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Post by Phil (aka Phil) on Mar 31, 2010 15:31:54 GMT -7
I almost didn't post my thoughts on this amp; between Paul's review and Frankie's vids I thought the Monza was pretty well taken care of. However, this amp is just so good that I had to say my peace. I got home last night and the Big Brown Truck pulled in right behind me I knew what was on that truck. I had one hour alone before baseball practice with my son. So, I plugged the Monza into the Z-Best, let her warm up, pulled out my Grosh Retro Classic, and went straight in with my guitar cord. I had heard the Monza 1X10 at the shop demo at Z-Fest last year, and then got some more quality time with it in my hotel room courtesy of Curt I thought I knew what to expect. I hit the standby and started turning up the Grosh's volume control. I hit a few licks and turned it up some more. Then some more. Then I started laughing. I didn't stop for at least ten minutes. I haven't laughed that hard and had that much fun playing a new amp since the (unheard) Stingray and 2X12 arrived at my house, what, 6 years ago? There have been many other very happy amp moments but I almost always "knew what I was getting", as I had played the amps at Z-Fest or Doc's shop beforehand. Z amps all have a great feel; but it's of course not the same feel across the model lineup. If you laid out the amps in order from a "softer" attack amp, say, a MAZ reverb amp to the most percussive, raw, "connected straight to the speaker" feel, I'm always attracted to the more percussive end. One of my all time favorite Z's is the original Rx, then there's amps like the Mazerati GT, RxES and Jr, and the KT45. The Monza through that Z-Best (a combo I had never heard) hit me up side the head when I wasn't expecting it. It's got all the percussiveness of the Mazerati GT or Original Rx, the string balance of the Ghia, an incredible thick midrange that you have to hear to believe, and one of the tightest low ends I've ever heard on a 2XEL84 amp. It makes my "baby", the MAZ 18NR sound tame. This is one bold amp. I started with the "factory" setting of volume 9:00 and tone and drive at noon and it's got tons of player interaction and sensitivity. You can make it clean up with your touch and go to extreme crunch just by bearing down. The Mazerati GT can go that too but it's got *so* much gain; by having less gain the Monza gives you a wider crunch sweet spot. You can do that "clean to mean" SRV "Little Wing" or "La Grange" dynamic thing all day. It does exactly what you ask of it. Stu said that the Monza is like the Ghia and Mazerati GT had a baby. That's a pretty good description. It's got a lot of the Ghia attributes with a serious shot of testosterone. I can't even describe how much fun this amp is to play. You *have* to try it for yourself...otherwise it's like me describing a Formula 1 test drive to you. It's been called "Billy in a box", and it is; but to me it's more like "fun in a box". It's one of those rare amps that your brain tells you that what's coming out of the speaker is just.... right. It does exactly what you will it to do like a great partner. It's just a very pure tube tone. I will say that this baby is still pretty loud. It's no Mazerati GT or Original Rx but if you're looking for bedroom levels with "Starrman video demo" saturation and sustain (with the Z-Best) you'll need an Airbrake. I've only got about an hour on it, so I haven't tried a lot of things like my Grosh Set Neck, my Hamer P-90, my 1X12 convertible, or the Airbrake...but I will. I only needed 10 seconds to know that in my opinion this amp ranks right up there on the Mt. Olympus of Z Amps with the Route 66, Ghia, Maz 18NR , Original Rx and other "best of the best of the best".
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Post by Deleted on Mar 31, 2010 15:50:48 GMT -7
So all meals are being served in the music room for a week or more.
Congratulations! And red too!
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Post by Ryan (shorty) on Mar 31, 2010 16:58:31 GMT -7
Great review Phil. Enjoy!!
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Post by pcns on Mar 31, 2010 16:59:06 GMT -7
few more weeks for me, can't wait!!!
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Post by bluzman on Mar 31, 2010 18:35:56 GMT -7
Thanks Phil... Yours is a much more coherent description!
I know you'll enjoy it... and won't ever stop laughing!
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Post by Don on Mar 31, 2010 18:56:05 GMT -7
Wow ... What a review Phil.
I coming back over to your house!
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Post by Jaguarguy (Mike) on Mar 31, 2010 19:33:49 GMT -7
few more weeks for me, can't wait!!! If you get to itching too bad Todd you can always drop by over here ;D
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Post by Eddie on Mar 31, 2010 20:28:22 GMT -7
Awesome Phil!!
What's wrong with the tolex? Looks kind of red in that pic...
I'm sure it sounds phenomenal! Eddie
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Post by Deleted on Apr 1, 2010 4:48:53 GMT -7
Awesome summary and congrats Phil! Nice...when will we hear some sound clips?
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Post by basementhack on Apr 1, 2010 5:35:25 GMT -7
Hmmm...I think Phil has made me see the light! Abandon the 1x10 cab and just get a head to plug into any of my (i) Z-Best (ii) Z Open Back w/ Blues or (iii) Z 2x10..
I don't need no stinkin' 1x10 cab ;D
Keith
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Post by tdarian on Apr 1, 2010 5:55:40 GMT -7
Thanks for the great report and congratulations on the amp!
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Post by dock66 on Apr 1, 2010 6:26:28 GMT -7
Very nice Phil. Congrats on a great amp.
JB
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Post by mtlrecords on Apr 1, 2010 6:40:19 GMT -7
Nice review.
I think I will be getting the Monza 1x12 combo, but from my time with the various Monza configurations (head/cab, 1x10, 1x12) the best sound award may have to go to the head and Z-Best combination. I have a Z-Best also, so I could use it too, I guess. Options.
Congrats!
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Post by Pete aka shouldb on Apr 1, 2010 9:10:01 GMT -7
Now that is a review straight from the heart - love it!!!
When I first kick started my Maz18NR, that's exactly how I felt - still do - so this Monza baby must be a little monster!
As ever, question is - 1x10 combo; 1x12 combo or head and A/B/Y with my existing Maz18 1x12 combo?? Too many options, arrrggghhh!
Good one!
Pete ;D
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Post by doctorice on Apr 1, 2010 9:59:04 GMT -7
Phil, splendid review, congrats on the amp and welcome to the Monza zone! I too smile every time I plug into this little wonder. As ever, question is - 1x10 combo; 1x12 combo or head and A/B/Y with my existing Maz18 1x12 combo?? Too many options, arrrggghhh! Good one! Pete ;D Well, Pete, last time I looked at the back side of my 1x10, it looked like I could disconnect the speaker and plug into another cab ;D Seriously, I love the grab-and-go capability of the small combo -- it is plenty loud for most gigs I play -- and if you want to run with bigger dogs, you can hook up the Z Best, the 4x10, 4x12, whatever. Yes, it's incrementally more weight and bulk than a head. IMO, small price to pay for the flexibility. One person's opinion, of course.
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Post by Pete aka shouldb on Apr 1, 2010 11:42:23 GMT -7
Phil, splendid review, congrats on the amp and welcome to the Monza zone! I too smile every time I plug into this little wonder. As ever, question is - 1x10 combo; 1x12 combo or head and A/B/Y with my existing Maz18 1x12 combo?? Too many options, arrrggghhh! Good one! Pete ;D Well, Pete, last time I looked at the back side of my 1x10, it looked like I could disconnect the speaker and plug into another cab ;D Seriously, I love the grab-and-go capability of the small combo -- it is plenty loud for most gigs I play -- and if you want to run with bigger dogs, you can hook up the Z Best, the 4x10, 4x12, whatever. Yes, it's incrementally more weight and bulk than a head. IMO, small price to pay for the flexibility. One person's opinion, of course. but a very valuable opinion Mike! I'm just wasting time really, trying to convince myself there really are options - it'll be the 1x10 combo, of that I'm sure (because that's what Peach Guitars have in stock), and as for colour, I'll take whatever they have in stock too when I get there! I won't be able to wait weeks and weeks for a special delivery - I just do not have that sort of patience!! Now, I just need to save a few more of those little bank note things.............! ;D
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Post by Joey Beverages on Apr 1, 2010 11:51:15 GMT -7
Phil,
thanks for the review .... I'm guessin' you like the Monza a lil' bit, eh? ;D
cheers always, eh
Joel
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Post by Phil (aka Phil) on Apr 1, 2010 12:08:03 GMT -7
Awesome summary and congrats Phil! Nice...when will we hear some sound clips? I've got a couple of problems with making sound clips...the first and foremost is a disease I've had since birth..."perfectionism" I've done some recording but it's painful to hear every little timing mistake and recording inadequacy....it'd take me four weeks and $200,000 worth of gear minimum to make a 30 second clip. Secondly, Frankie Starr's excellent videos are the best sound clips I've heard for the Monza. I'm not going to try to top that. BW's videos from Z-Fest last year on my Youtube site are also tops. And...I'm a *huge* fan of "player's amps"...ones that respond to the players touch and volume control to the maximum. With those kinds of amps you really have to play it to appreciate it. The Monza is such an amp. It *sounds* great but it "feels" even better to the player...something that you can't capture on a sound clip.
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Post by doctorice on Apr 1, 2010 12:33:38 GMT -7
And...I'm a *huge* fan of "player's amps"...ones that respond to the players touch and volume control to the maximum. With those kinds of amps you really have to play it to appreciate it. The Monza is such an amp. It *sounds* great but it "feels" even better to the player...something that you can't capture on a sound clip. +1: pick attack/finger attack, guitar volume setting and tone, each subtlety comes through. The gain does not obscure/overwhelm the instrument. (OK, the Monza is part of the instrument too.)
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Post by doctorice on Apr 1, 2010 12:35:44 GMT -7
Now, I just need to save a few more of those little bank note things.............! ;D Sending good wishes your way on that score, Pete.
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Post by Pete aka shouldb on Apr 1, 2010 23:39:25 GMT -7
Awesome summary and congrats Phil! Nice...when will we hear some sound clips? And...I'm a *huge* fan of "player's amps"...ones that respond to the players touch and volume control to the maximum. With those kinds of amps you really have to play it to appreciate it. The Monza is such an amp. It *sounds* great but it "feels" even better to the player...something that you can't capture on a sound clip. One of the best pieces of info on the Monza Phil, thanks! SInce getting my Maz, I have used the GV more than I ever would have believed possible. It seems like the Monza is in the same vein - these amps stay "alive" at every level of input, unlike so many others (non Z I mean!), and "respond" to the player. Can't wait to find the time to actually PLAY one, yeah!! Pete ;D
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Post by Hohn on Apr 2, 2010 8:14:09 GMT -7
.......You *have* to try it for yourself...otherwise it's like me describing a Formula 1 test drive to you.. Is that an offer? I'm willing to commute:)
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Post by benttop (Steve) on Apr 2, 2010 11:58:35 GMT -7
Phil, I wish you would stop equivocating and tell us how you really feel. I been trying to stay out of this section because when I come here I always want another Z amp. This did not help...
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Post by Phil (aka Phil) on Apr 2, 2010 12:19:42 GMT -7
.......You *have* to try it for yourself...otherwise it's like me describing a Formula 1 test drive to you.. Is that an offer? I'm willing to commute:) Justin, my door is always open to you. We'll just have to figure out a good time to do it this summer.
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Post by Pete aka shouldb on Apr 4, 2010 11:17:53 GMT -7
Phil, I wish you would stop equivocating and tell us how you really feel. I been trying to stay out of this section because when I come here I always want another Z amp. This did not help... Yeah Steve, your rack of Zs does seem to have a Monza shaped gap there..........!
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Post by markT on Apr 7, 2010 15:05:12 GMT -7
Congrat's on the Red Monza Phil.... Thanks for the review! Enjoy!~
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Post by kjv02 on Apr 9, 2010 14:42:02 GMT -7
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