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Post by neilgb on Jun 16, 2011 14:16:16 GMT -7
Hi everyone,
I am new to the world of Dr Z amps (although I always wanted a KT45 following Grissoms awesome demo!). I got a Stangray combo in a trade. Its a 2007 (I guess as it has an R serial number). For some reason it came with an Eminence Wizard. It would be great if you guys could help me out with some advice.
1) It sounds OK with the Wizard but not great. It sounds hollow when played clean and used with a zen drive sounds more like a Kazoo than a boutique amp! I don't have a celestion gold to swap in there so fitted my current favorite speaker, an EVM12L. It now sounds wonderful clean and my OD boxes (Zen drive and Caitlin bread dirty little secret) work really well. I am wondering if it will improve further if I get a Celestion Gold for it? Any opinions?
2) Given it is about 4 years old, should I change the tubes? I believe I am the 3rd owner and the prior owner did not know the history of the tubes in there so they may be original (they are JJ's - I notice the manual says Groove Tubes are OEM spec?). Should I change all the tubes or just the power tubes? Stick with the JJ's or try something different?
3) Any opinions on fitting a brakelite?
BTW I play mostly blues with a Les Paul.
I have a good feeling about this amp, having owned a huge array of different amps in the past this Stangray seems to be something special.
Thanks in advance.
Cheers Neil
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Post by Norrin Radd on Jun 16, 2011 19:56:20 GMT -7
Hi everyone, I am new to the world of Dr Z amps (although I always wanted a KT45 following Grissoms awesome demo!). I got a Stangray combo in a trade. Its a 2007 (I guess as it has an R serial number). For some reason it came with an Eminence Wizard. It would be great if you guys could help me out with some advice. 1) It sounds OK with the Wizard but not great. It sounds hollow when played clean and used with a zen drive sounds more like a Kazoo than a boutique amp! I don't have a celestion gold to swap in there so fitted my current favorite speaker, an EVM12L. It now sounds wonderful clean and my OD boxes (Zen drive and Caitlin bread dirty little secret) work really well. I am wondering if it will improve further if I get a Celestion Gold for it? Any opinions? 2) Given it is about 4 years old, should I change the tubes? I believe I am the 3rd owner and the prior owner did not know the history of the tubes in there so they may be original (they are JJ's - I notice the manual says Groove Tubes are OEM spec?). Should I change all the tubes or just the power tubes? Stick with the JJ's or try something different? 3) Any opinions on fitting a brakelite? BTW I play mostly blues with a Les Paul. I have a good feeling about this amp, having owned a huge array of different amps in the past this Stangray seems to be something special. Thanks in advance. Cheers Neil 1. Everyone likes different speakers. That being said, most everyone agrees the Ray sounds best with a Celestion Gold or pair of Blues. If it were me, I'd put in a Gold ASAP. 2. Change the power tubes. They could be the originals. I just wouldn't trust them with the previous owner not knowing their history. EL84s only really last well for about 6 months of regular loud playing. 3. Get a Brakelite SA (Stand Alone). Then you can use it with your next Z too! Welcome to the Ray club - it's a very special amp.
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Post by Adam(shaver) on Jun 16, 2011 21:05:16 GMT -7
I'll second the gold. It will definitely bring that amp out of its shell! Either a gold or a blue.
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Post by Deleted on Jun 17, 2011 9:51:22 GMT -7
Congratulations Neil, and welcome. The Gold is fantastic with the Ray, as is the Brake Lite. Such a world class amp, cheers.
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Post by wayben on Jun 17, 2011 13:46:21 GMT -7
Gratz on the great amp. People have mentioned a gold or pair of blues. Another option is a gold and a blue. Makes mine shine.
Wayne
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Post by neilgb on Jun 22, 2011 16:20:31 GMT -7
Thanks for the help. I appreciate it. Cheers Neil
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Post by John on Jun 23, 2011 5:26:37 GMT -7
I would say get rid of the Wizard. It's got recessed mids...and the 'ray already has recessed mids. So you've got a doubling of recessed mids. The 'ray works best with a speaker that has some decent mids....like a gold. I don't know much about an EVM.
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