your thoughts?

 

[FourT6and2]

Sorry. I am a metal guy. Mostly brutal stuff like Cannibal Corpse etc
I wanna tight, clear, brutal tone with no fizziness.

VHT.

KSR is almost as tight, but with much greater saturation. Though Mode off and Fat off is more on the VHT/dryer side of things. However, if you're looking for brutal and percussive I wouldn't recommend KSR. They can get plenty heavy, but it's a much juicier, sweeter sound. It's more of a lead tone than an aggressive rhythm sound.

I just got an Ares. And I can kinda agree with this to a point. The amp is sort of juicy. But it's quite mean and angry and pissed off in the same way my Chupacabra is. But while the Chupa is in the Marshall camp, the Ares and other KSR stuff is firmly rooted in the Soldano/Mesa end of the spectrum. I do find the Ares to be percussive when EQ'd that way. Depends on tubes and speakers as well, of course.

I'd love to try an Ultralead. That's one amp I've still never come across in the 20 years I've played guitar.

 

[RedB4Black]

Guys how about a wizard MC2 ? Or more brutal MTL ? Its least talked about amp here... but i been hit by the clips of MC2 lately... amazing sounding amp but too high regarded in the price range...

I own the MTL, MC II and an UL. The MTL is definitely the winner in the group for tight/percussive, clear/no fizziness tone, but the UL can definitely hang and is close enough. The UL lacks a little bit of the punch that the Wizards have but has more range in voicing with the EQ. The MC II can do it too, but doesn't quite have the metal voicing the other 2 can get. If I could only have one amp, it'd be the MTL.

Hey Matt...

Is the Wizard MTL in the same heavy, modern and metal ballpark as say an Engl SE or Herbert? Not heard one in person (just clips), but they don't seem as heavy, thick, and saturated as say an Engl or Diezel. Your thoughts?

It's more like an Ultra Lead. Very heavy and hits with a hard punch, but the gain isn't as saturated/compressed like a Diezel/ENGL. It's a very tight/percussive amp. The UL was my favorite amp until I got the MTL (now I am going to sell the UL. lol) The MTL will get more saturated and is slightly darker, a bit thicker & slightly compressed compared to the MCII. I wouldn't put ithe MTL in the realm of diezel/bogner/engl in terms of compression or grainy saturation. The MTL can definitely do modern metal tones, as can the MCII. Some people like to boost the MCII for metal tones, but it's completely unnecessary if you turn the volume up. Both the Wizards really open up and shine with the volume goes up. I generally don't play quietly. If you can't play a Wizard loud, I wouldn't buy one - of course I'd say that about every 100w tube amp.

 

[Wizard of Ozz]

Guys how about a wizard MC2 ? Or more brutal MTL ? Its least talked about amp here... but i been hit by the clips of MC2 lately... amazing sounding amp but too high regarded in the price range...

I own the MTL, MC II and an UL. The MTL is definitely the winner in the group for tight/percussive, clear/no fizziness tone, but the UL can definitely hang and is close enough. The UL lacks a little bit of the punch that the Wizards have but has more range in voicing with the EQ. The MC II can do it too, but doesn't quite have the metal voicing the other 2 can get. If I could only have one amp, it'd be the MTL.

Hey Matt...

Is the Wizard MTL in the same heavy, modern and metal ballpark as say an Engl SE or Herbert? Not heard one in person (just clips), but they don't seem as heavy, thick, and saturated as say an Engl or Diezel. Your thoughts?

It's more like an Ultra Lead. Very heavy and hits with a hard punch, but the gain isn't as saturated/compressed like a Diezel/ENGL. It's a very tight/percussive amp. The UL was my favorite amp until I got the MTL (now I am going to sell the UL. lol) The MTL will get more saturated and is slightly darker, a bit thicker & slightly compressed compared to the MCII. I wouldn't put ithe MTL in the realm of diezel/bogner/engl in terms of compression or grainy saturation. The MTL can definitely do modern metal tones, as can the MCII. Some people like to boost the MCII for metal tones, but it's completely unnecessary if you turn the volume up. Both the Wizards really open up and shine with the volume goes up. I generally don't play quietly. If you can't play a Wizard loud, I wouldn't buy one - of course I'd say that about every 100w tube amp.

Cool. Thanks. That's more or less what I hear in clips. I gots to have my saturations.

I'd like a UL with a saturation knob. That'd be a killer amp. Everyone definitely agrees on the volume of the Wizards... they are loud.

 

[bulletride]

Hmm...Guys I heard UL is pretty similar to Natas.

If I made my mind buying Natas again, will UL be not needed?

I have considered thousands of times.

In the end, I will keep saving money for Natas.

I think I will be regret, if I select other choice because of the budget.

Thanks!

 

[Candiria]

Sorry. I am a metal guy. Mostly brutal stuff like Cannibal Corpse etc
I wanna tight, clear, brutal tone with no fizziness.

VHT.

KSR is almost as tight, but with much greater saturation. Though Mode off and Fat off is more on the VHT/dryer side of things. However, if you're looking for brutal and percussive I wouldn't recommend KSR. They can get plenty heavy, but it's a much juicier, sweeter sound. It's more of a lead tone than an aggressive rhythm sound.

I just got an Ares. And I can kinda agree with this to a point. The amp is sort of juicy. But it's quite mean and angry and pissed off in the same way my Chupacabra is. But while the Chupa is in the Marshall camp, the Ares and other KSR stuff is firmly rooted in the Soldano/Mesa end of the spectrum. I do find the Ares to be percussive when EQ'd that way. Depends on tubes and speakers as well, of course.

I'd love to try an Ultralead. That's one amp I've still never come across in the 20 years I've played guitar.

I've heard the Ares is more aggressive than the Colossus, but I haven't played one to compare. Like you said, you can make the Colossus percussive depending on how you EQ it, and of course on your right hand technique. However, I'd say out of the box the VHT is built for that percussive, aggressive sound, and the Colossus is made for more of a saturated, smoother tone. Again like you said, more of a Soldano/Mesa Mark hybrid...maybe with a bit of Diezel "refined" tone.

 

[WizardSouth-JP]

don't forget the Mesa JP-2C, it gets plenty mean. Boosted it's super aggressive beyond what it does just plugging straight in.
There's also the EVH 5150 III Stealth - which is pretty mean and saves your $3000 on the NATAS