|
Post by pkonstan on Jan 14, 2008 3:08:57 GMT -7
I have a blonde head and 2 x 10 cab. I play a Tele and a Les Paul. To me this amp sounds like a old Marshall. I thought before I got it that the clean might sound more Fendery but it doesn't. I really like it but it is a one trick pony. I think it has that Marshall vibe because of the huge transformer and the way is made. I have never played a VOX (believe it or not) so maybe it sounds more like that. But I can go to really clean to really heavy with this one amp and a Keeley Pexi Tube Screamer for bluesey, Keeley Boss DS1 for metal and I also like the RC Booster on it. One more thing I find is this amp is very unforgiving. If you don't play on the money you hear it. In fact you hear everything because there is so much attack with this amp and it's dry as a bone. That's one of the first things I noticed about it. Took me around a month to get my chops up enough to make this amp really sound good. Check out some Z-Sounds at www.myspace.com/peterkonstantakosThe only songs without the Z is Exotical and Brian
|
|
|
Post by ruger9 on Jan 14, 2008 5:05:41 GMT -7
You're right about the "attack" thing. I feel like my guitar strings are connected directly to the speaker!
I'm confused- you say "I really like it but it's a one-trick pony", and then you say "I can go really clean to really heavy"... which doesn't sound like a one-trick pony.
I will say that for ME it's pretty much a one-trick pony, but that's because I bought it to do one trick: cleanish/Paisley type of tone, for country & blues. The RxJR will certainly do rock tones, but I prefer one of my other amps for that... as saturation goes up, I actually DON'T prefer that "super-attack" the Z's have, I prefer a softer, more compressed attack. Altho the RxJR sounds amazing for rock when you crank the MV & the Volume. Saturation city, attack is just spongy enough...sweet. And the RxJR takes pedals well, I run a Keeley modded SD-1 into the RxJR on about 4-5, and it thickens up & goes into MazGT territory.
Actually, I've tried quite a few pedals with the RxJR... and the only one I DON'T like with it is the KOT, which surprised the hell out of me.
Sparkle Drive (Kelley modded) RC Booster BD-2 (Keeley modded) Barber LTD FD2 SD-1 (Keeley modded) KOT
|
|
|
Post by pkonstan on Jan 14, 2008 5:55:15 GMT -7
What I mean by that is it has one type of sound, which is a good one. But you need pedals to get other sounds which end up sounding great because the initial foundation is there.
|
|
|
Post by cementman on Jan 14, 2008 8:12:01 GMT -7
i would have to kindly use a different term than one trick poney. i would use that term to describe, say, the z-28. i have not tried very many pedals with this amp. now, on the other hand i used the term "swiss army knife", to describe the z" flagship model" maz 38 senior w/reverb, cause with that new design you can get more gain at lower volumes etc,, the added "cut" control etc.. i wonder what this jr would be like with a "cut" control,, but this lil amp has way over the top low end bass, sounds great with every guitar,, i always called it simply a ghia with more versatility. the more we talk about the tones we can get, even if we dont agree every jot and tittle maybe can help someone find what they are looking for without hearing one. i have bought all my z's without hearing them (over the years). i decided to keep my rx jr due to its versatility, i agree about the marshall thing,,
|
|
|
Post by ruger9 on Jan 14, 2008 16:40:40 GMT -7
What I mean by that is it has one type of sound, which is a good one. But you need pedals to get other sounds which end up sounding great because the initial foundation is there. oh, well in that case I'm with you. I've said that no matter where you put the knobs, it still sounds pretty much the same- it sounds like an RXJR. Most amps have a wide-ranging EQ that can get way too bassy, or too middy, etc, but the RxJR's EQs seem to be completey usable no matter where you put them. The whole "there's not a bad sound in there" thing. Altho there's PLENTY of treble on tap...yikes... I run my treble at 2, and that's even after an attenuator, which knocks some of the treble off by itself! (using a tele)
|
|
|
Post by ruger9 on Jan 14, 2008 16:41:44 GMT -7
even if we dont agree every jot and tittle "jot and tittle"...
|
|
|
Post by pkonstan on Jan 14, 2008 17:26:45 GMT -7
OK, I in no way meant for one trick pony to be derogatory in any way. I love this amp. It has a specific tone that is useful in many situations. But the sound can be different if you use pedals or your volume knob. But the tone is essentially the same. Oh yeah the bass is wicked even through the 2x10 I keep it around 4-5 with my tele
|
|
|
Post by jammergreg on Jan 14, 2008 19:58:44 GMT -7
I'd Say it's good W/my Grosh Strat and 59' Burst (RE).... Flexable enough for me.....I wonder How many RX Jr. s are out there ? 40 a 100??? any one know ? ERIC C ,BRANDON, BRENT??
|
|
|
Post by Fiestared69 on Jan 15, 2008 7:49:46 GMT -7
After figuring out how to tame the harshness, tube swap,speaker changes, and burn in time this amp is getting alot of use. I wasn't sure at first about the master volume but now I really like the way it works. All in all another great Z!!!!!
I bought mine new about a month ago, Redhead #33
|
|
|
Post by bluzman on Jan 15, 2008 9:23:07 GMT -7
I agree with all of the above. I was frustrated with mine when I used my Tele the first few times. I loved it with my ES335 right from the start. I had to rethink how I used the tone controls when I tried the LP. I just got a P90 axe and I will go through it again. I understand what he said about the One Trick Pony...
The more I gig with this amp the more I like it for RnR. I was using a Z Brake with it, but now I don't anymore and I really like how open it sounds. I never used to categorize what the job of my amps is or should be, but now that I have a selection, it's a natural thing to do. I've had a longer period of getting familiar with this than I did with the Maz Jr.
|
|
|
Post by anacephalic on Jan 15, 2008 10:49:18 GMT -7
I have an original RX i got in 98. I think one of the sources of frustration with the Rx and some other Z amps is their transparancy and immediate attack that leave you no place to hide when your playing is off. it took literally years of fighting with mine to get to like it consistantly. The good days with it kept me at it. I did need to ditch one of the 2 celestion V-30s for a H12-30 to take some of the edge off.
It seems to me that the Rx amps force you to learn to get tone from your hands. Before you figure that out they do seem "dry as a bone" especially when you are having a bad day. On the up side that forced learning curve carries over to any amp.
|
|
|
Post by prsnstrat on Jan 16, 2008 10:15:15 GMT -7
I have never played a RxJr, but owned an RXES and really liked it but it was too loud for my applications. I'd love to try the RxJr sometime. It seems as though the Master vol would make the amp more versatile than an RxES. By the way I really liked the music on your myspace. I put in an 'add friend' request. Peace!
|
|
|
Post by bluzman on Jan 16, 2008 11:14:50 GMT -7
Oh Yeah Peter! I got time to listen to the toonz on your page. EXCELLENT! Fantastic playing.
|
|
|
Post by guitarstan on Jan 16, 2008 14:58:49 GMT -7
Awesome Peter ...MySpace friends request coming your way.
|
|
|
Post by Phil (aka Phil) on Jan 16, 2008 15:50:46 GMT -7
WOW! Peter, I just checked out the tunes on your Myspace page. Very nice!! If I may ask, what was the setup for "Bluesion"? Was that a Tele? Did you use any effects? Thanks!
Phil
|
|
|
Post by 95strat on Jan 16, 2008 21:53:21 GMT -7
Just got over to your myspace...very nice tunes. And got to love the pic of the Z.
|
|
|
Post by pkonstan on Jan 17, 2008 11:23:51 GMT -7
OK, here goes.
I own an ad agency (http://kdmconsutants.com) which I am the creative director for. I took the picture of my RX JR and 2x10 cab with a Canon digital and created the mirror effect and background of the image on myspace.
Songs:
Fender Tele on all songs
Bluesion - RX JR 2x10 cab - Microphone SM57 close miked off center - Z settings Bass 4 middle 5 treble 6 volume 8 master 3ish - Pedal Keeley Plexi
100 Proof - X JR 2x10 cab - Microphone SM57 close miked off center - Z settings Bass 4 middle 5 treble 6 volume 10 master 3ish - Pedal Keeley DS1
Nick's Song - X JR 2x10 cab - Microphone SM57 close miked off center - Z settings Bass 4 middle 3.5 treble 6 volume 3 master 7ish - Digital Effects added in the mix
Pork butt - X JR 2x10 cab - Microphone SM57 close miked off center - Z settings Bass 4 middle 5 treble 6 volume 8 master 3ish - Pedal Keeley Plexi
Thanks for checking the my space out. I am recording with the drummer Mike Sylvia from INYO (check out my friends) so I will be recording the RX in a really nice studio over the next 2 months. I will put up songs as i finish them
|
|
|
Post by heynewguy (Ol’ Bill) on Jan 17, 2008 12:28:56 GMT -7
Great playing Peter!
|
|
|
Post by cementman on Jan 18, 2008 12:44:19 GMT -7
well, i grew up in pensacola,, got any job openings? i love the salt water,, mebbe i could play rythm or second allman bros type things,, very nice recordings,,
|
|
|
Post by barlowfaudio on Mar 2, 2008 15:35:14 GMT -7
Nice playing and tones! I especially like your tone on Pork butt.
|
|
|
Post by Tom the Guitar Guy on Mar 2, 2008 22:03:29 GMT -7
As a "Sr" owner, I guess the only thing I can question, is the idea that you thought it would get a Fender type clean when the amp is using the EL84 tubes - and the EL84 tubes are "mini" versions of the big EL-34s that Marshalls went to.
While the RxES doesn't get "Fenderish" cleans, it certainly can run a gamut of tones - I play everything from classic rock to country and the RxES is my number one. And I own a Z-28, Mazerati, and a Carmen Ghia. I honestly wouldn't describe it as a one-trick pony.
Of course, maybe my opinion is a little biased, and the fact that I own the original RxES and not the RxES Jr. - so my cleans are probably a little "cleaner" than the RxES Jr.'s
It's definitely an unforgiving amp, and I'm glad that the Doc was able to "transfer" that to the lower wattage model.
|
|
|
Post by guitarboy02451 on Mar 4, 2008 3:03:04 GMT -7
Peter, fantastic tunes, awesome playing!
|
|
|
Post by countrydave70 on Mar 24, 2008 11:34:50 GMT -7
Love the tunes.
|
|
|
Post by pkonstan on Mar 25, 2008 6:48:34 GMT -7
Tom,
I guess since Paisley played one and he is a country player I thought it would sound Fenderish. Compared to a 3 channel Boogie, Bogner or Diezel it is a one trick pony (people seem to really be offended by that term so I again apologize for using it) because you set the amp and that's the sound. You need to use your playing to get different sounds, which I like to do personally so the amp works for me. I know that when you play lighter a or turn the volume down the guitar cleans up or gets dirty when you hit it hard, but it still is one only one sound, albeit a great one.
It is sounding nicer as the speakers break in. I personally really am liking it using a RC Booster and the HI INPUT.
Question has anyone ever tried a Reinhardt Amp? I really love the sound of the JMP Marshalls from the 70's with the master volume and the 6550 tubes. Those look just like them.
|
|
|
Post by Buzz Fretwear (Ignatius) on Mar 25, 2008 10:21:47 GMT -7
Peter - GREAT heavy tones on 100 Proof with that keeley DS1!!!! Hard to believe that's a Tele and a Z! I gotta get me one. I use a Crunch Box right now for the really heavier tones but it has a certain midrange presence that I'm not sure I get along with.
Really nice playing and tunes, by the way. Well done.
|
|
|
Post by pkonstan on Mar 25, 2008 11:12:59 GMT -7
Thanks man. Appreciate it. I have a new tune I will be putting up soon.
|
|
|
Post by pkonstan on Mar 25, 2008 18:20:04 GMT -7
I put up a half finished version of the new song on my space. It is called new song idea. it is with my new tele. Which is a USA Custom Guitar Body and Neck. Pics on myspace.com/peterkonstantakos
|
|
|
Post by Buzz Fretwear (Ignatius) on Mar 27, 2008 11:14:31 GMT -7
I put up a half finished version of the new song on my space. It is called new song idea. it is with my new tele. Which is a USA Custom Guitar Body and Neck. Pics on myspace.com/peterkonstantakosFun! Is that the DS1 too? Great chops.
|
|
|
Post by pkonstan on Mar 27, 2008 18:27:05 GMT -7
The ds-1 and the amp clean for the funk guitar. Thanks
PS The song is now named "Joe Mama"
|
|
|
Post by asattwanger on Apr 4, 2008 11:23:31 GMT -7
i would use that term to describe, say, the z-28. I disagree. Does your volume nob on your guitar work? I go from clean to a decent amount of distortion with a twist. Maybe my G&L single coils are hotter than your guitars. I'm now looking at this amp. As I wish to be albe to go into complete saturation with a touch of a button. With a gainy sound more along the lines of my Maverick at lower lead gain settings and still have the same volume as the Z-28 and compact size. The Ex seams to have that thick saturation sound. Hoping to try a RxJr sometime to see. DAVE
|
|