Queensryche guitarist Michael “Whip” Wilton became the first of Krank’s endorsees to visit the new factory in Chandler, AZ while on tour supporting their special “Cabaret” shows. Whip was instrumental in helping Krank develop the tube driven active effects loop on the Nineteen80 and tossed around some r&d ideas with the Krank team while hanging for a couple days prior to Queensryche’s Phoenix date.
Wilton has long been known as a player’s player, with his intricate metal playing technique and use of effects fueling Queensryche on to become a multi-platinum rock act. He’s certainly fits the description of “tone freak” and has a taste for fundamental rock tones and effects of the organic, analog nature which is what attracted him to Krank in the first place. The Nineteen80 is his amp of choice but also regularly puts a Rev+ through it’s paces in the studio as well as a Rev Jr. Pro. He uses both the Rev and Nineteen80 cabs as well as a Jr. cab close to him upfront onstage as a personal monitor coming from his rig.
Michael Wilton with Krank artist relations head Chris Catero during his shop visit.
“All the Kranks have very solid, useable tone which is important. I could go to any of them in the studio and get great sounds which isn’t always the case for a lot of amps,” Wilton said while at the shop. “The guys at Krank are doing things the right way, making killer amps while not making them so expensive that players can’t afford to buy them. The Nineteen80 is better than most all boutique amps of the same nature and half the price of them. It’s essentially a three channel head with the footswitchable effects loop and it sounds amazing live. The fact that head is $1299 in a store versus what you get is just incredible.”
Whip has a busy rest of 2010 with Queensryche dates, his Whip Ale brand beer expanding into new markets and finishing up his new Ratchethead record (for all things Wilton go to www.michaelwilton.com). Also be on the lookout for some possible Krank effects collaborations as well!
Here’s some fan shot footage from an instore at Raptor Guitars while in Phoenix:
GEAR USED: Rev+, Nineteen80, Rev Cab, Nineteen80 Cab, Rev Jr. Cabs.
At the age of 8, I inherited a bass from my uncle, who died tragically in a motorcycle accident in San Leandro, CA.....
Absolutely love my KRANK gear! You guys are the best and the only amps I now rely upon. Keep up the great work and the rocking’ innovations!
- VR TROOPER