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Post by jaysalp on Feb 23, 2014 3:35:05 GMT -7
Sorry if this has been asked before, but I was just wondering as I will soon be receiving my Z28 head?!
Thanks!!
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Post by Deleted on Feb 23, 2014 6:06:02 GMT -7
I had a DRRI a few years ago--it was okay. Sounded pretty good if you cranked it, but at lower settings it was boxy and thin. The Z-28 is a different beast--fairly mid-focused, with magic tone controls that deliver added gain past 12:00. Thick tones at moderate volume. No printed circuit board getting in the way.
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Post by "Z" Steve on Feb 23, 2014 8:36:27 GMT -7
I had always wondered this myself - until I had an opportunity to re-tube a friends newly acquired SF Deluxe Reverb. It had that Fender sound alright, the cleans were great, and if you really cranked it could break up nice with my ASAT. But I found that my Z28 had way more to offer with 3 knobs and a BrakeLite (in the head config) with a 2x10 cab or a 1x12 cab than the Deluxe. I have no regrets at all.
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Post by Ridgeback on Feb 23, 2014 8:36:49 GMT -7
EZG pretty much nails it above. I had a DRRI, old glass, Weber speaker, etc. that I thought was a really nice amp. I have no problem with printed circuit board amps as long as I'm not doing the repairs. The DRRI was replaced by a Z-28 about 6 years ago. For me, the Z-28 retains the 6V6 character but there are some big differences between the two. Fair warning, the Z-28 has been my favorite amp for a long time, so take that into account.
1) EF86 front end is more "immediate". I don't use pedals except a reverb playing out but the few I tried with the DRRI didn't match up well. I have read that the Z-28 front end likes pedals. Even without pedals you can hear a difference between 12ax7 and ef-86.
2) More mids. Not quite tweed-like but pretty darn close, especially with the tone knobs past 12:00. I have only played brown era Fenders a few times but have a lot of experience with tweeds and I expect that those who put the Z-28 in the brownface camp are probably pretty close.
3) No reverb or trem circuit. This is probably a bigger factor than the PCB construction IMO. I use a Z-verb at home and an RV-5 the few times I play out anymore.
4) Much stronger bass. No farting out.
5) Those tone controls are magic. Big clear cleans (but not quite the same as BF, probably due to the mids) before noon and some of the best natural amp OD I've heard after that. Even at reasonable volumes. I still miss my two long gone Victorias but I built a floating baffle, open back 2x12 pine cab with the same speakers I had in my Double Deluxe to use with the Z-28 and I can hear similarities, especially in the past noon settings.
6) It's a Z. Sorry, I had to edit the post to toss that in as I just noticed that this was my 1,000th post and so I'm a Z-natic now.
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Post by Mark (Basement Enthusiast) on Feb 23, 2014 9:21:01 GMT -7
Agreed with Ridgeback...
[For the record, I think my '65 DR reissue is quite a good specimen—I've pulled the "bright" cap out of the Vibrato channel, which now makes it less "thin" at low volume (as EZGbiscuit said) and takes pedals extremely well. It also has nice tubes, proper bias, and a Weber 12F150.]
But the Z-28 is a different animal. It definitely has that "big bottle" 6V6 sound but it's more immediate-sounding and has more mids than the Fender. There's also much more gain on tap with the way Doc's treble & bass knobs work in the Z-28 (past 12:00). Far more "Marshall-y" to me.. in fact I have always considered my Z-28 to be a "Remedy Jr."
[Also for the record, I would consider the MAZ Jr. Reverb to be a much closer surrogate for the DRRI than the Z-28. Or, at least, that's what I think. I know, you wouldn't think so given the type of power tubes; but it just goes to show that it's not all about the power tubes sometimes.]
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Post by jaysalp on Feb 23, 2014 11:14:18 GMT -7
Thank you for these responses...I am looking forward to the mids on the Z28 as I have always liked that Marshall sound!
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Post by Ridgeback on Feb 23, 2014 11:24:52 GMT -7
Not much experience with Marshalls but plenty with 6V6 and 6L6 tweed amps. Personally, I hear more Fendery tweed OD than Marshall but as the early Marshall circuits were patterned after the tweed amps (with British tubes), I guess they probably aren't that dissimilar.
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Post by Deleted on Feb 23, 2014 13:17:04 GMT -7
I'd say they are different. If anything the Z28 might compare to a bigger brown era "Deluxe Amp"
One of my all time favorite amps of all time (Z28)
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Post by jaysalp on Feb 23, 2014 17:59:23 GMT -7
Btw, I thought a DRRI had good tone, do am I right in expecting that the z38 will blow me away???
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Post by jaysalp on Feb 23, 2014 17:59:55 GMT -7
Btw, I thought a DRRI had good tone, do am I right in expecting that the z28 will blow me away???
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Post by bwc on Feb 23, 2014 18:11:05 GMT -7
Btw, I thought a DRRI had good tone, do am I right in expecting that the z38 will blow me away??? I switched from the DRRI to z-28 about 11 years ago and haven't look back. It was tough to get over the lack of reverb at first but it gets easier. The z-28 is real special, does a clean fendery sound very well and with the knobs to the right through greenbacks it can sound like a marshall.
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Post by Deleted on Feb 23, 2014 18:26:25 GMT -7
That is one thing I love about the EZG--great reverb.
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Post by Joey Beverages on Feb 23, 2014 18:32:56 GMT -7
Prior to my acquiring the Z-28 I had various Fenders - including a DRRI, SRRI, TRRI ... and several other makes and models - even a few of them ol' Traynor amps
Z-28 is closer to a brown-Deluxe imho .... and, most definitely has a more inneresting front end and tone stack than any of the reissue Fender amps imho
You gonna like it, you gonna love it, you gonna want some more of it
cheers always, eh
Joel
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Post by Pete aka shouldb on Feb 24, 2014 0:31:05 GMT -7
in fact I have always considered my Z-28 to be a "Remedy Jr." I'm glad I'm not the only one....... there is a definite overlap in the tones of those two for sure, but the Z28 can head off into more Fender territory and has less gain than the Remedy. The Z28 has some serious ballsy mojo going on, and is one of my all time fav amps - just keep an eye on that mid-hump and which speaker you choose. I found the Red Fang was not a good match (both it and the amp have the same mid hump, and the top end sort of vanishes), otherwise, the Z28 is a true masterpiece and deserves much more recognition than it gets.
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Post by markT on Feb 24, 2014 9:20:19 GMT -7
. in fact I have always considered my Z-28 to be a "Remedy Jr." ^^this! I sold my Remedy after getting my Z28. It can get the brown Fender tones as well as great Marshall type grind. Enjoy your incoming Z!
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Post by Stan on Feb 24, 2014 9:47:42 GMT -7
You guys are killing me here, just when I thought I had figured out what Z I want, along comes this thread with more great insights.
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Post by jaysalp on Feb 24, 2014 13:37:21 GMT -7
Sounds like the z28 has cult status on this forum...I am sure it's brilliant!
Am I right in thinking that it is the Doctor's favourite amp in the lineup or is it the ghia or zwreck?
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Post by jaysalp on Feb 24, 2014 13:38:31 GMT -7
Sorry for bringing up this thread Stan!! :?
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Post by Ridgeback on Feb 24, 2014 14:13:44 GMT -7
jaysalp, If you stick around here long enough you will find that they all have a cult following. Especially the less popular models that the cultists feel should get more respect. For a long time, I couldn't figure out why anyone would ever sell a Z-28 after having tried one. I'm more open minded now. Different strokes.
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Post by nmz on Feb 24, 2014 23:44:31 GMT -7
Welcome to the cult!
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Post by gfreak on Feb 25, 2014 20:29:19 GMT -7
One of us, one of us!!! Everyone has nailed it. I will just add my two cents. I had to DR (one a reissue and one a 63.) Both were great amps but I do not miss them thanks to the Z-28(and my other Z's and the Imperial.) I run mine through either a 2x12 greenback loaded closed back cab or 1X12 Red Fang loaded open cab. Each cab brings out different qualities of the amp (I do not have a favorite.) It takes pedals well and every guitar(mine and my friends) I have played trough it sound nice.
Welcome!
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Post by Deleted on Feb 26, 2014 7:09:37 GMT -7
That is one thing I love about the EZG--great reverb. The EZG reverb is amazing versatile.
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Post by markT on Feb 26, 2014 9:57:52 GMT -7
That is one thing I love about the EZG--great reverb. The EZG reverb is amazing versatile. Another thing I love about the z28 , no reverb!
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Post by skinvoyager on Feb 27, 2014 22:59:25 GMT -7
I have both. Z-28 smokes it on sheer "bigness" of sound. The DRRI breaks up very quickly and farts out. The Z-28 holds up much better. The DRRI is a great low-volume or studio amp, but I wouldn't recommend it for practice or a loud live situation. For small gigs it would do fine, but still, it sounds boxy compared to the Z-28.
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Post by jaysalp on Mar 6, 2014 16:24:13 GMT -7
It's finally arrived...haven't tried it since Wednesday but O can't wait when I have the time!!
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Post by nmz on Mar 6, 2014 16:58:23 GMT -7
Very cool, let us know what you think.
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Post by jaysalp on Mar 7, 2014 16:59:40 GMT -7
Just finished a jam session with the z28. Amazing amp!! These are my first impressions:
- Inhales pedals, the reverb sounds LIKE IT WAS BUILT INTO THE AMP - amazing with a boss frv-1!
- Strong mids and lows - definitely more tweed/marshall in its general tone and nothing like a DRRI which has farty lows and thin mids. Person who said it is much fuller and richer than any dr is spot on, although I still think it has a distinctive tone that represents a mix between a tweed an a jtm45 - what does everyone else think (bear in mind I was playing thru a 212 with 2 g12h's)??
- Very sensitive volume control - you have to be careful when you are playing through a 212 with loud speakers!
- LOUD!! - Very loud, at 9.00 on the volume control it is already approaching small gig levels....woaaaahhhh!
- Very dynamic and responsive, and as someone said this also means that it reveals ALL the flaws in your playing but captures the nuances of your technique and guitar very well indeed...
Give me your feedback on my first impressions!
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Post by Pete aka shouldb on Mar 8, 2014 0:11:55 GMT -7
HA! Your feedback is the perfect description of a Z28! You have to learn how PLAY that amp, not just plug into it. It is a very dynamic, living thing, and if you show it who's boss and respect it, it will give you back 100% and make you sound awesome! However, it will show up lazy playing too......... just saying. That amp forced my playing to a different level. It will flatter you for sure, but it won't let you hide Now, LOUD you say? Hmm. That'll be the Z (take a look at my avatar!) A couple of us did a rule of thumb, tongue-in-cheek thing some time back and came up with a simple formula: 1 Z Watt = 2.6 regular Watts from any other average amp I still stand by that - the clarity and punch from every Z amp I've ever played just puts everything else in the shade. Glad you like it!
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Post by Ridgeback on Mar 8, 2014 7:20:05 GMT -7
The Z wattages are misleading. I loaned my Maz 18 NR combo to a friend when his amp crapped out at a gig. He could not believe that it was only 18 watts as it hung in with a full band populated by 40 watt super reverbs, pros, and tweed bassmans. I got to play my EZG out for the first time (same band)two nights ago. We were doing the sound check and I was told 9:00 on both the pre and post was just right volume-wise. I did sneak it up to 10:00 and noon during the set just to see what it sounded like when it was opened up a bit. That was fun.
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Post by nmz on Mar 8, 2014 11:39:20 GMT -7
Just finished a jam session with the z28. Amazing amp!! These are my first impressions: - Inhales pedals, the reverb sounds LIKE IT WAS BUILT INTO THE AMP - amazing with a boss frv-1! - Strong mids and lows - definitely more tweed/marshall in its general tone and nothing like a DRRI which has farty lows and thin mids. Person who said it is much fuller and richer than any dr is spot on, although I still think it has a distinctive tone that represents a mix between a tweed an a jtm45 - what does everyone else think (bear in mind I was playing thru a 212 with 2 g12h's)?? - Very sensitive volume control - you have to be careful when you are playing through a 212 with loud speakers! - LOUD!! - Very loud, at 9.00 on the volume control it is already approaching small gig levels....woaaaahhhh! - Very dynamic and responsive, and as someone said this also means that it reveals ALL the flaws in your playing but captures the nuances of your technique and guitar very well indeed... Give me your feedback on my first impressions! Yep, Z28 alright. Glad you dig it, it only gets better. Such a great amp for cleans and crunch. Have you gone to 3-3-3ville yet?
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