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Post by alexjmobley on Aug 12, 2014 12:33:28 GMT -7
Purchased my first Dr. Z in May used on Reverb.com after selling my Vox AC30. The Monza is absolutely ridiculous at what it does but for me it was a bit too much. I work and lead worship at a church of about 1000 and the Monza, while my view of perfect tone, had a bit too much hair for most songs and in general did not take my pedals the best. This is an issue as the Monza is my only amp at the moment. I started tube tasting and while I may be martyred for my final decision, I could not be happier. I have come to the final decision that changing the 2 12ax7s with 2 12at7s gives me exactly what I want and need. WOW. The tones I am getting from this thing now are ridiculous. It has become more than the one trick pony that I knew before. The cleans are very nice (not too clean) and I still get that perfect Dr. Z overdriven tone that most would die for (yes, it can still sound like a Monza). I might have lost some overall volume (I wouldn't notice as 90% of my gigs I am mic'd) but what I gained is more than worth it. Plays so well with my pedals now. I'll shut up and get to my rig: 98 Fender Tele 08 Gibson Les Paul Studio Mahogany MXR Custom Comp > Emerson Custom Em-Drive > Fulltone Fulldrive 2 > T1M modded Ernie Ball VPjr > Eventide Timefactor w/ T1M E3D aux switch > Neunaber Stereo Wet Reverb > BBE Sonic Stomp Dr. Z Monza MV head into an matching Avatar Signature 1x12 loaded with a Celestion Creamback 75w. By the way for those of you who don't have the money for a Z cab, I highly suggest Avatar. Those guys matched up everything perfect. Could not be happier.
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Post by simpleton on Aug 12, 2014 13:02:40 GMT -7
Welcome to the Z Talk !! I think that even with the original tube complement one CAN get quite a variety of sounds. Of course that usually means keeping the Volume around 9 and the drive around, parked or just a taste for color. With the Tone up high it feels like I can get Vox top boost kinda rhythm tones and without so much drive the amp seems to take pedals fine. With the Tone down lower I can kinda get a warm american-ish vibe, but of course it does sound like a Z. I've put a 5751 in V2 before but haven't messed with V1 yet. Whatever works for the situation is the right thing to do, just keep a couple of 12AX7's around in case the service has need of some 'serious warfare'
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Post by alexjmobley on Aug 13, 2014 8:59:31 GMT -7
Better pic of my board. Recently did some major downsizing from my 40" Red Trailer Trash board.
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Post by Maddog on Aug 13, 2014 9:12:14 GMT -7
Dig the brief case idea!!! Welcome to the forum!
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Post by Jaguarguy (Mike) on Aug 13, 2014 9:16:54 GMT -7
Welcome to the Forum - a lot of good people and information. The Monza is a great first amp! Cuz there will be a second
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Post by nmz on Aug 13, 2014 14:11:37 GMT -7
Welcome, great pics!
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Post by jimmysmith on Aug 14, 2014 12:07:40 GMT -7
well i have never tried 2 12at7s together,, will have to do that and see. i agree about the too much hair for your genre,, however, all of the z's i have owned have been easy to get different tones as you use that guitar volume. sometimes the tone of a guitar on the neck pickup, or with humbuckers etc, is too dark or bassy, so i have found that diming the tone control for certain guitars works.. glad you got a z.. welcome
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Post by simpleton on Aug 14, 2014 14:29:19 GMT -7
well i have never tried 2 12at7s together,, will have to do that and see. i agree about the too much hair for your genre,, however, all of the z's i have owned have been easy to get different tones as you use that guitar volume. sometimes the tone of a guitar on the neck pickup, or with humbuckers etc, is too dark or bassy, so i have found that diming the tone control for certain guitars works.. glad you got a z.. welcome Totally this ^ Z's really work well with the guitar and it's controls. Of course tubing it for your taste is sssmmmart.
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Post by aufamily on Aug 22, 2014 9:39:40 GMT -7
Cool rig! I'm jealous though....we're stuck with modelers and IEMs at church. I have only been able to trot out the Z tones during outside events.
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Post by detuned on Aug 22, 2014 11:15:01 GMT -7
Welcome in, new Z brother! Love the pedal case!
Did you try a 5751? They work great for dialing back the gain, especially in the PI position. Myles suggested that trick to me & I've tried it in a couple elf amps & really dug the results. I find the 5751 to be sweeter-sounding than the 12AT7, but YMMV.
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Post by alexjmobley on Aug 23, 2014 13:59:39 GMT -7
Cool rig! I'm jealous though....we're stuck with modelers and IEMs at church. I have only been able to trot out the Z tones during outside events. We run IEMs and a silent stage because of the size of our sanctuary. It's mic'd offstage with a 57 (want to move to a e906). Love what it produces though. I've heard tons of guys that can make their pods sound almost as good as most amps though.
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Post by simpleton on Aug 23, 2014 19:41:45 GMT -7
Cool rig! I'm jealous though....we're stuck with modelers and IEMs at church. I have only been able to trot out the Z tones during outside events. We run IEMs and a silent stage because of the size of our sanctuary. It's mic'd offstage with a 57 (want to move to a e906). Love what it produces though. I've heard tons of guys that can make their pods sound almost as good as most amps though. But at the end of the day they still go home with a POD and you go home with a real amp
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