|
Post by aguynamedben (Ben) on Apr 23, 2020 1:55:34 GMT -7
Does anybody recognize this unique red/black Stangray head that’s been listed on Reverb for 7 months? There’s a decent amount of rust on one of the transformers (see pics) so I want to make sure it wasn’t in the Nashville flood or had a story behind it. It’s not listed in the For Sale section of the forum either so I’m a little curious... reverb.com/p/dr-z-stang-ray-2x12-combo-2008
|
|
|
Post by aguynamedben (Ben) on Apr 23, 2020 7:03:07 GMT -7
|
|
|
Post by Chilly Gibbons (Todd T.) on Apr 23, 2020 7:28:29 GMT -7
Not at all. That’s totally normal. You’d know if it had been water damaged as the fasteners and bolts would have corrosion and possibly the back screen panel. Nice amp!
And the head cabinet wouldn't look as nice with tight corners with no peeling of the tolex.
|
|
|
Post by aguynamedben (Ben) on Apr 23, 2020 9:13:38 GMT -7
Thanks Todd! I figured it might be normal but just wanted to make sure.
|
|
|
Post by DeanG on Apr 24, 2020 10:32:42 GMT -7
|
|
|
Post by Mark (Basement Enthusiast) on Apr 24, 2020 11:43:05 GMT -7
I believe the iron layers in a transformer are just that--iron. As in, not stainless steel. So, rust like this will happen; and for a 2008-model amp, it looks like probably the expected amount of rust.
|
|
|
Post by Chilly Gibbons (Todd T.) on Apr 24, 2020 14:25:34 GMT -7
Love that two-tone cab as well, gives me some ideas...
|
|
|
Post by ineedtherapy (Stuart) on Jul 9, 2020 6:35:54 GMT -7
I’ve been watching this listing. I’m surprised it’s still up. Is there something going on as to why a person shouldn’t jump all over this?
|
|
|
Post by aguynamedben (Ben) on Jul 9, 2020 15:18:06 GMT -7
I don't think anything is wrong with it, I just think the Stingray nowadays has a bit of a niche following, especially since it's non-master volume, 3 knobs, people have to play quietly, etc. Look like a great deal to me, but I got a Maz 38 NR Mk.II and don't have room for another amp in my apartment!
|
|
|
Post by jhen86 (jordan) on Jul 9, 2020 16:02:27 GMT -7
Has to be the rust. Man, he just dropped the price again. I've got the mind to offer him $900 for local pickup since I'm 20 minutes away. My wife might kill me though 😬
|
|
|
Post by Jaguarguy (Mike) on Jul 10, 2020 6:57:30 GMT -7
Has to be the rust. Man, he just dropped the price again. I've got the mind to offer him $900 for local pickup since I'm 20 minutes away. My wife might kill me though 😬 Just buy her a bouquet of flowers and all will be good!
|
|
|
Post by jhen86 (jordan) on Jul 10, 2020 7:43:01 GMT -7
HA! Flowers might do it. Thinking $900 worth of home decor may be a more effective survival strategy
|
|
|
Post by ineedtherapy (Stuart) on Jul 10, 2020 12:08:09 GMT -7
Has to be the rust. Man, he just dropped the price again. I've got the mind to offer him $900 for local pickup since I'm 20 minutes away. My wife might kill me though 😬 i came close to it myself, but convinced myself that it wouldn’t suit me haha.
|
|
|
Post by jhen86 (jordan) on Jul 10, 2020 12:11:39 GMT -7
Exactly. I have the M12 and RXJR. Both little brother variants. Would love that true Stangray tone but pretty sure the volume would kill me.
|
|
|
Post by jhen86 (jordan) on Jul 10, 2020 21:00:57 GMT -7
He said he’d take $900 cash for local pickup. Thoughts? I have some cash nestled away...not for gear. Would have to move one of my other Z’s. Or just turn around and flip it.
Worried it may be WAY too loud. Also, though the rust is not a failure factor it certainly ain’t pretty. I guess a new PT would be $150 or so if it came to it.
Any advice?
|
|
|
Post by Norrin Radd on Jul 11, 2020 20:53:33 GMT -7
For that amp to sound right, it needs to be moving a good amount of air. If volume is an issue for you, think twice. On the flip side, it’s the most glorious clean tone produced by an electric guitar amplifier ever. And I’m being conservative in that assessment.
And that price is killer!
|
|
|
Post by Chilly Gibbons (Todd T.) on Jul 12, 2020 5:36:04 GMT -7
The rust is a non-issue. The stack on any transformer is made of iron which will oxidize on the exposed surfaces. Manufacturers either paint or varnish the outside as a sort of seal, but they all develop some surface oxidation over time. It will not hurt anything but if it bothers you as an aesthetic concern, wipe it off with a rag and WD-40 then varnish or paint it.
|
|
|
Post by fishbeiner on Jul 12, 2020 9:19:55 GMT -7
The Stang Ray is a great amp. One of my favorite Z amps. Clean sound to die for. Yes, it can be loud, but so can most of the other Z Amps. The minimum volume is certainly a little louder than most, and I wouldn’t consider it bedroom/nighttime volume, but it really isn’t that loud (my normal movie watching volume is way louder). And, if you want gain or distortion, it takes pedals better than a lot of others. It really is a sweet sound.
Don’t let the comments about it needing to be uber loud sway your feelings. A while ago, I had a DB4 and it was loud. Super happy about the 1/2 power switch. I ended up moving it because I happened to prefer the Ghia more. But then, I went to a local dealer who had a DB4 2x12 with Celestion Blues. I HAD to try it out. Plug in, turn it up, expecting for it to be INSANELY loud, but something about the Blues just made it so much better. And the sound was actually very pleasing. Much more so than you would think based on all the “it has to be turned up to ear shattering volume to sound good” comments. I wished I had my DB4 back. So much so, that I always have my eyes peeled for a good deal on one.
My point being, if you want that awesome Stang Ray clean sound, go for it. If you’re hoping to coax some OD out of the amp, yes, it will need to be loud (or use some sort of attenuation). For me it is the sweetness of the clean sound, and an amp that takes my pedals better than any other that I have.
Thanks for reading my ramblings. Of course it’s just one guy’s opinion and YMMV...
|
|
|
Post by jhen86 (jordan) on Jul 12, 2020 9:55:44 GMT -7
Thanks all.
I’m not too worried about the transformers I have read up on it as well. Would like to get them refinished eventually for aesthetics if nothing else.
The volume IS my biggest concern. An attenuator could suffice. Though I’d lean more towards a PPIMV or half power Mod options. I assume pulling two tubes and running the 8 ohm tap into a 16 ohm load could be a temp fix.
Then after all that I wonder, would it just be easier to do the full Steve Miller mod to my M12 and drop in some bigger coupling caps to fill out the lows? The M12 does have fuller mids, which seems to be the only area of “lack” on the Stangray.
Not worried about coaxing dirt out of it. I know it’s a clean machine and I have a great slew of pedals for more drive. I do want to let her breathe though to bring out the full potential. Just not sure how loud that will be.
At that price though, it may be worth grabbing just to experiment.
|
|
|
Post by Jaguarguy (Mike) on Jul 12, 2020 10:00:46 GMT -7
You can not just pull two tubes - the amp requires them all in place to function.
|
|
|
Post by jhen86 (jordan) on Jul 12, 2020 12:00:34 GMT -7
Makes sense. Yes, I was thinking of fixed biased amps.
That guy is actually coming down to my place today. He wants to hear my other Z’s. Will give me a chance to test drive it and see the actual volume.
|
|
|
Post by ineedtherapy (Stuart) on Jul 14, 2020 18:56:50 GMT -7
Makes sense. Yes, I was thinking of fixed biased amps. That guy is actually coming down to my place today. He wants to hear my other Z’s. Will give me a chance to test drive it and see the actual volume. thats awesome! I’m a little jealous, but it sounds like it may have a better home with you than me. The last time I nabbed a less than plentiful Z off the verb (an original Prescription) it showed up with a twisted chassis and damaged transformer. I haven’t seen one pop up since then. The guys in Cleveland suggested that it would be better to return it than to send it their way (they didn’t think it would be repairable to its original state). I’m still frustrated about that.
|
|
|
Post by jhen86 (jordan) on Jul 14, 2020 19:26:00 GMT -7
Yeah, maybe I dodged a bullet too. That guy wound up not coming. He got super touchy like “You’re gonna buy my amp right? It’s an hour drive for me”. I told him it would depend on how crazy loud it is and I had no way of gushing that without plugging in. And he wanted $900 firm, no wiggle room. So I said don’t sweat it. Seems kinda wild to be so touchy. I mean I get where he’s coming from. But his amp hasn’t moved in 9 months. I told him we could try again another time. I would probably replace the transformers or repaint them if I get it. If no more than resale value. Not worth the energy at this exact moment in life though.
|
|
|
Post by ineedtherapy (Stuart) on Jul 14, 2020 20:26:46 GMT -7
For sure. I’m doing trading and selling only right now. I’m not gonna put more money into gear until I figure out if I can use my stuff outside my house again. I’ve been trying my hand at trading off multiples of items for vintage gear. We will see how it goes.
|
|
|
Post by captainron (Ron) on Jul 20, 2020 11:21:17 GMT -7
Yeah, maybe I dodged a bullet too. That guy wound up not coming. He got super touchy like “You’re gonna buy my amp right? It’s an hour drive for me”. I told him it would depend on how crazy loud it is and I had no way of gushing that without plugging in. And he wanted $900 firm, no wiggle room. So I said don’t sweat it. Seems kinda wild to be so touchy. I mean I get where he’s coming from. But his amp hasn’t moved in 9 months. I told him we could try again another time. I would probably replace the transformers or repaint them if I get it. If no more than resale value. Not worth the energy at this exact moment in life though. Jordan, You could always get the amp and send it to the Z shop. Have then do a check up and install a half power switch. Had one of my Rays done with a half power switch and love it! Hard to beat the clean fat tone of a Ray! Ron.
|
|
|
Post by jhen86 (jordan) on Jul 20, 2020 16:32:27 GMT -7
I had that thought. I think current scenario of having my RXJR and M12 in stereo covers about All the same sonic territory with the advantage of wet dry. But it does still sting a little to pass up on the ray
|
|
|
Post by Righty on Jul 21, 2020 10:08:59 GMT -7
Jordan, just realized in reading through this thread that you probably live just up the road from me. Saw that head on the Denver CL and put two and two together. I live in NW COS. If you'd like to put a Stang Ray through its paces just let me know. I've got a head, Z 2x12 with Celestion Blues, Z 2x10 convertible cab, and a Z 1x12 shorty cab currently loaded with a G12M-65. Since I use the shorty cab most often I've tried several speakers. The G12M-65 is just the latest but will probably stay unless I pick up another Z head down the road.
The SR can get pretty loud but I've been able to open it up from time to time. I have an Air Brake I can use but when I found myself in a situation where it was needed I just grabbed my '68 Deluxe Reverb. The Stang Ray is currently running a nearly fresh set of 6N14N output tubes which work really well in this amp. I'd have to give this some though but I might be convinced to part with the head and 2x12 and 2x10 cabs.
Feel free to msg me if you want to revisit this.
Mick
|
|
|
Post by jhen86 (jordan) on Jul 21, 2020 16:21:05 GMT -7
And just like that Righty becomes my hero.
|
|
|
Post by Righty on Jul 21, 2020 17:39:14 GMT -7
jhen86 (jordan) Hero is what I do best. Superhero on a good day. Not really. I'm just an ordinary average guy most of the time. Feel free to get in touch and we'll get you hooked up. Only contingency is that you bring one or both of your heads with you if you come down. I've always been curious about the M12 and RXJr.
|
|
|
Post by jhen86 (jordan) on Jul 21, 2020 18:55:01 GMT -7
Both!
|
|