|
Post by Easyrom on Sept 6, 2018 5:25:34 GMT -7
Hi! I have received my brand new Z-Plus a few days ago and I have a problem with the reverb, which is VERY noisy. I mean unusable noisy. Past 9 o'clock on the knob, I have whistling, creaks, radio noises and tons of hiss. At max, it's absolutely unbearable. I've tried a few obvious things, but get no solution at this point: - Unplugged every electrical devices in the house while testing the amp (wifi, tv, phones, lights...) - Tried different outlets - Changed v3 tube for a fresh JJ ECC81 I have absolutely zero problem with my Z-Lux plugged in the very same outlets, even with reverb knob crancked all the way. Haven't had any issue with my Maz 8 neither (nor Theray or Cure, but these don't have reverb). When I turn the reverb completely off (knob at zero – no footswitch for the reverb on this model), the amp is reasonably quiet (and it sounds good, so my frustration is complete ). I'm off tomorrow (friday). The plan was to spend the day playing with my two Z and comparing them. As things turn, it would be more finding a solution to my problem... or shipping the amp back to the shop. Any idea? Does changing all other preamp tubes worth it? I mean the amp is silent when reverb is off, but can they be faulty anyway? Thanks for your help.
|
|
|
Post by mudman on Sept 6, 2018 5:33:59 GMT -7
Have you tried unplugging and replugging the pan? Something could have been jostled in transit. I would also email repairs at dr z for a solution first too. Reverb pans are notoriously finicky, sounds like something got knocked during shipping, either a loose spring or connection.
|
|
|
Post by Jaguarguy (Mike) on Sept 6, 2018 5:36:21 GMT -7
If you haven't tried it already, unplug and then replug the reverb pan. Also, make sure there is no cell phone near the amp. (Ask me how I know that )
|
|
|
Post by Easyrom on Sept 6, 2018 5:45:27 GMT -7
Thanks guys! Yes I forgot to mention that I have checked all connections of the reverb pan, on John's recommandation (from Peach Guitars, from whom I got the amp). And yes I've checked for cell phones around, cause I've read your own experience Mike!
|
|
|
Post by Stephen on Sept 6, 2018 15:40:11 GMT -7
Contact Don at Dr Z repairs. He will do everything and more to make it right. (I know this from recent experience.)
|
|
|
Post by Easyrom on Sept 7, 2018 0:40:37 GMT -7
Thank you for your answers, I really appreciate. Indeed, Don is on the case and already suggested some moves I will try later today. Fingers crossed!
|
|
|
Post by Easyrom on Sept 11, 2018 11:09:28 GMT -7
Okay, the Z-Plus is gone. Back to Peach Guitars.
To my ears, it seemed to be one of the best sounding Z I've had, but got a problem with the noise I got from the reverb. Apparently, that could be a problem of my house being quite "RF friendly" and not the amp itself.
Actually, I'm not able to understand this kind of technical stuff, but I've been so pleased by Dr Z amps these last years (Maz 8, Therapy, Z-Lux, Cure and now Z-Plus), that I guess that if they say so, it must be right.
It's a little bit frustrating, cause the Z Plus is the first amp I try that can give me the full, round and juicy cleans I get from the Z-Lux at a lower volume. But that's not supposed to happen. So I'll stick with the Z-Lux, despite that it has too much power for my needs. It still is the best amp I've ever tried and I'm pleased with my Brake Lite and master on 2 o'clock.
And by the way I tried a lower efficiency speaker (WGS G12Q, breaker in). It sounded good and a little bit quite than the Z12... but so much less good and full than the Z is back in there and won't move soon. ;-)
|
|
|
Post by daddyelmis (Greg) on Sept 11, 2018 11:24:40 GMT -7
That seems odd. Unless you have some particularly odd housing set up, the average bar has 100x more RFI and EMI than a house (due to fluorescent and neon lights, bad wiring, refrigerator compressors, etc).
My ZPlus is maybe 10 feet from a fluorescent light and when it’s on I get no amp noise, but my Strat goes crazy.
Was that Don’s diagnosis?
|
|
|
Post by Easyrom on Sept 11, 2018 12:11:15 GMT -7
That seems odd. Unless you have some particularly odd housing set up, the average bar has 100x more RFI and EMI than a house (due to fluorescent and neon lights, bad wiring, refrigerator compressors, etc). My ZPlus is maybe 10 feet from a fluorescent light and when it’s on I get no amp noise, but my Strat goes crazy. Was that Don’s diagnosis? More or less. I've send him a video of the awful noise I got from the amp. Now Peach Guitars will check into the amp and then we'll know for sure. But I've turned off every single electrical thing in my house, from iPhone to lights, tv, wifi, toys of the kids, etc.
|
|
|
Post by purpletele on Sept 11, 2018 12:22:08 GMT -7
That seems odd. Unless you have some particularly odd housing set up, the average bar has 100x more RFI and EMI than a house (due to fluorescent and neon lights, bad wiring, refrigerator compressors, etc). My ZPlus is maybe 10 feet from a fluorescent light and when it’s on I get no amp noise, but my Strat goes crazy. Was that Don’s diagnosis? More or less. I've send him a video of the awful noise I got from the amp. Now Peach Guitars will check into the amp and then we'll know for sure. But I've turned off every single electrical thing in my house, from iPhone to lights, tv, wifi, toys of the kids, etc. That doesn't make sense too me. It sounds like a wiring issue within the reverb circuit, hopefully they sort it out.
|
|
|
Post by Easyrom on Sept 11, 2018 12:32:03 GMT -7
I'll let you know!
|
|