dewman
Junior Member
Posts: 86
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Post by dewman on Aug 10, 2005 8:04:53 GMT -7
Hi- I have a couple of questions before buying a Route 66 that I am looking at.
I have the opportunity to buy a used Route 66 for considerably less than a new one. I have not played the used one, but its a 2002 model (black).
I did get the opportunity to play a new Route 66 in our local music store, and liked it. I have heard rumblings of circuitry differences between the older Route 66 models- My first questions is, does anyone know if the 2002 models are identical to the 2005 models?
Secondly, I was told by the salesman at one location when I bought my Ghia that the Route 66 was a dark amp- He suggested that I hold onto my old Marshall Bluesbreaker reissue instead of getting a Route 66. Could this predjudice be based on the older models? The new model appeared to have some of the Ghia tones in it, but it's always hard to tell when you are demoing one in the store at low volumes versus playing in a band situation.
Any info on general tone of the Route 66 in band situations and info on circuitry changes between late models is greatly appreciated. I am playing generally either an 1995 American Strat or 1989 ES335 Dot, the Strat is a maple neck and bright, although I have Fralin blues pups; the 335 has pre-57 classics and is mid rich and a bit warmer/darker with the humbuckers.
Thanks-
Dewman
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Post by Curt on Aug 10, 2005 8:28:53 GMT -7
There are sooo many variables, here's my take owning both a Ghia and a Route 66.
The route 66 I would not call dark, while it does not "sparkle" on the top end, a nice clear top end is there, it's has am incredibly full bottom and mid range, especially with a Z best cab.
I ran mine with the bass near full up and treble around noon, volume around noon using an Air Brake as needed.
On the other hand, My Ghia is a dark amp, could be tubes, etc
Just my thoughts and my ears on the one's I have owned. They all kick A#$, I sold my Route..big mistake as I miss it. Love my Ghia too and it's what I gig, just picked up a Z-28 but have not really played it yet.
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Post by taswegian on Aug 10, 2005 21:11:35 GMT -7
I know there are lots of great amps out there and I haven't heard them all but I will tell you that I will take my Route 66 over anything Marshall have ever reissued including the bluesbreaker. It's all subjective of course. I understand the "dark" description but I prefer to call it "rich". Live they are beautifully voiced and you hear it evenly anywhere you stand in the room. Even when its TOO loud you're not causing discomfort or hurting anyone's ears (figuratively speaking), you're just too loud. Definition is magnificent live. The Z best throws too. I play original rock but have loaned it to my friend Simon Patterson who is one of Australia's more respected players for a Jazz gig and he loved it. Mega warm. Our group were sitting about 15 feet from the cab at that gig and it never made us think of moving further back. Don't forget the workmanship that has gone into the construction of these amps too. The only other thing I will add is that if you didn't have it wound up in the shop you haven't really heard it yet. For mine, the clean sounds with the amp wound up and the guitar volume rolled back are better than the amp running clean. And the dirt.... well... Like a big pint of Guinness, thick, dark, rich, with a creamy top that makes other amps taste like light beer!
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dewman
Junior Member
Posts: 86
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Post by dewman on Aug 12, 2005 8:13:54 GMT -7
Thanks for the comments to my post- I too likened the Route 66 to a rich warm sound - I didn't hear a dark amp, its just what one salesman mentioned to me "when the band starts up, you don't cut through since its a dark amp..." In his defense, I he knew that I had a Marshall Bluesbreaker modded back to original circuits w/ new alnicos and mercury magnetics choke and OT, CC resistor and sozo caps, original filtering - so that amp is actually nothing like what they sell as a reissue, although the exterior is identical...I loved the 66 when I played it- and after some serious time with the Ghia I own recently I think I'll be keeping the Ghia and getting both amps soon...if I can unload excess gear soon...
I have heard that the circuitry of older Z amps has evolved for some models, most notably the prescription ES, and I don't know if the 2002 model is identical in circuitry and gain, etc. to this sweet sounding 2005 model I played at a local Z dealer. Dr Z- Are there any circuitry differences?? Anyone know?
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