Randall RB125H

Pre-Washburn amplifier head. I use it for guitar, but I think it may actually be a bass head (the RB model number may signify that). One channel, with two inputs - one for high imp, one for low. There is no gain channel, and along with the three band standard EQ (low, mid, and high), there's also a five band parametric EQ which works exceptionally great. There are really no sound effect features such as reverb, chorus, gain, etc., which may also be because of the bass head thing. The head is rated at 125 watts, which works really well, but I've personally found the best sound out of cranking the hell out of all the parametric and general EQ knobs, and kicking back the High knob just a bit. This nearly triples the head's total output. Solid state, powerful enough to handle any gig, PA or not. I'll give it an 8 because most players I've talked to needed overdrive on the amp - I don't use it, but apparently I'm the minority.

All of these examples are using the EQ cranked, as stated before. Through a Strat, the sound was very warm. Bridge pickup gave a little bit of distortion at high volumes (past 2 of 10 on the volume knob). Through a Warlock with EMG-81 pickups, there was no clean sound available unless the volume on the guitar was rolled back almost all the way. No buzz to the amp at all, because there's really no preamp to buzz. Great variety because of the parametric EQ. Again, I'll give it an 8 because of the lack of gain, but for those who use pedals it deserves a 10.

The only time the amp has stopped working was when we plugged two guitars into the inputs (only 1 is supposed to be used), and then unplugged the guitar from the pedal it was connected to (Zoom 505). Apparently this overloaded the circuit breaker and it shut off. It gets warm, but not hot, and has never EVER had a problem other than that one, even driving it nearly all the way for 5-6 hours straight; something even the best tube amps have big problems with.

Randall told me that because the head is pre-Washburn, they couldn't give me any info on it. I've never had the need to deal with customer support or services, so I really can't say there, and I bought it used so I don't know about the warranty. But I won't ever need them. The thing is a tank. A loud tank.

I've been playing for close to 4 years now, and playing shows with it for nearly 2 years. I don't think I could live without it. I have never played a head more powerful, cleaner, or more reliable. If it were lost, I would have to find another somewhere. If I couldn't, my second choice would be a Crate solid-state head, because they're a close second in terms of clean sound. I've compared this head to a number of others, including a Marshall JCM-800 (no comparison), a Crate Blue Voodoo 120 (closer, but still no comparison), and a Peavey 5150 (absolutely no comparison). I won't say I compared it with the Crate heads because they're a close match, but the Randall would win anyway. There's no feature I wish it had, because I don't use amp distortion, reverb, or other effects; that's what rack systems and pedals are for. I wish it were a full-size head for cosmetic reasons, to fit on the cab better. But that's nothing. The one thing that kills me is the volume boost between 1 and 2 on the volume dial... it's nearly impossible to get a practice-level volume, unless you practice with a full-blown PA system... but that's not a problem if you play with it a little. Besides, I don't play quiet...