Wizard Clones?

[mooncobra]

I see clones of every amp imaginable out there now, Cameron, Friedman, SLO, etc. I never see Wizard clones, or maybe they are out there and I have not seen them?

Whats the deal? What is the special thing about Wizards that make them hard to clone? Transformers are different? Expensive? What????

I don't know the first thing about electronics.

 

[Zado]

Ceriatone is making a clone right now

 

[lespaul6]

Heres another... know nothing about them as a company though:

https://headfirstamplification.com/

 

[braintheory]

The amps I’m much more surprised that no one seems to clone are the Mesa Mark series amps and the only rectifier clone I know is that Bugera Trirec

Also, I don’t know of any Diezel, ENGL, or Fryette clones

 

[maddnotez]

Ceriatone is making a clone right now

I would absolutely love for one of you Wizard owners to do a side by side with one of these and report back

Man that would be AMAZING if Ceriatone pulled that off even if only 90% accurately.

 

[acidvoodoo]

Heres another... know nothing about them as a company though:

https://headfirstamplification.com/

That Wizard MC25 Clone sounds killer

 

[Zado]

Ceriatone is making a clone right now

I would absolutely love for one of you Wizard owners to do a side by side with one of these and report back

Man that would be AMAZING if Ceriatone pulled that off even if only 90% accurately.

We'll wait and see. I'm confident it will sound at least very good, and for the money one can save here in Europe I guess it's enough for me.

 

[CornNutz]

I'm building a MCII clone, just been on the back burner for a while, been too busy. Planning on doing a single channel MTL too.

 

[Bad.Seed]

The amps I’m much more surprised that no one seems to clone are the Mesa Mark series amps and the only rectifier clone I know is that Bugera Trirec

Also, I don’t know of any Diezel, ENGL, or Fryette clones

Mesa Circuits are typically very complicated, and it'd be tough to clone them and produce cost effectively, unless you were mass producing.

Modded Marshall circuits are typically popular in the cloning world because they're much more simple and highly documented online.

 

[ClintN667]

The amps I’m much more surprised that no one seems to clone are the Mesa Mark series amps and the only rectifier clone I know is that Bugera Trirec

Also, I don’t know of any Diezel, ENGL, or Fryette clones

Mesa Circuits are typically very complicated, and it'd be tough to clone them and produce cost effectively, unless you were mass producing.

Modded Marshall circuits are typically popular in the cloning world because they're much more simple and highly documented online.

Yep. There was a site for a Mark II preamp pcb thats no longer up but as far as handwiring a Mesa it gives me a panic attack even thinking about it. Myaskinov I believe makes a Mesa preamp as well.

 

[ClintN667]

Heres another... know nothing about them as a company though:

https://headfirstamplification.com/

Im about 50% done soldering the MC2 board but kinda lost focus with everything going on right now at home. When you order a PCB from him he gives you some files like a Bill of Material, layout, and build notes. Im still a complete noob on amp building so Im in no hurry to finish this but they are quality PCB's

 

[kdmay]

Jason (Headfirst Amplification) is a mate of mine and I helped design/verify the PCBs.

The PCBs are the real deal. I’ve played every one of his builds and will soon AB against a real Wizard.

Build with quality iron and big voltage and you will get the Wizard sound for sure.

For the DIYers out there, it’s a great option that we have never had.

 

[ClintN667]

I wonder if he would sell a populated board?

 

[lespaul6]

Jason (Headfirst Amplification) is a mate of mine and I helped design/verify the PCBs.

The PCBs are the real deal. I’ve played every one of his builds and will soon AB against a real Wizard.

Build with quality iron and big voltage and you will get the Wizard sound for sure.

For the DIYers out there, it’s a great option that we have never had.

You guys did a great job.. and youre right about the plate voltage (500) at least to get that wizard sound. Nobody is answering my emails at Headfirst.. Ive sent two already inquiring about a 100 watter.

 

[lespaul6]

Word from Nik as of today... the modern classic is "on the list" but he has no idea when it would be available... states he puts out 2 to 3 amps a year and the list of new stuff is long.

 

[ClintN667]

He is in Australia so that may take some time. Also shipping would be a bitch coming from over there. I know its $20 bucks just for the PCB to arrive and takes about a week and a half to two weeks after shipping.

 

[lespaul6]

He is in Australia so that may take some time. Also shipping would be a bitch coming from over there. I know its $20 bucks just for the PCB to arrive and takes about a week and a half to two weeks after shipping.

Did he return emails promptly to you? just curious

 

[Racerxrated]

Jason (Headfirst Amplification) is a mate of mine and I helped design/verify the PCBs.

The PCBs are the real deal. I’ve played every one of his builds and will soon AB against a real Wizard.

Build with quality iron and big voltage and you will get the Wizard sound for sure.

For the DIYers out there, it’s a great option that we have never had.

Here's the problem, and it's the same problem the SLO clone guys have.....without the proprietary transformers, you won't get there. The Wizard tone IS the power section; that is where the magic is. Unless you can get close to the monstrous trannys he puts in there, no cigar.
It would be great if they can pull it off, so I truly hope it does happen..but I seriously doubt it will measure up to the real deal in an A/B with people in the room...clips won't be enough, since I can hear a 6505 vs SLO clip and WOW they sound the same! Nope. Not in the room they don't.

 

[lespaul6]

Jason (Headfirst Amplification) is a mate of mine and I helped design/verify the PCBs.

The PCBs are the real deal. I’ve played every one of his builds and will soon AB against a real Wizard.

Build with quality iron and big voltage and you will get the Wizard sound for sure.

For the DIYers out there, it’s a great option that we have never had.

Here's the problem, and it's the same problem the SLO clone guys have.....without the proprietary transformers, you won't get there. The Wizard tone IS the power section; that is where the magic is. Unless you can get close to the monstrous trannys he puts in there, no cigar.
It would be great if they can pull it off, so I truly hope it does happen..but I seriously doubt it will measure up to the real deal in an A/B with people in the room...clips won't be enough, since I can hear a 6505 vs SLO clip and WOW they sound the same! Nope. Not in the room they don't.

good point... the clips sounded pretty authentic as far as sound to me.. not sure if the thump is there

 

[ClintN667]

He is in Australia so that may take some time. Also shipping would be a bitch coming from over there. I know its $20 bucks just for the PCB to arrive and takes about a week and a half to two weeks after shipping.

Did he return emails promptly to you? just curious

Sometimes and sometimes it took a couple days.