tonee
New Member
Posts: 4
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Post by tonee on Oct 29, 2016 15:34:11 GMT -7
I've been looking to upgrade and have been seriously considering the Therapy as it has many of the features I'm seeking, but still have some questions. I currently play in a couple bands, blues and rock mostly, at small venues (just loud enough to be heard over the drummer). I like a warm, clean tone with good sustain and just a hair of overdrive (when digging in)...think BB King. But sometimes I do like to get thicker with overdrive and will use a TS808 and booster to get a Billy Gibbons sound, especially for solos. Currently use a Mesa Express 5:25 in 25 watt mode and only the clean channel. I'm exclusively a Les Paul player with humbuckers as the other guitar player in the band sticks to a strat and we feel they complement each other well. I'm worried the Therapy will have too much gain and will not be clean enough for me with the LP as some have said the Therapy is better suited for single coil. Those with Therapy experience, what are your thoughts?
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Post by Faze on Oct 29, 2016 18:38:10 GMT -7
You will def get better clean head room from the therapy. When you crank the master to like 2 oclock on the therapy and Put your volume at about noon. You get some good clean tones just by rolling back your guitar volume. I had a mesa boogie Mk 35 and the therapy just blew it away with cleans.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Oct 29, 2016 20:14:37 GMT -7
I struggle with my LP's and clean tones with the Therapy. I actually get better cleans with my Maz 18's low input and HB's. I never truly ever play "clean," though, I like a bit of hair.
If I needed a ton of headroom, I would have held on to my Maz 38. Clean for days.
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Post by kc on Oct 30, 2016 4:28:37 GMT -7
I think you'll find that the Therapy can be set to be clean enough. Also depends on which speaker you use. Question for you - do you work the volume knob on your guitar while playing, or leave it always on "10"? Backing it off just a bit typically cleans up Z amps without losing much volume - I'm sure you already know this, just wondering if you put it into practice.
kc
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tonee
New Member
Posts: 4
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Post by tonee on Oct 30, 2016 5:06:04 GMT -7
Great advice! I'm thinking Therapy is up my alley, but may need to try a Maz. Already tried Z28 (only Z at closest shop to me) and it sounded sweet, but would like more EQ on board and MV. I do like a little hair and tend to use my volume as the "other" pedal in my lineup (roll it on or off depending on solos/songs). I tend to favor the neck PU on my R8 and like getting a Hendrixy tone (Wind Cries Mary to Voodoo Chile) or just warm clean like BB. Current speaker in 1x12 cab I have is Eminence Governor.
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Post by doctorice on Oct 30, 2016 6:07:45 GMT -7
Where are you located? Sometimes there's another Z member relatively nearby who's willing to meet up for an amp tryout. (I've done it several times in the greater NY area, for example.)
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tonee
New Member
Posts: 4
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Post by tonee on Oct 30, 2016 6:18:07 GMT -7
It would be sweet to try one out. I'm near Des Moines, IA.
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tonee
New Member
Posts: 4
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Post by tonee on Nov 10, 2016 12:02:15 GMT -7
Still mulling the therapy over and appreciate any insights. If the MV is at noon, about when does breakup start to happen as the V (gain) is turned up..specifically with humbuckers? I like to have a little hair, body/sustain, and warmth, but don't want this to be only at 8:00-10:00 range on the V...leaving basically a lot of useless V range. I've heard some mention putting in a 5751 in V1 is helpful to increase the variability from clean to dirty.
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Post by premiumplus (Dave) on Nov 10, 2016 14:05:23 GMT -7
With a Les Paul / humbucker guitar you're going to break up early, mine starts getting pretty crunchy by 10:00. If you want more on the clean end maybe consider a Z-Lux. It can get pretty crunchy too with the gain cranked. Check out Dave Baker's videos, you get a good overview of Z's tonal ranges with them. If you were near Michigan I'c say "Come on over!".
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Post by justblues on Nov 20, 2016 17:54:30 GMT -7
I use a 335 with stock classic '57 pickups and it works great with the Therapy ... Also works great with the Maz 18NR ... Not sure which I prefer.
I do know I can't play the Therapy with the Master volume wide open ... Just too loud ... At least for the gigs I play -- and we play fairly loud. I usually use an attenuator to tame the volume a bit.
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Post by iluvpunz on Nov 20, 2016 19:05:32 GMT -7
I use a Therapy with a Les Paul. I can get clean, just a bit of hair, or great smooth gain with the Therapy. The master volume works very well and if you keep the master up and the volume below noon you can get nice cleans. The EQ will also be useful for you. I've been playing the Therapy for gigs both large and small for close to a year and I think it will fill what you are looking for quite well. There are a lot of tones and gain levels in the Therapy and it will take a bit of working with the amp but that's half the fun, right. It takes pedals very well also. I get my gain from a Z Drive and a Rockett Dude. It's also a very touch responsive amp. Play light get clean, dig in for some dirt. Setting your pickups a little lower and lowering your guitar volume should get just what your are looking for IMO.
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