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Post by creambinding on Oct 8, 2005 13:31:28 GMT -7
I am stoked on all things Z and am looking for a bit of advice from some experienced players on which direction to go with my next amp.
Basically my set-up is Les Paul/Humbucker/335 style guitars with a pretty large selection of pedals (delays, temolos, boosts/OD, etc.).
I play mostly in smaller venue contexts (churches, small venues/bars/coffee shops)...
Essentilly, I really like the Rt. 66 but it is to loud for my needs, and I am really looking for an amp that will take my pedals well and clean up nice when I roll off the volume but have a good natural tube drive (I know, I'm thinking utopia)...
I guess I could have posted this in any of the different sections, but I would appreciate any input you folks would have toward my purchase... Thanks for the help.
Nate
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Post by G'OlPeachPhan on Oct 10, 2005 10:50:42 GMT -7
Well, the pedals you mentioned (delay, trem, boost/od) will all work fine with the Ghia (since you posted here, I'm assuming your interested in the Ghia). If you're using the amp to generate a large part of your OD tone, and then using pedals for a color or a little more push, the Ghia is great. The time-based effects (trem and delay) sound fantastic with the Ghia.
The other option I would consider if I were you, is the Z-28... ESPECIALLY if you want pedals to generate more of your overdrive sound. I say that because the EF86 front end is always going to have more headroom than the Ghia's 12ax7 front end. Not that you can't get some great overdrive from the Z-28 -- you definitely can. The Z-28 will also give you a cleaner clean tone at louder volumes due to it's slightly higher wattage (and headroom).
The choice between those two really comes down to: 1. Do you want the more American tone (bigger bottom and more sparkle) from the 6V6 Z-28, or the more British tone (more chime, midrange grind, and compression) from the EL84 Ghia? & 2. Do you like the timbre of the EF86?
If you love the Route 66 though, why not just get an airbrake and go with that?
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Post by Lefty on Oct 10, 2005 11:48:57 GMT -7
What amp are you currently using? After knowing that, we can steer you in the right direction. If you already have a Ghia, a Maz 18 (NR) is a great way to go!
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Post by creambinding on Oct 12, 2005 18:33:01 GMT -7
Thanks first of all for your responses... The amps I have played in the past are: an early 70s Twin, old Peavey Tube Head, and a vintage-vintage Panoramic 6L6 driven practice amp that's kind of a work in progress, avatar cab with a vintage 30 and g12-h30...
In general I think I am OK with using pedal overdrive in favor of having that sparkling clean with the 6V6, but there is something appealing about doing all the work on my volume knob with the Ghia. How much does the volume/tone change as you roll off, or does the sound just clean up?... When I went and demoed some Z's the Z-28 was the one that stuck out as most applicable to my needs, but the Ghia was the one i didn't have time to play...
Thanks again, I will let you all know when I make my decision... But please, any more input would be appreciated.
Nate
p.s. Just because I wouldn't get the Rt. 66 first doesn't mean I wouldn't get it ever (wink).
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Post by G'OlPeachPhan on Oct 13, 2005 8:27:17 GMT -7
Either amp would work. It's a matter of taste. Playing through a Ghia at your usual volume would probably answer all questions as to which amp is really the best for you.
The Ghia DOES have a great clean sound. It's just different that the 28.
Tonal character when rolling off your guitar volume depends a lot on the guitar/pickups/electronics of that instrument... but in general, the tone sweetens and softens a little bit (slight highs roll off), but that's a good thing when it comes to clean tone IMO. I know this is a pretty non-descript and subjective way of talking about it, but the Ghia cleans up 'exactly the way I want my clean sound to be' when I roll off the volume knob. In other words, it works for me, so maybe it will also work for you?...
You can't go wrong with either amp...
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