Randall Thrasher 50 - opinions?

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nigelpkay

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Been thinking about picking up the Randall Thrasher 50 for a small size but still powerful amp.
I’ve been really enjoying the Neural Fortin NTS plug-in while messing around with recordings, and the Thrasher is the closest things to the real Natas.

I’ve been using a G12T-75 IR with the NTS plugin that sounds great, so I’m thinking the amp will do just as well with my real cab.

Any opinions about it? The loop seems a little weird, not sure if it’s just instrument level for pedals, as I need the option of line level for my ISP Theta preamps I like to use as well.

I was holding out for the Fortin Monolith 50 watt poweramp but looks like that’s not coming any time soon.

Only other real choice is the 5150III 50 watt. But after trying it a couple of times over the years I just couldn’t jive with it.
 
I love mine. Absolutely rips!

The loop works well, you just have to adjust the level accordingly, to find the sweet spot.

It's tone, (out of the box), isn't as beefy as the 5150 III, but it sounds superior. I compensate with a 10-Band in the loop. It's a better sounding amp than the EVH, IMO, no question. Very angry, immediate, and great clarity. A lot more raw, and dynamic. The EVH, to me, sounds generic, by comparison.

Hell, I have an RD45H that eats the EVH's lunch, at less than half the price.
 
curious- how are you setting the eq? Boosting some lows or lo mids to bring more beef?
 
napalmdeath":3ewmfoze said:
I love mine. Absolutely rips!

The loop works well, you just have to adjust the level accordingly, to find the sweet spot.
.

How does that work though if you are just plugging in a preamp just to the FX Return so you can bypass the internal preamp? It seems like it just has a send level that you can adjust the FX Send if you are going to regular instrument level pedals or a line level rack fx unit.
 
nigelpkay":2xnq6n43 said:
Been thinking about picking up the Randall Thrasher 50 for a small size but still powerful amp.
I’ve been really enjoying the Neural Fortin NTS plug-in while messing around with recordings, and the Thrasher is the closest things to the real Natas.

I’ve been using a G12T-75 IR with the NTS plugin that sounds great, so I’m thinking the amp will do just as well with my real cab.

Any opinions about it? The loop seems a little weird, not sure if it’s just instrument level for pedals, as I need the option of line level for my ISP Theta preamps I like to use as well.

I was holding out for the Fortin Monolith 50 watt poweramp but looks like that’s not coming any time soon.

Only other real choice is the 5150III 50 watt. But after trying it a couple of times over the years I just couldn’t jive with it.

I've had a pair of the Thrashers and just couldn't jive with them. To my ears, they're pretty sterile and lifeless sounding. Not that they sounded bad, I just think they're a bit too modern and clean for my tastes.

Well built, and cool looking amps, no doubt, but I gravitate towards the 5150 and hotrodded Marshall tones, which are superior in a band mix or live setting, IMO. Recording may be different.

I also had a Satan 50, and Diavlo 100, and all 3 got nixed after trying them in band settings.

Wish I could comment on the loop. but I truthfully never used it.
 
crankyrayhanky":1nv08iur said:
curious- how are you setting the eq? Boosting some lows or lo mids to bring more beef?

Yep, just a bump in the lows, and low mids.
 
nigelpkay":1shaoner said:
napalmdeath":1shaoner said:
I love mine. Absolutely rips!

The loop works well, you just have to adjust the level accordingly, to find the sweet spot.
.

How does that work though if you are just plugging in a preamp just to the FX Return so you can bypass the internal preamp? It seems like it just has a send level that you can adjust the FX Send if you are going to regular instrument level pedals or a line level rack fx unit.

I'm using an RP1000 for fx only. My tone is all Thrasher, with a GT-OD as a boost up front.
 
Bad.Seed":32lrj8j3 said:
nigelpkay":32lrj8j3 said:
Been thinking about picking up the Randall Thrasher 50 for a small size but still powerful amp.
I’ve been really enjoying the Neural Fortin NTS plug-in while messing around with recordings, and the Thrasher is the closest things to the real Natas.

I’ve been using a G12T-75 IR with the NTS plugin that sounds great, so I’m thinking the amp will do just as well with my real cab.

Any opinions about it? The loop seems a little weird, not sure if it’s just instrument level for pedals, as I need the option of line level for my ISP Theta preamps I like to use as well.

I was holding out for the Fortin Monolith 50 watt poweramp but looks like that’s not coming any time soon.

Only other real choice is the 5150III 50 watt. But after trying it a couple of times over the years I just couldn’t jive with it.

I've had a pair of the Thrashers and just couldn't jive with them. To my ears, they're pretty sterile and lifeless sounding. Not that they sounded bad, I just think they're a bit too modern and clean for my tastes.

Well built, and cool looking amps, no doubt, but I gravitate towards the 5150 and hotrodded Marshall tones, which are superior in a band mix or live setting, IMO. Recording may be different.

I also had a Satan 50, and Diavlo 100, and all 3 got nixed after trying them in band settings.

Wish I could comment on the loop. but I truthfully never used it.

We all hear things different. The Thrasher sounds more raw and in your face than any EVH I've owned. I've owned 3 EVH 50's, and found them to be the sterile, more modern sounding, with a red channel that's unusable, with stupid amounts of gain.

The key to bringing the goods with the Thrasher, is to hit it with a boost, and not use the onboard boost of the amp. Way more raw sounding.
 
napalmdeath":1ybgmjvd said:
Bad.Seed":1ybgmjvd said:
nigelpkay":1ybgmjvd said:
Been thinking about picking up the Randall Thrasher 50 for a small size but still powerful amp.
I’ve been really enjoying the Neural Fortin NTS plug-in while messing around with recordings, and the Thrasher is the closest things to the real Natas.

I’ve been using a G12T-75 IR with the NTS plugin that sounds great, so I’m thinking the amp will do just as well with my real cab.

Any opinions about it? The loop seems a little weird, not sure if it’s just instrument level for pedals, as I need the option of line level for my ISP Theta preamps I like to use as well.

I was holding out for the Fortin Monolith 50 watt poweramp but looks like that’s not coming any time soon.

Only other real choice is the 5150III 50 watt. But after trying it a couple of times over the years I just couldn’t jive with it.

I've had a pair of the Thrashers and just couldn't jive with them. To my ears, they're pretty sterile and lifeless sounding. Not that they sounded bad, I just think they're a bit too modern and clean for my tastes.

Well built, and cool looking amps, no doubt, but I gravitate towards the 5150 and hotrodded Marshall tones, which are superior in a band mix or live setting, IMO. Recording may be different.

I also had a Satan 50, and Diavlo 100, and all 3 got nixed after trying them in band settings.

Wish I could comment on the loop. but I truthfully never used it.

We all hear things different. The Thrasher sounds more raw and in your face than any EVH I've owned. I've owned 3 EVH 50's, and found them to be the sterile, more modern sounding, with a red channel that's unusable, with stupid amounts of gain.

The key to bringing the goods with the Thrasher, is to hit it with a boost, and not use the onboard boost of the amp. Way more raw sounding.

Yeah, my ears certainly hear it differently than yours.

I tried every boost in my collection, just a no go for me. Didn't sit in my bands mix well. Sounded boring to me, so I moved it on. My other guitarist felt the same way about it. Different strokes.
 
Have you looked at the Ceriatone Gargoyle? The Satan would probably be the closest to the NTS but they are hard to find these days. Wish Fortin would come out with preamp pedals like the how KSR did with the Ceres. I know at one time he asked if there would be any interest in a similar product. I liked the NTS better than the Meshuggah, Nolly, or Plini. Dont know why but I never really get them sounding as good as other people do.
 
ClintN667":hk1uylla said:
Have you looked at the Ceriatone Gargoyle? The Satan would probably be the closest to the NTS but they are hard to find these days. Wish Fortin would come out with preamp pedals like the how KSR did with the Ceres. I know at one time he asked if there would be any interest in a similar product. I liked the NTS better than the Meshuggah, Nolly, or Plini. Dont know why but I never really get them sounding as good as other people do.

I wish someone on this damn forum would be the guinea pig with the Gargoyle. I'd love to hear so real deal metal demos of that thing.
 
The only guy that has a vid is the guy from Plague Scythe studios and honestly he didnt wow me with it. I talked to the guy who got the Leviathan and he loves it but he said its really bright. I started thinking about grabbing a Gargoyle, Leviathan, or Molecular but I get nervous about buying amps where I dont see a lot of reviews(good and bad).
 
ClintN667":20b7nbfb said:
The only guy that has a vid is the guy from Plague Scythe studios and honestly he didnt wow me with it. I talked to the guy who got the Leviathan and he loves it but he said its really bright. I started thinking about grabbing a Gargoyle, Leviathan, or Molecular but I get nervous about buying amps where I dont see a lot of reviews(good and bad).

What's the Leviathan based on?
 
napalmdeath":1lv8fnm6 said:
ClintN667":1lv8fnm6 said:
The only guy that has a vid is the guy from Plague Scythe studios and honestly he didnt wow me with it. I talked to the guy who got the Leviathan and he loves it but he said its really bright. I started thinking about grabbing a Gargoyle, Leviathan, or Molecular but I get nervous about buying amps where I dont see a lot of reviews(good and bad).

What's the Leviathan based on?

Butterslax... So when he said it was bright it kinda soured me on the whole idea. Its supposed to be a butterslax where you can defeat the clippers on the clean channel. The vids sound good but I dont trust youtube vids.
 
ClintN667":zwsplnp3 said:
The only guy that has a vid is the guy from Plague Scythe studios and honestly he didnt wow me with it. I talked to the guy who got the Leviathan and he loves it but he said its really bright. I started thinking about grabbing a Gargoyle, Leviathan, or Molecular but I get nervous about buying amps where I dont see a lot of reviews(good and bad).

Yeah, his video wa a talk fest with very little playing, and his sounds were uninspiring. I refuse to use that as a basis.

As far as the Leviathon, I am sure I know the guy you're talking about, and he gushes over everything Ceriatone, so his opnions are always taken with a grain of salt on my end. We have spoken a few times, and he is a nice guy who is eager to talk gear, haha.

Nik seems to be on a tear with designs (or copies) of the higher end stuff lately. I have had both a Yeti and Chupacabra, and both are fine sounding amps with great craftsmanship.
 
Bad.Seed":3oppn05v said:
ClintN667":3oppn05v said:
Have you looked at the Ceriatone Gargoyle? The Satan would probably be the closest to the NTS but they are hard to find these days. Wish Fortin would come out with preamp pedals like the how KSR did with the Ceres. I know at one time he asked if there would be any interest in a similar product. I liked the NTS better than the Meshuggah, Nolly, or Plini. Dont know why but I never really get them sounding as good as other people do.

I wish someone on this damn forum would be the guinea pig with the Gargoyle. I'd love to hear so real deal metal demos of that thing.

You have like 150 amps, what's another one gonna hurt?? Ha
 
Bad.Seed":1jfywneo said:
ClintN667":1jfywneo said:
Have you looked at the Ceriatone Gargoyle? The Satan would probably be the closest to the NTS but they are hard to find these days. Wish Fortin would come out with preamp pedals like the how KSR did with the Ceres. I know at one time he asked if there would be any interest in a similar product. I liked the NTS better than the Meshuggah, Nolly, or Plini. Dont know why but I never really get them sounding as good as other people do.

I wish someone on this damn forum would be the guinea pig with the Gargoyle. I'd love to hear so real deal metal demos of that thing.

I just watched Ryan's video on the Gargoyle. Damn, it does sound GOOD! Has my attention!
 
Bad.Seed":13wwwj8e said:
ClintN667":13wwwj8e said:
The only guy that has a vid is the guy from Plague Scythe studios and honestly he didnt wow me with it. I talked to the guy who got the Leviathan and he loves it but he said its really bright. I started thinking about grabbing a Gargoyle, Leviathan, or Molecular but I get nervous about buying amps where I dont see a lot of reviews(good and bad).

Yeah, his video wa a talk fest with very little playing, and his sounds were uninspiring. I refuse to use that as a basis.

As far as the Leviathon, I am sure I know the guy you're talking about, and he gushes over everything Ceriatone, so his opnions are always taken with a grain of salt on my end. We have spoken a few times, and he is a nice guy who is eager to talk gear, haha.

Nik seems to be on a tear with designs (or copies) of the higher end stuff lately. I have had both a Yeti and Chupacabra, and both are fine sounding amps with great craftsmanship.

I have a 2204 on the way minus the iron from Nik. After I install the iron Im probably going to send it to Monomyth amps to let him work his magic on it. I just grabbed a JJ jr. and Im honestly not in love with it. Its a nice amp but after having a modded Superlead this doesnt compare. Im leaning on building a Molecular for my next build after I finish my V2 Caldera kit.
 
ClintN667":29qvavof said:
Bad.Seed":29qvavof said:
ClintN667":29qvavof said:
The only guy that has a vid is the guy from Plague Scythe studios and honestly he didnt wow me with it. I talked to the guy who got the Leviathan and he loves it but he said its really bright. I started thinking about grabbing a Gargoyle, Leviathan, or Molecular but I get nervous about buying amps where I dont see a lot of reviews(good and bad).

Yeah, his video wa a talk fest with very little playing, and his sounds were uninspiring. I refuse to use that as a basis.

As far as the Leviathon, I am sure I know the guy you're talking about, and he gushes over everything Ceriatone, so his opnions are always taken with a grain of salt on my end. We have spoken a few times, and he is a nice guy who is eager to talk gear, haha.

Nik seems to be on a tear with designs (or copies) of the higher end stuff lately. I have had both a Yeti and Chupacabra, and both are fine sounding amps with great craftsmanship.

I have a 2204 on the way minus the iron from Nik. After I install the iron Im probably going to send it to Monomyth amps to let him work his magic on it. I just grabbed a JJ jr. and Im honestly not in love with it. Its a nice amp but after having a modded Superlead this doesnt compare. Im leaning on building a Molecular for my next build after I finish my V2 Caldera kit.

I'm thinking of getting something built myself.
 
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