Pricing and availability

* Product prices and availability are updated by Equipboard every 24hrs and are subject to change. Equipboard may receive compensation for purchases made at participating retailers linked on this site. This compensation does not affect what products or prices are displayed, or the order of prices listed. For more information, please refer to our affiliate disclosure.

Description

The Krank Krankenstein Head is a powerhouse in the world of guitar amplifiers, designed to deliver unparalleled tone and power for the discerning musician. Engineered in collaboration with legendary guitarist Dimebag Darrell, this amp head is tailored for those who demand both high-gain fury and pristine cleans. Built with a rugged construction, it’s ready to handle the rigors of both stage and studio environments.

The Krank Krankenstein Head features a dual-channel design, allowing guitarists to seamlessly switch between the ultra-saturated Krank channel and a sparkling clean channel, offering versatile sound sculpting capabilities. With 120 watts of all-tube power, this amplifier head is equipped to produce massive sound that cuts through any mix, making it ideal for both live performances and recording sessions.

Guitarists can further tweak their tone with an innovative 3-band EQ, presence control, and the signature Krank "Sweep" control, which adjusts the midrange contour for a custom tonal experience. The included footswitch makes channel switching effortless, letting you focus purely on your performance.

Key Features:

  • 120-watt all-tube head
  • Dual-channel design: Krank and Clean
  • Signature "Sweep" control for midrange adjustment
  • 3-band EQ with presence control
  • Footswitch included for easy channel switching
  • Built in collaboration with Dimebag Darrell
  • Rugged construction for durability on the road
Ola Englund

Ola Englund

KRANK Krankenstein - Chasing Dimebags Tone

Video thumbnail for KRANK Krankenstein - Chasing Dimebags Tone by Ola Englund

KRANK Krankenstein - Chasing Dimebags Tone

Ola Englund

Ola Englund

Video thumbnail for Krank Krankenstein - Freq Range Test by Rithiya Khiev (RHK Studios)

Krank Krankenstein - Freq Range Test

Rithiya Khiev (RHK Studios)

Rithiya Khiev (RHK Studios)

Video thumbnail for Krank Krankenstein - Review (Celestion V30 & G12T75) by Thiago Sforcin

Krank Krankenstein - Review (Celestion V30 & G12T75)

Thiago Sforcin

Thiago Sforcin

Video thumbnail for Krank Krankenstein Amp Head by gearwire

Krank Krankenstein Amp Head

gearwire

gearwire

Reviews

PROS

  • Offers tones comparable to Diezel vh4, Bogner Ubershall, and more

  • Highly versatile EQ with sweep for infinite sound modulation

  • Original 5881 (6l6) model suitable for all music styles

  • Clean channel produces fabulous sound with the right pickups

  • Dirty channel delivers creamy distortion with an OD pedal

  • Unique sound, not just another Marshall or 5150 clone

  • Exceptional durability and high gain metal tone capability

  • Dual master channel selection ideal for guitar solos

  • Endorsed by DIME, adding to its cool factor

CONS

  • Requires skill and adjustment to fully exploit its capabilities

Owner Insights

We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Krank Krankenstein Head.

Features and functionality

  • Inside dipswitches allow switching between Dime and Rev1 voicings, taming the ice pick presence for a more balanced tone.

    Source
  • Known for being heavy without Triple Rectifier's white noise; clear enough to handle cowboy chords while maintaining a massive sound.

    Source
  • The Krankenstein cabinets are equipped with 150w Texas Heat speakers and a rare chrome grill, enhancing both sound and aesthetics.

    Source

Build quality

  • Custom Poplar 4x12 cabs with Eminence Legends, praised for their powerful sound, were built by Tony Krank himself.

    Source

Comparisons

  • Described as a high gain hot rodded Marshall, especially effective at high volumes, providing a thrash/scoopy metal sound.

    Source
  • The Krankenstein+ head is preferred over the original for its higher wattage and rarity, especially in good cosmetic condition with the chrome plate option.

    Source

User experience

  • Owners highlight the amp's clarity and heaviness, regretting selling due to its unique tonal qualities.

    Source
  • Owners often regret selling their Kranks due to their underrated sound quality, comparable to higher-priced models like the uberschall.

    Source

Use cases and applications

  • The amp's oversized cabinet dimensions, 34.5” tall and 30” wide (37.5” with wheels), make it a commanding presence, suitable for large spaces.

    Source

Value and pricing

  • Previously undervalued, good condition Krank amps have become rare and pricey, reflecting their increased desirability and market scarcity.

    Source
Add

4.5 out of 5

Based on 4 Reviews and 18 Ratings

5 star
4 star
3 star
2 star
1 star
E

Le meilleur des amplis.

C’est le meilleur des amplis que j’ai essayé et sur lesquels j’ai joué. Il faut savoir s’en servir et le régler . Vous en tirerez le son d’un Diezel vh4 , d’un Bogner Ubershall , d’un Engl Savage , d’un Randall Satan et j’en passe . L’eq qui sera toujours modulable grâce au sweep vous permettront l’infini . Ce modèle original en 5881 (6l6) sonnera pour tout les styles , Les deux canaux vous permettront d’être switch avec un simple jack .

wathbrendan

This amp bloody kills

Keep in mind that this review is based on the 100w Model. I've owned this amp for around two years so far and I use it for everything. With the right set of pickups, the clean channel sounds fabulous, chuck a Maxon OD808 in front of the dirty channel with the presence pushed up and you'll get the most gnarly, creamy distortion. If you don't want to sound like every person going around with either a Marshall or a 5150, I highly recommend the Krankenstein.

grandpahardwood

T-O-N-E

The versatility and durability of this amp is phenomenal and gives of that high gain metal tone good enough for... well you know ;) The dual master channel selection is an amazing feature for those ripping guitar solos. I have not played through a better amp in my opinion.

jimmarchi1

everyone is down on Krank for some reason, but I was quite taken with the few have tried. Granted they were less brutal models, more like hot-rodded JCM800 heads, but they really nailed the 80s hard rock sound with more versatility than an 800 or similar 80s or 90s Laney. I suspect Krank's aggressive internet marketing, Cartoon Network association and .hideous looks turned a lot of the tone cognoscenti off.

donnyj

KRANK Krankenstein Head

Well DIME RULES and so does this head. Looks cool, sounds amazing and is endorsed by DIME. When I spoke to the KRANK people and mentioned my serial number they said it is a very early one, one of the first sent out to a customer or to anybody for that matter.

Roles:
Genres:

Artist usage

Add artist
See how James Hetfield uses Krank Krankenstein Head

James Hetfield

Singer, Guitarist

Metallica

...
Verified via Groundguitar

Around 2007, prior the recording of Death Magnetic James started experimenting with Krank Krankenstein and Revolution 1 amps, which he ended up using on the album.

See how Dimebag Darrell uses Krank Krankenstein Head

Dimebag Darrell

Guitarist

Pantera

...
Verified via Photo

In this article from Guitar World, they write that Darrell collaborated in designing this amp, but was killed before the official release of it. "Dime started using a Krank Revolution stack onstage with Damageplan, but he also started collaborating with Krank amp designer Tony Dow on a new model that became known as the Krankenstein. Dime called it a “super hot-rod hell-raiser version” of the Revolution. 'I got rid of everything in my rack,' Dime said. 'Now I go straight into the Krank and let it blaze. The less shit you run through, the more pure your tone is. I always thought that I had to have my six-band EQ and my PQ4 and jack everything up to high hell. Now I plug in and let it rip.'"

See how Ola Englund uses Krank Krankenstein Head

Ola Englund

Guitarist, Podcasters & Streamers

Six Feet Under

...
Verified via YouTube
See how Patrick Stump uses Krank Krankenstein Head

Patrick Stump

Drummer, Keyboardist

Fall Out Boy

...
Verified via YouTube

Patrick used the Krankenstein during touring for "From Under The Cork Tree", he then switched back to Dual Rectifiers.

See how Jeff Loomis uses Krank Krankenstein Head

Jeff Loomis

Guitarist, Composer

Arch Enemy

...
Verified via YouTube

He used KRANK Krankenstein Head on the NEVERMORE - The Year Of The Voyager DVD

See how Michael Amott uses Krank Krankenstein Head

Michael Amott

Guitarist

Arch Enemy

...
Verified via Photo

This gear diagram of Michael's stage setup includes two Krank Krankenstein heads.

See how Kevin 'Noodles' Wasserman uses Krank Krankenstein Head

Kevin 'Noodles' Wasserman

Guitarist

The Offspring

...
Verified via Photo

Noodles used a Krank Krankenstein amp to record "Rise and Fall, Rage and Grace" album.

"And then the Dimebag Darrell Krank amp which actually sounded really good. [Laughs] I wouldn't think that a Dimebag Darrell amp would work for us at all but it really sounds really good. It's a lot more varied; not that there's anything against Dimebag, it's just different styles, you know what I'm saying? It's actually a really cool and great amp." - Noodles

See how Christian Olde Wolbers uses Krank Krankenstein Head

Christian Olde Wolbers

Guitarist, Bassist

Fear Factory

...
Verified via Photo

Three Krank Krankenstein heads can be seen in this detailed gear diagram of Christian Olde Wolbers' Fear Factory stage setup.

See how Curtis Ward uses Krank Krankenstein Head

Curtis Ward

Guitarist

Bring Me The Horizon

...
Verified via YouTube

In this YouTube video of Bring Me the Horizon playing live in Boise, Idaho at Warped Tour 2008, you can see Curtis Ward playing through a Krank Revolution 1 preamp, along with Lee Malia playing a Krankenstein. If you go onto the Internet Archives and look at the Bring Me the Horizon website you can also see they were proudly sponsored by Krank amps. Multiple other videos from the 2008 Warped Tour also show them playing through Krank heads.

See how Morgan Lander uses Krank Krankenstein Head

Morgan Lander

Singer, Guitarist

Kittie

...
Verified via GuitarPlayer.com

Quoted in the "Does your minimalist recording approach extend to your gear?" section

See how Andy Sneap uses Krank Krankenstein Head

Andy Sneap

Guitarist, Composer

Judas Priest

...
Verified via Photo

As seen in Andy's studio in this Instagram photo.

T

Tara McLeod

Guitarist

Kittie

...
Verified via GuitarPlayer.com

Lander states that both she and McLeod use the same amps/cabs:

Lander: I like my guitars to be basic. I’m playing a custom Hamer Victor, but I didn’t want much in the way of modifications. I asked for EMG 81 pickups, because they are good for metal, and I was good to go. We both use the Krank 100-watt Krankenstein Dimebag Darrell Model through Krank 4x12 cabinets. The amp was designed with Dime in mind, so it has the appropriate edge and balls. I’ve always loved straight amp distortion. Simple works best for me.

Used With

Based on how musicians on Equipboard use Krank Krankenstein Head, it is most commonly used with the following gear.

Krank 412 Guitar Cabinet
Krank 412 Guitar Cabinet Guitar Amplifier Cabinets
2
Krank Revolution 100-watt Head
Krank Revolution 100-watt Head Guitar Amplifier Heads
2
Boss DD-6 Digital Delay
Boss DD-6 Digital Delay Delay Effects Pedals
1
Peavey 6505 Guitar Amp Head
Peavey 6505 Guitar Amp Head Guitar Amplifier Heads
1
Boss OC-2 Octaver
Boss OC-2 Octaver Harmonizer & Octave Effects Pedals
1
Boss NS-2 Noise Suppressor
Boss NS-2 Noise Suppressor Noise Gate Effects Pedals
1
DigiTech WH-4 Whammy (4th Gen)
DigiTech WH-4 Whammy (4th Gen) Harmonizer & Octave Effects Pedals
1
Peavey 5150 120-Watt Head
Peavey 5150 120-Watt Head Guitar Amplifier Heads
1

5 alternative and related items for Krank Krankenstein Head, curated by the Equipboard community.

Hughes & Kettner TriAmp MK II Guitar Amplifier Head

$899.00

similar sound

Agressivity , Crunchy , Clarity , versatile … it’s really punchy . Perfect with Krank amp or Bogner Ubershall

Krank Revolution 100-watt Head

 

similar sound

It’s krank sound, fizzy tone , clarity , agressivity , very versatile and tone control .

Engl Savage 120 Mark II E610/2

$2,285.00 - $3,169.99

similar sound

Agressive , clarity , crunchy , chuggy, silent amp , versatile…. Blaa blaa

Diezel VH4 100W Tube Guitar Head Amp

$2,799.00 - $4,499.99

similar sound

Big sound , aggressive , clarity, versatile , crunchy …

Marshall JVM410H

$1,282.00 - $1,999.99

similar sound

Versatile , clarity , punchy ,crunchy and great possibilty with all style..

More Krank Guitar Amplifier Heads

Community setups

Gear Guides

  • Added to Equipboard on by

    donnyj
    donnyj

    Gear IQ 327