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Post by kpflyingv on Dec 11, 2018 7:19:58 GMT -7
I just joined this forum and have a few questions for experienced Stangray users. I bought the head a few months ago. I got it used and from a player who had bought it new. I started by plugging into a Marshall cab. Cranked full throttle in low or hi inputs, the amp sounded weak with no bite regardless of any control positions. I tried the entire range of cut and tone. The ranges all seemed to work, but there was not any real bite to the amp. I took it to a shop which is owned by a friend so he could give it a close exam. He said the amp was solid, replaced all tubes and sent it home with me. It sounded slightly better but not good to my ears. I talked to a Dr Z tech and sent him serial numbers and such. He was great to talk with and advised I should try a patch between send and return inputs, which I did. Sounded slightly better. I have put it through all my cabs, including Marshall 4x12, Genz Benz 2x12, Fender 4x10 with celestions. All sounded dull and bland. It will take pedals, but even that seems bland. Strats, Teles, Les Pauls make no difference. Here's where I ask for advice, is this amp just loud with no real bite? If you all think it's a normal Stangray, I am fine with that, but if yours has bite and is crisp, then I wonder if I should send it to Dr Z to have them go through it. The serial number says it is an early model. Thanks for any input you may have....
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Post by Maddog on Dec 11, 2018 7:35:12 GMT -7
That baby should knock yer socks off with TONE!!!! There's still something wrong with the amp....Contact Dr. Z Repairs again, and send it back to the motherland for a check up!
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Post by bryan0418 on Dec 11, 2018 9:33:34 GMT -7
I agree with Maddog. The amp has a ton of bite so something is not up to spec. It does take a lot of volume to break up so be aware this is a pretty clean amp for most of the volume knob. It would probably be best if the Z crew took a look at it. They also can add a 1/2 power mod to it so you can get the goods at a lower volume.
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Post by kpflyingv on Dec 11, 2018 14:37:15 GMT -7
Thanks, I'll send this amp to the Dr Z lab....
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Post by Jaguarguy (Mike) on Dec 11, 2018 15:13:31 GMT -7
Thanks, I'll send this amp to the Dr Z lab.... Best money you can spend on the amp! Welcome to the Forum - a lot of good people and information here. Any picks of you Stangray? The first 50 or so are all labelled "Stingray". Don in the shop can work wonders - at a very reasonable price!
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Post by kpflyingv on Jan 11, 2019 5:51:00 GMT -7
Thanks for the input. I replaced the rectifier tube and talked to Dr Z tech. He asked me to run the head through a Celestion Alnico Blue or Gold speaker. I did and the amp sparkled and has a great tone. Looks like I'll be tracking down a speaker cab next..It's really like night and day using this speaker.
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Post by Mark (Basement Enthusiast) on Jan 11, 2019 7:30:12 GMT -7
The Stangray should sound HUGE--it's got loads of power and can put out some big, imposing lows (but still clean... it ain't gonna be a dirty amp) while still shimmering like glitter. If yours isn't doing something like that, then yeah send it to the Dr.'s shop for a full checkup.
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Deleted
Deleted Member
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Post by Deleted on Jan 11, 2019 8:35:53 GMT -7
Glad you found the tone with an Alnico speaker to your liking. Welcome to the forum!
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Post by captainron (Ron) on Jan 14, 2019 8:10:18 GMT -7
Welcome to the Z family, The Ray is my favorite amp period!I have 2 of them. I use either a 1x12 Gold or Alnico Cream. It sounds great with a 2x12 cab with blues or the V30/ G12H combo that's in the Z best cab.
+++1000 for sending it to the Z shop. I've sent 3 amps to them and they all came back sounding better than before! (and that is saying something)!
Changing the rectifier in the Ray can REALLY change the tone as you have already found out.
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