Mesa/Boogie Road King Head

I don't need to reiterate what others have said or what you can read on the Boogie web site. I have tried (and owned) other amps that attempted this level of flexibity they failed - but this amp pulls it off! It is a beautiful design! Also, I am against the "grade inflation" that results from comparison to other amps that got "10s." Everything can't be a ten. My 10s are serious.

I play rock/fusion/jazz, mainly using PRSs. I have had 6 other Boogie amps over the years but I got tired of the characteristic sound. My other amps include Bogner and Soldano, so I'll use them for comparison. My ideal amp would be something like my Shiva and HR+XL in one box for 4 amazing channels.

Well, the Roadking has the 4 channels and they sound great but how would they do in a channel-to-channel comparison to my dream amp (Shiva and HR+XL)?
Channel 1 versus Bogner Clean
Roadking is more Fendery (Twin Like)
Channel 2 versus Soldano Ch. 1 crunch
Smoother breakup and tonal balance but not as much gain
Channel 3 versus Bogner lead channel
Roadking sounds like a Mark VI, Bogner a mid-60's modded Marshall
Channel 4 versus Soldano lead
Roadking Recto buzz versus 70's modded Marshall

Bottom line: this amp is quiet and sweet sounding but it DOES sound like a boogie and nothing else. The reason I emphasize this is that no matter what option you dial in you get Boogie sounds. However, the clean and crunch are better than ever.

Just got it, but Boogies are generally built like tanks

I've dealt with them before and they are good and personalable

I don't usually write into things like this but I just wanted everyone to know that this is a really great amp and well worth the money. On a bang for the buck basis it blows everything else away. If price is not an issue, and you can lug a bunch of amps around, then I'd pick the pure tone and responsiveness of the Bogner and the purr and growl of the Soldano over it.

This amp has every feature you can imagine. Knobs galore, close to the same number as my Mesa Mark IV. Multiple power sections, all switchable, a huge footswitch, tons of options. Read the Mesa website, it really has a LOT of options!! I mean a TON.

Wow, does this thing sound like crap. Thousands of sounds at your fingertips and every single one of them sucks horribly. It's like a party in my mouth and everyone is throwing up. Seriously, it sounds that bad. For jamming around I use a little Peavey Rage 158 I picked up for around a hundred bucks Canadian and a used POD I got super cheap and it gives far better tones than this EXPENSIVE amp. This thing really sounds AWFUL, words can't describe it. I could be judging it a little harshly, but considering it's $5000+ Canadian price tag, I'd expect it to sound decent; but it doesn't. The clean sounds are kinda spanky and spongy, but have that sterile sound you get from plugging a guitar straight into a PA or a very cheap amp. The distortion channels are very hairy; they remind kind of the Peavey XXX, which also I'm not a fan of in the least. This amp does not produce warm tones of any sort. The distortion sounds are widevaried, but no matter how much I twiddled knobs, I couldn't get out a sound that I liked. I honestly gave it a shot, I'm a big Mesa/Boogie advocate and I wanted to like this amplifier, but I just couldn't.

It has loads of power, more than most musicians will ever need, and I sure wasn't able to test how loud it could go on the clean channel without distorting. Either way, I think it sounded brutal.

It's a Mesa/Boogie.

Mesa/Boogie has downright legendary customer service.

First off, I did not buy this amp. I went in with intentions of buying it, but decided not to after playing it. I am a repeat Mesa/Boogie owner and I LOVE their service and most of their products.. but I think this thing was a huge mistake. Mesa had some great ideas going in, and they really went whole hog. This amp has everything including the kitchen sink.. but they forgot the TONE. It sounds as sterile as a hospital operating room.

I thought it might have just been one bum amp, or maybe something was wrong with my ears the day I tried it (I'm just getting over the head cold to end all head colds) but the general consensus with everyone I've spoken to is that Mesa/Boogie caught too caught up with making tons of features that they forgot about the tone. Do NOT buy this amp sight unseen! I've considered buying amps blindly in the past just because of my faith in certain manufacturers (Rivera, Mesa/Boogie, Bogner, Soldano) but I never actually did. I'm glad I waited for the local store to get this thing in stock before making a down payment, because it sounds TERRIBLE!!! YUCK!! BAD!! If someone can figure out how to coax a pleasant sound out of this thing, please post settings, because it's simply beyond me. I love my Mesa/Boogie Mark IV, I've had the patience to tweak out it's oodles of knobs, so I don't think it's a settings issue, but you never know.

This amp is a four channel monster of an amp head. I have owned it now for over two months...so I feel that I can now give an accurate review. The front has the usual controls per channel that you would expect...Gain, Treble, Mid, Bass, Presence, and Volume. These controls are per channel, so it appears to be a lot of knobs, however, you need them all. This amp also has two Master Volumes to allow you to boost any channel for a solo by the footswitch. (Nice feature) The four channels have three mode options selected by a toggle switch. Channel one has clean, fat, and tweed options. Channel two has clean, fat, and brit. Channel three and four have raw, vintage, and modern modes. The amp comes with 2 EL34's, 4 6L6's, and 2 5U4G's tubes. This brings us to the back of the amp. At first the back may look intimidating...but the controls allow for many incredible tones. The back has controlable reverb, a diode or tube rectification switch, an effects loop one switch, an effects loop 2 switch, a parallel effects mix knob, and a whether or not you would like additional cabinets selected switch...ALL PER CHANNEL. In addition there are selection knobs to select combinations between 2 EL34's, 2 EL34's and 2 6L6's, 4 6L6's or 2 EL34's and 4 6L6's...PER CHANNEL. You can not have more versatility on a tube amp period. Oh, and there is a footswitch that allows you to switch between channels, turn on or off reverb, turn on or off each effect loop, and a solo boost button.

I use a PRS CE22 and a Gibson Les Paul. I use a G-Major through the series effects loop for subtle effects on a few songs. I play in an original rock band that utilizes four distinct sounds in a performance. Clean, British Rock, Modern Rock, and a unique solo tone. This amp allows me to dial in four incredible tones exactly to my liking. This is not a modeling amp, it is an array of amplifier tones that you can choose from that are incredible. The amp is quiet, and there are no popping sounds even when choosing between tube selections. The clean is Fenderish (especially in the new tweed option)...the Brit tone is very similar to a Marshall JTM 45, and the Modern tone IS THE DUAL RECTIFIER. Brutal gain tones from channel 3 and 4. When you switch to a pair of blazing EL 34's (now 50 watts) in Brit mode...you won't believe you are playing a Mesa. I use 4 6L6's (now 100 watts)for extra head room in the clean. I use a pair of EL34's combined with the 6L6's (100 watts) for the modern and lead tones that create the best gain tones I have ever heard.

Too new to evaluate. Previously I had a Mesa 90/90 power amp and a Triaxis that I never had problems with...and the company has a good reputation. However, this is a new line of amplifer and the amp is brand new...so I can't really rate this.

I called them with setup suggestions...and they gave me great advice.

I have been playing for 11 years and play live regularly in L.A. clubs. There is simply no better amp on the market right now, if you are looking for versatility and heavy amp tones from one head. Here are the drawbacks...it is expensive (although it is a value because of the four quality tones you get with one head), it is very heavy to lift, and the reverb quality is merely average. People who buy amps on reverb quality...or who despise dual rectifier tones will not be able to utilize this amp to it's fullest, and thus, should probably look elsewhere. Beware of trying this amp in stores without doing some basic set up! People that don't understand the contols mindlessly switch buttons leaving you with tone crap. Here is a way to set it up in one minute: ON the back: Turn off all effects loops and cabinet switching, and turn the parallel effects loop to 12 o'clock on each channel. If you have the parallel effects loop at a different setting it DOES effect tone due to the way the amp is designed. Turn reverb to 9 o'clock on channel one...and turn all the rest off. Select tube rectification for all channels, but channel 4. Lastly, select 4 6l6's for channel one, 2 EL34's for channel 2, and 2 EL34's with 2 6L6's for channel 3 and 4. This takes all of one minute...and then you are set to jam. Select tone controls to taste, remembering that the gain on channels 3 and 4 shouldn't go past 2 o'clock (the recto rule). On the new Brit channel, however, CRANK the gain and treble and rock out! My favorite modes are Tweed, Brit, Vintage, and Modern in that order per channel. For those that are afraid of tweaking, let it be known that I tweaked my Mesa Triaxis for a year to get decent tones...and with this amp head I was totally satisfied with my setup in less than a week. They have really created the ultimate amplifier for an array of amazing tones. My hat is off to Mesa!

I received my Road King last week. They just started shipping last week, so I've got one of the first ones. This amp is like a few amps in one. It's so versatile, I won't be able to do it justice here. It's got 4 channels with assignable power tubes, cabinet switching, diode or rectifier tracking, 1 or 2 effect loops, and reverb with separate intensity; this is all PER channel!! No, it's not TOO complicated to figure out. I had it one evening and used it in 2 different bands the next 2 nights and was up and running; just starting to scratch the surface of the tonal possibilities. The amp comes with a 9-switch footswitch: ch1,2,3,4,reverb,external trigger,loop1,loop2,solo. By the way, the Road King has 2-EL34's, 4-6L6's, and 2-5U4 tubes. They can be assigned as an EL34 pair, a 6L6 pair, an EL34 pair and a 6L6 pair, or all 6 together-PER channel.

I use it with 3 different guitars per band. It seems to be suited to any kind of music I can effectively play. With 4 channels, and a few different qualities per channel, the tone possibilities seem endless. It also comes with an overall output knob, plus a solo knob, which sets the level for the 'solo' footswitch to boost the particular sound you may be using for lead work. I've never heard anything like this amp with all of its possibilities until now.

I've been playing through Boogie amps since 1983: MkIIc, MkIV and now the Road King. Whenever I've had a problem with previous Boogie amps, the factory (20 miles from here) was VERY prompt with repairs, customer service, etc. I've replaced tubes in previous Boogies, but never had any tube related problems.

Great service. Very helpful and friendly. I live 20 miles from the factory, so I've never used a service center.

I've been playing electric guitar since 1963. I still have my other Boogie amps. I use the Road King with a Carvin Vai Legacy 4x12 cabinet with Celestion Vintage 30's, and a Mesa 4x10 open back cabinet with 4 Jensens. I currently use 6 guitars; 3 per band. I'll use a Gibson DC Standard, Gibson SG Supreme and a Carvin Bolt with my original music band. These are all strung with 8 to 38mil strings. For my cover band, I use a Carvin DC 127, a Carvin TL60 and a new Fender American Strat; all strung with 9 to 42 mil strings. All of these instruments sound great so far through the Road King. I've been used to using the Boogie Mark IV amp since 1991. I thought it was the ultimate amplifier. It was so tweakable and delivered great tone. Now, Mesa/Boogie and Randall Smith have outdone themselves with this new 'marvel' of an amplifier. I've just never seen or heard anything like it. I highly recommend that anyone who loves great tone, and lots of it, and who can afford something like this, please check it out. You won't be disappointed. I'm certainly having a great time so far with it.