fixed
Full Member
Posts: 133
|
Post by fixed on Oct 4, 2007 8:34:05 GMT -7
I just got a Mini-Z off eBay and I'm very pleasantly surprised with it. It has such a "pure" sound to it, and it's even too loud to play comfortably in my apartment. My main amp right now is a Soldano Astroverb 1x16, but I'm thinking about getting a Dr. Z. Am I wrong in assuming the Carmen Ghia would be able to get the same sort of sounds as this Mini-Z? Basically I'm looking for an amp that sounds like this but has a little more clean headroom and volume for playing live. Here's a nice wallpaper shot of the grillcloth: www.flickr.com/photos/14610913@N08/1484064350/
|
|
fixed
Full Member
Posts: 133
|
Post by fixed on Oct 5, 2007 9:45:32 GMT -7
Well, I took the Mini-Z to practice and it sounded great, but just not loud enough. I ended up tweaking my Astroverb to try and get close to that sound but get a little more volume.
SO would anyone here like to suggest an amp that could nail that sound, but with more volume?
|
|
|
Post by aj1169 on Oct 5, 2007 11:33:24 GMT -7
I've got both the Mini and the Ghia, and to me they really don't sound that similar. The Mini nails that hot and raunchy overdrive right out of the gate. The Ghia gets dirty pretty quickly too, but it's a different kind of sound with a ton more low end than the Mini. For an 18 watt amp, the Ghia sounds huge. This probably just confuses you more and doesn't really answer your question. However from my experience, the Ghia is one of the most fun amps to play, is extremely touch sensitive, and is loud enough to gig with if you're looking for semi-clean to all out classic rock crunch.
|
|
fixed
Full Member
Posts: 133
|
Post by fixed on Oct 5, 2007 14:30:20 GMT -7
Yeah, my Astroverb is only 20 watts but gets plenty loud for gigs, no mic. I was really hoping to get a bigger Dr. Z that nails the "hot and rauncy" Mini-Z sound, but the Carmen Ghia may be the next best thing.
|
|
|
Post by T-R☼CK ♫ on Oct 6, 2007 1:35:45 GMT -7
You can't go wrong with a Ghia...Just put your crunch box of choice (mine is a Keeley modded RAT) in front of it, dial up whatever amount of dirt suits you, and....well, you get the picture..
|
|
crikey
Junior Member
Posts: 57
|
Post by crikey on Oct 24, 2007 2:01:44 GMT -7
Maybe this is out of line, but here's a bigger Z with hot and raunchy sound:
The new Mazerati GT, which just started shipping. It's 35ish Watts, though, so probably overkill (especially if your Astroverb is overkill).
There's the gain channel on the new Galaxie, which sounds plenty hot and raunchy in the clips I've heard, but it's 40W.
I don't own a Ghia. The tones I've heard from them I've really liked, but they were a bit more chimey and elegant as opposed to nasty and raunchy. I want a Ghia someday, but if you really want Mini-Z tone I dont' know if the Ghia will do it.
I played an Astroverb in a store once. At first I couldn't get a decent tone out of it, but I kept tweaking and eventually the sales guys came into the amp room to see what settings I was using. So if you have only casually tried to make your Astroverb work, maybe with more tweaking it could be your answer. It certainly doesn't lack for gain.
Good luck!
Crikey
|
|
|
Post by skydog958 on Oct 24, 2007 5:54:53 GMT -7
I second the Mazerati GT suggestion. I heard it in person at Z-fest and it is truly a hot and raunchy amp. It sizzles!
|
|
|
Post by aj1169 on Oct 24, 2007 21:38:09 GMT -7
Well, for those wondering about the Mazerati GT and the Mini, I just put my GT on order, so I'll let you know how close to the Mini it is when it shows up. Should be in next month some time. I can't wait. I've really been into the cleaner tones of alot of the Z amps, and the RxES has some of the best overdrive I've ever heard. It's a nice and smooth overdrive though, so I can't wait to hear that sizzle everyone keeps talking about with the GT.
|
|
fixed
Full Member
Posts: 133
|
Post by fixed on Nov 13, 2007 13:47:41 GMT -7
Thanks, since my last post my Astroverb was stolen! I ended up replacing it with a Z-28 head and Z-Best cabinet so no worries Let me know how that Maz GT sounds next to the Mini Z.
|
|
|
Post by detuned on Nov 15, 2007 14:25:22 GMT -7
I asked this question before the arrival of the GT, & the answer was Maz Jr NR.
Good answer. The Maz is extremely versatile, & can do a fair imitation of the Mini when pushed.
:-)
|
|