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Post by Tommy Boy on Jul 10, 2007 19:52:41 GMT -7
...and the opinion here is that the Bad Cat Mini Cat isn't as good as the Mini Z, what am I to do?
Any other suggestions for a low wattage tube amp? Would like to keep it well south of $1000 if I can.
Thanks.
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Post by Jan on Jul 10, 2007 20:26:43 GMT -7
There is a Mini in the B,S&T section right now. One turns up often enough there and that ebay thing. I sort of expect to see the new Mini Head shipping before the end of the year, or close to it.
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Post by jvdunne on Jul 11, 2007 5:55:04 GMT -7
Not to be sacraligious, but I hear the Epiphone Jr. head, for about $99 , is very good. Also, I have an old ( '60) Gibson GA-5 , which sounds excellent. Keep yopur eye on Ebay, they show up there fairly often, for way below $1000.
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Post by kruzty on Jul 11, 2007 6:15:35 GMT -7
Tommy Boy - I don't know if you saw in the For Sale, but I have a Mini Z for sale and I live in the Indy area!
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Post by billyguitar on Jul 11, 2007 6:26:12 GMT -7
Any of the old small tube amps from the 40s thru the 60s can sound great, especially with some pedal for additional tone shaping and a better speaker. Fenders and Gibsons are the most expensive but Valcos, etc. can be pretty cheap.
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Post by detuned on Jul 11, 2007 7:42:28 GMT -7
I tried the Mini Cat before I had a Mini Z.
Not even close, IMO. Next to the Mini, a small, small sound.
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Post by zroach on Jul 11, 2007 7:59:48 GMT -7
I have a 50's Gretsch amp that is pumps out a killer 4-5 watts with a 6v6 through an 8" Jenson. I've never seen another exactly like mine but have seen similar one's go for $300 on ebay. It's a steal.
If you're wanting a Mini-Z head than I'd say pick up one of these (or any number of vintage low-watters) for a few hundred bucks to hold you over until the Mini-Z is back in production.
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Post by benttop (Steve) on Jul 11, 2007 8:23:25 GMT -7
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Post by Tommy Boy on Jul 11, 2007 9:09:10 GMT -7
Benttop,
Sorry, didn't quite know where to post it. Clearly not an Ask the Experts question. Perhaps you would suggest the Lounge? I rationalized it to myself in the Guitars and Things category under the Things aspect. Sorry.
Anyway...I am looking forward to the Mini head but worry it will be some time before it is out and I have a feeling that the head plus a speaker w/cab will start to creep out of my price range.
I will take a look on eBay as well. Thanks to all for the suggestions (and to Krutzy for following up with me about his Mini for sale).
Thanks.
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Post by benttop (Steve) on Jul 11, 2007 9:51:43 GMT -7
Benttop, Sorry, didn't quite know where to post it. Clearly not an Ask the Experts question. Perhaps you would suggest the Lounge? I rationalized it to myself in the Guitars and Things category under the Things aspect. Sorry. Anyway...I am looking forward to the Mini head but worry it will be some time before it is out and I have a feeling that the head plus a speaker w/cab will start to creep out of my price range. I will take a look on eBay as well. Thanks to all for the suggestions (and to Krutzy for following up with me about his Mini for sale). Thanks. Sorry, wasn't meant as a criticism - just wondering is all. The Doc hasn't posted an expected price, so you could be right about that. I know that as soon as he released the original Mini, he got a load of questions about a head, about combos with other speakers, etc. I think the idea of the head is to "head off" (pun intended) all those suggestions. Now you'll be able to use it with any size speaker.
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Post by Tommy Boy on Jul 11, 2007 10:58:20 GMT -7
Thanks.
FYI - Just got an eMail from Eric at Willcutt and he said that "Dr Z is gonna release the Mini Z in a head format with an attenuator.Those should be shipping in August, and might be worth the wait."
Most of this is old news except the date. August, if true, would be great.
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Post by benttop (Steve) on Jul 11, 2007 11:44:34 GMT -7
Thanks. FYI - Just got an eMail from Eric at Willcutt and he said that "Dr Z is gonna release the Mini Z in a head format with an attenuator.Those should be shipping in August, and might be worth the wait." Most of this is old news except the date. August, if true, would be great. Oh man... I had thought it would be later. Now the GAS begins...
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Post by Jan on Jul 11, 2007 12:49:19 GMT -7
I had not heard the August part. What I have heard that makes me concerned about the price going higher is the built-in attenuator and using a CG chassis.
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Post by sonicgator on Jul 15, 2007 21:08:56 GMT -7
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Post by zdogma on Jul 16, 2007 5:15:40 GMT -7
The savage macht 6 is a good one, about your price range, and used they usually go for about 850. I'd wait for the Z, if I were you, but if you need something now... www.savageamps.com/index.cfm?id=7&s=1
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Post by Tommy Boy on Jul 16, 2007 9:17:44 GMT -7
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Post by Tommy Boy on Jul 16, 2007 9:21:42 GMT -7
I took at look at the Macht 6 but for close to $1500 (Boston Guitar) they look a little pricey. I will take your advice and snoop around for a used one.
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Post by Shannon on Jul 16, 2007 13:04:36 GMT -7
I bought an Epiphone Valve Junior Head from a friend. Not impressed. I wouldn't have bought it but I couldn't pass with the price he gave me. I figured that I'd do one of those Mercury Magnetics upgrades eventually for the fun of it. The Epiphoine is good for the price, but if you like Z's, you won't be satisfied with that amp.
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Post by Don on Jul 17, 2007 9:29:23 GMT -7
Tommy Boy -
Drive over and buy kruzty's Mini and you'll have the best small wattage amp out there!
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Post by kruzty on Jul 17, 2007 9:36:05 GMT -7
Yeah, what Don said. Hell, I'd even drive it to you!
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billy
Full Member
Posts: 217
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Post by billy on Jul 22, 2007 18:25:41 GMT -7
I had not heard the August part. What I have heard that makes me concerned about the price going higher is the built-in attenuator and using a CG chassis. if the price of the new mini, or using a ghia chassis concerns you, just buy an original mini. they're always popping up for sale. easy fix.
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Post by Jan on Jul 22, 2007 22:19:40 GMT -7
The Galaxie blew my budget for a while so I am happy to wait and see what comes out of z laboratory next.
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Post by dock66 on Jul 23, 2007 10:10:18 GMT -7
Anyone know the price for the new Mini Z at this time?
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Post by noisemaker on Jul 23, 2007 10:19:00 GMT -7
A Vox AC4 is also an option. No clue what the old ones go for, but I'm building one for myself right now. It's a single el84 with an EF86 preamp. If you know and like the mini though, that's probably what you want
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billy
Full Member
Posts: 217
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Post by billy on Jul 24, 2007 7:39:39 GMT -7
i'm waiting for the mini z with the attenuator built in. should be a great amp!
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Post by janinedoubly on Jul 24, 2007 13:40:05 GMT -7
Another fun little amp is the Orange Tiny Terror. Its a gainy little guy, but it sounds really nice and is built rather nicely. Soudns great through a Bogner Cube!
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King B
Junior Member
Posts: 90
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Post by King B on Jul 25, 2007 8:56:10 GMT -7
Consider Michael Swart's 5-watter, the 6V6. I've got one, and it's tremendous. Not to be hurling stones, but it is my favorite low wattage (Valve) amp among all I've played. It and the Mini Z are the best out there, in my un-scientific opinion.
By the way, that's it sittin' on top of my Z stack in my avatar. I use it on occasion A/B'ing with the Z...it's perty cool.
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