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Post by Curt on Jan 30, 2010 13:47:50 GMT -7
I assume the Billy your talking about is Billy Gibbons. Correct
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Post by kjv02 on Jan 30, 2010 15:14:02 GMT -7
I assume the Billy your talking about is Billy Gibbons. the one and only reverend willie g
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Post by mtlrecords on Jan 30, 2010 16:59:01 GMT -7
Thought I would chime in (pun intended), as I have spent some time with both the Monza head (through Z-Best cab) and the Monza 1x10 combo.
I totally agree with earlier sentiments that the Monza has gain + clarity. It's kind of unreal, actually. I have played quite a few "gain" amps where you can lower the Master and boost the gain and you can get some happening sounds. The SRZ-65 can do that well, but I am thinking more along the lines of the Orange Rockerverb 50, the Bogner Shiva, Vox AC50, etc.
The Monza is a little different, not necessarily better (well, OK, kind of better) or worse, but different. I see the Monza as if Dr. Z cut the SRZ-65 gain stage out and married it to the circuitry of the MAZ 18 Jr. I say this because it has gain, sustain and CHIME. The chime is where the magic lies for me. Others may prefer the more Marshall type of "chug" that the SRZ-65 and other amps of this ilk churn out. All I know is, I thought I knew which amps I wanted and now my list got all shuffled around. Monza, see you soon...
Oh yeah, I preferred the head but the 1x10 is so good, you could easily get that and not go wrong.
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Post by Pete aka shouldb on Feb 1, 2010 16:04:04 GMT -7
Thought I would chime in (pun intended), as I have spent some time with both the Monza head (through Z-Best cab) and the Monza 1x10 combo. I totally agree with earlier sentiments that the Monza has gain + clarity. It's kind of unreal, actually. I have played quite a few "gain" amps where you can lower the Master and boost the gain and you can get some happening sounds. The SRZ-65 can do that well, but I am thinking more along the lines of the Orange Rockerverb 50, the Bogner Shiva, Vox AC50, etc. The Monza is a little different, not necessarily better (well, OK, kind of better) or worse, but different. I see the Monza as if Dr. Z cut the SRZ-65 gain stage out and married it to the circuitry of the MAZ 18 Jr. I say this because it has gain, sustain and CHIME. The chime is where the magic lies for me. Others may prefer the more Marshall type of "chug" that the SRZ-65 and other amps of this ilk churn out. All I know is, I thought I knew which amps I wanted and now my list got all shuffled around. Monza, see you soon... Oh yeah, I preferred the head but the 1x10 is so good, you could easily get that and not go wrong. GREAT review, and so helpful with other amps comparisons. Love it! Cheers Pete
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Post by bluzman on Feb 2, 2010 9:48:08 GMT -7
I used my 1x10 combo in a band rehearsal last night. I got some cleans out of the amp... more than I expected. While it's different than a RxJr. or Maz Jr. clean it was still a thing of beauty. I kept the drive all the way off... Volume no more than 9:30 and the BrakeLite on 2 or 3. I had to keep the guitar volumes and tones down and use the guitar to control it all. I usually keep my LP guitars 3/4 to max on the guitar but I got used to keeping it even lower and I was getting some great stuff. Just thot I'd point it out. Once I get used to doing it this way, I can see my pedal board shrinking.
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Post by Pete aka shouldb on Feb 2, 2010 12:19:48 GMT -7
Thanks Dr Ice - a great review using the same guitar as my favourite axe! Let's be honest, it's hard to get super cleans using the EC Strat anyway - it would overdrive anything! However, it sounds like with the guitar volume rolled back, the cleans are certainly useable? (I'm talking Soul and Funk stuff, not Jazz) CHeers Pete Pete: yes, I think it would work fine for soul and funk even with the juice the EC strat puts out. I was doing some more goofing around last night with the same guitar and had some pretty funky stuff going on using the neck pup and the gtr vol dialed down a bit. There's no f/x loop, so you can't do your in-line clean boost thing. But that's what the MAZ is for, right? ;D Yes indeedy ;D Looks I'm gonna try the Maz NR combo with a Monza head for the solo stuff, and see how that works out. I'll use the Monza as my "boost"! Now THAT sounds like a heck of an "OD Pedal", eh?
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Post by doctorice on Feb 2, 2010 15:03:29 GMT -7
Yes indeedy ;D Looks I'm gonna try the Maz NR combo with a Monza head for the solo stuff, and see how that works out. I'll use the Monza as my "boost"! Now THAT sounds like a heck of an "OD Pedal", eh? Do it! Get a Radial Headbone (VT for tubes, btw) and appropriate cables. The head-combo combo ( you can dance to that ) will be awesome.
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Post by Pete aka shouldb on Feb 4, 2010 10:58:51 GMT -7
Yes indeedy ;D Looks I'm gonna try the Maz NR combo with a Monza head for the solo stuff, and see how that works out. I'll use the Monza as my "boost"! Now THAT sounds like a heck of an "OD Pedal", eh? Do it! Get a Radial Headbone (VT for tubes, btw) and appropriate cables. The head-combo combo ( you can dance to that ) will be awesome. Just found out that Peach Guitars are only getting 1x10 combos, and no heads. Worse still, they are asking advance deposits for them as they will all be pre-sold before they arrive, so I won't even get to play one! (can't afford one just at the moment as the piggy bank is empty) I guess you guys will have to post some AV so I can enjoy what I can't have - YET!!! Pete
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Post by stratovarius on Feb 4, 2010 11:29:48 GMT -7
I was considering just getting a head until I did the math:
$269 Red Fang $169 Brake Lite ---------------------- $438 Total
All that for $250
If I want to use it for a head, I guess I can live with one that is 8" taller than normal!
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Post by English John on Feb 4, 2010 12:50:10 GMT -7
Do it! Get a Radial Headbone (VT for tubes, btw) and appropriate cables. The head-combo combo ( you can dance to that ) will be awesome. Just found out that Peach Guitars are only getting 1x10 combos, and no heads. Worse still, they are asking advance deposits for them as they will all be pre-sold before they arrive, so I won't even get to play one! (can't afford one just at the moment as the piggy bank is empty) I guess you guys will have to post some AV so I can enjoy what I can't have - YET!!! Pete We have heads and combos arriving
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Post by Pete aka shouldb on Feb 5, 2010 9:45:51 GMT -7
Just found out that Peach Guitars are only getting 1x10 combos, and no heads. Worse still, they are asking advance deposits for them as they will all be pre-sold before they arrive, so I won't even get to play one! (can't afford one just at the moment as the piggy bank is empty) I guess you guys will have to post some AV so I can enjoy what I can't have - YET!!! Pete We have heads and combos arriving Hey John, great news! You didn't tell me that in the email Any idea when they're getting in?? Cheers Peter
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Post by English John on Feb 5, 2010 12:11:33 GMT -7
if they do make it out of the box and aren't just sold straight away then i will! ;-)
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Post by Pete aka shouldb on Feb 5, 2010 15:59:57 GMT -7
if they do make it out of the box and aren't just sold straight away then i will! ;-) Can't say fairer than that ;D
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Post by doctorice on Feb 5, 2010 16:25:27 GMT -7
I was considering just getting a head until I did the math: $269 Red Fang $169 Brake Lite ---------------------- $438 Total All that for $250 If I want to use it for a head, I guess I can live with one that is 8" taller than normal! You got it! The little combo is stunning on its own and you can use it to power whatever cab suits your mood or the gig.
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Post by mtlrecords on Feb 5, 2010 19:57:41 GMT -7
Man, the Monza would make the ultimate "solo" pedal. Just skip bringing an overdrive and use an A-B-Y with your normal rig...let's say a MAZ Jr. 1x12 combo. Then for solos, just kick in the Monza, which could sit on top. This would just smoke any pedal...
I should reiterate that the Monza is not a low volume amp. I get the feeling due to its diminutive size, the Monza appears at first glance to be possibly overpriced and underpowered to some. At least in comparison to the Mini-Z or an Orange Tiny Terror- which I think some people see to be in the same ballpark tonewise (don't worry, these other amps AREN'T in the same league)- the Monza is more expensive but also much louder. By the way, I mean no offense to the mini-Z, but it is just not my cup of "tone tea."
Anyways, I am trying to say that the Monza is a completely viable stage amp. It is very similar to the Mazerati GT in the way that when it is on it is already ripping with distortion, but with a Brake Lite is also quite managable at home. And since it does sound like a Frankenstein baby of a 1/2 power SRZ and a MAZ 18...you can't go wrong!!!
I think now I will be getting the 1x12 combo with a Brake Lite. It will sit nicer on my 1x12 convertible cabinet- red, naturally.
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Post by tdarian on Feb 5, 2010 20:15:27 GMT -7
Pardon me if this has been covered before, but what speaker comes in the 1-12 combo? The 1-10 with the RED FANG is getting all the press, and I'm curious about the 1-12 "stock" speaker.
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Post by Pete aka shouldb on Feb 6, 2010 4:39:40 GMT -7
Man, the Monza would make the ultimate "solo" pedal. Just skip bringing an overdrive and use an A-B-Y with your normal rig...let's say a MAZ Jr. 1x12 combo. Then for solos, just kick in the Monza, which could sit on top. This would just smoke any pedal... I should reiterate that the Monza is not a low volume amp. I get the feeling due to its diminutive size, the Monza appears at first glance to be possibly overpriced and underpowered to some. At least in comparison to the Mini-Z or an Orange Tiny Terror- which I think some people see to be in the same ballpark tonewise (don't worry, these other amps AREN'T in the same league)- the Monza is more expensive but also much louder. By the way, I mean no offense to the mini-Z, but it is just not my cup of "tone tea." Anyways, I am trying to say that the Monza is a completely viable stage amp. It is very similar to the Mazerati GT in the way that when it is on it is already ripping with distortion, but with a Brake Lite is also quite managable at home. And since it does sound like a Frankenstein baby of a 1/2 power SRZ and a MAZ 18...you can't go wrong!!! I think now I will be getting the 1x12 combo with a Brake Lite. It will sit nicer on my 1x12 convertible cabinet- red, naturally. Just what I was saying earlier, man! What a "stomp box" eh? ;D ;D ;D
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Post by mtlrecords on Feb 6, 2010 8:50:43 GMT -7
The Monza 1x12 combo at Wilcutt Guitars has a Celestion G12H-30. I imagine this is the "stock" speaker. I am curious how other 1x12 speakers might sound though...
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Post by tdarian on Feb 6, 2010 16:50:19 GMT -7
I saw the photo of the 1-12 onza combo at Willcutts and indeed it has the G12H30 speaker. That's what still have in my MAZ18 combo. So I emailed Brandon at Willcutts to get his read on how that combo sounds, thinking maybe a Monza head might be practical and running it into the combo cab. Here is how Brandon replied:
Hi Tom, the Monza sounds great through the g12-H30. I think if you take the Pepsi challenge, it would be hard to tell them apart. I think that is what is so nice about the Red Fang, it sounds like a good 12" but its really a 10.
The Monza is a killer amp, really a screamer. Gets into the harmonic feedback thing easily and at reasonable volumes, especially with the Brakelite.
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Post by kjv02 on Feb 12, 2010 11:55:13 GMT -7
what i hear is tonal goodies ;D
i still can't believe that its a 1x10!
i'm gonna have to learn some new zz top and cream riffs to do this amp any justice
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Post by Pete aka shouldb on Feb 13, 2010 1:37:46 GMT -7
what i hear is tonal goodies ;D i still can't believe that its a 1x10! i'm gonna have to learn some new zz top and cream riffs to do this amp any justice What a chore, eh?? ;D
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