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Post by Adam(shaver) on Nov 8, 2011 13:38:17 GMT -7
Is there any difference in the original vs the new ones?
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Post by randalp3000 on Nov 8, 2011 13:49:28 GMT -7
Yep, here's some info off the Z site
Prescription NOTE: as of Fall 2004, this amp is no longer in production. It has been replaced by the Prescription Extra Strength.
The Prescription is one of the Doctor's first amps, and its reputation will allow it to be one of the most popular Dr.Z amps for years to come. Players across the country have sung its praises, critics have gushed, and the word has spread. The Prescription is a British-voiced amplifier with its own distinct personality.
The tone of this amp screams rock and roll when cranked, but when clean, its bell-like tone and piano-like clarity on the low notes gives excellent articulation on complex chords. The Prescription is complex and rich in harmonics, and gives incredible touch sensitivity and string-to-finger feel. So whether you're looking for clean and pretty, or crunch of doom for some rippin' blues slide, the 'Script may be the amp for you.
Specifications Power Output: 45 Watts Output Tubes: 4 - EL84 Preamp Tubes: 3 - 12AX7 Rectifier: 1 - GZ34 Controls: Volume, Treble, Mid, Bass, 3 way bright switch, expand switch, and footswitch Boost.
Prescription EX The original RX was always a controversial amp design with its highly percussive response, “in your face” drive, immediate attack, and high level of pinch note harmonics (as demonstrated on "Dead City" featuring Buddy Whittington.)
A collaboration between master Tele player Brad Paisley, and master amp builder Mike Zaite has given birth to the all new Prescription Extra Strength. The new "RX ES" is completely revised from the input jacks to the output jacks and shares no circuits with old RX.
The RX ES design structure is unique for a Z Amp as it uses an EF -86 pentode set up in a post EQ gain layout. This alignment yields a rich harmonic complexity and an almost active response from the tone stack. The RX’s dual calibrated inputs allow for sustaining gain in the Hi input, and a rich warm clean in the Lo input jack. The RX ES also features a footswitchable "Overdose" mode, which engages a 3 dB boost for added drive and gain without altering the preset tone, same EQ'd tone just much more DRIVE. Power Output 45 Watts Output Tubes 4 - EL84 Preamp Tubes 2 - 12AX7, 1 - EF-86 Rectifier 1 - 5AR4 Controls Volume, Treble, Mid, Bass,
hope this helps rp
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Post by Phil (aka Phil) on Nov 23, 2011 7:59:58 GMT -7
The specs don't tell anywhere near the whole story. The two amps are VERY different, although some have said that they hear some overlap. Internally the are VERY different; I think the only thing they have in common is four EL84's. The "Original" Rx is a very mid-voiced British sounding (read:Marshally) amp. It is extremely touch sensitive; it's a real "players amp". It can go from a killer "Wind Cries Mary" to a gritty overdrive that the Rev. Billy G would love. If you need all-out saturation a boost pedal helps, although there's a jack on the back for a foot switchable internal boost. I (and a few others here ) think this amp might be the Doc's best amp until the Z-Wreck was released...no matter what "Wichita" says IMO the "original" RX has more than a little in common with the 'Wreck in the areas of touch sensitivity, clarity, and VOLUME. To me it's the Marshally brother to the Voxy Trainwrecky Z-Wreck. The RxES is a totally different animal due to the EF86 and its placement in the circuit...post tone control, in the "recovery" position. The mids on the ES are totally different than the Original, and the highs are more hi-fi. To me it makes a better "pedal platform". It too is LOUD. To me the Original is more raw and the ES more refined. There's a KILLER "transitional" amp or two out there that were made before the ES as we know it was finalized. Myles owned one. Curt had one. To me those were among the best sounding Rx's ever made. Here's Myles amp from his web site (note the "original's" Bright and Expand switch and the ES's Overdose light):
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Post by wally on Nov 27, 2011 12:38:05 GMT -7
how do you know if you have one of the transitional? ...mine has expand and bright switch but overdose is a toggle switch on the back of the amp
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Post by randalp3000 on Nov 27, 2011 12:48:59 GMT -7
how do you know if you have one of the transitional? ...mine has expand and bright switch but overdose is a toggle switch on the back of the amp Good question, mine is very early Ex with a switch on the front for boost but no light. There were quite a few original ones on the bay awhile back that were very reasonable and I'm kicking myself for not getting one.
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