Killer Kali++ - Fortin or Gower

[Webb]

Can anyone compare the KK++ mod from Fortin vs. Dan Gower? I doubt many people have had a chance to compare them side by side, but I was just wondering if they are more similar than they are different.

Any reason to go with one over the other purely based on tone?

 

[Mr. Willy]

I had a Gower Killer Kali++. From what I understand they are the same mod. When Fortin started doing the Randall stuff, he didn't have the time to mod Marshalls like he did before. He gave Dan Gower permission to perform the mods. I don't know if they are EXACTLY alike, but they are very, very, very close. This, I believe, is the meat and potatoes of it anyway.

 

[harsh59]

Love the high gain sound of a Kali modded Marshall

 

[ericb]

I have a Fortin Cali-Modded Marshall jcm800(Bass model) , and a Gower Killer Kali++ modded plexi-ri. . I don't know anything about Fortin doing a KK++ mod at all. These 2 amps are way different. Both are absolutely awesome. Eric

 

[metalmaniac93]

I have a Gower KK++ and its is awesome!!! According to Dan the Cali and KK++ is a Fortin/Gower designed mod so it should not matter who mods it. Both will kick ass!!!

 

[metalmaniac93]

I have a Fortin Cali-Modded Marshall jcm800(Bass model) , and a Gower Killer Kali++ modded plexi-ri. . I don't know anything about Fortin doing a KK++ mod at all. These 2 amps are way different. Both are absolutely awesome. Eric

Fortin did one of the early KK++ mods for killertone. Here is the clip!

 

[OUTLAW1969]

From what I understand, everyone that has posted above, is correct.

Mike gave Dan permission to do KK mod, and Gower's are every bit as great as Mike's.

The Gower KK++ that I have is incredible, and after having it for a couple of years now, still makes me smile every time I use it !

 

[mooncobra]

Gowers mods are AMAZING!!!!

 

[metalmaniac93]

From what I understand, everyone that has posted above, is correct.

Mike gave Dan permission to do KK mod, and Gower's are every bit as great as Mike's.

The Gower KK++ that I have is incredible, and after having it for a couple of years now, still makes me smile every time I use it !

I agree, it is a KILLER amp and Dan's work is awesome as is Mike's too!!! Mine also kicks ass and pretty much does everything I need. So many tone shaping options and mine is loaded. Now a production model of these is definitely warranted!!!

 

[Webb]

Thanks for the info guys. I'm sending off a JCM800 to Mike next week for the KK++ mod. I don't think I need any of the additional options unless you guys think one of the extras is a must-have (Glass Control, Thump switch, etc).

I'm going for the "stock" Killer Kali++ mod, which includes:

Dual Gain Controls with push/pull ‘Bright’ switches
Master Volume
Feel Control (adjust the feel from tight to spongy)
Violence Control (Gain boost control for the high gain mode)
Depth Control
Regulated and elevated DC Heaters for low noise floor
Anodized Aluminum Laser Etched FORTIN Logo

 

[braintheory]

I have a Fortin Cali-Modded Marshall jcm800(Bass model) , and a Gower Killer Kali++ modded plexi-ri. . I don't know anything about Fortin doing a KK++ mod at all. These 2 amps are way different. Both are absolutely awesome. Eric

How would you describe the differences? Gower also does a Cali mod and said that the KK++ sounds bigger and fatter than the Cali but can sound very similar.

Also, do any of you guys know if Fortin's Gainmonster mod is the same thing as Gower's Rockmonster mod? It seems like they're both now doing the same exact mods as each other, so it would be great to know how they compare.

 

[metalmaniac93]

I have a Fortin Cali-Modded Marshall jcm800(Bass model) , and a Gower Killer Kali++ modded plexi-ri. . I don't know anything about Fortin doing a KK++ mod at all. These 2 amps are way different. Both are absolutely awesome. Eric

How would you describe the differences? Gower also does a Cali mod and said that the KK++ sounds bigger and fatter than the Cali but can sound very similar.

Also, do any of you guys know if Fortin's Gainmonster mod is the same thing as Gower's Rockmonster mod? It seems like they're both now doing the same exact mods as each other, so it would be great to know how they compare.

The Cali mod is in the KK++ mod as it is the 3 gain stage part of the mod with the SAT switches/Jose diode clipping...The KK part of the mod is the 4th gain stage which makes it sound bigger and fatter. The rest of the extras include depth, glass, mid shift and feel.

I do not know much about Dan's rock monster compared to Fortin's Gainmonster.

 

[OUTLAW1969]

viewtopic.php?f=6&t=174325

 

[braintheory]

I have a Fortin Cali-Modded Marshall jcm800(Bass model) , and a Gower Killer Kali++ modded plexi-ri. . I don't know anything about Fortin doing a KK++ mod at all. These 2 amps are way different. Both are absolutely awesome. Eric

How would you describe the differences? Gower also does a Cali mod and said that the KK++ sounds bigger and fatter than the Cali but can sound very similar.

Also, do any of you guys know if Fortin's Gainmonster mod is the same thing as Gower's Rockmonster mod? It seems like they're both now doing the same exact mods as each other, so it would be great to know how they compare.

The Cali mod is in the KK++ mod as it is the 3 gain stage part of the mod with the SAT switches/Jose diode clipping...The KK part of the mod is the 4th gain stage which makes it sound bigger and fatter. The rest of the extras include depth, glass, mid shift and feel.

I do not know much about Dan's rock monster compared to Fortin's Gainmonster.

That's what Dan said also, so it's surprising to hear that guy saying his Cali and KK++ sound way different

 

[metalmaniac93]

I have a Fortin Cali-Modded Marshall jcm800(Bass model) , and a Gower Killer Kali++ modded plexi-ri. . I don't know anything about Fortin doing a KK++ mod at all. These 2 amps are way different. Both are absolutely awesome. Eric

How would you describe the differences? Gower also does a Cali mod and said that the KK++ sounds bigger and fatter than the Cali but can sound very similar.

Also, do any of you guys know if Fortin's Gainmonster mod is the same thing as Gower's Rockmonster mod? It seems like they're both now doing the same exact mods as each other, so it would be great to know how they compare.

The Cali mod is in the KK++ mod as it is the 3 gain stage part of the mod with the SAT switches/Jose diode clipping...The KK part of the mod is the 4th gain stage which makes it sound bigger and fatter. The rest of the extras include depth, glass, mid shift and feel.

I do not know much about Dan's rock monster compared to Fortin's Gainmonster.

That's what Dan said also, so it's surprising to hear that guy saying his Cali and KK++ sound way different

Maybe the donor amp makes some difference? Either way my KK++ is awesome!!! Swiss Army of various Marshall like tones. Plus Dan can tweak it the way you like. I just went with the standard KK++ with all of the options keeping the JCM 800 tone as original as possible. He can add more gain to the stock part of the amp, make it more open/less compressed sounding, etc. Of course Mike can do the same.

 

[Devilinside]

I had a regular Fortin Cali, and a Gower Kali Killer++. I mainly got the Gower Kali because of all the extra options with full clean channel but to me both were very similar in core tone and equally awesome!!
Really hard to top honestly

 

[ericb]

I have a Fortin Cali-Modded Marshall jcm800(Bass model) , and a Gower Killer Kali++ modded plexi-ri. . I don't know anything about Fortin doing a KK++ mod at all. These 2 amps are way different. Both are absolutely awesome. Eric

How would you describe the differences? Gower also does a Cali mod and said that the KK++ sounds bigger and fatter than the Cali but can sound very similar.

Also, do any of you guys know if Fortin's Gainmonster mod is the same thing as Gower's Rockmonster mod? It seems like they're both now doing the same exact mods as each other, so it would be great to know how they compare.

The Cali mod is in the KK++ mod as it is the 3 gain stage part of the mod with the SAT switches/Jose diode clipping...The KK part of the mod is the 4th gain stage which makes it sound bigger and fatter. The rest of the extras include depth, glass, mid shift and feel.

I do not know much about Dan's rock monster compared to Fortin's Gainmonster.

That's what Dan said also, so it's surprising to hear that guy saying his Cali and KK++ sound way different

Mine do sound quite a bit different. I only use the Gower KK++ with the Violence turned up , so really only love that one as a meidum to hi-gain amp.. Meanwhile, my Fortin Cali Modded Jcm800bass amp has the 2 positions where diodes kick in and the volume drops a lot, so you turn up the volume knob to bring it back and then I love the tones at all different gain levels. The 2 different bright switches on the 2 gain knobs offer all kinds of tonal variation(and they dramatically effect gain levels also) and it sounds really great from lo-gain to medium -gain to hi-gain. Also my Fortin Cali-modded JCM800 cleans up better using guitar's volumes knobs. As for the Gower KK++ I like that for all kinds of hi-gain tones, but don't like it as much as the Fortin Cali for lower to medium gain tones, and it doesn't clean up as well at any gain level (to me) .. . Keep in mind my amps also are VERY different. . The Gower was done on a Plexi RI (with NO Fx loop) . . It's a smallbox . He didn't want to try to fit an fx loop in it, and also he replaced all the filter caps,etc. The amp is an absolutely monster but not as versatile as the Fortin/Cali/Jcm800 to me. . . Meanwhile, that Fortin JCM800bass is NOT a reissue, is probably an early 1980's amp , has a GREAT parallel/series fx loop in it put there by Fortin,etc. . Very different amps. Keep in mind I have loads of modded Marshall, and others might find them extremely similar but to me every one is different than the other! Good luck and you can't go wrong with either! Eric

 

[syncrodude007]

Gowers mods are AMAZING!!!!

this...

 

[metalmaniac93]

I have a Fortin Cali-Modded Marshall jcm800(Bass model) , and a Gower Killer Kali++ modded plexi-ri. . I don't know anything about Fortin doing a KK++ mod at all. These 2 amps are way different. Both are absolutely awesome. Eric

How would you describe the differences? Gower also does a Cali mod and said that the KK++ sounds bigger and fatter than the Cali but can sound very similar.

Also, do any of you guys know if Fortin's Gainmonster mod is the same thing as Gower's Rockmonster mod? It seems like they're both now doing the same exact mods as each other, so it would be great to know how they compare.

The Cali mod is in the KK++ mod as it is the 3 gain stage part of the mod with the SAT switches/Jose diode clipping...The KK part of the mod is the 4th gain stage which makes it sound bigger and fatter. The rest of the extras include depth, glass, mid shift and feel.

I do not know much about Dan's rock monster compared to Fortin's Gainmonster.

That's what Dan said also, so it's surprising to hear that guy saying his Cali and KK++ sound way different

Mine do sound quite a bit different. I only use the Gower KK++ with the Violence turned up , so really only love that one as a meidum to hi-gain amp.. Meanwhile, my Fortin Cali Modded Jcm800bass amp has the 2 positions where diodes kick in and the volume drops a lot, so you turn up the volume knob to bring it back and then I love the tones at all different gain levels. The 2 different bright switches on the 2 gain knobs offer all kinds of tonal variation(and they dramatically effect gain levels also) and it sounds really great from lo-gain to medium -gain to hi-gain. Also my Fortin Cali-modded JCM800 cleans up better using guitar's volumes knobs. As for the Gower KK++ I like that for all kinds of hi-gain tones, but don't like it as much as the Fortin Cali for lower to medium gain tones, and it doesn't clean up as well at any gain level (to me) .. . Keep in mind my amps also are VERY different. . The Gower was done on a Plexi RI (with NO Fx loop) . . It's a smallbox . He didn't want to try to fit an fx loop in it, and also he replaced all the filter caps,etc. The amp is an absolutely monster but not as versatile as the Fortin/Cali/Jcm800 to me. . . Meanwhile, that Fortin JCM800bass is NOT a reissue, is probably an early 1980's amp , has a GREAT parallel/series fx loop in it put there by Fortin,etc. . Very different amps. Keep in mind I have loads of modded Marshall, and others might find them extremely similar but to me every one is different than the other! Good luck and you can't go wrong with either! Eric

The KK++ violence (4 gain stages) is going to sound much different than 3 gain stages with the SAT switches. My KK++ has the Violence and the SAT switches plus the two bright switches so I can get the Cali tone or the Killer Kali (Violence). Of course there is the Glass, Depth, Feel and Mid-shift options too. I can great low gain tones out of it, but mine is a 1982 JCM 800 2203 so it retains some of the original JCM 800 tone with no SAT or violence on. My KK++ has a parallel loop only as that is what I wanted since I only use delay through it. Does your KK++ have the SAT switches?

 

[suhrimmetal]

I have a Fortin Cali-Modded Marshall jcm800(Bass model) , and a Gower Killer Kali++ modded plexi-ri. . I don't know anything about Fortin doing a KK++ mod at all. These 2 amps are way different. Both are absolutely awesome. Eric

How would you describe the differences? Gower also does a Cali mod and said that the KK++ sounds bigger and fatter than the Cali but can sound very similar.

Also, do any of you guys know if Fortin's Gainmonster mod is the same thing as Gower's Rockmonster mod? It seems like they're both now doing the same exact mods as each other, so it would be great to know how they compare.

The Cali mod is in the KK++ mod as it is the 3 gain stage part of the mod with the SAT switches/Jose diode clipping...The KK part of the mod is the 4th gain stage which makes it sound bigger and fatter. The rest of the extras include depth, glass, mid shift and feel.

I do not know much about Dan's rock monster compared to Fortin's Gainmonster.

That's what Dan said also, so it's surprising to hear that guy saying his Cali and KK++ sound way different

Mine do sound quite a bit different. I only use the Gower KK++ with the Violence turned up , so really only love that one as a meidum to hi-gain amp.. Meanwhile, my Fortin Cali Modded Jcm800bass amp has the 2 positions where diodes kick in and the volume drops a lot, so you turn up the volume knob to bring it back and then I love the tones at all different gain levels. The 2 different bright switches on the 2 gain knobs offer all kinds of tonal variation(and they dramatically effect gain levels also) and it sounds really great from lo-gain to medium -gain to hi-gain. Also my Fortin Cali-modded JCM800 cleans up better using guitar's volumes knobs. As for the Gower KK++ I like that for all kinds of hi-gain tones, but don't like it as much as the Fortin Cali for lower to medium gain tones, and it doesn't clean up as well at any gain level (to me) .. . Keep in mind my amps also are VERY different. . The Gower was done on a Plexi RI (with NO Fx loop) . . It's a smallbox . He didn't want to try to fit an fx loop in it, and also he replaced all the filter caps,etc. The amp is an absolutely monster but not as versatile as the Fortin/Cali/Jcm800 to me. . . Meanwhile, that Fortin JCM800bass is NOT a reissue, is probably an early 1980's amp , has a GREAT parallel/series fx loop in it put there by Fortin,etc. . Very different amps. Keep in mind I have loads of modded Marshall, and others might find them extremely similar but to me every one is different than the other! Good luck and you can't go wrong with either! Eric

The KK++ violence (4 gain stages) is going to sound much different than 3 gain stages with the SAT switches. My KK++ has the Violence and the SAT switches plus the two bright switches so I can get the Cali tone or the Killer Kali (Violence). Of course there is the Glass, Depth, Feel and Mid-shift options too. I can great low gain tones out of it, but mine is a 1982 JCM 800 2203 so it retains some of the original JCM 800 tone with no SAT or violence on. My KK++ has a parallel loop only as that is what I wanted since I only use delay through it. Does your KK++ have the SAT switches?

I had all that and then some in my Killer Kali++... and I MISS it every DAMN day. Worst case of gear chasing in my gear history... and I've had a few

Would really love to find a stripped down version of the Gower/Fortin Cali in my budget and be done with it.... just don't see it happening tho.