Krank Vs. Randall Amps?

[Warheart]

Is it just me, or are a lot of people switching from Krank amps all of a sudden? I know some people are heading to Randall amps, differing models, mostly the V2, which is a hybrid amp. Does Randall finally have a perfect tube modeler designed, or is this some new fad?
I've seen some bands on their endorsment list that I wouldn't have expected either.
All that Remains suprised me by being there, and I've heard that Jon Schaffer uses them as well.
What do you guys think of Randall amps in general? Does anyone own A T2 or V2? Overall, what are they like, and how would they compare to a Krank Revolution 1?
Thanks in advance,
Allen

 

[Lespaul1981]

Re: Krank Vs. Randall Amps?

I played randalls before - for a solid state, I think they are the best - and I played the krankenstein a couple times. The krank is a "tube" head but it nails the solid state type tone. For metal either one would work great. I havent played the hybrid randalls, but i wouldnt hesitate to go with randalls in general. They are great for metal and arent overally expensive.

 

[Virtual Kevorkian]

Re: Krank Vs. Randall Amps?

People have been jumping ship because one of the main A&R reps from Krank jumped ship and is poaching endorsee's from Krank over to Randall.

I'd personally take a 5150 over a Rev1, and either over a Randall any day of the week.

That said, I have high hopes for the Mike Amott Ninja V2 head.

 

[Loserchief]

Re: Krank Vs. Randall Amps?

As Jeff said, there's a marketing guy drawing the endorsees towards Randall, and imo after playing the krank rev 1 and krankenstein i don't see a reason not to try something else.
AFAIK Jon Schaffer still is an Engl user and his tone sounds like typical Engl.

 

[krankguitarist]

Re: Krank Vs. Randall Amps?

I got my Rev1, and I ain't switchin .

 

[Sludgenutz]

Re: Krank Vs. Randall Amps?

I think Randall OWNES the best solid-state uber-crunch distortion on the planet, but I think the brand (owned by US Music Corporation) is flying "too close to the flame" in the name of profits.

I do have an older s/s Randall combo with preamp prob in the heavy channel of my older RG100SC, but that should not concern you.

I do notice little things like the lack of a simple, instantly replaceable fuse, in a fuse holder assembly on the rear panel of these amps. My best guess, is that these have an internal thermal fuse in the transformer case, that may need 30 minutes to cool off, and reset if tripped. Game Over! Are working musicians supposed to tell jokes, or put on a sock puppet show during that time? These amps are made in China. I think Randall has a good future if they put more effort into it, but engineers are rarely in charge.

I have no experience with KRANK.

 

[Warheart]

Re: Krank Vs. Randall Amps?

I saw the Iced Earth: Live in Athens DVD, and theres a few panned shots where you can see some Randall amps in the back...I don't know if he's using them for sure, but he seems to be pretty tight lipped about what amps he's using.

Also, How could a marketing guy have that much sway? like, whats on the go there? I guess it just comes down to money?

 

[Virtual Kevorkian]

Re: Krank Vs. Randall Amps?

I saw the Iced Earth: Live in Athens DVD, and theres a few panned shots where you can see some Randall amps in the back...I don't know if he's using them for sure, but he seems to be pretty tight lipped about what amps he's using.

Also, How could a marketing guy have that much sway? like, whats on the go there? I guess it just comes down to money?

People switched to Krank because they trusted the A&R guy, liked the deal, etc... They have a good relationship with him, and are likely to follow.

 

[Loserchief]

Re: Krank Vs. Randall Amps?

I saw the Iced Earth: Live in Athens DVD, and theres a few panned shots where you can see some Randall amps in the back...I don't know if he's using them for sure, but he seems to be pretty tight lipped about what amps he's using.

AFAIK he switched to Engl when recording Horrorshow, which was after Alive in Athens. I think we just talked about different eras.

 

[Binnerscot]

Re: Krank Vs. Randall Amps?

I had a Randall MTS with the Clean,XTC, and 1068 modules. That was a great sounding amp in all respects. I liked the sound of it much more than the Kranks. I was never a big fan of Randall's solid state or hybrid amps. Except for the MTS series, I like Krank's sound a little more than Randall's.

 

[PFDarkside]

Re: Krank Vs. Randall Amps?

Also, How could a marketing guy have that much sway? like, whats on the go there? I guess it just comes down to money?

It seems to me that the PR guy is how they got the artists in the first place. I guarantee a lot of the endorsees are using whatever they feel like in the studio (array of amps), then taking the endorsed one on the road. Wasn't someone commenting that one year at Ozzfest half the bands were using Kranks all of a sudden? I like my Mesa, but if someone paid me to play something else live I could probably make it work.