Kustom Quad 200HD

Modulation effects are there but not really useful. Chorus, flange, delay (all with no parameter modification) and reverb. All of these effects are better than nothing but if you have this head, you'll love the sound so much that you won't want anything to come in the way. I have the effects turned off.

Distortion channel is actually pretty good for just tooling around. This channel comes with a standard knob adjustment and then a boost button called "bigger balls" to which I say, "well done" to the good marketing folks at Kustom. However, it's not the greatest distortion but I would gig with it if I forgot my v-amp pro (which I've done. A.D.D. sucks)

Clean channel is extremely well done and offers a beautiful array of functionality with a simple yet effective EQ.

One of the best features of this amp, (IMHO) is the line out which is situated on the front panel (XLR). A lot of amps fall short on the line out. This one doesn't. In fact, I NEVER mic this amp anymore. I just run my cab onstage and plug to the board from the XLR. I've had so many complements on the sound both near stage and in the house.

Gear: Epiphone LP Gothic / Epiphone LP Special II with Air Norton pickup. Behringer v-amp pro.

Cabinets: All custom made by me. Main gig rig is a 32" square 4x12 with two eminence stock Fender drivers, A Celestion Vintage 30 and a Celestion Classic Lead 80. Built this cab completely for the purposes of handling this head. It's big, heavy and our manager would burn it if we let him because of it's size/weight. On stage I've never had the volume past 3. I only use the clean channel and let the v-amp do the fun stuff.

Whether I'm playing this with my effects or simply plugging in and jazzing on that freakin sick clean channel, the sound quality is like nothing else. There's a lot of people out there who just refuse to play a SS amp. IMO, they're missing out if they don't try this head.

Not noisy at all. Never even approaches pushing the power system to the brink. In fact, if you find that you're pushing this amp, you're either playing a stadium or you need to see a hearing doctor.

One note, I also built dual 2x12 cabs. Wired them at 10 ohms. Plug each into the dual speaker outs and spread them across the stage. Not stereo but it's enough sound to melt your face.

No probs. Got it used. Was kind of torn up on the tolex which showed that it's got some mileage. We've loaded and unloaded this beast many times. Bumped it into stuff. Had water bottles rattle and tip over on it. It's like a block of concrete. Gig without a backup all the time.

I modify and work on my gear constantly in search of the pinnacle of tone. I've never touched this amp. It's that good.

Never used them.

I've been playing for over 20 years. I've had lots of gear. I'll say it again, this is the best amp I've ever owned and ever played.

I would absolutely replace it if it was stolen. Then I'd go find the guy who stole it, "re-acquire" the amp, and then run two of these out of my v-amp pro with another 4x12 cab that I would be forced to build. Then I would have a stereo wall of sound and that would make me happy.

I like everything about it except for one thing. It's the size of a friggin coffin for Gary Coleman. I mean this thing is big and heavy. However, I bet Kustom did this to stand out (remember "bigger balls" (see the response for "Features")

Why did I choose it? Got it in a trade because I wanted a stack. God just hooked me up (again).

Anything you wish it had?: Someone to carry it all the time.

If you can find one used, buy it and be thankful. If you can buy it new, buy it and be thankful.

A 2 channel solid state very powerful head.I play most styles of rock music and it covers all aspects as far as im concerned.The built in fx are all usable although you can only alter the level and not the depth but for the price i cant complain.The clean channel is great,absolute dream to listen to especially with the reverb or the chorus coupled with it.The lead channel is also great especially with the bigger balls button switched on and the gain up.Very quiet noise wise, even cranked up.Nice sustain too.No headphone socket which doesnt bother me.Can be hooked up to a PA via a line in on front panel which is handy.
My only gripe which isnt a big deal really is that maybe if a solo boost function had been fitted but what i tend to do is using the 2 way footswitch (that doesnt come with amp)I play with no fx on until the solo and switch the fx on like a bit of chorus and it seems to bring the volume up a tad which does make the difference in a live situation.
Otherwise a volume pedal might be an option.

I use an ibanez s series guitar with the quad 200 and an Ashdown 4x12 cab.The clean channel stays clean at high volume,the distortion is enough for me,maybe extreme metallers may need more but thats when a pedal might come into play.The bass response is powerful and the highs cut through.Been playing for 21yrs and can honestly say for the price this is a brilliant amp,from clean to dirty.The fx are a nice touch.A well balanced amp.Kustom have done a good job.Im currently in a whitesnake tribute act and find the amp suits the old material and the later stuff that we cover.

Not had it long but so far very dependable.

A year i think.Not had to deal with the dealers yet.

Iv had a variety of marshalls over the years and loved my old Trace elliot super tramp quad chorus.Due to low budget I went for Kustom Quad 200 and I would buy another if it got stolen.Dont hate anything about it.
Love the clean and bigger balls channel,went for the 200 watt for the headroom but im sure the 100 watt one would have been powerful enough

When I was amp, I was in the market for a second hand Marshall JCM or fender Twin Reverb.
Spending too much money on a new guitar, budget was cut short so I ended up looking for a cheaper amp. I'd never heard of Kustom to be honest. finding a rather new half stack on Kapaza site for 300 ???, I got intriged and went to check it out. (Should admit it was the looks that got me going... ) Checking it out quickly made me decide to buy it.
I'd describe as my personal PA system.
In terms of features it has what it needs. For people starting out, I guess the on board effects are a plus. Personally I don't use them. Think a disadvantage is that they can not be programmed etc., So eihter you play with effect A, or B. No combinations.
Think the biggest plus is the clean channel (as said, a real PA system sound). Two channel amp. As I use it with a Boss GT5, I'm only using the clean channel, so no in depth experience with the distortion. For the short times I tried the distortion: It's fine for a solid state amp, but clearly no tube sound. I guess you'd better connect a pedal to it to get your distortion sound.
I think it has all it needs, 200 Watts is exaguared (volume tends to stay between 0-1 of 10, and even then it's screaming loud). Only thing lacking (or not clear to me) is to be able to connect a effect loop.

My biggest surprise is the sound quality.
If you've ever played live, you know the kick a PA sound can give. Well, that's what you should expect. Loud, full bodied crisp clean sound.
Playing blues to rock (say SRV to GNR), and from time to time some metal (Metallica) - bet you can guess my age with this line up :)- I need sounds ranging from a "fender through Twin Reverb amp - to a -Les Paul Marshall JCM 900 sound -.
I've found a Boss GT5 effect module able of generating these sounds. Getting it for no money from a friend who was disapointed in the GT5, I discoverd it hides it's qualities by having crappy pre-programmed sounds. Taking some time in getting the right sound - trick is not to overload in effects - I manage to get really amazing quality sound - identical to the SRV or GNR sound I needed.
Connecting this effect module (with a speakersimulator ON), really, really really sound great.
Imaging playing a Fender Twin Reverb or Marshall JCM 900 or any Funk, sould, 60 VOX sound through a PA system at a mid sized concert... Well, that's the sound.

In short: when I bought the amp it was intended as a short term intermediate solution, while getting the money for a Marshall stack. Playing it now for several months, I love it, and I'm going to keep it.

A 2 year old second hand model.

No problem what so ever !

Build to last.

never needed it.

My advice: spread your budget on a multi effect (type Boss GT) and a Kustom Amp.

You'll get an amazing full sound, a volume 5 times of what you need and an amazing looking amp.
All of this you can - if you look a bit on the market - for about 500 ???, and you'll play in the league of amps worth 5 times.

Invest the money you save in a good guitar - and lessons :) - and you'll reach the optimal mix !

These amps are underpriced, so move quick before other people or Kustom themselves find out.