|
Post by jesslm02 on Oct 26, 2012 11:19:48 GMT -7
This section doesn't see much use so I thought I'd write a few thoughts. I have several Z amps but I find myself grabbing this one for gigs. Almost every time. I also find the tone controls to be really interactive. Some people may try to dial it in like a normal amp (read F*nder), but it's capable of much more. The controls seem to really affect each other, to me anyways. Or maybe more so, the treble and bass really seem to work together. With most of Z's amps people say "close your eyes and dial it in." I find this to hold true especially with the RX Jr. Preconceived knob positions should be thrown out the window when dialing in this little tone machine.
FWIW, I have been using the NOS Tesla EF86/806 and it sounds great to my ears. It had a Dario Miniwatt it it, but I replaced it with the Tesla so I could save the Dario for special occasions. However, I have been pleasantly surprised by the Tesla so I'm looking to get a few more for backups.
|
|
troy
New Member
Posts: 39
|
Post by troy on Oct 26, 2012 14:38:18 GMT -7
Awesome info. I'm glad to read your thoughts, as I've been checking here lately for newer posts. I have also noticed that what I used to consider "strange" tone settings to sound really good on the RxJr. Depending on the guitar, I've been running BASS at 9:00, MIDDLE all the way up, and TREBLE at about 11:00. I've been experimenting with MIDDLE dialed all the way off too. There are some really great sounds in this amp.
How are you setting the volume? Overdose always on?
|
|
|
Post by jesslm02 on Oct 26, 2012 16:14:06 GMT -7
Cool! There's no right or wrong settings with this amp. Whatever sounds good to you. I keep the master at around noon or a tad less. Front volume just depends. Volume knobs just depends on the venue. I usually set it up clean with a touch of hair, and use OD pedals for more dirt.
I also run my boost on all the time and plug into the lo or hi depending on what I need. Mostly I plug into the lo jack when boost is on. I actually made a plug for the footswitch jack to keep it on without the need for the footswitch. Works like a charm! I can also run the treble higher when plugged into the lo jack. I liked the amp when I used to play it with boost off, but I like it even more with the boost engaged and going into the lo jack.
|
|
troy
New Member
Posts: 39
|
Post by troy on Oct 27, 2012 6:54:27 GMT -7
I'm also leaving the overdose on all the time with a 1/4" dummy plug. I haven't even tried the low input yet, but thanks, that's an excellent idea! I'm running the volume between 1:00 and 3:00 depending on whether I'm using a Tele or SG, and I use the guitar's volume to clean it up.
I have noticed that this amp sounds really good no matter how the knobs are set!
|
|
|
Post by jesslm02 on Oct 27, 2012 8:32:01 GMT -7
Yep, lots of usuable knob positions in this amp. The lo input gives a little more headroom whether overdose is on or not, but that's why I use it, plus it knocks a little high end off.
|
|
|
Post by telejas on Oct 27, 2012 10:06:43 GMT -7
I loved the RxJr..... Just needed a little more headroom, but not as much as the RxES (ended up with a Stangray).
I think the RxJr is going to be one of those amps I'm always going to regret getting rid of..... But I needed "more" at this time, so I had to do what I had to do.
Great amp with amazing cleans and a very nice grind when cranked.
|
|
|
Post by strattmaz on Oct 27, 2012 12:11:11 GMT -7
Rx.jr + 2x10 z cab Best amp ever. Make your tone chime in a band setting.
Have try/ovn almost everything
Fender vibroverb c. diaz mod-- tone king metropolitian and ++ amps.
I do play live , not just basement jamming.
Strange, my favorite z amps are discontinued.
I use rx,jr or jaz+ 4x10cab live,( also a carmen ghia sometime)
Sold my remedy and ezg 50 . just to loud amps,my ears are still summing.
Strattmaz
|
|
|
Post by Dustin on Oct 27, 2012 14:13:44 GMT -7
Rx Jr is my go to for just about everything. There's a tiny part of me that craves an RXES with the master volume mod, but it's just as easy to throw a mic in front of the Jr. Just set it up for a Halloween bar show about an hour ago, as a matter of fact!
|
|
|
Post by jesslm02 on Nov 1, 2012 11:37:57 GMT -7
^^^ I've yet to play a venue where I really needed to mic up, but we always do it anyways for reinforcement through the front mains. I could easily not mic it up though, and not worry about it.
|
|
|
Post by Brian on Nov 2, 2012 9:18:08 GMT -7
I think I am going to run my RXJR this weekend instead of the Maz 18....just to give her some air time.
|
|
|
Post by jesslm02 on Nov 2, 2012 13:00:43 GMT -7
Please do. The RX needs some love! Thinkin I may need to order some new glass for mine.
|
|
|
Post by Danny on Nov 2, 2012 16:39:21 GMT -7
The Junior was also my go-to amp for a LOOOONG time. I still love it to death. But I discovered that for bigger venues I was pushing it into a grittier zone than I wanted, and when I heard that the ES could be retrofitted with a MV I tracked one down that already had the MV mod and snatched it up. Now the ES is my go-to. BTW, I play them both as "mini-stacks" - each head with two cabs underneath. The mini-stacks give a huge, airy, rich sound that you simply can't get with a single speaker. I love both father and son. These are terrific designs!
|
|
|
Post by jesslm02 on Nov 3, 2012 6:41:55 GMT -7
Nice!
|
|
troy
New Member
Posts: 39
|
Post by troy on Nov 3, 2012 19:05:54 GMT -7
Yeah, that's a really nice setup!
I've been playing my RxJr at church, and some of the other guitar players have been asking me about it. I'm getting lots of compliments on the tone! Thanks for making great amps, Doc.
|
|
|
Post by KeithA on Feb 6, 2013 20:18:22 GMT -7
I've blown the dust of Junior this week It was my first Z and I love it. Set up a couple of my newer pedals to have a little fun... Keith
|
|
mjd
New Member
Posts: 34
|
Post by mjd on Jul 4, 2013 13:42:12 GMT -7
Hi folks, new guy here. I bought my amp in 2009. It has the 20th anniversary tag on the top and the master on the back panel. Before that I had two main amps for the previous 35 years- a 67 Super Reverb and 71 Marshall 50W Lead. Both were abused beyond repair from falls, rain, bad tubes and general neglect. I had my mind set on a Hiwatt Custom 50 at the used music shop a couple of towns over. On the day I went back to buy it they had the Rx set up next to it. I had been reading a couple things about Dr Z and I gave it a go. Demo'd the HiWatt again and walked out with the Rx. Things I love about this amp: immediate pure tone and hard power- no tweaking necessary. I keep all the dials pinned on 10 and use the volume and tone on my AM Std Tele to control drive and tone. I keep the Overdose on. The mv stays 12 unless I need more power then I crank it all the way up. For most nights I'm the loudest in the band and we don't play any soft songs. I also use a Am Std Strat but the Tele works incredibly well with this amp. Immediate response and thump is one i can put it. Also, all the notes ring through clear as a bell on chords and fills. I can get it to feedback on demand and play around then back off the guitar volume and go back to the rhythm parts. It's just a real sweet amp. It's sort of mix between the black face and marshall when it's full out but it's different- the sound is all its own to my ears. I run a Diamond delay and tremolo pedal in front of it. I turn the trem function off the Tremolo pedal and use the level dial as a boost because it works really well for that. Throws the amp into higher gain mode and sustain which great for one line leads and such. When I got rid of my Marshall I sold the cab with it. For the Rx I bought two 1x12 cabs put my old greenbacks in them. I order a full set of NOS Mullards including the ef86 tube and swapped out the stock tubes. The rectifier tube is a NOS 5ar4 Mullard. It gives the amp more grind and less sponge in the gain mode. Love that it has two inputs- Hi and Lo. I pop in and out of the inputs all the time depending on the song. The other thing that made me buy this amp is that its built like a freaking tank. It looks like it can go the next 25 years outdoor gigs, drunks, and slams without any problems. Mike, the guy who own the shop pulled apart the head and showed me what it looked like inside. Incredibly clean work- I've never seen guts that looked that solid from end to end. Pretty much the perfect amp for me. Not stylish or filled with tons of stuff i'll never use. Just raw solid tone that I can work with to make sound a hundred different ways. Huge vibes to Dr Z for putting out a great product at a really fair price. I feel I got an awesome deal $850 for this head.
|
|
|
Post by Jaguarguy (Mike) on Jul 4, 2013 14:13:19 GMT -7
Great looking rig. Welcome to the forum - a lot of good information and great people here!
|
|