Someone Finally Did What Marshall Wouldn’t

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My review to the Dark gene Red
• Handwired Dark Gene Re...
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[@rstuartcpa]

Not only is this amp great, Dean answers his phone. My Dark Gene wasn’t working when it arrived and I call. Dean immediately worked with me to diagnose the issue (bad tube) he sent a new one and called me to make sure it was working and I was satisfied, i feel grateful and lucky to get one of these monsters. Well worth the wait.

[@angusorvid8840]

Sounds great. Nice, organic little tube amp. 1 watt is plenty if you are playing in your bedroom.

[@PeterMoore350]

3:14 Phil you’ve just channeled AC/DC ‘s “It’s a long way to the top” with that guitar and those settings!! Cheers from this Aussie living in NZ 😎🎸🤘

[@jamesburge1983]

same thought.

[@PeterMoore350]

@@jamesburge1983 when he hit that chord ? My first thought was AC/DC as an Aussie who grew up with acka dacka on the radio 70s onwards 😎🎸🤘

[@TheCandel34]

That little thing thumps sizzles and sounds good

[@williamknell864]

THAT is really convincing! And cleans up beautifully. You have sane conversation (but still musically fun, from what I'm observing.) level in a variety of sounds, and yet we hear you fretting or picking in the air around you while you review the product. That's a huge peeve when I hear it in YT gear reviews. Pretty amazing.

[@DRChevalier]

Dave Kowalski is a wonderful guy and his Dark Gene amps are grand! I’ve had my Dark Gene Red for about seven months and it is superb. Really benefits from at least a 2x12 cab

[@JD-pz7ll]

First sound sample was my favorite. Another great video.

[@StephenLight-oc3tl]

What a great sounding Amp. I'm really impressed.

[@porknbeans7420]

If only there were channels like this when I was a kid. I was a military bray in Germany from grae2 through HS graduation. I wanted a Marshall JCM800 100W head because I saw the ads with Saxon. I failed to consider my bedroom was not a giant arena. Quite disappointing to realize the amp needed to be CRANKED way louder than possible to get the tones I wanted (thank goodness for Tube-Screamers & Overdrive pedals). This info is worth its weight in gold.

[@LocoDirewolf]

My Dark Gene Green came in about 2 weeks ago, and it's a fabulous, tiny beast! I prefer the 3-way switch in the down position. In the down position, it seems to give a slight boost, adding extra overtones and harmonics. I can go from clean(ish) to early AC/DC to nearly fuzzed out Stoner, with no pedals. I can hardly wait for my JHS Bonsai to get here to open it up to more tones. It's just an all-around fantastic sounding amp! If you can afford it, I highly recommend picking one up!

[@sandrosbackyard343]

I got 2 say that your guitar skills have really improved since you started your KZbin channel, way 2 go

[@takeshikistun8944]

Thank you Phill for the video and Kowalski for his great work.

[@heathlane8317]

That thing gets perfect Angus-y goodness with the SG effortlessly. I could see that working well with a small cab mic'd onstage for a great sounding, light load-in gig. Love it!

[@bobward7489]

That's some tasty tone for such low volume levels. And for a hand wired custom, it's priced decently as well

[@phillipalcorn9104]

Great video! I got one of these when it was $369! It’s pretty cool. I wish it was in a chassis that could easily be mounted in a head or cab. I owned one of the more modern era UK 1 watt Marshalls like you showed and this is way better-but you are right, the vintage Marshall styling is just really cool. Good reminder about the budget (but good) ways to get great sound.

[@GabeHelma]

It wouldn't be that hard to build a mini plex style head cab about it though

[@Luis33357]

Love this amp. Had mine for over a year now

[@alexc2680]

Wow! I'm super impressed and wonder how it would sound into my Suhr Reactive Load/IR with a 4x12. Phil, love your channel and I always leave with some killer knowledge. Thank you man!

[@Sticky_Tea]

Description has a typo "Patreons saw this video days ago and gave feedback to make it batter." batter Now that's out of the way, I'm going to enjoy the video 😄👍🏻

[@JoshuaC923]

Deep fried Marshal incoming😂

[@MusicTherapyLaz]

WASSUP... @Philipp McKnight... sounds cool!

[@bigtuna6463]

I have the other dark gene for over a year love it. I keep thinking about getting the marshall plexi version DK is a nice guy to boot and his work is great!!

[@lopezb]

Great review! I will keep it in mind for when I have time and place...

[@mauijet]

Very tasty! Maybe making your own Marshally cabinet for it to fit in, would be a fun project for those who can.

[@mykneeshurt8393]

that was my first thought as well.

[@jerrymckenzie1858]

Perfect for recording or home use - really great sounding. Would like to see some kind of enclosure to finish the package.

[@AlexHand]

Awesome to see affordable US made products. The days of 100 lb stacks are probably on their way to extinction since everyone lives in little apartments now. I wish Marshall would do what Fender did with the Tone Master series and have an ultralight mini solid state amp with a variable power attenuator, XLR output, and fx loop (which Fender should have done).

[@swmorgan515]

I love my Dark Gene. I bought one after seeing Pete Thorn's review (yes I know he makes everything sound awesome) but I have not been disappointed. It's definitely not giggable volume but shouldn't expect that with a 1W amp. This would be great to pair with a Fryette Power Station if you need it louder. "Gain 2" on this amp really adds low end.

[@EWhite-95]

i saw Pete Thorn do a video on one of these years back and really wanted one but shipping to the UK just has too many hurdles. Sounds awesome

[@Margilio5150]

That gain on top is good for experimenting with high gain boost/dist pedals 🤔🤔

[@beaud4474]

Stick one in an old bell and howell extension speaker cabinet for a projector. Make a cool retro combo.

[@zloboslav_]

Oh wow this amp sounds so good! I love it!

[@zeppo20]

Fantastic sound.

[@ericbgordon1575]

When you cranked up the gain on that module, it reminded me of what too many people have done with the Boss MT2. People don't know that it sounds a whole lot better when you pull back the game and both the high- and low-shelving EQ. Perhaps, the owners of Marshall would sell more amplifiers if they brought the cost down on the professional-grade models.

[@kierenmoore3236]

Those Marshall 1 Watts were amazing … especially the JTM , the JMP & the 800 … GREAT tone …

[@SkunkBearTK]

This would be cool as a kit!

[@d3w4yn3]

GLORIOUS!!!

[@vpovince1001]

I have been interested in one of these for a long time

[@sirbaronvoncount4147]

I still have my JVM 1 watt combo and have played it almost daily since 2013. I love it and have never regretted buying it. Still has original tubes

[@mattyounis5636]

Ya I love the low watt settings on the huges and ketters

[@markjones7365]

Got a DSL1 amp and MX112 cab,and it’s a great rig for my 12 foot x 10 foot music room.

[@jeffgualandijr9420]

dude that sounded killer man.

[@DadRockAndGuitars]

That's a great sounding little amp! 👍

[@mal2ksc]

About the only thing I can think to add would be "roll bars" attached to the top that are taller than any tube. That way if it gets flipped over, it's much less likely to get damaged. It doesn't have to be elaborate, could just be two long handles, one at each end.

[@UTAH100]

I bought a 5W gries handwired tube amp. No effects but built a killer board including The Duellist pedal. It rocks hard.

[@larryburwell8550]

great sound from this little amp

[@vulcandj]

Great tone! When you first started I thought you were playing AC/DC's It’s a long way to the top if want to rock and roll. Had that sound spot on.

[@ianmartens5286]

that thing is awesome. just stick a tube screamer in front of it and you'd be fine in terms of tightening up the bass. I'd buy it

[@MesaGuitarGuy]

wow, sounds legit! Nice video Phil

[@synonyx]

That cranked sounds killer! Very reasonable price too! If I didn't have a smallbox, I'd snag one.

[@houstonsheltonbees814]

Awesome, thanks

[@-Thunder]

It sounded even better when Phil turned it to 11.

[@martydibergi5228]

yes sir

[@southernpride2003]

Alrighty Nigel we get it you like your volume at 11

[@cautious_possum]

Hi Phil, Would the amp fit off to the side of the amp handle?

[@KarenBasset]

Sounds great! How do you safely transport it? Those tubes sticking up on top need to be protected in transport.

[@jbognap]

It would have been nice to see how the top/mid switch changed the sound along with the preamp out (low output jack).

[@strangequark420]

Super cool! You play well, man!

[@user-ug6ti3op3x]

Nice . I wish you would have plugged a single coil guitar into this product . With the hum-bucks of you S.G maybe to vary the tone circuit of the guitar neck pick up to get what is known as the Clapton woman tone featuring the over drive pedal ?

[@huntergalloway3944]

This is really cool!

[@ilovelamp22]

lol doesn't sit well on most cabinets, my guy you have it sitting in the middle, it's small enough to fit off to the side of the amp handle

[@charleswood123]

I have a jvm1 that I use as a practice amp at my desk. I’ll never get rid of it. Soooooo good

[@jacobbockover1628]

I own one of his amps (red) i like it and think it a great house volume but a bit loud for an apartment like daytime no night

[@sesa2984]

That's cool. I want to build stuff like that.

[@DaringDan]

Dark Gene McKnight is the hero we didn't know we needed.

[@edpetrikk2027]

Sounds great …Needs to be put in a wee bit larger chassis though …The component layout needs some cleaning up …probably make it easier to put together

[@bruzanHD]

Got a JMP1C last year. Best amp ever for playing at home. I put a g10 greenback in it, sounds killer. Plus the combo still functions as a head when you want, you can plug it into a cab.

[@humplucker2445]

Some poor soul let his go on Reverb for $250 a couple of years ago. Glad I was there to help him out. 😊

[@jjbarnone]

I hear you…just up until a few years ago there were so many great buys on Reverb…

[@chrisfit]

So cool. I’m all about it. That said, the large radial caps sticking off the side like that are kinda concerning. If they’re unsupported that is.

[@scottdunn7484]

Never seen that color scheme on an SG before. I like it.

[@justbob9006]

This guy makes great equipment. Heard about his amps before. Def the better way to go. Better quality for sure.

[@themetallicat86]

Ordered one of these after watching this video!

[@javiereu]

Which speakers has that cab? Sounds awesome!!!

[@PhillipMcKnight]

Creamback 12"

[@KennethCrickmore-sl8jl]

I can adjust my tiny "Blackstar" ID Core stereo 40 to sound very close to that amp at a small fraction of the price even had I bought it new. which I didn't. I bought it used for under $100 a few years ago at my local Music-Go-Round" it may be a 'British' built amp or maybe built elsewhere. It works really well and with the upgrade I intent to do to it even better.. a pair of added 1/4" switched jacks wired into the internal speaker circuit to disable the internal speakers when plugged into a pair of external speaker cabs that I will build strictly for that purpose. they will be vertical/tower cabs with anything from 8" to 12" speakers. and be impedance matched to the internal speaker circuit. Yes I checked the speakers for impedance rating which is 4 ohms each so thats what I will wire the external cabs to. using all 4 ohm speakers wired in series-parallel to get the right impedance value. and adding a small amp board and power supply to each, I'll get more power with what will be essentially active/powered speaker cabs added to the main amp. More power is more better right? I may be old at 65, nut I'm still of the opinion that if it's too loud you're too old ... lol I may grow older, but I refuse to grow up. I still like stadium concert levels when I listen to my 'Rock and Roll" I like it loud. I was at "Miami Jam '82...Brian Adams, Sammy Hagar, Aerosmith and Journey...thee concert went from 2 P,M, to Midnight. at the Miami Baseball Stadium general seating only and I was 25 ft from the stage center when the barrier fence was a mere 10 ft from the actual stage.. for virtually front row if there had been rows.. LOL ... I had a great time. saw Jue Walsh and Stevie Nicks at the "Hollywood Sportatorium" just north of Ft. Lauderdale FL later that year too along with my brother and a few other friends and got to meet Stevie nicks after the show ...long story... Miami in the '80's was a great time for all kinds of concerts.. sun and sand of the beaches and a lot more to do besides.

[@lordtssd]

Really nice tone on that one. Maybe a bit pricey for a 1 watt amp, but on the other hand there is no need for an attenuator. Would have loved to see you try the amp out with a smaller cabinet aswell like an 8 or 10.

[@djpgreek]

@PhillipMcKnight which 1x12 cab are you using for this video? you mentioned it has a cream back in it which is cool and my favorite style of speaker. Just wondering if it’s a 65 or a 75 as well.

[@DMSProduktions]

It's IN the vid dude!

[@bourbongirlstakeonhistory8796]

Question: For a small recording studio, what amp would you recommend? I have a deluxe Reverb monarch, mechete, and Peavy 6505. What do you think and what else would you recommend.

[@frossbog]

What speakers are you playing through?

[@HowardFrischer]

Awesome

[@icefenix3187]

I so didn't expect to hear you play Suicide Solution. That got my attention.😂

[@rickya3877]

Very nice and Marshall seems to be doing everything in it's power to alienate it's customer base

[@stoneysdead689]

Actually, we're not their cst. base any longer- amps make up 5% of their overall sales- mostly they make Bluetooth speakers and headphones now- according to Phil. That said- I've never seen or heard of either and had no idea they even made them- I thought they just made amps. This explains a lot though- no wonder they ignore us all the time. And with digital getting better and better- the new UAFX Lion 68 sounds amazing- I wouldn't be surprised if they concentrate even less on tube amps going forward. I hate to see it- I'm 52 and grew up with the real deal, but with tubes getting harder and harder to source and more and more expansive as the supply dwindles and the technology gets more and more obsolete everywhere else- kind of understandable.

[@dv8322]

I love 1-watt amps. They are so useful. My 1-watt Blackstar is just awesome. Sounds so good. I need to check out this Kowalski guy especially since he is from my state. 🤠

[@disco4535]

So is it like a plexi pedal/amp with an attenuator?

[@Strato13]

I just bought a small Marshall combo made in England that has a tube inside, via a popular selling/buying app for just $30 USD. Sounds great, and it will make a great pedal platform, amp, I think.

[@mishmashmedley]

I love these videos. Phil actually provides USEFUL information, *NOT* just a "Hi guys, today I'm playing my 10,000 dollar guitar plugged into my 50,0000 dollar amp plugged into my 100,000 dollar cabinet with these settings that _only I_ can use on my personal setup that _your_ cheap guitar and amp will never be able to sound like! Thanks for watching my _instructional and informative_ video. Like, Comment, and subscribe, plebs!"

[@andrewdykes4589]

The reason 5 percent of the sales are amps is no one is paying 3-4000 grand for a jcm 800, 900 or a jtm 45 when you can get a used one for way less or even a vintage original one for less

[@ab9957]

You need about 2.83 volts of signal, like 1000 Hz at the speaker terminals to equal one watt.

[@kennyjohnson336]

Hey Kowalski, you out there?

[@StavrosECC]

It's not a Plexi, it's not a JMP, it's a pseudo JCM800 circuit without the EL34 power tubes. These have been around for a few years now and they sound great. I had the pleasure of trying one out a couple years ago and loved it.

[@michaelcolthart4006]

My understanding is this has different speaker ohm compatibilities….did you try it with various rated speakers?

[@doctoribanez]

Looks pretty awesome

[@motokev2727]

I owned a 1 watt JTM Marshall years ago; it was ok. I like my fender 007 head.

[@Hentarded]

I too looked into the anniversary 1 Watt amps and was disappointed with how expensive they currently are on the used market. Simultaneously disappointed with Marshall's current offering for 1 Watt amps, but the recent news about how much amps account for their profits explain this lack of priority i guess. I really wanted a jmp or jtm 1 watt, but ended up getting a Class 5 instead. I found it had the brassy, vintage marshall sound i was looking for, but for a quarter of the price of an anniversary amp. This one also had the low wattage setting on the back, and i got a vintage styled one which looks nice. I'd love a side by side sound demo comparison between it and some of the anniversary amps. I think its a solid alternative even if it's not as good, especially for the price.

[@ralph_clay]

I'm curious to what tunes are in it? 12ax7's and 12ay7?

[@nickalderman5943]

now I need a jcm version that works with the legendary tones hot mod .

[@Wtfdawg321]

So much for getting one these anytime soon now, lol

[@sirtogii5216]

Sounds awesome for home rockin. A hand made amp at that price, I’d get one tomorrow if I lived in the states.

[@DrRussPhd]

You do know that since you did this video the guy making these is now buried in work for the next few years. :) Great sounding stuff. Thanks for posting.

[@devilslide01]

With that delay, you didn’t say was there an fx loop?

[@zandig666]

I wish they'd make these again man count me in

[@Arthur_My_Dear]

They are still making them $450 US

[@guillll]

I've been using my JTM1 as my only amp for 10 years and I love it. That being said, I'm not sure about the crazy resell value. Last time I checked there was one on Reverb for 1500€ but no one was buying it so I think the seller was just dreaming ...

[@fernandogarajalde4066]

Blackstar and Sovtek did this years ago. 😎🎸

[@brandonanderson2066]

Sounds awesome

[@eyeofamon]

Mojotone has a two-channel 1W Marshall-esque head, but only available as a kit. Ever played that?

[@MaurysMusic]

That’s impressive