Post by 1juicy1 on Apr 1, 2011 23:29:54 GMT -7
OK, I just got the Galaxie 2x10 combo this week. Being a lover of all the BF Fenders for years I've been gassing for a Galaxie for a long time. I've even contemplated the Gal replacing my beloved Maz 18 NR combo. The thought of Fender BF cleans and Marshall Bonamassa tones out of one amp is so appealing. After 3 straight days of AB'ing with every possible tone knob adjustment the winner is....
Well, first I should say that to be fair I did my A/Bing through the same cabinet/speakers. I used the Maz cab because the 10's are thoroughly broke in and smooth. Both amps were attenuated at 2-3 clicks with Z brakelite. I even used same preamp tubes which included GE 5star 5751 #1, RCA black plate #2, and JJ bal PI #3.
My initial findings of the Gal, CH 1: Very close to original Fender cleans. I know that the tone controls are interactive with the gain control. With treble reaching 3 o'clock, the gain got nice and hairy. To make a long story short, I could tweak CH 1 to a very usable tone. Here was my problem, CH 2 when switched on was such a tonal dif that it seemed unusable to me. It also seemed that way too much bass dropped out on CH 2. To tinny. Also too fizzy and flubby in the gain structure to my ears. No matter what I tried CH 2 was a no go for me. I know the original old Fender tweeds have that same type gain structure, but I guess I was expecting a tighter more focused gain based on the zillion reviews I read. So, with CH 2 out, I decided to focus on CH 1. Very nice, very full. Great 3D low end, a lil trebly for my tastes, especially if you raise the treble trying to raise the gain. I tried different OD and mild distortion pedals. Great with single coils, but with buckers again too flubbly and fizzy. Also, where with my maz, singles and buckers seemed to stay balanced when switched, the Gal made the single coils very bright and then the buckers very dark when switching. Would be tough for live situations with alot of switching. I guess it boils down to that the Gal is too much like an original '60's Blackface amp which is good and bad. Good, on that the cleans are to die for, bad in that I just can't switch into that tighter Marshall territory. I just don't think the Gal can pull off 'the best of both worlds channel switching amp'.
Here is the good news. It made me appreciate my Maz 18 for my live needs. I truly feel my Maz can get 90% of the Gal cleans. But when I OD the Maz preamp a lil, the distortion is to die for. Tight, focused lots of harmonics, cleans up well with the guitar vol knob. One of the best gain structures ever. And I really appreciate how well the Doc's Master volume configuration works, especially for dif sized live venues. Maz 18, I love you and will never stray again. No offense to Galaxie lovers. It's the best at what it does best. Fender Blackface. But thanks Doc for making so many Z models to fill all of our diverse tonal palettes and needs!
Well, first I should say that to be fair I did my A/Bing through the same cabinet/speakers. I used the Maz cab because the 10's are thoroughly broke in and smooth. Both amps were attenuated at 2-3 clicks with Z brakelite. I even used same preamp tubes which included GE 5star 5751 #1, RCA black plate #2, and JJ bal PI #3.
My initial findings of the Gal, CH 1: Very close to original Fender cleans. I know that the tone controls are interactive with the gain control. With treble reaching 3 o'clock, the gain got nice and hairy. To make a long story short, I could tweak CH 1 to a very usable tone. Here was my problem, CH 2 when switched on was such a tonal dif that it seemed unusable to me. It also seemed that way too much bass dropped out on CH 2. To tinny. Also too fizzy and flubby in the gain structure to my ears. No matter what I tried CH 2 was a no go for me. I know the original old Fender tweeds have that same type gain structure, but I guess I was expecting a tighter more focused gain based on the zillion reviews I read. So, with CH 2 out, I decided to focus on CH 1. Very nice, very full. Great 3D low end, a lil trebly for my tastes, especially if you raise the treble trying to raise the gain. I tried different OD and mild distortion pedals. Great with single coils, but with buckers again too flubbly and fizzy. Also, where with my maz, singles and buckers seemed to stay balanced when switched, the Gal made the single coils very bright and then the buckers very dark when switching. Would be tough for live situations with alot of switching. I guess it boils down to that the Gal is too much like an original '60's Blackface amp which is good and bad. Good, on that the cleans are to die for, bad in that I just can't switch into that tighter Marshall territory. I just don't think the Gal can pull off 'the best of both worlds channel switching amp'.
Here is the good news. It made me appreciate my Maz 18 for my live needs. I truly feel my Maz can get 90% of the Gal cleans. But when I OD the Maz preamp a lil, the distortion is to die for. Tight, focused lots of harmonics, cleans up well with the guitar vol knob. One of the best gain structures ever. And I really appreciate how well the Doc's Master volume configuration works, especially for dif sized live venues. Maz 18, I love you and will never stray again. No offense to Galaxie lovers. It's the best at what it does best. Fender Blackface. But thanks Doc for making so many Z models to fill all of our diverse tonal palettes and needs!