SQUAREHEAD
Well-known member
Almost as comical as the fact he’s so busy, just to keep up with the demand
SBlue
Well-known member
Rick was THE AC/DC amp tech for how long? 40 years? managed and build the amps for his own business for about 30 years, give or take? His amps are built better than most every other amp built from the very beginning to this day, and tho Marshall inspired, he puts his own research and upgrades to take them to the next level. And he does that flawlessly. And the most important, his amp are going to outlast all of us, and they do sound phenomenal.
Because of that, I have no problem spending 5K on his amps at all! Matter of fact, after seeing Meshuggahs for 3K+ and Meathead for 8K(Lol), I think Ricks amps are very reasonably priced.
If his professional experience was Rig_talk and Metroamps forums for a few years, and his amps were a cheap built and stiff sounding knockoffs of Cameron mods or CCV, they would not worth even half of that, when brand new. Matter of fact, I would not buy a used one even for 1K.
Yeah, Ricks amps are 5K, because they worth 5K. Unlike most of the other so called builders today.
Because of that, I have no problem spending 5K on his amps at all! Matter of fact, after seeing Meshuggahs for 3K+ and Meathead for 8K(Lol), I think Ricks amps are very reasonably priced.
If his professional experience was Rig_talk and Metroamps forums for a few years, and his amps were a cheap built and stiff sounding knockoffs of Cameron mods or CCV, they would not worth even half of that, when brand new. Matter of fact, I would not buy a used one even for 1K.
Yeah, Ricks amps are 5K, because they worth 5K. Unlike most of the other so called builders today.
FourT6and2
Well-known member
This is not me arguing. This is me asking a genuine question:
What makes a Wizard "built better than most every other amp"? I can't tell if you're being serious or just hyperbolic or sarcastic. Like... what specific aspects of a Wizard make it built better (not talking about sound here) than "most every other amp"? Maybe it's the components? But I dunno... they seem to be the same capacitors, resistors, wire, pots, jacks, and switches used by countless others. And I've certainly seen other amps use objectively BETTER components. So maybe it's not that?
It must be the actual craftsmanship that goes into assembling the amp then. I'm not an authority in the matter, but from the looks of it the lead dress is decent. I'm sure it's plenty functional and reliable. I can't really tell what the soldering looks like because it's covered up. I've seen some builds from people that truly blew my mind. Like I had to pick my jaw up off the floor. Wizard's amps are built well. But I don't see how they are "built better than most every other amp". And I do actually see some things that more knowledgable people might potentially take issue with. So I guess I must be missing something.
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panhead
Well-known member
There tech for 20 years, lets not get carried away.
Smash
Hack
that is a strange looking circuit. But up my alley. Really simple.
Smash
Hack
The jacks have not been used by any of the manufacturers of any amps I have used. I have had a lot. I don't know a lot about amps, as you can probably tell, but I am interested in learning. What do you see that you don't like? Also, you were talking about the heaters earlier which I embarrassingly didn't even catch were ac. Any comments you have on the circuit could potentially teach me something.
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panhead
Well-known member
There are price tag people in this world , they are great amps bur severely overpriced IMO. Personally Id take a 68-73 stock 100 watt marshall and a pedal over anything made.
DanTravis62
Well-known member
Hey @panhead , I'm not trying to argue, I just want to ask a simple question.
how much does a 68-73 superlead cost?
how much does a 68-73 superlead cost?
panhead
Well-known member
Mine were $350.00 
But now $2000-$4000?
But now $2000-$4000?
Luca79
Active member
Curious to see some examples.
FourT6and2
Well-known member
They look like typical Switchcraft or Switchcraft-style jacks to me... But maybe I'm missing something. But hey, I will gladly install those in any amp you want for $5,000
Lots of builders use those jacks and that, by itself, doesn't really scream "built better than any other amp" to me. But what do I know.
glpg80
Well-known member
You can make any excuse you want to justify your $5000 amplifier but I’ve seen reverse engineered schematics and it’s a knockoff of a Jubilee with a lot of extra redundancy that can be accomplished with a lot less.
Rick is a douche. Hand builds the amplifiers but then screwed an owner wanting over $1,000 to replace a bad PT not including shipping. He doesn’t stand by his products like Soldano of the old days or Larry, but has the price tag that’s up there with them. It’s all fine and dandy until your unobtanium iron loaded amplifier can’t use anything that’s available off the shelf except through him.
Justify your cost all you want. Not my amplifier, not my investment, not my problem. But to talk about him as if he’s not the modern day Cameron 2.0 is where I draw the line - he would charge more if he knew he could get away with it. The only difference is he delivers and thrives on the exclusivity which in turn, drives demand. No one would care about them if he priced it to compete with Ceriatone which, having seen their build quality, is cleaner than the OP posts of Ricks work or my work for that matter.
Im just here to call a spade a spade. Everything is copies of everything, including Ricks Wizards.
Rick is a douche. Hand builds the amplifiers but then screwed an owner wanting over $1,000 to replace a bad PT not including shipping. He doesn’t stand by his products like Soldano of the old days or Larry, but has the price tag that’s up there with them. It’s all fine and dandy until your unobtanium iron loaded amplifier can’t use anything that’s available off the shelf except through him.
Justify your cost all you want. Not my amplifier, not my investment, not my problem. But to talk about him as if he’s not the modern day Cameron 2.0 is where I draw the line - he would charge more if he knew he could get away with it. The only difference is he delivers and thrives on the exclusivity which in turn, drives demand. No one would care about them if he priced it to compete with Ceriatone which, having seen their build quality, is cleaner than the OP posts of Ricks work or my work for that matter.
Im just here to call a spade a spade. Everything is copies of everything, including Ricks Wizards.
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dainbramage0
Active member
I don't think something in the amp has to be "bad" in order to prove that its not above average. Somebody made a claim that wizards are built better and he asked them to substantiate that statement.
The amps are built well, like a lot of amps out there. Anyone can claim something is better but without some kind of rationale behind it, who really gives a shit?
Fryette builds are the best because he has jokey one liners written on the PCB, laughing at gear snobs.
SBlue
Well-known member
Show me that "most amps out there" are built better, sound better and are more reliable than the Wizard amps, please.
After that I will answer your question. But until then, I can't tell if you're just being a serious, hyperbolic or sarcastic either.
Are you quoting me? This is not me arguing. I'm just asking a genuine question, because changing someone else's words to win an argument is lying.
SBlue
Well-known member
Did he start the Wizard business before becoming AC/DC tech? Please, let me know when he started texching for them. I know he stopped touring with them sometime after 2010, but don't know the exact year. But it would be nice to know the exact time he started with the band.
R
rocker
Active member
Rick started with AC/ DC in 1989, during The Razors Edge album. He finished in the end off 2015.
SBlue
Well-known member
Thanks Rocker. Twenty six years.
panhead
Well-known member
I bought a used one in 98-99 but his linkedin says1988. I heard about them in 95-96 i guess. Malcolm started using one first probably 90`s
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panhead
Well-known member
He was taking care of their marshalls first, they didnt use wizards until 90`s
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R
rocker
Active member
Yes, first their Marshalls. But Malcolm had some Wizard during the Razor Edge Tour.