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Post by Deleted on Jan 6, 2018 19:46:32 GMT -7
I've finally been able to put some solid hours on my Z Plus today. Initial impression: The clarity! My god, the clarity! And the articulation. Every. Single. Note. We all know Doc's amps all have an exceptional amount of clarity and articulation, but this is on a whole other level. I've settled on the Creamback M65, but I do have to say, the Z12 sounds very alive in this little box. More than the Creamback, but I do like the Creamback's ability to cut a little better. Thus, it was written. The amp wakes up when you get that volume knob over noon, absolutely. The master seems to be comfortable in a variety of positions. This is almost backwards of the Therapy, where the master needs to get up around 1PM or 2PM, and then you set your volume based on the dirt you want. Oh yeah, the Therapy, those clean sounds are in here. And dirt, the Z Plus has a good deal of dirt on tap, sits right in between a Maz 18 and a Therapy. I've been seriously digging the Hi input in half power mode. It's a loud 7 watts! I did a comparison of the DB4 in half power mode with the Z Plus in full power through the Creamback. Perceived volume was about the same. Very easy to balance the two out in a two amp set up. And the reverb: Let me first say, I hate reverb with a passion. The Z Plus has the best on board reverb I have ever heard in an amp. Period. It's lush. My Gretsch Duo Jet with T'Armonds loves the Z Plus, but humbuckers sound equally glorious. This is the ultimate grab and go amp, brothers. I'd stake my reputation on it.
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Post by captainron (Ron) on Jan 6, 2018 20:01:30 GMT -7
Glad you are digging the Z-Plus Frank! I do believe the Z-Plus is the ultimate grab and go amp as well!
My settings are pretty close to yours with humbuckers. With my single coils I have the Volume at 11, the base up around 11 and Cut around noon-ish.
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Post by doctorice on Jan 6, 2018 20:17:38 GMT -7
Glad you're liking it, Frank. It's crazy good. Yes, I know that's from a commercial, but it applies to this amp.
I'm beginning to wonder if the Cure is no longer needed...
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Post by Deleted on Jan 6, 2018 20:37:40 GMT -7
Glad you're liking it, Frank. It's crazy good. Yes, I know that's from a commercial, but it applies to this amp. I'm beginning to wonder if the Cure is no longer needed... I've had the same internal struggle regarding the Therapy, Mike. I've been lusting for a half powered Therapy for years, this is it. It's like the Maz and the Therapy had a lovechild.
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Post by Pete aka shouldb on Jan 8, 2018 7:05:19 GMT -7
Is this a brighter amp than the Therapy? Does have chime along the lines of the Maz?
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Post by Deleted on Jan 8, 2018 8:55:27 GMT -7
Is this a brighter amp than the Therapy? Does have chime along the lines of the Maz? It's a lot brighter than the Therapy. I would typically run the treble and mids on the Therapy over 1PM often, and it would still be a very warm tone. With the Z Plus, so far, I like running the treble and cut just past the noon hour, and I feel no need to run the mids past noon. It's bright but never harsh. But, here's an interesting thing I noticed. I have a few guitars (White Falcon, Duo Jet, couple of Teles) where the bridge pickup would get overly bright through some of my Z Amps. The Z Plus is bright, but never really to the point of being harsh. My guitars seem more balanced with no need to be touching their tone knobs as much. I don't feel the need to be twiddling amp knobs when I switch guitars either. The Creamback is definitely rolling off some highs, but even at some extreme settings the highs are never overbearing. I'm sure with a Blue the highs will be a little more in your face. It's been about a year since I had a Maz, I don't think it has as much chime as one, but there is some sweet chime there. The harmonic content is simply off the charts. My buddy came over yesterday to work on a few new tunes. I was pretty sure he was going to buy my Therapy when I told him I was selling it. I'm now pretty sure he's buying a Z Plus. It's a really, really, really hard amp to turn off.
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Post by djcakadave on Jan 8, 2018 9:52:43 GMT -7
This thread is freaking killing me
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Post by purpletele on Jan 8, 2018 11:29:36 GMT -7
I have to wait a while, but the design and apparent performance are certainly very appealing.
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Post by doctorice on Jan 8, 2018 12:00:34 GMT -7
It also takes pedals really well, if you are so inclined
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Post by Rockerfeller on Jan 8, 2018 12:29:55 GMT -7
This thread is freaking killing me I know what you mean. I am seriously thinking about offering my Wreck head in trade for one of these.
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Post by purpletele on Jan 8, 2018 15:12:36 GMT -7
This thread is freaking killing me I know what you mean. I am seriously thinking about offering my Wreck head in trade for one of these. Please step away from the wall! That’s a bold statement, but it makes sense.
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Post by Deleted on Jan 8, 2018 15:57:06 GMT -7
This thread is freaking killing me I know what you mean. I am seriously thinking about offering my Wreck head in trade for one of these. Is it red???
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Post by captainron (Ron) on Jan 8, 2018 16:24:18 GMT -7
It also takes pedals really well, if you are so inclined It does take pedals extremely well. I pulled out an old Wampler Cranked AC pedal today. I had it back in the box because my Ray doesn't play nice with it much. I ran every OD I own through the Z-Plus and it loves them all!
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Post by Rockerfeller on Jan 8, 2018 17:54:09 GMT -7
I know what you mean. I am seriously thinking about offering my Wreck head in trade for one of these. Please step away from the wall! That’s a bold statement, but it makes sense. I love my non-Red Wreck, don't get me wrong, BUT my ZLux has replaced it as my gigging amp. The Z plus sounds so great and I am looking for something like that for smaller gigs. I am just not sure if it is loud enough to keep up with the "Why is the drummer always THIS freaking loud during the 3rd set?" world that I live in. I think the trade would have to be with some cash added in. But hey guys, I am way early in my process of thinking about this. When I think about getting rid of the Wreck, I can feel my heart rate increasing as panic sets in. BUT....that Z Plus, man, sounds killer. It would help a lot if Dr. Z or Lefty could just take down the Z Plus postings.
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Post by Rockerfeller on Jan 8, 2018 17:55:04 GMT -7
I know what you mean. I am seriously thinking about offering my Wreck head in trade for one of these. Is it red??? Black
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Post by dcarver on Jan 9, 2018 15:23:37 GMT -7
Frank, thanks for the excellent report.
Do you need a Brake Lite to play the Z Plus at home on full power ?
Looking forward to a sound clip.
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Post by Deleted on Jan 11, 2018 13:21:36 GMT -7
Frank, thanks for the excellent report. Do you need a Brake Lite to play the Z Plus at home on full power ? Looking forward to a sound clip. The Brake Lite helps. 15w is still plenty loud, even through the 97dB Creamback. If you're using anything 100dB, I would say you'd want one. That being said, I think this is my favorite Z master volume to date. Not quite sure what's different, but the amp still breathes when the master is low(er). Just get that volume knob up a touch. Here's a quick little video I did. Air Brake on two clicks to stop the crappy camera mic from clipping. I used delay and a smidge of reverb in the beginning. This amp takes modulation pedals like no other!
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Post by dcarver on Jan 11, 2018 15:16:26 GMT -7
Awesome ! So that was all Z Plus verb ? It looks like you had the knob down around 8:00. Man ! That is some lush reverb.
And was that recorded on 1/2 or full power with 2 clicks on the AB ?
Also, was that the new 290 ? Would love to hear the new axe through a somewhat cranked Z Plus.
Thanks for the info.
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Post by doctorice on Jan 11, 2018 18:32:55 GMT -7
Your video captured that special something in the Z-Plus tone, Frank. Must be those even-order harmonics Doc talks about.
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Post by Deleted on Jan 15, 2018 10:40:11 GMT -7
Awesome ! So that was all Z Plus verb ? It looks like you had the knob down around 8:00. Man ! That is some lush reverb. And was that recorded on 1/2 or full power with 2 clicks on the AB ? Also, was that the new 290 ? Would love to hear the new axe through a somewhat cranked Z Plus. Thanks for the info. I was using an Empress Tape Delay in the beginning, the 290, full power and two clicks.
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