Introduction
Victory launched its first amplifiers in 2013, starting with the Baron combo and the Earl and Duke heads. The highly acclaimed Kraken head debuted in 2015, developed in collaboration with guitarist rabea Massaad, solidifying Victory’s reputation as a go-to brand for high-gain tones in the modern metal genre.
Subsequent releases have showcased Victory’s versatility, offering everything from crystal-clear cleans to intense high-gain sounds, along with a range of classic semi-dirty tones.
The MK series, from which this amplifier originates, is touted as the brand’s “ultimate, no-compromise amplifier collection.” These feature-rich, hand-crafted amps are undeniably premium, with the MK overdrive model priced at a staggering £5,099.
recognizing that this price point may be prohibitive for many players, Victory ingeniously introduced compact and portable lunchbox amps, which brings us to the MKX model.
Emerging from a stylish padded gig bag,the MKX presents a robust and durable unit,featuring a heat-dissipating,semi-perforated steel chassis that houses an impressive array of front-panel controls.
The MKX is equipped with two rows of controls: the top row is dedicated to the Clean channel, while the bottom row manages the two overdrive channels, which share a common tone stack following their individual gain controls.
The reverb and master controls occupy the remaining space on the front panel,while the Resonance and Presence controls are conveniently located on the rear panel,alongside bias points,speaker outputs,and a series,non-switchable effects loop.
Additionally, the mains power is integrated into the rear IEC socket, and the front-panel standby switch allows for wattage selection between 50 watts of full power or a reduced output of nine watts.
Specifications
- PRICE: $1,659 | £1,399 | €1,699
- ORIGIN: USA
- TYPE: All-Valve channel switching compact head
- VALVES: 3x ECC83, 2x EL34
- OUTPUT: 50/9W RMS
- DIMENSIONS: 350 (w) x 190 (d) x 180mm (h)
- WEIGHT: 7.15 kg / 15.76 lb
- CABINET: Steel
- CHANNELS: Clean, OD I, OD II (foot-switchable)
- CONTROLS: High/Standby/Low wattage switch, Gain (Clean), Gain (OD I), Gain (OD II), seperate treble, middle, bass tone stack for clean and overdrive channels, 2x footswitchable master volume, reverb length and level, resonance and presence (rear panel)
- FOOTSWITCH: 2x two-button footswitches included
- ADDITIONAL FEATURES: Padded gig bag included
- OPTIONS: 1×12 cabinet (£349); vertical 2×12 cabinet (£949)
- RANGE OPTIONS: The MK Clean Head is priced at £4,899; the MK Overdrive Head costs £5,099. Other lunchbox heads include the V40 The Duchess Mk II (£1,249) and the VX The Kraken MKII (£1,349)
- CONTACT: Victory Amps
Performance and Sound Quality
Equipped with a variety of guitars and cabinets, we began our sonic exploration with the Clean channel. martin’s intention was to create a fully autonomous Clean channel, avoiding any shared topology that coudl compromise sound quality.
The single-coil pickups of our Stratocaster thrived, producing a depth and natural compression that allowed licks and lead parts to shine.
victory is known for utilizing Celestion Vintage 30 speakers,which provide a balanced tone with enhanced high-end clarity,and this was evident in the MKX’s ability to deliver clean sparkle. The rear-mounted Presence control further accentuated the top-end excitement.
Sometimes, a new piece of gear can unlock fresh musical avenues, and the Clean channel of this amp offers a fluidity that resonates with many contemporary guitar recordings.
Unlike many historic brands that aim to replicate the vintage character that led to their success, the Victory clean tone does not evoke specific historical references. If one had to draw a comparison, it might lean towards the tonal characteristics of Vox amplifiers.
The onboard, footswitchable two-position reverb continues the trend of studio-quality sound without the weight of historical baggage. reverb position I offers a shorter, less dense sound that Victory describes as more spring-like.
It avoids the typical splashy or metallic qualities frequently enough associated with spring reverb, making it particularly suitable for this amplifier’s style. reverb position II delivers a larger, plate-like quality, perfect for solos or lush clean tones.
The OD I channel delivers a punchy,responsive sound,with a gain range that spans from a light edge-of-breakup to full-on JCM levels. It effectively captures the Marshall-esque crunch, leaning more towards the later metal-face Marshall tones rather than the earlier ‘Plexi’ sounds.
As we delve into the amp’s main feature, the OD II channel, it becomes clear why Martin Kidd’s designs are favored by many virtuosos. The response is incredibly fast and mid-forward,making both fast-picking and legato styles sound equally impressive.
When you’re ready to sustain that yearning bend, the amp provides glorious harmonic feedback, thanks to the ample master volume.
In terms of rhythm, the heavy drop-tuned riffs sound as impressive as expected, perhaps with a slight midrange cut. If a thicker sound is needed from a thinner guitar, the Resonance control can definitely help achieve that.
the tone exhibits a smooth, rich midrange character that complements various guitar styles, particularly fusion and legato, while the Presence control adds an aggressive bite.
In a live setting, the included double footswitches allow for channel selection, master volume, and reverb adjustments, covering most switching needs, though the effects loop status is not included.
For home use, the low-power mode reduces output to nine watts, allowing you to enjoy its full overdriven sound at whisper-quiet levels.
Conclusion
Final Verdict: ★★★★½
While the MKX is positioned at the higher end of the lunchbox amp market, it offers more wattage and channel options than most competitors.
Though, it lacks cab-emulated output features, and the two double footswitches, each with separate cables, can be somewhat cumbersome for a compact unit.Yet, if you value rich, flattering overdrive in a smaller, more affordable package, the MKX could be your winning choice.
Guitar World verdict: This amp is perfect for high-gain players on a budget. If you’ve been eyeing the MK50 head but found it too pricey, this model is designed for you, offering versatility, portability, and ease of control.
Video Demonstrations
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