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Post by Chris NM on Feb 17, 2009 19:50:21 GMT -7
Hey guys,
The half power option on the Remedy has peaked my interest. Not knowing much about circuits, I'm asking you guys if the EZG would lend itself to reduced power setting modification. One of my friends had a BF Super Reverb and I seem to remember him having that option.
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Post by Chris NM on Feb 18, 2009 21:58:40 GMT -7
I would normally agree with you, but the breakup point is still kind of high for smaller venues. Don't get me wrong; were dealing with a lot of power here, but I just think it would be cool to flip a switch and suddenly have a 25 to 30 watt amp.
The power option and tremolo are two things that I would have on my wish list for the perfect 6L6 amp. Can you blame me for asking?
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Post by Chris NM on Feb 19, 2009 17:48:30 GMT -7
There is a really great amp tech/ small builder that I got my ezg back from today after having it re-tubed and biased and he said that it would be easy. Now the question is should I. We'll see. He put JJ's in the amp and I have to say that I am pretty pleased. They seemed to tame the bass a bit.
He said the easy part would be installing the power switch in the back which has something to do with a pentode or triode (I don't think I could even repeat what he told me). The more involved job he said would be the the instillation of the tremolo because it might require the addition of another tube.
The guy had both the tremolo and power switch set up on some of his amps and they were just awesome. The power switch did what one expects them to, but the trem was out of this world. I think it had a lot to do with the fact that it was built in and it's not a pedal. The way it was set up if I remember correctly was with a 2 position switch for speed and knob for depth and it just sounded so good.
Well, my question has been answered and I just thought I'd share my findings.
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Post by Chris NM on Feb 20, 2009 18:11:30 GMT -7
Hey cash,
Good reverb and trem are wonderful things:)
The more I think about it, the more I am inclined to go for it. If I do I will certainly post some clips and let you know. I am not all that worried abut resell issues because I love the thing don't think I'd ever want to let it go.
I don't want to mess with the face of the amp, but back seems to be set up perfectly for it. There are two existing (but plugged) holes that would be perfect for the trem and a switch for the reduced power setting would be a snap.
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Post by DRZ on Feb 21, 2009 14:40:04 GMT -7
Doc? what do you think? is this anywhere within the realm of possibility. I've heard rumors that you're working on some type of amp design with tube term, but that's all i know. you've got at least a few of us hoping that it's some variation of the EEG. [/quote]
Well I am building a new model with Trem, Rev., Brake-Lite, in a 2X10 or 1x12 combo in a new cool cab design. The only thing in common with the EZG is it uses the same chassis, this will be a four 6V6 amp with true half power. This is what is on the front burner today, and back burner has a couple of other new twists.
Just remember guys I can't release too many new models at once, that will just confuse and frustrate many. With the economy like it is my main focus is on lower cost options and models and maintain status quo.
DR.Z
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Post by Jaguarguy (Mike) on Feb 21, 2009 16:23:57 GMT -7
My only concern Doc is that you with all the bells and whistles you might start pricing us out of the market. I think the Remedy at $1499 is just about the perfect breakpoint!
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Post by m1911 on Feb 22, 2009 9:58:48 GMT -7
I've heard the EZG-50 a couple of times now and think it's the best thing since the MAZ Senior. Z's Master Volumes are as good as they get. I'll buy TWO EZG's at the right time. I also think an EZG in a 2x10 Combo would be really cool too. Regarding Tremelo, I think adding Trem to the Z-Verb Box would be REALLY cool. Two really nice High Quality Effects in one rugged box. I still need to grab a MAZ Senior 2x10 Combo before I do anything else though. Mark
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Post by hogridr on Feb 22, 2009 10:46:19 GMT -7
Sounds like a great amp to wait for Doc. I know this is the EZG section, but all this half power talk has me thinking of the Maz with a half power. The older Maz is supposed to be Ghia doubled, so half power could give you a Ghia/Maz :-) so to speak.
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Post by brad737 on Feb 22, 2009 19:49:14 GMT -7
I've tried a lot of the old tricks to tame volume, like pulling half of the power tubes, and having 1/2 power switches installed. To be honest, they don't cut the volume in half. I think mathematically, it lowers the SPL by 3db. The real difference to me is that it usually thins out the sound a lot. I'm a huge fan of attenuators. You still get the fat sound, but you get the good tone at a lower volume. I hardly ever play unattenuated anymore. YMMV.
Good luck, Brad
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Post by Chris NM on Feb 23, 2009 16:26:23 GMT -7
No disrespect taken. I quite often rely on you guys to steer me in the right direction. So much of this hobby is about the elusive pursuit of "that tone" that we all have in our heads which often comes from our fingers and not our gear. If your experience keeps me from going down an expensive path that yields little or even negative results, then I owe you a debt.
There is currently a 4x10 Z cab and an air brake that are making their way to my house via. a big brown truck, so wish me luck with this next upgrade.
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Post by Phil (aka Phil) on Feb 23, 2009 18:44:07 GMT -7
The Remedy's different. The half power is just like the full power.
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Post by Phil (aka Phil) on Feb 24, 2009 17:47:20 GMT -7
Well I am building a new model with Trem, Rev., Brake-Lite, in a 2X10 or 1x12 combo in a new cool cab design. The only thing in common with the EZG is it uses the same chassis, this will be a four 6V6 amp with true half power. This is what is on the front burner today, and back burner has a couple of other new twists. DR.Z The Remedy is pretty much the coolest, most flexible Plexi voiced amp I've ever played. The thought of a "Fender" sounding 4 6V6 trem equipped amp with half power makes me sweaty with anticipation. I think I'll go play the Remedy now.....
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Post by Chris NM on Feb 24, 2009 18:21:29 GMT -7
Z really has the whole repeat business thing down. Marketing god. They might cost less than some of the other well respected maker's amps, but a lot of people buy more of them.
I'd love to see what Z could or would do if he ever set out to make a price no object amp.
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Post by brad737 on Feb 25, 2009 0:39:16 GMT -7
Yeah, but the Remedy isn't a conventional half power mod. I read where the Doc is still using all four tubes to get the tone. Maybe I misread the OP's question, but I thought he was thinking of having his EZG modded to a half power configuration, which usually just takes 2 tubes out of the circuit. My point being that he wouldn't be able to get the Remedy-style mod done to the EZG. The Remedy's different. The half power is just like the full power.
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Post by Chris NM on Feb 25, 2009 17:52:20 GMT -7
Your right Brad. I was thinking about the mod on the EZG, but it's been made clear to me that it's probably not the best idea. I'm going to try using the airbrake to get a little more breakup at a lower volume.
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Post by Phil (aka Phil) on Feb 27, 2009 5:37:08 GMT -7
Z really has the whole repeat business thing down. Marketing god. They might cost less than some of the other well respected maker's amps, but a lot of people buy more of them. I'd love to see what Z could or would do if he ever set out to make a price no object amp. I hate to answer for the Doc here but I think Doc's amps are already kind of as "price no object" as he's going to get. Doc doesn't believe in things like Matchless' fancy light up panels. The trannies he uses are already awesome... no need to upgrade those. The caps aren't fancy audiophile oil caps but I think the Doc's philosophy is that this is rock 'n' roll, not spending $1200 on capacitors per amp. I guess you could always go with even more expensive pots or premium tube sockets but again, the ones he's using are pretty darn good and I've never had a problem with those types of components on my Z's over the last 11 years and thousands and thousands of hours of playing time.
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Post by Phil (aka Phil) on Feb 27, 2009 5:43:01 GMT -7
quality-wise and sound-wise i'd put my Dr Z amps up against any other more expensive boutique manufacturer. i think the Doc just knows how to stretch a dollar farther than those other boutique manufacturers and he practices "responsible capitalism". in other words, he makes a top quality product and doesn't gouge his customers. he doesn't have a slew of repeat customers 'cause his amps are "affordable". he has a slew of repeat business 'cause his amps are amazing, he treats his customers right, AND the amps are affordable. i know it's a rare and largely foreign concept these days, but that's part of the secret sauce of Dr Z amps. One reason why the Doc's prices are so low is the "column driven pricing" that he's used since the early days of his company. I know a lot of "boutique" amp builders don't order anywhere near the volume of speakers, tubes, trannies, etc. from the vendors that the Doc does, and thus he gets a price break on the components by ordering in high quantities. For those of you who haven't been to Z-Fest it's a pretty cool sight to see Doc's modest shop with hundreds of Celestion speakers, trannies, chassis, tubes and cabs stacked to the ceiling waiting to be turned into amps by those few but highly talented people.
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Post by Curt on Feb 27, 2009 12:53:59 GMT -7
Your right Brad. I was thinking about the mod on the EZG, but it's been made clear to me that it's probably not the best idea. I'm going to try using the airbrake to get a little more breakup at a lower volume. I'm pleased you thought through that and decided not to mod your EZG, wise choice IMO.
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Post by evandael on Mar 1, 2009 19:44:50 GMT -7
So much love! It makes me feel fuzzy inside..
here's to the good Dr. ! Huzzah!
-eric
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