“Thumping low-end that doesn’t muddy up, and all the throatiness that the real thing does so well”: Universal Audio UAFX Knuckles ’92 Dual Rec amp pedal review
Guitar World Verdict
In over 20 years of hardware and software modeling, this is hands-down the best-sounding emulation of Mesa’s shiny high-gain model I’ve come across. For quintessential US-style hard rock tones, this is the place to come.
Pros
+Excellent sounds
+Gig-worthy build quality
+Plenty of tweaking options
Cons
-No power supply included
-Single preset is potentially limiting
-App control works well, but won’t always be convenient
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Universal Audio UAFX Knuckles ’92 Dual Rec: What is it?The Mesa/Boogie Dual Rectifier requires no introduction, but we’ll give it one anyway – it’s the treadplate-clad amp that fuelled countless hard rock and heavy anthems throughout the ’90s and into the ’00s. Back when shorts were long, eyebrows were pierced and guitars were nearly always down-tuned.
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Ratings scorecardTestResultsScoreBuild qualityWeighty and solid-feeling★★★★★UsabilityDual-purpose controls and app functionality can be fiddly★★★★☆SoundsImpeccable Dual Rec tones in a pedal★★★★★OverallThe perfect solution for classic high-gain performance in 2024★★★★★
$169/£133
A more affordable emulation of the Dual Rectifier, TC’s Dual Wreck delivers the essence of the US high-gain sound on a budget with two channels, pre/post boost and speaker emulation.
Blackstar Dept 10 AMPED 3
$538/£422
Blackstar’s highest-gain circuit ever is accompanied by a 100-watt power amp in its AMPED 3 pedal. It’s a much larger format, but offers an excellent solution for going direct or as a portable rig centrepiece.
Universal Audio ANTI 1992
$457/£359
The 1992 shares many of the Knuckles’ features, but it’s based on the Peavey 5150. For a more pointedly ‘metal’ tone, it’s likely to be one of the main ‘other’ options for potential Knuckles owners.
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Stuart is a freelancer for Guitar World and heads up Total Guitar magazine’s gear section. He formerly edited Total Guitar and Rhythm magazines in the UK and has been playing guitar and drums for over two decades (his arms are very tired). When he’s not working on the site, he can be found gigging and depping in function bands and the odd original project.
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