|
Post by markT on Jul 22, 2014 18:41:54 GMT -7
The funny thing is that, while I still don't have a Z-Wreck (yet!!) to compare the Therapy to, I have played them and have a pretty good feeling that the two amps are very similar animals. You could say the same great things about the 'Wreck that are being said about the Therapy. The main difference is the cost and that might be the deal-changer in the end. Getting tone like the Therapy for well under $2000 is the deal of a lifetime. Z-Wreck and Therapy owners chime in here....but from memory I think the Z-Wreck is a little bolder, a little more percussive, a little louder, and has more of an upper mid bump. Maybe on "comfort" the dynamics and loudness differences are even closer. Hope you don't mind Phil, but I used your quote to start this thing off..... You had mentioned it a couple of other places too... After the first day with my Therapy, I really didn't see the comparison as much as I've come to see.... I first and still think the Therapy reminds me of the Antidote as in being fatter and thicker sounding. But the touch sensitivity attributes of this amp are similar. They both sound great with pedals, but they both seem to beg to be just plugged straight in...maybe a boost, and that's it. I have not even tried anything but a KTR into my Therapy....no need. It's all there. Just like the Z Wreck. The Therapy's master volume make it even more versatile than the Z Wreck in a way. Sonically, the Therapy has more lowend than the 'Wreck and is even warmer as well. It has plenty of shimmering highs, but can't quite get the Z Wreck chime going on. I think the Therapy has more headroom than the 'Wreck combo as well. They are similar in volume, but the master on the Therapy eliminates the need for a Brake-Lite. And it seems to work even better! The Z Wreck sounds great with all guitars, but seems to favor single coils to my ears. The Therapy is not prejudice in the least. It doesn't matter what's feeding it. I love my Z Wreck combo...and I love my Therapy. I could see the Therapy being my only guitar amp. I could not say the same for the Z Wreck. Looking forward to other opinions and comparisons...
|
|
|
Post by BritInvasion on Jul 22, 2014 18:48:51 GMT -7
I'm glad you got this thread going , as I've been obsessing over these 2 amps and wondering which way I would go. I was aspiring to the Z Wreck Combo as my next down-the-road Z , but the Therapy might be a better choice. Reminds me of when I was agonizing over my first Z : Maz 18 Jr or NR???
|
|
|
Post by muZician on Jul 22, 2014 22:20:03 GMT -7
I need to test the Therapy. Looking for an amp with tweed like cleans and it seems that the Therapy is perfect for that. As a combination with the Zwreck it will be probably perfect. Yes the master voluime is an advantage
|
|
|
Post by doctorice on Jul 23, 2014 5:09:54 GMT -7
I intend to contribute to this topic in the future. I have the amps and a Headbone to enable a/b comparison. I'm just short on time for the next week or two.
I get great results using an LP into the Z Wreck combo. However, I'm relying somewhat on pedals because even with the Brake Lite I can't really open the amp up at gigs. (The usual minuscule band setup footprint issue: the harp player/singer who stands near me finds my volume really loud, while the drummer, who's only a few feet away, has trouble hearing me.)
It seems easier to dial in the Wreck for single coils than buckers. As Mark notes, the Therapy is "equal opportunity." I've been delighted with LP and Strat tones; no reason to think it will be different with other axes. The tone stack behavior is, imo, the driver of this.
|
|
|
Post by Baconator on Jul 23, 2014 7:59:13 GMT -7
My local Z dealer (2 hours away) hasn't had a Z-Wreck in stock any time I've been there and I haven't seen any of the amps released in the last two years there either. While this is good for my pocketbook, it doesn't help resolve any confusion I have about the differences in how any of these amps really work. Threads like this are really helpful for me since I've bought both of my Z's without auditioning and to be honest, I am not a quick study and I think it really takes me a few months with an amp to really understand what it's capable of.
|
|
|
Post by simpleton on Jul 23, 2014 9:08:56 GMT -7
My local Z dealer (2 hours away) hasn't had a Z-Wreck in stock any time I've been there and I haven't seen any of the amps released in the last two years there either. While this is good for my pocketbook, it doesn't help resolve any confusion I have about the differences in how any of these amps really work. Threads like this are really helpful for me since I've bought both of my Z's without auditioning and to be honest, I am not a quick study and I think it really takes me a few months with an amp to really understand what it's capable of. I'm the same way, it just takes time to understand the voice of these amps because they are NOT just a copy of other amps, so you've got to learn their ways. I've also got a local dealer that doesn't seem to get a lot of new Z's as well....and they can be less than enjoyable to visit their shop, so I don't.
|
|
|
Post by benttop (Steve) on Jul 23, 2014 9:23:45 GMT -7
My local Z dealer (2 hours away) hasn't had a Z-Wreck in stock any time I've been there and I haven't seen any of the amps released in the last two years there either. While this is good for my pocketbook, it doesn't help resolve any confusion I have about the differences in how any of these amps really work. Threads like this are really helpful for me since I've bought both of my Z's without auditioning and to be honest, I am not a quick study and I think it really takes me a few months with an amp to really understand what it's capable of. Same problem here. It's a waste of time to go there any more, because the stuff I'm interested in is never there.
|
|
|
Post by Pete aka shouldb on Jul 23, 2014 10:00:12 GMT -7
Looking forward to other opinions and comparisons... EXACTLY! The Therapy covers a surprising amount of ground, tonally, for such a straightforward amp - if I was happy to fiddle the controls between songs, it would cover just about any musical style I care to play at any type of gig, with maybe an EP as a solo boost, and nothing else! I can't say that about any other amp I've owned to date, however wonderful they are.
|
|
suits
Junior Member
Posts: 52
|
Post by suits on Jul 24, 2014 5:24:22 GMT -7
Can someone compare the touch sensitivity in more details. I don't use pedals for dirt. Can the Therapy do clean to mean by touch sensitivity like the Z Wreck can? How does the Therapy handle rolling back the guitar volume? Does it get thin and muddy, or retain punch and clarity?
|
|
|
Post by Pete aka shouldb on Jul 24, 2014 5:37:25 GMT -7
It cleans up really well and stays thick and rich with use of the GV
As I understand it, the T is in the same league as the Z Wreck in this regard
|
|
|
Post by Phil (aka Phil) on Jul 24, 2014 12:35:29 GMT -7
Can someone compare the touch sensitivity in more details. I don't use pedals for dirt. Can the Therapy do clean to mean by touch sensitivity like the Z Wreck can? How does the Therapy handle rolling back the guitar volume? Does it get thin and muddy, or retain punch and clarity? ABSOLUTELY no worries there. That's what this amp lives to do. The "Raison d'être" as the French say Even with the Lollar High Wind humbuckers in my Grosh....rolling the guitar volume back keeps most of the volume and all the thickness and harmonic glory...just cleaner. NO thin or muddy in this amp.
|
|
|
Post by gotmojo on Jul 27, 2014 20:57:17 GMT -7
I've been A-B'ing the Wreck and the Therapy a bit these last couple days and they have similarities and differences. I'd have to say they are both very right hand touch sensitive, an absolute joy to play. The Therapy is midrangier than the Wreck, and the Wreck has more glassy highs than the Therapy. The Wreck has the ability to get nazzier than the Therapy - full on crazy distortion with the volume up at 3:00 and beyond, and it's a very smooth distortion. The therapy has a sweet distortion when the Volume is maxed, but not over the top like the Wreck'll do. That being said, the therapy's distortion is smooth and creamy and I can play any tune that comes along with that sound. Funny, if I just plug into either one of these amps cold (without listening to another), I'm super satisfied and feel like I could live with just this amp and be happy forever. The best solution is obvious: own both. That's my plan.
jj
|
|
|
Post by Pete aka shouldb on Jul 27, 2014 23:52:41 GMT -7
I've been A-B'ing the Wreck and the Therapy a bit these last couple days and they have similarities and differences. I'd have to say they are both very right hand touch sensitive, an absolute joy to play. The Therapy is midrangier than the Wreck, and the Wreck has more glassy highs than the Therapy. The Wreck has the ability to get nazzier than the Therapy - full on crazy distortion with the volume up at 3:00 and beyond, and it's a very smooth distortion. The therapy has a sweet distortion when the Volume is maxed, but not over the top like the Wreck'll do. That being said, the therapy's distortion is smooth and creamy and I can play any tune that comes along with that sound. Funny, if I just plug into either one of these amps cold (without listening to another), I'm super satisfied and feel like I could live with just this amp and be happy forever. The best solution is obvious: own both. That's my plan. jj That surprises me. I never think of the Z Wreck as a higher gain amp......... I always hear it in the context of Brad Paisley and country playing mostly, or blues the rest of the time. I know there's a DNA link with the TrainWreck, but I always think of the T Wreck as a MUCH higher gain amp. Interesting stuff.
|
|
|
Post by muZician on Jul 28, 2014 22:31:41 GMT -7
^^^ you're right, the Zwreck isn't really a high gain amp. it's got tons of distortion but chimey and sweet. and you're right again, it has the DNA of a trainwreck: the rocket (EL84 output tubes). the trainwreck express has a more biting distortion with its EL34 output stage (check youtube videos). just my perception
|
|
suits
Junior Member
Posts: 52
|
Post by suits on Jul 29, 2014 14:45:55 GMT -7
^^^ you're right, the Zwreck isn't really a high gain amp. it's got tons of distortion but chimey and sweet. and you're right again, it has the DNA of a trainwreck: the rocket (EL84 output tubes). the trainwreck express has a more biting distortion with its EL34 output stage (check youtube videos). just my perception You're correct the express and Liverpool models are the more high gain. And the rocket is more z wreck sounding. All the amps are designed to be touch sensitive to go clean to dirty with touch or volume knob though. Which is why I love the z wreck, and will hopefully get to try a therapy.
|
|