|
Post by zpilot on Mar 17, 2014 23:36:54 GMT -7
Some of you guys own or have played through both a JAZ and an EZG-50. Which do you prefer and why? I own a JAZ and am considering switching. The JAZ has a wonderful tremolo but I now have a Flint on my pedalboard so I could do without it on the amp. Also, I almost never use the 20 watt setting on the JAZ.
|
|
|
Post by Jaguarguy (Mike) on Mar 18, 2014 6:45:00 GMT -7
The reverb on the EZG Is to die for! If you're looking for Super Reverb type sounds this is definitely the amp to go with. I like the JAZ for swamp-type music - with its trem and reverb it really is perfect for it. Neither is leaving here anytime soon though!
|
|
|
Post by nocasterman on Mar 19, 2014 5:19:08 GMT -7
I have an EZG head with a Z 4x10 cab and a JAZ combo with a gold. To me the JAZ sounds much better. After playing both for several months I am blown away with the JAZ. The EZG is a great amp and sounds good, but something about the JAZ just has the magic for me. I have taken both amps to practice and the band liked the JAZ better. Since picking up the JAZ, my first Dr Z love, Stangray has not been used very much. When I bought the JAZ it had 2x10's in it which I did not care for and switched them out for the gold. That made a world of difference, less mid honk and a much fuller sound. The reverb is excellent on the JAZ, but the tremolo is AMAZING, best I have ever played. I have a Mesa Boogie Tremoverb and the tremolo on it is not even in the same universe as the JAZ's.
There was quite a bit of discussion over why the JAZ did not take off, and I really do not get it. It is an amazing amp, with everything you could need, other than high gain built in. It really is what a Deluxe reverb should have been. I use the half power switch at home on occasion, and am amazed at how it does not change the tone. Generally I keep the master dimed and adjust the volume to need. I could go on for many paragraphs about how impressed I am with this amp, I really hope DOC revisits it one day. Sadly I did not give the JAZ the amount of interest or attention it deserved when it first came out. Only after it was retired did I discover what a beauty this amp is.
Zpilot is yours a head or combo? I may be letting my EZG and 4x10 go and be looking for a JAZ head.
|
|
|
Post by aufamily on Mar 19, 2014 10:23:14 GMT -7
Lesson learned here is - play them...with the speakers you have/will use. Then decide what is best for YOU. So many factors weigh heavily on "favorite tone"...guitar, amp, speakers, style/touch, etc. My EZG through the z 4x10 sounds different when played through a z 1x12 with a Gold. Don't have a JAZ...but would love to try one. I'm sure you can't go wrong!
|
|
|
Post by Ridgeback on Mar 19, 2014 13:30:22 GMT -7
For context, I've only played a Jaz once for a few minutes and have owned an EZG for only about 4 months now. My impressions are:
1) I don't use trem enough to want that permanently in my amp circuit or the associated extra knobs on the faceplate. Too busy. 2) The EZG reverb is at least as good as the Jaz's. I do use a bit of reverb most of the time but I have a Z-verb for all of my verb needs. 3) The EZG sounds great at low volumes so I'm not sure I would use the half power setting on the Jaz. 4) The Jaz is hard to find as a head and I'm done with heavy combos.
That said, if a Jaz head came up locally (with the right cosmetics) and I had the $ on hand, it might be the only Z I would still be interested in owning having passed through my el-84 Z phase. Probably not to return, but I do miss the Ray. For now, I'm quite satisfied with a Z-28 and an EZG.
|
|
|
Post by zpilot on Mar 19, 2014 19:18:09 GMT -7
My JAZ started life as a combo but it evolved into a head. I like it with 2x10's for really clean stuff but I like it through a 12" alnico Gold for the rock and blues stuff. I'm not sure why I'm interested in a EZG because I have a couple of Blackface amps.
|
|
|
Post by nocasterman on Mar 19, 2014 20:30:54 GMT -7
Playing my EZG through a 1x12 gold cabinet sounds better to my ears than the 4x10. I liked it through a Z-Best also. When my buddy played it, I know his sound, Super Reverb all the way, and he sounded more like him with the 4x10. Finding the right combination for each of us is what it's all about, and something I love about this forum, we are all about supporting each other and helping each other find the tone we are after. I bought my Ray based in no small part on comments on Ztalk. The reverb on the EZG is every bit as good as the JAZ. I have a couple Z-Verbs that I use and love as well. I know a lot of people here do not seem to mind amps without reverb, but for me an amp with no reverb may have a great tone, but it just dies...............with a little reverb it hangs and breathes. I tried many reverb pedals and none sounded like real reverb to me, so I went Z-Verb I was never a big trem user, but the JAZ's sounds so amazing I find myself throwing it in quite a bit more than I thought. My combo came with a flight case on wheels which is nice. I pile my Z-Best, Soldano and Z-Verb on top of the flight case and away I go. I would really like to have a JAZ head, but they do seem to be almost impossible to find. I too have considered turning my combo into a head, but for now I am satisfied with one less piece to carry.
|
|
|
Post by nicholas on Mar 20, 2014 15:38:39 GMT -7
Hey Zpilot, I've pondered the same question for a while. Though I wouldn't be able to let the JAZ go it would have had to be an addition. I really like the JAZ a lot. My biggest concern was they would be very similar and have a lot of overlap. If anything my biggest question was if the EZG had tons of more headroom as I'm a humbucker guy. But most I've read here don't describe the EZG with "twin" headroom. So I'm thinking (guessing) that it most likely is similar.
Every time I got close to buying an EZG, I'd ask myself if I really NEED more headroom. I really like how the JAZ breaks up at less than ear splitting volume as I don't use pedals for dirt. So I keep putting it off. I'd love to try an EZG though.
I like how my JAZ combo, although a bit heavy, has everything I need in one box. Just need a tuner and cable. The reverb couldn't be better, and the term is really awesome. I like how it can sound real loud and clean with the TMB up high, or dirty greasy with them set lower. I keep finding new setting and I just love the amp.
Anyone know? Does the EZG have THAT much more headroom? Is it as flexible? At this point, or any point in the Z line there really isn't such a thing as an upgrade. They are all just sideways steps and what works better for each individual. The JAZ is working pretty darn good for me right now.
|
|
|
Post by Ridgeback on Mar 20, 2014 17:58:58 GMT -7
No real context for the Jaz (not enough experience) but my EZG does not have Twin headroom based on the Twins I've played. More like Super Reverb headroom. It will break up before noon with HB's or P-90s regardless of the pre\post settings but it is pretty loud at that point. I've toyed with the idea of seeing what a 5751 in V1 would do but I'm really not looking for Twin-like headroom so I probably won't try that in the near future. Maybe with high efficiency or high wattage speakers it would stay clean longer but I kinda doubt it.
|
|
|
Post by nicholas on Mar 20, 2014 19:35:10 GMT -7
Thanks Ridge. Wish stores round here would stock a few Z's.
|
|
|
Post by doctorice on Mar 25, 2014 8:37:00 GMT -7
I hope to chime in on this soon as I have both. Unfortunately, I'm sidelined for a few days with some herniated disks in my neck acting up.
zpilot: I'll try to setup up both amps into the 2x10 speakers in my JAZ combo using a Headbone. That should tease out the "pure" amp effects. I could also run through the 4x10 or 1x12 Creamback, but that'd be a little more wiring.
|
|
|
Post by nocasterman on Mar 25, 2014 15:28:05 GMT -7
I hope to chime in on this soon as I have both. Unfortunately, I'm sidelined for a few days with some herniated disks in my neck acting up. zpilot: I'll try to setup up both amps into the 2x10 speakers in my JAZ combo using a Headbone. That should tease out the "pure" amp effects. I could also run through the 4x10 or 1x12 Creamback, but that'd be a little more wiring. Looking forward to hearing your thoughts, you are always insightful with your reports. I am doing the same thing with Z-Bests, 4x10 Z's and 12" Golds. I just have not had the time to get it all side by side and really dig deep into why I love the JAZ more. I use a Radial Switchbone to A/B/Y so I can have them both going at the same time to really hear the difference. Both great amps though. I hope you feel better soon!!
|
|
|
Post by Phil (aka Phil) on Apr 13, 2014 6:58:20 GMT -7
Wow...EZG vs. JAZ. That's kind of a hard one. I've got both. To get right to your question...the EZG, without hesitation...but that's just my preference. It's hard or near impossible for me or anyone else to tell you which one to get, as an amp's player interaction/response is so personal. You pretty much have to do your own shootout.
My thing is: if I had a gig where I needed a "Fender" type sound the EZG is the go-to amp every time. If it's a Marshall type amp it's the Remedy. A smaller gig, MAZ Jr. Maximum versatility: the KT45. The JAZ is a great sounding amp but like others have said if I don't need the awesome JAZ trem then I just prefer my other Z's for various reasons. I think the thing that might have hurt the JAZ (besides it's higher price which reflected the huge number of features and construction complexity) is the "jack of all trades" kind of thing. It doesn't quite have the direct "player-to-string" feel of some of the other Z's...it's a little more compressed. I prefer amps like the original Prescription, Z-Wreck, non-reverb MAZ's, KT-45 etc. that feel like you're directly connected to the amp. The EZG is closer to that than the JAZ. Also, there's a lot of guys who believe in the philosophy "Bigger bottles (tubes) = bigger tone". I think there's something to this. Four smaller bottles in the JAZ vs. two 6L6's in the EZG is an interesting comparison...and I think at the end of the day the 6L6's do kind of have an edge.
|
|
|
Post by doctorice on Apr 13, 2014 7:47:36 GMT -7
Interesting and enlightening, Phil. How do you typically adjust/set the JAZ and which guitar(s) do you gravitate towards when playing it?
I still haven't found time to do the comparison and offer my two cents. Sidetracked by debating whether to try the Z Wreck combo at the next gig or stick with tried-and-true 1x10 Ghia.
zpilot: are you still seeking thoughts, or have you made a choice?
|
|
|
Post by Phil (aka Phil) on Apr 13, 2014 13:24:36 GMT -7
Interesting and enlightening, Phil. How do you typically adjust/set the JAZ and which guitar(s) do you gravitate towards when playing it? Wow. That's a really personal choice on my end. I know I've seen BW play both HB and single coil guitars through the JAZ and sound killer with either. Same story with English John (a.k.a. John Peach a.k.a. John Priest). I've also seen BW tear it up on any guitar through the MAZ series (which shares the same front end with the JAZ). I've seen Michael Bay kill with humbuckers through an EZG, something I almost never do. Me personally...I almost always play single coil guitars through the MAZ's, the JAZ, the EZG, Ghia and the KT. I almost always play humbuckers through amps like the Remedy, the Mazerati GT, the and SRZ. I think it's because I go for a "clean with a little hair" sound that I can control with my dynamics on the single coil amps in my list and those amps let me do that for my touch. I'm always thinking "Axis, Bold as Love" kind of thing with single coils. When I play the latter amps I'm looking to change the phaser from "stun" to "kill", so to speak, usually to play rock or metal. This is all just my preference though.
|
|
|
Post by JASON (aka jgleaton) on Apr 13, 2014 17:53:59 GMT -7
FWIW... to me a 5751 in V1 in the EZG really unlocks a lot more fender sweetness, feel and sound like what Phil describes...
Jus sayin
|
|
|
Post by Phil (aka Phil) on Apr 14, 2014 4:37:42 GMT -7
FWIW... to me a 5751 in V1 in the EZG really unlocks a lot more fender sweetness, feel and sound like what Phil describes... Jus sayin Wow...I have never tried that! The only "mod" I've ever done was to try my original RCA Blackplates in it only to find out that it sounded much better with the tubes Doc shipped in it (Svetlana Winged "C")! I'll have to try that! Thanks J!
|
|
|
Post by JASON (aka jgleaton) on Apr 14, 2014 16:44:06 GMT -7
FWIW... to me a 5751 in V1 in the EZG really unlocks a lot more fender sweetness, feel and sound like what Phil describes... Jus sayin Wow...I have never tried that! The only "mod" I've ever done was to try my original RCA Blackplates in it only to find out that it sounded much better with the tubes Doc shipped in it (Svetlana Winged "C")! I'll have to try that! Thanks J! PLEASE try it and tell me what you think... I still have the STOCK tubes in mine and I do like that (and if you like the amp more aggressive voiced and get some natural drive I'd leave the stock tubes in), but If I played it out anywhere... I would swap a 5751 in it from my original RX cause it just really gives it THAT "Lenny" clean fendery vibe with more headroom I prefer... pretty sweet.
|
|
|
Post by zpilot on Apr 14, 2014 18:32:53 GMT -7
I have a 5751 in the first stage of most of my amps. If not that, I at least have a NOS 12AX7 there. Either one will improve the clarity and definition of your sound when overdriven.
|
|
|
Post by Progfish (Greg) on Jun 15, 2014 21:11:55 GMT -7
I have an EZG head with a Z 4x10 cab and a JAZ combo with a gold. To me the JAZ sounds much better. After playing both for several months I am blown away with the JAZ. The EZG is a great amp and sounds good, but something about the JAZ just has the magic for me. I have taken both amps to practice and the band liked the JAZ better. Since picking up the JAZ, my first Dr Z love, Stangray has not been used very much. When I bought the JAZ it had 2x10's in it which I did not care for and switched them out for the gold. That made a world of difference, less mid honk and a much fuller sound. The reverb is excellent on the JAZ, but the tremolo is AMAZING, best I have ever played. I have a Mesa Boogie Tremoverb and the tremolo on it is not even in the same universe as the JAZ's. There was quite a bit of discussion over why the JAZ did not take off, and I really do not get it. It is an amazing amp, with everything you could need, other than high gain built in. It really is what a Deluxe reverb should have been. I use the half power switch at home on occasion, and am amazed at how it does not change the tone. Generally I keep the master dimed and adjust the volume to need. I could go on for many paragraphs about how impressed I am with this amp, I really hope DOC revisits it one day. Sadly I did not give the JAZ the amount of interest or attention it deserved when it first came out. Only after it was retired did I discover what a beauty this amp is. Zpilot is yours a head or combo? I may be letting my EZG and 4x10 go and be looking for a JAZ head. I sometimes wonder if it's the name JAZ that throws people. I played through one in a local shop and thought it was pretty awesome!
|
|
|
Post by Jaguarguy (Mike) on Jun 15, 2014 21:31:25 GMT -7
The name definitely throws some people - the JAZ nomenclature is simply Doc's father's initials. just like the SRZ is his daughter, MAZ is is son, etc., Some people assume it is an amp made to play jazz - which it can do but not reaaly all it can do!
|
|
|
Post by Progfish (Greg) on Jun 16, 2014 8:10:25 GMT -7
The name definitely throws some people - the JAZ nomenclature is simply Doc's father's initials. just like the SRZ is his daughter, MAZ is is son, etc., Some people assume it is an amp made to play jazz - which it can do but not reaaly all it can do! Exactly. I think the name implies a jazz type amp, so when you see a bunch of Dr. Z amps at your local shop, unless you're a jazz player, that's probably not the one you're going to plug into and try out.
|
|