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Post by gunny47 on Aug 3, 2006 18:09:39 GMT -7
Hey guys, I'm new to the forum, but not too new to Dr. Z amps. I did some research, always knew about them, played some of them, and not sure what to get or what to look for.
I was originally going to go for a Fender '57 Twin or similar (Low Power Tweed Twin by other companies like Victoria, Clark etc), but now, I kinda got sick of it and I felt that they were way overpriced for what they are. Sure, the Tweed tone is great, but if I want to get the smooth lead I desire, I'm going to need a pedal anyway. Kind of a shame, I wanted that amp for more than a year and was going to pull the trigger soon, now I got to do more work...
So the main amp I was considering was the Route 66, just because of the KT-66s and the smoothness I would get out of them + a LP neck PAF. I was also considering the RXES, the MAZ18 and the Stangray, but the Route 66 is winning by far with the MAZ18 close behind. The other two are too clean for what I am looking for I discovered.
I'm looking for an amp with good, solid cleans with nice sustain (not thin at all) and with a good lead tone. I was going to use this amp to gig, and also to take at band practice, and even to fool around at home with, so it has to sound good with either an attenuator or goosed with an OD pedal at low volumes. The MAZ18 seemed to me like a Blackface with great overdrive, but the Route 66 just seemed to have that warmth and liveliness that I was really looking for. A little loud, but if I decide that it is too loud, I can always return it or get an attenuator.
As for the speaker cab, I was looking for a matching 2x12 with some Alnico speakers, the ceramic ones are too clean and crunchy. Alnico speakers have the richer sound to me and are just what I prefer. What are the stock speakers on a Dr. Z 2x12 cab? I was looking at the combo, but my partner in crime (the drummer in 2 of my bands) has an Orange 4x12 at his house (where we have all our band rehersals) and I was just looking to get the head and connect that with the orange cab so I don't have to lug the huge 2x12 combo, and for gigs, I would either use the Orange cab or bring the Dr. Z cab.
Also, what is the deal with colors on Dr. Z amps? I really love the way the red looks on these amps, but no store I know sells them. Would I have to talk to the dealer for a custom color thing? Also, I've been browsing the forum and seen some amps with custom control panels (the gold ones in particular) and other custom stuff. How have those been acquired? Thank you very much for your time.
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Post by gunny47 on Aug 4, 2006 4:57:28 GMT -7
I was looking to get away from the tweed tone, even though its one of my favorites, because I was looking to get more smoothness and more round tone, and of course, a more unique, distinct tone.
BUT, I really love the alnico speakers, much more than the ceramic V30 type speakers. Considering putting some Weber Blue Dogs in the cab (2x12 or 1x12) or some Weber vinages (like the Jensen clones meant for Tweeds).
Do you think I should go for the Z-28 instead of the Rt-66 for less volume? Do you think it is a good alternative? I mean, the thing about the Z-28 is that it has the 6V6s, which kind of destroys what was good about the rt66 (the KT-66 tubes), but the 6V6s are great tubes anyhow and will deliver the creamyness still I believe. Hell, I could always get the Rt66 for gigs and clean sound and get a Carmen Ghia combo for small stuff. I could always save, I'm a patient person.
But anyway, I really like the Rt66, even though it might be too loud, but I gotta play one... Thanks for the help.
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Post by billyguitar on Aug 4, 2006 5:34:52 GMT -7
I don't think the 6V6s will get that thick sound of the KT66s, I think that was the point in two designs. The Carmen Ghia and Mazerati can be tweed like but neither have that stinging midrange of the tweed Fenders and you really can't control the high treble on those amps. The tone control is not like a Fender, it's not a treble roll off. In it's middle ranges it's more like a voice control and effects the midrange mostly until you get it about 75% either way. Then it gets way thin or on the other side way bassy, not usable at the extremes. I've got 12 old Fender tweeds and the Ghia really reminds me of an updated, modernized, Tweed Deluxe. A great amp for tiny gigs or around the house. If you haven't heard a Route 66 or a Z28 I can tell you they sound a lot like the normal channel of Fender brown amps like a Super, except the Z amps have a lot more harmonics and springier power supplies. Not as hard and stiff sounding. Beautiful amps and I want them all. I have a 2x10 cab with my Stang Ray and it is an incredibly nice cabinet. Very efficient and thick tones but it does have that spanking ceramic crunch, only about 30 pounds. I prefer it to a 1x12. It has been reported that these speakers loosen up after about 100 hours.
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Post by Curt on Aug 4, 2006 16:43:42 GMT -7
The 66 sounds great at any volume period. Works great with the AirBrake. Sounds killer with a single Weber 30 Watt Alnico Blue Dog. Cleans are awesome. Cranked is awesome. Takes..no..EATS Pedals. Loves a Tele, Strat or a Lester, does not care.
GET A 66 and love it.
Peace, Curt
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Post by gunny47 on Aug 4, 2006 19:03:35 GMT -7
Hey guys, thanks a lot for the replies. I was considering getting two amps anyway, one for loud gigs and clean tone w/ pedals, the other for overdrive and smaller gigs. The thing I love about Dr. Z amps is that no matter the wattage, the heads are small, and there are a low amount of knobs. Im not a big fan of treble, bass, presense, middle, stuff like that. I prefer either treble and bass or just tone. And of course, with 1 or two volumes (depending if it is a 1 or 2 channel amps like the Tweeds with normal and bright channels). I HATE master volume controls. It just seems like another knob that you have to put on 10 to get true power tube distortion. If I want pre-amp stuff, Ill buy a pedal...
Anyway, the first amp, the bigger amp, would probably be (as of now) the Rt.66 with a ZBest 2x12 cab with a weber alnico blue dog and a weber ceramic blue dog. Ill try the cab stock first with the V30 and the GH30 and see how I like it. Im really not too big of a fan of them though, but Ill give it a chance with a decent amp instead of those unmodded TSL Marshalls. I was wondering what wattage I should get those two Weber Blue Dogs? I was thinking two 15 watts, but will it handle the power of the rt66? It's a 32 watt amp, but tele said it was good. Im sure it would sound great because the speaker would be breaking up and stuff. The two 15 watts would = 30 watts. Is 2 15 watt speakers safe? Would it be better to get two 30 watt speakers?
Also, the smaller amp I would save up for would be the Carmen Ghia 1x12 combo. That I would put a Weber 12A150A for that woody, fat, mid rich tone. Not really sure about the small amp though, could get a Z28 or even a Tweed or blackface clone. Not too concerned about that cuz I want to get the big amp first and focus on that. I'll probably save up for a good strat anyway after I get the big amp (whatever it may be).
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Post by Curt on Aug 4, 2006 20:26:36 GMT -7
I'd go with two 30 watters, but I'd say both Alnico, 2 blues or 1 blue and 1 silver bell.
Ghia is a great amp to have along with a 66, you'd have nearly every base covered with those 2 amps. I personally could not get the Z/28 to work for me. Many here love them.
A Maj Jr NR is another low wattage killer, more knobs but more versatility.
Also, do not judge Z masters by other masters you've tried, Dr Z Masters are wonderfully useful.
Curt
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Post by Phil (aka Phil) on Aug 5, 2006 13:59:47 GMT -7
Gunny47, Maybe I can add a little to this. I am the proud owner of one of the very first Route 66's, and own a Z28 (and a few other Z's) and a 2X12 Z-best as well. When I got my Z-best back in '98 I put two Celestion Blues in it. I played it that way for a few years and always thought it sounded good but a little too "stiff". I finally asked the Doc about it and he said that he didn't really like the alnico Blues in the closed back (and ported) cab. I started thinking about this and started relating it to my "other" hobby, hi-fi car and home stereo. I started thinking about how most speakers are either optimized for open back or sealed enclosures. It occurred to me that maybe the suspension of the Blues were stiffer (meant for an open back application), and did not like the ported Z-Best. I took the Blues out of the cab and put in the Doc's recommended paring of a V30 and a 12GH30. After they broke in I loved the sound with all my Z amps with that cab even more than when it had the alnico Blues, and the Blues went into storage until I got my Stingray and the open back 2X12 cab. Corey's rhigt about the volume; the Z28 seems to be almost as loud as the 66. Also, Curt's right about the MAZ's master. I too hate most MV amps, but the master on the MAZ Senior and Junior are killer. The reason they work so well is the Cut control. It lets you "add back" presence and harmonics that seem to drop as you raise the master. The "feel" of the amp that is so important is not lost.
PDW
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Post by gunny47 on Aug 6, 2006 10:17:34 GMT -7
Okay, here's the bottom line. As for the cab with the route 66, I really want a 2x12 because I always liked the way they spread the sound out for my gigs. Now, for the speakers, I don't want them to sound too Marshally. The amp is on the Marshall side, but I wanted more of a thick American tone. I'm not too big of a fan for the Vintage 30 or especially the G12H30, but I am willing to give it a try by, of course, getting the Z best cab and leaving it stock for some time. I'm sure I will love it anyway. But, do you think that the Jensen type speakers (like the Webers) will be good with the Route 66? Like I said, I really like the alnico speakers better. What I might do is get a Zbest cab and keep the stock speakers or go for some other suitable speaker and get a 1x12 cab and put a Weber Blue Dog or Jensen clone in it for more tonal possibilities. I really have to play the Route 66 first, I think Im getting a little crazy...
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