Post by rustyshackleford on Nov 8, 2017 11:18:37 GMT -7
Hi All,
I'd like to preface this by saying that I've been reading posts here in the Cure section the past few days and I'm floored by how polite and respectful (and knowledgeable!) the members here are. That being said, I'm hoping for some insight regarding the Cure.
This wouldn't be the first Z amp I've owned. I owned a Maz 18 Jr. Reverb that I had bought new in 2006 that I had to sell due to falling on tough times financially. I loved that amp and parting with it really made me sad, as it was the best amp I had ever owned and played. Well, things are different now and I'm back in the market for a Dr. Z!
I currently own a Carr Mercury 1X12 ( the original Mercury, not the new "V" version) which I am in love with. I bought it primarily because I had read great things about it and it has a built in attenuator which makes it great for my living situation (apartment). While it can get very good clean tones with my Strat, I feel the area where it really shines is as an overdrive amp. I've been looking at the Carr Skylark to fit my clean sound needs, but I just don't know if I can justify spending that kind of money for a second amp that I only intend to use for a limited purpose (clean sounds). That's where the Cure comes in. It seems like an amazing amp, especially for the price. I've read a lot of the threads here, but have some questions:
1) Clean Tones: I have read quite a few of the impressions here regarding the Cure's clean sound. Some say it's similar to the Z-Lux, while others say it has its own thing going on. I guess my question is this: can the Cure get a blackface clean tone similar to the Deluxe Reverb? How "Fendery" are the cleans on the Cure? As a reference point, I really love the clean tones Eric Johnson gets with his Deluxe Reverbs.
2) Volume: How do the cleans sound at low, bedroom-friendly levels? One of the things I love about the Mercury is that I can attenuate it down to 2 watts and still get a useable clean tone that doesn't lose definition at low volume. I understand the "Level" control on the Cure brings the overall volume down, yet from what I've read it isn't really an attenuator like the Air Brake.
3) As a follow up to the above, does the "Level" control color the sound in any way at all? Would it be redundant to get an Air Brake with this amp, or does the "Level" control work transparently enough where that wouldn't be necessary?
4) As for reverb, does anyone here use the Strymon Flint with their Cure? What are some good "Fender type" reverb pedals that would work well with the Cure?
Thanks so much for taking the time to read my post! In case anyone asks, I am not considering re-purchasing a Maz. 18 Jr. because it's simply too much amp for my current living situation/needs. As amazing as it is, I also remember it being LOUD, even at moderate volume settings. While it has a master volume, I remember the amp sounding it's best when the master was turned up a bit, which would put me in "eviction notice" territory nowadays (although it was fine for most gigs I played). Anyway, thanks again everyone and I hope you all are having a nice week
I'd like to preface this by saying that I've been reading posts here in the Cure section the past few days and I'm floored by how polite and respectful (and knowledgeable!) the members here are. That being said, I'm hoping for some insight regarding the Cure.
This wouldn't be the first Z amp I've owned. I owned a Maz 18 Jr. Reverb that I had bought new in 2006 that I had to sell due to falling on tough times financially. I loved that amp and parting with it really made me sad, as it was the best amp I had ever owned and played. Well, things are different now and I'm back in the market for a Dr. Z!
I currently own a Carr Mercury 1X12 ( the original Mercury, not the new "V" version) which I am in love with. I bought it primarily because I had read great things about it and it has a built in attenuator which makes it great for my living situation (apartment). While it can get very good clean tones with my Strat, I feel the area where it really shines is as an overdrive amp. I've been looking at the Carr Skylark to fit my clean sound needs, but I just don't know if I can justify spending that kind of money for a second amp that I only intend to use for a limited purpose (clean sounds). That's where the Cure comes in. It seems like an amazing amp, especially for the price. I've read a lot of the threads here, but have some questions:
1) Clean Tones: I have read quite a few of the impressions here regarding the Cure's clean sound. Some say it's similar to the Z-Lux, while others say it has its own thing going on. I guess my question is this: can the Cure get a blackface clean tone similar to the Deluxe Reverb? How "Fendery" are the cleans on the Cure? As a reference point, I really love the clean tones Eric Johnson gets with his Deluxe Reverbs.
2) Volume: How do the cleans sound at low, bedroom-friendly levels? One of the things I love about the Mercury is that I can attenuate it down to 2 watts and still get a useable clean tone that doesn't lose definition at low volume. I understand the "Level" control on the Cure brings the overall volume down, yet from what I've read it isn't really an attenuator like the Air Brake.
3) As a follow up to the above, does the "Level" control color the sound in any way at all? Would it be redundant to get an Air Brake with this amp, or does the "Level" control work transparently enough where that wouldn't be necessary?
4) As for reverb, does anyone here use the Strymon Flint with their Cure? What are some good "Fender type" reverb pedals that would work well with the Cure?
Thanks so much for taking the time to read my post! In case anyone asks, I am not considering re-purchasing a Maz. 18 Jr. because it's simply too much amp for my current living situation/needs. As amazing as it is, I also remember it being LOUD, even at moderate volume settings. While it has a master volume, I remember the amp sounding it's best when the master was turned up a bit, which would put me in "eviction notice" territory nowadays (although it was fine for most gigs I played). Anyway, thanks again everyone and I hope you all are having a nice week