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Post by bigben55 on Apr 8, 2014 12:50:25 GMT -7
My 210 combo has the original Z blue labeled speakers. I like them, always have. But, they're loud. This can be a good thing, but I've been finding that my amp is just too loud to REALLY crank up at most places. Like 3-3-3 and ride the guitar volume cranked up. So, I see there being two options, 1) a Z Brake Lite, or 2) less efficient speakers.
Celestion Greenback 10's are less efficient. I know some of you play and like the Greenback 12 in your Z28s. My question is, will buying a pair of these speakers for $230 new reduce my volume NOTICEABLY? I would expect less clean headroom and more crunch so some degree, but all that with LESS volume? Or, should I get a Brakelite for $189? If going from Z speakers to Greenback 10s is like giving a Brake Lite a click or two VOLUME WISE, I might go that route.
Thoughts?
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Post by Mark (Basement Enthusiast) on Apr 8, 2014 13:07:35 GMT -7
For me, the 3-3-3 setting is LOUD... so loud that I'd need both the attenuator and an efficient speaker(s) in order to use it regularly. So, with that in mind, I'd suggest starting at the cheaper--and probably just as necessary--option of getting a Brake Lite. And since you already like the tone of your Z-speakers.. it'll still be them, only less loud. Better yet, if you get a Brake Lite SA version, you can use it on any other Z-amps you might have (now or in the future).
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Post by headshrinker (Marc) on Apr 8, 2014 13:13:39 GMT -7
If you like the sound of the Z 10s Mark's advice is good. That said I have a Z-28 in a combo cab with two greenback 10s and it sounds wonderful. Everything you said it would do it does. Now 3-3-3 is still pretty loud. I also have a brake lite on mine for when I really crank it. Also email Dave at Avatar speakers about the price of greenbacks if you go that route. I'm pretty sure he has them for less than $230 a pair.
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Post by "Z" Steve on Apr 8, 2014 16:16:05 GMT -7
Dave's prices are excellent re Celestions, no doubt. I replaced my Z 10's with Weber 10's, a Silver Pup and a Blue Pup and this fella here has them in stock and answers emails re questions - as opposed to Weber directly, who I had a bad experience with since Ted passed away. These are 30 watts each and they really tamed the amp down for me. speakertone.com/
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Post by John on Apr 8, 2014 19:01:01 GMT -7
The Doc's 10" speakers are very efficient and loud. 10" greenbacks are only 95db. There will be a significant volume drop for a given amp setting.
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Post by bigben55 on Apr 8, 2014 19:42:20 GMT -7
Therein lies my thinking. I'm guessing Docs 10s are 100db while the Greenbacks are 95. Two clicks of a Brake Lite is what, 6dbs, so about the same. Right? Except more crunch at lower volume.
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Post by rcrecelius on Apr 8, 2014 19:49:19 GMT -7
I know a single 12" Greenback, Z28 and a boost pedal is a wonderful thing...
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Post by Pete aka shouldb on Apr 9, 2014 0:19:38 GMT -7
Only thing to watch our for is that 2 clicks on a Brake Lite is all you're going to get - any more, and it sucks the tone on the Z28 IMHO.
Also be aware of the Mid Heavy devil - this amp has a mid hump, which many know about and enjoy, but if paired with mid-heavy speakers, it can rob you of a lot of top end (hence why I would never pair this amp with a Red Fang - others do so an don't mind it). I ended up using Weber Blue Pups (Ceramic) and had crystal clear top end and lower volume. YMMV of course.
You may end up having to do both speakers and BL........
or if the amp is out of warranty and you are definitely keeping her, get a Power Scaling MV retro fitted. I did this, and it makes the volume WAY more manageable. Once you get down to living room volumes, sure some of the tone goes, but it's still more useful than a BL in my experience. I know this is a radical approach and not for everyone, but it's still an option.
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Post by bigben55 on Aug 15, 2014 13:20:10 GMT -7
Only thing to watch our for is that 2 clicks on a Brake Lite is all you're going to get - any more, and it sucks the tone on the Z28 IMHO. Also be aware of the Mid Heavy devil - this amp has a mid hump, which many know about and enjoy, but if paired with mid-heavy speakers, it can rob you of a lot of top end (hence why I would never pair this amp with a Red Fang - others do so an don't mind it). I ended up using Weber Blue Pups (Ceramic) and had crystal clear top end and lower volume. YMMV of course. You may end up having to do both speakers and BL........ or if the amp is out of warranty and you are definitely keeping her, get a Power Scaling MV retro fitted. I did this, and it makes the volume WAY more manageable. Once you get down to living room volumes, sure some of the tone goes, but it's still more useful than a BL in my experience. I know this is a radical approach and not for everyone, but it's still an option. Months old thread, sorry, but I'm reconsidering this again. For those with experience with Greenback 10's, are they "mid heavy?" I don't want to lose my top end clarity.
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Post by nolafunk on Oct 14, 2014 9:34:13 GMT -7
I'm curious to hear more from those who went the Weber route. I have an Avatar 2x12 cab with a Weber Silver Bell and Blue Dog - both alnico and rated at 75watts. How might these do with the Z 28?
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Post by mantal on Nov 28, 2014 10:11:53 GMT -7
I put a Lil Buddy in my 1x10 last night and played for about 2 hours... The Lil Buddy sounded FANTASTIC!!! It advertises a "subdued" top end and slower break-up... I don't know how that works with the mid hump in the Z28 but it's a great sounding combination!
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Post by Christopher on Nov 28, 2014 10:41:30 GMT -7
Nola- I imagine the dual Alnicos sound awesome w the '28. I love the gold in mine.
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Post by eliot1025 on Dec 21, 2014 5:13:58 GMT -7
Only thing to watch our for is that 2 clicks on a Brake Lite is all you're going to get - any more, and it sucks the tone on the Z28 IMHO. Also be aware of the Mid Heavy devil - this amp has a mid hump, which many know about and enjoy, but if paired with mid-heavy speakers, it can rob you of a lot of top end (hence why I would never pair this amp with a Red Fang - others do so an don't mind it). I ended up using Weber Blue Pups (Ceramic) and had crystal clear top end and lower volume. YMMV of course. You may end up having to do both speakers and BL........ or if the amp is out of warranty and you are definitely keeping her, get a Power Scaling MV retro fitted. I did this, and it makes the volume WAY more manageable. Once you get down to living room volumes, sure some of the tone goes, but it's still more useful than a BL in my experience. I know this is a radical approach and not for everyone, but it's still an option. Right, two clicks are all that are useful on the Brake Lite and other similar attenuators. Power scaling can be very effective on some amps. The Z 10s are mid-heavy. Very mid-heavy to my ears. When I changed speakers the huge mid-hump of the sound disappeared. My Z28 turned into beautiful amp with a well-balanced tone profile and became very versatile. The mid-hump seemed to be in the Z 10s. The Doc's favorite speakers for this amp are 12" Greenbacks. I haven't tried Greenbacks but they seem like a good bet. Good luck in your search.
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Post by eliot1025 on Dec 21, 2014 5:20:07 GMT -7
I'm curious to hear more from those who went the Weber route. I have an Avatar 2x12 cab with a Weber Silver Bell and Blue Dog - both alnico and rated at 75watts. How might these do with the Z 28? I didn't like the Blue Dog with the Z28. That's a matter of personal taste. My Blue Dog was a ceramic not an alnico. That said, Weber is a good company and makes lots of models.
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Post by Christopher on Dec 21, 2014 12:53:11 GMT -7
I had to try the Gold I have in another amp so I put a heritage 55 greenback into my z28. It sounds incredibly great w the amp. There's enough bottom and mid but it's not as pervasive as it was w the gold or h30. The character of the amp is more bluesy now. To my ear there's more gain/hair on the notes and it screams rock n roll. I plan to record it later this week so check the audio section. I am surprised at how well it compliments the '28.
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Post by jb on Dec 22, 2014 16:24:27 GMT -7
You may want to consider the AirBrake vs the Brake Lite. I don't think it sucks any significant tone at the 4 setting much less at 2. Plus you get the bedroom setting if you need to really dial it down. I use it with my Rt66 and it really helps tame that beast.
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Post by waka52 on Jan 4, 2015 14:26:00 GMT -7
I have used a Red, White and Blue in my Z28. It made it sound more old school Fender. I've tried the V30. Very cool with a tele but not cool enough for me to keep it in. A little too spikey for me. I tried an Eminence Governor and that was very good but ended up putting the Governor in my DRRI and it works better in that. Last of all I tried the WGS ET-65. Bingo!! Perfect for a good overdriven country twang, strat sounds great as well as my humbucker loaded guitars. I put my EZG-50 on top of the Z28 and patched into the WGS. Again a very nice sound. The speaker seems to bridge the gap between American and British. My .02!
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Post by 6stringer on Apr 20, 2015 6:56:10 GMT -7
love GB's with my Z28... both 12" & 10"!
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