Just got an RD20H and its amazing. Has a good amount of versatility as well. Honestly, I think the RD series deserves to be one of the 'main-stays' of the rock/metal community along with the likes of your 5150's , Mesa Marks and Recto's, ENGL's, Marshall 2000+JVM's, etc.
Regarding the gain on some of these Randall Fortin amps. They're not meant to be these overly-saturated dials that once pushed beyond noon, or a certain point, begin to spill over entirely. The general aim is tightness and note separation, with a less is more approach, meaning that one shouldn't be hesitant about even diming the gain, which can be counter intuitive for many who are used to conventional high gain amps. I think someone complained about the RD20 version of the Diavlo being too dark and needing its onboard boost activated all the time with the presence dialled up high: that's kind of the point if one wants a certain amount of gain saturation. It's a clear boost and the presence is meant to be dialled high with most cabinets in mind; keep the boost on and even dime the gain if necessary, even though I don't have to quite do that with my RD100, but some might prefer it anyway. Similar to the gain dial, the channel volume also needs to be pushed quite a bit compared to conventional approaches in order to somewhat widen the tone. Personally, I like something about the tightness and clanky voicing of the gain on some of these amps and how they cut in the mix, so they're a preference, but I can understand why the nature of the distortion/break up that you noticed on the Satan (quite similar for the Diavlo and certain other Randall Fortin amps) might not be to your liking. Great demo here and with that original Satan video.
Great comment! I just bought an RD20H and it's a great sounding amp. As you say, most amps past 2 o clock just add 'useless' amounts of gain that almost nobody uses, so, why have it? This way you can add more subtlety and get the full range of the knob being used with 'usable' gain.
As someone who owns both a 1986 RG100ES and an RG1003, the latter is much easier to come by but they are getting more inflated in price (nowhere like 80s and 90s RGs and Centurys but still). If you have a choice between the two, I recommend the ES for its better EQ, but pairing the 1003 with a matching 2x12 and an SM58 will easily get you 90% of the way to a Vulgar Display of Power tone.
I've got an RG13 and love it. Straight into interface with power tube emulation and IRs, its incredible. Best sounds come from activating the mid scoop, and then dialing them back in. I've got all EQ on about 2pm and boosted, Chugs sound amazing.
I just picked up a rg1003 and I agree it takes some time with all of the knobs to get the tone right. I also have the RD1H and RD5H. The RD5H is absolutely incredible. I refuse to play it with the volume other than max. I then set the gain and tone to where it works and just damn, what an incredible tone.
Bought my first tube amp around two years ago. A Randall RG 50tc. A 4 channel monster. Didn’t know why I didn’t use it more. Was using my boss katana for everything. Sold it 2 months ago and I have been regretting it. That has been my one and only experience with a Randall and a tube amp and it was like doing it without a condom. It’s a special experience and once you do it you don’t want to go back to the artificial feeling.
I have the stompbox version of the amp, the Randall RG13, and I usually play it through the power amp of other amplifiers, and I don’t find this fuzz like top end. Last time I played it through my mesa caliber .50+ and had killer results! Cheers!
I love the Randall solid state amps. I have an RG13 3 channel preamp (1 watt power amp too), and just bought an RX120RH. Some brutal metal can be had easy. I prefer the RX120rh to the RG series. I also like my Master Effects Martyr preamp (Marshall 8100 OD1/OD2 channels) and my SNK VHD (Ampeg VH140c Dirty channel). I can get some really tight metal out of the RG13 and an SD-1. SNK Pedals also puts out a full 2 channel (clean and dirty channels) of the VHD and has a 300 watt VH300 compact head with both channels. Full VH140c recreation. RG’s are great for some tight, raunchy metal with a good boost like an SD-1. I use an SD-1 in front of my Martyr pedal too. Glad you finally got some good sounds out of it. I feel like the VHD pedal is like that too. The RX120RH has a contour knob like the Marshall 8100’s have. Tight stuff like Prong, Meshuggah, Static X, Death, etc out of the 8100.
One of my favorite things to do with the RG3003H is to dime the treble knob and use the presence to back off on any unwanted treble frequencies. The treble seems to have this really weird function where the treble also brings up a certain midrange frequency that gives your pick attack more presence, almost as if the treble knob was like a boost knob of some sort. I’ve plugged straight into Channel 3 countless times and it sounds just as good as a boosted tube amp. The Randall RG80 combo I got when I was 19 is the first relatively “real” amp that I’ve ever owned and yet nothing has ever been able to top it. The Randall RG3003H remains the best amplifier that I’ve ever owned, and I’d put it against a lot of big name tube heads when dialed in just right.
I like that idea as an indispensable step in any tone shaping endeavor for metal: complicate the gain structure. An articulate point in a simple phrase. Carrying that one with me. Thank you, bro.
Thanks dude. Yeah I should have done the 10 band in the loop 🤦♂️ Most of the time, I want to try to do as little possible to the amp to make it transparent, but in this case that would have been a good call I think.
I have the same amp and I ask is it a Mike Fortin designed an because if you read the little thing that popped up during the video it said he created RG series do you know if these are fordan designed amps and by the way mine is a killer killer am I have my Valentine gp200 plugged into it with a diesel ircgoing into it and it sounds incredible
So, I have no idea. I kept that article in there for reference.. but I have a friend that worked at Randall at that time that said Mike had nothing to do with the RG series. I get the impression that Randall wanted to use Mike's name to sell more amps. However, with him being the chief engineer, you'd have to think at a minimum he approved the design 🤷♂️
I do wanna try a satan and thrasher. Would like to try the Fortin amps too. I always liked Olas tones. I do love Dimes tone too just not for my playing but Dime always sounded killer live. That chainsaw crushing tone.
Ok, Im really digging what you're getting out of that amp!!!!! To me it sounds like some brutal Swedish Buzzsaw guitar tones, with out having to use any pedals!!!! Ive recently just got the Eyemaster, and I plug into it, from my guitar, then from the Eyemaster into my Boss MT-2 waza, then into the clean channel of my Kustom Quad head ( its solid state, and was given to me, because i didnt have an amp) then from the head into my 1960. Vintage Marshall 4x12 cabinet... Yes, im super happy with the guitar tones Im getting!!!! P.S.!!! I have found one of the Randall RG's on Facebook marketplace place for $300 bucks!!!
Excellent job on this one Taylor! I have an early 80s RG80-112SC, one with the stock G12-80 speaker, and it's probably my favorite solid state amp I've ever played. They're well worth grabbing if you ever come across one.
Yeah, the rg-80s rule. I have an rg-80ph (the head version). Such a versatile amp. Does everything from surf, indie to rock and death metal (with a pedal).
It sounds like the last overdriving preamp tube is broken - or if someone soldered out the resistor divider before that stage (that is normally present in every other high gain amp). Was the point of this design to go back to the late-60s Fuzz?... Quite funny and sounds strange for a modern "Metal" amp.
I almost got the randall rig 1503 but got the katana mk2 instead I'm kinda glad tbh but Randall's are kickass my old guitarist had a old one that was mean af
@@pinkyellowblue007 idk from what I hear I don't like it it's not my style u can shape the katana more and tweak it way more not saying it's a bad amp but like Taylor said the gain sounds weird
Yeah, a Katana is going to go a million miles further than an RG amp, it just has significantly more features and options. But there's definitely something cool about that big Randall logo.
It’s interesting that even after almost 40 years the gain still has similar characteristics as the old RGs. I own an RG80ES and a RG40 and they have that same buzzsaw fuzz tone when you crank them after a certain point. Except you still needed something extra to push those. But the same with them, note separation and pushing air. Honestly I still think they are some of the best sounding amps for extended range and down tuned instruments.
I have zero experience with these but the first one you may think about having some service done or have a tech check it out if you care to. Sometimes bad electrolytic caps sound similar to that
@@TaylorDanley Interesting. I still wouldn’t rule out bad caps especially if they’re low grade IC caps. I just had three microphonic tubes in my brand new OR30 so these things can happen. But assuming all is functioning correctly and that’s the way it’s voiced by design…not really my thing.
Just wanted to make a casual request. And see if u could get a hold of one of the old Randall Titan /T2, the VMax/V2, or the Cyclone amp. There isn't enough videos on those
I have my RG1503h right next to me. It probably has less than 150 hours of use. I love it, but I don't have a band anymore and I won't play in a band again so it's a bit of a nice decoration thing at home.
7:38 There you said it! It sounds like this swedish metal horror pedal. I am so happy that I didn't buy the floor pedal preamp which has the same circuit some years ago. To me it sounds horrible. I have the Randall RD-5. This is also a very strange amp. The power-amp used with other preamp pedals has absolutely "no balls". It seems the built-in preamp has a different bass response in order to accomplish the overall good sound of this amp. But there is always a kind of harsh treble the amp delivers. I have already soldered a fat switch to the preamp to balance the loss of low frequencies (when boosting with a TS). The amp definetly would be more versatile with a 3-band EQ. But with a few components it can be modded to a more pleasant sounding amp (maybe I will do that also). The higher wattage Diavolos seem to be quite good metal amps (and I really love my 5-watter since it has a crunch sound not comparable to other amps, it shines there).
Randall Satan 120 Ola is about 2000 dollars used! My Randall RG1003H I just got for 200 dollars has a much better mid that the RG1503H in this demo. Not sure why. There is a mid scoop button in the EQ area that helps. I use to have a USA made RG80 head from the 1980s and I really don't see a difference between the USA RG80 and the RG1003H. Both sound great!
I've been curious on-and-off about those newer randall solidstates. Thanks for the video, I'll save my money! I have the EOD 88 from the 'fortin era', not sure if he was involved with its design though. It was just okay I thought, but its pretty well built and easy to mod, so I traced out the circuit and did a bunch of tweaks to it, much more to my liking now and more versatile also.
I had the RG13 for practice and it absolutely crushed in a home setting - boosted ^^ but if I had the mud killer back then I probably would have kept the RG, as it makes a significant difference to add some harmonic texture and depth.
Harmonic texture. Nice, I'm going to steal that. But yeah, the mudkiller is great! Probably my favorite go to boost lately aside from my tried and true TS9
I have an RT100 (pre-Fortin). The amp does have some of the mud and weird gain those Fortins did. I've learned to embrace it and shape the tone around that, I only wish it had a presence and/or resonance control. On its own, the amp is OK, but just OK. Adding an EQ in the loop turns it into another amp. Boosting it really makes it shine. By itself, I set the amp muddy with lower distortion. Then I add a clean boost, an OD set as a clean boost, and a TS-10 (yes, 3 boosts) with drive at 9 O'clock, and suck out some of the boosted mids with the EQ all through a Mesa Oversized Cab. Counterintuitively, adding insane pre-amp boost and mids and then sucking the mids back out does something magical with that amp and it sounds great. Fight me. \m/
I have the 1503 as my main rig for shows and believe it or not and I run two overdrives through it and it rips 😂😅 I made due and it rocks in a live mix. Clarity is there and on point (also Randall 4x12 cab)
I think Ola mentioned something about the gain on the Satan when he demo'd the SD Duality set. I got some rewatching to do because I recently noticed that there's a passive and active input (unless that got covered in your first video, which in that case I apologize for my terrible memory!) Also question I've been meaning to ask for a long time: is there any way we could see you demo the RedSeven Leviathan 120? I feel like it'd be perfect since you have the inlay on both Grimoires and love KT88s (which you also got me into lol)
Oh man, thanks for reminding me! I tried it at Namm and thought it was killer, I just haven't reached out to them yet. Yes, there are 2 inputs. I use the passive, even though I have active pickups because it just gives you more gain. If I'm using the Active input, the gain drops by like 15ish %
Ah, gotcha. Interesting feature for a amp that isn't super gained out 😂 Hopefully it works out if you contact them! I bought some captures for the Neural Amp Modeler, but they come with a cab built in and dialing it in is a bit weird. Otherwise it's killer!
The very first Diavlo, the RD50, was before Fortin's involvement and is an entirely different amp in terms of design, voicing and look; these were cathode biased. Then Fortin modded the RD50, which many preferred, leading to a brief run of modded RD50s. Eventually all this culminated in the creation of a largely new line of Diavlos (RD1, RD5, RD20, RD45 & RD100, etc.) that were designed entirely by Fortin. Definitely an underrated amp in my opinion.
Wicked video. I own 7 different Randall amps and the satan and rg are among them. I also own 2 Krank Amplifiers. Thanks for doing this video brother 🤘💀🤘
Just a few bits of info. Mike Fortin didn't have any design on the newest RG solid state series, only the tube amps. He DID have plans to redesign the RG series, but sadly none of those projects will ever see the light of day. Even Randall itself as a company has no future plans or projects. Also, the new RG series is a combo of the old RG100ES and Warhead preamps. Channel 2 (Red) is the RG100ES and channel 3 (Blue) is the Warhead. This info was shared to me from when I had spoke to him personally back and forth through email back in 2017 regarding the new line, and we are now in 2024 where that info absolutely has been true, unfortunately. Hope things change at some point, Randall was one of the best.
Yeeeeaaah, the Randall Satan hasn't aged all that well imo. It has that 'clacky' clear but harsh high end thing that all the metal bois were going for circa 2015 through '18...
I have a Randall V2 and I get way better tones out of it than what I’m hearing here. Although it’s hard to compare sitting in the room with it vs listening to a UA-cam video through average speakers.
The comment about the gain stage sounding like an HM-2 is funny, because I boost my blue channel with an HM-2 and you can really get that heaving, snarling low mid sound without it being an obvious HM-2.
@@TaylorDanley As with everything it's down to taste. The "Randalls only do the Dime tone" thing is almost folklore at this point; using the HM-2 as a flat volume boost (no distortion, and H dialed just short of buzzsaw) almost has a late 90's Extreme Noise Terror sound. Digital, but without the tinny fizziness that most people think of from solid state amps. Honestly, really solid DM/Grind tone for a rhythm guitarist.
With the grind/33 pedal … always dial the amp around the pedal, not the other way around. Have them at 2 o’clock or full guts and then dial the amp in around them. When switched off, your amp should sound doomy/sludgy. 👌
As I understand the Randall Satan bro, the Kill switch is not a boost at all. It's an extra gain stage just like the Fortin Natas. Just adds an extra tube into the gain circuitry that's all. Still need a boost with this amp
Ya know... just because a lot of people like it, doesn't make it great!! Line 6 POD UX1 4 LyFe. BUT, get a PRS15 and try some to do some metal things with it, that would be sick! Love the channel!
the satan sounds better than I thought. ... The satan is like ...Randalls Peavey Invective kinda. But....u had it sounding reallly good here. It actually has some body thats aggressive, yet present, yet brutal yet,soothing to the ears~
Killer intro man! God damn did you used to work for the History channel??? Honesty bro you could probably make a mean documentary that I'd sit on the toilet all day to watch!
Haha, thanks. I actually cut the intro down by like a minute and a half from my first cut of this video... it was getting bloated and off topic, but I do like making content like that.
Wow. I have to admit, I don't like the RG. It's better with an OD, but man, they just don't work for me. Some can get good tone out of them. I have no idea how. The mid frequencies were specific frequencies I did like and couldn't get rid of. Mids are fine, but not the mid on the Randalls I've owned, which were the 1 and 20 watt heads.
@@TaylorDanley that pedal seemed to do a lot. I have a very similar sounding amp that could benefit from something like that. Ps- if you’re into boutique amps check out Lickliter Amplification in south Florida. Mike makes some very beautiful, very loud, guitar amps. He has a couple of Fortin style amps as well. 🤘😎🎸
I have the 1003 yours sounds broken the red channel does suck but not this bad I do run the master volume all the way up tho so it’s basically out of the circuit
Never had a SATAN.. but i have had two RG1503 and two RG3003. The 150 is a slouch compared to the rg3003.. Idk what it is but its like the 3003 has way more headroom and less fuzziness.. idk.. been a randall fan for 26 yrs.. just saying my 2 cents
The thing you don’t like about the RG150 is the same reason why I hate most high gain pedals. Tubes and digital sims of tube amps can pull off what you’re looking for. Solid state doesn’t quite get the job done in a lot of cases. That being said, solid state amps are their own animal and you can pull some unique tones out of them. Go listen to a Melvins record and you’ll see what I mean.
I might be wrong but I don't think Mike Fortin had anything to do with the RG1503. I believe the amp came out in 2012 almost immediately after the Fortin announcement. I think the only amp in the series that has his touch is the RG3003 which has his noise gate circuit. I remember there was talks of a possible Fortin-designed SS/Mosfet amp, but then yeah he left the company (memory is fuzzy but I think I recall Mike himself clarifying that it was Randall that didn't renew his contract, not him. Nothing concrete since this was like 8 years ago and I don't Facebook anymore lol) and that never came to be. There was apparently a lot of shit he wanted to do that never came to be. More pedal amps, a Nuno sig, etc.
I'm not a big fan of the gain on these fortin amp they don't sound tasty to my ears imo. The little soil state is not bad but I prefer the older randall century sound.
I have found after playing solid states for a good while now that most of them absolutely hate emg‘s. Actives mess with the amp in a way that sounds weird and very unpleasant. Get some passives and you will be shocked at the difference. My 2 cents.
Guitar amps have gotten so expensive now that it makes no sense to me to buy one. A few weeks ago, I was taking a look at the price of their 300 watts solid state amp. It has doubled in price since the last time I checked.
I shit you not, but my Marshall MS-1 sounds better than the RG😂 The Satan needs to be dialed in correctly to sound good. Imo of what i heared (don’t own one myself) the Diavlo is the one you should get if you want a Randall. I might be right or wrong in your opinion🤷🏻♂️ But thanks for the Taylor made video😎
Just got an RD20H and its amazing. Has a good amount of versatility as well. Honestly, I think the RD series deserves to be one of the 'main-stays' of the rock/metal community along with the likes of your 5150's , Mesa Marks and Recto's, ENGL's, Marshall 2000+JVM's, etc.
Need to try the Randall t2 or v2 those things are super punchy and tight
good lord the mix on these demos are massive. great job
🥳💪
My favorite are the RG80/100 solid state series designed by Gary Sunda.
They are simply legendary amd utterly reliable.
Regarding the gain on some of these Randall Fortin amps. They're not meant to be these overly-saturated dials that once pushed beyond noon, or a certain point, begin to spill over entirely. The general aim is tightness and note separation, with a less is more approach, meaning that one shouldn't be hesitant about even diming the gain, which can be counter intuitive for many who are used to conventional high gain amps. I think someone complained about the RD20 version of the Diavlo being too dark and needing its onboard boost activated all the time with the presence dialled up high: that's kind of the point if one wants a certain amount of gain saturation. It's a clear boost and the presence is meant to be dialled high with most cabinets in mind; keep the boost on and even dime the gain if necessary, even though I don't have to quite do that with my RD100, but some might prefer it anyway. Similar to the gain dial, the channel volume also needs to be pushed quite a bit compared to conventional approaches in order to somewhat widen the tone. Personally, I like something about the tightness and clanky voicing of the gain on some of these amps and how they cut in the mix, so they're a preference, but I can understand why the nature of the distortion/break up that you noticed on the Satan (quite similar for the Diavlo and certain other Randall Fortin amps) might not be to your liking. Great demo here and with that original Satan video.
Did you mean to make a Dime pun
@@felinekaiju4517 Pun not intended, but it works.
You are correct. I have a randall rx120 and it comes alive once you turn the channel volume all the up.
Great comment! I just bought an RD20H and it's a great sounding amp. As you say, most amps past 2 o clock just add 'useless' amounts of gain that almost nobody uses, so, why have it? This way you can add more subtlety and get the full range of the knob being used with 'usable' gain.
As someone who owns both a 1986 RG100ES and an RG1003, the latter is much easier to come by but they are getting more inflated in price (nowhere like 80s and 90s RGs and Centurys but still).
If you have a choice between the two, I recommend the ES for its better EQ, but pairing the 1003 with a matching 2x12 and an SM58 will easily get you 90% of the way to a Vulgar Display of Power tone.
I've got an RG13 and love it. Straight into interface with power tube emulation and IRs, its incredible. Best sounds come from activating the mid scoop, and then dialing them back in. I've got all EQ on about 2pm and boosted, Chugs sound amazing.
I just picked up a rg1003 and I agree it takes some time with all of the knobs to get the tone right. I also have the RD1H and RD5H. The RD5H is absolutely incredible. I refuse to play it with the volume other than max. I then set the gain and tone to where it works and just damn, what an incredible tone.
i really like how you edited and gave both amps a second try, a lot of people would have just reshot the whole thing
keep up the good work 🙏🏻
Those LIARS 😂 Thanks man.
Bought my first tube amp around two years ago. A Randall RG 50tc. A 4 channel monster. Didn’t know why I didn’t use it more. Was using my boss katana for everything. Sold it 2 months ago and I have been regretting it. That has been my one and only experience with a Randall and a tube amp and it was like doing it without a condom. It’s a special experience and once you do it you don’t want to go back to the artificial feeling.
I have the stompbox version of the amp, the Randall RG13, and I usually play it through the power amp of other amplifiers, and I don’t find this fuzz like top end.
Last time I played it through my mesa caliber .50+ and had killer results!
Cheers!
I love the Randall solid state amps. I have an RG13 3 channel preamp (1 watt power amp too), and just bought an RX120RH. Some brutal metal can be had easy. I prefer the RX120rh to the RG series. I also like my Master Effects Martyr preamp (Marshall 8100 OD1/OD2 channels) and my SNK VHD (Ampeg VH140c Dirty channel). I can get some really tight metal out of the RG13 and an SD-1. SNK Pedals also puts out a full 2 channel (clean and dirty channels) of the VHD and has a 300 watt VH300 compact head with both channels. Full VH140c recreation. RG’s are great for some tight, raunchy metal with a good boost like an SD-1. I use an SD-1 in front of my Martyr pedal too. Glad you finally got some good sounds out of it. I feel like the VHD pedal is like that too. The RX120RH has a contour knob like the Marshall 8100’s have. Tight stuff like Prong, Meshuggah, Static X, Death, etc out of the 8100.
1:33 my face melted off, cheers!!
One of my favorite things to do with the RG3003H is to dime the treble knob and use the presence to back off on any unwanted treble frequencies. The treble seems to have this really weird function where the treble also brings up a certain midrange frequency that gives your pick attack more presence, almost as if the treble knob was like a boost knob of some sort. I’ve plugged straight into Channel 3 countless times and it sounds just as good as a boosted tube amp.
The Randall RG80 combo I got when I was 19 is the first relatively “real” amp that I’ve ever owned and yet nothing has ever been able to top it. The Randall RG3003H remains the best amplifier that I’ve ever owned, and I’d put it against a lot of big name tube heads when dialed in just right.
Man those Randall amps are great! Cool video!!!
Thanks!
Another great video! Taylor, your channel is second to NONE ...and those riffs of yours CRUSH ALL! Keep up the good work!!
Thank you so much!
Been wondering about that randall rg. Awesome demo thanks Taylor.
I like that idea as an indispensable step in any tone shaping endeavor for metal: complicate the gain structure. An articulate point in a simple phrase. Carrying that one with me. Thank you, bro.
I have the 1503 combo. I hit it with a Precision Drive and it fricken rocks.
the solid state randalls are amazing for using distortion pedals, they get some of the heaviest tone you can get for straight raw brutality
I've owned a randall rg 1503 2x12 combo. Sounds great with an sd-1 in the front and a 10 eq in the loop. The drums in the into Sounded killer!
Thanks dude. Yeah I should have done the 10 band in the loop 🤦♂️ Most of the time, I want to try to do as little possible to the amp to make it transparent, but in this case that would have been a good call I think.
I have an RG1003H Head and it’s sick. New it was only 250 bucks lol, still serves me well.
I have the same amp and I ask is it a Mike Fortin designed an because if you read the little thing that popped up during the video it said he created RG series do you know if these are fordan designed amps and by the way mine is a killer killer am I have my Valentine gp200 plugged into it with a diesel ircgoing into it and it sounds incredible
@@codysroom6303It should be, the RG1003, RG1503, and RG3003h are all the same amp with different power outputs (100, 150, 300 watts respectively).
So, I have no idea. I kept that article in there for reference.. but I have a friend that worked at Randall at that time that said Mike had nothing to do with the RG series. I get the impression that Randall wanted to use Mike's name to sell more amps. However, with him being the chief engineer, you'd have to think at a minimum he approved the design 🤷♂️
Played mine today, and you're right about the presence knob
You should try the Diavlo RD100 (the 100 was better than the other lower wattage ones) from this era...it was pretty sick for the price!
💯 I owned the new RG and RD100H. The RG was sold, still have the Diavlo and love it. I'll keep the SS muscle for the Randall Century 200. 💪
I do wanna try a satan and thrasher. Would like to try the Fortin amps too. I always liked Olas tones. I do love Dimes tone too just not for my playing but Dime always sounded killer live. That chainsaw crushing tone.
Dude, thx for the vids!!! I noticed that you have a couple of warhead amp! Could you please do a video on one of these??
dude loving the doc style for the first couple mins!
Ok, Im really digging what you're getting out of that amp!!!!! To me it sounds like some brutal Swedish Buzzsaw guitar tones, with out having to use any pedals!!!!
Ive recently just got the Eyemaster, and I plug into it, from my guitar, then from the Eyemaster into my Boss MT-2 waza, then into the clean channel of my Kustom Quad head ( its solid state, and was given to me, because i didnt have an amp) then from the head into my 1960. Vintage Marshall 4x12 cabinet...
Yes, im super happy with the guitar tones Im getting!!!!
P.S.!!! I have found one of the Randall RG's on Facebook marketplace place for $300 bucks!!!
Excellent job on this one Taylor! I have an early 80s RG80-112SC, one with the stock G12-80 speaker, and it's probably my favorite solid state amp I've ever played. They're well worth grabbing if you ever come across one.
Yeah, the rg-80s rule. I have an rg-80ph (the head version). Such a versatile amp. Does everything from surf, indie to rock and death metal (with a pedal).
@@in.der.welt.sein. Yes, they are surprisingly versatile amps. I really like mine boosted with a Rat style pedal.
Thanks! 🥳
I wonder if the rg only sounds good through the matching cab.
It sounds like the last overdriving preamp tube is broken - or if someone soldered out the resistor divider before that stage (that is normally present in every other high gain amp). Was the point of this design to go back to the late-60s Fuzz?... Quite funny and sounds strange for a modern "Metal" amp.
Randall's rule! I absolutely love my Randall cab
I almost got the randall rig 1503 but got the katana mk2 instead I'm kinda glad tbh but Randall's are kickass my old guitarist had a old one that was mean af
Dude you fucked up not getting the 1503
@@pinkyellowblue007 idk from what I hear I don't like it it's not my style u can shape the katana more and tweak it way more not saying it's a bad amp but like Taylor said the gain sounds weird
But hey if you like it that's cool too man it's just not my cup of tea
I'm sure his katana sounds way better than this
Yeah, a Katana is going to go a million miles further than an RG amp, it just has significantly more features and options. But there's definitely something cool about that big Randall logo.
It’s interesting that even after almost 40 years the gain still has similar characteristics as the old RGs. I own an RG80ES and a RG40 and they have that same buzzsaw fuzz tone when you crank them after a certain point. Except you still needed something extra to push those. But the same with them, note separation and pushing air. Honestly I still think they are some of the best sounding amps for extended range and down tuned instruments.
I have zero experience with these but the first one you may think about having some service done or have a tech check it out if you care to. Sometimes bad electrolytic caps sound similar to that
It's brand new. I just think that's the way they sound, although there may be some variance in components between these amps if I had to guess.
@@TaylorDanley Interesting. I still wouldn’t rule out bad caps especially if they’re low grade IC caps. I just had three microphonic tubes in my brand new OR30 so these things can happen. But assuming all is functioning correctly and that’s the way it’s voiced by design…not really my thing.
Just wanted to make a casual request. And see if u could get a hold of one of the old Randall Titan /T2, the VMax/V2, or the Cyclone amp. There isn't enough videos on those
Awesome as always, what tuning you using for the demo track??
Thanks dude! Drop b flat (A#, whatever…. Drop tuned from C standard)
Is my randall rg 1003 a fortin made amp?
No. Depending on the year it may or may have not been released under his "authority" I guess you could say.
I have my RG1503h right next to me. It probably has less than 150 hours of use. I love it, but I don't have a band anymore and I won't play in a band again so it's a bit of a nice decoration thing at home.
7:38 There you said it! It sounds like this swedish metal horror pedal. I am so happy that I didn't buy the floor pedal preamp which has the same circuit some years ago. To me it sounds horrible. I have the Randall RD-5. This is also a very strange amp. The power-amp used with other preamp pedals has absolutely "no balls". It seems the built-in preamp has a different bass response in order to accomplish the overall good sound of this amp. But there is always a kind of harsh treble the amp delivers. I have already soldered a fat switch to the preamp to balance the loss of low frequencies (when boosting with a TS). The amp definetly would be more versatile with a 3-band EQ. But with a few components it can be modded to a more pleasant sounding amp (maybe I will do that also). The higher wattage Diavolos seem to be quite good metal amps (and I really love my 5-watter since it has a crunch sound not comparable to other amps, it shines there).
Randall Satan 120 Ola is about 2000 dollars used! My Randall RG1003H I just got for 200 dollars has a much better mid that the RG1503H in this demo. Not sure why. There is a mid scoop button in the EQ area that helps. I use to have a USA made RG80 head from the 1980s and I really don't see a difference between the USA RG80 and the RG1003H. Both sound great!
Im Happy User of Randall rd45 that was created in cooperation with Mike Fortin :) Great Amp
Proud owner of a RG1003 and a RT100!!
💪
I have an RT100 as well \m/
I've been curious on-and-off about those newer randall solidstates. Thanks for the video, I'll save my money! I have the EOD 88 from the 'fortin era', not sure if he was involved with its design though. It was just okay I thought, but its pretty well built and easy to mod, so I traced out the circuit and did a bunch of tweaks to it, much more to my liking now and more versatile also.
A chorus pedal with the rate and depth set to low through the effects loop might smooth out the top end on the 1503
I had the RG13 for practice and it absolutely crushed in a home setting - boosted ^^ but if I had the mud killer back then I probably would have kept the RG, as it makes a significant difference to add some harmonic texture and depth.
Harmonic texture. Nice, I'm going to steal that. But yeah, the mudkiller is great! Probably my favorite go to boost lately aside from my tried and true TS9
@@TaylorDanley Tempted to try one tbh, sounds great and I have a Blackstar which could use some clarity :)
I have an RT100 (pre-Fortin). The amp does have some of the mud and weird gain those Fortins did. I've learned to embrace it and shape the tone around that, I only wish it had a presence and/or resonance control. On its own, the amp is OK, but just OK. Adding an EQ in the loop turns it into another amp. Boosting it really makes it shine. By itself, I set the amp muddy with lower distortion. Then I add a clean boost, an OD set as a clean boost, and a TS-10 (yes, 3 boosts) with drive at 9 O'clock, and suck out some of the boosted mids with the EQ all through a Mesa Oversized Cab. Counterintuitively, adding insane pre-amp boost and mids and then sucking the mids back out does something magical with that amp and it sounds great. Fight me. \m/
80s and 90s baby. Own a rg100es and a century 170 ii, would like to try the 1503
Taylor the wordsmith.. " it's a mud killer.. to kull mud" lol great video dude
I have the 120 watt Thrasher. Its great.
I have the 1503 as my main rig for shows and believe it or not and I run two overdrives through it and it rips 😂😅 I made due and it rocks in a live mix. Clarity is there and on point (also Randall 4x12 cab)
Whaaaaaaaaat!. I had no idea Mike joined them as designer!
I think Ola mentioned something about the gain on the Satan when he demo'd the SD Duality set. I got some rewatching to do because I recently noticed that there's a passive and active input (unless that got covered in your first video, which in that case I apologize for my terrible memory!)
Also question I've been meaning to ask for a long time: is there any way we could see you demo the RedSeven Leviathan 120? I feel like it'd be perfect since you have the inlay on both Grimoires and love KT88s (which you also got me into lol)
Oh man, thanks for reminding me! I tried it at Namm and thought it was killer, I just haven't reached out to them yet.
Yes, there are 2 inputs. I use the passive, even though I have active pickups because it just gives you more gain. If I'm using the Active input, the gain drops by like 15ish %
Ah, gotcha. Interesting feature for a amp that isn't super gained out 😂
Hopefully it works out if you contact them! I bought some captures for the Neural Amp Modeler, but they come with a cab built in and dialing it in is a bit weird. Otherwise it's killer!
I bought the Satan 120W when it came out. I regret so much i sold it. It was an unique amp in it's own way.
Did Fortin design the Diavlo series? Very underrated amps
The very first Diavlo, the RD50, was before Fortin's involvement and is an entirely different amp in terms of design, voicing and look; these were cathode biased. Then Fortin modded the RD50, which many preferred, leading to a brief run of modded RD50s. Eventually all this culminated in the creation of a largely new line of Diavlos (RD1, RD5, RD20, RD45 & RD100, etc.) that were designed entirely by Fortin. Definitely an underrated amp in my opinion.
Thank you for the info.@@kadestorm I have the RD45. Great amp!
@@lamontedgar3498 The RD45 is a damn fine amp. I’ve got the RD100.
I just want to point out these videos are Taylor made! 😆
🥳
Regarding the low pass vibe; that’s probably from the NS-2. Even bypassed, the NS-2 has what I call a “sparkle-suck” effect that darkens tone.
Had a rg1503 for years. While it was nice. It was waayyy to loose in the low end and sounded gritty af.
Yes, that's the way I felt too.
Wicked video. I own 7 different Randall amps and the satan and rg are among them. I also own 2 Krank Amplifiers. Thanks for doing this video brother
🤘💀🤘
Just a few bits of info. Mike Fortin didn't have any design on the newest RG solid state series, only the tube amps. He DID have plans to redesign the RG series, but sadly none of those projects will ever see the light of day. Even Randall itself as a company has no future plans or projects. Also, the new RG series is a combo of the old RG100ES and Warhead preamps. Channel 2 (Red) is the RG100ES and channel 3 (Blue) is the Warhead. This info was shared to me from when I had spoke to him personally back and forth through email back in 2017 regarding the new line, and we are now in 2024 where that info absolutely has been true, unfortunately. Hope things change at some point, Randall was one of the best.
Now I need a Randall…..
I would like to see a RG100ES demo
I'm trying to make something along those lines happen.
Yeeeeaaah, the Randall Satan hasn't aged all that well imo. It has that 'clacky' clear but harsh high end thing that all the metal bois were going for circa 2015 through '18...
It's definitely geared for that. It can be tamed, but it's almost like that's what it wants to do on its own.
As an owner of 2 SATAN heads and an RG3003H, I can say they are awesome.. especially when blended.
Back in 2018 when I lived in Oklahoma the RX120rh was what all the black metallers used and man we got some good shit from those amps
I have a Randall V2 and I get way better tones out of it than what I’m hearing here. Although it’s hard to compare sitting in the room with it vs listening to a UA-cam video through average speakers.
The comment about the gain stage sounding like an HM-2 is funny, because I boost my blue channel with an HM-2 and you can really get that heaving, snarling low mid sound without it being an obvious HM-2.
The blue channel is MUCH smoother than the red channel. But yeah, it's very much solid state clipping and not trying to hide it lol.
@@TaylorDanley As with everything it's down to taste. The "Randalls only do the Dime tone" thing is almost folklore at this point; using the HM-2 as a flat volume boost (no distortion, and H dialed just short of buzzsaw) almost has a late 90's Extreme Noise Terror sound. Digital, but without the tinny fizziness that most people think of from solid state amps. Honestly, really solid DM/Grind tone for a rhythm guitarist.
Pretty much u need a mud killer to use that amp the Satan is badass
You forgot to run a metalzone through the effects loop on the randell satan!
Dimebag used eq before randall amps and randall cab with jaguar speakers
There are plenty of Randall amps to choose from from their smaller 15 watts to their heavy hitting amp heads.
With the grind/33 pedal … always dial the amp around the pedal, not the other way around. Have them at 2 o’clock or full guts and then dial the amp in around them. When switched off, your amp should sound doomy/sludgy. 👌
So far that's best mix you've ever made. What's the drum sampler used here?
Thanks dude. It's a superior drummer 3 kit I've been messing around with.
As I understand the Randall Satan bro, the Kill switch is not a boost at all. It's an extra gain stage just like the Fortin Natas. Just adds an extra tube into the gain circuitry that's all. Still need a boost with this amp
Cant go wrong with the RG series.
I believe the rg will sound good when you dime the channel volume.
Ya know... just because a lot of people like it, doesn't make it great!! Line 6 POD UX1 4 LyFe. BUT, get a PRS15 and try some to do some metal things with it, that would be sick! Love the channel!
the satan sounds better than I thought. ... The satan is like ...Randalls Peavey Invective kinda. But....u had it sounding reallly good here. It actually has some body thats aggressive, yet present, yet brutal yet,soothing to the ears~
Also, the RG amps sound best on Channel 2, with an EQ in the loop.
Killer intro man! God damn did you used to work for the History channel??? Honesty bro you could probably make a mean documentary that I'd sit on the toilet all day to watch!
Haha, thanks. I actually cut the intro down by like a minute and a half from my first cut of this video... it was getting bloated and off topic, but I do like making content like that.
Wow. I have to admit, I don't like the RG. It's better with an OD, but man, they just don't work for me. Some can get good tone out of them. I have no idea how. The mid frequencies were specific frequencies I did like and couldn't get rid of. Mids are fine, but not the mid on the Randalls I've owned, which were the 1 and 20 watt heads.
I dig the guitar. The amp is very fuzzy.
Spoke too soon? Blue channel sounds pretty good!
Thanks dude. Yeah the blue channel rips! Red channel is kind of a head scratcher. Maybe it works better with some lower gain pickups, idk..
@@TaylorDanley that pedal seemed to do a lot. I have a very similar sounding amp that could benefit from something like that.
Ps- if you’re into boutique amps check out Lickliter Amplification in south Florida. Mike makes some very beautiful, very loud, guitar amps. He has a couple of Fortin style amps as well. 🤘😎🎸
Never been a big fan of the Fortin stuff I have tried , I was always excited to try them but usually was let down
I haven't been a huge fan, but I haven't tried many things either.. I liked the NDSP plugins though! lol
I love my RG1003, but... Everytime i try out anything Fortin, im let down too... I just spent way too much money on a Fortin 33 and.. it sucks imo.
I have the 1003 yours sounds broken the red channel does suck but not this bad I do run the master volume all the way up tho so it’s basically out of the circuit
Would you ever do a video on the Thrasher?
Never had a SATAN.. but i have had two RG1503 and two RG3003. The 150 is a slouch compared to the rg3003.. Idk what it is but its like the 3003 has way more headroom and less fuzziness.. idk.. been a randall fan for 26 yrs.. just saying my 2 cents
My KH103 Crushes. It's throaty.
The thing you don’t like about the RG150 is the same reason why I hate most high gain pedals. Tubes and digital sims of tube amps can pull off what you’re looking for. Solid state doesn’t quite get the job done in a lot of cases. That being said, solid state amps are their own animal and you can pull some unique tones out of them. Go listen to a Melvins record and you’ll see what I mean.
I might be wrong but I don't think Mike Fortin had anything to do with the RG1503. I believe the amp came out in 2012 almost immediately after the Fortin announcement. I think the only amp in the series that has his touch is the RG3003 which has his noise gate circuit.
I remember there was talks of a possible Fortin-designed SS/Mosfet amp, but then yeah he left the company (memory is fuzzy but I think I recall Mike himself clarifying that it was Randall that didn't renew his contract, not him. Nothing concrete since this was like 8 years ago and I don't Facebook anymore lol) and that never came to be. There was apparently a lot of shit he wanted to do that never came to be. More pedal amps, a Nuno sig, etc.
What's wrong with the Guitar?
Its finally here lol!
🥳
that guitar is fuckin sick
Sound preference is so subjective.
Rip the copaciter on my rg1503
I'm not a big fan of the gain on these fortin amp they don't sound tasty to my ears imo. The little soil state is not bad but I prefer the older randall century sound.
I have found after playing solid states for a good while now that most of them absolutely hate emg‘s. Actives mess with the amp in a way that sounds weird and very unpleasant. Get some passives and you will be shocked at the difference. My 2 cents.
Guitar amps have gotten so expensive now that it makes no sense to me to buy one. A few weeks ago, I was taking a look at the price of their 300 watts solid state amp. It has doubled in price since the last time I checked.
Used to have the thrasher head, it was brutal very mid heavy
Taylor bro the Randall RG 150 And Satan sound better in a Randall cab.
I shit you not, but my Marshall MS-1 sounds better than the RG😂
The Satan needs to be dialed in correctly to sound good. Imo of what i heared (don’t own one myself) the Diavlo is the one you should get if you want a Randall. I might be right or wrong in your opinion🤷🏻♂️ But thanks for the Taylor made video😎