Post by kidmagic on Jul 12, 2007 19:31:12 GMT -7
I've been the proud owner of a 6545 for approx. a year now, and it has been my main amp since purchase (replaced a Mazerati and survived a Z28 attempted coup). 98% of the time I'm running it through a 4x10 partial open back (avatar) cab with Eminence Ramrod speakers. Today my Galaxie head arrived and I eagerly went down to the studio to try this mean little sucker out. I just spent about 2 hours playing this thing, occasionally plugging the 6545 back into the cab for comparisons. I played it at low volumes - I dimed it, I pushed it hard with boosts and ran effects pedals - basically it got a full work out. By the way my guitar is a solid Alder jazzmaster body w/ a maple neck, humbucker (wcr goodwood - think hottish PAF) bridge pup and p90 (seymour duncan vintage) neck. It's a pretty bright guitar, so keep that in mind.
I'll just start by saying this is one heck of an amp. The clean channel (channel 1) is definitely Fender tweed - but with a familiar Dr. Z-ness to it. The EAD string notes are throaty with an almost woody warmth, the GBE string notes ring crisply and brightly with a real chime (almost reminded me of the chime on my old Mazerati). Much more chimmy and brighter than the 45 side of 6545. Favorite setting was basically volume 12, bass at 10, treble 10. It's a brighter amp than the 6545 on both sides. At noon, there is definitely a lot of break-up but its really sweet. I really love channel 1. Will be amazing for recording. There is clearly not as much headroom as the 45, and I could feel the difference in reduced watts. It may not have enough clean headroom for my band, but I'll know after a few practices. After 12 on the volume the amp starts to slowly morph into channel 2 - by 3 or 4 o'clock there is not a lot of difference between the two channels.
Channel 2 is straight up angry! This is a raw, sizzling, super hot distortion - and your not gonna tame it. Way more gain then the 65, way more sizzle and heat. This is unlike any gain from any Dr. Z. to date pushed or not. The 65 brings great power, almost like the strings are strung tighter - the notes ring clearer and have more weight - more of the potency of a highwatt. The Galaxie has the sizzle and rawness. The Galaxie is ripping the scabs off your knees. With the volume at 2 oclock I'm getting straight up feedback standing 15 ft from the amp - the thing is smoking and splitting fire. The reduced watts are noticeable again, you mostly feel it in the chest - volume is there, just not the mid-power. The sheer rawness and sizzle of channel 2 kinda caught me off guard and I think maybe a darker speaker (ramrods are very aggressive speakers) or darker guitar will help take the sizzle down a bit. I was playing with and without ear plugs at times (I usually play with plugs in live situations - but want to really listen to the amps) - and I developed a bit of ear fatigue (granted I was blasting it).
Channel balance - I found it pretty easy to dial in volumes and tone settings. The presence knob didn't seem to do much to me. But everything was well balanced and easy to get locked in. I could see Channel 1 being set-up with bit of dirt for rocking rhythm work, and popping into channel 2 for scorching, fat sustaining leads. I
To summarize, I just got to say it's really quite an amp, unlike anything from Dr. Z before - and definitely does not disappoint. Will it replace the 6545?? tough question. I absolutely love channel 1, and would take it over the 45 side for semi-dirt tones (although it didn't take my phase pedal quite as well) any day. It is just a stunning tone. Channel 2 has got that lead thing, but the 65 just kills it for rocking rhythm guitar, and let's face it that's what I play most of the time. Wow, I may actually be saying Channel 2 is too hot for me?!?!? That's CRAZY TALK! Anway, incredible amp, can't wait to play it with the band.
;D
I'll just start by saying this is one heck of an amp. The clean channel (channel 1) is definitely Fender tweed - but with a familiar Dr. Z-ness to it. The EAD string notes are throaty with an almost woody warmth, the GBE string notes ring crisply and brightly with a real chime (almost reminded me of the chime on my old Mazerati). Much more chimmy and brighter than the 45 side of 6545. Favorite setting was basically volume 12, bass at 10, treble 10. It's a brighter amp than the 6545 on both sides. At noon, there is definitely a lot of break-up but its really sweet. I really love channel 1. Will be amazing for recording. There is clearly not as much headroom as the 45, and I could feel the difference in reduced watts. It may not have enough clean headroom for my band, but I'll know after a few practices. After 12 on the volume the amp starts to slowly morph into channel 2 - by 3 or 4 o'clock there is not a lot of difference between the two channels.
Channel 2 is straight up angry! This is a raw, sizzling, super hot distortion - and your not gonna tame it. Way more gain then the 65, way more sizzle and heat. This is unlike any gain from any Dr. Z. to date pushed or not. The 65 brings great power, almost like the strings are strung tighter - the notes ring clearer and have more weight - more of the potency of a highwatt. The Galaxie has the sizzle and rawness. The Galaxie is ripping the scabs off your knees. With the volume at 2 oclock I'm getting straight up feedback standing 15 ft from the amp - the thing is smoking and splitting fire. The reduced watts are noticeable again, you mostly feel it in the chest - volume is there, just not the mid-power. The sheer rawness and sizzle of channel 2 kinda caught me off guard and I think maybe a darker speaker (ramrods are very aggressive speakers) or darker guitar will help take the sizzle down a bit. I was playing with and without ear plugs at times (I usually play with plugs in live situations - but want to really listen to the amps) - and I developed a bit of ear fatigue (granted I was blasting it).
Channel balance - I found it pretty easy to dial in volumes and tone settings. The presence knob didn't seem to do much to me. But everything was well balanced and easy to get locked in. I could see Channel 1 being set-up with bit of dirt for rocking rhythm work, and popping into channel 2 for scorching, fat sustaining leads. I
To summarize, I just got to say it's really quite an amp, unlike anything from Dr. Z before - and definitely does not disappoint. Will it replace the 6545?? tough question. I absolutely love channel 1, and would take it over the 45 side for semi-dirt tones (although it didn't take my phase pedal quite as well) any day. It is just a stunning tone. Channel 2 has got that lead thing, but the 65 just kills it for rocking rhythm guitar, and let's face it that's what I play most of the time. Wow, I may actually be saying Channel 2 is too hot for me?!?!? That's CRAZY TALK! Anway, incredible amp, can't wait to play it with the band.
;D