dr355
New Member
Posts: 48
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Post by dr355 on Jun 6, 2022 5:51:04 GMT -7
I had been looking for a medium gain amp for my originals band and settled on the surprise discovery of the year, my Monza. This was a new old stock non-master 2010. I've been happily rehearsing with my originals band and decided to take the Monza out with my low volume blues/country/R&B style cover band that I gig with. I ran my Flint reverb/trem pedal, and nothing else in front. With my Les Paul-style Kendrick Tejas and barely cracking the volume on the amp, I enjoyed all of the clean to mean tones I needed. I ran the Volume less than 3, Gain up 3/4 up the dial, and Treble all the way up. The Monza is anything but overly bright, and the sound was so good even the picky band leader commented how good the amp sounded. The amp has such an authentic, organic sound. I could even get a controlled feedback when desired by resting the headstock on the amp head for my more theatrical endings the band leader hates. These are not "bedroom" amps, and I believe Dr. Z designs these for gigging players first and foremost. I have the Iron Man II mini attenuator, but didn't bother to use it last night. The sounds I got elevated a small, depressing dive bar gig, with a rigid, disturbed band leader to an inspired glorious celebration of guitar happiness. Let's see if I can repeat my experience next weekend. imgur.com/77bV5lG
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Post by driventone on Jun 10, 2022 17:27:30 GMT -7
Wow, where did you find a NOS Monza? Congrats on the first gig with it!
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Post by pcns on Jun 12, 2022 5:32:22 GMT -7
I've owned a few Monzas over the years and currently have one in my work shop. It's a very neat amp and very fun to play with! Glad to hear you found another use for yours!! God bless, Todd
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dr355
New Member
Posts: 48
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Post by dr355 on Jun 15, 2022 4:24:32 GMT -7
Wow, where did you find a NOS Monza? Congrats on the first gig with it! Motor City Guitar, Waterford, MI. They have a NOS Monza 1x12 too, but damn, it's heavy! A 1x10 with Master Volume would be cool, but they don't have one.
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Post by Jaguarguy (Mike) on Jun 15, 2022 6:51:26 GMT -7
Wow, where did you find a NOS Monza? Congrats on the first gig with it! Motor City Guitar, Waterford, MI. They have a NOS Monza 1x12 too, but damn, it's heavy! A 1x10 with Master Volume would be cool, but they don't have one. I assume that means you live in S.E. Michigan. If so, we can make arrangements for you to visit my "MuZum" sometime. See my avatar for a portion of my Zs Drop me a DM if you (or anyone else) would like to schedule a visit. BTW - welcome to the Forum. A lot of great people and information here!
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dr355
New Member
Posts: 48
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Post by dr355 on Jun 17, 2022 3:09:18 GMT -7
2 low volume gigs, and a louder jam last night, and this is one of the most enjoyable amps I've ever played. Maybe it's a honeymoon period, but I know enough to know what works. The cleans are chewy, and it screams at my command. Maybe like my Matchless 30 years ago, it just does my sound. Because of the higher gain structure, it gets thick at lower volumes with the gain maxed. When you need more volume, just dial the gain back, and you've got everything with just a twist of your guitar volume. At my advanced age it's wonderful to be able to get excited over a new discovery like this. imgur.com/GskxGrF
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Post by premiumplus (Dave) on Jun 17, 2022 4:13:16 GMT -7
2 low volume gigs, and a louder jam last night, and this is one of the most enjoyable amps I've ever played. Maybe it's a honeymoon period, but I know enough to know what works. The cleans are chewy, and it screams at my command. Maybe like my Matchless 30 years ago, it just does my sound. Because of the higher gain structure, it gets thick at lower volumes with the gain maxed. When you need more volume, just dial the gain back, and you've got everything with just a twist of your guitar volume. At my advanced age it's wonderful to be able to get excited over a new discovery like this. imgur.com/GskxGrFWelcome to the group, it's a great community.
I've got the MV Monza, in a 1x10 combo. It's just a beast, huge sound for a tiny footprint. I've always leaned on the MV and rarely (if ever) ran the amp with the MV wide open. Your post inspired me to try it that way; I bet there's tone yet to be discovered there.
What kind of speaker is in your Mesa cab? I've got a Z-10 in my combo and it sounds great.
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dr355
New Member
Posts: 48
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Post by dr355 on Jun 22, 2022 5:02:33 GMT -7
Hey Dave, there's a Mesa Black Shadow 90 12" in that cab. That's mainly because it's a BOOGIE Fillmore 1x12! Haha, it's an amazing match cosmetically to the head. It's a great compact cab (I have a Boogie 1x12 Widebody also for my Matchless head). I did buy a Tone King Ironman mini attenuator for the Monza, but found I don't need much volume while adjusting the Drive and my guitar volume. Quite a discovery really. The cleaner sound really cuts through the band, and folks like the sound because it's not overly compressed. Very organic, and it doesn't cover up a sloppy player. I might try the attenuator again, but I'm so happy with the sound right now. I'm holding off, but might sell my new 64 Handwired Princeton because I fell like I've found my new favorite amp. I have another patio gig this weekend to see if the honeymoon is still going. Here's my other fave, my Chris Stapleton! You can see the Ironman Attenuator on top. That amp loves to be cranked! imgur.com/mlKUAFz
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dr355
New Member
Posts: 48
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Post by dr355 on Jun 22, 2022 5:11:57 GMT -7
2 low volume gigs, and a louder jam last night, and this is one of the most enjoyable amps I've ever played. Maybe it's a honeymoon period, but I know enough to know what works. The cleans are chewy, and it screams at my command. Maybe like my Matchless 30 years ago, it just does my sound. Because of the higher gain structure, it gets thick at lower volumes with the gain maxed. When you need more volume, just dial the gain back, and you've got everything with just a twist of your guitar volume. At my advanced age it's wonderful to be able to get excited over a new discovery like this. imgur.com/GskxGrFWelcome to the group, it's a great community.
I've got the MV Monza, in a 1x10 combo. It's just a beast, huge sound for a tiny footprint. I've always leaned on the MV and rarely (if ever) ran the amp with the MV wide open. Your post inspired me to try it that way; I bet there's tone yet to be discovered there.
What kind of speaker is in your Mesa cab? I've got a Z-10 in my combo and it sounds great.
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dr355
New Member
Posts: 48
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Post by dr355 on Jun 22, 2022 5:13:34 GMT -7
PS, I'd love the 1x10 combo. The 1x12 combo is too heavy for this old guy now. Smaller cab, 1x10 works great for me.
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Post by premiumplus (Dave) on Jun 22, 2022 6:50:50 GMT -7
PS, I'd love the 1x10 combo. The 1x12 combo is too heavy for this old guy now. Smaller cab, 1x10 works great for me. Yeah, I can relate to the age issue, I'll be 70 this summer.
Welcome to the group, and to Z amps. I heard my first Z down at Motor City Guitar as well, back in the late 90s, and I finally bought one back around 2013 or so. They're the best amps I have ever played, hands down...and they're like potato chips, one taste and you need more! In my case, they're also like rabbits; they keep multiplying...
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dr355
New Member
Posts: 48
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Post by dr355 on Jun 22, 2022 8:31:45 GMT -7
I hope not like that Jaguar Mike guy! I want to see his collection, it would be fun to meet if you're in the area. I do think I'll give in the a Z-28 someday. (67.5).
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dr355
New Member
Posts: 48
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Post by dr355 on Jun 27, 2022 9:33:53 GMT -7
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dr355
New Member
Posts: 48
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Post by dr355 on Jul 11, 2022 11:41:17 GMT -7
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Post by The Bad Poodle Experience on Jul 20, 2022 16:29:37 GMT -7
any audio or video? I've always had a curiosity about the Monza but audio/vid samples are scarce.
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Post by purpletele on Jul 20, 2022 18:17:49 GMT -7
I have never seen a guitar such as yours. What is the story on that axe?
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dr355
New Member
Posts: 48
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Post by dr355 on Jul 20, 2022 18:27:59 GMT -7
It's a 2008 Les Paul 50th Anniversary Tribute, 1 of around 100, but probably less. These are solid Korina, with the crazy Futura headstock. Mine is an amazing 7.5 lbs. I saw it new in 2008, and bought it this year when the owner finally returned it. It was expensive. There's one on Reverb.com I believe. It gets some great tones with 3 pickups to blend, or select. It certainly gets attention. imgur.com/J8MGnQ7
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dr355
New Member
Posts: 48
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Post by dr355 on Jul 20, 2022 18:29:38 GMT -7
I have never seen a guitar such as yours. What is the story on that axe? Forgot to quote your post! There it is up there! imgur.com/6wNa2Er
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Post by premiumplus (Dave) on Jul 21, 2022 5:46:34 GMT -7
That is a crazy cool guitar. I like the control arrangement, I bet you can get a nice variety of tones with the three pickups in blend mode.
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