As of March 2021 the Park Rock Head is available in the MKII version. This new updated version includes a Metro Zero Loss FX Loop as well as an updated and easier to navigate front panel. The new front panel includes two push-pull and two mini toggle switches to control channel switches and tonal options.
Jesse A. says: Mitch, I hope you don’t mind another email raving about the Rock Head. I know you’re busy with the Jimmy Page collaboration. I’m super happy to see you getting the attention your work deserves. After about a year with your Rock Head, gear has come and gone, but the Rock Head remains the core of everything I do. The fundamental sound and versatility of this amp is truly incredible. It’s the one piece of gear I never even contemplate doing without. Now I just have to save up for the P1800!
Simple layout.....Great clean.......Great overdrive..............Foot switchable channels that are tonally balanced.
Sound impossible? Not any more.
The Rock Head 50 is a channel switching version of our, big tone, hand wired amplifiers. Based on the vintage Park Rock Head from the 1970s, the new Rock Head 50 offers what original 1970s Master Volume amps never offered; channel switching with both great clean and overdrive sounds with independent level control.
The Rock Head 50 is capable of beautiful, sparkling clean tones, overdriven blues from a hint of OD to full-blown OD and classic rock sounds; all at any volume level. Belying its simple control layout, the RH50 has some clever circuitry which allows it to perform it’s magic. Using the PPIMV (Post Phase Inverter Master Volume), the clean channel offers a variety of clean tones in addition to moderate crunch. Its great for overdriven chords. Unlike most amps with a “high gain” OD channel, the Rock Head’s OD channel’s can be used as a second clean channel or produce bluesy overdrive to classic rock with just Gain and Master controls and no extra gain switches.
Curious?..............There's more the the amp than its front panel would indicate.
Also included are three push-pull pots for the following functions: Clean channel Bright switch, OD channel "Mellow" switch and OD channel "Aggressive" switch. By using the two OD channel push-pull pots this channel is capable of everything from a warm bluesy overdrive to a 1980s Master Volume type crunch to aggressive lead distortion.
Features include Volume, Bright Switch, Treble, Mid, Bass, Brightness, Gain, Master, EL34 power tubes, a 12AX7 driven preamp with switchable cascaded gain channel, cathode follower tone stack, passive series effects loop and overall post phase inverter master volume (PPIMV).
The Park Rock Head 50 offers full bodied sound, superior tonality and feel with two foot switchable channels. Hand wiring offers ease of servicing, longest life and reliability, plus it’s welded chassis is strong and lightweight.
Shown with optional voltage selector on back panel.
Retail price of the head is $2,950.
The Park Rock Head 50 is also available as a 1x12 or 2x12 combo. Below is a picture of the Rock Combo 50 in British Racing Green that was built with a Celestion Alnico Creamback. Sounds huge for an amp this size. Email for combo pricing.
Quotes from Rock Head owners:
Mathieu in France says; "As many other guitarists I have been looking for the amplifier bringing my the closest to "my own tone". I was looking for an amp able to deliver both Fenderish sparkling clean tones to ravishing M-style crunches. And I am glad to say the Park Rock Head does just that. This is no spaceship like many modern manufacturers build, just components of the highest quality hardwired in a nice and solid box. That said the channel switching, the effects loop and the cleverly hidden switches guarantee you will not miss anything. This is truly the product of 30 years of experience and it's worth every penny." "My RH was one of my best purchases ever."
Doug says: "Just wanted to say thanks again for the amp! It is quite amazing, love the dual rectifier option too."
Jesse says: "I just spent two hours with your rock head. I'm utterly floored. I've gone through so many boutique amps, including most of the ones getting all the hype these days...I always felt like I was compromising something--normally the compromise was on rawness of tone. This head does JCM800 rawness better than either my 79' JMP 2204 or my 86 JCM 2204. First thing I did was set it on the gain channel and go to my classic JCM settings. Wow...I'm struggling to even find the words. It had all the goodness of that JCM raw, obnoxious, kerrang and mid-breakup, but none of that unfortunate buzziness that the JCM can get sometimes, that I would overlook because it still sounded so great. I don't know how you did it, but wow...I'm in love with this sound." And two days later......."I'm so happy with this amp. I can't get over how good the cleans sound. I actually sold my two Marshalls to a friend who had long coveted them yesterday. I'm going to go from 8 amps to cover all of my needs to 2 (the Rock Head and my 61' Showman)."
So then, step two of the big test...can I play surf with it too. Put it on channel 2, dialed it in a bit, cranked on the reverb unit...wow again. Incredible low end attack!
I wish I could find all the words I want here...but thank you for making this incredible amp. The word needs to be spread about these
Head:
Tubes: three 12AX7s, two EL34s
Controls: Volume (ch 1), Gain and Master Volume (ch 2), Treble, Mid, Bass, Master (PPIMV), Brightness (Presence)
Power: 40 watts clean, 60 watts fully driven
Chassis: Heavy duty aluminum with welded corners (MKII uses steel chassis with welded corners)
Impedance: 4, 8, 16 ohms
Size: (H) 10", (W) 24", (D) 8 3/8"
Weight: 31 lbs
1x12 Combo:
Speakers: Celestion 16 ohm Creamback M speaker
Size: (H) 19.125", (W) 21", (D) 10.5"
Weight: 40 lbs
2x12 Combo:
Speakers: two Celestion 16 ohm Creamback M speakers (8 ohm total load)
Size: (H) 20.5", (W) 28", (D) 10.5"
Weight: 49 lbs
1x12 Rock combo 50 in British Racing Green
