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Post by twoscoobysnacks on Mar 17, 2009 20:31:04 GMT -7
Boy are my arms....ahhh never mind. Hi all. I am a Dr Z newbie. I just learned about Dr Z amps several months back. I know, where have I been all these years?! I've heard the Galaxie several times and was blown away by the tone and had to have one. I finally purchased a blonde Gal 210 combo. But right now I am like a kid that was given his gifts on Christmas Eve, but told to wait until New Years to open them. I live in a small condo and I can't turn the volume up much past 8 o'clock (I am not sure I even turned it on at all). So my question is, will the Brake Lite be enough to quiet the Gal down to appropriate apartment/condo levels? (I know, that depends on how much neighbors can tolerate.) Or will I need to get a big boy attenuator? I would say I play at home about 75% of the time. The other 25%, I get together with friends to jam and can turn it up some. I'd appreciate your input. Thanks.
In my previous amp life, I had some pretty average amps. Therefore I became quite a pedal junkie. I know many of you on here say the Gal needs no pedals, but since I have a few, I plan on testing it out. I currently have a Fulltone OCD, MXR Carbon Copy Delay, Keeley Java Boost, Keeley Compressor, and MXR Phase 90. As soon as I can play the amp at decent levels, I'll check it out with the pedals. If anybody is interested in any of the pedals above, I will post my thoughts on how they sound with the Gal.
BTW, this is a great forum.
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Post by T-R☼CK ♫ on Mar 17, 2009 20:52:08 GMT -7
The real Galaxie magic happens with both vols around noon....The brakelite should serve you well. OutSTANDING amplifier when you can get the goods. No pedals required, except for the occasional modulation/Flying Dragon..
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Post by blackice on Mar 17, 2009 22:56:49 GMT -7
+2. I just picked up a brake Lite. Yes it's the Bomb. I'll give it a run in the morning & let know what I think about the VOL. in an Apt.
Cheers, Richard
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Post by T-R☼CK ♫ on Mar 17, 2009 23:56:23 GMT -7
Feel confident listening to what Richard has to say about the Galaxie/BrakeLite. He is a gigging musician, and that 'ol boy gets some knarly assd' tone w/his rig...
Personally, as far as attenuators... I use a 70's Sholz power soak w/mine. I have had a couple lying around for 30+ years, and they work well w/every tube amp I have ever owned.
If it 'aint broke...
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Post by twoscoobysnacks on Mar 18, 2009 3:09:03 GMT -7
Thanks for the replies. I've heard the Galaxie cranked a few times and was amazed at the sound of the amp. I just want to make sure I get the right attenuator that will allow me to crank the amp. I am anxious to hear Richard's results. Thanks again.
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Post by Joey Beverages on Mar 18, 2009 5:30:38 GMT -7
Congrats on the new Galaxie. Blonde? 210 combo? Very cool! In regards to attenuation/volume issues, not much else to add ... but I too am curious to hear back from Richard about his findings for live and apt settings. And, T-rock has covered nicely about vols and where the magic begins ... and he is very right about how the Galaxie matches up with a Flying Dragon cheers always, eh Joel
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Post by blackice on Mar 18, 2009 9:55:50 GMT -7
twoscoobysnacks I would love to tell you the Brake Lite would work in a small condo, but I don't think so. I have the Vol. at 9:00, Tone knobs 12:00. Brake lite fully anttenuated. For me it's not too loud, but most people don't want to hear a guitar unless it's on the radio. I think you will need a big boy attenuator. But if you can get away with your Galaxie at 8:00 in your place now, a Brake Lite would work. Messing with the tone knobs lowers the volume. You could mess with your OCD pedal crank the gain & turn down the volume. Enjoy you BABY they like to be played. Let me know what you do.
Richards
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Post by JD on Mar 18, 2009 14:43:16 GMT -7
I own both a BrakeLite and AirBrake and a 2x10 Galaxie combo. I think you need an AirBrake for the apartment where you can use the bedroom setting. In small room gigs I usually have my BrakeLite on 3 or 2 depending on how hard the drummer hits it in a small 60 person club. The 4 setting on the BrakeLite would be ideal for a restaurant where people are still eating and the drummer is using hot-sticks. But probably still too loud for the apartment.
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Post by twoscoobysnacks on Mar 18, 2009 16:18:16 GMT -7
Richard, Jd and the other who have replied, thanks so much for the information. I've been reading this forum for a few months now and have been impressed with how willing you guys are to help out each other. It looks like I'll need to go with the AirBrake for home use. A local music shop has one in stock, and I should be able to get it before the weekend. I may pick up the BrakeLite sometime down the line for when I head out for some jam sessions. Joel, I've seen a few of your posts commenting on the blonde 210 combo. I haven't heard much my Gal yet, but she sure looks nice. Thanks for all the help guys. Ben
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Post by twoscoobysnacks on Mar 19, 2009 21:43:31 GMT -7
Sigh! I had a chance to borrow an Airbrake from an acquaintance. With the Airbrake on the bedroom level and full attenuation, I was able to get managable volumes out of the Galaxie. But I also had to deal with the buzz others have pointed out. I also used my OCD as sort of a "reverse" clean boost - turned the gain down to zero and turned the volume down a bit. Using both the Airbrake and OCD, I was to turn up the volume on the Galaxie a bit on both channels to hear a bit of dirt. But I was basically muffling the tones that so drew me to the Galaxie. Alas, I think the Galaxie is going to have to go back. Uggg! I so like the sound of 6L6 amps. But if I can't crank the Galaxie a bit to hear those tones, it's not much use to me. I've never heard the Z28 live. But I suppose I'll have the same issue with it being too loud. I have heard the Max Jr but not enough to make a decision on it yet. So the search continues for me. Thanks again for the help to all those that replied to my post. BTW, just for one good measure, I did crank the Galaxie for a few minutes this afternoon without the Airbrake. I had some paybacks coming to a few neighbors.
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Post by twoscoobysnacks on Mar 20, 2009 6:31:56 GMT -7
I hear ya, Ward. I am contemplating holding onto the Galaxie to use when I get together with friends to jam (about once a month). We usually play in some places where I can turn the amp up a good bit. And then I'll find a more everyday amp.
When I played the Galaxie before, I realized it was loud, just not THAT loud. I thought a could get away with a couple of clicks on an attenuator at home.
I am sure you have figured out from my post that I am new to owning a high output tube amp. So ok, stupid question. If I picked up something like a Mini Z head, are there any issues with me running the Mini Z through the speakers of the Galaxie combo?
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Post by twoscoobysnacks on Mar 20, 2009 7:16:13 GMT -7
Thank you very much, Ward. I have a few options to consider.
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Post by JD on Mar 20, 2009 7:49:20 GMT -7
Yes the Airbrake does compress your sound especially at the bedroom settings. I forget how spoiled I am in that I never turn on an amp at home except maybe the battery powered Danelectro when I am on the back deck. 3 years ago I was doing a weekly jam with friends at home and now I gig 2 to 4 times a week Of course it is not due to talent - just hooking up with the right people and doing some marketing. I am really looking forward to this summer as 17 of our 22 gigs booked so far are for outdoor venues, we have 3 blues festivals, and get to open for Kenny Wayne Shepherd on the same stage at one event. Looking forward to running the 2x10 Gal Combo with the extension 2x10 cabinet and no attenuation!
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Post by twoscoobysnacks on Mar 20, 2009 8:55:37 GMT -7
Just rub it in, JD! And don't sell your talents short. I've seen some of the clips you have posted and like what I have seen/heard. I am beginning to like the route of the Mini-Galax-Z, but I am sure my accountant won't like it. I do appreciate all the input. Ben
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