|
Post by celestion101 on Oct 23, 2014 7:53:46 GMT -7
Hey Guys....looks like I am picking up a Z Wreck today as it seems like the perfect gig amp for the area I now live in (Austin). Anyway, I hear everyone say "you don't need OD pedals" which is great, but how does it sound with them? I had a Stang Ray and it could be a bit HiFi sounding with pedals (almost a strident fizz at the top-end), but the Wreck seems more friendly, especially in comfort mode. That's not a knock to the Stang Ray, but more an observation how it worked with my pedals. Thoughts? Oh, it's a head plus a Gold loaded 1x12 Z cab (with the airbrake insider). I also have plenty of 2x12's to use when needed. Thanks
|
|
|
Post by doctorice on Oct 23, 2014 8:12:50 GMT -7
Imo, the Wreck is great with pedals. However, if I'm going to use OD/distortion boxes I usually have the amp set fairly clean, i.e., volume below noon. Of course, the alternative is to set amp volume high and then work guitar volume to move between cleaner and more driven sound.
When I opt to go the pedal route I may have the amp volume as low as 10:30. I'll usually use less attenuation (from the Brake Lite) in that case.
I've also played around with using boost rather than a dirt box. This can give good results.
Look forward to hearing what you discover.
|
|
|
Post by jesslm02 on Oct 23, 2014 8:31:27 GMT -7
I heard/read all of those comments too - saying no dirt pedals needed. But in reality, it's going to be different for everyone. My band plays many different covers and I require a multitude of different tones and shades of OD. So I was using several dirt pedals before i got the Wreck and I had no issues making the transition. It does great with OD pedals, some pedals do better than others.
The wreck and ray are voiced differently even though they are both based on the AC30 type sound. The wreck has more mids which I like, and fits my needs much better. It doesn't have the hi-fi top end that the ray has, and that helps it take OD pedals much better IMO. The drive sounds were much smoother with the wreck to my ear. But the wreck still cuts through a mix with an authority like none other. I also used a boost for solos, no issues there either, you just have to make sure your volume is set right so you actually get a volume jump instead of more natural OD from the amp itself. I usually kept my volume 10 to 10:30 and that worked well for me - and attenuate to get the stage volume where I needed it. Which brings up another point - somehow the wreck attenuates better than any other amp I've tried.
I've used the Paisley Drive, Barber Gain Changer and Direct Drive, BB Preamp, Timmy, EP Boost, and King of Tone. All sounded good with the wreck for my needs. I did find however, that I never needed reverb with the wreck - it sounded better without it - I think because it's such a rich sounding tone already.
So IMO - the Ray is aggressive and in your face. The wreck can be aggressive, but lends itself more to a smoother, rich tone, especially in comfort mode.
Sent from my Galaxy S4 using Proboards
|
|
|
Post by celestion101 on Oct 23, 2014 8:51:56 GMT -7
Fantastic info, thanks. I agree, it's all about getting the different shades of overdrive and different flavors more than "can the amplifier do it on it's own". Naturally I will enjoy the amps natural break up as well! I use a Barber Direct Drive, a Sparkle Drive, and a few other similar petals (and then delays etc.). This should be fun!
|
|
|
Post by celestion101 on Oct 23, 2014 15:25:58 GMT -7
loving this amp! Kudos Dr.Z!
|
|
|
Post by muZician on Oct 23, 2014 22:25:23 GMT -7
I normally don't use pedals. But if I have to play at very low volume I set the Zwreck at 9 with no attenuation and use the Wampler Paisley Drive and the CmatMods Brownie. Both sound absolutely great.
|
|
|
Post by telejas on Oct 24, 2014 8:17:13 GMT -7
I know a lot of people say the Z-Wreck doesn't need pedals... In a perfect world (or in a studio), that may be true...at least in my case. I need a very distinct (and loud) clean tone, as well as different levels of gain from my amp all at about the same volume. I can't have my cleans really soft and my hard rock 3x as loud. I have to use pedals, several of them to be exact, to get the different levels and styles of drive that I need when playing in a band that does cover tunes. It's really hard to go from Buck Owens or Brad Paisley to Metallica or Nickelback by just using your guitars volume. Heck, even Brad Paisley has a good sized pedal board with a few drive pedals that range from TS style pedals to the Plextortion.
But to answer your question - for comparison, I had a Stangray....Actually, two of them a few years apart.
The first Stangray I didn't like at all with any dirt pedals. I tried and tried, but no luck. But I also ran my "tone" and "cut" up about 3:00..... So my amp was pretty scooped out.
My 2nd Ray, I cut back on the "tone" and "cut" (both just below noon) and it took dirt pedals REALLY well.
In saying that, I feel the Z-Wreck takes dirt pedals even better.....Actually, besides the Mazerati I had a few years ago, I think the Z-Wreck is one of the best pedal-platform amps out there. Partially because it's not as hi-fi and partially because it has a stronger mid-range.
|
|
|
Post by celestion101 on Oct 24, 2014 10:42:42 GMT -7
Agreed, this amp sounds insane with pedals. Now messing with the Airbrake...also fun! I'm gigging on a regular basis and like you, I need to cover various tones (or else I would plug straight in!). Brett Danaher from Pat Green's band is my neighbour and he just stopped by to play the Z Wreck....safe to say he dug it!
|
|
|
Post by telejas on Oct 24, 2014 10:55:51 GMT -7
Agreed, this amp sounds insane with pedals. Now messing with the Airbrake...also fun! I'm gigging on a regular basis and like you, I need to cover various tones (or else I would plug straight in!). Brett Danaher from Pat Green's band is my neighbour and he just stopped by to play the Z Wreck....safe to say he dug it! You think it sounds good now, you should hear it with a set of Weber speakers! (Just kidding)
|
|
|
Post by celestion101 on Oct 24, 2014 13:54:18 GMT -7
I'll stick to speakers my heroes all used! bahahaha
|
|
|
Post by ME on Oct 24, 2014 17:34:46 GMT -7
I know a lot of people say the Z-Wreck doesn't need pedals... In a perfect world (or in a studio), that may be true...at least in my case. I need a very distinct (and loud) clean tone, as well as different levels of gain from my amp all at about the same volume. I can't have my cleans really soft and my hard rock 3x as loud. I have to use pedals, several of them to be exact, to get the different levels and styles of drive that I need when playing in a band that does cover tunes. It's really hard to go from Buck Owens or Brad Paisley to Metallica or Nickelback by just using your guitars volume. Heck, even Brad Paisley has a good sized pedal board with a few drive pedals that range from TS style pedals to the Plextortion. Not wantin' to hijack, but I use a bunch of pedals to flavour the Antidote to fit the songs the band plays. ME
|
|