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Post by aarondavis on Mar 19, 2011 22:46:20 GMT -7
My local Z dealer sent me a text message, knowing I've been wanting a KT45... "hey, want me to order one so you can try it out? What color? Head/Cab or Combo?" He knew what he was doing...
So know I'm thinking about off loading some gear to cover it. I've got a Z28 that's my favorite amp now. But it'd be great to have an amp in the same camp that's much louder and has more headroom.
Wanna talk me into it?
BTW, I told him all blond and a 2x12 open back cab with a G12H and a Greenback.
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Post by jbriggs13 on Mar 20, 2011 12:36:09 GMT -7
Hey Aaron, Well ... as of right now, I only have a Ghia. But, I've owned 2 KT's over the past two years. While the Ghia is the most useful amp for my situation (100-200 seat clubs), the KT has always been my favorite Z amp!!! It's almost scary how percussive and 3d it sounds. I can say without a doubt that the KT is probably one of Doc's most underrated/overlooked amps in his line-up. I think it's a great thing you already have a Z28 ... the Treble and Bass controls on the 28 work in the exact same fashion as the KT. The higher you turn them up, the more gain and volume you get. Compared to the Z28 or Route 66, the KT mids are much more "neutral". The KT also has a much tighter bottom end. I don't think it's possible to get a "flubby" bottom end out of the KT. The top end is also very special ... The best way to describe it (like many others have said in the past) is having a "crushed glass" quality to it. Sharp, but still very pleasing to the ears. To get the KT into "overdrive territory" (without any pedals) is a glorious thing, but ... VERY VERY LOUD!!! If you're looking for a big, clear, clean amp, the KT is one of the best IMO. Headroom is what it's all about with this one!!! Once I have enough cash saved up again, I will have another KT. I really feel like its one Z amp all Z fans should experience. Hope I didn't ramble too long ... I have a feeling once the KT gets to your local shop and you plug in, you'll be leaving with it that day! Always IMHO, Jeremy
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Post by aarondavis on Mar 21, 2011 8:29:38 GMT -7
Thanks a bunch for chiming in jbriggs13, I was beginning to think the mic wasn't on. ;D
Sounds great. I don't mind the more present mids of the Z28, they're still more recessed than the TopHat Club Royale I've gigged for the past 10 years. (still a great amp) But I wouldn't mind an amp with slightly even more recessed mid content than the Z28, so that's nice to hear. Yeah, I'm not concerned about getting OD out of a KT45, if I need amp OD I'll grab my Z28 or Club Royale. Both excel at "straight into the amp" tones. For many years though, I've loved the versatility of a good clean amp with some pedals for everything else. I use a Barber Direct Drive and Dirty Bomb for live dirt duties and they are the best dirt boxes I've found so no problems there. Also use a killer fuzz called the Trombetta OctaBone Machine.
A nice loud clean tube tone is what I'm after and from what I've read the KT45 is it in the Dr. Z line. This would fill the spot of TopHat Ambassador 50 which is *dang* loud and clean too. It's just that it's started to sound a little harsh to me lately.
Man, I sure love my Z28. If I get similar but louder, cleaner tones out of the KT45 I'd be quite happy.
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Post by aarondavis on Apr 14, 2011 11:47:01 GMT -7
Man, when I get my KT45 head and can in, I'm going to push some conversation about this amp! I'm amazed how little info Ther is on the net about this seemingly awesome amp...
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Post by ktommy on Apr 15, 2011 2:52:27 GMT -7
Hey Aaron, how long is it taking to get your KT?
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Post by aarondavis on Apr 15, 2011 6:19:02 GMT -7
They're saying end of the month, so looks like about six weeks.
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Post by Pete aka shouldb on Apr 22, 2011 9:49:05 GMT -7
It's taken me a while to figure out that this is the Z28's big brother, so I'll be checking in here from now on to pick up on some god opinions! The Z28 is my all time favourite amp ever, and fits the gigs I do at the moment perfectly, but one of my bands may be getting some bigger outdoor stuff later in the year, and I may need a louder amp - yet I don't want to lose that Z28 vibe. This could be the answer ;D
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Post by Phil (aka Phil) on Apr 22, 2011 9:54:41 GMT -7
It's taken me a while to figure out that this is the Z28's big brother, so I'll be checking in here from now on to pick up on some god opinions! The Z28 is my all time favourite amp ever, and fits the gigs I do at the moment perfectly, but one of my bands may be getting some bigger outdoor stuff later in the year, and I may need a louder amp - yet I don't want to lose that Z28 vibe. This could be the answer ;D Really, the big brother of the Z28 is the Route 66. The Z28, Route 66, KT-45 and Delta 88 are all share the same basic preamp and overall design philosophy. The 45 is a lot "harder" amp than the Z28 IMO. My old Route 66 (s.n. 8) is *real* close to my Delta 88. They attack is similar and they're both kind of dark, smooth overdriving amps. They're both ultralinear too.
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Post by Pete aka shouldb on Apr 22, 2011 14:55:44 GMT -7
^^^ Ah, I stand corrected! Haven't played a Route66 either, but I see Line6 have decided to add an emulation of it into one of their latest offerings - must be special for that to happen ;D
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Post by aarondavis on Apr 22, 2011 21:03:07 GMT -7
Yeah, I'll certainly chime back in when I get the KT45. Most likely I'll put a tube rectifier in to soften it up a tiny bit. I still think it's going to be close enough to the Z28 vibe so going between the two won't be much of a shock to my ears. Like for instance, there's a huge difference going between my TopHat Club Royale and my TopHat Ambassador 50. We'll see though...
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Post by troutstrat on Apr 23, 2011 5:51:18 GMT -7
Percussion? Want to be a driving force like a solid drummer, bass, or loud Hammond with your shoes off? Basically this, have you heard about the story of the Zen master?
No one should be sorry for ever trying a KT-45!
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Post by aarondavis on May 1, 2011 16:04:25 GMT -7
Still waiting on the KT45 to show up at my dealer.... Sure hope to see it soon.
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Post by Phil (aka Phil) on May 1, 2011 16:34:52 GMT -7
^^^ Ah, I stand corrected! Haven't played a Route66 either, but I see Line6 have decided to add an emulation of it into one of their latest offerings - must be special for that to happen ;D Which one are they going to model...the pre-2000 one or the current one?
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Post by aarondavis on May 11, 2011 18:10:46 GMT -7
Should ship next Monday... I'm mad and glad... ;D
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Post by 6strang (aka Paul) on May 12, 2011 19:59:52 GMT -7
She is a great amp...clean to mean. Dime the treble and bass for a fun saturated ride.
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Post by zorange (Zach) on May 12, 2011 20:38:33 GMT -7
How is this amp at taking pedals?
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Post by ktommy on May 13, 2011 1:00:45 GMT -7
So good you won't believe your ears! I use mine with a plextortion, a Timmy and a Flying tomato fuzz...they all sound magically!
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Post by zorange (Zach) on May 13, 2011 8:18:50 GMT -7
Interesting! I'm so torn between what Z I will get next. I want an amp with a EF86 in it but can't decide between KT-45, the Stangray, And the Prescription ES (or the junior). I was also thinking about a Matchless DC-30 which has the option of a 12ax7 or EF86 input. I'm leaning toward the Stangray or DC30 because of the lower wattage. Both of those amps are pretty good at taking bedals as well.
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Post by timford on May 14, 2011 0:17:50 GMT -7
KT45 and C30 are completely different monsters, especially on the ef86 channel. KT and Stangray are clean through much of the register, whereas the C30 needs the preamp set really low to be clean. It is basically the dirty or lead channel, and is much louder than the 12ax7 channel. Must say the KT45 and C30 are very different, but sound great side by side, and are both obviously awesome amps. Low power is nice on the C30, but I usually end up using the higher setting to keep it cleaner and thicker/richer? KT45 sounds nice all the way through the sound register. I've only played the Stangray in the shop where it was very loud. I'd have to play with it more, but I was hoping to get a cleaner version of the c30 ef86 channel. I'll be taking my KT45 into the shop soon and will be able to do a side by side comparison which I'm really excited to hear.
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