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Post by tonezone66 on Nov 22, 2019 14:25:48 GMT -7
Any sense to get Z-Wreck combo for a pedal platform? I'd get my dirt from my OD & pre amp pedals. Play just small bars, clubs etc. I've once tried Wreck and was impressed by it's big, full bodied voice. How is the dynamics of Wreck when played pretty low volumes? What's the minimum volume the amp is alive - don't mean it's saturating, only the dynamics.
Anyone installed an attenuator to your Wreck combo? Is the Air Brake the choice or is there even a better one?
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Post by Rhino on Nov 22, 2019 15:35:56 GMT -7
I can't speak to playing at low volumes as I run the Wreck between Noon and 2 but I can comment on the Brake Lite...it's a perfect match for the Wreck combo...I run it on 2 or 3 depending on the size of the room.
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Post by Jaguarguy (Mike) on Nov 22, 2019 15:39:21 GMT -7
You might also want to look at the M12 - it was designed specifically to be a pedal platform. The Z Wreck sounds like it might be a bit of overkill for you.
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Post by premiumplus (Dave) on Nov 22, 2019 16:06:26 GMT -7
+100 on the Brake Lite/Wreck combination, they work well together. But I agree with Mike, the Wreck might be overkill. I don't take mine out much, preferring either the Z-Lux or Z-Plus if I'm using pedals.
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Post by tonezone66 on Nov 23, 2019 1:55:53 GMT -7
Thank you guys. I did try the M!2 briefly and got kind of an sterile impression of it. I used to have Z Lux but found it's tone little plastic like.
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Post by Rhythmark on Nov 23, 2019 6:58:31 GMT -7
Plastic like zlux!!
I would never have come to that conclusion! Lol. Was the amp on or were you just rubbing your guitar on the tolex?
I have a zlux and wreck . Use both and love them both! No plastic sounds in either!!
And both can be a pedal platform. I like some punch and have to turn up to get if!
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Post by Chilly Gibbons (Todd T.) on Nov 23, 2019 7:13:09 GMT -7
Plastic like zlux!! I would never have come to that conclusion! Lol. Was the amp on or were you just rubbing your guitar on the tolex? I have a zlux and wreck . Use both and love them both! No plastic sounds in either!! And both can be a pedal platform. I like some punch and have to turn up to get if! This observation surprised me as well!
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Post by Chilly Gibbons (Todd T.) on Nov 23, 2019 7:17:29 GMT -7
If I was looking for a pedal platform I’d consider the Jetta. It has a Metro loop and lots of punch and clarity without anything in the way of your signal. If you need additional eq, just slap one in the loop. That’d be my recommendation.
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Post by DRZ on Nov 23, 2019 9:17:31 GMT -7
Thank you guys. I did try the M!2 briefly and got kind of an sterile impression of it. I used to have Z Lux but found it's tone little plastic like. Let's see M 12 Sterile , Z Lux Plastic Like ( what ever that means ), maybe Peavey would be more to your TASTE. Opinions are one thing insults are another. And a Z Wreck as a pedal platform , Please.
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Post by purpletele on Nov 23, 2019 10:28:44 GMT -7
Oops! Touched a nerve. Saw that coming
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Post by T-R☼CK ♫ on Nov 23, 2019 11:20:11 GMT -7
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Post by sharkboy on Nov 23, 2019 13:57:02 GMT -7
Nothing sounds better than a ZWreck direct. You may need an attenuator, but nobody makes a pedal that sounds as good.
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Post by Andy 67 on Nov 23, 2019 16:46:26 GMT -7
The Wreck will sound as ANYTHING you’d like to, maybe a pedal platform or a killing tone machine just using your right hand and volume pot. After four Zs and a few other amps, the Wreck is simply the best amp I’ve ever plugged into. Try to change the way you look at/ listen to it, you might be surprised. Tons of tone!!
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Post by LT on Nov 23, 2019 19:37:30 GMT -7
When I had my Wreck (now owned by brother Dave) I used it as a pedal platform. Ran the V at 10-noon depending on the venue. Sometimes used an attenuator, sometimes not. Mine was a head and I used it with a Mesa Thiele closed back cab with an EV. Sounded great.
If you are only playing smaller rooms, and want an EL powered amp, I'd suggest a Ghia combo. I used my 1-10 Ghia as a main gigging amp for years. It had a Red Fang in it, and I never had an issue with headroom. It will be smaller/lighter than a Wreck, if portability is any issue.
Let us know what you decide.
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Post by Rockerfeller on Nov 24, 2019 5:13:56 GMT -7
Oops! Touched a nerve. Saw that coming As soon as I read the thing about the ZLux, I scanned the rest of the post to see what Doc would say. "Plastic" isn't a very kind work when describing an amp that has won so many awards. I'm sure the OP wasn't trying to insult Doc's baby's. I'm also sure he'll chose his words more carefully next time.
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Post by Rockerfeller on Nov 24, 2019 5:16:26 GMT -7
If I was looking for a pedal platform I’d consider the Jetta. It has a Metro loop and lots of punch and clarity without anything in the way of your signal. If you need additional eq, just slap one in the loop. That’d be my recommendation. I've never liked loops. Probably because they never worked well with my gear. But the Metro loop in the Nova is amazing. A big selling point for my Jetta purchase on Monday is that loop. You make a good recommendation. The Jetta is priced to sell AND it has a Master volume.
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Post by tonezone66 on Nov 24, 2019 13:37:10 GMT -7
First of all the obvious thing - English's not my mother tongue, so sorry about the clumsy use of your language.
About Z Lux & M12. I owned a Lux for almost two years and the M12 I tried only very briefly once. I did like & love the sound of Z Lux 90%: very dimensional 3D, very easy to get a splendid tone on low volume & the modulation pedals sound gorgeous - better than in my ex Two Rock. In many ways an ideal amp for my needs. The over driven tones weren't the kind I like - neither it's own gain structure, nor the ones I got with the Blue Ecstasy pedal. By "The plastic like" I mean the slight nuance in it's tonal structure. One of Finland's #1 players was interested in buying my Lux and having tested it he used the very word. Actually he owned & still owns Z 28 - very happy with it. After few weeks he bought a Carmen Ghia & praised it just overwhelmingly: Ghia beats his 60's Vox's big time, hands down. So just a matter of opinion etc once again. I bet we've all encountered amps & pedals we would give at least 9 points out of ten but then there's some small, tiny thing about the tone that bothers us time after time - slightly yet distractingly. And we tried to find at least some word or an association to describe this trait - though it's just one slight trait. It still kind of bugs me I have to sell Lux to get the money.
The use of the expression sterile on M12 is also inaccurate and only referring to the kind of neutral quality of it's tone (in one perspective). I used to own Two Rock Studio Pro 35 and if someone's using the word sterile on it, I understand what he's referring to. At the same time Studio Pro's a phenomenal amp - selling it was like a divorce that took 2 - 3 years to get by. Then again, now that I've played my VOX AC15HW for two years I know what I was missing - and it's a better platform too.
And then there are players like Darrel Higham who goes for Peavey and nails it tonally too.
I agree I should have just said Lux's not my thing and maybe also not the M12 - though I tried it just too briefly. The point was not to talk about those amps but the Wreck. I assumed it's not a good choice to play on low volumes. Was & still am just curious to hear your first hand experience. Wish I had Dr Z store next door to me, so I'd need no consultation.
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Post by jhen86 (jordan) on Nov 24, 2019 14:03:20 GMT -7
I agree with others that to use the wreck at low volume as a pedal platform is probably not the best choice. I wouldn’t say it’s a waste of money if that’s what you really want to spend your money on. For me though it would be a waste. Like buying a Ferrari to take the kids to school.
I have an M12 and I really enjoy it for this. I’d start with giving that a second chance. Or maybe picking up a Carmen Ghia. I also have an RXJR that could do the same. I think there is one for sale on here. That amp has got a lot of good mojo and much bigger bass than an M12.
Any of those 12-18 watt Z options would be not too far off from wreck territory but better suited for your scenario.
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Post by tonezone66 on Nov 24, 2019 14:10:32 GMT -7
If I was looking for a pedal platform I’d consider the Jetta. It has a Metro loop and lots of punch and clarity without anything in the way of your signal. If you need additional eq, just slap one in the loop. That’d be my recommendation. Jetta sounds appealing. I guess I have to fly either UK or Netherlands to find out myself. Just tired having travelled so much this year.
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Post by DRZ on Nov 24, 2019 15:34:13 GMT -7
Tonezone66, I sometime forget that language barriers can cause mis understanding. My passion for my art can make me be a bit touchy to criticism . Sorry for my snarky response. I'm still not sure what "Plastic Like " means, I guess its a regional description .
DR.Z
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Post by jimexcursion on Dec 2, 2019 18:44:06 GMT -7
So before I go an make an expensive mistake, explain to me why the Z Wreck isn’t a good pedal platform? I’m looking at getting the mini when it comes out. I run a little delay and reverb through pedals but may go away from that depending on the amp controls and run some dirt but can definitely get that out of the amp. I run a Carmen Ghia now and love it.
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Post by Rhythmark on Dec 6, 2019 10:40:12 GMT -7
So before I go an make an expensive mistake, explain to me why the Z Wreck isn’t a good pedal platform? I’m looking at getting the mini when it comes out. I run a little delay and reverb through pedals but may go away from that depending on the amp controls and run some dirt but can definitely get that out of the amp. I run a Carmen Ghia now and love it. Ok. The zwreck 100% can be used as a pedal platform It will sound awesome. If you use this amp to its potential then you crank it up and Sometimes effects don’t sound as good depending on how overdriven The amp is. But as with all amps you find out what works and what doesn’t. So if you keep the vol lower cleanish of clean , it will love your pedals all year long!
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Post by Chilly Gibbons (Todd T.) on Dec 6, 2019 15:39:01 GMT -7
So before I go an make an expensive mistake, explain to me why the Z Wreck isn’t a good pedal platform? I’m looking at getting the mini when it comes out. I run a little delay and reverb through pedals but may go away from that depending on the amp controls and run some dirt but can definitely get that out of the amp. I run a Carmen Ghia now and love it. I think it depends on the definition of pedal platform. Will it work with a modest amount of Reverb, delay, and maybe some modulation here and there? Yes, definitely. Can you put a boost in front of it? Sure, if you must. EQ if needed. But stacking a bunch of transistor driven overdrive pedals to achieve “the perfect tone” is where the confusion lies in the definition. And I’ve never heard this work very well in all my days. Seems a bit much to use one of the best and most expensive all tube designs ever produced as a platform for much less expensive, solid state circuits. If I were dependent on overdrive pedals to get my sound I would probably get an M12 or a Jetta, which has a great loop, set it up correctly and have fun. Although the Jetta with its master volume would negate the desire for OD pedals in the first place.
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Post by jimexcursion on Dec 11, 2019 19:17:02 GMT -7
So before I go an make an expensive mistake, explain to me why the Z Wreck isn’t a good pedal platform? I’m looking at getting the mini when it comes out. I run a little delay and reverb through pedals but may go away from that depending on the amp controls and run some dirt but can definitely get that out of the amp. I run a Carmen Ghia now and love it. I think it depends on the definition of pedal platform. Will it work with a modest amount of Reverb, delay, and maybe some modulation here and there? Yes, definitely. Can you put a boost in front of it? Sure, if you must. EQ if needed. But stacking a bunch of transistor driven overdrive pedals to achieve “the perfect tone” is where the confusion lies in the definition. And I’ve never heard this work very well in all my days. Seems a bit much to use one of the best and most expensive all tube designs ever produced as a platform for much less expensive, solid state circuits. If I were dependent on overdrive pedals to get my sound I would probably get an M12 or a Jetta, which has a great loop, set it up correctly and have fun. Although the Jetta with its master volume would negate the desire for OD pedals in the first place. I’d probably drop most, if not all, my dirt pedals for sure. Reverb and delay maybe. Everything you said makes perfect sense.
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Post by curlykyle on Feb 14, 2020 20:17:30 GMT -7
In my opinion, I would recommend the Z Lux if you want a pedal platform amp. This amp is absolutely incredible. It sits in the mix so well and the master is the best I’ve ever used. I have the Z Lux and had a Wreck also. I loved the Wreck and it is incredible as well but the Lux fit my needs better for the venues I play. I have owned several Maz Jrs, Z28, Rt66 and the Z Lux is probably my favorite so far.
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Post by Deleted on Feb 15, 2020 17:28:10 GMT -7
The Wreck Jr might be a good fit here—while it’s at its best when you open it up, it also takes (most) pedals very well at more subdued settings. That said—all you really need is a touch of reverb or delay and maybe a boost, unless you’re trying to nail specific tones for covers. I do enjoy the Lux with pedals—it sounds great with almost anything you throw at it, imo, but everybody’s ears are different.
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Post by dixiechicken on Apr 3, 2020 3:12:44 GMT -7
DC here!
Jumping late into this thread. 2007 when I bought my Route66 I used it with for a while a Carl Martin "Hot Drive & Boost MK-!!!" Excellent drive & boost pedal - specially the clean boost side is very very good.
However after while I felt that the soundscape frome my Route diminshed using the drive side. The first thing that struck me with the Route was the size of the sound for want of better word. Smooth. bold, lots av sweet darker midranges, very easy to use live and dial in the right amount of mix from stage.
Stomping on the Carl Martin for extra dirt and the sound seemed to shrink..... Instead of that big warm caress it turned into a table knife lols - nice language no....? lols
Someone mentioned transistors - & I suspect, just an idea mind you - don't know if the good Doc would agree but.... When you have 450-475 plate B voltage and an EF-86 front front to play around with - you can get a very nice dynamic headroom - and authority - that is hard to recreate with 9 volts trasistor circuits. Just my two cents... as always YMMV
Cheers: Dixiechicken!
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