a42
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Posts: 130
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Post by a42 on Jul 11, 2006 11:44:30 GMT -7
I bought an old (8 ohm only) Ghia head off of eBay and it should arrive in the next couple of days. Waiting patiently... not!
I don't have a dedicated speaker cab yet -- will have to run it off my Max Jr 1x12 for now. Other than the obvious (Dr Z 2x10 or 2x12) does anyone have any cab/speaker suggestions for it? Ultimately I'd like to swap my Maz Jr 1x12 for a head and have 1 cab to use for both.
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Post by G'OlPeachPhan on Jul 11, 2006 12:53:49 GMT -7
Nice score man! Got a pic of your new baby or a link to the auction? I always like seeing the 'vintage' Ghias.
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a42
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Posts: 130
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Post by a42 on Jul 11, 2006 13:09:58 GMT -7
Nice score man! Got a pic of your new baby or a link to the auction? I always like seeing the 'vintage' Ghias. No pix yet. I'll post some as soon as I get it. Fedex tells me it'll be Thursday...
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Post by johnnyl on Jul 11, 2006 13:24:25 GMT -7
Congrats a42! You're gonna love the ghia. I just got mine a few weeks ago. As far as speakers go I'm using an Earcandy 2X10 (Z 10" speakers) and a Zbest w/ Private Jacks (Eminence GB). It sounds great with both cabs but I lean towards the 12's a little more for Rock tones. If you like low end I'd say stick with a 1x12 or 2x12 config. If you're going for more of a twangy tone maybe a 2x10 cab. I've thought about trying to wire my Zbest to do either a single speaker or both but I don't know how I'd do it... hmmm..
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Post by prowler on Jul 11, 2006 13:30:15 GMT -7
The Ghia is the one Z amp that I regret selling off. I'm actually going to order a new one this week.
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Post by Sam A. on Jul 11, 2006 15:04:34 GMT -7
I really like the Eminence Wizard. It's a great all around speaker. Myles Rose and I had an amp shoot out at his house a few months back and we ended up plugging every head into the cab loaded w/ the Wizard. Every amp, including all the Z's sounded killer. MHO, for what it's worth.
Sam
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a42
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Posts: 130
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Post by a42 on Jul 11, 2006 15:08:11 GMT -7
Congrats a42! You're gonna love the ghia. I just got mine a few weeks ago. As far as speakers go I'm using an Earcandy 2X10 (Z 10" speakers) and a Zbest w/ Private Jacks (Eminence GB). It sounds great with both cabs but I lean towards the 12's a little more for Rock tones. If you like low end I'd say stick with a 1x12 or 2x12 config. If you're going for more of a twangy tone maybe a 2x10 cab. I've thought about trying to wire my Zbest to do either a single speaker or both but I don't know how I'd do it... hmmm.. How do you like the Ear Candy cab? I've been looking at those for awhile. I've been looking at 2x10's primarily because of how much people seem to like them w/ the Maz Jr. And I do like twang. But a single 12" might work also... Hmmm. Private Jack? Red Fang? Governor? So many choices, so little time...
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Post by G'OlPeachPhan on Jul 11, 2006 15:47:02 GMT -7
a42, I use an EarCandy Boa 2x12 with my Ghia, which is an open-back design with an angled speaker baffle. I personally think this is the best of all Tim's designs, especially for the Ghia...
Load it with a Scumback H30 (model H75 southbayampworks.com) and another speaker of your choice like a Vintage 30 (I recommend the avatarspeakers.com Hellatones there) or a Greenback (again, south bay has nice greenbacks too (model M75) and you'll have a VERY nice sounding Ghia-friendly cab...
I'm actually waiting on a Weber Ceramic 30w Blue Dog to try in my cab with the Scumback H75 that's already in there (forever)... Could be really great, as I've heard it's like a Vintage 30 with better manners...
I've always loved the way a Ghia sounds through a Vintage 30 though...
I guess the wait on EarCandy cabs is somewhat lengthy right now though, so if you're in a hurry, that may not be the best option.
My ABSOLUTE favorite cab of any I've ever tried is the Avatar Premier Vintage Custom. This is also an open-back (adjustable) angled speaker baffle design, and for my tastes it sounds even better in every way than the EarCandy Boa. You can also order this cab with a closed back if you prefer. The Avatar is also less expensive than the EarCandy. The only downsides are: 1) It's a somewhat large cab for a 2x12, but I think that's part of what makes it sound so good, and 2) It only comes in black with salt n' pepper grillcloth... which by the way is the NICEST salt n' pepper grillcloth I've ever seen (it's got a textured 3-Dimensional weave pattern to it rather than the typical 2-dimensional flat stuff).
For my taste, I haven't found a better cab. The only caveat is that I haven't tried Dr. Z's new open back cabs, which I LOVE the looks of and I'm sure they sound phenomenal.
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Post by steveinnashville on Jul 11, 2006 16:30:12 GMT -7
You could use a ToneBone HeadBone Head switcher for the one cab and have a badass switching Z stack, but that wouldn't work if you wanted to run them in stereo... Still a fun option and not permanent.
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a42
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Posts: 130
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Post by a42 on Jul 12, 2006 8:11:51 GMT -7
Thanks for all the suggestions. It looks like it should be arriving today...
Another question: Does anyone know if the Z 2x10 cab is open or closed back?
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Post by johnnyl on Jul 12, 2006 8:22:43 GMT -7
All the ones I've seen are closed back. I had Tim at Earcandy build me a convertible 2x10 vagabond cab - just 2 screws and I can take half of the back off. It's a good feature to have if you play in different rooms sometimes. It's a cool little cab and it didn't break the bank. Not to mention, the guy does great work. I'm sure the Z 2x10 is sweet as well...
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Post by billyguitar on Jul 12, 2006 8:33:25 GMT -7
The new Z 2 x 10 cab has an upper and lower panel on the back with about a 4" opening all the way across. It's also got some acoustic stuff stapled to the top only. It is a wonderful cabinet. I am really happy with mine.
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a42
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Posts: 130
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Post by a42 on Jul 12, 2006 12:07:16 GMT -7
It's here! J-serial number, so 1999? Haven't gotten it plugged in yet -- have to work. But... it's got the super-secret green mojo jewel light. Woot! And, strangely, black chickenhead knobs. The seller mentioned he'd changed the knobs for black ones, but I was expecting normal round knobs. Anyone know where I can find the cream-colored ones like Dr. Z uses these days? Gotta get my work done so I can go play...
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Post by johnnyl on Jul 12, 2006 13:28:21 GMT -7
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Post by drew on Jul 12, 2006 22:32:01 GMT -7
Congrats a42. I don't have a speaker recommendation but do have a couple of comments on the Ghia. Mine came w/black chicken head knobs - s/n M... 2002 I suppose.
My amp was used and came with new'ish tubes V1, V2 and JJ power tubes, original rectifier. I'm not a tube tweaker, yet, but happen to have a a new pair of matched GT el84's and popped them in the ghia. Holy SH1T!!! It was an amazing difference; chimey, smoother dist and more of that rich tone which come so natural with the ghia. I was floored and happier than a big man on a hot french fry. I think I'm gonna be a tube tweaker, along with my new found speaker tweaker urges.
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Post by G'OlPeachPhan on Jul 13, 2006 6:02:32 GMT -7
a42, so how was your first evening with the Ghia?!
drewtunes speaks the truth! The Ghia is not tube fussy, but it DEFINITELY responds very positively to tube changes. You can get quite a bit of variation to the tone and feel by switching tubes. For the power tubes, it's hard to beat a set of Groove Tubes EL84S in a #6 rating, as I'm sure Myles will agree.
Of course speakers are the biggest way to alter the voice of any amp... being a speaker tweaker is definitely more satisfying to me in that regard than being a tube tweaker.
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Post by billyguitar on Jul 13, 2006 6:21:48 GMT -7
I think the Ghia makes tube changes more apparent than any other amp I've ever fooled with.
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Post by G'OlPeachPhan on Jul 13, 2006 7:29:17 GMT -7
I think the Ghia makes tube changes more apparent than any other amp I've ever fooled with. Yes, that's it! That's what I was trying to say in 3 times as many words as it would take the average person to say, but that's usual for me. Sometimes I think I say too many words to get the point across. And other times I think I could get the point across with fewer words. Still, most times I think I say more than I need to for everyone to understand what I'm trying to say. I think I could type less, and you guys would still know what I'm saying. I don't need to talk as much to make clear what I'm getting at. ;D Sorry to hijack this great new Ghia owner thread... Just consider it a babbling bump! ;D
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Post by billyguitar on Jul 13, 2006 8:57:27 GMT -7
You better not go away or I'll be p. o.'d!
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a42
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Posts: 130
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Post by a42 on Jul 13, 2006 9:30:47 GMT -7
I connected the head to the speaker on my Maz Jr combo and plugged in a Tele. Started with the volume set around 10:00 and the tone about noon. Heaven. Excellent Tele tone. Different than the Jr -- I may have to run them in stereo eventually. Then things took a bad turn. I cranked the volume up a little and started getting a nasty "spitting" sound on lower notes. I tightened up all the chassis screws, checked all the tubes, etc. Everything seemed in order, but still the nasty sound. And I mean NASTY -- like a badly torn or blown speaker. I started swapping tubes. To my surprise, V2 was a JAN GE 5751. Coolness. Anyway, to make a long story shorter, turned out to be a problem with the rectifier. I swapped in an old RCA from my SF Champ and things were much better. I'm going to check it again tonight and see if the rectifier tube (JAN Philips 5Y3) is bad or if it just wasn't seated well. After all the troubleshooting and tube swapping I didn't have long to play. (I've got a pinched nerve in my left shoulder and that really limits things.) But I did try it through a couple of speakers, the G12H30 in the Maz Jr and a Reverend All-Tone 1250 I have in another combo. I think I liked the All-Tone better, but I'll have to see how it goes with various other guitars, effects, etc. Somebody said earlier that you lose some twang with 12's vs. 10's -- I don't have any 10's to compare to but it twanged plenty with just a Tele and a single 12".
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Post by G'OlPeachPhan on Jul 13, 2006 9:54:05 GMT -7
You better not go away or I'll be p. o.'d! Aww, shucks... Thanks man! Not really going away, just joking around. Although the fish may be biting and bowhunting is fast approaching! ;D a42, sounds like a poorly seated rectifier indeed... Let us know how that turns out! Glad you're digging the amp. I think a single Ghia head with a room full of different speakers and cabs could cover a TON of different styles... Then again, so does just twisting your guitars volume knob and the Ghia's volume knob!
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a42
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Posts: 130
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Post by a42 on Jul 13, 2006 14:00:07 GMT -7
I think a single Ghia head with a room full of different speakers and cabs could cover a TON of different styles... Then again, so does just twisting your guitars volume knob and the Ghia's volume knob! Yeah, I'm gonna check the local shops for a 1x12 cab and try some different speakers in it. I'm sure it'll be a fun way to blow lots of money.
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Post by johnnyl on Jul 13, 2006 14:18:45 GMT -7
It's a disease.... I'm GASing for some red fangs now... I've been through 6 different combinations of speakers in my zbest so far...
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a42
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Posts: 130
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Post by a42 on Jul 14, 2006 9:27:51 GMT -7
It's a disease.... I'm GASing for some red fangs now... I've been through 6 different combinations of speakers in my zbest so far... Definitely on my list of speakers to try. Also want to try the Governor. I did some more tube swapping last night and it definitely seems to be the tube and recto not just a seating issue. Could just be a bad fit, I guess. I did bend the clips down to make sure they were tight on the base of the tube -- seems really solid to me.
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Post by billyguitar on Jul 14, 2006 10:35:16 GMT -7
Wouldn't it be great if there was a website where you could hear all the Eminences played thru one at a time with the same riff, same guitar, same amp settings, and same player.
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