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Post by rcrecelius on Dec 21, 2005 8:05:44 GMT -7
Im considering another Z and was wondering about tube life in the Z28. I read somewhere (probably here) that the EF86 can go microphonic pretty easily...has that been a problem for any of you? How bout those 6v6's...do they last a long time? Class AB or A? Do you have to adjust the bias when replacing power tubes?
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Post by Curt on Dec 21, 2005 10:37:46 GMT -7
Hey Ronnie, I got my Z-28 used and it arrived with a cracked EF-86, I put a GEC in from Mike @ KCNOS and so far so good. Myles states they have a very long life if the Z amps due to the cicuit. as far as the 6V6's, mine are stock and I do not know how much time is on them, but the amp keeps sounding better to me, I still like the Ghia better for single coils, but humbuckers really light up the 28. I just bought myself a Christmas gift, A spankin' new R6 Gold Top Lester Can't wait to see what amp likes these P-90's !!!!!! We should get together, I'm really thinkin' of adding a Sr, I like to play yours, and you could test drive my Z-28 and Ghia. Curt
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Post by rcrecelius on Dec 21, 2005 11:26:06 GMT -7
I'd sure like to do that...I just dont know when I'd have the time to get down in your neck o the woods! The bad thing is my wife is ok with me buying another amp so I might have to make a decision fast before she changes her mind!
Im tempted by the Ghia but Im afraid clean headroom might be an issue...might be ok with an efficient speaker though.
I like to run my guitar volume about 3/4 for my clean sound then turn it up to get a little more grit and a Bluesdriver and/or Sparkle Drive for even more dirt when necessary. Since you own both...which amp would you take to a loud country gig using a tele only?
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Post by Curt on Dec 21, 2005 12:39:42 GMT -7
Ronnie, I LOVE my Ghia with a Tele. The terms; Loud, Clean, gain, etc. are so subjective, but I really like the Tele>Ghia>1x12 w/V-30 for country pickin'. I don't use a compresser, delay, etc. Just a Keeley BD-2 for extra dirt. Head room is not a problem for the gigs we play, and if it is, Myles says a....Oh heck I can't recall, but change V-1 for more head room, also an Eminance Tonker is highly touted for clean spank with a Ghia, I plan to grab one and try it.
I've gigged my Z-28 very little so far, I think it will work well for country with compresser, and atleast between my two, is way louder than my Ghia...I considered selling it until I feed it Humbuckers...Marshall city !!! Cool for the ZZ Top, Skynyrd, Allmans, etc.
All mine are heads, I am wanting a grab and go combo and I thinkin' Maz Sr 1x12 for mucho headroom and outside gigs as all my amps are "lower powered", although they have always been plenty.
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Post by Curt on Dec 21, 2005 12:44:04 GMT -7
Also.... Something real cool on a Ghia is swaping power tubes is a "Do at home" deal, no rebias unless you just do something crazy, EL-84's are cheap so I keep an extra Pair on hand, FWIW.
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Post by rcrecelius on Dec 21, 2005 13:14:44 GMT -7
Also.... Something real cool on a Ghia is swaping power tubes is a "Do at home" deal, no rebias unless you just do something crazy, EL-84's are cheap so I keep an extra Pair on hand, FWIW. By that statement, I assume the Z28 must be biased...thats what I thought but I wasnt sure. Loud and gain are definitely subjective terms but I know you like Amalfitano's pups so I figured we may have similar tastes/needs when it comes to volume. I put a Tonker in my Maz 38 and it sounded good and loud for one night then bad again the next 2 nights so it is going back to the DR after the first of the year...you may have seen the thread on that in the general forum "Frustrated, Maz 38 problems". Ive been playing in a sports bar recently where we get pretty danged loud...many times too loud. For a while, I was able to run my volume about 3/4, master at half with the guitar volume at 3/4 and get a good Paisleyish bridge pup tone...then dime the guitar volume on the neck pup to pretty much nail the Los Lonely Boys "How far is Heaven" tone but...with the Maz being sick I dont know if I'll be able to use those settings once it comes back from the Dr so this really complicates the "how much amp do I really need" question. Im hoping I can go over to Charleys in Dallas and test drive a Ghia and Z28 and see which one will fit my needs. Im waiting for a reply email to see what they have in stock.
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Post by Curt on Dec 21, 2005 20:11:20 GMT -7
When I was first lookin' for a Z Charley was real responsive, but he, like Stu, play's a Maz Jr and is all about the Jr. All Z's are killer and I doubt you'd be disappointed with any choice. I really wish I had more experiance with my 28, we've kinda taken the fall off from gigging, recorded a 5 song demo, and it's too loud @ home cause the wife is always home Not sure if the Ghia is really better with a Tele. or if thats just what I'm used to hearing ?!?! Man I wish I was closer, you could crank on mine all ya wanted to help figure this out. I won't be up there until the April Guitar show, I have talked with Steve Rhian about one of his amps, so I MAY go earlier...we'll see. Curt
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Post by rcrecelius on Dec 21, 2005 22:09:43 GMT -7
Well, all Charley has in stock now is a 38...dangit!
I did find a red Z28 1-12 in New York...hmmm...
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