Road King II First Impressions (Channel 4: Modern)

[dlpasco]

I've owned a multi-watt dual rectifier for several months now, and I just picked up a Road King II off of Ebay on Monday. I've been A/B testing the two amps for the last few days.

Is it just me, or does the RK sound like the grown-up, extremely p!ssed-off amp that the teen-aged DR will eventually grow up to be?

I recorded a bunch of clips, starting with the Road King, then having the Dual Rectifier join in a few measures later. I noticed that, while listening to the playback, I'd started wincing at how thin and sharp (tonewise, not pitchwise) the DR sounded when it came in.

Is it just me? I've already realized that I'm going to need a few weeks to readjust my perspective between these two amps. The ultimate goal is to pick one and move the other one on to a new owner.

-Daniel

 

[dlpasco]

I recorded a quick A/B test: https://soundcloud.com/dlpasco/road-king-ii-vs-multi-watt

First part is the Road King II on Channel 4, Modern.
Second part is the Dual Rectifier on Channel 3, Modern.

 

[dlpasco]

One more note: Dual Rectifier was set to 100 watts, Road King was set to 2 EL34s/2 6L6s.

 

[joe web]

i can only speak for the roadster, but it´s nearly the same as with the road king.
you nailed it, these two amps are more like a grown up dual recto - or these amps where made for real man and not for teens who "some kind of metal amp"

the roadster is voiced darker as the dual recto and so the road king is as well, and this maybe the reason why they sound "fatter" and more rounded soundwise.

 

[Hollis]

Wow, that was night and day difference. The RKII sounded sooooo much better. The DR sounded like the mids were turned down to zero compared to the RKII. I don't own one, but I'd love to have a Roadster or RKII. Big fan of those amps.

 

[thejay]

One more note: Dual Rectifier was set to 100 watts, Road King was set to 2 EL34s/2 6L6s.

Assuming you are running the DR on 6L6s?

I have a Roadster which is very similar to the RK. I prefer the amp on EL34s as a whole that could be one of the biggest difference but I also agree with the 'grown up' comment. Committing to a Roadster or RK is a huge step over some of the other amps in the catalog.

 

[joe web]

^^ what you say! my roadster is running on EL34s as well and next week i´ll get a pair of EL34s for my rectoverb.
to me the EL34s give those recto-family amps a nice mid-growl and make 'em much more "in your face" sounding!

 

[APEMAN]

-

 

[joe web]

i guess the Road King has a bigger OT because of the extra power you can get by adding the two EL34s with the four 6L6s.
but soundwise, if you only use the 6L6s of the RK and run the roadster with 6L6s, they sound the same.

 

[siggy14]

I havent played the RKII but i have played the roadster and currently own a RKI, I can tell you the RKI is a cross between a tremoverb and the original 3 channel recto, not dark at all like the roadster. I would love to play a RKII though.

i guess the Road King has a bigger OT because of the extra power you can get by adding the two EL34s with the four 6L6s.
but soundwise, if you only use the 6L6s of the RK and run the roadster with 6L6s, they sound the same.

 

[b0nkersx1]

The RKII is darker than duals. It's still plenty bright for me.

 

[Steve K]

I love my RKII. I was tired of fixing Marshalls and Fenders all the time. It got to the point that I had to have two of each in order to be assured of a working amp to gig with - seemed like one was always in the shop..I found my RKII at GC Columbus, took a chance and bought it. We have been together nearly 3 years and outside of a tube change, never one hiccup. After the initial honeymoon, I figured out that for classic rock at club sound levels to use only 2 6L6 and 2 EL34 either alone or combined - which I like best. I'm still switching back and forth between having the loop and MV/solo switched in or out, it depends on what my role is within the band that week :lol: