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Post by JChance on Apr 30, 2007 18:47:57 GMT -7
Ok, I've had the Ghia for a couple of weeks now. I'm still going through a bit of an adjustment period, as quite honestly it's even more unique than I thought.
My initial impressions are that I'm sure I'm going to grow to like it.. But I guess I'm just not quite bonding with it *yet.* I'm thinking of doing a couple of experiments to make it a touch more "MAZ 18 like," and am curious if anyone has tried these tube swaps before....
First of all, the Ghia has a pristine sound. "Polite," for lack of a better term. Definitely not girthy like a MAZ, but more sophisticated.
I'd like a touch more midrange & grind out of the amp, but don't want to do too much to alter the base tone. So I'm going to try a 12AX7 in V2 to see if it makes the clean sounds have a bit more hair...
Also, if I'm playing with a loud band, I wish it had just a smidge more headroom... Talked to Brent at Dr. Z, and he said it was safe to experiment with a 5U4 in the recto spot for a bit more tightness and attack..
Anyone else try this stuff?
Normally, with Z's amps, I don't like to experiment. Mike Z has such great ears and a unique idea of great guitar tone, so I just leave well enough alone. But the Ghia might need a couple of minor tweaks for my personal tastes...even though I'll probably eventually just return it to stock form (unless the tube subs make me absolutely fall in love with it..)
J
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Post by Lefty on May 1, 2007 9:06:42 GMT -7
I'm in the same boat with you J. I really like the Ghia, but it's not a Maz. I think for more grind and mids the JJ ECC83 should get you there. I also have a Tung Sol 12AX7 in V1, haven't messed with V2 yet. I find the Tung Sol a little more "Fender-esque" with a little more top and bottom. Given the fact the Ghia is such a simple amp, maybe we should put our heads together and come up a with a "Tube Recipe" for the Ghia.
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Post by Curt on May 1, 2007 9:23:51 GMT -7
If I was to own another Ghia or Mazaratti I would grab immediately one of these; The Barber Barb E.Q.is now shipping,
Three classic EQ sounds direct from their vintage amp circuits...add Blackface, High wattage Tweed and British "stack" EQ to your current amplifier rig!
This EQ is magic with simple amplifiers that have only a volume or Volume and a single tone control. The Barb E.Q is a high headroom classic EQ that adds no overdrive to your signal yet imparts the famous "sound prints" of classic amplifiers. Here's the link; www.barberelectronics.com/barb_eq.html
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Post by Lefty on May 1, 2007 10:07:08 GMT -7
Looks interesting...but I have a love/hate thing with the Barber pedals. I want to like 'em, great build, but they always leave me flat. Plus I would hate to rely on a box for my EQ'ing, but a good idea just the same.
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Post by JChance on May 1, 2007 10:35:24 GMT -7
Yeah, cool looking box... But I really don't want to try & make the amp something it's not.
Just want to give it a little more attitude...
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Post by Curt on May 1, 2007 10:40:20 GMT -7
Yeah, cool looking box... But I really don't want to try & make the amp something it's not. Just want to give it a little more attitude... Have you tried a good ol Greenback in it? I would thing a nice NOS 12AX7 in V1, a Matched long plate NOS PI, a NOS rec and a Greenie would add some 'tude.
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Post by Lefty on May 1, 2007 10:42:15 GMT -7
You know what would be cool on the Ghia? A Cut control....sshhhhhhhhh!
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Post by Joey Beverages on May 1, 2007 10:44:00 GMT -7
You know what would be cool on the Ghia? A Cut control....sshhhhhhhhh! lol - that extra nob would be just enough to confuse me ;D
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Post by Lefty on May 1, 2007 10:50:22 GMT -7
You know what would be cool on the Ghia? A Cut control....sshhhhhhhhh! lol - that extra nob would be just enough to confuse me ;D We'll get you a Boogie Rectum Fryer and sit back and watch your head EXPLODE!
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Post by JChance on May 1, 2007 10:52:52 GMT -7
Yeah, cool looking box... But I really don't want to try & make the amp something it's not. Just want to give it a little more attitude... Have you tried a good ol Greenback in it? I would thing a nice NOS 12AX7 in V1, a Matched long plate NOS PI, a NOS rec and a Greenie would add some 'tude. Well, I've got a ceramic Blue Dog in there now, so a Green isn't going to be a huge difference since these Webers I use are all "variations on a theme."
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Post by Curt on May 1, 2007 12:51:57 GMT -7
You know what would be cool on the Ghia? A Cut control....sshhhhhhhhh! Yes Sir, the "Mini Ray", I feel the addition of a cut control woul;d be a huge assett to the Ghia for gigging, the "Ghia +".
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Post by Curt on May 1, 2007 12:52:55 GMT -7
Have you tried a good ol Greenback in it? I would thing a nice NOS 12AX7 in V1, a Matched long plate NOS PI, a NOS rec and a Greenie would add some 'tude. Well, I've got a ceramic Blue Dog in there now, so a Green isn't going to be a huge difference since these Webers I use are all "variations on a theme." Your quote from the top; "I'd like a touch more midrange & grind out of the amp, but don't want to do too much to alter the base tone. "Ya know Doc sells a lot of Ghia's with a V30....not my Fav either but works pretty well with a Ghia, It's what I gigged and recorded mine with.......... And now, I quit.............
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Post by Dana {aka gp} on May 1, 2007 20:56:23 GMT -7
Hey Jayson,
I suggest you try the following:
1) Connect to some type of Celestion speaker with a ceramic magnet. I've tried my Ghia with some of the newer Alnico speakers and had no luck.
2) Hunt down a Tungsram or Amperex 12AX7 and put it in V1. My third choice would be one of the older Chinese models with the square getter, believe it or not.
3) For more power drive, try a 12BZ7 in V2.
12BZ7 tubes have the same amplification factor as a 12AX7, but they drive more current. They're also more prone to hum and microphonics so I've never found one that would work in V1 long term.
These are my suggestions but I look forward to seeing what Myles has to say.
Cheers,
-Dana
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Post by fuzzee on May 2, 2007 8:27:38 GMT -7
You might want to try a 5ar4 for the recto I like that sound better, I thinks it's tighter and has more punch, It won't hurt the amp but I think it's a little harder on the tubes.
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Post by JChance on May 2, 2007 10:05:28 GMT -7
You might want to try a 5ar4 for the recto I like that sound better, I thinks it's tighter and has more punch, It won't hurt the amp but I think it's a little harder on the tubes. No go on the 5AR4/GZ34... Heard that straight from the horses mouth. Tranny will take a 5U4 ok, but not a GZ34. j
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tnaluv1
New Member
Music is the best..... FZ
Posts: 49
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Post by tnaluv1 on May 3, 2007 11:06:41 GMT -7
I just put two matched JJ ecc81's in the sockets that have the small tubes. Is this OK? It sounds good, but franklly I'm just guessing here.
What does V1 and V2 mean and what are their functions?
Thanks guys!, this forum rocks... Peace, Alex...
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Post by zgrip on May 3, 2007 12:15:28 GMT -7
Wow, "pristine", "polite", "not girthy"..... terms I would never use to describe my ghia's sound. It has about the girthiest sound, especially clean, I've heard from an amp. Different strokes... but I think the maz jr is more pristine and processed sounding to my ears. I have a jan phillips 12ax7 in v1 and rca 12bh7 in v2, ei gold el84s and v30. Plenty girthy for me.
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Post by amakitalo on May 3, 2007 13:56:52 GMT -7
If you go Myles's website, he's got an extensive write-up about the Ghia. The link is attached. He describes how his Ghia was delivered with GZ34/5AR4 rectifier and, while he prefers NOS 5Y3, GZ34/5AR4 is no problem for the Ghia, as it uses the same power transformer as the Maz 38. Unless the design has changed, it appears that one could then use GZ34/5AR4 in the Ghia. www.guitaramplifierblueprinting.com/doctorzamps3.html
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Post by JChance on May 3, 2007 14:44:20 GMT -7
If you go Myles's website, he's got an extensive write-up about the Ghia. The link is attached. He describes how his Ghia was delivered with GZ34/5AR4 rectifier and, while he prefers NOS 5Y3, GZ34/5AR4 is no problem for the Ghia, as it uses the same power transformer as the Maz 38. Unless the design has changed, it appears that one could then use GZ34/5AR4 in the Ghia. www.guitaramplifierblueprinting.com/doctorzamps3.htmlHmmm...interesting... I asked the folks at Dr. Z and they said that a 5U4 was about you could switch to for tighter bottom. Maybe they have altered the design a bit, but I wouldn't think so... Either way, I've just gone back to the stock setup for now. I'll tweak a little more as I go
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Post by bustertheboy on May 4, 2007 3:21:16 GMT -7
Wow, "pristine", "polite", "not girthy"..... terms I would never use to describe my ghia's sound. It has about the girthiest sound, especially clean, I've heard from an amp. Different strokes... but I think the maz jr is more pristine and processed sounding to my ears. I have a jan phillips 12ax7 in v1 and rca 12bh7 in v2, ei gold el84s and v30. Plenty girthy for me. Great v1 and v2 choices- I use them with my Ghia but GT EL84's and Greenbacks. Great tone! Brett
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Post by billyguitar on May 4, 2007 8:40:27 GMT -7
I'm confused about that because I though a 5U4 pulled the most current. Doesn't matter much cuz I dig 5Y3s! Actually a 5V4 would be a good compromise. I use one in my Stang Ray.
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