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Post by ash on Nov 3, 2019 17:45:21 GMT -7
Hello everyone,
A friend dragged me to a traveling guitar show recently. I'm typically not too fond of those shows. Mostly over priced junk. But I plugged into a Z-28 and had a blast playing it. I didn't buy that one but after a few days decided I had to have one. I had some difficulty finding one. I'm surprised this amp was discontinued! I did find one and it's in the mail. Can't wait to get it!
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Post by KeithA on Nov 3, 2019 18:06:12 GMT -7
Hello everyone,
A friend dragged me to a traveling guitar show recently. I'm typically not too fond of those shows. Mostly over priced junk. But I plugged into a Z-28 and had a blast playing it. I didn't buy that one but after a few days decided I had to have one. I had some difficulty finding one. I'm surprised this amp was discontinued! I did find one and it's in the mail. Can't wait to get it!
Z28 mkII (with master volume) is rumoured to be dropping soon
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Post by ash on Nov 3, 2019 18:17:38 GMT -7
Ah, interesting. That explains it.
I was planning on buying a brake lite. I didn't use an attenuator at the show. It was loud but didn't seem excessively loud for the stage.
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Post by trojanhov on Nov 3, 2019 18:29:44 GMT -7
The z-28 is a special amp! Miss mine, but I also have a z-lux that keeps me happy!
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Post by Ridgeback on Nov 3, 2019 18:34:52 GMT -7
Enjoy. I'm on my second one.
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Post by pcns on Nov 4, 2019 8:12:49 GMT -7
were you at the Akron guitar show when you looked at the Z28?
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Post by ash on Nov 4, 2019 17:17:25 GMT -7
Hmmmm, coulld be. My friend drove and I didn't pay too much attention to where we were going. Johnny Demarco was there giving some kind of blues master class.
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Post by pcns on Nov 4, 2019 20:11:10 GMT -7
Yup, that was me, my wife and my son at the show.
Turns out the amp you bought from Mark is the same amp you played at the show!!!
My son Joshua was the one you were talking too while you looked at the amp. He is a real tall guy with blonde hair. He told me that his texted your wife and told her you were going to marry the amp!!
Small world!!!
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Post by ash on Nov 5, 2019 12:26:56 GMT -7
Yup, that was me, my wife and my son at the show. Turns out the amp you bought from Mark is the same amp you played at the show!!! My son Joshua was the one you were talking too while you looked at the amp. He is a real tall guy with blonde hair. He told me that his texted your wife and told her you were going to marry the amp!! Small world!!!
No kidding! That was my joke. I almost did it too! And I remember your son, nice guy.
I was very close to buying it that day. In the end I decided to cool off before spending the cash. That and my wife was giving me a hard time about the money. "You always do this, you're too impulsive....yada yada."
Almost bought a Supro too but not for guitar, for harp, for recording. I think I need something lower wattage, maybe 4 or 5 watts. Good break up, inexpensive, and like my wife not too bright. (Just kidding honey, I love you!). I heard Pro Juniors were okay if modded. Or Vox ac4's. They seem to be kind of dark out of the box. The Supro Blues King was inexpensive and had spring reverb but I think its too much amp, 15 watts and a 1x12, for my needs....maybe. I almost brought it home with me.
Then there was this tuba, a screaming monkey toy, and a girl named tattoo....really glad I didn't take those home!
In other news I'm going to play around with the amp tonight. It's sitting next to me at my work desk right now. Then I'll decide if I need an attenuator.
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Post by ash on Nov 6, 2019 9:09:40 GMT -7
This amp rocks! I do not think I need an attenuator. I play in a loud rock band. I think the native volume of this amp will be perfect in that setting. Of course everything changes once the drums start. That will be the real test!
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Post by Jaguarguy (Mike) on Nov 6, 2019 15:56:57 GMT -7
Here's a setting to try - you can thank me later:
3-3-3
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Post by ash on Nov 6, 2019 16:15:35 GMT -7
Here's a setting to try - you can thank me later: 3-3-3
Oh yah, rock n roll!
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Post by bigben55 on Nov 6, 2019 17:57:33 GMT -7
With a good strat(and nothing else), 4-4-4 or everything maxed is my favorite setting. But with my other guitars(tele, LP, p90 tele) I prefer 10-10-11 and using the Z-Drive.
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Post by ash on Nov 7, 2019 9:47:52 GMT -7
With a good strat(and nothing else), 4-4-4 or everything maxed is my favorite setting. But with my other guitars(tele, LP, p90 tele) I prefer 10-10-11 and using the Z-Drive. I suppose it's only appropriate I get a Z-Drive.
Thoughts on that pedal? I see it has 2 sides.
Thanks
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Post by bigben55 on Nov 7, 2019 11:09:30 GMT -7
I've found that CRANKED, hotter, fatter sounding guitars like Les Paul's, etc sound too bass heavy. Ive had 4 different speakers in my Z, yet still. The Z Drive fixes that. Best EQ controllability on any dirt pedal....ever. It really feels like part of the amp. And like a good amp, it has a sweet spot. It's a great pedal. In 6 more months or so, my name will pop up on the Analogman King of Tone waiting list and I'll buy one. But honestly, I seriously doubt itll kick the Z Drive off this little board. With a good strat(and nothing else), 4-4-4 or everything maxed is my favorite setting. But with my other guitars(tele, LP, p90 tele) I prefer 10-10-11 and using the Z-Drive. I suppose it's only appropriate I get a Z-Drive.
Thoughts on that pedal? I see it has 2 sides.
Thanks
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Post by pcns on Nov 7, 2019 11:37:32 GMT -7
With a good strat(and nothing else), 4-4-4 or everything maxed is my favorite setting. But with my other guitars(tele, LP, p90 tele) I prefer 10-10-11 and using the Z-Drive. I suppose it's only appropriate I get a Z-Drive.
Thoughts on that pedal? I see it has 2 sides.
Thanks
Z drive is welded to my pedal board . . . . I use the green side all the time, its always on. The tone controls are really awesome I am particularly fond of the mid tone control, it reminds me a lot of the mid boost that my old Fender Concert head used to have. Give the mids a nice boost without sounding boxy. Its nice having the ability to get more gain too by switching over to the red side, nice smooth fat overdrive. Both of my sons have a Z drive too, they really like it too
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Post by bigben55 on Nov 7, 2019 13:28:48 GMT -7
My EQ settings are treble at 3 oclock, mids at 1 oclock, bass at 9:30. Cut switch up for the green side, down for the red side, and I do use both but neither is always on. I have a Fulltone Fat Boost3 too, for pure clean boost.
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Post by ash on Nov 10, 2019 18:18:07 GMT -7
I appreciate all the tips. I've been doing a lot on knob twisting. Depends on the guitar and the type of music as to where it ends up.
I do like my Les Paul PAF neck pick up for bluesy stuff although I'm mostly a Strat/Tele guy. Its just such a fat growly tone with tons of attitude. That's what sold me at the show.
I haven't found an OD in the stable that I really like with it although honestly Ive just been enjoying guitar...amp...go. Its kind of liberating to not use any pedals but a tuner! And the amp cleans up nicely with the guitar volume. I may end up getting the Z-Drive. I have no doubt they are a pair made in Cleveland!
I have it plugged into a 1x12 with a Celestion Gold. I am starting to reconsider buying the attenuator!
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Post by bigben55 on Nov 10, 2019 19:07:50 GMT -7
I don't like any overdrives that are tube screamer ish thru the Z28. It's a mid forward amp, especially the low mids. Addl mids via a pedal IMO muddies it up, especially with a mid heavy speaker. Example, I have loved my old Fulldrive2 thru a gaggle of amps over the years. Not the Z28(though comp cut still sounds good). The Timmy is pretty good thru it, as are various clean boosts.
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Post by ash on Nov 11, 2019 5:57:03 GMT -7
I don't like any overdrives that are tube screamer ish thru the Z28. It's a mid forward amp, especially the low mids. Addl mids via a pedal IMO muddies it up, especially with a mid heavy speaker. Example, I have loved my old Fulldrive2 thru a gaggle of amps over the years. Not the Z28(though comp cut still sounds good). The Timmy is pretty good thru it, as are various clean boosts.
That makes sense. I'll have to try my OCD. That one might work.
I haven't tried a clean boost yet but it makes sense. I'll give that a try.
The Timmy is one of the few classic overdrives that I haven't owned yet but I've been thinking about getting one as it gets talked about a lot.
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Post by trojanhov on Nov 11, 2019 6:04:00 GMT -7
I don't like any overdrives that are tube screamer ish thru the Z28. It's a mid forward amp, especially the low mids. Addl mids via a pedal IMO muddies it up, especially with a mid heavy speaker. Example, I have loved my old Fulldrive2 thru a gaggle of amps over the years. Not the Z28(though comp cut still sounds good). The Timmy is pretty good thru it, as are various clean boosts.
That makes sense. I'll have to try my OCD. That one might work.
I haven't tried a clean boost yet but it makes sense. I'll give that a try.
The Timmy is one of the few classic overdrives that I haven't owned yet but I've been thinking about getting one as it gets talked about a lot.
The drives I loved with the z-28: Snouse black box 2 Timmy Ocd RC booster
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Post by Ridgeback on Nov 11, 2019 8:05:30 GMT -7
I have not used OD pedals in probably ten years but my favorite was a Box of Rock. I actually liked the BoR clean boost side better than the RC. The RC became my mild OD that sat between the two sides of the BoR. Like speakers and pups, ODs are a very personal taste kind of thing. Good luck.
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Post by ash on Nov 11, 2019 8:41:21 GMT -7
I have not used OD pedals in probably ten years but my favorite was a Box of Rock. I actually liked the BoR clean boost side better than the RC. The RC became my mild OD that sat between the two sides of the BoR. Like speakers and pups, ODs are a very personal taste kind of thing. Good luck.
And it is guitar and amp dependent. Some combinations work and others don't.
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Post by Ridgeback on Nov 11, 2019 9:23:27 GMT -7
That too. I don't miss my OD pedal black hole days at all.
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Post by daddyelmis (Greg) on Nov 11, 2019 14:35:49 GMT -7
My z28 likes my Plimsoul - that hard clip knob really works well with the Z28’s base tone.
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Post by ash on Nov 29, 2019 16:55:11 GMT -7
Just as a follow up, this has become one of my all time favorite amps. I prefer to play naked; no pedals or effects, just guitar and amp. (Bet you thought something naughty at first, shame on you!) Honesty, anything else just seems like a distraction and you can do it all with a volume knob and pick up selector. The amp is so punchy and dynamic, cleans up great with playing dynamics and volume knob. It is as much an element in musical expression as the guitar and my fingers (and sometimes even my brain when its working).
And like somebody else said...3-3-3!
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