|
Post by jammergreg on Feb 4, 2008 13:21:16 GMT -7
Just wondering
|
|
|
Post by benttop (Steve) on Feb 4, 2008 13:34:34 GMT -7
Boy, you a trouble-maker! I have both here, but I don't feel either one trumps the other, simply because they are used in an entirely different venue for me. That said, to date I have never heard cleans quite like those of my Stingray. There is only one amp that comes close, and that is the RX(xx). And it comes VERY close. But the two sounds ARE different, and being human beings, we all like different stuff, so I'm certain some folks will like the RX cleans better than the 'ray cleans. If you're comparing flexibility though, the RX wins hands down. Here's an amp with pristine cleans, great crunch, smooth articulate high gain, and a footswitch too! So I think it sort of depends on what you're doing with the amps.
|
|
|
Post by jammergreg on Feb 4, 2008 14:20:43 GMT -7
Hey, Thanks, That was a good answer... Just a bit of a trouble-maker though!
|
|
|
Post by bluzman on Feb 4, 2008 14:42:06 GMT -7
I'll bite...
To Me.. due to the power of the Stang Ray, I will say I am enjoying the RxJr. more than I have the Stang Ray as everytime I have used the Stang Ray I wasn't able to pump it up at all and with the RxJr, I am able to let the amp do it's thang... I have used both in the same venue and the Stang Ray is just too much for this room. However, I am itching for the good weather and to play the Stang Ray on an outdoor stage. Then I am sure I will be singing a different song.
|
|
|
Post by ruger9 on Feb 4, 2008 16:09:07 GMT -7
Hey Bluzman... don't you have an Airbrake (or other attenuator)? With NMV amps, they are essential, IMHO. Unless you're a Brad Paisley, who plays large stages all the time and can always "let the amps do their thing", I'd never be able to play in my HOUSE without an attenuator...
|
|
|
Post by jammergreg on Feb 4, 2008 16:09:36 GMT -7
Yeah, I had a Maz 38 it was a great amp but in order to get the sweet spot out of it, I was too LLOUDD! The Ray sounds like a GREAT amp for large gigs, most of mine are under 250 people (small clubs) and I'm getting the hint the Ray better suited for single coils...Thanks Guys We have Snow like you read about In the last two storms in one week 5 FEET of the stuff ;D
|
|
|
Post by bluzman on Feb 4, 2008 16:42:40 GMT -7
Yeah... I have the Airbrake and I like it and I have used it with the Stang Ray... but once I got the RxJr. I kind of prefer the RxJr. where I have a weekly gig.
|
|
|
Post by basementhack on Feb 4, 2008 18:00:08 GMT -7
Still waiting for mine. I've had it on order since November Time to rattle the dealers cage. Besides, it's my birthday next month and I can't think of a better gift Keith
|
|
|
Post by benttop (Steve) on Feb 4, 2008 18:45:54 GMT -7
Well here's another difference. I love the sound of my Stingray with my Tele, but not so much my Strat. I like to play the Strat when I'm doing a blues gig. But the RX Jr. has a beautiful blues tone - makes the Strat cry like a good blues Strat oughta. I don't really get that out of the Stingray. So when I'm taking the Tele, I take the 'ray. But going forward, if it's a small house and its blues, its the RX Jr.
|
|
|
Post by benttop (Steve) on Feb 4, 2008 22:19:24 GMT -7
Well well... got a call for a bit of recording tomorrow evening. Got the list of tunes - came down to the studio and played all my amps. The RX Jr. is the one going to the gig, along with the new convertible 1x12.
|
|
|
Post by guitarstan on Feb 5, 2008 9:59:41 GMT -7
Well well... got a call for a bit of recording tomorrow evening. Got the list of tunes - came down to the studio and played all my amps. The RX Jr. is the one going to the gig, along with the new convertible 1x12. I'm lookin forward to a review of the 112 and how the gig went....
|
|
|
Post by brad737 on Feb 26, 2008 22:21:49 GMT -7
Please don't take offense, guys. But I don't think these amps are even in the same league. I played a friend's Stingray, and was so blown away I bought one immediately. He also had a RX Jr. Compared to a lot of other manufacturers, I can see where you'd prefer the Rx JR. But compared to a Ray, I found it to be a very trebly, thin, percussive tone. This has been my least-favorite Z. What sort of speakers are you guys playing these through?
|
|
|
Post by Curt on Feb 26, 2008 22:37:44 GMT -7
Please don't take offense, guys. But I don't think these amps are even in the same league. I played a friend's Stingray, and was so blown away I bought one immediately. He also had a RX Jr. Compared to a lot of other manufacturers, I can see where you'd prefer the Rx JR. But compared to a Ray, I found it to be a very trebly, thin, percussive tone. This has been my least-favorite Z. What sort of speakers are you guys playing these through? It is my thought that the RXJr needs a hot signal to shine, much like the Z/28. Therefore with low ouput singles it can sound thin. Hit it with 'buckers or a clean boost and it's a whole 'nuther story. It will shine...quite brightly at that BUT, you simply can not compare a 2xEL84 and a 4 x EL84 amp. The quad will trump the pair in low end every time, period, end of statement.
|
|
|
Post by benttop (Steve) on Feb 26, 2008 22:47:59 GMT -7
Fascinating. Last night I was moving stuff around in my studio, and I had to move the RX Jr off the top of my Maz Jr to get access to it. So I sat it on my 2x12 with Golds, and thought, well this needs to be played. Plugged in the golds, and I was totally blown away at how BIG AND FAT it sounded. The bass port in the back of that THD cab was doing its thing, and the RX Jr was rattling the walls. And that was with my Tele on the bridge pup! So I think it depends, as everything seems to...
|
|
|
Post by JASON (aka jgleaton) on Feb 27, 2008 1:00:48 GMT -7
Please don't take offense, guys. But I don't think these amps are even in the same league. I played a friend's Stingray, and was so blown away I bought one immediately. He also had a RX Jr. Compared to a lot of other manufacturers, I can see where you'd prefer the Rx JR. But compared to a Ray, I found it to be a very trebly, thin, percussive tone. This has been my least-favorite Z. What sort of speakers are you guys playing these through? It is my thought that the RXJr needs a hot signal to shine, much like the Z/28. Therefore with low ouput singles it can sound thin. Hit it with 'buckers or a clean boost and it's a whole 'nuther story. It will shine...quite brightly at that BUT, you simply can not compare a 2xEL84 and a 4 x EL84 amp. The quad will trump the pair in low end every time, period, end of statement. No offense taken here brad... and I have a Ray and an RX JS, But... I'll have to agree with Curt and Steve here, case in point, I play my RX JS back to back with my RX ES... and I'm gonna lean towards the sound of the RX ES in a room, just ME playing it with no other variables because it's the same sound I like, it's just a bigger overall sound... and with the Maz SR and Maz JR, basically the same thing... RX JS and Maz JR have plenty of lows and sound sweet, but when you hit a 4 el-84's sweet spot look out... BUT... the question you've got to ask yourself is... "Self" can you CRANK those amps in the situation you're playing live? Can you get to the bigger amps sweet spots and the answer for most of us if we're honest with ourself probably is, not usually... so I'd take a cranked Maz JR or RX JS ( and is why so many guy's play Ghia's) cause they give up the goods at the levels WE usually play... and may actually SOUND better than their more powerful counterparts if you find yourself in this particular situation, because they are "cooking" in the sweet spot. Not that you can't use a Ray, RT 66 or Maz SR, etc... backed down or with an Airbreak cause you can, and will work also... as long as you can get the most out of that amp in YOUR situation and that is something only YOU can decide for yourself. We were practicing with the band last week with this new bass player and I would normally use my MAZ JR's master volume up at least 1/2 way or maybe at around 1:00-2:00 but... I had to cut the master back down around 9 o'clock and it was STILL loud. So Imagine the Maz Sr/ or Stingray in the same situation... when it gets harder to hit the sweet spot even on the Maz JR!! The RX JS with it's boost and Master volume would have worked even better than the Maz JR in that particular situation at that low of a volume... it shines at low volumes and still cooks, as does the Ghia. So to really try to COMPARE these amps, like I am very guilty of sometimes... is kinda like trying to compare apple's an oranges... and it may be that you just may not like Oranges, but you're not really gonna find out for sure until you take a bite... and you can't really tell what it tastes like by just smelling it. To me playing these amps in a store or even just playing it in your music room with your own equipment and regular surrounding doesn't quite do any of the amps justice ( I'm speaking to myself as much as anybody, that maybe we're just smelling the oranges sometimes, right? ...and I'm also including the 4 el-84 amp's like the Ray here too!) So maybe it doesn't quite show the bigger picture of what they can REALLY do when inspired by a good drummer and Bass player or vocalist/ audience to DIG in and hit something from deep within... THAT my friends is when a good amp or guitar shines... and That is what DR Z's are MADE for. So I find the REAL comparison comes in a real live situation/ or at least with a band in a playing environment, or maybe even in some studio type situations where the juices are really flowing/ magic is happening... THEN and only then can you really tell what these amps are capable of... and maybe if that amp is, in fact also truly suited for your playing needs/style. I've gigged a Stingray, ( Don's Stingray to be exact) and I can tell you that the MAZ JR is as GOOD a gigging amp as there has ever been... EVER. But the RX JS and Ghia are RIGHT in there with the Maz JR at excelling in live playing situations... Now the Stingray was just outstanding also... when I used it live, very much so Outdoors and between it, especially the Maz SR, and the RX's... are personally my favorite amps. Problem with the 4 el-84's is I basically just about have to use no more than a 1x12 alnico weber with the Maz Sr and then still can't really crank into her... bout the same with the RX ES and Stingray. But I'm still working out ways to try to be able to use em, especially been working on trying to use the RT-66/ knock the power down some... airbreak and/ or 1x12 alnico Blue, or silver works pretty well... greenbacks help on all of em and sound great. I also concur Steve's statement about the Tele/ Strat thang... I play strats and I personally lean towards the RX/ Maz sounds... I can easily see why the Stingray would be someone's #1 amp even if they play a strat, I can also see why the RX JS could be someones #1 amp... My problem is I just CAN'T pick a #1 favorite amp... I WISH I could. I just have favorites for different situations, favorites that I like together and I like all of em for different reasons. I like the Apples as much as I like Oranges. So, like Steve said... I think it depends, as everything does. There are lots of variables and what works for one may or may not work for another... Sorry so long, I'll shut up now and ...take a bite, cause all this Fruit talk is making me hungry!! ;D
|
|
|
Post by ruger9 on Feb 27, 2008 3:49:26 GMT -7
All this talk of the "Stingray being too loud" (I paraphrased & summarized ) ...can't you just use an Airbrake on the Ray and THEN compare the Ray to the RxJR (or another 2xEL84er?) I realize the difference between 2 & 4 EL84's (have both here), but seems to me unless you're talking about a 100 watt monster, the Airbrake does a damn good job of leveling the "volume playing field" so we could compare amps in TONE ALONE. I'm in on this because I am seriously considering selling my RxJR & getting a Ray. Honestly, I've never been able to get the clean sound I want out of the RxJR. (In it's defense, I still haven't tried it with a Weber Blue or Gold, I'm using a Red Fang), but the tone I'm looking for out of a Z I own is the Brad Paisley ACL tone of a few weeks ago. The RxJR, to me, can get a great clean sound, but does not have the roundness or fatness of the Ray (I've never played a Ray, just listened to umpteen clips). There's something missing in the mids on the RxJR, TO ME. Just not girthy & fat enough FOR ME. This is not a criticism of the amp at all, I've just discovered that I think I need another Z, and not this one. I don't need versatility out of my Z... I have other amps for gainier tones, I want a "beautiful, girthy, clean-with-hair-on-it-tone" from whichever Z I end up with. Actually, Telejas' Ray soundclips on his site, as well as the Brad clips on the Z site, exemplify the sound I hear in my head. And I can get closer to those clips with my 4xel84 Genz Benz Black Pearl than I can with my RxJR (played thru the same Red Fang cab).
|
|
|
Post by kruzty on Feb 27, 2008 6:53:45 GMT -7
But compared to a Ray, I found it to be a very trebly, thin, percussive tone. This has been my least-favorite Z. What sort of speakers are you guys playing these through? You need to spend some time with the RxJr settings to figure out what it can do. I can get a very full sound out of it. Depending on what you're used to, it may take some time to "get it." By the way, if you tried it through a Gold - try something else. I think tha speaker is way to bright for that amp.
|
|
|
Post by Fiestared69 on Feb 27, 2008 7:34:04 GMT -7
Hey Ruger, The Red Fang is definitely not the speaker for the Rxjr,too bright! Have you change tubes? Different tubes in v1 and v3 make a big improvement in this amp .
I have since sent my Rxjr down the road, and miss it greatly I might add, but I recently got 2 Mazerati's and they easily take the place of the Rxjr for my playing situation. I do not like using an AirBrake or any thing of that nature as I feel they rob some of your tone, so after talking to Mike at KCA NOS he offered up a suggestion for the Mazerati. He told me to try a 5R4GYB rectifier which can cut the wattage down by 6to8 watts not alot but enough to get the amp to break up sooner so I don't have to play it so loud to get the sound and tone I'm looking for. I think the Mazerati ( not the GT) offers the closest Brad Paisley tones that I have been able to achieve yet!
|
|
|
Post by Don on Feb 27, 2008 9:02:33 GMT -7
Gleaton makes a really good point here.
I too have both the Stingray and RxJS. And I won't even venture a guess until I really hear these amps in a live environment. That's when you can really hear them breath and interact with the other stage instruments.
|
|
|
Post by Bill on Feb 27, 2008 9:36:34 GMT -7
My ramblings regarding the Stingray are well documented here. ;D Since I took possession about 2 years ago, I've had in the house an RXES, Maz Jr NR, Maz Jr Verb, Maz Sr verb, Galaxie, and Mazerati combo. Not one gave me what the Stingray did, IMHO, sensational low end thump, beautiful clean tone, lots of headroom. As far as grind, I get that from a pedal or two...give me a good clean amp that's easy to dial in, and I'll find a pedal for the drive. This is simply the case IN MY SITUATION...everyone hears something different!
|
|
|
Post by ruger9 on Feb 27, 2008 9:58:52 GMT -7
Hey Ruger, The Red Fang is definitely not the speaker for the Rxjr,too bright! Have you change tubes? Different tubes in v1 and v3 make a big improvement in this amp . I recently got 2 Mazerati's and they easily take the place of the Rxjr for my playing situation. I think the Mazerati ( not the GT) offers the closest Brad Paisley tones that I have been able to achieve yet! I'm not selling the RxJR until I've tried it with a broken-in Weber Alnico Blue 50W. I've read alot of people like GBs for this amp, but for the tones I'm looking for, I really prefer alnicos. I have done some tube swapping, but nothing that makes a big enough difference to matter. Funny you mention the Mazerati... today was listening to a CD I made of soundclips... Ray vs Mazerati vs Ghia, and to my ears, they ALL sound closer to the sound in my head than the RxJR does. I wish I had a local Z dealer so I could play some of these things... the closest one is in NYC, and I'm not a big fan of the city... getting in & out are more trouble than it's worth. How are you liking the Echodrive? Tube changes make a difference in there too!
|
|
|
Post by Curt on Feb 27, 2008 12:34:03 GMT -7
Not enuf diff'rnce to matter??? wow.
the NOS 5751's made a HUGE difference in mine in V1 & V3, and today I stuck in a mismarked 5AR4 and bingo..keeps getting better, that set up into and Alnico Tone Tubby is near bliss for me.
Of course..it could be the added mojo of the recent cab swap from all red to all black...Mojo baby, Mojo yea....
|
|
|
Post by ruger9 on Feb 27, 2008 13:12:14 GMT -7
woah woah woah...
Let me qualify "not enough difference to matter"... WHEN REPLACING THE TUBES WITH LIKE_RATED GAIN TUBES. 12AX7 for 12AX7. Changing the GAIN rating of the tubes can make quite a dramatic difference, of course.
BTW- what did the 5AR4 do to the amp? VERY interested...
|
|
|
Post by Curt on Feb 27, 2008 13:20:51 GMT -7
This is an NOS 5AR4, tightened up the bottom end it seems, just a quick blast with it so far.
|
|
|
Post by ruger9 on Feb 27, 2008 13:40:57 GMT -7
no change in tone or headroom? I would expect at least a raising of the headroom...?
|
|
|
Post by Curt on Feb 27, 2008 14:16:15 GMT -7
I don't set mine up for max head room (remember the Coke guy?? ) and only a short blast thus far so I can't tell you.
I run my Volume WFO and Master about noon for a gritty Bluesy spank.
|
|
|
Post by ruger9 on Feb 27, 2008 15:10:59 GMT -7
I run my Volume WFO and Master about noon for a gritty Bluesy spank. That's funny... I'm running my master WFO & my volume at noon for a Paisley-esque clean w/hair.
|
|
|
Post by gheston on Apr 18, 2008 13:12:06 GMT -7
Ah yes - only my hairdresser knows for sure.
Take one Stingray and one Z-Best, tweak the controls, and play.
This is "as good as it gets"....you can get "different", but not "better".
Sorry.
|
|