How do we feel about the PRS Archon?

  • Thread starter Thread starter Ricky Rockhardo
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Ricky Rockhardo

Ricky Rockhardo

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Stopped in my local mom and pop music store today and tried the MkII 50 watt head through a matching 2x12.

Came in with zero info (and thus zero expectation) and was pleasantly surprised. The lower mid voicing def tickled my pickle.

They are running a 15% off sale on PRS guitars and they made it sound like they’d work with me on the amp and might give me some trade in value.

Is the MKII much worse than the Mk I?
 
I always heard good things about them; never tried one. I thought a few people here liked the MT100, I've been focused on Marshall the last few years, so don't pay much attention to other amps except to know what they are / do, and who likes them and why
 
I had an Archon for a while. It was one of my favorite high gain amps. Mine had an issue where the volume would constantly drop. Apparently there's a design flaw in the original MKI version, something with the ground. I took mine to an amp tech and had some caps replaced. I later sold it to a friend who took it to Bruce Egnater for repairs and he pointed out the flaw. Said it would be too expensive to fix.

Never played a MKII, wish they'd do a 100 Watt version of it again. I'd own another Archon 100 if there were no issues.
 
I was surprised at how good the Archon sounded into a good 412 cab. It had a good range of gain and retained its clarity. I didn’t get to play it really cranked but it was at a respectable loud level. I have no idea which version it was, new or old. He’s had it a few years and had no problems so far.
Got a really usable clean too and the loop seemed fine in it.
 
Thanks. I liked that it almost had the low end of a recto/uberschall but with a bit more British voicing. It reminded me a bit of a Splawn Nitro, but with a bit more saturation/fizz (in a good way).
 
Played through a 50w long ago; seemed pretty good. Not super impressed but this was a GC. The MT 100 is a better sounding amp to my ears, it's more Triple Recto-like though than what I remember the Archon being.
MT has a great lead and clean; the OD is super mid heavy but would work as a cutting lead ch in a live setting. I remember Mailman(RIP) loving his Archon and selling most of his amps after buying his.
 
Great info guys! I just as well assumed PRS half assed the amp side of the business.
Happy Thanksgiving!
 
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