Zmaster vs Zwreck
Jun 29, 2019 18:22:13 GMT -7
heynewguy (Ol’ Bill), Jaguarguy (Mike), and 12 more like this
Post by perryr on Jun 29, 2019 18:22:13 GMT -7
Hey Z Friends, I secretly snagged me a Zmaster about 6weeks ago, playing it a bunch at home, done some gigs and sit ins with it, and really trying to get to know it well (and break it in) before doing a NAD post :^)
Anyway, Z called me out when rhythmark inquired TGP how it compares with the Zwreck, sharing my post here:
2 different flavors of killer! I've been using Zwreck combos for over 5yrs, and I've had the Zmaster for about 6 weeks now and have played it a ton with a full dose of fuzz tones so its about halfway broken in.
The Zwreck with the NOS 6n14n and a well broken in Celestion Gold is a magnificent sound. You lean into the volume and the amp blooms into a full, warm, glowing, complex tone that is simply beautiful... and ya, dimensional. You can hear the details of every string, rich in harmonics, liveliness, and incredibly responsive to how you play. Now that is a 'cathode biased quad of EL84's done right' thing, and the Zwreck delivers it big time.
The Zmaster is WAY different, 5881's in class AB bias, negative feedback and 3x10's, totally different animal! But there are a few similarities, for instance the footprint is identical and the cab is just 1" taller. A few buddy's said straight away when first seeing it 'bringing in the big guns, guess size does matter!'. For some reason it looks bigger, but its pretty much the same size and shares that engulfing character of the lightweight cab and vented top that the Zwreck uses. These cabs do radiate sound and are less focused in delivery when compared with Z's early thicker ply cabs. They are a great evolution in Z's single 12, 2x10, and now 3x10 cab designs.
The Zmaster does have a similar dimension in the sound, you can dial in the warm, sparkly, engulfing tone though with a more capable bottom. It has killer bottom! The note in general has more fundamental, its very clear and present with a very even response and more 'meat' in the high notes without being to grainy. It rings like a bell if you want (those who have played vintage Bassmans know what I mean here), and get those great chunky tweed tones that the Zwreck just cant do. When you wind up the Treble control and Vol 1 the Zmaster gain starts showing its crunch and teeth while still staying clear, tight and authoritive in the bottom.. again very different than the Zwreck when you wind it up.
Lastly would be 3x10 vs 1x12, the 3x10's are not as beamy of course and less fatiguing straight ahead. The Zwreck cab design helps to open things up, but the Zmaster 3x10s definitely take it a step further in delivering an even and less focused sound in smaller settings.
Zmaster kicks arse, its a killer amp. I will do NAD post and tag it here, there is alot going on with the dual volumes and the unique Treble & Bass controls that are well worth expanding on, definitely an exciting new amp.
PS: and as wreckmark posted, the Zmaster is noticeably lighter.
Anyway, Z called me out when rhythmark inquired TGP how it compares with the Zwreck, sharing my post here:
2 different flavors of killer! I've been using Zwreck combos for over 5yrs, and I've had the Zmaster for about 6 weeks now and have played it a ton with a full dose of fuzz tones so its about halfway broken in.
The Zwreck with the NOS 6n14n and a well broken in Celestion Gold is a magnificent sound. You lean into the volume and the amp blooms into a full, warm, glowing, complex tone that is simply beautiful... and ya, dimensional. You can hear the details of every string, rich in harmonics, liveliness, and incredibly responsive to how you play. Now that is a 'cathode biased quad of EL84's done right' thing, and the Zwreck delivers it big time.
The Zmaster is WAY different, 5881's in class AB bias, negative feedback and 3x10's, totally different animal! But there are a few similarities, for instance the footprint is identical and the cab is just 1" taller. A few buddy's said straight away when first seeing it 'bringing in the big guns, guess size does matter!'. For some reason it looks bigger, but its pretty much the same size and shares that engulfing character of the lightweight cab and vented top that the Zwreck uses. These cabs do radiate sound and are less focused in delivery when compared with Z's early thicker ply cabs. They are a great evolution in Z's single 12, 2x10, and now 3x10 cab designs.
The Zmaster does have a similar dimension in the sound, you can dial in the warm, sparkly, engulfing tone though with a more capable bottom. It has killer bottom! The note in general has more fundamental, its very clear and present with a very even response and more 'meat' in the high notes without being to grainy. It rings like a bell if you want (those who have played vintage Bassmans know what I mean here), and get those great chunky tweed tones that the Zwreck just cant do. When you wind up the Treble control and Vol 1 the Zmaster gain starts showing its crunch and teeth while still staying clear, tight and authoritive in the bottom.. again very different than the Zwreck when you wind it up.
Lastly would be 3x10 vs 1x12, the 3x10's are not as beamy of course and less fatiguing straight ahead. The Zwreck cab design helps to open things up, but the Zmaster 3x10s definitely take it a step further in delivering an even and less focused sound in smaller settings.
Zmaster kicks arse, its a killer amp. I will do NAD post and tag it here, there is alot going on with the dual volumes and the unique Treble & Bass controls that are well worth expanding on, definitely an exciting new amp.
PS: and as wreckmark posted, the Zmaster is noticeably lighter.