burny
New Member
Posts: 2
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Post by burny on Jan 22, 2008 20:05:56 GMT -7
Hi All - I am new here posting, but have been lurking reading all your comments on the Mini Z......
I just received my new Mini-Z head from Music Toyz in Maine. I really choose this head via sound samples from the site and user comments in the forum as I could not find one in the Nashville area to audition.
I am sad to report that I am honestly very disappointed in the tone. The amp seems to be functioning just fine, but the tone is really blatty and buzzy and dead. I have tried it with 2 different 8 ohm speakers (a vintage 30 and a Weber Blue dog) with the same results. I have also tried it with a variety of guitars - P-90's, Seymour humbuckers, Dimarzio single coils.....no luck. I was really hoping for some pure "class-A" tone, but the break-up in the amp is really muddy and the upper-end distortion is very buzzy and "distortion box" sounding. Sounds nothing like any of the many samples I heard.
Do you thing there could possibly be a problem with my amp?? My amp shipped with 2 groove tubes installed.
I did let it sit on for a long while for a warm up with not too much change.
Your comments and any input you all might have would be most appreciated.....
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paolot
New Member
"You must defeat my Dragon Punch to stand a chance!"
Posts: 21
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Post by paolot on Jan 22, 2008 23:21:38 GMT -7
I am by no means an expert when it comes to this kinda stuff, but I would say give the amp a little more time.
I just got my mini about a week ago, and I am finding that I am still really learning and exploring its possibilities. Even though it only has two knobs it seems like there is still is quite a learning curve when it comes to knowing what volume to set the amp at, how high to set the attenuator, what volume and tone to set your guitar at. This amp is also super sensitive to your touch, giving you a wide breath of tone and color at your disposal just from your picking.
I would suggest maybe lowering the volume a bit for starters and playing with the amp at a lower gain setting. I find that I am playing with the volume hovering around 10' to 11' o-clock, and I am having a bit of an easier time controlling the sound and adjusting the various knobs if I start at a lower setting and then adjust from there.
It could also be that maybe the speaker combinations you have aren't to your liking. Currently I have mine pared with a Celestion G12h30, and I think it sounds pretty darn cool, but as I said I feel like I am still in the learning process trying to pull all the tones I want out of this amp.
Oh and one more thing! I have been messing with my pickup height, with promising results to help me find that sweet spot.
Not sure if any of that stuff helps you out at all, but I hope it does! GL!
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Post by wilhelm on Jan 23, 2008 2:25:42 GMT -7
Burny and Paolot, keep us posted about your experience with the MiniZ. I´m very interested in this amp. I want one for home practice. Maybe a 5751 in the preamp section would help to tame the distortion. Try 2 other tubes in the MiniZ and hear if it sounds the same as before.
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burny
New Member
Posts: 2
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Post by burny on Jan 23, 2008 11:27:14 GMT -7
So - I emailed back and forth with Brent from Dr. Z......
I have removed the Groove Tubes that came with the amp and replaced the 12AX7 with a JJ ECC83 and a Mullard EL84. HUGE difference. The "buzzy" distortion is virtually gone and the tightness and evenness of the tube compression is noticeably better. Distorted open chords sound really good now.
(I am trying the amp with Seymour buckers in an LP Standard, Strat with DiMarzio Virtual Vintage, and Reverend with P-90's)
The next step is speaker choice - the Weber Blue Dog Alnico 15W doesn't sound good at all.....very "blatty". The Celestion V30 is significantly better, tho still a bit blatty. Going to try a Greenback and and H30 asap.
I think as user paolot mentioned, this amp is SO touch sensitive, that every little change - guitar, tubes, speaker choice.....really make a difference.
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Post by wilhelm on Jan 23, 2008 13:31:47 GMT -7
Hi Burny, nice to hear that the amp sounds better with changing the tubes. Keep us posted which speaker is doing it for you. Hope to see a Mini in my house this summer. GT wants a little brother.
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paolot
New Member
"You must defeat my Dragon Punch to stand a chance!"
Posts: 21
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Post by paolot on Jan 23, 2008 13:37:51 GMT -7
Yeah very cool burny, I am happy that things are going better! As wilhelm said keep us posted on the speakers. I am curious to hear what everybody thinks about different 1x12's paired with this amp!
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Post by bluzman on Jan 23, 2008 17:00:06 GMT -7
I like the Celestion Blues 2x12 with the Mini, but I like a 2x10 Cabinet I have with Weber Ceramic Blue Pup and Silver Ten... Great punchyness... well right now anyways. Also it sounds really nice with the Maz Jr. 2x10 speakers with the Mini as the power. I like it with the Z-Best but as it breaks up it gets too dark for me. Sounds good with a Ceramic Weber 15 I have too, but as you crank it, it gets too dark again. Some of my friends like the darker sounds. Sometimes I just revisit this stuff a little too much me thinks...
I still have to try my other speaker options... Stay tuned.
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paolot
New Member
"You must defeat my Dragon Punch to stand a chance!"
Posts: 21
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Post by paolot on Jan 25, 2008 14:26:50 GMT -7
I just read a discussion on the speakers and cabs forum about Lopo cabs. They have a diagonal closed back 2x12 that has got me really interested. I am thinking about picking it up with a pair of greenbacks. What do you guys think? Do any of you have any experience with the mini z head and a closed back 2x12 with greenbacks? I am thinking that the diagonal cab would look pretty sexy with the mini z. Any thoughts?
P.S. Burny, I just got a NOS brimar from mike at KCA, and it is blowing my socks off, I would recommend trying one out in your mini if you have the spare cash lying around. It really like the tone, and articulation. ;D
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