Randall RG100ES > Mesa Mark III & .50 caliber +

[anomaly]

Seriously.

I just had my Randall's and Mesa's cranked up in the jam room, switching between all of them a few times and i've come to the conclusion that my Randall's (with a boost, mind you) pretty much pwned both Mesa's.... and this was at band level volumes. I had the master on the Randall to about 4, and it easily kept up with the Mark III and it drowned out the .50 cal + no problem. It had a tighter more focused sound, was smoother, less harsh in the highs and basically just had a more powerful sound to it.

I should mention that both Mesa's do cleans and mid gain rock tones better than the Randall. So they weren't completely pwned... just for metal.

The test subjects:

 

[Juggernaut]

 

[Gainfreak]

You are certainly entitled to your opinion an as with all threads like this, I say use what works best for you! If the Randall does it for you then amen!!

With that said, and being that this is a discussion forum and also Being that I own a Randall ,MKIII and a MKIV Id have to humbly disagree. My MKIV eats the Randall alive and there is no way you could ever convince me that solid state power can keep up with tubes.As a matter of fact it would probably take double/triple the power to keep up with a tube amp and maybe that's the reason the reason why Randall used 300 watt power sections in there later models

all the best

~R~

 

[Gainfreak]

by the way, Im not trying to sound nasty in my post. Im just debating! As Ive said before if the Randall does it for you then that's awesome! I just have had a different experiance.

 

[anomaly]

You are certainly entitled to your opinion an as with all threads like this, I say use what works best for you! If the Randall does it for you then amen!!

With that said, and being that this is a discussion forum and also Being that I own a Randall ,MKIII and a MKIV Id have to humbly disagree. My MKIV eats the Randall alive and there is no way you could ever convince me that solid state power can keep up with tubes.As a matter of fact it would probably take double/triple the power to keep up with a tube amp and maybe that's the reason the reason why Randall used 300 watt power sections in there later models

all the best

~R~

The Mesa's got pwned, period.

Like i said though, this is just for metal. The RG's a one trick pony. The Mesa's are much more versatile.

As far as volume, I had the Randall's master at about 4, the Mark III i had the master at 5 - 6, lead master at 4. On the .50 cal + i basically had it right before the point at where it starts mushing out, 7 on the master, 5 on the lead master.

At those settings the Randall was ALOT louder, bigger sounding than the .50 caliber +, and it basically matched the Mark III in volume, but was tighter, punchier and more focused. I know how to dial in a Mark III too...

You could really hear the difference when doing the single notes and palm muting stuff.

Usually tube amps are alot louder, or perceived alot louder than SS, but the older RG series are an exception, they're very loud and have alot of cut to them. I've never had any problem hanging with a tube amp in the 50 - 100 watt range with the rg100es.

 

[anomaly]

by the way, Im not trying to sound nasty in my post. Im just debating! As Ive said before if the Randall does it for you then that's awesome! I just have had a different experiance.

Nah, that's fine man. No hard feelings at all, say what you want.

You gotta understand i'm just talking strictly metal tones here... i admit the Mesa's do pretty much everything else better than the Randall.

 

[anomaly]

BTW That .50 cal + is actually a pretty cool amp. The lead channel on it gets REALLY close to the Mark III... maybe a bit darker, and spongier sounding. It's sorta like a more simplified, stream-lined version of the MK III, cause it doesn't have all the pull-pots, R2 and the simul-class/class A switch on the back.

 

[guitar_god123456]

dammit i got randall gas now


well im off to the bay

 

[anomaly]

dammit i got randall gas now


well im off to the bay

And you should.

No discredit to the Mesa Mark series at all (i think they are great), but i think these old Randall RG heads deserve MUCH more credit than they get. They are without a doubt the best solid state amps i've ever come across (i've owned a Ampeg VH-140C, which was a good amp as well).

I own a Randall Warhead, 300 watts (i snagged it for $175), and it is honestly not really much louder than the RG100ES, if at all....(i am not too sure though, i haven't really brought it to its limit), the Warhead has a REALLY massive low end to it... sorta reminds me of a mesa rectifier in a sense, but different. It needs a boost IMO to get a tight sound.

The old Randall RG's are way different than anything randall has released since the early 90's. Better tone, and alot louder.

 

[messenger]

I'm going to pick up a RG80ES this afternoon from the post office

 

[Juggernaut]

I just got this.... (it's in route). (not the quad the RG100HT)

And then I'm getting the RGP1000 from my buddy Anomaly (love ya!)

 

[Digital Jams]

Oh boy......................

 

[anomaly]

 

[vultures]

 

[anomaly]

I take it you don't believe me, that's OK.

I've been A/B 'ing those Mesa's against the Randall's for a while now, and i like them alot...but the RG100ES is pissing all over them for a tight, loud metal tone, tis the truth.