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Post by benttop (Steve) on Feb 23, 2007 22:12:30 GMT -7
OK, sonicgator asked me how the THD Flexi-50 compares with the SRZ-65, and to tell you the truth, some days I think one is better, the next day I think the other is better. They are both world class amps, and can get very similar sounds, and also some very different sounds. But how do they compare? You decide. Here's the setup: THD Flexi-50 vs. Dr. Z SRZ-65 PRS Singlecut (Fralin PAFs) > amp > Hot Plate (-12 db) > THD 4x12 I set up both amps pretty bright, and used the bridge pup on the PRS. So it's a bit scritchy, but that's what I was going for in this clip. And ignore the mindless wanking! Flexi: Input: Hi Volume: 2 o'clock Treble: Dimed Bright: On Middle: Dimed Bass: 2 o'clock Boost: On Gain: 3 o'clock Tone: Dimed Master: On Master Vol: 3 o'clock Cut: Dimed SRZ-65: Presense: Dimed Bass: Dimed Middle: Dimed Treble: Noon Volume: Dimed Gain: 10 o'clock OK, what I haven't said is which is which in the clip. You can hear the first one fade out just as the second one comes in. Which do you think is which?FlexiSRZCompare.mp3No fair peeking now!
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Post by Bill on Feb 24, 2007 6:48:28 GMT -7
Great clips and playing, Steve! After closely listening twice I think the second clip has slightly more richness and more pleasing low end. I have no clue which is which, but there ya go! Killer sounding amps, the both of 'em.
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Post by benttop (Steve) on Feb 24, 2007 8:19:00 GMT -7
Great clips and playing, Steve! After closely listening twice I think the second clip has slightly more richness and more pleasing low end. I have no clue which is which, but there ya go! Killer sounding amps, the both of 'em. Fascinating. I'll let a few more guess before I reveal...
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wilzgt
Full Member
I plumb for Z-Tone !
Posts: 151
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Post by wilzgt on Feb 24, 2007 8:38:31 GMT -7
Sound clip part 2 sounds better---so it's the SRZ-65! It has the low end and the upper clarity that Z amps have and I base my choice on that.
Thanks for the clip and enjoy the amp!
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Post by Curt on Feb 24, 2007 8:55:52 GMT -7
I'm likein' the first section here, has that "Crossroads" vibe.
That low end response early in the 2nd part is too loose for my taste.......YMMV. The low end is always my hang up on an amp and/or speaker, The rest I can deal with or dial with :^) but the bottom must have snap.
Cool clips and both steller classic rock tones.
Thanks Steve.
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Post by benttop (Steve) on Feb 24, 2007 9:05:44 GMT -7
AHA! Even more fascinating! A few more guesses and I'll reveal..
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Post by sonicgator on Feb 24, 2007 9:08:21 GMT -7
Wow, they sound really close. The 1st clip seems to have that THD note compression and fast attack.
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Post by skydog958 on Feb 24, 2007 10:49:14 GMT -7
I was thinking the 2nd clip is the SRZ, because I run my tone stack similarly (bass and mids dimed) and the thickness and low end is more character of that second clip. But you never know...
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Post by Curt on Feb 24, 2007 10:52:52 GMT -7
I think part 2 is probably the SRZ, but I prefer the 'bite' of the 1st part.
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Post by benttop (Steve) on Feb 24, 2007 11:10:26 GMT -7
You guys are making me grin here..
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Post by Dr.T on Feb 24, 2007 11:53:28 GMT -7
to me it's a joke...: it's.. the same amp....!!!
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Post by Curt on Feb 24, 2007 12:00:34 GMT -7
You guys are making me grin here.. ;D No matter, I still dig part 1's bite and Crossroads vibe...Z or not. Your having a bit too much fun here Steve Can I have my 'Ray back now?
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Post by sonicgator on Feb 24, 2007 12:01:08 GMT -7
You guys are making me grin here.. Usually, I'm able to tell between equipment I'm familiar with, but you did a really good job "cloning" the two amps to one another. By the way, what is your Flexi Tube set? V1-12AX7; V2-12AT7 or 12AX7; V3-12AX7; EL-34 x 2?
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Post by benttop (Steve) on Feb 24, 2007 12:06:42 GMT -7
You guys are making me grin here.. ;D No matter, I still dig part 1's bite and Crossroads vibe...Z or not. Your having a bit too much fun here Steve Can I have my 'Ray back now? hehehehe... whose 'ray? Yeah, I do have fun with this kind of stuff. I love to hear everyone else's clips, because I'm amazed at all the skills I hear here, and the tones are always to die for. But I like doing the clips to demonstrate different gear concepts and such. Granted, I'd probably be more effective if I spent a bit more creative time on the playing. I think it is so fascinating, this journey of discovery we are all on here. And there doesn't appear to be any one right answer - one guy likes the BB, the next guy hates it. Fascinating! I posted this test on a couple other forums and one guy called me out for not having the tone settings identical on the two amps. But shoot, they are nothing alike - the Flexi uses a Bandaxall (I think that's how you spell it) tone circuit - the three tone controls don't interact. Trying to get an apples to apples comparison is really hard with two such entirely different amps. Again, fascinating. Makes me grin just thinking of the possibilities...
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Post by Curt on Feb 24, 2007 12:14:27 GMT -7
And? spill buddy.
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Post by Bill on Feb 24, 2007 13:15:36 GMT -7
And? spill buddy. ditto!...
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Post by taswegian on Feb 24, 2007 13:19:14 GMT -7
Oh MAN! I might be setting myself up for some kind of embarrassment here but for me the second clip KILLS the first one! (not that the first one is bad, which of course it isn't) Whether it's the same amp with different tone settings or whatever, listening to the second clip made me wanna plug into whatever it was, while the first clip was just a great tone. Mind you I am a rock head! Whatever the second amp is, ship it to me NOW! ;D I'm betting the second clip is the SRZ but that's maybe just 'cause I want it to be! I have a friend with a Flexi-50 and his tone is awesome!
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Post by Curt on Feb 24, 2007 13:22:44 GMT -7
I am the odd man out here as I like part 1..... Well, I like 'em both....But I tend to dial in an edgy bright tone since most of hearing is gone !
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Post by taswegian on Feb 24, 2007 13:25:02 GMT -7
What was that Curt? ;D
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Post by sonicgator on Feb 24, 2007 13:42:43 GMT -7
I'm still sticking with:
#1 - Flexi-50 #2 - SRZ-65
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Post by Curt on Feb 24, 2007 14:00:56 GMT -7
;D
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Post by Ryan (shorty) on Feb 24, 2007 15:20:17 GMT -7
I'm still sticking with: #1 - Flexi-50 #2 - SRZ-65 I agree. This is almost as much fun as the Coke vs Pepsi comparison I did in the mall in '85 ;D Although, they let me off the hook pretty quickly. Give it up!
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Post by benttop (Steve) on Feb 24, 2007 23:30:44 GMT -7
You guys are making me grin here.. Usually, I'm able to tell between equipment I'm familiar with, but you did a really good job "cloning" the two amps to one another. By the way, what is your Flexi Tube set? V1-12AX7; V2-12AT7 or 12AX7; V3-12AX7; EL-34 x 2? Both amps still have the factory set of tubes. In the case of the Flexi, that would be 12AX7/12AT7/12AX7 and two Chinese EL-34s.
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Post by benttop (Steve) on Feb 24, 2007 23:31:13 GMT -7
And? spill buddy. Patience, grasshopper..
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Post by benttop (Steve) on Feb 24, 2007 23:32:09 GMT -7
Oh MAN! I might be setting myself up for some kind of embarrassment here but for me the second clip KILLS the first one! (not that the first one is bad, which of course it isn't) Whether it's the same amp with different tone settings or whatever, listening to the second clip made me wanna plug into whatever it was, while the first clip was just a great tone. Mind you I am a rock head! Whatever the second amp is, ship it to me NOW! ;D I'm betting the second clip is the SRZ but that's maybe just 'cause I want it to be! I have a friend with a Flexi-50 and his tone is awesome! Sorry bud, can't ship just now - it's too freaking far!
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Post by benttop (Steve) on Feb 24, 2007 23:33:19 GMT -7
;D Jeez, I'm going to make an avatar of myself in this pose, and everyone who tries to converse with me in the real world will immediately get it.
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Post by benttop (Steve) on Feb 24, 2007 23:43:28 GMT -7
OK, I guess the fun has run its course. The first clip is the Flexi, the second is the SRZ-65. Now that I've revealed that, I have to say it has been a fascinating experiment, on several levels. I posted this same clip on two other forums (the univalve.net forum and a local musicians forum here in the Northwest) and I got some comments that caused me to think a bit more about this. We all know, based on what we've learned from Myles, that the SRZ-65 is not just a one sound amp - it can be tailored and molded to the tone that is wanted. And if you're familiar at all with THD amps, that's their big claim to fame. The Flexi can use almost any power tube with an octal socket, and virtually any preamp tube that has the 12AX7 configuration. I mention all of this because as many of you noted, they aren't the same, but they are sure close. I think it's reasonable to think that the tones that both amps are capable of overlap fairly significantly if you count all of the possibilities of the variety of tube substitutions that are possible in each. I think the Flexi can be somewhat darker than the SRZ, and I think the SRZ can get a bit brighter than the Flexi. But somewhere in the middle I think they come pretty close to meeting. Perhaps not exactly but pretty close. So I'm a pretty happy camper here - how many guys get to own two such world class amps in one lifetime? And don't get me started on the Stingray... oh baby!
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Post by taswegian on Feb 25, 2007 0:30:26 GMT -7
Well that has done my SRZ lust no good at all. For me, that second clip has it all and I'm glad for my sake that it was the SRZ as I went out on a limb, but I do think it buries the first clip for what I want an amp to do. Awesome and depressing all at once.
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Post by skydog958 on Feb 25, 2007 13:39:57 GMT -7
If I wanted to sonically evaluated the difference, I'd say that the Flexi's clip has a bite to it in the sense that the notes are clearly defined and don't blend as much. The SRZ sounded bigger and deeper. Slightly smoother too. Both great! Sometimes I want the first tone, sometimes more of the second. I bet messing with the EQ and presence/cut you can get both tones from both heads.
By the way, what speakers are in your THD cab??
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Post by benttop (Steve) on Feb 25, 2007 14:42:06 GMT -7
If I wanted to sonically evaluated the difference, I'd say that the Flexi's clip has a bite to it in the sense that the notes are clearly defined and don't blend as much. The SRZ sounded bigger and deeper. Slightly smoother too. Both great! Sometimes I want the first tone, sometimes more of the second. I bet messing with the EQ and presence/cut you can get both tones from both heads. By the way, what speakers are in your THD cab?? Yeah, I agree, both amps have a lot more sonic territory to explore, and their tone envelope overlaps. I could make a hundred clips and it really doesn't prove anything other than they are both great amps. The cab I used is the THD 4x12 that uses the THD designed Vintage and Longhorn. Those are produced by Eminence if I'm not mistaken. One is fairly bright, the other is kind of dark and midrangy.
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