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Post by DocMartin on Sept 24, 2021 6:34:19 GMT -7
Hi everyone. I just purchased and received an EMS head from a forum member, and thought I would write about my experience so far. I just received it last night, so my play time is still limited. I will write more as I spend more time with it. I am a long time Z user and started with the Maz 18 combo. Since then I have added an early 1999 Route 66, a therapy head and matching 1x12 cab, a Z-plus, and now the EMS head with matching 2x12 back line cab. I also own an original Early 80s JCM 800 50 watt. I can tell you that when comparing the EMS “800” settings to the original JCM 800, using the same EMS cab, the EMS just outperforms it in every way. The JCM 800 sounds flat, over compressed, and brittle in comparison. Even when you crank the JCM 800, it still can’t achieve the rich harmonic tone of the EMS. My JCM 800 is in great shape too with new filter caps, NOS tubes and an overall excellent bill of health. The circuit changes that were made in the EMS “JCM 800” have made it much more musical and dynamic compared to the original. Now, I also compared my Route 66 to the EMS JTM 50 settings with both amps through the EMS back line cab. I’m amazed with the clean tones of the EMS using these settings. It’s a very rich clean tone, and can easily achieve Edge of breakup, to overdrive with guitar volume control. I also feel that I can get very close to Route 66 tones, but the Route 66 is darker with a little more emphasis on lower mids compared to the EMS. I will plan on doing some comparison videos between the RT66 and EMS, and the JCM 800 and EMS. I am just loving the amp so far, and I am so thankful to Dr Z for developing such an incredible amp for those who want to rock. I salute you!
DocMrtn
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Post by wraparound (Steve) on Sept 24, 2021 16:20:24 GMT -7
That’s a great endorsement, and I’m not surprised one bit. There’s always an abundance of richness in Z amps.
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Post by nmz on Sept 25, 2021 10:30:03 GMT -7
Right on man, congrats!
I absolutely love my EMS clean to mean it fits the bill. Totally cures my Marshall Jones.
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Post by adam on Sept 27, 2021 17:30:20 GMT -7
Congrats! It's a cool amp for sure. Kind of a "big boy" amp and lots of authority and detail, tons of dynamics on tap.
I'd be really curious to hear whatever you might come up with regarding comparing tones to the different amps. Even if the recordings are just "whatever", you can still pickup details of what an amp is about when compared to other amps.
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Post by jaymz1 on Jul 14, 2022 16:53:40 GMT -7
... I will plan on doing some comparison videos between the RT66 and EMS, and the JCM 800 and EMS.... DocMrtn hey DocMrtn! Thank you for the written info. I am very much interested in the comparisons to JCM 800 2204 and Rt 66. Did you ever get around to doing video(s)? cheers! jaymz
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Post by DocMartin on Jul 15, 2022 17:50:29 GMT -7
... I will plan on doing some comparison videos between the RT66 and EMS, and the JCM 800 and EMS.... DocMrtn hey DocMrtn! Thank you for the written info. I am very much interested in the comparisons to JCM 800 2204 and Rt 66. Did you ever get around to doing video(s)? cheers! jaymz I never made the videos, and I have sold the jcm 800. I still love the EMS. It’s an incredible amp! I still have my Route 66. One of these days I’ll start making videos of all my Z amps. I was up to 9 Z amps a few months ago, and have dwindled to 6 lol.
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Post by premiumplus (Dave) on Jul 16, 2022 5:26:19 GMT -7
I had a JCM 800 2x12 combo, and I agree with what DocMartin described so well in his post. I don't miss the JCM at all, the EMS does everything it did, better, and a lot more. The Drake Output Transformer is a big part but Doc tweaked the circuitry to perfection.
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Post by DocMartin on Jul 16, 2022 17:00:42 GMT -7
I had a JCM 800 2x12 combo, and I agree with what DocMartin described so well in his post. I don't miss the JCM at all, the EMS does everything it did, better, and a lot more. The Drake Output Transformer is a big part but Doc tweaked the circuitry to perfection. Agreed. It’s an incredible output transformer. The Doc really paid attention to detail with this build by using the original Drake transformers, made in Uk. I’m telling you guys, Dr Z makes the absolute best quality amplifiers on the market, period. I’ve played many high dollar amps, including a two rock silver sterling recently, and grammatico. I took the chassis out of The grammatico sss style amp to check it out, and it had a printed circuit board in it with amp garage logo on the board, and he’s selling that amp for over $6,000 new. I will forever be a Z loyalist!!
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