underdog
Junior Member
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Posts: 61
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Post by underdog on Sept 6, 2017 14:59:58 GMT -7
If any of ya do, what settings would you set your Z Lux using a tube screamer variant to get as close to srv tones or blackface type tones? would one scoop out some mids? Thanks, Underdog
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oowl
Full Member
Posts: 154
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Post by oowl on Sept 6, 2017 20:28:20 GMT -7
Check out the "5881 Impressions" post, if you haven't already. Seems like those tubes might get you closer to that tone. And maybe send a PM to scottunzicker he is a blues guy and seems to be diggin' those tubes for da blues.
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Post by meanslide on Sept 6, 2017 22:49:18 GMT -7
Hey Underdog - Welcome to Z Talk. I happen to have a Z-Lux and a 'real' '64 Super Reverb, about as 'blackface' as it gets. No need to scoop out anything. Set the Z-lux to 40 watts, Volume, Master, all EQ's at 'noon'. It's really close to the '64, set identically. Other than the 12" vs 10" speakers, the Z-Lux nails the blackface tone.
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Post by scottunzicker on Sept 7, 2017 7:58:50 GMT -7
Underdog - I have, indeed, experimented with 6V6s v. 5881s in the Z-lux, and while both sound great, I've settled on the 5881s which absolutely give more of a Blackface Fender sound to the Z-lux. I've been a player here in Austin for 20+ years, and, for me, the Z-lux falls between an old Super Reverb (I've got a real '66) and a Vibro King, two of Fender's finest, imo. You can get the sparkle of the Super BUT you can also get the crunch of the Vibro King if you tweak your settings properly. Oh, to directly answer your question, I do, indeed, scoop the mids when using a single coil guitar. However, I need to mention that I use a little bit of the Z-Lux' boost when playing a strat or tele. When I'm using humbuckers (like with the Les Paul or 335), I find the Z-lux has plenty of gain there already. Does your Z-lux have the variable boost switch or just the "on/off" button? I made my own variable version, and love it, as I only dial in as much as I think is needed, given the room, volume settings, etc. As oowl mentioned, feel free to PM me, and I'll be happy to answer any questions you might have. Cheers!
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Post by scottunzicker on Sept 7, 2017 8:34:15 GMT -7
It's also worth noting that while we can get the power section of the Z-lux to sound Fender-ish, the preamp section, tone control behavior, etc., are from a MAZ 38, which is not a Blackface Fender layout, from what I understand.
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Deleted
Deleted Member
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Post by Deleted on Sept 7, 2017 12:37:13 GMT -7
Turn all the knobs up to 11, then hit it with a Tubescreamer.
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Post by scottunzicker on Sept 7, 2017 13:21:13 GMT -7
Turn all the knobs up to 11, then hit it with a Tubescreamer. Ha. Ha.
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Post by nicholas on Sept 7, 2017 15:21:25 GMT -7
I have the JAZ 20/40 which is pretty much the same amp. I use TongSol 5881's. I really like them.
As long as you can crank it up some, I don't think you'll need any pedals. Just bump the mids some, 2:00 or more. Set the rest to taste. IMO the TS was used to add some mids to a Fender. Used more as an EQ. The Z has more mids available, so no need for a pedal. As long as you can run it loud enough for some natural breakup. It's such a great amp.
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Deleted
Deleted Member
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Post by Deleted on Sept 7, 2017 15:31:20 GMT -7
The folks at Keeley told me once that Stevie Ray basically turned the drive control on his TS almost off, and cranked the volume knob--basically assaulting the front end of his amp with however many Db's a TS can deliver. The added upper mids were probably part of the deal, too.
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Post by doctorice on Sept 8, 2017 9:49:53 GMT -7
The added upper mids were probably part of the deal, too. As was / is shelving off some of the bass frequencies.
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underdog
Junior Member
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Posts: 61
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Post by underdog on Nov 28, 2017 18:14:56 GMT -7
Underdog - I have, indeed, experimented with 6V6s v. 5881s in the Z-lux, and while both sound great, I've settled on the 5881s which absolutely give more of a Blackface Fender sound to the Z-lux. I've been a player here in Austin for 20+ years, and, for me, the Z-lux falls between an old Super Reverb (I've got a real '66) and a Vibro King, two of Fender's finest, imo. You can get the sparkle of the Super BUT you can also get the crunch of the Vibro King if you tweak your settings properly. Oh, to directly answer your question, I do, indeed, scoop the mids when using a single coil guitar. However, I need to mention that I use a little bit of the Z-Lux' boost when playing a strat or tele. When I'm using humbuckers (like with the Les Paul or 335), I find the Z-lux has plenty of gain there already. Does your Z-lux have the variable boost switch or just the "on/off" button? I made my own variable version, and love it, as I only dial in as much as I think is needed, given the room, volume settings, etc. As oowl mentioned, feel free to PM me, and I'll be happy to answer any questions you might have. Cheers! Wow, sorry i never checked back in, Scott. I wanna try some 5881s then, what would you recommend, and feel free to throw in some preamp tube insights as well. oh , and mine has the variable boost.
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Post by premiumplus (Dave) on Nov 28, 2017 21:19:46 GMT -7
I sold my '66 Super Reverb about 5 years ago, so it was a fairly long time between that sale and when I bought my Z-Lux. Reading the posts, I do agree that with 5881's it does have a lot more Fendery tone to it. I love that amp, and I ended up going back to 6v6's for the chimey tone. It's kind of strange to cut the mids on a Z-Lux, then hit them up with a mid heavy pedal like a TS. I'll have to try that.
I love this place. It's a never ending flood of great ideas and different ways to create great guitar tone.
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Post by scottunzicker on Nov 29, 2017 9:22:28 GMT -7
Underdog - I have, indeed, experimented with 6V6s v. 5881s in the Z-lux, and while both sound great, I've settled on the 5881s which absolutely give more of a Blackface Fender sound to the Z-lux. I've been a player here in Austin for 20+ years, and, for me, the Z-lux falls between an old Super Reverb (I've got a real '66) and a Vibro King, two of Fender's finest, imo. You can get the sparkle of the Super BUT you can also get the crunch of the Vibro King if you tweak your settings properly. Oh, to directly answer your question, I do, indeed, scoop the mids when using a single coil guitar. However, I need to mention that I use a little bit of the Z-Lux' boost when playing a strat or tele. When I'm using humbuckers (like with the Les Paul or 335), I find the Z-lux has plenty of gain there already. Does your Z-lux have the variable boost switch or just the "on/off" button? I made my own variable version, and love it, as I only dial in as much as I think is needed, given the room, volume settings, etc. As oowl mentioned, feel free to PM me, and I'll be happy to answer any questions you might have. Cheers! Wow, sorry i never checked back in, Scott. I wanna try some 5881s then, what would you recommend, and feel free to throw in some preamp tube insights as well. oh , and mine has the variable boost. Underdog - What you want is a matched quad of medium grade Tung-Sol 5881 reissues. Those are exactly what Dr. Z, himself, recommends. You will probably have to drop a note to your vendor of choice specifying your preference for the medium grade set, as most sites I've been to don't let you specify that parameter during the ordering process. As for the preamp tubes, I also deferred completely to the good doctor's suggestions on his tube recommendation page on his website: drzamps.com/support/tube-info/
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underdog
Junior Member
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Posts: 61
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Post by underdog on Nov 29, 2017 20:26:35 GMT -7
Thanks for the quick reply and insights! I suppose it would make sense as to , who would know a Dr Z Amp better than the creator himself! Im gonna order the power tubes first and maybe get thru the holidays before swapping the pre amp tubes.
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