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Post by Russell B on Sept 25, 2020 5:15:17 GMT -7
I've never owned one. Most of my amps are combos and the only cab I have is a 1x12 Z open back. I'm getting a CAZ-45 when they come out and am thinking about getting the matching Z Best.
Thanks.
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Post by lowbudget on Sept 25, 2020 5:37:06 GMT -7
No better cab out there IMO and they respond well to changing out speakers if that’s your thing.
Be aware they’re big and heavy. I believe Doc slimmed them down with his thinner ply a while back, so factor that in if that sort of thing is important to you.
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Post by Mark (Basement Enthusiast) on Sept 25, 2020 6:57:10 GMT -7
I believe Doc slimmed them down with his thinner ply a while back, so factor that in if that sort of thing is important to you. It seems that he did, as a matter of fact. If the spec's are accurate, the newer/lighter Z-Best at 45 lbs. would be one of the lightest of the top-tier closed-back cabinets available today! It's also got a lot of beefy volume (I'm talking cubic volume here) with its 14" depth--a bit deeper than most cabs, which are usually 12" deep. I have not owned one (this is a travesty!), so I'm simply repeating conjecture here, BUT... everybody seems to refer to them as "long throw" cabinets. Meaning that they really project the sound far & loud but if you're just sitting up-close you're not getting the full experience. Again, conjecture on my part about this aspect.
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Post by eggman on Sept 25, 2020 7:22:09 GMT -7
Howdy,
Does the Z-Best have that "Cabinet Thunk" like from the '70s, stadium rock days?
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Post by j4gitr (John) on Sept 25, 2020 19:51:25 GMT -7
I remember when I first purchased mine, prior to the weight reduction, just being amazed at the tone. I wasn’t looking for one, but the local GC had one at a good price. I took it home and plugged my MAZ 18 2x10 into it, bypassing the combo’s speakers. There was such a big sound and oomph in a good way. That was a great cabinet, RT66 loved it, Antidote loved it, and of course as previously stated so did the MAZ. When we moved cross country I decided to sell it and put the money towards my Z-Plus. In the old weight it could get cumbersome. I think some of that was also compounded by the extra depth. Keep in mind, I’m 6’6” 200 plus #’s, so I can muscle around some gear. When I traded my Antidote in at a local dealer for my Therapy they had it on top of the newer Z-Best. It was much easier to carry, and boy did it sound great with the Therapy. A great rock sound. I would have bought the cabinet, but it didn’t make sense as I had no band at the time. It’s a very special cabinet, great sound on par with quality and sound of Doc’s amps. Mine as the standard configuration as I recall had V30. & 12h. Great balance of tone. I had no need or desire to experiment with the speaker pairing. Hope this helps.
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Post by Russell B on Sept 25, 2020 21:18:07 GMT -7
Thanks all. I think I’m going to get one!
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Post by perryr on Sept 26, 2020 0:10:14 GMT -7
Ive had mine for over 20years, its a balanced and big sound. Like lowbudget said they arent picky about drivers, ive had all kinds of speakers in it, just depends what your after. Too me they have a character that is a mix of closed and open back. The port is big which gives it some open cab like ambience while still having that solid punch of a closed back. They really do sound great, i need one of the new light weight versions!
The vertical placement is killer for most stages, the amp is up higher to adjust, That upper speaker makes it easier to hear when your standing near it, and the small footprint is always good.
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Post by KeithA on Sept 26, 2020 3:37:09 GMT -7
I know Dr Z amps is more known for certain amps, but to me a Z amp head atop a vertically-standing Z-Best cab has a unique look that says Dr Z Amps as much as anything.
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Post by John on Sept 26, 2020 6:04:28 GMT -7
Howdy, Does the Z-Best have that "Cabinet Thunk" like from the '70s, stadium rock days?
Not exactly...because they're a ported cabinet, not a true closed back. But it's in the ball park.
If all you have is openback (combo or cab), a Z-best will be very different. Not just the tone itself, but the disbursement of the sound. Open backs have sound that comes out the back, and it can reflect off a wall, filling the stage/room with sound. Closed backs pretty much have a more directional and focused delivery. If you're standing where the closed back is pointing, it can be loud...but move off to the side, and the volume will drop...sometimes dramatically. Closed backs are perhaps not the best for small clubs where you're not mic'd.
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Post by Russell B on Sept 26, 2020 9:17:22 GMT -7
Let me ask you all this. What if I used a 1x12 open back for smaller venues and then add a 1x12 closed back for larger ones? Has anyone tried that?
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Post by Chilly Gibbons (Todd T.) on Sept 26, 2020 9:20:18 GMT -7
Howdy, Does the Z-Best have that "Cabinet Thunk" like from the '70s, stadium rock days? I don’t own one, but a lot would depend on the frequency to which Doc tuned the cabinet. Like all ported speaker enclosures, there is a range of frequencies that will play louder across the designated range. To a degree, this will also be speaker dependent for a guitar cab. I would recommend asking Doc privately about the cabinet design and then match speakers according to your needs. I think the Best would be awesome for the CAZ. The ports are front firing as well, so you will not have as many wall placement issues.
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Post by John on Sept 26, 2020 13:06:49 GMT -7
Let me ask you all this. What if I used a 1x12 open back for smaller venues and then add a 1x12 closed back for larger ones? Has anyone tried that?
Absolutely. Not only the way you've described, but you'll also have your choice of using JUST the closed back cab if you wish. If I want a marshally rock and roll sound, I REALLY want a closed back cabinet with greenback(s). But I wouldn't necessarily use it for a gig.
You can use one, or the other, or both in combination. They may not be the same volume...or perceived volume. Especially where you're standing in relation to the speakers. When using together, you can have them stacked or side by side. You can also have different speakers in each cabinet for different tones. (some speakers tend to be a little better in closed, some a little better in open back.)
EDIT: Also, keep in mind if you use the two cabinets together...it won't be 'twice as loud'. Because the speakers will be splitting the power. So think of it as each speaker is only getting 1/2 the power.
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Post by j4gitr (John) on Sept 26, 2020 17:03:40 GMT -7
Let me ask you all this. What if I used a 1x12 open back for smaller venues and then add a 1x12 closed back for larger ones? Has anyone tried that? Another thought is Doc’s 1x12 convertible and one of his 2x10 convertible cabinets. I do have both and they are both great. Together they are killer. I speak from experience. You can even play with different 10’s and open or closed on either cabinet. But now I’m confusing the issue. Please excuse me.
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Post by Russell B on Sept 26, 2020 17:28:16 GMT -7
Guys, keep the suggestions coming. I need advice on building this rock rig.
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Post by KeithA on Sept 26, 2020 19:02:44 GMT -7
I already have a cabinet I’ll be using, but if I didn’t I’d be considering the Backline 212 as an alternative as well.
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Post by Russell B on Sept 26, 2020 19:19:06 GMT -7
I already have a cabinet I’ll be using, but if I didn’t I’d be considering the Backline 212 as an alternative as well. I’ve thought about that backline cab too. I don’t know anyone who has one.
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Post by KeithA on Sept 26, 2020 19:34:24 GMT -7
I already have a cabinet I’ll be using, but if I didn’t I’d be considering the Backline 212 as an alternative as well. I’ve thought about that backline cab too. I don’t know anyone who has one. Me neither. I’d have one now but floor space in my room is at a premium and I already have an oversized Bogner 212 cabinet. However, any cabinet that comes standard with the EMS head/cab set can’t be all bad! As well, as a different cosmetic note, the more squared design would give the set a nice 1/2 stack vibe. I’d be curious to hear an opinion on a comparison of the two cabs if they have tried them. I’m sure the Z shop has tried them and they are packaging the Z-Best in the set, so there’s that 😉
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Post by Russell B on Sept 26, 2020 19:36:34 GMT -7
I’ve thought about that backline cab too. I don’t know anyone who has one. Me neither. I’d have one now but floor space in my room is at a premium and I already have an oversized Bogner 212 cabinet. However, any cabinet that comes standard with the EMS head/cab set can’t be all bad! As well, as a different cosmetic note, the more squared design would give the set a nice 1/2 stack vibe. I’d be curious to hear an opinion on a comparison of the two cabs if they have tried them. I’m sure the Z shop has tried them and they are packaging the Z-Best in the set, so there’s that 😉 No doubt about it! It would look good!
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Post by Mark (Basement Enthusiast) on Sept 27, 2020 7:34:26 GMT -7
I recall Doc saying in that old Dr. Z video--y'all remember that, right?--that his Z-Best cabinet was, "not very sensitive to speakers," (or something close to that, maybe not the exact quote). I believe what he meant was that the cabinet was very finely-tuned and that the speakers themselves contributed far less to the "overall tone" as compared to other speaker cabinets. This would explain why lots of guys have swapped speakers in & out of their Z-Best only to find that it still sounds great (and, still sounds like the Z-Best).
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Post by premiumplus (Dave) on Oct 4, 2020 16:28:06 GMT -7
Russell, the Z-Best cab is essentially two Theile ported cabs in one box with two 12" speakers. I have played my Therapy with a 1x12 Z cab with the back open, then the Theile cab loaded with an EVM12L on top of that, and my Therapy on top for the cherry. You get the best of both worlds, open back plus closed back. KILLER sound, it just needs a big stage. Looks kinda cool too. Can't wait to put my CAZ-45 on that stack.
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Post by Russell B on Oct 4, 2020 18:36:50 GMT -7
I’ve been thinking about it for a while. I’m getting a matching 1x12 cab for the CAZ. If I find my myself in a bigger venue, I’ll add my other Z 1x12 to it. One closed and one open.
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