|
Post by cpa2guitar on Dec 30, 2012 16:01:53 GMT -7
In another thread, bwc writes, "I'm wondering if we can get a monza/remedy comparison?" I too have wondered about this. Having owned a Remedy that I sold over volume issues (and miss terribly ), I have been somewhat curious how the Monza compares to the Remedy regarding: * I thought of the Remedy as the Dr. Z "rocker". Is the Monza more of a rock and hard rock amp than the Remedy? * Since the Monza is only 20 watts, does it rock out at a lower volume than the Remedy? * To what extent does the use of the master volume on the Monza affect the tone (does the tone greatly deteriorate as the MV is dialed down, or is the impact de minimis?). * How noisy is the Monza (i.e., is there a lot of background hiss, or is it fairly quiet)? Thanks,
|
|
|
Post by bwc on Dec 30, 2012 20:35:39 GMT -7
Thank you! I've been meaning to post this! You nailed all the same questions I had and then some, gonna stand by........ I'm probably really jut good with the Ghia, boost, and OD, but was considering one of these two amps as an alternative to get rid of the OD and just boost for solos, Hoping to cut down on hiss. A new amp would be an excuse to get something in surf green though!
|
|
|
Post by doctorice on Dec 31, 2012 6:59:12 GMT -7
My Monza hasn't had the MV mod, so I can't opine on that question. In addition, I haven't played either lately for a variety of reasons, none of which reflect anything about the amps. Hence, comments below are all prefaced with "iirc". The Monza gets dirty at lower volume (and lower setting of its V knob) than the Remedy. The "loudness" comes on faster with the Monza and higher settings of Volume (in conjunction with Drive) increase the saturation. In contrast, the Rem is fairly clean, especially with single coils, up to maybe 11 o'clock, depending on how hot the pickups are. The Monza stops being clean, with the same guitar, at about 9 o'clock. That's using the Rem at 20 watts. Upping the Rem to 40 watts is effectively like having more clean headroom on that amp. I have no empirical basis for the following, but I'll go ahead anyway: MV on the Monza is likely akin to having a continuously variable Brake Lite. Lee (maddog) has both amps also, and his Monza is, I'm pretty sure, MV equipped. Lee, over to you
|
|
|
Post by cpa2guitar on Dec 31, 2012 23:36:27 GMT -7
...A new amp would be an excuse to get something in surf green though!
|
|
|
Post by cpa2guitar on Dec 31, 2012 23:45:40 GMT -7
The Monza gets dirty at lower volume (and lower setting of its V knob) than the Remedy. The "loudness" comes on faster with the Monza... doctorice, Thanks for the info. Would you please explain what you mean by "The 'loudness' comes on faster with the Monza..."? Do you mean that, assuming both the Monza and Remedy have the same amount of dirt dialed in, the Monza is louder? I think I am misunderstanding you hear, so please set me straight. Also, would you please elaborate on the extent to which the Monza's tone degrades as the MV is cranked down. Thanks,
|
|
|
Post by Maddog on Jan 1, 2013 0:09:36 GMT -7
IMHO, the Monza is best used for over the top rock stuff. I really like it for playing AC/DC, Hendrix, power blues, and of course ZZ Top. I've played full gigs with it after I got used to it.... ie: I have found clean settings that work well for country, jazz, etc as well. I run a clean boost with the Monza all the time. This helps keep a little more chime or brilliance in the tone that can easily get lost with all the gain this amp has to offer. What I love about the Monza is I can make it feedback on any note I hold. The tone is really nice and does not roll off excessively as the master comes down. It always seems to have a big sound. I run mine thru a Z 1 x 12 convertible cab (G12H30), and again, I always have a clean boost running for some sparkle. It is sufficient loud to do outdoor gigs.
The Remedy is really a handful, even on the 20 watt setting. I like playing it even at small venues because the tone is also huge even at low volumes. It is just very clean at low volumes especially compared to the Monza. A lot of folks use attenuators to play the remedy in small gigs, I just make it sound big and clean at a lower volume, then use generic stomp boxes to do the rest.
Going back to the OP, 1) Yes, I personally think the Monza is more of a rocker than the remedy especially the way I use it. 2) Yes, the Monza will rock out at lower volumes 3) Rolling the Monza's MV down does not degrade the tone excessively. I think the huge amt of gain (and "Drive") maintain the tone as you lower the MV. The clean boost helps here, too. 4) The Monza IS a bit noiser than the Remedy at the same volume, but then again, any amp or stomp box that generates this much gain is, by nature, gonna be a bit noiser.
In conclusion, I think they're apples and oranges tho they do sonically over-lap a bit. The Remedy will do any gig. You DO have to work with it a bit in smaller venues esp if you're using loud humbuckers. The Monza will also do most gigs, but you really have to mess with it for toned-down songs. I love the huge colorful tones the Remedy puts out, and I also love the raunch the Monza kicks out. I currently use the Remedy for outside or big gigs, the M12 for small to medium gigs, and the Monza for just having fun (jams, open mics, practice, etc) the Monza is probably my most fun amp..... Hope this helps....
|
|
|
Post by cpa2guitar on Jan 1, 2013 0:54:16 GMT -7
^^^^^^^ Yes - thanks Lee. Your post is very helpful. Exactly the information i was needing.
Thanks,
|
|
|
Post by Jaguarguy (Mike) on Jan 1, 2013 5:44:33 GMT -7
I'd agree with Lee - the Monza is the most fun you can legally have ;D
I keep mine in the living room just so I can pick up my guitar anytime and noodle with it. The mv mod is fantastic!
|
|
|
Post by doctorice on Jan 1, 2013 8:39:18 GMT -7
Would you please explain what you mean by "The 'loudness' comes on faster with the Monza..."? Do you mean that, assuming both the Monza and Remedy have the same amount of dirt dialed in, the Monza is louder? I think I am misunderstanding you hear, so please set me straight. I probably should have expanded on that phrase. What I was getting at is that the tapers of the volume controls sound different to me. The Monza hits its point of maximum output sound pressure level at a lower spot on the knob than the Remedy does. Does that make sense? Also, would you please elaborate on the extent to which the Monza's tone degrades as the MV is cranked down. Can't help on that, but Mike (jaguarguy) can and did
|
|
|
Post by cpa2guitar on Jan 4, 2013 16:39:25 GMT -7
Would you please explain what you mean by "The 'loudness' comes on faster with the Monza..."? Do you mean that, assuming both the Monza and Remedy have the same amount of dirt dialed in, the Monza is louder? I think I am misunderstanding you hear, so please set me straight. I probably should have expanded on that phrase. What I was getting at is that the tapers of the volume controls sound different to me. The Monza hits its point of maximum output sound pressure level at a lower spot on the knob than the Remedy does. Does that make sense? Also, would you please elaborate on the extent to which the Monza's tone degrades as the MV is cranked down. Can't help on that, but Mike (jaguarguy) can and did Yes - that makes perfect sense. Thanks for the clarification.
|
|