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Post by bruvtilov on Oct 13, 2010 13:29:08 GMT -7
Hello everybody,
New member here. I'm Robert from the Netherlands. I play and teach guitar for a living.
I'm in the market for a new amp. I want something for (rockier) country, southern rock, bluesy stuff. I want a twanging Fender clean that stops just short of a little hair on the tone. Real grit comes from pedals.
I'm not looking for the Brad Paisley tone, it's a tad too "hairy" for my tastes and I don't like to play around with my volume pot too much.
I have a couple of 6L6 amps I played for a long time but nowadays find them a little too clean, or sterile if you will. So I came across this Dr. Z Jaz 20/40.
From what I've heard on YT, it could be what I'm looking for. Of course, I need to try it myself but I have to arrange a little trip to a Dr. Z dealership. Over here in the Netherlands, those aren't on every corner.
So, what are your experiences guys? Yes or definitely no, maybe? Couple it with a Z Brake Lite? How's the 1/2 power function?
Thanks for your input,
Robert
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Post by argytar on Oct 13, 2010 13:47:28 GMT -7
Hi! You 'll have to try it to really know if it suits you! The amp if you ask me is amazing and quite versatile! It 's loud, it has big bass, you can get power amp overdrive maxing the master volume, you can get preamp drive maxing the volume knob... The half power switch really works! It makes the amp quieter and retains the sweet tone! ( I would wish I could switch this on and off for a boost function!!) What's more you get splendid reverb and tremolo! Moreover, what amazes me with this amp (got it for almost a year now) is that you can really 'hear' the character of the guitar- even pickups! Nuances of your playing come out! And it holds its own with loads of overdrive using pedals(the Z speaker cab is rated at 140 watts!!!) A tele sounds like a tele ,a strat sounds like a strat ,the amp is responsive and humbucker equipped guitars have great sound with this too... The tone stack is also quite versatile.I have the Brake Lite installed and that helps for smaller gigs and recordings. Hey, hope this helped! I love my Dr Z! Argytar
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Post by elvis8burgers on Oct 17, 2010 15:27:47 GMT -7
Hi Robert,
I've had my 20/40 head for a couple of months now and apart from a couple of preamp tubes fail (see my thread "My head is humming....." - all sorted now, the 20/40 is a wonderful amp. It responds really well to how you play your guitar, by that I mean how you use pick attack and lightness/strength of playing. I use mine on the 20 W half setting through a VOX 2 x12 can and it really sings when it's cranked - almost plays itself - you can feel the amp working for and with you - hard to describe but great when it's pushed. At low volumes with good pickups (single coils in particular) this amp chimes and is so articulate - I can hear all the overtones and harmonics from my Glendale Tele that my Fender Deluxe Rvb doesn't give. For rockier, country, bluesier stuff this amp will work really well - it does for me - but try and demo one if you can to make sure. Definitely a fine amp and that purple pilot lamp is ultra cool too! cheers, elvis8burgers
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Post by smitty on Oct 19, 2010 4:20:14 GMT -7
I've been playing Z's stuff for 15 years, and I really like this amp. Breaks up faster with humbuckers, 20/40 works great and there's no need to go to standby or anything else when you throw the switch. Paired up with a Zendrive the thing just sings. Mine has a brake lite in it but I've only used it once where we really had to tuck our stage volume back. I use it 80-90% of the time in 20w mode but it's so great to know you've got the 40w there if you get to a venue and decide you need it. From a vintage vs. modern perspective, this amp to me has a vintage quality, except it doesn't fart out beyond 5 on the volume knob and I don't have to keep hauling it to the shop!!
Oh, I haven't heard it next to a good vintage Deluxe Reverb, but I can tell you I have heard it in 20w mode against a reissue and the reissue sounded like a toy.
Smitty
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Post by bluzman on Oct 19, 2010 8:40:39 GMT -7
The JAZ will cover just about any style and any guitar. In 40 watt mode it's very powerful and in 20 watt mode it's still powerful with a really nice natural drive. Plays well with the Brake Lite. I'd feel confident buying one without playing it knowing it will do the job.
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