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Post by warrenz on Nov 2, 2023 16:46:00 GMT -7
Hi all,
I’ve sold myself on one of these 2 amps, and would like your help. The Caz is new, and likely my preferred choice, however there’s a used EMS locally that would save me about 30% compared to the CAZ. Any advice from owners, or those who have spent time with both?
I’m covered for cleans (I have 2 vintage Traynors) but I’m looking for an amp that can offer medium to higher gain flavours.
Appreciate any advice you can offer. W
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Post by adam on Nov 2, 2023 17:42:20 GMT -7
For straight up high gain, CAZ. EMS will do lower/medium gain an clean better (to me). Watch out for the X-Ray if you like cranked up Vox sounds at really any volume.
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Post by RickJames on Nov 2, 2023 18:12:14 GMT -7
For the most organic sound, in high gain…….a pedal may be a must……
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Post by doctorice on Nov 3, 2023 4:48:00 GMT -7
For straight up high gain, CAZ. EMS will do lower/medium gain an clean better (to me). Watch out for the X-Ray if you like cranked up Vox sounds at really any volume. I have a CAZ. It will do "cleanish" and a lot more. I have no EMS experience, but adam knows both amps well. (Althoug I don't have an EMS, I do have a Remedy and an Antidote, two of Z's other Marshall-oriented amps. The CAZ is different and complementary.)
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Post by adam on Nov 3, 2023 5:45:15 GMT -7
I feel like I get myself in trouble sometimes voicing my opinions, but we are all very different and just hear and want to hear and feel things differently from one another. Like you might hear some say "here's my clean tone" and that might be anything but "to me". (here goes...) to me, CAZ excels at medium to high gain, EMS excels at clean to medium gain. Clean side of Antidote, EMS, and Remedy really aren't all that far from each other, but they start to separate a lot more when the amps start getting pushed and then they are completely different "to me". Playing clean on a CAZ just wouldn't be my first choice, but it works and could be just the ticket for someone else. But hey, I like the clean sounds on a jc-120.
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Post by ME on Nov 3, 2023 5:46:59 GMT -7
I’d say it sort of depends on the gain you are looking for… I’ve not played an EMS, but I have owned a Route 66, an Antidote, a CAZ45 , and currently own a Remedy (and a Nova). The CAZ45 is an American sounding gain to me, more “modern”. I enjoyed playing to CAZ45, but in the end, I didn’t enjoy playing it as much as I did the Remedy. The Remedy is more like home to me. The EMS is supposed to get a higher gain sound than any of the Dr Z amps that are more Marshall in tone and gain style. It is, by design, lower gain than the CAZ45. I’d think a pedal will get you to the higher gain of the CAZ45, but the base tone will be different. I’d put the choice down to the music you are wanting to play and whether you want to use pedals to get to your sound. ME
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Post by tumeniamps (Tom) on Nov 3, 2023 9:27:42 GMT -7
Just one man's opinion here and I speak from my experience (with both amps) only. I currently own 25 Z's, so take that for what it's worth. JUMP on that EMS.
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Post by warrenz on Nov 3, 2023 10:00:36 GMT -7
Just one man's opinion here and I speak from my experience (with both amps) only. I currently own 25 Z's, so take that for what it's worth. JUMP on that EMS. Thanks all - appreciate your advice! Not surprising, people recommend both. Thanks for the colour on what they both offer. Both can deliver what I'm after. Given the feedback, I'm inclined to agree tumeniamps (Tom); with no clear standout winner, and if the EMS can save me ~30%, that's likely the way to go. Part of me feels bad, in a way, of not being able to support the Doc with buying a new amp (I've never actually bought a new amp). But these amps are built to be heirloom pieces, which gives me more confidence in moving ahead with the used item, while saving some meaningful cash in the process. Thanks again guys. W
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Post by tumeniamps (Tom) on Nov 3, 2023 11:38:14 GMT -7
Just one man's opinion here and I speak from my experience (with both amps) only. I currently own 25 Z's, so take that for what it's worth. JUMP on that EMS. Thanks all - appreciate your advice! Not surprising, people recommend both. Thanks for the colour on what they both offer. Both can deliver what I'm after. Given the feedback, I'm inclined to agree tumeniamps (Tom); with no clear standout winner, and if the EMS can save me ~30%, that's likely the way to go. Part of me feels bad, in a way, of not being able to support the Doc with buying a new amp (I've never actually bought a new amp). But these amps are built to be heirloom pieces, which gives me more confidence in moving ahead with the used item, while saving some meaningful cash in the process. Thanks again guys. W You can't lose either way, both are wonderful amps!
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Post by pcns on Nov 3, 2023 15:26:39 GMT -7
I was thinking about the used EMS too. Buy it. If it's not your bag you can resell it easily. There are not many used CAZ out there and a used EMS is rare bird too. I own both amps and would describe them this way. EMS is awesome CAZ is awesome probably not very helpful! Seriously though, the EMS is just what it's billed as. A very good and very versatile Marshall. 3 Marshall's in one box. It does all the classic voices from the 60's, 70' and 80's. Put a pedal in front of it and get anything you want. The switchable rectifier is brilliant and really let's you do a lot with the amp. The CAZ is more modern voice. It's a little more scooped in tone compared to the EMS. The CAZ has 3 ways to dial in gain, grit and sustain. The CAZ is a little more work to dial in but is super yummy when get there. Player tip from Dr Z. When you are turning the knobs you need to make a move, wait and then listen. Move a knob, wait and the listen. Every turn of the dial affects everything else and you need to give it a second or two rebalance. I am sure there is a very technical explanation but when told me this I was in the middle of devouring a stacked corn beef sandwich so I may have been a little distracted! Enjoy the tone quest!! God bless, Todd Pro Cables N Sound Greenville Pickups
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Post by Chilly Gibbons (Todd T.) on Nov 4, 2023 6:05:16 GMT -7
Don’t own either, but both are hand wired and tough as nails, as are all Zs. Whether you want the Marshall flavor or the modern, you will avoid PCBs and surface mounted parts that are a pain in the butt to work on. Either amp will be a total score from a reliability and sonic journey standpoint. You can’t make the wrong choice because these isn’t a wrong choice.
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