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Post by inkbiegel on May 23, 2010 12:05:19 GMT -7
Hi Z People, A few days ago I went to a Music store where they sell Dr Z amplifiers. I'm looking for a new amp and Z hit the spot (I'm tired of playing mesa boogie all over again...) I played a few like Maz 18 Jr, EGZ 50, Remedy, Route 66 and the RX ES. Off course I fell in love with the RX ES. It had the punch together with my Telecaster and I liked it but as everyone's opinion the amp is loud. I play a lot at home but sometimes in a band or at a small pub with friends,... Now i know you can plug in a Z Air brake to solve the problem when playing at home but I also read about implementing a Master Volume knob (like on the Rx es Jr??). Is there a big difference between those two? (cause I would go with an Air Brake. Would be my logical choice). But I know there is also a RS EX Jr. Question then is can you play with this in a band? Will it compete with a drummer? I played all the amps through a Z best 2 x 12 and it that would be cab I would go with. So. RX ES with Air brake or Master Control knob? or RX ES JR.... Please.. your expertise is being asked Thanx Inkz
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Post by Dustin on May 23, 2010 14:21:04 GMT -7
I may be a little biased, but I think the Rx Jr will fit the bill for you. Mine keeps up with a 4 piece country/rock band just fine through an open back 2x12 and a Tele is a small to medium size bar setting. Keep in mind, that Z Best is known to be a loud cab with a long throw (sound wise). Not arguing that the ES is a LOT of amp, just pointing out that the cab plays a big factor too.
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Post by JASON (aka jgleaton) on May 23, 2010 14:23:29 GMT -7
Hi Z People, A few days ago I went to a Music store where they sell Dr Z amplifiers. I'm looking for a new amp and Z hit the spot (I'm tired of playing mesa boogie all over again...) I played a few like Maz 18 Jr, EGZ 50, Remedy, Route 66 and the RX ES. Off course I fell in love with the RX ES. It had the punch together with my Telecaster and I liked it but as everyone's opinion the amp is loud. I play a lot at home but sometimes in a band or at a small pub with friends,... Now i know you can plug in a Z Air brake to solve the problem when playing at home but I also read about implementing a Master Volume knob (like on the Rx es Jr??). Is there a big difference between those two? (cause I would go with an Air Brake. Would be my logical choice). But I know there is also a RS EX Jr. Question then is can you play with this in a band? Will it compete with a drummer? I played all the amps through a Z best 2 x 12 and it that would be cab I would go with. So. RX ES with Air brake or Master Control knob? or RX ES JR.... Please.. your expertise is being asked Thanx Inkz Welcome Inkz... the RX ES and a Z best is awesome. Depends on how loud your band is, the RX JR may be enough for you in most situations especially with a Z best and is GREAT GREAT GREAT for lower volumes and playing at home... But If your band / drummer can be a little louder, You could use the RX ES and use the airbreak OR I HIGHLY recommend the master volume mod on the ES as it works great... BUT for the most versatility I use the the airbreak along with the master volume mod on the RX ES and can use it at home or get as loud as I need... can cover just about anything with that and sound GREAT with a Z best. Just really depends on how loud you think you'd ever need to be with a band... and fwiw, I usually can use a Maz 18 or RX JR in most band situations and they can hang in there with my drummer who plays pretty loud... but, If I ever use a Maz SR or RX ES I do have to Air break it pretty good with Masters about 1/2 way on either... Hope that helps some... Jason
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Post by rcrecelius on May 24, 2010 7:36:57 GMT -7
From what you have described, home use and an occasional small gig, I think the RxJR would be enough volume for you...especially if you want to get your overdriven sound from the amp itself. I use an RxES for semi-clean sounds and use a couple od pedals but our band is LOUD and I need the volume the RxES provides.
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Post by inkbiegel on May 24, 2010 12:23:24 GMT -7
Hi guys Thanx for the replies. Seems like the Jr will fit my bill.. But still... I'm attracted by the RX ES having the ability to cranck it all up to a higher level and using the Air Brake when playing at home. A last question however. Why using an Air Brake AND a master volume mod at the same time? Isn't that twice the same thing? Doesn't the Air Brake does the same thing as the master volume mod? I think I'll be heading back to the music shop in a couple of weeks trying the RX Es with an Air Brake and the Jr. Still I doubt if I would be leaving with the Jr Thanx a lot Greetz Inkz
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Post by rcrecelius on May 25, 2010 8:38:40 GMT -7
A last question however. Why using an Air Brake AND a master volume mod at the same time? Isn't that twice the same thing? Doesn't the Air Brake does the same thing as the master volume mod? Jason may come back and clarify but I suspect that what he is talking about is that it sounds better with the Master turned down a little AND 1 or 2 clicks down with the airbrake...as opposed to turning the Master way down or running the airbrake on bedroom setting. Does that make sense?
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Post by JASON (aka jgleaton) on May 25, 2010 22:21:14 GMT -7
A last question however. Why using an Air Brake AND a master volume mod at the same time? Isn't that twice the same thing? Doesn't the Air Brake does the same thing as the master volume mod? Jason may come back and clarify but I suspect that what he is talking about is that it sounds better with the Master turned down a little AND 1 or 2 clicks down with the airbrake...as opposed to turning the Master way down or running the airbrake on bedroom setting. Does that make sense? Exactly what Ronnie said... You can use either the master or the airbreak effectively, but for me, there is a sweet spot with the Master volume that "I like" on the RX ES... just below noon to around 1:00 on the Master and around 4.5 on the regular Volume, Low input and OD off... Nice full sound I like, clean headroom with bite / hair... then if I need to take some off and keep that basic sound I can adjust the master slightly, or for more attenuation of the same basic sound I just click the airbreak 1,2 or 3 clicks at most... I usually never turn the master much more than half way... and if I use it, I usually air break it too... using a single 12" silver bell alnico to soften it up some more... I ALSO like pairing the RX ES with my Maz Jr and using the Master / airbreak on the RX ES like this, I can usually match the un-airbreaked Maz Jr's volume perfectly wherever I set it... Although, another neat thing you can do ESPECIALLY with the RX JR... is roll the Master way down with the OD "on"... then the OD becomes less of an OD and simply makes the amp a lot fuller at extremely low volumes... Clean but nice... I can play the RX Jr like this clean at low volumes with folks in bed at night and not bother anybody...
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Post by inkbiegel on May 26, 2010 10:57:20 GMT -7
damn you Jason Now you're making it undecidable for me But thanks for the info I really appreciate it. Still I'm wondering... How you describe the Rx es Jr in the last part.... Can't you simulate this with your Rx Es and Airbrake? I'm sorry if I'm nagging on about this but I found it hard to decide Which one will fit my needs. Buy the Jr and finding out its not as powerful as I want it to be. Buy the Rx ES and finding out it's way too loud. But In a few weeks i'm going back to the shop and I'll think about it in the meantime. Thanx again. Greetz Inkz
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Post by JASON (aka jgleaton) on May 28, 2010 23:05:14 GMT -7
damn you Jason Now you're making it undecidable for me But thanks for the info I really appreciate it. Still I'm wondering... How you describe the Rx es Jr in the last part.... Can't you simulate this with your Rx Es and Airbrake? I'm sorry if I'm nagging on about this but I found it hard to decide Which one will fit my needs. Buy the Jr and finding out its not as powerful as I want it to be. Buy the Rx ES and finding out it's way too loud. But In a few weeks i'm going back to the shop and I'll think about it in the meantime. Thanx again. Greetz Inkz Can the RX ES w/ the master volume do the "low master volume" thing well too... Yes. But it is still a loud amp.... those 4 EL-84's have some power, but with the master or the airbreak you can get some nice low volume tone. I personally think the RX JS might be enough for what you're wanting to do especially combined with the Z-best.
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Post by ecsong187 (Edwin) on May 30, 2010 11:19:09 GMT -7
Go for the JR. When I had the RXES, airbrake, and Z Best the thing was way too loud even with the AB. The Jr. should be perfect! -edwin
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Post by anacephalic on Jun 3, 2010 14:11:20 GMT -7
i'd point to the Jr as well. My Rx sets most of the time anymore because it is so loud and, maybe even more of a determining factor, heavy.
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Post by Tom the Guitar Guy on Jun 4, 2010 7:50:08 GMT -7
i'd point to the Jr as well. My Rx sets most of the time anymore because it is so loud and, maybe even more of a determining factor, heavy. I too don't play my RxES as much as I like - even as a 2x10 it was heavy. But when I do get a chance to play her, it's the best sound I've ever heard!!!!
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