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Post by Deleted on Apr 1, 2018 16:29:10 GMT -7
48 hours later, it just keeps getting better. Here's the set up: Oval open back 2x12 loaded with an Austin Speaker Works KTS70 (G12H30-ish) and ASW Crossroads (Greenback-ish), Jackson Audio Prism set to clean boost, Analogman Beano set to treble boost, Les Paul Standard and Classic. The Crossroads was brand new and not even broken in, it's definitely broken in now. Amp: Solid state rectifier, Hi position, Touch switch down. This amp kicks like a mule. I haven't even gotten the bass knob past 9 o'clock and the thump is there, just hitting you straight in the chest. I had a couple capos, a slide and a beer bottle on top of the cab and they all fell off after two or three songs. The tone controls are very interactive, and for some reason, they seem different from other Z amps. Mid and Treble seem to add to those frequencies up until about noon, and then after that, they just seem to add bite. Same with the Presence knob. You can make this amp sound very smooth, or get that classic Marshall bite and growl, whichever you want. Gain, holy crap, tons of it. There's a definite sweet spot on the volume knob, say about 2 o'clock. The Hi/Lo switch has so much affect over the gain staging that you can park the gain knob in one spot and toggle back and forth for crunch and saturated tones. Would be amazing if this was footswitchable! That being said, even with all of the gain, the clarity and note separation is insane. You can hear every single note. You want some cleans, roll that guitar volume knob back. I was getting some crazy bell like Slash 'cleans' just by rolling the volume back on the Lester. Between that and the response to picking dynamics, this amp is truly a semi-dirty to mean machine. Definitely not like any Marshall I've ever played. More like a Komet Concorde or a much more refined Jubilee. There are familiar tones in this box. Flip down to the Lo switch, select the tube rectifier and voila, Remedy tones at the ready. I've never played an Antidote, but we've got JTM tones in here, too. I can dial in some overlap with the DB4, just way more muscular and robust, like a proper Tweed Bassman. Even Monza like tones when you wind the Gain and Volume all the way up, you can cop that nice swirly semi-fuzz tone. Pedals? No problem! I was using the Jackson Audio Prism in clean boost mode to add a little grit and tighten up the low end a tad. Sounds liek the EMS, just a lot more of it. Stomped on the Beano for a solo boost and it sounds like JMP 2204 Nirvana. Even with the gain wound up, you can slam the front end and get a solid volume and gain boost out of the amp. Few things worth noting. I definitely need to try the amp with a closed back cab. It probably would work wonders for focusing all of the bass response. Both of my 2x12's are open back and sound wonderful, but there's a good reason Doc is selling the head with a non-convertible closed back cab. Also, I'm a firm believer in the low output pick up theory now, I had to make some pretty massive adjustments to my two guitars with higher output pickups to get them sounding right with the EMS. The fringe benefit to this is that now they sound even better through the DB4. Lastly, it is a loud SOB, but the master works really, really well. You'll still want to crank it, though, bring the attenuator. Another winner for the Doc.
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Post by Jaguarguy (Mike) on Apr 1, 2018 17:25:31 GMT -7
Told you guys so!!
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Post by Deleted on Apr 1, 2018 18:24:49 GMT -7
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Post by KeithA on Apr 2, 2018 4:10:04 GMT -7
Man, this is probably the one type of amp that I should own.
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Post by Deleted on Apr 2, 2018 4:35:02 GMT -7
Nice review Frank, Thanks.
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Post by Maddog on Apr 2, 2018 4:51:27 GMT -7
Awesome Frank! Your getting a nice bunch of tone machines there, brother!
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Post by Deleted on Apr 2, 2018 7:41:28 GMT -7
Awesome Frank! Your getting a nice bunch of tone machines there, brother! The gear gods have been good to me so far this year!
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Post by doctorice on Apr 2, 2018 8:14:16 GMT -7
48 hours later, it just keeps getting better. I had a couple capos, a slide and a beer bottle on top of the cab and they all fell off after two or three songs. I hope the beer had been consumed by that point
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Post by KeithA on Apr 2, 2018 14:17:32 GMT -7
This thread got me excited 😎
However, when I went out and read the GP Mag review I remembered that we didn't have a buffered FX loop.
Frank, if I had this beast I would have it on JCM-800 mode and nothing less. I'd really love to be able to put delay in a loop. How does the amp treat delay and other modulation effects up front when cranked in JCM mode?
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Post by Deleted on Apr 2, 2018 14:30:38 GMT -7
This thread got me excited 😎 However, when I went out and read the GP Mag review I remembered that we didn't have a buffered FX loop. Frank, if I had this beast I would have it on JCM-800 mode and nothing less. I'd really love to be able to put delay in a loop. How does the amp treat delay and other modulation effects up front when cranked in JCM mode? Good question. If it's a "normal" high gain amp, it takes your delay and multiplies it by about 1000 going in the front end. I guess you could always run it in a 2-amp, clean/dirty rig, with your effects on the clean amp, but that's a lot of amps to haul. Or just get used to playing without time effects, but that seems kinda extreme.
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Post by Deleted on Apr 2, 2018 14:48:30 GMT -7
In full disclosure, it's a hot mess running delay up front with that much gain. I usually only run delay on clean and semi dirty tones, so effects loops are useless to me. I missed the boat on that whole 70's and 80's high gain, delay in the loop, sound. I also hate reverb...
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Post by KeithA on Apr 2, 2018 14:59:21 GMT -7
In full disclosure, it's a hot mess running delay up front with that much gain. I usually only run delay on clean and semi dirty tones, so effects loops are useless to me. I missed the boat on that whole 70's and 80's high gain, delay in the loop, sound. I also hate reverb... Lol....I hear ya! Once I gain up I usually back off on the reverb. For me, reverb is. 'Clean' thing. However, the delay for me is something I like. The reason for this is I'm usually trying to replicate sounds of songs from the era (not doing my own thing)! Ive tried without a loop in the past but it seems that you need to just edge the delay on to get it to register. At this point you have very little range on the dial before the delay goes to the 'hot mess'. Maybe there'll be a loop mod for the EMS in the future 😎 One can always hope 😊
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Post by Deleted on Apr 2, 2018 15:01:34 GMT -7
In full disclosure, it's a hot mess running delay up front with that much gain. I usually only run delay on clean and semi dirty tones, so effects loops are useless to me. I missed the boat on that whole 70's and 80's high gain, delay in the loop, sound. I also hate reverb... Lol....I hear ya! Once I gain up I usually back off on the reverb. For me, reverb is. 'Clean' thing. However, the delay for me is something I like. The reason for this is I'm usually trying to replicate sounds of songs from the era (not doing my own thing)! Ive tried without a loop in the past but it seems that you need to just edge the delay on to get it to register. At this point you have very little range on the dial before the delay goes to the 'hot mess'. Maybe there'll be a loop mod for the EMS in the future 😎 One can always hope 😊 Powerstation, my friend!
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Post by KeithA on Apr 2, 2018 15:03:24 GMT -7
Lol....I hear ya! Once I gain up I usually back off on the reverb. For me, reverb is. 'Clean' thing. However, the delay for me is something I like. The reason for this is I'm usually trying to replicate sounds of songs from the era (not doing my own thing)! Ive tried without a loop in the past but it seems that you need to just edge the delay on to get it to register. At this point you have very little range on the dial before the delay goes to the 'hot mess'. Maybe there'll be a loop mod for the EMS in the future 😎 One can always hope 😊 Powerstation, my friend! Really? That will help? I have a Rockcrusher but is there some way the Powerstation will help with the loop thing?
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Post by fishbeiner on Apr 2, 2018 15:09:14 GMT -7
It has an effects loop incorporated in the unit.
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Post by KeithA on Apr 2, 2018 15:16:08 GMT -7
It has an effects loop incorporated in the unit. Hmmm....but isn't the input to the attenuator after preamp and power amp distortions from the amp? I'll have to look into this but if this will help with the runaway or 'hot mess' of delay in front of an loop-less high gain amp....I'm in 😎 At at this point I'm not sure how it helps but I have a couple amps that can benefit from this!
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Post by Deleted on Apr 2, 2018 15:43:42 GMT -7
It has an effects loop incorporated in the unit. Hmmm....but isn't the input to the attenuator after preamp and power amp distortions from the amp? I'll have to look into this but if this will help with the runaway or 'hot mess' of delay in front of an loop-less high gain amp....I'm in 😎 At at this point I'm not sure how it helps but I have a couple amps that can benefit from this! You're post gain on both the preamp and the power amp when you use the PS. The PS is then re-amping, so there's another power section post loop. Amp Preamp > Amp Power Amp > PS Preamp > PS Loop > PS Power Amp. I think you could make a solid case this method is even better for gained up delay sounds. Almost like running a wet/dry rig. I'm not a technical person in the least, and I've probably demonstrated that multiple times on this forum. The PS just works!
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Post by KeithA on Apr 2, 2018 15:58:44 GMT -7
Hmmm....but isn't the input to the attenuator after preamp and power amp distortions from the amp? I'll have to look into this but if this will help with the runaway or 'hot mess' of delay in front of an loop-less high gain amp....I'm in 😎 At at this point I'm not sure how it helps but I have a couple amps that can benefit from this! You're post gain on both the preamp and the power amp when you use the PS. The PS is then re-amping, so there's another power section post loop. Amp Preamp > Amp Power Amp > PS Preamp > PS Loop > PS Power Amp. I think you could make a solid case this method is even better for gained up delay sounds. Almost like running a wet/dry rig. I'm not a technical person in the least, and I've probably demonstrated that multiple times on this forum. The PS just works! However, I'll look into it 😎 However, how can it be better than a loop on the original signal? However, if you guys say it works...I won't argue 😎 Frank, my Ampzilla may thank you if this works as advertised !
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Post by Deleted on Apr 2, 2018 16:55:55 GMT -7
You're post gain on both the preamp and the power amp when you use the PS. The PS is then re-amping, so there's another power section post loop. Amp Preamp > Amp Power Amp > PS Preamp > PS Loop > PS Power Amp. I think you could make a solid case this method is even better for gained up delay sounds. Almost like running a wet/dry rig. I'm not a technical person in the least, and I've probably demonstrated that multiple times on this forum. The PS just works! However, I'll look into it 😎 However, how can it be better than a loop on the original signal? However, if you guys say it works...I won't argue 😎 Frank, my Ampzilla may thank you if this works as advertised ! You're welcome. Can I have custody 6 months out of the year???
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Post by Chilly Gibbons (Todd T.) on Apr 2, 2018 17:39:47 GMT -7
Great report Frank. Sounds like your blowin it up out there in beautiful CA!
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Post by KeithA on Apr 4, 2018 6:05:15 GMT -7
Man, I went for a long walk last night and I had Pat Benatar on my iPod. Love Neil Geraldo's laying and his guitar sound. The EMS on the higher gain settings sounds just like that. I think I need to get an amp in this vein sooner rather than later. It's still my favourite guitar sound...barre none. Frank, I would have expected a clip by now
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Post by DRZ on Apr 4, 2018 6:34:41 GMT -7
Man, I went for a long walk last night and I had Pat Benatar on my iPod. Love Neil Geraldo's laying and his guitar sound. The EMS on the higher gain settings sounds just like that. I think I need to get an amp in this vein sooner rather than later. It's still my favourite guitar sound...barre none. Frank, I would have expected a clip by now I will do a Red standard head cab EMS, just like Franks for you Keith......nudge nudge. Z
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Post by pcns on Apr 4, 2018 7:38:20 GMT -7
Man, I went for a long walk last night and I had Pat Benatar on my iPod. Love Neil Geraldo's laying and his guitar sound. The EMS on the higher gain settings sounds just like that. I think I need to get an amp in this vein sooner rather than later. It's still my favourite guitar sound...barre none. Frank, I would have expected a clip by now I will do a Red standard head cab EMS, just like Franks for you Keith......nudge nudge. Z Keith, you need to jump on this offer!!! Its a killer sounding amp and is very versatile.
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Post by Deleted on Apr 4, 2018 7:51:35 GMT -7
Man, I went for a long walk last night and I had Pat Benatar on my iPod. Love Neil Geraldo's laying and his guitar sound. The EMS on the higher gain settings sounds just like that. I think I need to get an amp in this vein sooner rather than later. It's still my favourite guitar sound...barre none. Frank, I would have expected a clip by now My music room is in shambles right now. Trying to set it back up to be more conducive to recording. I'll do a proper audio demo soon!
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Post by KeithA on Apr 4, 2018 14:53:29 GMT -7
Man, I went for a long walk last night and I had Pat Benatar on my iPod. Love Neil Geraldo's laying and his guitar sound. The EMS on the higher gain settings sounds just like that. I think I need to get an amp in this vein sooner rather than later. It's still my favourite guitar sound...barre none. Frank, I would have expected a clip by now I will do a Red standard head cab EMS, just like Franks for you Keith......nudge nudge. Z Doc, thanks for your gracious offer 😎 Maybe be we can banter about this in June (plus I'm still caught up in thinking I'd want an FX loop in an amp like this) ! I've been swayed in the past though ! Besides, I have a Z-Plus and Anni Mazertii to get over the line in the next two months! Plus, Z-Fest will likely give my first opportunity to hear the EMS and get a first-hand impression.
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Post by DRZ on Apr 4, 2018 16:52:33 GMT -7
I will do a Red standard head cab EMS, just like Franks for you Keith......nudge nudge. Z Doc, thanks for your gracious offer 😎 Maybe be we can banter about this in June (plus I'm still caught up in thinking I'd want an FX loop in an amp like this) ! I've been swayed in the past though ! Besides, I have a Z-Plus and Anni Mazertii to get over the line in the next two months! Plus, Z-Fest will likely give my first opportunity to hear the EMS and get a first-hand impression. Keith , I completely understand, I just thought I would dangle that to you. I truly appreciate your support of my company and the purchase of two amps this year , more then I could ever ask. You can play the EMS in June, and who knows maybe one is in the future for 2019. As for the E/F loop my design criteria for the EMS was to duplicate three generations of 50 watt Marshalls as close as I could in one amp cab. And as you know vintage Marshalls didn't have or really need Effects Loops then. Z
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Post by KeithA on Apr 4, 2018 17:20:10 GMT -7
Doc, thanks for your gracious offer 😎 Maybe be we can banter about this in June (plus I'm still caught up in thinking I'd want an FX loop in an amp like this) ! I've been swayed in the past though ! Besides, I have a Z-Plus and Anni Mazertii to get over the line in the next two months! Plus, Z-Fest will likely give my first opportunity to hear the EMS and get a first-hand impression. Keith , I completely understand, I just thought I would dangle that to you. I truly appreciate your support of my company and the purchase of two amps this year , more then I could ever ask. You can play the EMS in June, and who knows maybe one is in the future for 2019. As for the E/F loop my design criteria for the EMS was to duplicate three generations of 50 watt Marshalls as close as I could in one amp cab. And as you know vintage Marshalls didn't have or really need Effects Loops then. Z Dox You can consider the offer 'dangled' still On the amp purchases, you are welcome but as I've said in the past......no need for thanks. Part of me wishes I could be a customer giving you a little more exposure but, alas, I'm just a hack. You'll just have to live with it You know, the jury for me is still out on the loop. Part of me thinks it will help with preamp gain. However, I know once one cranks the power section (with or without an attenuator) the effect of the loop is largely diminished since now the whole amp is compressed (which is a good thing). I see why Frank is a fan of the 'reamp' thing since this makes the best of all worlds (and ha has everything wide open !). I bet if I listened to the EMS with modest gain with delay up front it may only be a subtle difference from if it had a loop. Lol...right now I'm just reading the stuff on the web! You can have a little fun at my expense in June ! An EMS is still a strong possibility for me.......and we both know it won't be 2019 if/when it happens
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Post by Deleted on Apr 4, 2018 17:38:47 GMT -7
Man, I went for a long walk last night and I had Pat Benatar on my iPod. Love Neil Geraldo's laying and his guitar sound. The EMS on the higher gain settings sounds just like that. I think I need to get an amp in this vein sooner rather than later. It's still my favourite guitar sound...barre none. Frank, I would have expected a clip by now I will do a Red standard head cab EMS, just like Franks for you Keith......nudge nudge. Z You might be able to sell me a backline 2x12 to match my EMS... Hmmmmm, two Creamback M65's or two Alnico Creams???
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Post by KeithA on Apr 5, 2018 6:23:14 GMT -7
Lol...I think the amp gods are trying to speak to me. I dropped over from work to pick up a coffee and the person in front of me was an EMT with the letters EMS boldly embroidered on the back of her jacket and a large EMS patch on her arm
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Post by Deleted on Apr 5, 2018 8:02:04 GMT -7
Lol...I think the amp gods are trying to speak to me. I dropped over from work to pick up a coffee and the person in front of me was an EMT with the letters EMS boldly embroidered on the back of her jacket and a large EMS patch on her arm About 3 or 4 EMS threads have popped up over at the "other" site, too. Secret is getting out.
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