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Post by baddaddy on May 30, 2011 7:21:13 GMT -7
OK,
Here's my rig:
1980 Gibson 345 semi-hollow body, custom shop, humbuckers EZG-50 1 x 12 Dr. Z cab. (celestion vintage 30)
Current settings: vol pre: about 12 Oclock vol post: about 1:30 treble: 11:00 Mid: 1:00 Bass: 2:00 Just a touch of reverb
I got this amp and speaker cab about one year ago. I don't play any pedals or anything with the rig, as of yet. I absolutely love many many elements of the sound this amp can produce. I am a blues player looking for those cleans, but I really wanna hear the break up too. I added Dr. Z's attenuator to handle some of the heavy volume situations.
Now, I'm having trouble finding that magic setting, however. I really want to ride this amp on the fence, just breaking up a bit. But I am not able to get it there that easily. If I knock the volumes up to around 2 o'clock, or more, I get some really funny sounding distortion. Every thing in the bass seems very unclear and is not a pleasing sound. A sort of throaty buzzing and undefined distortion.
Anyone ? Ideas? Talk me thru this a little. Has anyone had this trouble? Could it be the cab? Really wanna keep the rig small, but maybe I won't get what I'm looking for with the one 12.
Cheers
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Post by mfirst on May 30, 2011 12:31:11 GMT -7
As you run the volumes higher you may want to try rolling out some bass. I remember when I had my EZG 50 and it was very bassy. There is a lot of low end on tap with the EZG. It may clear up the overdrive as things get louder. That was the first things that came to mind for me.
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Post by JASON (aka jgleaton) on May 30, 2011 13:06:21 GMT -7
As you run the volumes higher you may want to try rolling out some bass. I remember when I had my EZG 50 and it was very bassy. There is a lot of low end on tap with the EZG. It may clear up the overdrive as things get louder. That was the first things that came to mind for me. ditto... 1st try rolling the bass back... a lot, I usually have it almost off... and there's plenty. also, a different 12" speaker can make a world of difference. 12" Tone tubby alnico is NICE... Lot's of folks like the 12" Celestion G12-65...
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Post by Phil (aka Phil) on May 31, 2011 3:39:56 GMT -7
At those volume settings with a humbucker you're definitely going to get some dirt from the amp but I think the objectionable distortion you're hearing is almost certainly speaker distortion. JASON's right. The TT or G12-65 would be good (depending on personal preference) or any higher-wattage 12. I've seen one guy run an Electro Voice EVM-12L.
I'm all for multiple speakers with the EZG. That's just me. The Doc's 2X10 cab with the EZG would sound great (once the speakers get broken in if new)...it's a 140W cab. My favorite cabs with the EZG are the Z-Best and Z 4X10 but both of those are decently loud.
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Post by thecryingstrat on May 31, 2011 6:35:30 GMT -7
Humbucker guitar and bass at 2 0´clock might be overkill. i would go with everyone´s suggestion and dial the bass, way down. I am with phil on the multiple speaker setup. I favor 2x12, but really like the 2x10 too... I could never bond with the 1x12 configuration with my ezg.
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Post by baddaddy on May 31, 2011 9:03:41 GMT -7
Very interesting ques. Thanks. I am definitely getting speaker distortion when pushing the amp. My one desire is to have a rig that isn't so massive, that's why I tried the 1 x12 cab. And, yeah maybe a different speaker woould be the ticket, I appreciate the thoughts on this.
what's gonna be the big difference between the 2 x10's vs. the 2 x 12's?
And, then should I go with open or closed backs? Are the stock cab's from Z what I wanna look at? Or should I shop around?
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Post by BW on May 31, 2011 9:50:51 GMT -7
A vintage 30 being pushed by a 'bucker and a stout 50 watt amp is gonna break up...might try a G12H100 (they don't make 'em anymore, but the current 100 watt Celestion is comparable...with a little more low end (just what ya ain't lookin' for, right?) I have used the old G12H100 in my MAZ combo and a single 12 Zcab that I have been abusing regularly for some time now. It'll be appreciably louder and cleaner w/ good sustain. Also pulled the middle panel off my Z 2X10 convertible, and turn the bass off on the amp, nice and compact, sounds great. 4X10 is a little more effort to move around, but man do it rawk.
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Post by baddaddy on May 31, 2011 10:55:05 GMT -7
BW--Nice words.. thanks for your response. If you are who I think you are, I saw you with mayall up at Maine Center for the Arts a couple winters ago...good stuff brother..Been a fan a long time. .I'm comin from playin a Fender Twin for years and was adopted by the Z family. Like I say, I love this amp, but I think I have the wrong setup.
Been toying with getting the 2 x 10 convertible. Do I go with the stock arrangement? OR spec some different speakers?
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Post by doctorice on May 31, 2011 11:06:22 GMT -7
The stock Z 10s are great speakers. Give 'em a shot before laying out for something else.
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Post by baddaddy on May 31, 2011 18:21:17 GMT -7
ordered the G12-65 for trial run.
any advice on installing this?
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Post by mtlrecords on May 31, 2011 20:44:18 GMT -7
I use the single G12-65 and it is a great compromise. Roll off a little bass and don't push the Post control much past 1:00 or 2:00 on the dial- it's a great setup!
However, if you really want to get everything out of a "cranked" EZG-50, I recommend a 2x12, 4x10 or 4x12 speaker configuration. I was startled at the difference between my 1x12 Z cab vs my 2x12 Marshall. The Marshall just sounded "right" when the EZG was on near full volume.
I have to weigh the advantages of a 1x12 (more portable, lower cost) vs a 2x12 (better clarity in the lower mids, more headroom) whenever I play loud. That's why I say the 1x12 Z convertible (with the back off) with a G12-65 is a great compromise. Almost the best sound out of the "cranked" EZG...not quite! At lower volumes, it really doesn't seem to matter to me which speaker, at least not nearly as much.
Cheers!
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Post by baddaddy on Jun 1, 2011 9:39:25 GMT -7
Can't wait to try it. Thanks a bunch you guys. I will report back once I've swapped drivers.
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Post by mfirst on Jun 1, 2011 19:21:45 GMT -7
Here is another thought that may work for you. The 112 configuration works for some with the ezg and not for others. If you get your g1265 and still have some issues with the 112 combine the v30 and the g1265 into a 212 cab and try that. I have been using that configuration in one of my cabs and I really like it. I was initially Luke warm on both of those speakers, but combined they came alive. I ended up trying that because I hated to see them just lying around.
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Post by Phil (aka Phil) on Jun 2, 2011 4:56:07 GMT -7
Doc's 2x10 is pretty surprising. At Z-Fest Doc did a blind test with us on the JAZ with a 1x12 vs the 2x10. The majority picked the 2x10 as sounding bigger. We were all surprised how good it sounded, even those of us who thought we knew Doc's cabs pretty well. It sounds like a 2x12.
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Post by Ben on Jun 2, 2011 8:49:00 GMT -7
^^ What Phil said.
I LOVE my 2x10 convertible cab.
I can only imagine how big and full it would sound with the EZG.
Ohh loud too ;D
That cab config @ 140watts of high efficiency speakers would pair with the EZG beautifully i'm sure.
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Post by baddaddy on Jun 2, 2011 9:03:31 GMT -7
Mfirst,
Nice idea. I hadn't made that leap yet. I don't mind spending money, but hate wasting it! But it has ocurred to me that I may be better served by a 2 x10 or 2x 12 cab. Wanna keep things small.
And, yeah Ben and Phil, Imay just have to break down for the 2x 10 soon. I maybe should have grabbed that earlier on!!
I'm gonna post a report on this once a make the swap. Really appreciate the input from y'all!
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Post by Jaguarguy (Mike) on Jun 2, 2011 13:24:41 GMT -7
Just to throw a spanner in the works - you should hear it through a Dr. Z 4x10 -
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Post by baddaddy on Jun 5, 2011 8:26:02 GMT -7
All right, here's the scoop. The G12-65 showed up yesterday...it took me 30 minutes to swap the speaker out of the z 1 x 12 convertable. plugged that sucker in and, man, do it sing!!
I like it.. I dialed around with things for an hour that afternoon and really noticec how stabel that speaker is. matched with my Humbuckers it has more rounded voice and a softer break up then the stock celestion that came with the cabinet. I really love the crystally sparkly clears as you work your way up the neck and the lows really remain fairly tight, the whole mix is a little on the gritty side and just a sweet sounding situation. What a pleasant departure from the celestion. Went right to a gig last night and played a club in front of 150-200 folks and loved every minute of it. Now, this should be noted to the Humbucker guys out there. I think these pickups are challenged with some amp set-ups from the factory and is one reason why we see a narrow niche of amps that really give the classic combo of tones when looking for the perfect blues rig. I ended tweaking things quite differently than I would have guessed, here's where I ended up by the end of the gig.
Pre: 2 oclock Post: almost 1 oclock Treble: 10:30 mid: noon bass: almost 9 oclock and had to back off the verb dwell but give it a bit more mix about 8:30 and 10:00 respectively
Wow, what a difference. And all that said, I can see the inevitable already: gonna need to get a twin cabinet to pair the G12-65 and the Celestion Vintage 30 together. I can see how going full circle back to my twin days with this Dr. Z gear would be an awesome sound. I'm a believer, man!!!
By the way, all you guys rock for talking me thru this. I really love this forum for many reasons, but the depth of experience, knowledge and help seems endless.
gonna post this as a new thread for anyone else looking for similar answers.
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