The Rev F Neil Westfall Used on Big Ol' Album Vol 1
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This is the exact amp used on A Day To Remember's Big Ol' Album Vol 1. Download the free V1 capture right now: Get it on Cortex Cloud →
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This amp has had an interesting life. Here's how it ended up on an A Day To Remember album.
What Makes the Rev F Special
Not all Dual Rectifiers are created equal. The Rev F is widely considered the holy grail of Rectifier revisions, and once you play one, you understand why.
It's all about the midrange. Where other revisions can sound scooped or harsh at high gain, the Rev F stays vocal and articulate—it cuts through a mix without turning to mush. It feels more saturated on palm mutes, with a punchy, almost "boosted" quality that makes both rhythm parts and lead lines jump out. Some describe it as tighter and slightly brighter than the Rev G, though once you're in the room with one, the differences are more felt than analyzed.
Buying from Joe Ballaguer
I found this amp when Joe Ballaguer—founder of Ballaguer Guitars—posted it for sale on Facebook. If you're familiar with modern metal guitars, you know the name. Ballaguer has built instruments for countless touring musicians and has become a go-to brand for players who demand precision and quality.
Joe shipped the amp to me, and the whole transaction was smooth. It was packed beautifully, and when it arrived, it looked and sounded incredible. I'd never played a Rev F before, and I could tell immediately it was different—special. As I've played more Rev Fs since, I've come to realize this one is exceptional even among its revision.
Selling to Neil Westfall
After I captured the amp, I acquired a Triple Rectifier Rev F. I couldn't justify keeping two Rev Fs, so I listed the Dual for sale.
Then Neil Westfall reached out. I recognized his name immediately—he's the guitarist for A Day To Remember, a band that's sold millions of records and headlined festivals worldwide.
Neil was in town and asked if I'd be interested in coming by Kevin Skaff's studio to deliver the amp. Of course I said yes.
Walking into that studio was something else. A wall of incredible amplifiers (including Kevin's own Rev F), a room full of cabinets and drums, and Neil, Kevin, and producer Andrew Wade hanging out. They gave me a tour of the whole place, and we talked guitars, amps, and gear for an hour. I'll be honest—it was a bit of a fan-boy moment. They were all incredibly welcoming.
We plugged in the amp and everyone's first reaction was that it sounded sick. That meant a lot coming from them.
On the Record
Neil put this amp to work. It was used extensively on A Day To Remember's album Big Ol' Album Vol 1. Those massive rhythm guitar tones? This amp.
Why I Captured the Preamp Only
Here's something that makes this capture different: it's a preamp-only capture.
Most amp captures include the power section. But when you pair a full-amp capture with an impulse response (IR), you're actually hearing two power amps—one baked into the capture, and one powering the IR. That can color the tone in ways you might not want.
This capture gives you pure Rev F preamp. Pair it with any IR and you're hearing exactly what that preamp sounds like, uncolored by a doubled power section. It's one of the most downloaded Rev F captures on Cortex Cloud, and I think this (along with our intentional equipment) is a big reason why.
Try It Free
I uploaded a capture from this amp to Cortex Cloud. Red channel, standard EQ and gain setup. You can download it right now and hear for yourself.
Download the free capture on Cortex Cloud →
Bonus: Is This the Amp in "Feedback"?
After I sold Neil the amp, A Day To Remember released the music video for "Feedback." There's a Dual Rectifier in the video with a black face and chrome chassis—and the timing lines up perfectly.
I can't confirm it's this exact amp, but... what do you think?