Wizard W800 gutshots

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You wouldnt believe how many marshall amps and cabs they own.I know who they bought alot of them from in the mid 80`s
 
For $2000 youre talkn 72-73 but you got to know where to look and it aint reverb ebay or craigslist
 
Okay, so a magical pawn shop that doesn't have the internet, somewhere.
 
I got a 73 50 watt I will take 2k for, just gone through by Jeff Bakos and its nasty
 
SBlue said:
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.
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Ah, I see now.

I don't think I need to show you that most amps out there are built better than Wizard because I'm not making that claim. And I'm not claiming they aren't built well either. But you certainly made a claim that, "His amps are built better than most every other amp built from the very beginning to this day." Your exact words from post #82. Your response here is pretty defensive. But I'm not attacking you. I'm simply curious why you think Wizards are built better than most every other amp. What about their construction or engineering or craftsmanship or some other criteria makes them better than most every other amp?
 
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FourT6and2 said:
Ah, I see now.

I don't think I need to show you that most amps out there are built better than Wizard because I'm not making that claim. And I'm not claiming they aren't built well either. But you certainly made a claim that, "His amps are built better than most every other amp built from the very beginning to this day." Your exact words from post #82. Your response here is pretty defensive. But I'm not attacking you. I'm simply curious why you think Wizards are built better than most every other amp. What about their construction or engineering or craftsmanship or some other criteria makes them better than most every other amp?
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Ah, I see it too...
"His amps are built better than most every other amp built from the very beginning to this day."
That's quite different from:
"built better than any other amp"
Isn't?
I'm not attacking you too. I made a claim about some of the amps I own, and or owned, for over a decade. And I wasn't even talking to you. You're the one who engaged in a conversation. And you did it in a very idiotic way. And by starting a chat by saying "I'm not here to argue", and argue right after, doesn't disguise your intent at all.
 
SBlue said:
Ah, I see it too...
"His amps are built better than most every other amp built from the very beginning to this day."
That's quite different from:
"built better than any other amp"
Isn't?
I'm not attacking you too. I made a claim about some of the amps I own, and or owned, for over a decade. And I wasn't even talking to you. You're the one who engaged in a conversation. And you did it in a very idiotic way. And by starting a chat by saying "I'm not here to argue", and argue right after, doesn't disguise your intent at all.
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Geez dude, how olive-branchy does he have to put it? It seems like a reasonable ask; to detail some of the things that separate a Wizard from alot of other top amps in terms of build quality. Maybe some of us on the fence about spending that much want to know.
 
Cheap ass chinese filter caps for bias supply voltage and what I assume to be remedial DC voltage regulators for relay control and/heaters. Can’t even splurge on nice Nichicon or Panasonic caps?

Poorly wrapped wiring that’s lazy - attention to detail is wrapping them before wiring into the amp for cleanliness.

Wires through the chassis without protective grommets to prevent chafing and accidental short to ground. Talk about a huge NoNo.

More ground connections on the chassis than I can shake a stick at. I have 5 in my amplifier, total, that’s it. I follow Larry’s grounding scheme and general knowledge of limiting ground plane cross currents to prevent ground loops.

I see wiring wrapped close to high wattage resistors. Usually heat can cause problems long term to wiring causing sagging and/or shorts.

That’s just 30 seconds worth of looking.

He has some quality components but I don’t see $5000. I look at Larry’s stuff and you could eat off of it. Not a single part or wire is placed without purpose.
 
Donnie B. said:
More porn please.

Had this for a while. Son moved up to SF so I gave it to him.
Wasn't using it so I told him to put it on consignment at the
local mom and pop shop.

One of their long time customers ended up buying it - Carlos Santana!
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I've owner several Swarts and put that guy right up there with Rick in build quality and up there with Randal Aiken and Greg Germino in good guy customer service. AST Pro is one of the few amps I miss and a for sure own again type. Cool stuff!
 
SBlue said:
Ah, I see it too...
"His amps are built better than most every other amp built from the very beginning to this day."
That's quite different from:
"built better than any other amp"
Isn't?
I'm not attacking you too. I made a claim about some of the amps I own, and or owned, for over a decade. And I wasn't even talking to you. You're the one who engaged in a conversation. And you did it in a very idiotic way. And by starting a chat by saying "I'm not here to argue", and argue right after, doesn't disguise your intent at all.
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Here's my post (again), from post #83. Nowhere have I said "built better than any other amp" which I presume is what you're taking offense to. And I never attributed that to you either. Take a breath. I highlighted your exact words and copy/pasted them. I never retyped anything. I never changed your words. But you've done that yourself. Oh, and you called me a liar. Don't appreciate that. Look who's escalating the situation here and who's trying to be civil. You've called me a liar. You've called me an idiot (or insinuated it). You've deflected and gone on the defensive. Why?

If you want to see an argument, here's one: Yes, I engaged in a conversation. Because that's how humans tend to interact. Especially on a forum designed specifically to have conversations about guitar amps. When you post something here, you open the door for other people to respond even if your comment was directed at someone else. Otherwise, take it to PM. Want to have a private convo? Do it there.

I simply *asked a question*. Your response to that question (which you still haven't answered, btw) is interesting though. Accusations tend to be confessions and as SpiderWars notes... I'm being pretty civil.

So... I'll ask it again: You claim that Wizard amps are "built better than most every other amp..." Ok. Well, in what ways? How so? Share with the class.


"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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If anyone is, by any chance, on the fence about buying a Wizard amp, and wants to know more about them, please, feel to PM me.
I'll be more than glad to open my house doors for you, so you can stop by, look at the Wizard amp I own. I'll gladly open up the amp so you can take a look at the components and compare it to other amps. You'll be welcome to try it out at low, medium and even fully cranked volumes. Feel free also to bring your favorite guitar and effects, if you want. Then, after trying it out you can make up your mind on your own.
A RT member, who came here this year and tried my Wizard, recently made up his mind and is saving his money for one.
Worst that could happen is you won't like them and decide they are not for you. At least, you'll know for sure, and I guarantee that you're going to, at least, have some fun playing an amp like that at volume.
Now, if you think you're civil, or "classy", while being a dick on someone else's attempt to have a nice NAD, then I'm not going to waste my time with you.
 
SBlue said:
If anyone is, by any chance, on the fence about buying a Wizard amp, and wants to know more about them, please, feel to PM me.
I'll be more than glad to open my house doors for you, so you can stop by, look at the Wizard amp I own. I'll gladly open up the amp so you can take a look at the components and compare it to other amps. You'll be welcome to try it out at low, medium and even fully cranked volumes. Feel free also to bring your favorite guitar and effects, if you want. Then, after trying it out you can make up your mind on your own.
A RT member, who came here this year and tried my Wizard, recently made up his mind and is saving his money for one.
Worst that could happen is you won't like them and decide they are not for you. At least, you'll know for sure, and I guarantee that you're going to, at least, have some fun playing an amp like that at volume.
Now, if you think you're civil, or "classy", while being a dick on someone else's attempt to have a nice NAD, then I'm not going to waste my time with you.
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FWIW, I think they look great and sound great (only from clips sadly for me). Yes they're expensive but if I handbuilt amps for sale I'd charge as much as I could too. You have to sell alot of amps to make a living.

I think if you ask 10 amp builders (shadetree or not) how they'd build that amp you'd get 11 answers. I was looking to learn something about making amps better so I found 46and2's question interesting.

And IIRC you're not that far from me and I've never played a Wizard (let alone at volume) and I've always wanted to. I might take you up on that offer someday!
 
panhead said:
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.
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I would love to play an old jcm or jmp with a pedal too. I would even like to try a plexi style. I think it would be the shit.
 
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