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Post by renegade44 on Oct 24, 2016 14:43:24 GMT -7
For what has to be one the absolute finest amps i have ever heard, and most definitely THE finest amp i will ever own, the pedals are lacking.
I'd pay another $100 for a decent pedal. The Rev/Trem shipped with it is just a Fender with the end cut off and some RCA plugs soldered on. Cheesy at best. But, just looks like an afterthought. I do love the variable boost knob on the Boost pedal. I also hate pedals that have the wire permanently attached. This no "bedroom queen." I take this thing out and use it!
Has anyone cracked theirs open and created a wiring diagram or found a good aftermarket replacement? I'm going to have to start reverse engineering on it tonight i guess. I'm going to build one to mount to my pedal board with a jack and LED to make it a gigable product. Not the first one i've had to do this with. I've engineered replacement pedals for my Fenders and Peavey's too.
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Post by DRZ on Oct 24, 2016 16:05:32 GMT -7
Yes , it is a Fender pedal, a very expensive Fender pedal. That is the same pedal that has been used on Fender Blackface amps for 50 years without a problem. I first used nicer looking REV/TREM pedals but the footswitches popped when engaged. Extremely poor quality mechanical switches, but boy did they look good.......
Looks aren't everything my man, and with all you're engineering experience one would think you would know that. I pay extra for the Fender switches , because of their reliability,and component quality.
The single FS switch that I mod for the EQ boost is a Marshall pedal, again with a very long life span and a great mechanical switch.
As you can tell I hate reading posts like this.
Z
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Post by wubberdubber on Oct 24, 2016 17:15:04 GMT -7
Maybe you could send some advice over to Fishman on how to make a pedal that lasts...the one that came with my acoustic Artist amp is already giving me problems after maybe 15 uses...!! I have owned several Z amps, and have yet to find any "cut corners".
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Post by Rockerfeller on Oct 24, 2016 17:21:37 GMT -7
For what has to be one the absolute finest amps i have ever heard, and most definitely THE finest amp i will ever own, the pedals are lacking. I'd pay another $100 for a decent pedal. The Rev/Trem shipped with it is just a Fender with the end cut off and some RCA plugs soldered on. Cheesy at best. But, just looks like an afterthought. I do love the variable boost knob on the Boost pedal. I also hate pedals that have the wire permanently attached. This no "bedroom queen." I take this thing out and use it! Has anyone cracked theirs open and created a wiring diagram or found a good aftermarket replacement? I'm going to have to start reverse engineering on it tonight i guess. I'm going to build one to mount to my pedal board with a jack and LED to make it a gigable product. Not the first one i've had to do this with. I've engineered replacement pedals for my Fenders and Peavey's too. I did build another pedal for my ZLux, But it wasn't because I thought the pedal that came with it was cheap. When you crack it open you'll see the components are all top quality. I basically built mine because I had an extra pedal housing lying around and some extra parts and I wanted to have the LED lights for when the reverb was on. It was super easy to build.
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Post by Faze on Oct 24, 2016 17:29:14 GMT -7
Yes Dr. Z stuff is top notch. Nothing at all cheap about the stuff he uses its all top of the line. Plus his customer service is the best around.
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Post by renegade44 on Oct 25, 2016 5:46:35 GMT -7
Sorry guys. I love the amp. The pedals are "good quality." But, the Tremolo / Rev pedal is NOT the same quality as the amp. It doesn't even match the manual. On mine after 2 gigs and being bounced in the trailer, the exposed shielding is already fraying and coming loose from the connector. It needs shrink wrap at a minimum. And, It's just a fender foot switch with RCA plugs.
The Boost is a tank of a pedal. I can drill it for a replaceable cable. Add an LED and replace the switch to light it up. Easy mods to make it more gigable.
I use to build consumer electronic products. I understand the pricing model. If you can "white box" a part that has the quality you need, you do it. If you look at the quality of the components that make this amp the jewel it is. These pedals do not come to that level.
I also am not a fan of having to run 2 cables. I wish it was a single unit. Use a MIDI cable to run from the pedal to the amp. One less cable on the ground. One less run to make.
Rockerfeller, you wanted an LED. Every picker in the world does. Why do they put LEDs on stomp boxes? . . . So, you can tell what's on.
These are simple user interface desires that all of us have. To leave them off, cheapens the quality of the pedal.
just my $.02
I am not unhappy with this beast! I LOVE IT!!!
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Post by Rockerfeller on Oct 25, 2016 9:30:24 GMT -7
Rockerfeller, you wanted an LED. Every picker in the world does. Why do they put LEDs on stomp boxes? . . . So, you can tell what's on. True. I built a boost on/off pedal with 9v LED for a Laney head I had. I used it with my Remedy and now use it with my ZLux. Not everyone needs the LED, but it is a "must-have" for me because I am on stage so much. I often end a solo on the other side of the stage and roll my volume back and then forget the boost is on. The light reminds me! They are fun and super easy to build! It would be a big bonus if the Z-lux amp came with a battery operated 9volt LED even if Dr. Z had to raise the price on the amp by $30+ to cover labor.
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Post by renegade44 on Oct 25, 2016 14:24:20 GMT -7
Totally agree!
Have you ever cracked open a Fender Hot Rod Deluxe foot switch. It has "Drive" and "More Drive" switches and LEDs. But, it's a TS 1/4 plug. All accomplished with diodes. Pretty slick design. The "More Drive" on the amp is junk. Hate the tone. Even worse, i hated hitting the wrong switch and getting junk. So, i build half the switch. "Clean" and "Drive" . . . no more grabbing the wrong channel on stage. 8^) Also went from 4"+ wide to about 2" wide.
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Post by zpilot on Oct 26, 2016 23:58:17 GMT -7
The Fender Hot Rod amps use relays for switching. I would never want to see Doc start doing that. In fact that is one of the reasons I use his amps instead of a Mesa or the like. Putting the Rev/Trem and the Bypass switch in the same housing would require a 5-pin plug and to me that smells of "Peavey". OK, I know I'm weird about that. I do wish Doc had opted for a TRS jack/plug for the Rev/Trem switch on my JAZ instead of the RCA connections like old Fenders but that is knit-picking. I have just anchored the cable to the enclosure with a couple of P-clips. It keeps the cable from wiggling around on the plug and eventually causing problems. LED's would be nice. I've thought about making a switch box and mounting it on my pedal board and powering LED indicators with my Voodoo Lab supply. Someone on the forum should start doing that. Bet they could sell a bunch. I doubt they could make any money at it though. Maybe that's why Doc doesn't offer it as an option.
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Post by renegade44 on Nov 2, 2016 14:53:38 GMT -7
I'm just an old country boy. My wife says i build brick outhouses when a porta-potty is all that is required. I have not opened up my Z-Lux. But, every picture of the inside of a Z is a thing of engineering beauty. My dad taught me that there is no such thing as "constructive criticism." It's just "criticism." I'm sorry to be critical of the foot switches. But, it's the only disappointment on a truly incredible amp. If i had seen this before i purchased the amp, would i still make the buy? ABSOLUTELY! OK . . . Here is what i was shipped. It doesn't match the User Guide or the color markings. I didn't realize that you needed to make sure the shielded side was reverb until i read this forum. I had already trimmed off some frayed shielding before this pic. Not sure of the cost of rewiring the fender switch. But, add a few dollars more for some heat shrink. 8^) Here are the ends i made. I built a pedal with a stereo jack. The cut the end off a shielded balanced TRS cable and added 2 RCA plugs. I ran the shielding over the Reverb cable. i covered it in heat shrink. I am experimenting with what i want for the pedals. I like the variable boost. But, i keep it cranked to wide open. So, i have a switch that let me kick on the boost and another switch to go between full (500k) and half boost (49.9K). But, i think i'm going to go with Full Boost only. I have a gig this weekend. I'll see how it plays. I use electrical conduit boxes for effects pedals i build. The work great for prototyping. i picked up "soft click" foot switches on ebay. Probably not the quality that the Doc requires. But, they don't cause a "pop"in the amp when i hit them. Here is the latest link to them -> Soft Click Switch If i like these, i'll add LEDs and power jacks. This amp is way too good for pedals. But, i need a tuner and the Z pedals. The Overrated Special gives me all the dirt i need. The Soul Food is a great Klon Klone for some boost. The Blues Driver gives me a little growl at lower volume. And, i've used chorus since the 80's. (I'm old) Looking at swapping the Blues Drive with a Tumnus. We'll see. I LOVE THIS AMP!!! It is INCREDIBLE!!! stephen
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Post by benttop (Steve) on Nov 3, 2016 6:38:56 GMT -7
Wow, mine are nothing like that. Weird...
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Post by zpilot on Nov 5, 2016 7:06:14 GMT -7
Wow, mine are nothing like that. Weird... Photos please?
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Post by renegade44 on Nov 7, 2016 7:29:41 GMT -7
Used the new pedals this weekend for a gig in Galveston. Here i am with my License Plate guitar and the Z. It makes everything sound killer!! I didn't use the Boost Switch. But, this was a solo gig too. Lots of roots stuff. I may give it a run with the full band before i make my final design decisions. Love this amp!
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Post by benttop (Steve) on Nov 8, 2016 19:35:34 GMT -7
Wow, mine are nothing like that. Weird... Photos please? This is mine:
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Post by renegade44 on Nov 9, 2016 6:26:55 GMT -7
That's what i would expect.
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Post by DRZ on Nov 9, 2016 8:56:33 GMT -7
That's what i would expect. Send me your address and I'll mail you one. I have plenty in stock., just return your original one Just don't start bitching about the slight pop when engaged with that pretty new pedal.
Z
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Post by DRZ on Nov 11, 2016 11:59:20 GMT -7
I hope I didn't scare Stephen ( renegade44 ) off. I have no problem sending him the switch with the nicer looking RCA jacks. I just wanted him to know why I stopped using them, some of them pop when the footswitch is engaged. Not really noticeable, but enough that the reviewer from Premier Guitar had to add it as a "Concern" to his review of the Z Lux.
I take these things seriously and looked for an alternative and found the 60 year old Fender FS as a pop free alternative , higher quality switches, but cheaper looking RCA jacks.
Z
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Post by renegade44 on Nov 11, 2016 14:13:12 GMT -7
Sorry for the late response . . . That day job thing
Didn't scare me off. Getting to interact with the chief engineer is something i value. I hope everyone on the board understands the value of having you watching.
My opinion really doesn't mean much. Go with the Premier Guitar review. They have a better ears and a bigger influence than i do.
Doc, Thanks for being a part of this forum. You build the best!
stephen
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Post by benttop (Steve) on Nov 11, 2016 17:49:27 GMT -7
Never noticed any pop, but also I'll say I had those Fender style RCA plugs on my Twin Reverb for many years without any issues. They are ugly, but they definitely work.
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Post by renegade44 on Nov 30, 2016 7:44:24 GMT -7
INCREDIBLE!!!!!!
The Good Doctor swapped out my pedal. Well above and beyond what other companies would do.
Huge "Thank you!"
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Post by BritInvasion on Nov 30, 2016 17:58:40 GMT -7
INCREDIBLE!!!!!! The Good Doctor swapped out my pedal. Well above and beyond what other companies would do. Huge "Thank you!" Doc's pretty amazing that way.
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