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Post by donovantyler on Dec 1, 2022 16:43:05 GMT -7
I have a MAZ Sr 38 Reverb MkII and it's spectacular indeed!!! I play it at band rehearsal through a large, vertical 2x12 with Scumback J75-100 and M75-100 speakers. The Band ADORES it!
I also play a Victory Sheriff 44 (45 watts Plexi type amp) with that cab. The band LOVES it!
I'm usually at around 12oc on the volume and then around 2-3oc when we're very loud.
I have played my 5e3 (tweed deluxe) head in the band situation and it was mostly at noon to 5oc but it was just too Crazy Horse (mush). Kind of a one trick poney.
My Fuchs Blackjack 21 (20 watt) combo was loud enough but the 1x12 was just not enough punch when we were loud.
If i got a Ghia (18w) .. with the 2x12 at 8ohms would I be able to get over our loud bass player/vocalist and drummer.. Like I can with the bigger amps? I love the sound in the demos. (I think I'm an EL34 guy hehe). Will it be a lot of sonic overlap with my MAZ 38?
I've just not bonded with the tweed deluxe.. it's nice but it's very temperamental.. you've got to work it a lot to get your tone..and it seems to change it's mind between sessions. Hard to get any good clean sound .. you've to roll the volume back a lot on your guitar. I can sell that and get a used Carmen Ghia head.. is my thinking.
Will it have enough volume with the 2x12 in the rock band situation? How much clean headroom in a not so loud rock band situation? How does the sound compare with the big MAZ?
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Post by lowbudget on Dec 1, 2022 21:24:54 GMT -7
Like most things in life, the answer is “it depends”…
The Ghia is shockingly loud for 18 watts, and Z watts are louder than regular watts in the first place.
It’ll give all it’s got trying but in the end there’s no substitute for big glass and big iron.
I’d suggest taking the time to read every single post in the Ghia forum. Literally!
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Post by simpleton on Dec 1, 2022 21:50:22 GMT -7
With no 2nd guitarist I would think the Ghia will work for you….it will be more overdriven(if always loud), but Z amps don’t turn to mush like the tweed sound. The smaller transformer will be noticed I think compared to the MAZ 38.
The Ghia is a great amp…finding the right speaker for your desired sound is crucial.
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Post by John on Dec 2, 2022 4:32:05 GMT -7
If you're rehearsing with a Maz 38 and a 45 watt plexi style...then I have two comments: 1) I'm not sure a Ghia would be a good fit as you will loose headroom. If you were unhappy with a 5E3 because of not enough headroom, I doubt the Ghia would be much better. (Although I think the Ghia will have more headroom than the 5e3) 2) You guys must practice pretty loud.
Additional comment: You may think the vertical cabinet is so much louder...because you may be hearing the top speaker more because it's closer to your ears. I'm wondering if you laid it horizontal, would you still be able to hear it as well?
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Post by donovantyler on Dec 2, 2022 6:36:20 GMT -7
If you're rehearsing with a Maz 38 and a 45 watt plexi style...then I have two comments: 1) I'm not sure a Ghia would be a good fit as you will loose headroom. If you were unhappy with a 5E3 because of not enough headroom, I doubt the Ghia would be much better. (Although I think the Ghia will have more headroom than the 5e3) 2) You guys must practice pretty loud.
Additional comment: You may think the vertical cabinet is so much louder...because you may be hearing the top speaker more because it's closer to your ears. I'm wondering if you laid it horizontal, would you still be able to hear it as well?
Good points.. thank you! I always need my amp/speaker cab hitting me in the face as much as I can
Fwiw The vertical cab has a slanted baffle.. i'm about 6 feet in front of it. When I played my 1x12 there, i would put it up on blue milk crates ..but points are good.
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Post by donovantyler on Dec 2, 2022 7:16:19 GMT -7
I am concluding that the Ghia would be fun but maybe not the wisest choice for this rock band rehearsal situation. I would like to consider a good complimentary amp to my MAZ 38 (higher wattage). Which Dr. Z amp is higher watts and has more of a Ghia sound?? ..that is a different flavor than my MAZ??
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Post by nmz on Dec 2, 2022 7:52:16 GMT -7
Consider a Mazerati. Out of production but it is a higher wattage Ghia (35 watt). Several on the used market with good prices.
SRZ might be another consideration.
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Post by adam on Dec 2, 2022 7:53:35 GMT -7
I'm kind of hesitant to comment in that I don't want to send you off in the wrong direction. but... Ghia loud enough with 2x12 for your situation? I think so, but it's not going to have that clean oomph of power that the 38 has. I think it comes down to what you want to hear. It will be generally not be able to be as clean, but it can get plenty loud to play with a loud-ish band. That's me speaking to using a 4x12, and it sounds great in my marhsall 4x12 with v30's and g12h30's. Honestly, it can go too loud with that setup, but it sounds great, particularly with a strat or tele. Think crunchy when you dig in and roll back the guitar a little and it's quite clean at a similar volume. That "could' be the "it" if you tried it, but I don't think you'd know for sure without trying it. Higher power Z's - since you are looking at a used Ghia, I think a used Remedy could be the bomb. With a PAF Les Paul, you can basically be bone clean at louder than drummer volume. But it's a fantastic sound and very different from the 38 (if you are looking for a different flavor). That amp can also get crazy good distorted tones, but that's at really loud volume (mine doesn't have a master, but I think it's perfect as is and I don't want to mess with that). Someone on the forum was selling an older non master version for $900 a while back and I thought that was just a complete steal. If you were looking at current Z's, I don't think you could go wrong the new Z28. I had a prototype for a little while when it had 6v6's in it (I think), and it was pretty glorious and had a real 3d thing going with the sound, even in a 1x12 GB cab I was using. I can only imagine that the now beefed up power section really adds to the whole thing, and that combo version is beyond compelling. I'd throw the EMS in there too, but you probably have that covered in the Victory. So... I think you need to buy a used Ghia, a used Remedy, and a new Z28 combo. If something doesn't work out for you, sell it. Maybe just keep a lookout for the right deal on the used ones, and something will show up reasonable at some point. Good luck!
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Post by Chilly Gibbons (Todd T.) on Dec 2, 2022 9:10:14 GMT -7
Now, I don’t own one so take this for what it’s worth (at best $.02) but have you looked at the Jetta head? From what I read here and from demos, it’s plenty loud, strident, and will hold on to clean headroom for a good bit before giving up the goods, which are stellar. Do you get your drive sounds primarily from the amp or pedals?
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Post by donovantyler on Dec 3, 2022 4:28:42 GMT -7
I am concluding that the Ghia would be fun but maybe not the wisest choice for this rock band rehearsal situation. I would like to consider a good complimentary amp to my MAZ 38 (higher wattage). Which Dr. Z amp is higher watts and has more of a Ghia sound?? ..that is a different flavor than my MAZ?? ha ha… I was looking for a older Maserati, not the GT. None to be found. I just always love the sound of the Carmen Ghia… So I pulled the trigger. I suspect it will do OK in this band situation. When we're loud, I am not clean, so it should be OK and when we're not so loud, I think I can dial everything back to get a clean-ish tone. But the price was right and they're so damn cute and they sound so damn good!
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Post by donovantyler on Dec 3, 2022 4:44:38 GMT -7
I'm kind of hesitant to comment in that I don't want to send you off in the wrong direction. but... Ghia loud enough with 2x12 for your situation? I think so, but it's not going to have that clean oomph of power that the 38 has. I think it comes down to what you want to hear. It will be generally not be able to be as clean, but it can get plenty loud to play with a loud-ish band. That's me speaking to using a 4x12, and it sounds great in my marhsall 4x12 with v30's and g12h30's. Honestly, it can go too loud with that setup, but it sounds great, particularly with a strat or tele. Think crunchy when you dig in and roll back the guitar a little and it's quite clean at a similar volume. That "could' be the "it" if you tried it, but I don't think you'd know for sure without trying it. Higher power Z's - since you are looking at a used Ghia, I think a used Remedy could be the bomb. With a PAF Les Paul, you can basically be bone clean at louder than drummer volume. But it's a fantastic sound and very different from the 38 (if you are looking for a different flavor). That amp can also get crazy good distorted tones, but that's at really loud volume (mine doesn't have a master, but I think it's perfect as is and I don't want to mess with that). Someone on the forum was selling an older non master version for $900 a while back and I thought that was just a complete steal. If you were looking at current Z's, I don't think you could go wrong the new Z28. I had a prototype for a little while when it had 6v6's in it (I think), and it was pretty glorious and had a real 3d thing going with the sound, even in a 1x12 GB cab I was using. I can only imagine that the now beefed up power section really adds to the whole thing, and that combo version is beyond compelling. I'd throw the EMS in there too, but you probably have that covered in the Victory. So... I think you need to buy a used Ghia, a used Remedy, and a new Z28 combo. If something doesn't work out for you, sell it. Maybe just keep a lookout for the right deal on the used ones, and something will show up reasonable at some point. Good luck! Adam.. my man!!! I kind of ended up taking your advice here ha ha and pulled the trigger on a nice looking Carmin Ghia head for $999. Maybe you remember… I had a remedy, and it was a great amp, but I never super bonded with it like the MAZ 38! Maybe I am just an el84 guy? I looked for a used Mazerati (non GT) and none to be found. Strongly considered a Route 66 and a Perscription RX and Therapy and Z Wreck Sr (expensive) .. and z28 (22 watts .. who knew?) .. but none of those tones thrilled me like the Carmin Ghia ..so kind of a no brainer!? I am continuing my search for a used Maserati, non-GT and if I truly do find the CG under-powered in my situation, i'll just get that! for this band I am re-speaker ing my rock band cab from wgs alnico speakers (american voiced) to scumback 100watters check it out
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Post by adam on Dec 3, 2022 6:36:23 GMT -7
Congrats on the Ghia, and the cab looks cool. If you find that speaker cab/speaker combo doesn't quite work with the Ghia, try swapping one for a v30 if you have one lying around. I've kind of come to the conclusion that the only real way to figure out if you like an amp is to get your hands on it. Even then you might really like it, but it sounds like crap in a band context. Video demo's really only at best can give you a loose idea of what a piece of gear is all about, even if you just say lespaul and 57 on speaker no reverb or nothing on the recording, like if you put the mic here and play a Les Paul, it will sound like this. Like you try to be as honest as possible, but it doesn't really matter because even if the next guy was in the room with the same gear, they might like the sound, then hate it when they play it and it sounds all different. Rambling a bit, but after you see enough of a person playing, you can almost identify what pick they are using. It's just such a personal and unique thing playing guitar. The remedy thing is kind of funny, like I'm hesitant to say anything only to find out you had one and didn't like it. I guess that speaks a bit to my point of getting your hands on something. Or maybe my old 10+ year one with the original tubes just happens to be the bomb. Would be really curious to see how you get on with the Ghia... let us know, and thanks!
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Post by donovantyler on Dec 3, 2022 13:33:05 GMT -7
Congrats on the Ghia, and the cab looks cool. If you find that speaker cab/speaker combo doesn't quite work with the Ghia, try swapping one for a v30 if you have one lying around. I've kind of come to the conclusion that the only real way to figure out if you like an amp is to get your hands on it. Even then you might really like it, but it sounds like crap in a band context. Video demo's really only at best can give you a loose idea of what a piece of gear is all about, even if you just say lespaul and 57 on speaker no reverb or nothing on the recording, like if you put the mic here and play a Les Paul, it will sound like this. Like you try to be as honest as possible, but it doesn't really matter because even if the next guy was in the room with the same gear, they might like the sound, then hate it when they play it and it sounds all different. Rambling a bit, but after you see enough of a person playing, you can almost identify what pick they are using. It's just such a personal and unique thing playing guitar. The remedy thing is kind of funny, like I'm hesitant to say anything only to find out you had one and didn't like it. I guess that speaks a bit to my point of getting your hands on something. Or maybe my old 10+ year one with the original tubes just happens to be the bomb. Would be really curious to see how you get on with the Ghia... let us know, and thanks! I liked the remedy a lot. At the time I had it.. the project that I got it for ended up not happening, so I had no opportunity to use it, and certainly no opportunity to open it up. I wasn't playing the remedy at all… It just sat there, so I sold the remedy to acquire other gear (Iris acoustic guitar to play in church?) Now that I have an opportunity to play loud, the first higher watt amp that i acquired was the MAZ 38 mkii.. I just sensed that was going to be the most versatile, and very very rockin. i also got a Victory Sheriff 44 which is a spot on vintage Marshall JTM sound.. sure I would've preferred an EMS or a Friedman Small Box or a Bogner Helios, but this was a good deal and I'm liking it. i def think that i like the sound of el84 and el34 type amps.
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Post by donovantyler on Dec 4, 2022 6:10:54 GMT -7
Congrats on the Ghia, and the cab looks cool. If you find that speaker cab/speaker combo doesn't quite work with the Ghia, try swapping one for a v30 if you have one lying around. I've kind of come to the conclusion that the only real way to figure out if you like an amp is to get your hands on it. Even then you might really like it, but it sounds like crap in a band context. Video demo's really only at best can give you a loose idea of what a piece of gear is all about, even if you just say lespaul and 57 on speaker no reverb or nothing on the recording, like if you put the mic here and play a Les Paul, it will sound like this. Like you try to be as honest as possible, but it doesn't really matter because even if the next guy was in the room with the same gear, they might like the sound, then hate it when they play it and it sounds all different. Rambling a bit, but after you see enough of a person playing, you can almost identify what pick they are using. It's just such a personal and unique thing playing guitar. The remedy thing is kind of funny, like I'm hesitant to say anything only to find out you had one and didn't like it. I guess that speaks a bit to my point of getting your hands on something. Or maybe my old 10+ year one with the original tubes just happens to be the bomb. Would be really curious to see how you get on with the Ghia... let us know, and thanks! speaking of V30 speakers.. I was strongly considering those as I'm having a new cab built for me. It is vertical, slanted baffle 24 inches wide and 28 inches high and 12 inches deep. Wide just in case I ever get a full size head ha I debated so many speakers and I decided to go with G 12–65 and a GM 65 creamback on the bottom it's very cool looking. I will probably be playing the Carman Ghia through it mostly. li
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Post by adam on Dec 4, 2022 13:54:48 GMT -7
speaking of V30 speakers.. I was strongly considering those as I'm having a new cab built for me. It is vertical, slanted baffle 24 inches wide and 28 inches high and 12 inches deep. Wide just in case I ever get a full size head ha I debated so many speakers and I decided to go with G 12–65 and a GM 65 creamback on the bottom it's very cool looking. I will probably be playing the Carman Ghia through it mostly. I have a 65 and some creambacks, but never tried them together. Wasn't too enamored with the 65, but I think they are supposed to work great with 4 of them in a 4x12 which I can see. My only suggestion is if when you get the amp and cab going and aren't really enamored with it, try swapping one of the speakers with a v30. I'm not a big v30 fan in general, but they work really well with a Ghia even as a single 12. They also seem to combine well some other speakers as well, like I have an alnico cream with a v30 in a 2x12 which works well particularly for heavy stuff, and the v30's and h30's in a 4x12 is fantastic with a Ghia. That is a really loud cab in general, but boy does it sound great with the Ghia and can really go pretty damn loud. Funny thing about that is I sort of dislike the h30 and v30 by themselves, but together they are really something. I think Z uses that combo in the Z-best, or at least has offered that as stock at any given time. Curious if we can query DRZ or frankie about how the Ghia works with the Z-best cab? Those are some opinions I would really trust.
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Post by donovantyler on Dec 4, 2022 17:15:40 GMT -7
speaking of V30 speakers.. I was strongly considering those as I'm having a new cab built for me. It is vertical, slanted baffle 24 inches wide and 28 inches high and 12 inches deep. Wide just in case I ever get a full size head ha I debated so many speakers and I decided to go with G 12–65 and a GM 65 creamback on the bottom it's very cool looking. I will probably be playing the Carman Ghia through it mostly. I have a 65 and some creambacks, but never tried them together. Wasn't too enamored with the 65, but I think they are supposed to work great with 4 of them in a 4x12 which I can see. My only suggestion is if when you get the amp and cab going and aren't really enamored with it, try swapping one of the speakers with a v30. I'm not a big v30 fan in general, but they work really well with a Ghia even as a single 12. They also seem to combine well some other speakers as well, like I have an alnico cream with a v30 in a 2x12 which works well particularly for heavy stuff, and the v30's and h30's in a 4x12 is fantastic with a Ghia. That is a really loud cab in general, but boy does it sound great with the Ghia and can really go pretty damn loud. Funny thing about that is I sort of dislike the h30 and v30 by themselves, but together they are really something. I think Z uses that combo in the Z-best, or at least has offered that as stock at any given time. Curious if we can query DRZ or frankie about how the Ghia works with the Z-best cab? Those are some opinions I would really trust. I got the idea for the G 1265 and the GH 65 creamback from a demo that I saw online. I had cream backs before and they sound great but they were a little too "creamy" haha in this demo, they played each speaker by itself, and then both of them together, and then did the other speaker and then both of them together and mixed up what was being played, one speaker, and then both of them together, then the other speaker, and then both of them together, etc. I was really blown away with how well they sounded together! I am not only gonna play the Ghia through this cab.. and I will keep in mind a V30 for sure. It's not that difficult to just replace one speaker right? Ha ha could be a lot of fun.
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Post by frankie on Dec 5, 2022 13:26:23 GMT -7
M65 Creamback is going to be likely too dark for a Ghia. A Z Best works great with a Ghia if you are going with 2x12.
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Post by G'OlPeachPhan on Dec 7, 2022 9:02:30 GMT -7
What brand of rock music?
I’ve found the Ghia tends to be an amp that can get along pretty easily with a wider-than-usual variety of cabs and speakers (thanks to that unique and deceptively simple-yet-effective tone control). Since speakers are such a relatively impactful and cost effective way to dial in your tone, my suggestion is just to try a bunch until you hit the winner. Only downside to taking this journey is shipping cost often means it’s not terribly practical to deal with selling off any you don’t get along with, but I find that a good excuse to build a personal speaker arsenal, which turns out to be a pretty good companion to any lifelong tone tweaker.
Not to go against the mothership, but I really like an M65 Creamback with a Ghia, and that was the speaker Humbucker Music recommended when I ordered my Z 1x12 convertible cab for my Ghia. I also really like a V30 in a 1x12, as well as a V30 + M65 Creamback in a 2x12. All depends on application. A Z-Best with V30/H30 turns a Ghia into an even larger beast.
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Post by Jaguarguy (Mike) on Dec 7, 2022 9:12:27 GMT -7
Congrats on your "new" Ghia. I'm kinda partial to them myself.
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Post by donovantyler on Dec 11, 2022 8:56:54 GMT -7
got my Ghia head... wow, so versatile! sounds great through my 1x12 with a Scumback M55-65 PVC (think 65watt vintage Paul Kossoff celestion greenback) Great clean sounds and (it do kuntry) the OD on it is delicious. It does a great Bad Finger No Matter What with volume at 3oc!!!
i've only played it through my attenuator but can't wait to plug it into my large, vertical 2x12 and turn it up for realz!!
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Post by Jaguarguy (Mike) on Dec 11, 2022 9:25:00 GMT -7
Congrats! A great amp!
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Post by donovantyler on Dec 11, 2022 12:16:32 GMT -7
I think I like it as much as the MAZ
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Post by premiumplus (Dave) on Dec 11, 2022 18:10:53 GMT -7
got my Ghia head... wow, so versatile! sounds great through my 1x12 with a Scumback M55-65 PVC (think 65watt vintage Paul Kossoff celestion greenback) Great clean sounds and (it do kuntry) the OD on it is delicious. It does a great Bad Finger No Matter What with volume at 3oc!!! i've only played it through my attenuator but can't wait to plug it into my large, vertical 2x12 and turn it up for realz!! So is it going to be loud enough? I know mine doesn't need any help to blow the rest of my Big Band away, the Ghia is a great amp.
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Post by donovantyler on Dec 11, 2022 19:03:16 GMT -7
i haven't been able to take it off the attenuator at the house.. with our new baby😁👍 it seems pretty dang loud and if you don't turn the tone past noon , it says surprisingly clean (ish) AWESOME tone! i think that i like it as much as my MAZ. i've got two awesome sounding Z amps now!! the OD/cranked tone seems to have this modulation quality to it. what is that? do you know what i'm talking about?
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Post by premiumplus (Dave) on Dec 12, 2022 7:38:14 GMT -7
I think you're hearing the revered Z amp harmonics and overtones at play there.
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Post by G'OlPeachPhan on Dec 12, 2022 8:22:41 GMT -7
I think you're hearing the revered Z amp harmonics and overtones at play there. Ghias add a natural, unique, dimensional ‘swirl’ and character to your tone, producing a highly interactive living/breathing quality unmatched by any other amp I have played. Ghias are addictively compelling amps that produce complex tones from genius-level simplicity. Enjoy the ride!
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Post by donovantyler on Dec 16, 2022 16:37:20 GMT -7
i've been playing it today through my avatar 1x12 with a scumback M55-65 PVC. .. just amazingly complete tone! albeit i have only been playing the CG through a Weber MASS Mini attenuator, simply making small adjustments with the tone and volume knobs to produce a wide pallet from sparkling clean chime to crunch to singing sustain. Today i settled on a thickish clean tone and the GC played with my various OD and reverb pedals like they were built into the amp! Like my MAZ 38 ... i feel like i could play any situation with this amp. super duper thrilled!!
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Post by adam on Dec 16, 2022 22:08:03 GMT -7
I find when I play mine, and play it for a while in particular, I can't put the guitar down, and I've never really been able to figure that one out. That's with the amp set really low too, which I think the Ghia does extremely well. It's kind of like I start discovering different nuances of the guitar depending on how I pick or mute or whatever, and then another 30 minutes go by. And it doesn't really sound like anything else.
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Post by John on Dec 17, 2022 5:15:49 GMT -7
You may find, as time goes on....that there's a transfer of tonal control.....from an amp's controls/switches/knobs....to your fingers and guitar volume pot. And don't be afraid to experiment with the guitar's tone control...that thing next to the volume knob that we guitar players usually ignore. When I had my ghia, I would set the amp just a little bright, but roll back the guitar's tone (just a tiny bit) to compensate. So if I needed a moment of real brightness, it was there.
Same goes for the Ghia's volume pot. I would setup the amp for quite a bit of overdrive, but back off the guitar's volume control. Most of the time, I would play with the guitar's volume pot between 4-7. If I need a moment of heavy overdrive, just crank up the guitar volume knob all the way up.
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Post by helmi on Dec 17, 2022 6:49:37 GMT -7
And don't be afraid to experiment with the guitar's tone control...that thing next to the volume knob that we guitar players usually ignore. I always wondered what that thingy-ma-bob was. thank you for clearing that up.
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