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Post by jbriggs13 on Oct 10, 2010 20:28:39 GMT -7
Hey everyone, This is my first post ever in this section . . . and that would probably makes sense since I don't own and RX jr. But what better place to ask a question about a Jr. than right here! I've owned a KT, Delta, Maz 18, Route, and currently have a Ghia combo with a blue. The Ghia, by far, has complemented my playing and tone more than any of the others listed. My problem, even with the Ghia, is that I can't get it loud enough during gigs to really get the dirt I want. . . I've owned both the attenuator and brake lite and have found that I just flat out don't like them. . . I feel like they suck out all the dynamics. I don't want to offend, that's just my opinion. So, I went back on my pedal search. For the past 6 months I've used an OCD. I really like it, but we all know that no matter what dirt pedal it is, they all change the "feel" of the amp some way or another. My question is, should I try to trade my Ghia for an RX Jr.? My band is very Black Crowes'ish. Rootsy rock if you will. I need an amp that can get me that kind of dirt at reasonable volumes but be able to clean up to do semi-clean stuff as well. Oh, and I play ASAT's 99% of the time. Here's a link to what we sound like live: Any help would be greatly appreciated! Thanks, Jeremy
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Post by asattwanger on Oct 11, 2010 13:23:28 GMT -7
Not an expert by any means but sense I played a Asat Classic Custom and a Trinity through a RxJr for over a year straight I might be able to help you.
Yes, the RxJr will allow you to get all the desired dirt that the amp has at any volume, so that won't be an issue.
What might be an issue is the tone. I don't know if you can call it that roots rock tone. It can be sort of Marshally. It kinda bright with a nice bottom. Asat pickups really drive the RxJr really well. One thing I felt wierd with the Asat is when you went to clean up the amp it got pretty dark. It wasn't as noticeable with the Legacy.
I would try to drive the pre-amp of the Ghia harder with a boost pedal with the amp turned up on 50% and see what that gives you. If it's still to loud you might retry your airbrake sense you have some headroom in the power tubes instead of compressing the crap out of them. If that works then put a volume pedal inbetween the boost and the amp and get your clean tone there.
I've been doing that alot lately and it's great. Can't waite to get some songs to work those tricks
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Post by jbriggs13 on Oct 13, 2010 17:04:46 GMT -7
Don't tell me asattwanger is the only one with any advice on this!!! . . . Thank you by the way.
Come on guys, I need some help!
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Post by jordanbunte on Oct 14, 2010 5:35:09 GMT -7
Jeremy,
I'm at work, so I can't make a huge post but I have a few things. Also, I currently have an Rx Jr and a MAZ 18 NR. I've owned a Ghia as well for a while too among other Z's.
My first thought is, what didn't you like about the MAZ 18? What speaker(s) did you use?
Right off the bat, I can tell you that the Ghia with a Blue (100db) can be fairly loud. If you compared the output of that to an Rx Jr with something like a Greenback (98db or 97db or something), then you can certainly bump the overall volume down a bit with the RX. Obviously, you can get overdrive at any volume level with the Rx as well....not just full tilt like the Ghia.
I won't get into the tonal differences now, buy they are different feeling amps. I agree with Dave's comment on the Rx sounding Marshally (and a little Voxy to my ears with the right speakers). The Mids on the RX can change the sound drastically. Also, the overdose control can give even more options for EQ'ing / getting different tones.
The MV on the RX Jr was the key selling point for me. It's by far the best MV I've had. You can get awesome tones at low volumes for sure without changing the feel of the amp much at all.
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Post by Deleted on Oct 14, 2010 6:19:01 GMT -7
My first Z amp was the Ghia and it simply wet my appetite for more (although I wanted to keep it). I went to the Z-28 and then to the Rx Jr. The Jr. is really working for me with pedals and all kids of sounds I can dial in with just the amp. Like Jordan, I'm surprised the Maz didn't work out for you and since I've never owned a Maz I can't do a personal comparison, I can only go by clips and videos I've listened to. I don't think you'll be disappointed in making the change - but like most of us who had a Ghia, you will miss it.
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Post by texasjoe on Oct 14, 2010 8:57:53 GMT -7
I've never played a Ghia. I know they can be bright at times and I think the RX is a lot darker than the Ghia. It definitely has that Marshall tone to it but with a nice vox high end to it. Here's where I differ with everyone else. I use my Prescription as my clean tone and then I run one of the nicest overdrive pedals I've ever heard. It's the Barber LTD. What makes this pedal so great is that its almost absolutely transparent with your amp. It just takes your tone and boosts it into sweet sweet overdrive. It's amazing and would probably be exactly what your looking for. Plus it's only like 110. Check them out at Pro Guitar Shop.com. It's an amazing website. You might also be interested in the HomebrewElectronics Uno Mos.
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Post by asattwanger on Oct 14, 2010 9:42:33 GMT -7
If you can try one with your Asat that would be your best bet. Leo tuned the CERAMIC pickups to Fender amps which are alot different than alnico tele pickups to which I would bet money on that Dr.Z tuned the RX line to. T-Joe mentions it's darker than a Ghia, ok, but the RxJr has a nice high end thing going on more so with a Cel. Blue but with this thick body behind it. Maybe that is what T-Joe is talking about. That is what I'm talking about in refference to the G&L Asat pickups. They are thicker sounding the RxJr will respond to that. The high end when you roll your volume back will most likely go quick. I couldn't use the tone nob a bunch like I did with Fender style amps because of this. Also a bassy sounding pedal like a Wheels of Fire wah can over excite the body of the RxJr also.
I'm not telling you his to back you off. I know I have played abunch of Asat guitars and know those pickups really well and how different amps respond to them. Now if you tell me you have 86,87,88 model Asat then your talking about a different pickup that was much brighter, but stil not a alnico tele......
The RxJr is great amp without a doubt.
DAVE
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Post by texasjoe on Oct 14, 2010 12:11:39 GMT -7
The JR does have a nice treble range. I've always liked darker amps. The sound guy at my church said that I'm "notoriously dark". I run both the mid and the treble at below two on my junior. It's still spanky and cuts through but also darkens the amp up too. But yeah Dave that's what I mean. It's such a thick sound. My friend brought his fender princeton amp in and my amp just sounded so full and thick next to his. He had an old 1960's tube one I think.
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Post by ampaholic on Oct 14, 2010 15:47:02 GMT -7
Your situation is nearly identical to mine! I have been a huge Ghia fan for several years and I swore that it is an amp I would never sell. The Ghia covered 90% of the gigs I would do but every once in a while (playing outdoors for example) I'd wish for a bit more power and clean headroom. So, when the opportunity came along I picked up the Rx Jr thinking that I'd keep the one that I liked the best. Here's the thing; I love them both! They couldn't be more different. The Rx Jr would certainly be a more versatile amp but the Ghia just has that THING. If I had to pick between the two I'm not sure I can do it. Actually I'm thinking of converting the Ghia to a 1x10 combo from its current head format. Then I've got a wicked grab and go combo along with the RX Jr head and cab. Sorry for the long post- I could have just said "you need both!"
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Post by mikeslub on Oct 14, 2010 18:20:02 GMT -7
I have a Ghia 1x10 combo with a Weber Blue Pup and an RxJr head with 1x12 Celestion Blue cab. I think the RxJr is more versatile, at least for my needs. You can make it as dark or bright as you want and clean or dirty. The overdose is awesome (I use it most of the time) for more sparkle. And it does have the best master volume/attenuator. I am not a BrakeLite fan, which I have to use with my Ghia. So for me it's the RxJr that edges out the Ghia. But tone is subjective and your ears may tell you something different.
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Post by jbriggs13 on Oct 14, 2010 20:17:44 GMT -7
Thanks everyone for the help! I really do appreciate every single post. Just a little FYI though, I plan on replacing the pickups in my ASAT for a pair of the Don Mare El Black Krowe pickups. That will definitely change things. Also, I'm going to drive a couple hours to the bay area this weekend and play an RX Jr. at Gelb Music. I should be able to make a more accurate decision after that.
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Post by Deleted on Oct 15, 2010 4:05:09 GMT -7
I've played a Grosh ElectraJet, a G&L Asat (USA) and a PRS SC245 through my Rx and found great tone in all of them. I find the Jr to be an amp for all guitars. The Z-28 seemed to favor single coils to my ear, but the Rx Jr doesn't seem to play favorites.
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Post by texasjoe on Oct 15, 2010 5:45:55 GMT -7
I actually took a vacation this summer with my girlfriend to Ft. Olglethorpe Georgia, to Humbucker Music to try a prescription and a stangray side by side. 13 hour drive for the perfect tone
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Post by pintail78 on Nov 12, 2010 10:49:06 GMT -7
I would try putting a flying dragon clean boost on it, and adding a cab like a 212 when needed. You can always add a more efficient speaker as well, but it wont be a celestion, maybe a red fang or tonker.
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Post by ampaholic on Nov 13, 2010 6:14:55 GMT -7
You can always add a more efficient speaker as well, but it wont be a celestion, maybe a red fang or tonker. I'm not sure that you can get more efficient than a Celestion Blue!
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Post by zdogma on Nov 13, 2010 16:01:29 GMT -7
You can always add a more efficient speaker as well, but it wont be a celestion, maybe a red fang or tonker. I'm not sure that you can get more efficient than a Celestion Blue! Agreed, the ratings of the Red Fang and Tonker are higher, but in the real world they aren't much different. The only louder speaker I've heard is the EV SRO. And I don't think it would be a great match for the Ghia.
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Post by Fiestared69 on Nov 13, 2010 17:04:38 GMT -7
There are so many things that will factor into getting the sound you want out of the Ghia ! If you want your Ghia to have more breakup at lower volumes here is what I do !
I start off by finding a hot 12AX7 for the front end and then put a matched pair of Groove Tube EL-84's with a rating #3 and then I would install a Celestion G12M Greenback , This speaker breaks up a little quicker !
The Ghia is an amp that responds to tube changes really well , this should get you in to the territory you are looking for !!
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Post by jbriggs13 on Nov 14, 2010 11:56:41 GMT -7
Thanks for all the help guys! Everyone's comment is greatly appreciated. Just like most of you have said, I don't think I'll ever be able to get rid of the Ghia. It's just too good! Every time we play live, I just find myself smiling, saying damn, this is just too good to be true. I would love to get an RX jr., but I don't think it's in the cards right now. I never thought I would say this, but after owning six Dr. Z's, I think I've finally found "the one" for me. . . That's definitely not saying I don't see more in my future!
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