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Post by Deleted on Feb 25, 2008 11:00:25 GMT -7
I've already decided that I am buying 2 amps. I have already bought the Maz 38 Senior 2X12 combo with an additional Z best 2X12 cabinet. I was pretty sure that I was going to order the Stangray head and 2X12 cabinet as my additional amp. Now I'm second guessing myself and thinking I should by the Prescription ES with the 2X12 open cabinet, celestion blues. The type of music I will use it for is new country. I will run both rigs on stage with an A/B box. My band plays New country, old country, classic rock and blues. I wanted my second amp to give me some versatility apart from the Maz 38. I don't need the amp to break up on me as I run all that from pedals. My main reason for a second amp is a back up but I figure as long as I have a second amp it would be one that gives me something different. I figured the Pres ES would give me more than enough clean headroom if I so desired, where as the stangray may not. And one thing that gives me a little concern is the lack of Bass/Middle/treble eqs that I am so accustomed to. One thing of concern on the Pres ES is that I won't be able to get a nice enough tone without being too loud. I am going to the music store tommorrow and so I'd like to make up my mind by then. I already placed the order for the stangray head on Saturday but it would not be too late to change it Tuesday. So I'd just like to hear everyones thoughts on this. One other question. I'm just wondering why the Stangray is a little cheaper than the Pres ES? The stangray has less features and is smaller powered, so to me it doesn't make sense. Any insight would be appreciated.
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Post by telejas on Feb 25, 2008 16:50:16 GMT -7
My opinion, FWIW.... Here we go (I've had both amps, and I currently have a Ray).
The Maz, RxES and Ray can cover a lot of the same ground. The Maz and RxES can probably cover the most since both over drive pretty good (the Rx is loud though, unless you have an attenuator). So both can cover a good range from nice cleans to classic rock by them selves.... The Maz would be a little more versatile with the master volume and presense knobs, so you could get cookin' at a lower volume (without an attenuator). That would be the main difference (other than tone).
The Ray, on the other hand, is clean clean clean......and extremely full. Don't let the lack of EQ knobs fool you either... The tone knob can go from AM radio thin to over the top bass to extremely dark sounding. The Cut knob helps even the tone out to your taste, from dark to chimey and everything in between. The Ray is the absolute "fullest" amps I've ever owned, and that's including Fender Twin's, Mesa Boogie Dual Rectifiers, Top Hats and AC30's. I can't say enough good things about the Ray. My Three favorite Z amps are as follows: Stangray, Mazerati, RxES.
To my ears, the Maz and Rx are two of the good Dr's "brightest" amps and can't be near as dark as the Ray. The Ray can be one of the darkest amps and most bottom heavy amps, as well as run up there with the brightest too. You really can't go wrong with either the Ray or RxES, but since you already have a Maz, I'd probaby go with a Ray..... but that's just me. I'm sure others will chime in, but remember everyone has a different taste and mine didn't fall in with the Maz or th RxES as much as it did the Ray and Rati.
To re-cap:
The RxES has a stronger mid range and more top end-y... Breaks up more than a Ray and has the Overdose function. You can get pretty close to the Ray tone by cranking the lows, turning down the mids and putting the highs about 8:00-9:00, but it's still not quite as smooth as a Ray. Once past about 9:30-10:00 on the volume, the tone gets thicker and more over drive.
The Ray has more low end on tap, and a more controllable top end, and over all a fuller sounding amp. Doesn't get real dirty, even when cranked over half way.. But starting about 10:00 on the volume, the tone starts getting thicker and just a hint of grit and just gets thicker the more you crank it.... but not near as much overdrive as the RxES (unless you're pushing the front end with a clean boost or OD pedal).
Both take pedals real well too, and both are very loud!
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Post by Deleted on Feb 25, 2008 17:52:04 GMT -7
Thanks telejas. I think I"m going to go with my first instinct and keep my order with the Ray. What you have described is what I like. I love a nice full bottom heavy sound. Plus I was looking for more clean. I thought since the Rx ES was 45 watts it would have more clean head room. The thing that worried me about the Rx ES was the loudness. I'm trying very hard to get volumes under control in my band. It was great I had the opportunity to try out the Maz 38 for the last couple of weeks. I don't have the same luxury with the Stangray or Rx ES as they are a special order and I'm pretty much stuck to keep them.
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Post by benttop (Steve) on Feb 25, 2008 18:27:13 GMT -7
Yeah, telejas has it pretty much as I see it as well. The RXES is a great amp, but as you've described things I'm betting you'd like the Stang Ray better. But there is one other point - the RXES is way too much power for a pair of Alnico Blues. You would have to switch to Golds to avoid the possibility of blowing them up. Golds are not that much more, but you need to know that. The Alnico Blues are perfect for the Stang Ray however - and they sound amazing with it.
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Post by Deleted on Feb 26, 2008 12:22:51 GMT -7
I read alot of reviews on the internet for both the Stangray and the RX ES. In all the reviews I read a couple bad ones for the Rx ES but I could not find one bad review or negative comment on the Stangray.
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Post by benttop (Steve) on Feb 26, 2008 14:18:03 GMT -7
Well there are plenty of folks who have bought a Stang Ray and decided they wanted something else. Most of those guys wanted a bit more gain, most likely. But I don't think anyone has a quibble with its main claim to fame - that glorious shimmering clean it can do.
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Post by browndog on Mar 1, 2008 16:58:11 GMT -7
FYI: I've been using an RXES with an open-back Z cab loaded with 2 Blues for about a year now. 3-4 sets every other weekend + practices, no problems. (Classic rock cover band.)
Vol just a hair over straight up and the Brake turned one click. The Blues break in very nicely.
With tone and oneness, Mike
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Post by benttop (Steve) on Mar 1, 2008 17:09:18 GMT -7
FYI: I've been using an RXES with an open-back Z cab loaded with 2 Blues for about a year now. 3-4 sets every other weekend + practices, no problems. (Classic rock cover band.) Vol just a hair over straight up and the Brake turned one click. The Blues break in very nicely. With tone and oneness, Mike Yeah, if you Airbrake it you're much safer. I don't recall the math, so I have to estimate, but I know if your Airbrake was at -3 db that would be half power, or 22.5 watts to the Blues. Since the Airbrake is normally set to approximately 1.8 db per click, you're probably right around that magic 30 watts that are just perfect for the Blues.
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