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Post by justjoshinya on Jan 4, 2017 12:36:52 GMT -7
The Z-Lux has been my favorite amp ever, but I only use the half power setting MV and Vol right below noon usually with a brake lite! The Cure sounds exactly what I need (it's already on order) my question being for those that have heard it, I will be safe parting with my Z-lux as the cure will fill that void correct? I'd hate to sell or trade my Z-Lux and be left wishing I'd kept it...
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Post by Easyrom on Jan 4, 2017 13:45:08 GMT -7
I've been asking myself the same question (see that thread), but I finally decided that I could live with my Z-Lux at 20W + Brake Lite, rather than part with it. I mean I'm sure the Cure is a great amp (and what a fair price!), but, you know, there must be differences, as circuits and cabinets are not identical...
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Post by justjoshinya on Jan 4, 2017 13:50:24 GMT -7
The level control is what's pushing me over the edge, the brake lite seems to be too loud or too quiet to me?
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Post by Jaguarguy (Mike) on Jan 4, 2017 15:21:28 GMT -7
Two major things to consider are no trem or reverb. If you don't use them you probably won't have any major issues going to the Cure.
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Post by justjoshinya on Jan 4, 2017 15:25:39 GMT -7
A tiny reverb, trem every now and then but I think a flint will cover it?
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Post by Deleted on Jan 4, 2017 15:34:40 GMT -7
New Year's resolution: Don't speculate. Play both side by side and decide for yourself.
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Post by doctorice on Jan 5, 2017 5:20:20 GMT -7
New Year's resolution: Don't speculate. Play both side by side and decide for yourself. That's what I'm going to do, although my plan is to keep both. I don't expect to hear much difference between them with the 'verb and trem switched off. If I get ambitious, I'll run them both into the same speaker so that the different (combo) cabs aren't a variable.
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Post by Easyrom on Jan 5, 2017 5:28:10 GMT -7
New Year's resolution: Don't speculate. Play both side by side and decide for yourself. That's what I'm going to do, although my plan is to keep both. I don't expect to hear much difference between them with the 'verb and trem switched off. If I get ambitious, I'll run them both into the same speaker so that the different (combo) cabs aren't a variable. The different combo cab is a variable actually, and it contributed to make me stay reasonable.
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Post by doctorice on Jan 5, 2017 8:09:34 GMT -7
That's what I'm going to do, although my plan is to keep both. I don't expect to hear much difference between them with the 'verb and trem switched off. If I get ambitious, I'll run them both into the same speaker so that the different (combo) cabs aren't a variable. The different combo cab is a variable actually, and it contributed to make me stay reasonable. Exactly my point: I want to evaluate both "pure" circuit tonal differences, if any, and also compare the cabs. Should be fun.
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Post by justjoshinya on Jan 5, 2017 8:35:09 GMT -7
I think I'm going to trust the good Dr. and just go all in on the Cure! If he refers it to be a Z-Lux jr then that's good enough for me! I'd say at the volumes I am able to play at it will be more usable to me than the Z-Lux which has been just about perfect! I won't have to worry about any buzz in the reverb circuit when I'm in churches with wierd lighting and I can cover my tremolo with a flint which I've wanted to try anyway!
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Post by Easyrom on Jan 5, 2017 16:00:41 GMT -7
The different combo cab is a variable actually, and it contributed to make me stay reasonable. Exactly my point: I want to evaluate both "pure" circuit tonal differences, if any, and also compare the cabs. Should be fun. Tons of fun, for sure!
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Post by Easyrom on Jan 5, 2017 16:05:03 GMT -7
I think I'm going to trust the good Dr. and just go all in on the Cure! If he refers it to be a Z-Lux jr then that's good enough for me! I'd say at the volumes I am able to play at it will be more usable to me than the Z-Lux which has been just about perfect! I won't have to worry about any buzz in the reverb circuit when I'm in churches with wierd lighting and I can cover my tremolo with a flint which I've wanted to try anyway! The Flint is a great great pedal! It's funny, cause I made the same path... the other way around. I've bought a Flint, played it through my Maz 8 and founded the verb and tremolo soooo cool that I couldn't resist when the Z-Lux came out a few weeks later. And lately when I was wondering about the Cure, I was thinking the same thing Cure + Flint vs Stand alone Z-Lux. You'll let us know!
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Post by Deleted on Jan 5, 2017 16:39:55 GMT -7
Given the Lux's half-power switch and excellent V/MV setup, I haven't felt the need to use a Brakelite with mine. The Cure is intriguing, though. The lighter weight and smaller stage footprint is pretty attractive, if in fact it's tonally very close to the Lux.
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Post by justjoshinya on Jan 5, 2017 16:47:18 GMT -7
I have not had any situation I couldn't make the Z-Lux work sometimes I had to be a little quieter than I liked, due to the brake lite graduations. The lighter amp will be nice on my herniated disc too! I can't wait to try it out!
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Post by Faze on Jan 5, 2017 17:03:50 GMT -7
Its def very tempting for me as well. I don't really use the trem at all. I do like the reverb on the Z-lux although I don't use a lot of reverb. I had a maz 18 jr studio combo that I sold and afterwards really missed that smaller grab and go option. I still really like the Z-lux. I just wonder how close they really are in tonality. Not sure I want to give up my Z-Lux. I would maybe have to just have both. Z-lux for live and then the Cure for home and smaller venues. Its a tough one but you cant help but like that studio combo!
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Post by Don on Jan 7, 2017 11:49:45 GMT -7
My Z-LUX isn't going anywhere. Recently sold my '65 Deluxe.
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Post by Jaguarguy (Mike) on Jan 7, 2017 12:43:07 GMT -7
My Z-LUX isn't going anywhere. Recently sold my '65 Deluxe. Z-Lux definitely sounded a few steps above the Deluxe. Deluxe didn't sound bad until you put it next to the Z - Lux - then no question which was the better amp.
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Post by justjoshinya on Jan 7, 2017 13:10:29 GMT -7
If the Cure is not the cure to my particular ailment I'll have another Z-Lux this time in surf green!
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Post by dcarver on Jan 7, 2017 19:37:02 GMT -7
The level control is what's pushing me over the edge, the brake lite seems to be too loud or too quiet to me? Hey justjoshinya, did you see this thread posted by frankie in the Brake Lite Forum ? ztalk.proboards.com/thread/74216/more-brake-lite-stand-meetsThere's a link to instructions on how to adjust the Brake Lite. Looks like it's pretty easy.
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Post by Deleted on Jan 8, 2017 9:42:25 GMT -7
The level control is what's pushing me over the edge, the brake lite seems to be too loud or too quiet to me? Hey justjoshinya, did you see this thread posted by frankie in the Brake Lite Forum ? ztalk.proboards.com/thread/74216/more-brake-lite-stand-meetsThere's a link to instructions on how to adjust the Brake Lite. Looks like it's pretty easy. The level control doesn't change the tone sweet spot you've adjusted thru the V/MV . A brake just further modifies your tone . I'm not 100% sure how this level works but My guess is that it's along the lines of How Modelers are getting you to the sweet spot /While limiting over all volume without changing the sound. I bought the Atomic Amplifire to play around with: Although it doesn't replace the thump of Tube playing. I have noticed I'm getting tones out of My guitar that I didn't know existed: My guess is this Level control on the Cure works similar if not the same way
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Post by dergit (Markus) on Jan 8, 2017 16:19:52 GMT -7
The level control doesn't change the tone sweet spot you've adjusted thru the V/MV . A brake just further modifies your tone . Gnnnnnhhh. No.I'm not 100% sure how this level works but My guess is that it's along the lines of How Modelers are getting you to the sweet spot /While limiting over all volume without changing the sound. I bought the Atomic Amplifire to play around with: Although it doesn't replace the thump of Tube playing. I have noticed I'm getting tones out of My guitar that I didn't know existed: My guess is this Level control on the Cure works similar if not the same way What? Modellers adjust the volume by raising and lowering the master volume of a linear sounding solid state power stage. All the "sweet spot" stuff is created by simulating tubes overloading and thus completely independent of actual output levels at any pre- or power amp stages because both those stages are, well, simulated digitally. The hint is in the name. They're "modelled" after tube amps and mimic their behaviour. This happens somewhere between -20 and 0dBFS. Nothing is actually amplified until it hits the analog world (ie. a solid state power amp). The only way the Level control of the Cure could work "the same way" would be if it somehow had an actual tube amp signal forced down to a very low level (attenuation!) and then re-amplified by a solid state poweramp stage. And I'm pretty sure that's not what's happening. That would be very expensive. And stupid. Much simpler: Either the output is lowered by built-in, stepless or micro-stepped attenuation (same as Brake Lite but more finely adjustable) or the Doc found some other way to lower what's coming out at the end that I can't yet explain to myself because I really know just enough about electrical engineering to be 100% certain that what you're saying is complete nonsense.
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Post by Deleted on Jan 10, 2017 11:05:49 GMT -7
The level control doesn't change the tone sweet spot you've adjusted thru the V/MV . A brake just further modifies your tone . Gnnnnnhhh. No.I'm not 100% sure how this level works but My guess is that it's along the lines of How Modelers are getting you to the sweet spot /While limiting over all volume without changing the sound. I bought the Atomic Amplifire to play around with: Although it doesn't replace the thump of Tube playing. I have noticed I'm getting tones out of My guitar that I didn't know existed: My guess is this Level control on the Cure works similar if not the same way What? Modellers adjust the volume by raising and lowering the master volume of a linear sounding solid state power stage. All the "sweet spot" stuff is created by simulating tubes overloading and thus completely independent of actual output levels at any pre- or power amp stages because both those stages are, well, simulated digitally. The hint is in the name. They're "modelled" after tube amps and mimic their behaviour. This happens somewhere between -20 and 0dBFS. Nothing is actually amplified until it hits the analog world (ie. a solid state power amp). The only way the Level control of the Cure could work "the same way" would be if it somehow had an actual tube amp signal forced down to a very low level (attenuation!) and then re-amplified by a solid state poweramp stage. And I'm pretty sure that's not what's happening. That would be very expensive. And stupid. Much simpler: Either the output is lowered by built-in, stepless or micro-stepped attenuation (same as Brake Lite but more finely adjustable) or the Doc found some other way to lower what's coming out at the end that I can't yet explain to myself because I really know just enough about electrical engineering to be 100% certain that what you're saying is complete nonsense. Is there a point here?? I wasn't making an engineering statement : More one of actual experience : I could really care less how it works Just that it does: You set the Cure for your perfect Tone, and if asked to lower your volume , just adjust Level . Your Tone and Gain stay the same , as demonstrated by Dave on the teaser, just the Volume Unit (VU) will decrease with slight Level adjustments. A near perfect solution
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Post by dergit (Markus) on Jan 11, 2017 5:58:20 GMT -7
Granted, English is not my first language, but... I'm not 100% sure how this level works but My guess is that it's along the lines of How Modelers are getting you to the sweet spot I could really care less how it works
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Post by Deleted on Jan 11, 2017 8:25:55 GMT -7
What if it's like the level control on an effects loop, just pushed all the way to the back end of the amp???
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Post by Deleted on Jan 11, 2017 8:36:13 GMT -7
Granted, English is not my first language, but... I'm not 100% sure how this level works but My guess is that it's along the lines of How Modelers are getting you to the sweet spot I could really care less how it works You set the Cure for your perfect Tone, and if asked to lower your volume , just adjust Level . Your Tone and Gain stay the same , as demonstrated by Dave on the teaser, just the Volume Unit (VU) will decrease with slight Level adjustments. A near perfect solution DOC's Words /
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Post by dergit (Markus) on Jan 11, 2017 10:15:20 GMT -7
I know they're the Doc's words, @rickenbacker53 . Sonically speaking, I know what the Level control does. I'm not disagreeing with you there. I've seen the video, too. But you *were* speculating as to how it technically works, guessing it'd work like in modellers when you said "I'm not 100% sure how this level works but My guess is that it's along the lines of How Modelers are getting you to the sweet spot". I was just telling you that that is, technically speaking, complete nonsense. Because modellers do this via solid state power stage. That simple, really.
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Post by Deleted on Jan 11, 2017 11:18:56 GMT -7
I know they're the Doc's words, @rickenbacker53 . Sonically speaking, I know what the Level control does. I'm not disagreeing with you there. I've seen the video, too. But you *were* speculating as to how it technically works, guessing it'd work like in modellers when you said "I'm not 100% sure how this level works but My guess is that it's along the lines of How Modelers are getting you to the sweet spot". I was just telling you that that is, technically speaking, complete nonsense. Because modellers do this via solid state power stage. That simple, really. 1 2 3 4 5 678910 Have a good one.
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Post by doctorice on Jan 13, 2017 18:34:42 GMT -7
Cure arrived today. I need to decide whether to go with it or the Z-Lux for tomorrow's gig, so I likely will have something a bit informed to say on the thread topic soon.
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Post by justjoshinya on Jan 13, 2017 21:11:47 GMT -7
Can't wait to hear what ya think!
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Post by Easyrom on Jun 1, 2017 0:13:04 GMT -7
Hey all,
Still very interested in direct confrontations between Cure and Z-Lux. Still loving my Z-Lux (best amp I have ever had), but also still frustrated to have it running in half power mode + Brakelite on 4 (sometimes 3) most of the time...
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