Well, I have played the Knucklehead sufficiently over the last two days (through a V30 loaded 2x12 and Boogie Black Shadow speaker) to give a first impression.
As I said, this head is built to last and with care. It is VERY sturdy,heavy,clean and just darn well built like a tank! I have no worries that this will not last and last!
For someone who purports to prefer the K.I.S.S. principle (Keep It Simple Stupid) it may seem an odd choice. Well, I dare say this won’t be my last amp, but I did want an amp that could do as much as possible (to negate later ‘I wish it had…’ groans) which was as well built and tonally rich as could be.
The back panel is a thing of beauty yet controlled trickery. We have a 16 channel midi selector, 3 midi-inputs (one spec. for the Rivera Midi Pedal), Serial/Parallel effects loop inputs, Send/Return/level dials, Sub input (intended for the Rivera Los Lobottom Sub Speaker, unfortunately rare and pricey, but I have time :twisted: ), two speaker inputs, Impedance selector (16/8/4 ohm), Vintage/Modern switch and High/Low Power switch (which not only alter the tone by switching from Triode to Pentode but also can alter power, essentially offering 55/30/18/8 watt output), Recording output, and of course power/fuses.
Now for the good stuff, the front panel.
It’s a 3 channel amp. Channel 2-3 share and EQ. All channels have Reverb avail. All Channels also have Boost avail. This, like the Boogie, is INTERACTIVE EQ. That is, turning one parameter effects the other parameters. This makes a tweakers dream/plug’n’play nightmare. However, this kind of complexity does offer a monstrous amount of tonal variation possible, and once setup to liking it’s all there. All channels also have push/pull options on the various dials, from brightness, notch, contour and Mid Scoop.
Channel 1.
I do not own a vintage Fender. However I have played/heard the magical clean tones produced. Channel 1 is, IMO, the best sounding clean channel I have ever heard on a multi-channel amp. Playing my Painkillers (no less) split on this channel was soooo clean and articulate with such twinkle, it was almost ‘religious’.
With straight clean it is so clear and articulate it’s amazing! EQ’ing can gleam so many ethereal tones you get glassy eyed tweaking! Engaging Boost on this channel takes a whole new meaning to playing the Blues. Notes hang in the air and drip like nectar. The thickness you can achieve is mindblowing. I will note at this point I did try my HBE Power Screamer in front of the clean channel and it responded with the precise clarity I have not seen before and whooped it up!
Channel 2.
This is where Rock begins. We start in vintage Marshall territory. With tones available from the most singing and sedate to those of the grittier Rock from the classics. Engaging Boost on this channel unleashes the BEAST! We are in full modded overdrive with the newer aggressive tones (ala Metallica) easily reached. The clarity of note/chord structure is still there but the heaviness and ‘kick to the gut’ is massive! Engage Mid Cut on this channel and we enter familiar territory for that kind of Metal.
Channel 3.
This is where I and Mr.Knucklehead had a falling out. I had been playing my LP and JP6 with Painkillers to this point. Well Mr.Knuckleheads grille curled it’s lip and basically spat at me with a sneer. Both a little frightened and aghast I decided to pull out the Explorer with Custom Warpigs. Oh boy, what did I do! The sneer turned into a demonic laughter with a snarling grille, and I swear a hypnotic wave must have hit me for I was moved to go to the garage and find a set of coveralls to put on and then hunt out my old Halloween mask. Apparently, suitably attired, Mr.Knucklehead opened the gates of Hades! (for those uninitiated, this was an attempt at a Jovial Slipknot ref. I am not a fan however, cept. The Stone Sour offshoot;)). Channel 3 is ‘Hell on Tubes’. Abit like a Warpig, it is hard to tame, in fact I believe I will have the most trouble with this channel and precise EQ’ing will be req.) The only problem I see here is the enormous POWER boost from channel 2-3. We are not just talking volume here but an actual overall boost as a different part of the tube circuit is engaged.
Overall, a marvellous amp. Built to last and with tones aplenty! It’s hard to say what you couldn’t use this amp for (style wise) and the possibilities and quality of tones produced are amazing.
The Midi-Switching is very simple (not linked external midi yet, maybe to come) and the footswitch itself is obviously built to last and work as it’s constructed like a tank!
Long post I know, but it's hard to say so little about so much.
Hopefully soon I will have chosen/received a perm. cab for it.
What are my fave parts? Well, the Tone is Rivera (but I like that), the mid scoop is very handy (as it has such dramatic effect), the switching is SILENT (in fact upon first powering up the amp I thought it may be broke as NO sound at all was heard, no speaker sound, no pup feedback, it is silent!).The individual Boosts on all channels are amazing. The Focus control (which basically changes the speaker response from loose to tight) etc.
I was lusting after a Diezel Herbert. But spec. wise the Knucklehead is sooo similar (sure each will have it's own trademark tone) and the build/price is astounding on this.
I am 99% decided on a genz Benz G-Flex cab for this :twisted: Then, if not before, I am sure I will be on the neighbors 'Hit List'.
tbc, as time goes on :)
Nick
