Head-Replacement: The Randall RG13
The Grin | Jun 05, 2013 | Comments 2
Do you have a guitar cabinet that can perfectly fit in a closet but lack the space for a head? Do you have patch cords all over the floor because your pedals are just thrown about in a complex arrangement? Well no more with the Randall RG13 pedal. It’s the pedal that doesn’t need a head because It can power your 8Ω cabinet with ease. Just simply plug your guitar into the RG13 and then so with the cable into your speakers.
But wait, there’s more!
It can also be used to mash potatoes (this is not recommended).
On a more serious note, this little beast has 1.8 Watts of solid-state output. But from what I’ve seen on the demos, I’m starting to think that my house is the only one that obeys the laws of physics. I’d like to see someone put a decibel meter to this thing, because, it seems pretty loud for 1.8 Watts. Just check out The Tone King’s demo video.
Before I continue, I feel I have to address the fact that you don’t need to be loud to be on stage. Anytime I have been up there, they were not shy about placing microphones up to your speakers. The mics aren’t always placed in the best positions. But, trust me. You will be heard.
Features! This musical Swiss army knife can act as a head, your every day StompBox, a D.I. box, or all of the above. It is a very real thing you could plug in your guitar, power one cabinet and flow through to a second stack like a pedal, while also pounding through the P.A..
You don’t even need your guitar. Perhaps all you want to do is listen to your iPod on really loud speakers. You can do that with the RG13’s 1/8” Stereo Media input, located next to the 1/4″ input.
You have the power, and it is yours to use as you wish.
For the pedal board junkies (me), this would also fit well in your chain. It will hold some girth at almost 8 lbs, but are we honestly so burdened by a simple thing like size or weight when it comes to the tone we love?
The far right button is meant for the boost or an effects loop, so you can get crazy with whatever effects you want, or maybe you just want to keep a simple tuner on it and there is nothing wrong with that. I am very picky when it comes to my chorus effect, so I will always utilize such faculties.
Channel one is crystal clean, but…
“For the cleanest sound turn volume all the way up and use gain knob to match channel volumes. Bright switch adds some “Sparkle”” (RG13 user manual)
Channel two is a natural Overdrive. The kind we all know and love with the smooth pull of an Irish whiskey. Channel three is the crazy-evil twin brother of Overdrive with a far more “distorted” sense of reality. (The Randall that we all love & know!)
All in all, the Randall RG13 might be what you’re looking for if you’re not into getting another head. Smooth cleans, but it can get angry when you want it to. Don’t forget to check out The Tone King’s demo and decide for yourself.
Link to RG13 on Randall Website : http://www.randallamplifiers.com/th_product/rg13/
DEMO & REVIEW
[youtuber youtube=’http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-MFml8MORVA’]
GAIN & BOOST
[youtuber youtube=’http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sGJKd6mC8eE’]
Tiny URL for this post:
Filed Under: Featured • Reviews • Amps • Accessories
About the Author: Started playing bass at 15. It was Danko Jones who inspired me to play at all, and in a small town I couldn't be picky on what I can get my hands on, so I bought a squire with pride. Obtained a B.C. Rich guitar months later. Moved to the city at 17. At 19 joined my first metal band as a bassist which ended at 20. Joined a bass heavy rock band, which I loved being in whole heartily. I now wait to venture into a new project. For the time being though, I am exploring my abilities as a writer.