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Willis Music Oxmoor Product Profile
Krank Revolution Amp Head
Made in USA, solid poplar wood construction, 2 channels with independent tone controls each, 2 master volumes on lead channel for solo boosting, four 5881 power tubes, four 12AX7 preamp tubes, metal footswitch, Sweep control to alter values of all EQ controls, anti-hum circuit, 4/8/16 ohm speaker outputs, custom color options.
I actually was a fan of these amps more than a year before we became a dealer for them. I’d played one at a trade show and was floored by the mix of gain and clarity it offered. This Arizona company has taken a serious look at what made the Marshall JCM800 as popular as it was and enriched the design to create a literal monster.
When the 2005 Ozzfest festival started only one band playing it used Krank amps. When it ended Krank was the dominant amp being played. The reason is flexibility within the gain channel. You can have a gritty gain similar to Led Zeppelin’s guitar sound or a wall of distortion similar to that of Arch Enemy by simply turning a knob. What really makes this stand out from every other amp with built-in distortion is that even with massive gain you hear every note of the chords being played.
Plugging a Fender Powerhouse Strat into this amp’s Kleen (clean) channel results in a sound that would make any Country & Western player smile like they’d won the lottery. The clean tone is huge and has tons of headroom so there is no breakup. The metal guitarists are flocking to this amp for its distorted sounds, but any fan of pure, clear sound owes it to themselves to play this before making their next purchase. Even when I cranked (had to throw the pun in) up the Powerhouse’s on-board boost the channel only got louder and developed more punch, but never distorted. Amazing!
The Krank (lead) channel is simple to the eyes but not the ears. Dialing in a more classic gain sound (Aerosmith, Ted Nugent, the Strokes) is quick and easy. No digital nonsense or blinking lights get it the way of some very ripping tones. Increasing the amount of gain brings in more distortion, but clarity is never sacrificed. Going into a sound range similar to Pantera, Soilwork or Nevermore showcases the Krank’s anti-hum circuit nicely. Where most amps at this level of gain would sound like a hair dryer, the Revolution is quiet and focused. Also on this channel is Krank’s astounding “Sweep” control. This dial actually reconfigures the frequencies of the treble, mid and bass controls on the head allowing you to push enough air to move things. It is nothing short of brilliant and another reason Krank is getting so much attention. Adding to the sound options is the ability to foot select a second Master Volume for boosts during solos or highlight parts. Every builder should redesign their amp with this in mind since so many guitarists suffer with soundmen unfamiliar with the music they play. What makes this amp so special is that the gain side never compresses so you never lose that rich, “big” sound. Standing in front of a speaker cabinet while playing a Krank is an experience that every guitarist should have.
The sounds are stunning and the layout makes the Revolution a breeze to use. Players can choose black or an assortment of color options, but it will be the sound that people remember more than the look. A boutique amp at production prices.
Reviewed by: Mike McAfee
Contact reviewer at: oxmoorstore@willis-music.com
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About the Contributor:
Manager Mike McAfee is a 13 year plus Willis veteran who has hand picked each employee on his floor because they excel in providing a superior experience to every customer. The confidence, knowledge and courtesy you encounter lives up to an environment tailored for each department of their store. The home-like piano experience alone is worth a visit, and no other store in town carries the stock or selection of Willis’ Oxmoor location. Please accept Mike’s personal invitation to see first hand how hard we’ll work to make sure you’ll always come back home to Willis Music at Oxmoor Center.
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