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Post by fusioncat1967 on Jun 1, 2011 8:18:56 GMT -7
Hey all, I'm currently getting ready to purchase my first Z but I can't decide Between the ray or the ex jr. I play jazz fusion and use a lot of pedals. I don't use much gain at all. I'm currently playing thru a Mesa transatlantic t15. I am concerned the ray might be too loud for me, I play mostly small to medium rooms. My concern about the rx jr is does it break up quickly? I want something that stays cleanish so I can get my sound with my pedals. Any advice,wisdom or help would be great! Thanks
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Post by ecsong187 (Edwin) on Jun 1, 2011 14:55:28 GMT -7
If you want something that will stay clean go with the ray. You can get an airbrake or brakelite attenuator for it that will make it more manageable for smaller rooms. The RX is a great amp too, but If I was in your position I would go with the ray. Check out the user Benttop on here he has a site with a ton of sound clips. Also the ray takes pedals very well! Keep us updated on what you go with.
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Post by z4me on Jun 1, 2011 15:01:05 GMT -7
I have not had the opportunity to play through a Rx Jr, but I do own a Ray, a Carmin Ghia and had a Maz Jr, so I can provide an opinion on the wattage comparison.
Yes the Ray is loud if you are pushing the amp into its own natural breakup point. However, it seems that you are saying that you really want a clean amp with plenty of clean head room. You don't have to turn up the Ray too loud then since you won't be pushing the amp into breakup, but instead use your pedals for overdrive or distortion.
Therefore, you can set the Ray's volume where ever you desire. I can't and don't turn up my Ray very loud at all and just use pedals, similar to the approach you are taking. I also use an Air Brake attenuator on the Ray to get the volume knob up somewhat higher without the actual higher volume. Some don't like attenuated amps due to the change in tone, though the Z attenuators do a great job of retaining much of the original tone.
The 18 watt Z amps can be loud for only 18 watts, but as you are questioning, they will break up much quicker than the Ray. I could foresee you running into a situation where you need more volume to cover a room, and with an 18 watt Z amp, it will break up on you and not provide you with the desired results of clean tone.
My vote is for the Ray for your requirements and since the Ray is the best amp I have heard and played. It still wows me when I play it, such thick and articulate tones. My Ghia is a great amp, but the Ray has a better tone in my opinion.
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Post by Deleted on Jun 2, 2011 9:02:28 GMT -7
+1 for the Ray. And when using it with pedals, you can dial the tone in perfectly with the tone and cut knobs. Adjust it to a specific pedal if desired - it works great. cheers
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Post by muzacman02 "Jamie" on Jun 2, 2011 19:45:22 GMT -7
+2 on the ray!!! The second best Z Amp EVER MADE! END OF THREAD:)) SEE YOU ALL AT Z FEST GONNA BE A BLAST.
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Post by M Fowler on Jun 3, 2011 10:04:39 GMT -7
For what you described the Stangray would fit perfect into the mix.
The Stangray has incredible clean headroom and such a chimey tone. It takes pedals very well, I always used a pedal board in front of the amp and never used the effects loop. You could of course.
The RXES breaks up very fast, as that is the design of the circuit. It may be possible to use pedals, but you would have limited clean area before the breakup.
Mark
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Post by fusioncat1967 on Jun 3, 2011 11:39:40 GMT -7
What about the maz 38 nr?
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Post by astronome on Jun 4, 2011 17:21:27 GMT -7
i have to disagree about the RXES breaking up too early.. I had an rxjr and the headroom was definitely there to keep up with a loud drummer.. and if you're mic'd then you absolutely have enough headroom.. i would think the ES would have even more headroom then the Jr as well. though it is true the Ray has way more clean headroom .
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