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Post by deepsouth on Sept 30, 2011 13:17:55 GMT -7
I have decided to make the jump into Z land with the purchase of a Stangray. I am debating a used head or a 1X12 store demo combo for only $300 more than the head. The combo has the celestion gold and an airbreak installed.
I do have a 2x12 amp with weber blues in it that I can use as a cab.
I have read that ef86 combos have tube rattle problems. I had this once on a peavy classic 30, not an ef86 amp, but solved it by installing a "tube tamer"
I'm on the fence the combo would be less work to carry to gigs and has the airbreak installed but the head would take up less space in my already packed bedroom and micro-phonics should not be an issue with a head. My brain says go for the head but that combo seems like a good deal.
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Post by deepsouth on Oct 1, 2011 14:41:23 GMT -7
Well, In the end I bought the head. The new/store demo 1x12 combo sold with one bid for $1550 bux. With shipping I ended up paying $1275 for the head.
I part of me thinks I missed a really good deal. However the seller never responded to any of my questions about the amp. The guy that sold me the head has been full of tips on how to get the best sound from the stangray.
Now I just have to watch for the ups guy next week!
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Post by Maddog on Oct 1, 2011 15:12:35 GMT -7
Welcome to the fold bro. Sometimes in a deal like this you jus gotta go with your gut. I am always leary of sellers that don't respond, especially when the seller of the head was so helpful. You did very well. Enjoy one of the greatest amps of all time, and welcome aboard.
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Post by Deleted on Oct 1, 2011 19:37:04 GMT -7
Welcome to the forum, and I agree - you done the right thing. One of the things you'll like about the RAY, is the different tones with different cabs. Fantastic! Congratulations
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Post by drew on Oct 5, 2011 11:00:10 GMT -7
I agree with the other folks too. Welcome to the Z Forum and congratulations on a fine fine amp. As an option you can always pick up an combo shell and install the head, it would be upside down but that only matters for the sake of the knobs. And with most ray users it's a set it and forget it amp. Since good ef86 tubes are expensive IMHO you did the right thing. The combos work fine with 8f86s but there is the theory of earlier failure rate due to the sonic pounding happening in a combo. There are many opinions out there on this topic but again I think you did the right thing. Plus the ray is such a chameleon that I use different cabs for different playing situations. Alnico for blues, country etc and ceramic speakers for rockin like Dokken with the ray.
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Post by muzacman02 "Jamie" on Oct 6, 2011 9:23:40 GMT -7
Congrats!!! You will soon see combo or head its one of the Beat Amps you will ever own PERIOD! I OWN A HEAD AND WHILE i would love to have the 1x12 gold airbrake / brakelite installed like you said. Thats a sweet setup. Id be all over the combo. I use my ray with a 1x12 gold moslty but with the head you can get totally different tones and soumds with different speakers. While the Gold is the holy grail with the Ray it is almost tonal bliss with 2 greenbacks or GH 30's . You wont be disapointed either way . Congrats again and welcome.
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Post by randalp3000 on Oct 6, 2011 9:46:19 GMT -7
Welcome and congrats. I can't use any other amp since I got my Ray. On it's own mine seems a little bright but in the mix it sits perfectly. Nothing else comes close.
good luck rp
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Post by deepsouth on Oct 8, 2011 14:02:35 GMT -7
Good god, I really was not expecting the Stangray to sound this good. I'm really impressed. Most amps I treat as a starting point then tweak using pedals to get a good tone. All I need with this amp is a guitar and a cord hah. Very happy camper.
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