cam
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Posts: 19
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Post by cam on Mar 24, 2012 6:16:37 GMT -7
Bought my 112 combo used a few months ago. Replaced the tubes with JJ power, Sovtek Rectifier, NOS EF, and JJ PI.
Everyone here always comments on how clean and loud the amp is, but I never have experienced that per se... yes it's sorta loud but it breaks up rather early and if you hit the front end with a boost or gain it saturates real quick.... even with the Vol on 9 or so.
Still have liked the amp alot, but last gig we were doin a Metallica song, of course I had a high gain pedal on, hit the boost for a solo and the amp just started spittin, sputterin and stutterin with not much volume. Turned the gain pedal off and my volume was 1/4, weak and slightly distorted, but did not stutter. So I bought new tubes again, all JJ's this time, and still have the problem.
Long story short is I just sent to El Doctore'. I'm not so sure I haven't had a problem with the amp since day one and it just finally failed. Have NO idea what the problem is other than maybe something in the front end?!
Just thought I'd share my Ray Journey.... I think it'll be the amp you all describe once I get it back...
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Post by muzacman02 "Jamie" on Mar 24, 2012 7:02:48 GMT -7
Most LikelyThe EF86 The Ray Is a Mean Machine, I really dont do Metallica with it, But hey It can be done No Doubt. ;D I'm not a fan Of JJ's also if you need more headroom you could try say a 12AU7 or maybe a 12AT7? in the 12AX7 Spot not the EF86 spot. The EF86 has more Uhmf, Thats whatI really like about my Ray! I have a Head not the Combo, The Ray Just Rips with just about every speaker I own, I'm actually back where I started with it, Using a GH30 Thanks to a Fellow forum Member, Great Tones! I would try TAD, or Mullards. I heard The Doc is not shipping Maz Amps with JJ's ? Maybe he will chime in, Best Regards with the Ray, Jamie
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Mar 24, 2012 9:20:58 GMT -7
I tried JJ's for my latest tube change - lasted two weeks before frying. Good move to send it in for a check-up though. tom
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Post by muzacman02 "Jamie" on Mar 24, 2012 11:16:45 GMT -7
Some people swear by them but I have my Own Concern with them. I may try a set of NOS EL84 next time still happy with the TAD's been running now for about 3mos but the Ray has been idle for a while the newness of some other Z's have been getting more action, But It's No Doubt My #1!
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cam
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Post by cam on Mar 25, 2012 9:27:00 GMT -7
I partially agree with the JJ's... for this situation is was quick and cheaper. Wish it was have solved the problem THanks for the recomendations. Guess I'll wait had see when I get it back. Can a combo chassis be fitted with a head cab? If so anyone know the cost of a head cab?
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Post by muzacman02 "Jamie" on Mar 25, 2012 17:47:03 GMT -7
Yes it can but the Faceplate would be upside Down, I hear people complain about the combos being hard on The EF86's I havent had any issues but KILLER! TONE ! From my Ray, Except for the Time My EF86 went bad, It just started sounding like Poop, then basically went Lower and lower in volume, That was the Culprit ;D
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cam
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Post by cam on Mar 28, 2012 14:02:14 GMT -7
Well as notorious as EF86's are, sadly it wasn't the problem. It was the OT. At least I'll feel more confident in the amp having been at Doc's, not to mention it will likely sound better than I've ever heard it sound.
BTW dealing with Z has been a pleasure despite what the bill ends up being.
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Post by Deleted on Mar 28, 2012 14:50:50 GMT -7
Ouch! Sorry to hear that. I'm sure the Good Doctor will make it, as you said - better than it ever was. Best wishes on a speedy recovery. tom
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Post by drew on Mar 29, 2012 14:58:04 GMT -7
Well as notorious as EF86's are, sadly it wasn't the problem. It was the OT. At least I'll feel more confident in the amp having been at Doc's, not to mention it will likely sound better than I've ever heard it sound. BTW dealing with Z has been a pleasure despite what the bill ends up being. Interesting saga and am glad you found the cause. The Z shop knows what they are doing. Ray OT's failures are not something that I see pop up on the forum. I'm sure it's happened before which makes me wonder what was the cause. It does not seem like something you would have done as I've played my ray with massive input boost pedals in front for years sometimes at stupid volumes. Rest assured when you get it back it will be a thing of beauty. The Ray is still the most toneful amp I've played, period. Using different speakers or pedals in front it's a chameleon.
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cam
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Post by cam on Mar 31, 2012 6:33:36 GMT -7
YEp she's on the way home. I think you're right Drew the amp had a issue when I bought it. It sounded good sorta but not like you all talk, esp in the loudness and cleanness area. It got fairly loud but I still was having a hard time hearing myself in a band situation and to me always sounded THIN even with my XTS Preamp pedal and the Wampler HotWired... never really had a good pure clean sound except at low volumes. I'm psyched. If you care to listen to how it sounded check out a vid or 2 on our facebook page: www.facebook.com/pages/Str8Arrow/115615821838228BTW, even in this small club which we were all mic'd, I still had the amp cranked to 12 o'clock and a boost on all the time. Most vids are from a Zoom recorder... When you hear mistakes on my part... that's just Jazz ;D
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Post by jmacbeth30 on Mar 31, 2012 13:31:09 GMT -7
My StangRay 1x12 combo should arrive in about a week!! I cannot wait!!!
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Post by mfirst on Apr 4, 2012 8:58:34 GMT -7
Doc will fix you up. I just had my Stingray up there for a once over this past fall. It came back better than ever!
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Post by drew on Apr 4, 2012 9:41:38 GMT -7
YEp she's on the way home. I think you're right Drew the amp had a issue when I bought it. It sounded good sorta but not like you all talk, esp in the loudness and cleanness area. It got fairly loud but I still was having a hard time hearing myself in a band situation and to me always sounded THIN even with my XTS Preamp pedal and the Wampler HotWired... never really had a good pure clean sound except at low volumes. I'm psyched. If you care to listen to how it sounded check out a vid or 2 on our facebook page: www.facebook.com/pages/Str8Arrow/115615821838228BTW, even in this small club which we were all mic'd, I still had the amp cranked to 12 o'clock and a boost on all the time. Most vids are from a Zoom recorder... When you hear mistakes on my part... that's just Jazz ;D Well I can hear ya cut thru on most vids where the camera is on your side of the stage. And it sounds good, nice playing Cam and a cool sounding band. That means that when your Ray comes back it should that much better.
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cam
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Posts: 19
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Post by cam on Apr 5, 2012 12:43:53 GMT -7
Thanks man... it sounds better now ;D Side note again: Customer Support at Z, and a special thanks to Jay's corrospondence, is as good as it gets. Makes me want to trade or sell my Twin for another Z
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Post by muzacman02 "Jamie" on Apr 5, 2012 19:03:54 GMT -7
If You want that Big Fendery Sound! But with a Z Twist!? GALAXIE! Randallp3000 on the BST!
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