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Post by ash on Jan 11, 2017 10:18:06 GMT -7
Hi Everybody,
First time poster.
First, to be perfectly honest I have been contemplating the Suhr Bella but I wanted to explore some options and being a Cleveland resident it only seemed right to check out the Dr Z's.
I am looking for the best pedal platform for stage use, clean, loud, and high headroom. Am I right in assuming the Zlux is brighter voiced like a Fender Deluxe and the EZG50 is warmer voiced more like a Dumble? I play in a variety of situations and the music style varies too so I need a jack of all trades kind of an amp. That's why I am a pedal player, it's easier to change personality based on the situation.
The EZG50 is 50 watts, 2 x 6l6, vs the Zlux which is 4 x 6v6. The 2 x 6l6 format is much more common. Is it easier to maintain, bias, etc? I like real spring reverb. How does the reverb differ on these two? The Zlux is lighter with a smaller foot print. That is a desirable trait if the amp will keep up in a noisy environment.
How do you feel about speaker swaps with these amps?
The next step will be to demo them personally but one step at a time!
Thanks, I really appreciate your thoughts!
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Post by Jaguarguy (Mike) on Jan 11, 2017 15:00:38 GMT -7
Welcome to the Forum - a lot of great information and people here! All of Doc's amps take pedals wonderfully! The EZG 50 is more like a black-faced Super-Reverb. Great reverb on it - will definitely take you surfing' if that's where you want to go with it. The ZLux reverb is also great with the added benefit of tremolo. It doesn't seem to be as deep of a reverb as the EZG 50 but it may just be the speakers I use with each. As for speakers, I like what Doc puts in them - he does a real good job of matching speakers to amps. The same with his tube selections. You're right though - you need to try them out. But be careful - they can be addictive - I can tell you that first hand!
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Post by ash on Jan 11, 2017 17:32:37 GMT -7
Thanks Mike,
Watching some demos the Z-lux seems like just the ticket tone-wise but I am a tad concerned it won't be enough clean headroom in more noisy environments. That's not based on a lot of information. You can't really tell from a video. I get the sense that the EZG50 will be enough for any room...if you want to hoof that much weight. I would love to get 30 minutes sitting with both.
To give you an idea of the extremes I deal with, I play beach boys stuff with one band at whisper quiet levels and Theory of a Dead Man at ridiculous volumes in another.
As far as reverb, I like a touch of always on verb. More for ambience than overt effect.
I am planning a trip to N'stuff to check out the Bella this weekend or next. Does the Z factory have a demo room? I live on the west side but work on the east side so I am passing them latitudinal just about every day. There is a shop on the near east side but if their web site is any indication they don't have either. Looks like they have a Victoria Double Deluxe though!
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Post by bloozeman on Jan 11, 2017 18:16:04 GMT -7
If you're looking for Dumble I'd say look at two rock. Are you referring to Nstuff in pittsburgh? My buddy works there and they're a great store. Ask for Jeff Mazzei and tell him Jeff Fetterman told you that he will give you a good deal on your purchase
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Post by Jaguarguy (Mike) on Jan 11, 2017 18:21:44 GMT -7
In Cleveland you can go to Guitar Riot - they should have both in stock. Doc does not have a demo room.
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Post by Deleted on Jan 11, 2017 18:59:45 GMT -7
What Mike said. To me, the EZG sounds a bit more like what you're looking for: it's got a ton of headroom and big, loud cleans. Takes pedals great. It is a warm amp, yes, without the stiffness of a lot of Fenders. The Z-Lux is also very warm--none of the shrillness of a Deluxe. Also takes pedals great, but will break up earlier than the EZG. The Z-Lux is cathode biased, but the EZG has to be re-biased when swapping power tubes. The EZG head weighs about as much as the Lux combo, believe it or not.
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Post by ash on Jan 12, 2017 13:16:03 GMT -7
Hi Jeff,
Yup, N'Stuff in Pittsburg. I'm not looking for a Dumble sound in particular. I just want a good pedal platform in a practical and movable package. That's my needs assessment. There is one more thing. It shouldn't matter, but it does. I want something cool. I could buy a Vibrolux or a Twin and be done with it but I want something with a little more mojo. I want it to sound good, look good, and have a pedigree.
I can ask for Jeff Mazzei but I won't be ready to buy for a few weeks. I do my research in advance to avoid wasting large sums of money. I literally can't buy it for a couple weeks which is good because I won't buy in the heat of the moment.
I had considered a Two Rock. The SP35 in particular. It wins in regards to weight and foot print but various people said its output is lower than it's wattage suggests. Plus I heard it had kind of a soft attack that wouldn't really suit the harder stuff. Of course that's just talk and who really knows for sure. I've only see Youtube demos.
Hi Jaguarguitar,
I looked at their web site. They don't have what I'm looking for. Unless the web site is out of date which could be true. Those guys are good guys out there and very helpful but I have to admit that I don't go there much because they have to set you up in a sound proof room to demo stuff. They don't seem to mind doing it but I hate putting them through all that when I am just browsing. I mean I buy stuff. In fact I buy way too much stuff but I never really know what I want when I walk in the door. I just have some general ideas and want to goof around with stuff until I hear a choir of angels singing and I've got to have something. They have to work way too hard just for me to decide I don't want anything I tried.
Thanks Jon, sounds like sage advice. I'll focus on the EZG!
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Post by bloozeman on Jan 12, 2017 20:56:43 GMT -7
Ash I have a two rock studio pro 35. It's a great amp. Thick and warm. Full. Huge sound. It's loud enough believe me. I also have 5 Dr Zs. The maz 8, Jaz 20/40, carmen ghia, Z28, and just picked up a Route 66 yesterday. The route is a nice thick amp too but so far my two rock is much better to my ears for warmth and girth over the 66. It's close but the two rock kinda wins.
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Post by ash on Jan 13, 2017 8:45:38 GMT -7
Thanks Bloozeman,
I hope I'll get a chance to try one. That's saying A LOT regarding the Two Rock. I'll have to keep that one on the radar. I appreciate the feedback, thanks!
I've been reading more on the Z-Lux and it really checks off a lot of boxes for me. For starters it's only 42lbs! 40 watts, cathode biased making tube changes easier, half power switch is cool, tube verb and tremolo. I need 5 minutes with one to determine a couple things; tone, clean headroom, and if it flashlights.
I wonder if the cathode bias or 40 watts generated by 4x6v6 vs 2x6l6 produces a different result than the output produced by 2x6l6 fixed bias? Is it louder, quieter, earlier break up, later break up, etc. Or are those things really a matter of other factors like the circuit design and speaker?
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Post by bloozeman on Jan 13, 2017 12:46:22 GMT -7
If you can't afford the z lux go for a Jaz 20/40. It's pretty much the same amp. Just a few minor tweaks. They're almost identical
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Post by ash on Jan 13, 2017 15:18:06 GMT -7
Awesome, thanks, Ill take a look at that! Im not intimidated by the price. I intend on buying boutique and knew it would be expensive. Of course I have my limits and the z-lux is pushing that limit pretty hard!
In the meantime I emailed Guitarriot. They dont have a Zlux in stock....but they have a Swart st-45! Thats an amp I hadn't considered. It looks pretty swank. If it sounds half as cool as it looks...!
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Post by ash on Jan 14, 2017 16:03:13 GMT -7
In Cleveland you can go to Guitar Riot - they should have both in stock. Doc does not have a demo room. Hi Jeff,. I met Jeff Mazzei. Im sorry but I forgot your name! He showed me the SF Vibrolux and the 3rd Power. They didn't have the Bella. The Vibrolux was cool. The 3rd Power was awesome but they didn't have the models I was most interested in. He did the best he could with what he had. Super nice guy and very helpful. Honestly I'm starting to gas for the Swart real bad. Ill be checking that out this week at guitar riot. He did show me the Suhr guitars though and I'm super impressed. I'm buying one for certain although it will be six months before I can get one.
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Post by ash on Jan 17, 2017 3:43:21 GMT -7
I am talking to myself here but I just have to say it seems messed up that I cant demo a Dr Z IN CLEVELAND. Its not like I live in China. I am on a Dr Z blog talking about buying a different manufacturers product because I can actually see the thing and try it before buying. I guess thats the downside of an internet world.
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Post by mudman on Jan 17, 2017 6:03:32 GMT -7
Contact the factory perhaps? I'd be surprised if they didn't have some sort of showroom.
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Post by bloozeman on Jan 17, 2017 7:10:06 GMT -7
stop by the Z factory, I beleive he will let you try different ones out
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Post by Deleted on Jan 17, 2017 8:07:12 GMT -7
My unsolicited advice: Wait to try the Z-Lux before you jump.
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Post by ash on Jan 17, 2017 9:01:39 GMT -7
I should contact the factory. Good suggestion. In a previous post somebody said that the factory doesn't have a show room but really who knows. I should at least call them.
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Post by ash on Jan 18, 2017 20:24:17 GMT -7
I was at guitar riot today. I played the Swart st-45. I'm glad I didnt have the money on me as I would have bought it. In fact I told the guy I was going to buy it. It was a fun amp. However, the more I think about it the more confident I feel about getting the Z-lux. Im test driving one Friday!
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Post by MacStevenXIII on Jan 19, 2017 4:45:03 GMT -7
I was at guitar riot today. I played the Swart st-45. I'm glad I didnt have the money on me as I would have bought it. In fact I told the guy I was going to buy it. It was a fun amp. However, the more I think about it the more confident I feel about getting the Z-lux. Im test driving one Friday! Really interested to hear your comparison of the two once you try the Z-Lux. The ST-45 was on my short list. I couldn't find one around me to test out, I ended up with a Z-Lux (which I absolutely love) but I still wish I could've found an ST-45 to demo.
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Post by Maddog on Jan 19, 2017 5:27:52 GMT -7
Gosh, why do I hear the word "ANTIDOTE" (and Strymon Flint) screaming my head here? You're a pedal player, right? Oh one more item besides a cable needed here: size 40 Big Boy Pants!!!!
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Post by ash on Jan 19, 2017 12:32:12 GMT -7
I was at guitar riot today. I played the Swart st-45. I'm glad I didnt have the money on me as I would have bought it. In fact I told the guy I was going to buy it. It was a fun amp. However, the more I think about it the more confident I feel about getting the Z-lux. Im test driving one Friday! Really interested to hear your comparison of the two once you try the Z-Lux. The ST-45 was on my short list. I couldn't find one around me to test out, I ended up with a Z-Lux (which I absolutely love) but I still wish I could've found an ST-45 to demo. Okay, gladly. The st-45 is hard not to like. Especially with the orange glow and dissipating heat of a row tubes. The thing makes an impression! It has a certain primitive, old school vibe to it. It sounds raw to me like an amp that isn't weighed down by a bunch of unnecessary circuitry. However it is that very quality that eventually gave me pause. I'm not sure that's really what I want for my base tone. I'm thinking the Zlux will have a more refined tone. Plus it really checks off all the boxes...40 watts should provide plenty of headroom for a pedal platform even in a noisy environment, small foot print, only 40lbs, cathode biased so it can alternate tubes, half power switch, mid knob, 4x6v6 is a rare and interesting design, tube reverb/trem...I mean it does it all in a package that's going to be easy to haul around. Plus it has pedigree. Dr Z's are top flight amps. I still like the st-45 and it's going to haunt me and who knows, maybe the Zlux wont float my boat. I'm just anticipating it will.
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Post by ash on Jan 19, 2017 12:37:54 GMT -7
Gosh, why do I hear the word "ANTIDOTE" (and Strymon Flint) screaming my head here? You're a pedal player, right? Oh one more item besides a cable needed here: size 40 Big Boy Pants!!!! I don't know, it's a mystery, why, why, why!?!? I have a Strymon Flint! It's close to the same wattage. Why do you think the Antidote is better?
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Post by Maddog on Jan 19, 2017 16:31:19 GMT -7
Gosh, why do I hear the word "ANTIDOTE" (and Strymon Flint) screaming my head here? You're a pedal player, right? Oh one more item besides a cable needed here: size 40 Big Boy Pants!!!! I don't know, it's a mystery, why, why, why!?!? I have a Strymon Flint! It's close to the same wattage. Why do you think the Antidote is better? IMHO, The Antidote has the biggest sound of all Z's amps...... And it's louder than the Lux and the EZG as well. Gorgeous pristine cleans, sparkling highs, deep bass, and pleasingly round mids! And the OD sound is sick....if you can handle the volume. If I played bigger venues I would still own one. GREAT amp! Huge, huge sound!
Plus, I can't find a spring reverb that sounds any better than the Flint.....
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Post by ash on Jan 20, 2017 5:37:57 GMT -7
I don't know, it's a mystery, why, why, why!?!? I have a Strymon Flint! It's close to the same wattage. Why do you think the Antidote is better? IMHO, The Antidote has the biggest sound of all Z's amps...... And it's louder than the Lux and the EZG as well. Gorgeous pristine cleans, sparkling highs, deep bass, and pleasingly round mids! And the OD sound is sick....if you can handle the volume. If I played bigger venues I would still own one. GREAT amp! Huge, huge sound!
Plus, I can't find a spring reverb that sounds any better than the Flint.....
Well you may be right and I appreciate the advice. My opportunities to try this stuff are all too rare. The Z-Lux checks off all the boxes. The last thing to verify is that I like the way it sounds. I'm going to try the EZG-50 too. That is another potential. They both live in the American amp space and should make excellent pedal platforms. Based on videos I'm thinking the EZG is a bit warmer, louder, and with a washier reverb and the Z-lux is brighter, lighter, and more flexible. Even though I started my post in the EZG forum as that is what I was initially interested in trying I have been coming around to believing the Z-lux is the best option for me. I will be trying it today. I will know pretty quick if its the one I want, and I hope it is.
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Post by Maddog on Jan 20, 2017 6:10:29 GMT -7
The lux is my fave Z amp ever! Perfect for me!!!!
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Post by Deleted on Jan 20, 2017 8:26:54 GMT -7
The lux is my fave Z amp ever! Perfect for me!!!! Yep--me, too, Lee. And I think you and I do fairly different things, musically speaking.
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Post by ash on Jan 20, 2017 13:42:53 GMT -7
Between the Swart and the Dr Z as much as I enjoyed the Swart honestly they are in a totally different league. The Dr Z is sooooooooooooo much better. I am stuck between the EZG and the Zlux. I loved them borh. I will be sweating the deciscion! Im buying soon but havent quite settled on one yet. Im leaning towards the Zlux though.
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Post by mudman on Jan 20, 2017 13:51:43 GMT -7
Where did you find one to try?
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Post by arafel on Jan 20, 2017 14:43:44 GMT -7
I'll just add my voice. I haven't played a Z-Lux, so take this with a grain of salt. For a long time, I played Fenders, plus I had a Bogner New Yorker 1x12 for smaller gigs. I took a Twin Reverb RI and converted it to a head unit only, and that was my main gigging amp. I started investigating Z's just because I liked the idea of hand-wired amps, and when I found a used EZG-50 for $1200 I jumped on it.
It was a REVELATION. The tone is so crisp and beautiful, the bass response perfect, and creamy midrange. I do need to use an Air Brake with it, but it's still amazing. The touch response is outstanding, and the tones are just perfect. If you get one, you won't be disappointed.
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Post by arafel on Jan 20, 2017 14:56:43 GMT -7
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