Real talk… Headfirst Wizard clones

Techdeth said:
More than a vh4 ? Vh4 is the only amp I find that punches as hard as my wizards . What tubes you have in vh4 ?
Note : I like my wizards more . Just taking about the punch
You build the shelves ?I need
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I’d say it punches in a different way (the way I have them dialled in anyway). I’m going to butcher this description, but to me the VH4 has more subs going on, it’s thicker and is like being punched in the stomach. The Headfirst is more direct and is like a punch to the face.
 
Jimty said:
I have a Headfirst MCII build. It’s a 25 watter but in a small box headshell. I haven’t run it side by side against a real MCII, but I will say this: it punches harder than any of my other amps (VH4, JMP 2204, Mesa Stiletto, Boogie MK IV and 101b). It’s also a very loud 25 watts - very open and uncompressed. I think Jason said on YT he’d put Trainwreck transformers in there.

Gratuitous ‘family shot’ included for good measure.

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That room is way too clean.
 
skoora said:
I think you should listen to your gut and not bother. I have never heard a wizard clip or heard a recording of one on an album, that made me feel like I couldn’t do as well if not better with just a decent six knob marshal and the right pedal.
When you’re spending that much on an amp, pretty much every instance you hear one or come across one, should be like the clouds are parting and God‘s light is shining down. Or that the Earth is cracking open and Satan’s fire is literally cooking your nuts when you play. 😊
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I grew up playing old Marshalls, really great ones. Still have them. They are still really great. Since getting my Wizard, those Marshalls sit. Once in awhile I get them out recording a track or two, never take them to gigs anymore, been there and done that.

Playing a gig with one, that’s where it is at. I feel sorry for the guys that never get to play and experience that part.
 
burger said:
I think more is made of the transformers than is actually the case, the majority of that tone and response is in his circuit.
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I understand what you're saying, but I'd just mention a real 70s SuperLead, vs a clone using all the good repro parts...Merren transformers, zoso caps, Yada yada......when compared directly, the real SL slays the clone.
I've never compared a clone Wiz to a real one, and real ones aren't cheap...but, if it's anything like the Marshall clone comparison there are pretty obvious differences. Is it worth the difference in $$?
Up to the buyer of course.
 
Greazygeo said:
I grew up playing old Marshalls, really great ones. Still have them. They are still really great. Since getting my Wizard, those Marshalls sit. Once in awhile I get them out recording a track or two, never take them to gigs anymore, been there and done that.

Playing a gig with one, that’s where it is at. I feel sorry for the guys that never get to play and experience that part.
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This.

The 2 Wizards I had were amazing. The MTL, a little to scooped for my taste, while the MC100 was just right. In the end I moved them in favor of some vintage Marshalls but I wouldn't hesitate grabbing one again. Not much amp wise hits like a Wizard..maybe a HiWatt, an old Superlead...great clarity and thump..like a carnival ride of awesome sound.
I think everyone on this forum should experience a Wizard at some point. New or used. For me it's part of my amp journey and I'm glad I got to experience a few of them.
The last outdoor gig I had was Rock Fest near here in 2016...I used a JMP 2203 in stereo with a C+...pretty cool and damn loud...but, it would have been even more fun if I had that 100w Wiz or 72 SL at the time.
 
Racerxrated said:
The last outdoor gig I had was Rock Fest near here in 2016...I used a JMP 2203 in stereo with a C+...pretty cool and damn loud...but, it would have been even more fun if I had that 100w Wiz or 72 SL at the time.
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Total aside but do you have a YT channel for yourself or your band so I could go listen?
 
Jimty said:
I have a Headfirst MCII build. It’s a 25 watter but in a small box headshell. I haven’t run it side by side against a real MCII, but I will say this: it punches harder than any of my other amps (VH4, JMP 2204, Mesa Stiletto, Boogie MK IV and 101b). It’s also a very loud 25 watts - very open and uncompressed. I think Jason said on YT he’d put Trainwreck transformers in there.

Gratuitous ‘family shot’ included for good measure.

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You have very good taste.
 
Greazygeo said:
I grew up playing old Marshalls, really great ones. Still have them. They are still really great. Since getting my Wizard, those Marshalls sit. Once in awhile I get them out recording a track or two, never take them to gigs anymore, been there and done that.

Playing a gig with one, that’s where it is at. I feel sorry for the guys that never get to play and experience that part.
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I can’t speak to the onstage experience, but as an audience member, I’ve seen a handful of bands over my bar/gig days, using them and even though I was stoked to hear what they were like and they did sound good, not one of those gigs left me with a, benchmark has been set for live rock tone, feeling. For me though, the sound through a mic, is more important than the sound in the room. It’s why I never gelled with Recto’s. Huge in the room but a lot of work to get decent recorded or live tone with (decent being a matter of personal taste of course).
Would always be open to trying a recent incarnation of a MC or MTL.
 
Bram576 said:
@JerEvil I’ve never played a clone so I can’t comment on it being dead on or what. But I have to imagine it’s in the ball park. Plus if it’s one Jason actually built himself that’s gotta mean something.

On another note… I think from what I’ve heard from you, you have a good ear. If you don’t like what you’re hearing from a micd clip I don’t know that you’ll dig it in person. Wizards sound how they do micd in the mids and high end. Some dig it, others don’t… I mean if you’ve played a vht Fryette that’s in the ballpark with the mids. There’s no crazy difference that it’s going to be a totally different amp when in person vs under a mic. The only big difference in the “in the room” deal is you really could dial in more punchy low end than you’d ever need in a band context or in a mix. It’s like the amp has its own fuckin sub it adds lol. When you’re playing by yourself this could be fun, but I never dial in THAT much when playing with others. Nor do I do it on my own recordings. Wizards general eq curves though do show up on micd recordings and their dynamics do too. Can literally see it on my micd recordings the wave form bouncing around.
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But that in the room thump is what it's all about to me. People can get away with most amps live or in studio with the right people in control of the boards.
 
Jimty said:
I’d say it punches in a different way (the way I have them dialled in anyway). I’m going to butcher this description, but to me the VH4 has more subs going on, it’s thicker and is like being punched in the stomach. The Headfirst is more direct and is like a punch to the face.
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Makes sense I think
 
thegame said:
Last time I asked this, all I got was crickets. One more try; at the time, were these Headfirst Wizard clones licensed from Wizard or anything to that effect?
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Rick doesn’t even respond to order inquiries in full sentences man…you’re lucky if you get more than 2-3 English fragments lol

I can only imagine emailing Rick asking about a licensing deal…pretty sure he’d just send you a scan of his buttcheeks back lol
 
thegame said:
Last time I asked this, all I got was crickets. One more try; at the time, were these Headfirst Wizard clones licensed from Wizard or anything to that effect?
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That’s not how licensing works. These are “Merlin” PCBs. In the same way that Mojotone sells a “British 800” amp kit, or a “Blackface Reverb” kit. Jason would have to be selling these as “Wizard” kits for there to be any kind of legal issue. Electronic circuits aren't protected by copyright or trademark.
 
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