Randall RD100H Diavlo 100W Tube Guitar Head Black

Comments about Randall RD100H Diavlo 100W Tube Guitar Head:

I wanted a purpose built high gain head with good tone and value, didn't care for the largely stocked amps at the store. Spent a lot of research time before ordering this head, but it's hard to make a real decision without first hand interaction. The local GC didn't stock it, so I took a chance and ordered it in. I'm very glad I did. The Bottom line up front is that I find this to be a solid, great sounding head for heavy rock and metal tone. The Head is solidly built, has good aesthetics, and most importantly will happily rip you head off while leaving a smile on your face. I use this through a Krank Rev Cab and play though it with several guitars from a Gibson LP Standard to Modded Ibanez's and ESPs with Active EMGs. This head does a great job of maintaining it's voicing while allowing the character of each axe plugged in to add its flare of inflection. The clean channel does sound good in it's own right, but it's not an head you buy for superb cleans. With more volume and active/hot pickups, the clean will break-up, but if you know how to handle a volume knob you'll be good to go. If you're looking for an affordable solid built head to tear it up on, consider the Diavlo. Even without considering price point, it's fantastic.

Comments about Randall RD100H Diavlo 100W Tube Guitar Head:

I give the head 5 stars for it's aggressive tone, but overall only 4 for lack of reverb and only having one eq that all 3 channels share. I've plugged a pre amp into the effects return and it's handled it great. it gets a decent clean tone, a great dirty medium gain tone and a great heavy tone. if you're good with that then for the money it's a home run.

Comments about Randall RD100H Diavlo 100W Tube Guitar Head:

Rock solid amplifier that sounds great. The footswitch had a problem with it but after sometime it was replaced and my guitar center associate really helped me getting this corrected.

Comments about Randall RD100H Diavlo 100W Tube Guitar Head:

If u play heavy music, really this amp is amazing! For live applications & rehearsal imho cannot be beat! Unfortunately (my opion) it isnt the best for studio use & if u have clean breaks or intro's in your set list u may have a small problem, not that it doesnt have a good clean sound but it does share the EQ with every channel so u either have to find a happy medium between your clean & gains or possibly add pedals (besides your OD). All & all for metal & live apps this head has an amazing tone, especially thru a hlf back mesa. I use a randall xl (vntg 30's) a 1960b & the mesa w/black shadows & although thay all sound great the hlf back gives it the same low end as the marshall & the tonal quality & definition as the XL. A great live rig & after all why use 100wt head in the studio!

Comments about Randall RD100H Diavlo 100W Tube Guitar Head:

My god where do i begin with this beast. It took me about 3 minutes to find a great tone that worked great for me. It gives a dual rec vibe when cranked with a little more upper mids for sure. Gain 2 is a little overkill but does some great Gojira tones. Gain 1 is a fantastic metallica-esque channel though that is extremely versatile.

Comments about Randall RD100H Diavlo 100W Tube Guitar Head:

Excellent amp. The clean is the best clean i have heard yet. The gain is a perfect 80's metal sound which is what i prefer. Had the EVH 5150 iii 50 watt but returned for this amp.

Comments about Randall RD100H Diavlo 100W Tube Guitar Head:

Appearance: I like amps that you can see the tubes. This one has red LED's inside so the head glows a really cool red. I put a cover on mine when not in use. Features: 3 Channels (clean, Gain 1, Gain 2)Lots of headroom on clean channel....plenty bright so bright switch not needed on this amp. Gain 1.....somewhat like my old Marshall. Gain 2....reminds me of my Boss Metal Core pedal....I love the distortion sound on this channel, also good for leads....amp is a bit noisy cranked on Gain 2....not unlike many others but compared to my Mesa Boogie Tremoverb it is noticeable but not a deal breaker. I tend to like it extremely loud so it works for me. It has an XLR balanced output. FX loop works great....no knobs just plug and play....I have a Zach Wilde Phaser, DD-6 Delay and RV-5 going through mine....out front I also use CS-3, OCD, ML-2, M-108 eq and sn-7 tuner....again, works flawlessly. Footswitch....main reason I gave it a 4 was because the footswitch had one major fault, when you pressed down the Gain 2 button it automatically switch to the clean channel....emailed Randall and was sent a new one....and it works....so great job by Randall's customer service. I have my RD100 plugged into two cabs....Marshall Lead 1960 B 4x12 cab and a Marshall TSLC212 2x12 cab....sounds great to me....I've also plugged it into a Mesa Boogie Rectifier 4x12 cab....sounds even better but that cab is for the Mesa Tremoverb. With my Tremoverb it will handle an impedance mismatch so I can plug in my Marshall 16ohm 4x12 and my Mesa 8ohm 4x12....I don't think my Randall can so I haven't tried that. So far so good....I'm really enjoying this amp....and considering the price, it's tough to beat.

Comments about Randall RD100H Diavlo 100W Tube Guitar Head:

I sold my Mesa because it was too noisy on the gain channel. I was referred to Randall by a "friend of a friend" and have to say I am pleasantly surprised with this head. I run it into a 1960 lead cabinet and really like it's versatility. Much less noise than the Mesa and tons of headroom (the master volume allows for monster crunch at lower volumes). If it had reverb, I would have rated it a 5. Guess I'll just have to buy a reverb pedal in the near future. The effects loops works perfectly. This amp also has a BOOST switch. It doesn't seem to give it much of a boost, but I honestly haven't played with it enough to say I've thoroughly run it through it's paces. I haven't had it long, so I can't vouch for durability yet either, but the thing is built like a tank. I LEAVE it at our practice area because at 56 LB. carrying it back and forth is not the option I choose. Definitely some bang for your buck!