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Post by skinvoyager on Feb 19, 2014 7:46:44 GMT -7
I've been really struggling to love my M12. I like it, but I don't love it. The problem is this: when I play it by itself, it's fine. When I compare it side-by-side to other amps I like, it's missing something...balls.
I have a Fender Deluxe Reverb Reissue, A Peavey Classic 30 and a Carmen Ghia. I know it's not fair to compare the M12 to these amps because they're different beasts, but next to all of them, the M12 just is seeming a little flat to me.
I know it may be a hostile move to talk negatively about the amp in this forum, but I'm just being honest.
I brought the M12 to a dealer here in town to audition a couple other Zs. I narrowed it down to a Maz Sr. and a Stang Ray, and all three amps were 1x12 combos (I should also note I've been feeling like I need a bit more clean headroom at gigs).
The Maz got me closer in my head to the percussive, 3D sound i was looking for, but the Stang Ray blew me away. It was the first time I'd ever played one. I always assumed it would be too loud, but even at moderate showroom volumes, I was in tonal bliss.
I brought my favorite heavy gain pedal, the Carl Martin Plexitone single. I put it front of all three amps, and the three salesmen and I were universally in agreement that the pedal in front of the Stang Ray was pure magic and blew the others away.
I still think the M12 is a great amp and it has served me well for the past year, but I'm ready to try something new. Hey, at least it's still a Z! I truly believe the Dr. Z lineup is the best out there, regardless of price, and I've tried a lot.
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Post by savage8190 on Feb 19, 2014 9:50:56 GMT -7
If you like the M12 but need more headroom and "balls" you should try a Route 66. I liked the M12 because to me it was like the Route but less headroom and more chimey (what I was looking for).
The Ray is a phenomenal amp too though...cant really go wrong.
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Post by skinvoyager on Feb 20, 2014 13:48:04 GMT -7
Yeah...the 66 was my first Z years ago. It was a great amp, but I really need a combo. I'm also really digging the tone layout on the Ray.
Speaking of amps similar to the M12, does anyone know how the Z-28 compares tonally? I'm curious since they have the same front end. I used to have a Bad Cat Classic Cat with the same 6V6 power section, and I really liked it.
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Post by KeithA on Feb 20, 2014 13:52:56 GMT -7
Yeah...the 66 was my first Z years ago. It was a great amp, but I really need a combo. I'm also really digging the tone layout on the Ray. Speaking of amps similar to the M12, does anyone know how the Z-28 compares tonally? I'm curious since they have the same front end. I used to have a Bad Cat Classic Cat with the same 6V6 power section, and I really liked it. Check out he video on the Dr Z website (under the Z28 section). Our own Roscoe gives a good demo of the basic sounds that can come out of that box. Keith
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Post by skinvoyager on Feb 20, 2014 13:54:45 GMT -7
Oh and I want to clarify, this is no slam on the M12 or those who love it! It's a great amp and I almost kept it in my collection. I'm at the point of cutting hairs and figuring out what's best for me. I'm lucky enough to choose between several great amps, but I could live with any of them!
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Post by Abandoned on Feb 22, 2014 18:51:17 GMT -7
I think it can actually be easy to like bigger/high wattage amps better as they are gonna move more air and be more efficient. And slightly bigger/louder amps feel and sound better... I like the 20-30 watt range.
But for me to really maximize the tone on the bigger amps is impossible. They are just too loud period to get them to sound good.
That is what I appreciate so much about the M12, AMAZING tone at a realistic volume for me.
If I needed louder I'd probably do what you do and get a Stangray.
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Post by skinvoyager on Mar 2, 2014 22:37:48 GMT -7
At the risk of sounding wishy-washy, I decided to go with a Z-28 after all. Used the Stang Ray in a practice and my OD pedals sounded too harsh. I know I could find some that work better with the Ray, but it took me years to come to terms with my pedalboard, and I don't want to go through that exercise again! My pedals sound perfect with the Z-28.
But man, that Stang Ray clean tone is puuuuuuurty...
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