All user reviews of 3/5 for the Randall RG50TC

Fifty watt 1x12 combo with EL34 power tubes. Comes with a Celestion speaker. Two channels, one clean and one dirty, but each channel has two modes. Clean has a boost switch and the gain channel has a 'vintage' gain and 'modern' gain switch. Has jacks for extension speakers and fx loop.
I've been playing guitar for approximately 26 years and I've owned tube amps like a Marshall JCM 800, Peavey 5150 and a Mesa/Boogie Subway Rocket. I've also owned solid-state amps like Marshall Valvestates, a Peavey XXL and an old Randall RG100 head back in the '80s. My choice of music is classic metal like Iron Maiden, Black Sabbath, Rush, Judas Priest, Accept, Dio, Savatage, old Slayer, old Metallica, old Megadeth etc.

I bought this on clearance for $480 from Hollowood Music in McKees Rocks. I wanted something small and portable yet still had a pretty killer distortion. I tried a few other amps like Line 6 which was too digital sounding, a Peavey JSX combo which is an awesome amp but unfortunately out of my price range.

The first thing you'll notice about this amp's tone is that it's not the solid-state Dimebag sound that is so often associated with Randall. It's also not very 'modern' sounding like a Mesa or Engl or even some newer Marshalls that have a compressed, scooped-mid sound.
With four 12ax7 tubes in the preamp and 2 el34 powertubes, this thing pretty much screams Marshall JCM800. I used a Les Paul guitar with EMG 81 pickups so the active electronics of the guitar pushed the amp into an aggressive metal overdrive, but if you're using passive pickups, you'll need a distortion pedal to get into the metal zone.
I used this through a Randall 4x12 cab with Jaguar speakers and it pretty much nailed Randy Rhoads' Blizzard of Ozz tone all the way to Metallica's 'Kill em All.'
The clean channel by itself is useable, although you're not going to get classic Fender. The boost function on the clean channel adds some dirt and does a great bluesy, Marshall Plexi-type sound. I ran a chorus pedal with the clean boost and it copped a Robin Trower 'Bridge of Sighs' tone pretty impressively.

This amp is a 'one trick pony', with that one pony being a Marshall clone. If you're looking for a multi-channel amp that goes from Fender sparkle to bluesy Marshall overdrive to modern Mesa mayhem, this isn't it. Scooping the mids in an attempt to get an aggressive thrash metal sound results in a tone that is thin and buzzy.
Also, for 50 watts, this amp is not very powerful. The lack of headroom is frustrating wih the clean channel. Playing with a totally clean sound is almost impossible, especially at band/gig volumes as the amp wants to distort. Of course, it could have been my active pickups driving it harder.

This amp was made in China, so corners have been cut to keep the price reasonable. The knobs aren't very sturdy feeling and the tubes are protected by only a plastic grill. However, I used this amp on a regular basis for over a year -home use and jam sessions at people's houses-and never had any problems with it.

Back in the 90s, nobody wanted a Marshall JCM 800-everybody wanted Mesa Rectifiers. I paid $500 for a used, excellent condition 50 watt JCM 800 head back in the late 90s and I wish I never parted with it. Now that Kerry King and Zack Wylde have made JCM800s popular again, the price of these amps has escalated. The Randall RG50TC would be a good choice for a beginner or mid-level amateur who wants the vintage Marshall tone without paying the price of a real Marshall. It's lack of power and tone options keeps it from being a serious gig amp, but it could do the job for small jam sessions. Unless I came across one for a very low price, I wouldn't buy it again.

This review was originally published on http://www.musicgearreview.com

made in china, I spend the rest you know why

UTILIZATION

simple configuration:
2 channels independent:
1 clean channel 3-band EQ + + volume boost switch
A 3-band EQ Overdrive channel volume + 2 + gain (vintage and modern) switchable by switch
1 master volume
A master reverb

no manual

is obtained by adjusting well quite easily a good sound

SOUNDS

it suits my style (hard rock / heavy / thrash metal)

Clean channel = warm and round
clean channel + boost = crunch warm and round
Overdrive channel gain saturation 1 = moderate round warm
overdirve gain channel 2 = hot fat and high saturation

I play it with a PRS SE custom and Dean Mustaine Signature

+ Heat
+ Gain

- Too round
- Too mushy
- Too low

OVERALL OPINION

I use it for 6 years

I tried some other models but all the lamps was still expensive at the time it was the most abordale.

+ Simple Configuration
+ 2 jack inputs (high gain and low gain)
+ Good power and volume

- No headphone
- Heavyweight: over 20kg
- The EL34
- Hp too dark for my taste

good price / quality ratio at the time I had acquired for € 599 instead of 750 € in stores thanks to Forum guitariste.com

with the experience I will turn instead to a Peavey 6505 combo equipped with 6L6 I personnaly prefer largely to EL34.

50W lamp, with 2 el 34. 4ecc83.

usual connections: loop, exit the studio.

2 channels. The hp is a celestion 70 ... I think.

UTILIZATION

I did not like the amp's clean (I mean the past, because I made a trade). Not nice, you know. I find that even Marshall is better. Not clear, not round. crunch it too fast and it does not shine.

the distortion is very good for the ultra nags. More in the vein of that distos transo lamp (yes, it's Randall). In short, quite cold but very sharp and straight forward.

no intermediate channel, for cons ...

SOUNDS

Well, it suited my style too much, in fact. I wanted a nice clear and warmer distortion.

OVERALL OPINION

Well, the amp is made in China. Finally it was necessary to allow small grants to buy a tube amp.
Considering the price is not too bad. But it's not the top either.

This is a notice that I DPOS talking about the randall guitarist in my group.

namely that he is a head. the randall ... not the guitar ... whatever ...

UTILIZATION

The is the problem. I do not know if this is happening to our friends who also left a notice here, but in any case I saw with my own eyes in rpt.

It simply does not connect online in this amp, some pedals distortion whatsoever.
Many will say to me but why mettte a distortion to an all-tube? When you love the sound rat, or od pedals of a big muff ... brief.

After that, and other diverse mix of power supply, wiring, AC has never wanted to walk. The lamps are ts changed, check Specific nothing to report. But still a strange raction of the amp that is absolutely breath cr infamous when c'estbranch is does not sound at all.

Loop effects go wrong now certain way or "partial". Flanger and more ...
So an amp that is meant, of course modern and cheap, but apparently does not quite ragi as a conventional amp .. and poses problems for adoratuers of pedalboard!

SOUNDS

Beyond that my opinion on the amp itself:

He almost versatility clean / overdrive / distortion

I said almost the first sound: the sounds are average in clean ... ca saturates quickly, but it's not what he is asked to clean. there is a canal prvu od for this purpose. Not very late, not worthy of an all-tube what.

the overdrive is ass good with a finer dja raction, but are not extraordinary but it is enough to make ...

The distortion when it has not followed my esprences. j'tais party on this head before my guitarist does shall decide to try it and I'm glad that this is the case for me because the distortion is not the answer I expected. Rel will have one of its lack of size, fishing in the mute, it lacks that little cot "front" .. The qualisation trs is not effective, and limits the rglage to get some finesse An equalizer seems indispensable.

I will not be a surprise many but my Valvestate 8100 Vitamin A has a sd1 rponse much closer to what I want, that is to say the sound "And Justice For All" Metallica, this small cot "front" that randall any lamp that is just for me in the head dpart its brand lamp. It is not bad but lacks a little personality .. too much going on everywhere.

In what I still prfrerait Peavy Delta blues that brings us a true finnesse, a true personality in a real touch clean or ultra head Peavy found for a hundred dollars more and it has real characters, very fit inside.

For me the randall is too cold, too pure "no" today.

OVERALL OPINION

In short an amp after all simple, efficient but lacks a few characters, its grain. An affordable all-tube but do not dlivre what other amps in the same price range can give.

All is said below. For résumé, we all lamps of 50 watts which is not bad!
Well as said Vadorr is amp is made in China, therefore, ela means that the quality of connectivity is mdiocre compar amplifier manufactured in England or the United States. But hey what the price is going to be choosy pa ...

UTILIZATION

While the use is super simple. I tried several times and his fate no matter what you do. This is cool.

SOUNDS

Okay so I would say the cons by "catastrophic". It is supposed to have 100% of the lamps and yet the sound is cold (but hey it's like in a Randall). Do not even talk about the clear sound, it is horrible. As against distortion and overdrive the level it provides. But because of its clear my rating is low.

OVERALL OPINION

In conclusion, we have an amp that sounds not too bad but it is in saturation sr pa that you do make too much jazz. For the price it's okay but for those who have a scholarship a little more relaxed, the prices used you can do better ...

See other view

UTILIZATION

In my opinion, HP has dedant can not handle the power of the amp.

SOUNDS

Its level, it is very versatile, you just make nice little walk up the big Heavy, see the metal.

But I find it too agresif, not enough "velvety".

OVERALL OPINION

I use it for around a year and I believe in change because, ok it's a nice little tube amp, it sounds okay, but I understand why the other tube amp worth double see, the sound is really agresif it dominance in the midrange / treble that I find too large.
The bass and mid / high does not marry very well, there is very low and nothing behind or otherwise ie you sharp burst eardrum and wonder or take the bass.

Finally, if it again, bah I will not take this amp, I mieu fai wait and opt for an all-tube Fender or a Vox.

For me it is a tube amp for "mowing" as the ValveKing (Peavey) that sound the same line, that has lights, sound somewhat similar, but its lack of "warmth".

However, in my opinion.
The only real advice I give is just "try the same you" to make your own opinion dessu.

What kind of amplification (lamp, transistor ,...)?

All-tube combo: three 12AX7 and one 12AT7 for Tage prampli and two EL34 power for the Tagus.

What is the power dlivre?

50 watts RMS Class AB

What connection?

Two inputs in faade (one low and one high impdance), an effects loop with level SETTING THE two speaker ouput jack guitar format (a 4 ohms and 8 ohms) and a footswitch jack format din.

What rglages the effects? ...

A master volume and master reverb.
Clean channel with an active three-band equalizer own (bass, middle, treble) and a switchable boost.
Overdrive channel with a knob for level common to both SETTING THE switchable gain and an active three-band equalizer own (bass, middle, treble).



UTILIZATION

The configuration is it simple?

The knobs have a drle of sensitivity. We do not understand why the level of clean is so low compared to the boost and overdrive channel. When the level knob overdrive channel, I still do not understand his rle as that given for the same volume as the clean channel, you must put a quarter, giving a sound unusable.

Do you get a good sound easy?

It's easy to find a nice and rich distortion but the cleans are cold and hard to use trs. The reverb has never worked.

The manual is clear and sufficient? ...

I have no manual reu which would aid in phase grip.



SOUNDS

Is it your style of music?

The clean channel is too poor to be usable. The overdrive channel offers an input gain enough gaming pronounced color trs warm and rich. This is an amp made for large doses of muscle gains and use that does not suit me really time lead guitarist with prog rock band, alternative or conventional. I would say we feel that it is fully expressed with the view of the heavy metal metal hardcore.

With what (s) guitar (s) / low (s) or effect (s) do you play?

I play an Ibanez RG 2570 Z Whereas I like a guitar trs good quality and more versatile than it seems. I did use a multi-disciplinary and do not like Whereas a machine to gain forge metal. Even if it is true that the output level of DiMarzio is awesome, she knows how to rev subtle and groovy when I asked. We feel the cot while the guitar except for the ease with which it changes and you register as a stratum below would.

Here's CHARACTERISTICS: (for more information, visit the official website of Ibanez)

<table border="0" width="400">

<tbody>

<tr>

<td> neck type </td>

<td> 5pc Wizard Maple / Walnut neck </td>

</tr>

<tr>

<td> body </td>

<td> Basswood body </td>

</tr>

<tr>

<td> freight </td>

<td> Jumbo frets </td>

</tr>

<tr>

<td> bridge </td>

<td> Edge-Zero bridge w/ZPS3 </td>

</tr>

<tr>

<td> neck could </td>

<td> DiMarzio IBZ-N (H) neck could </td>

</tr>

<tr>

<td> middle could </td>

<td> DiMarzio IBZ-S (S) mid could </td>

</tr>

<tr>

<td> bridge could </td>

<td> DiMarzio IBZ-B (H) bridge could </td>

</tr>

<tr>

<td> hardware color </td>

<td> Cosmo Black </td>

</tr>

</tbody>

</table>
The combo is equipped with a Celestion Seventy80 of 50 watts (8 ohms).

Cot effect I use:
A BOSS TU-2 (Chromatic Tuner), Bad Horsie Morley VAI a 1 (Wah), a Digitech Whammy WH-4, a Boss PH-2 (Phaser), a Boss DD-3 (Digital Delay) and a Boss GE- 7 (7 Band Graphic Equalizer).

What kind of sound you get and with what rglages ("crystalline", "bold ",....)?

I would say that it is difficult regardless of the SETTING THE dcoller sound is heavy and rich with a grain hsitant between California and England. We stay in a log-gain typ hi trs heavy metal. The clean sound dsesprment cold and me, whatever the rglages.

What are the sounds you prfrez, you dtest?

The distortion is when even friendly when you need to gain and heat. The clean is clearly the black point of this combo.



OVERALL OPINION

How long have you use it?

Two years ago that I am the owner and I can not count the number of BPS or concerts performed its cots.

What is the particular feature you like best and least?

What I like is its distortion and its rich reserve of power that can use live comfortable without miking.
I dtest with this amp is its lack of reliability and clean channel. I had to do rpar foirage because of the power supply twice a year, and replace the lamps APRS one year of use. As for the clean I never use it. Also, the reverb has never worked.

Have you tried many other models before acqurir?

I tried expensive Rivera, a Mesa Boogie expensive and also a Fender Twin Reverb. The Randall seemed a class below, but a good price.

How do you report qualitprix?

I bought 550 and although this is not a huge sum and it is worth its weight in gold, its reliability and its canal are real clean spots on its reputable. In addition it should really my style of music.

Exprience with, you will do again this choice? ...

I do not believe, this amplifier n&#39;tait not really what I wanted and blackheads are another reason to try it long before purchase.

(Originally written by davidsouslinux/translated from Audiofanzine FR)
All-tube amp.

50 very loud watts.

FX loop, two speaker outputs (4 and 8 ohms).

Independent EQ per channel.

Reverb...

Two channels: clean plus dual lead (two very different sounds). Great if you like a big sound!

I bought it in 2006...

UTILIZATION

You'll easily get a great sound! I never had such a good sound.

No user's manual.

Review from 2006... I've found better. But I like it anyway.

SOUNDS

Good amp for death and thrash metal, rock and grunge. The clean sound allows you to play jazz and blues... You can play everything with this amp from crystal-clear to extremely distorted and crunch and mellow overdrive.

In short: perfect!

I love every sound.

The reverb doesn't have the same quality but it's enough to have fun.

Update from 28 September 2007: This amp doesn't sound good with every effect pedal... I own a HM-2 and it sounds good only in the FX loop... Which is normal, the clean channel is not amazing... A bit dirty and the more I play it, the more I think about buying an amp with a better clean sound. But considering the price, this amp was an excellent choice, especially for a metal freak.

Update, 2009: Don't expect a miracle... It's a good amp but it has a very typical Pantera sound and I would prefer a small JCM800...

Oh and I heard it has a reverb somewhere...?! I'll keep looking... It's almost impossible to play jazz with this amp. But if you're not old and embittered like me, this amp is good to have fun playing Pantera^^

OVERALL OPINION

I bought it June 2006.

I've been owning it for few days and it's a true delight.

I like everything about this product!

(I would prefer a metal grid to protect the speaker better).

I tried out a Marshall Valvestate, two Vox (AD50VT and AD15VT) and a Marshall MS-2. This morning I played an RG Prestige with a Marshall AVT 100W stack. And I received this amp this evening. I plugged my ibanez with SH8 pickups into it... and surprise: The sound was much better! (and my Ibanez looks more beautiful). A delight! Compared to Vox models, this amp sounds twice as better. Compared with the Marshall models it's ten times better! I'm very happy.

Excellent value for money: you get tubes for the price of a solid-state amp. I love the warm and dynamic sound of this combo!

I wouldn't hesitate to buy it again... If I had more money, I would buy a Randall stack... Scott Ian's stack for example...

28 September 2007: The amp broke and I'm not sure about it's reliability. It's pisses me off because I'm a fan of this amp (see my highly praising review) but I can't recommend it if it's not 100% reliable... Perhaps I'm unlucky. I will decrease the mark because of this.

Update: I finally replaced the high-voltage fuse of the reverb tube and the amp worked again. I was worried without reason. So this amp seems to be a good deal... Good distortion. It's a bit like a 5150: fat distortion, crunch and average clean sound. The distortion sounds a bit British. I usually tune in B and this amp matches it perfectly.

Update:

This small Randall is only ok! I'm thinking about buying something else (quite normal after 5-6 years).

It's ok if you want to have fun and play two gigs per year.

If you want to record albums and play lots of gigs and if you have many fans, you'd better look into something else... A Marshall Plexi, a JCM800 , a Rectifier, a Peavey XXX, etc. Avoid losing your time with a small combo...