Wylde Audio Thorax

Guitarists today have an astounding array of amps to choose from, but few stand out from the pack quite like the Wylde Audio Thorax. This aggressive high-gain amp was designed by legendary guitarist Zakk Wylde to provide the thick, saturated distortion tones that modern metal guitarists crave.

Built for Heavy Sounds and Punishing Volume

The Thorax is the flagship amp in Wylde Audio’s line of guitar amps, intended to emulate the roaring distorted tones Zakk Wylde is renowned for. This 100-watt beast utilizes EL34 power tubes to output some seriously face-melting levels of gain and distortion, perfect for modern metal, hard rock, and aggressive styles of playing.

Despite its high gain nature, the Thorax is far from a one-trick pony. Its flexible EQ section and thoughtfully designed preamp allow guitarists to conjure up everything from sparkling cleans to red hot leads. This dynamic range makes the Thorax suitable for styles beyond metal, though it certainly excels when cranked up to brain-rattling volumes.

Packed with Premium Tube Tone

What really makes the Thorax stand out is its reliance on vacuum tubes to shape its versatile sound. The preamp utilizes three 12AX7 tubes to add warmth and responsiveness, allowing guitarists to easily dial in their tone.

The 100-watt EL34 power amp section takes that refined tube tone and injects it with attitude. These British-made EL34 tubes impart a certain aggressive quality that’s perfect for high-gain styles of playing. The power amp has three different modes – Class A, Class A/B, and Pure Class A – so guitarists can fine tune the amp’s feel and dynamic response.

Flexible EQ for Dialing in Your Sound

Having great gain and tube tone is crucial, but shaping your sound is where the Thorax really excels. This amp is equipped with a straightforward but powerful EQ section, featuring bass, midrange, and treble controls.

The midrange control is especially responsive, giving guitarists deep control over those all-important mids that cut through a mix. There’s also a “Tone Cut” control that functions like a high frequency rolloff, taming any harsh treble frequencies. This level of EQ control makes it easy to go from sparkling cleans to a roaring metal tone.

Built for the Stage and Studio

The Wylde Audio Thorax pairs its beastly high gain tones with a thoughtfully designed preamp and power amp. As a result, this amp can more than hold its own both on stage and in the recording studio.

It has all the hallmarks of a great live amp – plenty of clean headroom, great touch sensitivity, and a master volume that goes from bedroom levels up to window-rattling. The amp’s dimensions are also road-ready, with a sturdy construction and relatively compact chassis.

In the studio, the Thorax absolutely sings. It has a transparency that captures the nuances of your playing while also imparting the amp’s great tube warmth. The three power amp modes make it easy to dial in the perfect amount of power amp saturation.

Whether performing live or in the studio, the Wylde Audio Thorax provides the legendary distortion tones that have become Zakk Wylde’s trademark.

Made to Handle Low Tunings and Extended Range Guitars

The heavy sounds of modern metal often incorporate down-tuned or extended range guitars, both of which can cause problems for regular guitar amps. With its billowing low end and scooped mids, the Thorax is made to handle the unique demands of these types of metal guitars.

The powerful low end translates those rumbling low notes into a chest-thumping wall of bass, without losing articulation. Even in the lowest tunings, chords still retain clarity and individual note definition.

The Thorax’s mids are also perfectly contoured for these types of guitars. They are shaped to give space in the mix while still providing enough mids to give your tone authority in a band setting. Overall, the amp provides outstanding tonal support for down-tuned 7, 8, or 9-string guitars.

Born from Zakk Wylde’s Legendary Tone

When it comes to over-the-top rock guitar tone, few players command as much respect as Zakk Wylde. His work with Ozzy Osbourne and Black Label Society forged his reputation for hard-hitting guitar playing and face-melting tone.

The Wylde Audio Thorax represents decades of Zakk Wylde’s pursuit of great guitar tone, distilled into a single amp platform. It’s designed to recreate his crushing yet articulate high-gain sound that dominated metal albums and stages worldwide.

Zakk Wylde worked closely with the amp engineers to shape the Thorax’s preamp, EQ, and power amp characteristics. His heavy playing style and tone preferences are infused in every design choice and tonal nuance. For players that aspire to Zakk’s legendary guitar tones, the Thorax delivers in spades.

The Wylde Audio Thorax – Specs and Features

• 100 watt tube amp with EL34 power amp section
• 3x 12AX7 preamp tubes and 4x EL34 power tubes
• Flexible EQ section (Bass, Mid, Treble, Tone Cut)
• 3 power amp modes – Class A, Class A/B, Pure Class A
• High and Low sensitivity inputs
• MIDI program change footswitch input
• Series FX loop
• Impedance switchable 4/8/16 ohms
• Handmade construction in California
• Retail price: $2,499 USD

While not cheap, this robust feature set shows the care Wylde Audio put into creating a high quality amp worthy of Zakk Wylde’s name. The Thorax delivers legendary tone with modern tube amp conveniences.

The Verdict – A Metal Guitarist’s Dream Amp

For many rock and metal players, the Wylde Audio Thorax may be their ideal amp – an absolutely punishing high gain tone, but with the depth and responsiveness to handle technique-driven playing. It’s a fine line to walk, but the Thorax toes that line expertly.

Of course, with its famous namesake and boutique pedigree, this amp does command a premium price. For bedroom rockers or intermediate players, there are plenty of great high-gain amp heads more within reach.

But for pro-level metal guitarists that want iconic Zakk Wylde tones or premier boutique quality, the Wylde Audio Thorax is an incredible amp that will handle any gig while delivering outstanding tube tone. For some, its cost reflects the pinnacle of distortion-laden rock guitar amplification.

Where To Get Your Own Wylde Audio Thorax

As Wylde Audio’s flagship offering, their Thorax amplifier is built to order in limited runs. Here are the main retailers carrying this coveted amp:

• Direct from Wylde Audio – Wylde Audio’s online store often has stock ready to ship. You can design your own custom cosmetic options too.
• Sweetwater – The largest online music retailer, Sweetwater stocks various standard Thorax models.
• Musician’s Friend – A major online musical instrument store, Musician’s Friend stocks Thorax amp heads periodically.
• Local Music Stores – Some large local music stores can special order a Thorax, though stock is limited.
• Reverb/eBay – Used Thorax amps do pop up occasionally on these music gear resale sites.

Supplies of the Wylde Audio Thorax are limited due to its boutique production. But for dedicated metal guitarists seeking their dream amp, it’s worth tracking one down. With its incredible high-gain tone inspired by Zakk Wylde, the Thorax is a true metal machine ready to terrorize stages worldwide.