maction
Full Member
SRZ for me
Posts: 227
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Post by maction on Oct 15, 2005 8:06:25 GMT -7
I played my new Route 66 for a few hours yesterday (thanks Laroosco!!), and as promised, did some A/B-ing with my SRZ-65. Here are some very initial thoughts:
-The SRZ and the Route both have big, expansive, and tight bottom ends. The Route has much fatter, richer mids, while the SRZ has a more boutique/transparent tone in the mid range. The high range on the Route seemed more rolled off, but would still cut with the treble turned up. The SRZ is a brighter amp in general, and the highs seem to extend much further into the spectrum.
-The SRZ seems to have more gain on tap than the Route, but not by that much. With all controls dimed on the Route, there’s a lot of power tube distortion going on. Once the Route starts breaking up, there’s some compression going on. Like all Z amps I’ve played, they're both touch sensitive, but with diffenet types of compression.
-Both amps really took my pedals well. The Route had more apparent volume change with boosts, probably because of the lack of a master volume, but the SRZ takes boosts better than any other master volume amp I’ve played.
-They’re both great amps, and I’ll probably choose which one to play depending on the band/gig/situation.
I’ll update this with more after I’ve spent a little more time with the Route.
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Post by taswegian on Oct 15, 2005 15:16:50 GMT -7
-They’re both great amps, and I’ll probably choose which one to play depending on the band/gig/situation. . Nice dilemma to have, hell, run them both in stereo! Thanks for the comparison.
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Post by Laroosco!! on Oct 16, 2005 21:14:26 GMT -7
My gig settings with that amp were: Volume 11:00 Treble Cranked Bass 11:00 Try that with a Tele I'm surprised to hear thhat the SRZ65 was more open sounding. I'd love to try one of those someday. So loud though.
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maction
Full Member
SRZ for me
Posts: 227
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Post by maction on Oct 20, 2005 12:38:43 GMT -7
UPDATE (after playing with the band last night) I went back and did some editing to my previous post. I retract what I said about the SRZ being more open than the Rt. 66. They both compress in their own ways. I wish I had more experience with compressors so I could make some analogies. Last I did the same set twice, the first time with the SRZ-65 and the second time with the Route 66. It was a set full of loud rock material, like Bon Scott-era AC/DC. So, there wasn’t a lot of rolling back the volume know for cleaner tones. What can I say? I’m into the heavy stuff. First, the Route 66 is LOUD. I usually run my SRZ-65 with the gain and the master between 10 o’clock and 12 o’clock (depending on the guitar and/or room). So, I assumed I could run the Route 66 at about the same level, because even though it doesn’t have a master volume, it is only rated at 32 watts compared to the SRZ’s 65 watts. I was wrong. I had to run the Route 66 at between 9 and 10 o’clock, and even then I was overpowering everybody. I love the Route’s sensitivity to right hand dynamics, which it made it easier to lay back in the mix a little, but the fat mids and big-bottle tubes still made me feel like I was stepping on the others’ levels. While both amps sound great with pedals, the Route 66 is definitely more sensitive to boosts (from fuzzes, overdrives, or boosters) so I found I had to re-set my pedals for it. The SRZ also has more gain than I originally thought (duh, it’s cascaded-gain). Artificial harmonics are much more accessible, and the over drive, while very smooth, is always present. So, I’ve gotta figure out what I want to do. I have two great sounding amps, but one is much too loud. I know an Air Brake would solve my problem, but that’s another $300, and I still wouldn’t be able to play the other amp in my condo (without getting evicted or buying another attenuator). Unfortunatly, our cat died recently, and we now have several thousand dollars in vet bills to pay, which we weren’t expecting. So I don't know if I'll be able to afford more gear any time soon. OK, I’m rambling now. I’ll stop.
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Post by taswegian on Oct 20, 2005 15:33:31 GMT -7
UPDATE (after playing with the band last night) Last I did the same set twice, the first time with the SRZ-65 and the second time with the Route 66. It was a set full of loud rock material, like Bon Scott-era AC/DC. Excellent, some good ol' Australian Pub Rock, thats what I like to see. My suggestion is get an A/B box or one of those head switchers that allow you to use the same cab with two heads and run the 66 clean/semi clean and run your 65 as dirty as need be. That would be a righteous set up! Sorry about your cat. That's never much fun.
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Post by johnnyl on Oct 20, 2005 22:55:50 GMT -7
Good idea Tas, a 6665... I want one too.. Sorry about your cat maction. Hey, let me know if you guys are playing anytime downtown or out here in the NW burbs. I'd love to come here the setup. johnny
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maction
Full Member
SRZ for me
Posts: 227
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Post by maction on Oct 21, 2005 8:37:09 GMT -7
Johnny and Tas:
thanks for the sympathy about the cat. I do appreciate it.
Johnny:
I might end up doing something for a halloween show next weekend. I'll post if I do.
Tas,
....hmmm, while switching the amps is a great idea, I'd still have to get an attenuator to get the levels the same. I rarely play rooms bigger than 300 capacity, and I doubt the soundmen would put up with the levels I'd want to get the tone I like out of the Route.
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maction
Full Member
SRZ for me
Posts: 227
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Post by maction on Nov 4, 2005 14:13:12 GMT -7
For anyone who has been keeping up with my story, I decided that more more Zs were the only solution . Actualy, an old friend repaid a loan, so I ended up with some funds to play with. And, thanks to friendly folks on forums, I was able to buy a Dr. Z Air Brake and a red Z 2x10" cabinet used within the last couple of weeks. Here's a shot of the family:
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Post by redheadmaz18 on Nov 8, 2005 6:59:26 GMT -7
Wow nice setup...I think I have Z envy...
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maction
Full Member
SRZ for me
Posts: 227
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Post by maction on Nov 8, 2005 9:45:18 GMT -7
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Post by taswegian on Jul 13, 2006 17:32:14 GMT -7
Well, talk about bringing this thread back from the dead. This is really interesting. Sounds like the crunch is achievable at lower volumes with the master on the SRZ 65 than the 66 which I kinda suspected. I too would love to have a 65 set up aggressive and run my Route 66 as I normally do. A/B switch or head switcher into the Zbest. My first album was recorded with a really good old JCM 800 and I love the tones on that album. Live it's hard to get the 66 into that zone as it's too loud for most small clubs. I usually just put up with less gain as it sounds so good anyway. Man...just when I thought I was over my Z gas... Anyone tell Eddie Van Halen this amp is going to have a limited run?
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Post by Curt on Jul 13, 2006 21:12:04 GMT -7
Jaye I am so stoked...It's gonna be a long wait 'til Spring !!! Now that I am back with a 66 I too am drooling over the 66 for cleans and SRZ for dirt. I've gotten lazy only wanting to haul less and less gear but this has me giddy and willing to haul more Andthe 2x12 cab with greenback oughta LOVE the SRZ !!!!
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Post by taswegian on Jul 13, 2006 22:18:15 GMT -7
Well I love the dirt on the Rt 66, it's just too hard to get there in small clubs and I don't like using the airbrake. My solution is play bigger clubs. ;D But I moved from a city of 4 Million to a city of 300 000. There just isn't anything BUT small clubs. I would probably run the 66 the same way I do now, which is good breakup when hit hard and strum soft/roll back for cleans and use the SRZ for the more "aggressive" tunes and possibly leads, at least the more "shreddy" leads. Are your greenbacks Celestions? I'd be a little worried about only two of them and the SRZ. I'm thinkin' stock ZBest would be the way to go with this baby. Lucky devil, it's gonna be a long wait.
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Post by Curt on Jul 14, 2006 9:26:45 GMT -7
Yep, stock Celestion Greenies in a Z open back 2x12, I'm not worried about blowing them as I could NEVER get loud enuf in the dives we play Actually, I am VERY curious how the SRZ would do with a Z 2x10 cab..........
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Post by Curt on Jul 14, 2006 9:29:18 GMT -7
Hey Jaye, I just found this quote from Doc deeper in this thread, looks like I'll be happy ;^);
Re: SRZ-65 Speaker Options « Reply #1 on Sept 28, 2005, 3:44am »
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------- I have always loved greenbacks with the SRZ 65, but that's just me. Nice reedy English compression, and less efficiant allowing the SRZ to be mastered up a bit and push the EL-34's.
DR.Z
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Post by myles on Jul 14, 2006 10:30:13 GMT -7
Try the Carl Verheyen setup .... master almost all the way up at at least 90%.
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Post by Curt on Jul 14, 2006 10:55:41 GMT -7
Myles, I've been toying with grabbing a Matchless Clubman 35 as I tried one and did just that, near dimed the master and used the volume as intended, pulled some awesone clean with spank Tele bridge tones. I was two day's from buying one when the SRZ limited run sprang up so I have one coming my way....still may grab a Clubman as the SRZ will be 6 months or more out.
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Post by myles on Jul 14, 2006 16:41:02 GMT -7
Myles, I've been toying with grabbing a Matchless Clubman 35 as I tried one and did just that, near dimed the master and used the volume as intended, pulled some awesone clean with spank Tele bridge tones. I was two day's from buying one when the SRZ limited run sprang up so I have one coming my way....still may grab a Clubman as the SRZ will be 6 months or more out. The Clubman is a blast. They are great amps and a blast to play. Very different than the SRZ and would be really complimentary.
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Post by Curt on Jul 14, 2006 22:11:34 GMT -7
Myles, I've been toying with grabbing a Matchless Clubman 35 as I tried one and did just that, near dimed the master and used the volume as intended, pulled some awesone clean with spank Tele bridge tones. I was two day's from buying one when the SRZ limited run sprang up so I have one coming my way....still may grab a Clubman as the SRZ will be 6 months or more out. The Clubman is a blast. They are great amps and a blast to play. Very different than the SRZ and would be really complimentary. You just cost me $1700.00
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maction
Full Member
SRZ for me
Posts: 227
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Post by maction on Jul 19, 2006 8:36:11 GMT -7
Yep, stock Celestion Greenies in a Z open back 2x12, I'm not worried about blowing them as I could NEVER get loud enuf in the dives we play Actually, I am VERY curious how the SRZ would do with a Z 2x10 cab.......... I really like my SRZ-65 through my Z 2x10. it's great for situations when less apparent volume is needed, than my z-Best 2x12. the Z-best just has so much impact when you're standing in front of it, where the open backed 2x10 diffuses the sound through the room. The 2x10 also gives you a lot of warm mid-range to work with, which is great for "brown sound"-ish leads. the bottom isn't quite as huge as the 2x1, and the SRZ gives you a lot of low end if you want it, but is amazing for a cab of it's size and weight.
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