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Post by cpa2guitar on Jun 16, 2012 19:55:42 GMT -7
It's always sad to let a Z go, but sometime, for some of us, that's the way it is. I've thought about selling my Z Wreck several times...even listed it one time. But I don't think I'll ever bring myself to do it. Like you Kirk, it is a LOUD sucker....but my Remedy is LOUDER!! And STOUTER! ;D I'm not playing anywhere that I could use either of these tone monsters right now, but I love it LOUD at home!! The Z Wreck is such a glorious ride... I know you'll miss it. Interesting about the Remedy, Mark. Yes, I wish it was quieter, but when I put it on half power and set the Brake Lite to 4, it is only a little too loud, whereas the Z-Wreck was WAY TOO LOUD. When you say our Remedy is louder than your Z-Wreck, is that with it on half power?
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Post by cpa2guitar on Jun 15, 2012 17:01:38 GMT -7
Well, I am now Wreck-less. With some angst and a twinge of sadness, I have traded the best amp I ever plugged into. I love the Z-Wreck, but could not work around how loud it is. When I had the Z-Wreck volume cranked to 2:00 or better, even with the Brake Lite set to 4, the amp was still loud. I've played a number of gigs where I would never be able to play at that volume, so the amp is just not for me; notwithstanding how fine it is.
If anyone is looking for a used Z-Wreck, call Guitar Resurrection in Austin, Texas.
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Post by cpa2guitar on Jun 15, 2012 16:51:49 GMT -7
Sorting out this issue of my amps being too loud, I finally got off the fence and made a decision. With the Brake Lite, the Remedy is just a bit too loud, so I can work around the volume issue (based on recommendations received here, I have a greenback coming, so maybe that will bring the volume down just enough to completely solve the issue). Anyway, with it being just a bit too loud and sounding so good, I just cannot see parting with it.
The Z-Wreck is the best amp I ever plugged into, but it was sitting idle due to the volume issue, which I was unable to resolve, so I traded it. That amp is so fine it was not an easy decision to make, but I did it. I will post what I traded it for in the Other Amps section.
If anyone is looking for a used Z-Wreck, call Guitar Resurrection in Austin, Texas.
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Post by cpa2guitar on Jun 9, 2012 14:28:13 GMT -7
I recently bought a Z wreck and kinda had the same issue. It was without a doubt the best amp id ever owned. I wanted to run the volume around noonish, bass and treble not too far off from that. Thats where i thought it sounded best, but it was insanely loud! I wanted it to gig with it at that setting. It was just too loud for the smaller places i play. I used the brake light with it and it was still pretty loud, and the 3rd and 4th setting on the BL just took all the balls and touch sensitivity away. So I shed a tear and sent it back in exchange for a Remedy which has the half power switch. The switch works great btw! To me its much easier to tame with the BL. Its warmer and darker sounding but its still a great amp. NOW, on top of my MAZ 18, and my Remedy, I found a used EZG 50 for a great price, its in the mail! Its prob gonna be way to loud too, but i have 2 new Dr Z heads for about the same price as i had in the Z Wreck. This may not help at all, but I am excited and wanted to share jmoore83, Thanks, so now I know two people - you and Steve - who unloaded the Z-Wreck for the same reason. Knowing this helps, as I am moving in that direction, but the notion of selling the best amp I have ever owned keeps hanging me up. I unusually am decisive, if anything, too much so, but I've almost never found myself in this situation. Years ago I quit a job for all the right reasons, but I liked that job. My reasons for leaving were family related, not career related. I regretted that decision so much I promised myself I would never again quit a job that I liked. This situation with the Z-Wreck is somewhat the same - unloading an amp that I really like. I may just have to get over this and acknowledge it's a great amp, but not for how I am currently using it. If I get to giggin' again in a year or two, as I plan, I can always go back and buy another Z-Wreck if I am playing the venues that will pemit its volume.
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Post by cpa2guitar on Jun 9, 2012 14:18:27 GMT -7
Two words: Maz Jr. If you've never played through one...you'll be shocked. (maybe even a Ghia) John, My first Dr. Z was a Maz 18, and I just could not bond with it. My two electrics at that time - a 1972 Les Paul Recording Model and a 1980 Strat with original pickups - just seemed to have too low of an output signal to make the Maz 18 sing. Admittedly, this was before I knew anything about attenuators, so perhaps that would have made a difference. This experience does make me hesitant to go back to a Maz. But let me ask you John. You use the Remedy with greenbacks, and based on advice from you, Steve, and others, I traded my Dr Z 1X12 with a V30 for the same cabinet with a greenback, to lower the volume. It should be here in about three weeks. So, since you are a big fan of the Remedy, and knowing that I am also, do you think I could make the Maz 8 work for me? I like the low wattage, and maybe that, in conjunction with a brake lite, would do it for me. Your thoughts?
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Post by cpa2guitar on Jun 9, 2012 14:08:12 GMT -7
Tough call on the decision to keep or not the ZW. I don't really have opportunities to play mine at gigs, but I won't let it go. Some guys are using two Brake Lites in series to tame volume on various Z amps. Yes - Steve wrote about that, but in an e-mail exchange, Steve told me that he had not checked whether that could be harmful to the amp, and suggested I check that out. To that end, I posted the question to Myles on May 16 in Ask the Experts. Here is part of his response: " DO NOT use two attenuators as the resistance will be improper. This will also alter the tone even more." Unfortunate, as I had hoped this would provide a solution.
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Post by cpa2guitar on Jun 9, 2012 13:55:52 GMT -7
Not what I am looking for, as I don't use pedals, but I am waiting to see what the doctor might come out with next. One of the other forum members said it on another thread, and it was so spot on I will repeat it here: Great tone is a journey, not a destination. Some of the purchases I have made in the last year have worked out brilliantly (the Remedy), some not so much (the Z-Wreck, best amp I've ever owned but just too loud for the way I use it). So, I think it's time to take another side road on this journey for great tone.
The only thing I know for sure is that the good doctor will undoubtedly come up with the right pills for my tone ills.
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Post by cpa2guitar on Jun 8, 2012 18:09:45 GMT -7
Todd,
Thanks for posting that clip! Nothing like hearing side by side comparisons, holding all but one variable constant. What I mainly learned is that I have a real opportunity for some sonic improvement, since most of my cabs have V-30s, and now I know the V-30 is one of my least favorite Celestion speakers. It sounded kind of "buzzy" to me, for lack of a better word.
Did not care for the Celestion T75 either. It sounded closed in.
The G12M 70 did not do much for me either, though I cannot explain why. It's a lot easier to have a positive or negative impression than it is to identify why the impression was good or bad.
I kind of liked the G12H 30; it had a decent sound.
Definitely liked the Greenback. Having now heard it, I understand why John likes it.
The Celestion Gold surprised me. Having read so many positive comments about it on this forum, I expected to be blown away by it; I wasn't. I definitely prefer the Greenback to the Gold. Well, I guess the world would be boring if we all liked the same things.
This video and John's and Bryan's constructive posts have been most helpful. Thank you.
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Post by cpa2guitar on Jun 5, 2012 21:02:40 GMT -7
About 18 months ago or so I bought a new Remedy head (already had a Z-Best cabinet) and a Brake Lite SA. This was the first amp with which I ever used an attenuator. The tone of the Remedy blew me away, and the BL preserved most of that tone as it brought the volume down to somewhat reasonable levels. Soon afterward I ordered a Z-Wreck, which I also love. To my ears, the Z-Wreck is the best amp that I have ever played. So what's the dilemma? You may or may not have read some of my other posts on this forum where I have complained (respectfully I hope) about my Dr. Z amps being too loud. With the BL, the Remedy is just a little too loud, so I am able to play the amp around the house until the family goes to bed or decides they want to watch a chick flick (I have a wife and two daughters). Still, I find myself wishing I could bring the volume down just a bit more. The Z-Wreck is a different story. Even playing the Z-Wreck clean at its lowest volume, I still need the BL to bring the volume down a little. When the Z-Wreck is cranked for great distortion, the BL does not even come close to taming it. So... lately I have been noticing that I play the Remedy regularly, but I rarely fire up the Z-Wreck. The volume issue is a big part of this, no doubt, but I think there is something else going on as well. The Remedy lets me dial in just about any rock, blues, or blues/rock tone that I could ever want, and it sings with both humbuckers and single coils. I still prefer the tone of the Z-Wreck, but I am beginning to think I have too much money tied up in the Z-Wreck for it to not be played often. So my question is: Is anyone else here encountering this? I think I read that Steve sold his Z-Wreck for a similar reason, but perhaps I am not remembering correctly. It will be difficult for me to sell an amp that sounds as good as a Z-Wreck - it's the best amp I have ever owned - but that great tone really does not matter when the amp sets idle while I plug into something else. If I sell the Z-Wreck, am I going to be kicking myself six months from now? Your thoughts? Thanks,
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Post by cpa2guitar on Jun 3, 2012 15:35:49 GMT -7
Welcome Nigel. You've picked a very useful pair of amps there (all you folks who've seen this twenty times, turn away now): Steve, that's a great pic, but you need to take another one with your Grosh Bent Top in the shot. Nigel, welcome to the Dr. Z family. You have picked two great amps. I have a Remedy, and have never had an amp give me better rock, blues, and blues/rock tones. It's awesome.
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Post by cpa2guitar on Jun 2, 2012 20:47:19 GMT -7
Bryan,
Thank you for that informative and helpful post. I appreciate it.
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Post by cpa2guitar on Jun 1, 2012 19:10:56 GMT -7
Yeah they are great speakers! I flip flop on selling my 4x12 all the time. I'm not doing a band band anymore and my combos are plenty loud for my duo that I do with my son, so the 4x12 is turned around with a towel over it and holds the recorder, head phones and picks. But, watch. If I sold it the metal player down the road would come over and say,"dude I have a gig booked and the band can't make it. Want to work up those punk/hardcore songs again and go play it?" We did it 8 moths or so ago and it was pretty cool in a very raw fashion. Point is I wouldn't be able to do it with a combo alone. Greens rule. In my case EVH 20 watt Blackbacks So, asattwanger, other than getting your tone at lower volume, what do the greenbacks do for you that you like so much?
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Post by cpa2guitar on Jun 1, 2012 19:02:17 GMT -7
In the "10" Gold is still King..." thread, John posted a very interesting comparison of three different speakers with his Ghia head (I really appreciate posts like that and the folks who take the time to do the comparisons and post the results). So I hope John or some of the other folks on this great forum can answer a few speaker questions for me.
First, could someone give me a general idea of the differences, advantages, and disadvantages of: 1) the Celestion gold, which I see so highly praised on this forum; compared with 2) the Celestion blue, which 65 Amps recommends for their heads; compared with 3) the V-30, which is what I mostly have in my cabs; compared with 4) a greenback, which I have on order based on some recommendations I have received on this forum? I'm hoping someone can do sort of a "compare and contrast" of these four speakers.
Second, has anyone done a comparison of running two 1 X 12 cabinets versus running one 2 X 12? The greenback that I ordered is in Dr. Z's convertible 1 X 12, and will be replacing the V-30 that I have in my current Dr. Z 1 X 12, but I got to thinking: If this greenback accomplishes what I am hoping, should I think about putting greenbacks in by Z-Best cabinet, or just buy another 1 X 12 with a greenback when I start playing out again in the next year or two.
I know there are a number of fellow Z-Talk forum members who have forgotten more about this subject than I will ever know, and your help will be greatly appreciated.
Thanks,
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Post by cpa2guitar on May 30, 2012 17:35:48 GMT -7
If this has already been answered elsewhere, please excuse me for missing it and asking the question.
What is the tonal difference in a V30 versus a gold versus a blue?
Thanks,
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Post by cpa2guitar on May 30, 2012 17:30:38 GMT -7
Based on recommendations I received here from fellow Z forum members, I am trying a greenback with the Remedy to see how it sounds and how it reduces volume. Yes, I realize I am going to have to tread lightly or I'll blow it, but if it works well, I'll have to seriously think about expanding my use of greenbacks.
To that end, I worked out a trade with Fat Sound Guitars to trade my Dr. Z convertible cab (has a removable back for closed- or open-back use) that has a V-30 for a new one he has ordered from the good doctor for me with a greenback. Yes, I could have ordered a greenback speaker and swapped it out, but I am also changing tolex (from black to beige or ivory or whatever they call that color), so for the money, it just made sense to trade, avoid the hassle, and make the missus happy (the black tolex does not meet the WAF).
So, if anyone is looking for a deal on a 1X12, call Mike Gallow at Fat Sound Guitars.
I would have posted this in Buy, Sell & Trade, but since I am not the seller, I wasn't sure whether to put it there or here.
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Post by cpa2guitar on May 30, 2012 17:09:49 GMT -7
I have a McKnight Mini Mac loaded with a K&K Pure Western Mini transducer system. I don't have an acoustic amplification system, but I plugged the Mini Mac into my Bogner 20th Anniversary Shiva, which has extraordinary clean tone and built in reverb, and plugged that head into my Bogner Ubercab (4 X 12). After hearing what I could dial in, I never plan to purchase an acoustic amp. Yes - it is a bit off-the-wall and die-hard acoustic players will probably laugh at me the first time I play out with this rig, but the laughing will stop as soon as they hear the sound.
Who'd a thought...
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Post by cpa2guitar on May 26, 2012 10:09:19 GMT -7
Man, is your spouse a keeper or what! It takes a special woman to be a musician's wife. ... unless she's a drummer, like mine!!!! Tons of tone!! lol... I'm not sure whether you are suggesting her being a drummer is a good or bad thing.
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Post by cpa2guitar on May 26, 2012 10:01:04 GMT -7
I'm new here and have just purchased a Route 66 used. I'm trying the Brake Lite out for a bit, but I may eventually do the VVR3 thing. I've done the original VVR on a "cathode biased" 30w tweed amp and love it. I've had discussions with Hall Amplification (VVR3) and SkipZcircuits (VVRFX) and they both say that I can easily scale either the whole amp or PI/Power section of that amp. It's basically the same design as the Z28 with KT66 power tubes (yes it's even louder). If you post a question to these guys they can help you out. You have to consider where the extra parts will fit ... different designs. Here's my recent thread on it ... but I'm going to continue to try the Brake Lite first. ztalk.proboards.com/index.cgi?action=display&board=route&thread=49294&page=1I have both a Brake Lite and an Aracom. The Aracom was a bad purchase, as it jacks with the tone something awful. The Brake Lite, on the other hand, does a great job of preserving the tone. The only problem I have with it is that with my Remedy set on half power, it is still a little too loud. Other than that, it's great, so you are right to wait until you see how you like the BL.
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Post by cpa2guitar on May 24, 2012 21:39:23 GMT -7
Man, is your spouse a keeper or what! It takes a special woman to be a musician's wife.
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Post by cpa2guitar on May 24, 2012 21:35:39 GMT -7
Well, I want to thank everyone for the advice, insights, and comments. Perhaps something along the lines of a 15 watt Remedy with a half power switch that would still have 90 percent of that fantastic tone at 7.5 watts is a bit much to hope for. One of the posts said this would take an engineering feat, and I am not qualified to disagree.
Then again, how many awesome things have been accomplished because some bright engineer had the audacity to say, "That's impossible... but I wonder..."
If anyone does build it, I'm buying it, and I won't mind paying a premium for it.
Thanks again everyone,
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Post by cpa2guitar on May 21, 2012 18:02:14 GMT -7
Congratulations rockulus and jmoore83! Can't really add much to what's already been said by others here, except that I cannot imagine a universe in which I would sell this amp, unless it involved financial ruin. The amp is that good. Loud, but really good. Wrecking Crew??? (lol) I love it. Think I'll log off, grab my Grosh, and get Wrecked.
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Post by cpa2guitar on May 19, 2012 22:51:30 GMT -7
I had a Laz Z.....boy. We recently replaced it with a new sectional. Suddenly I don't feel so bad about my Delorean crack on the other thread.
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Post by cpa2guitar on May 19, 2012 22:48:18 GMT -7
What ever happened to those Eminence Flux Density Modulation speakers... I thought they got installed in a Delorean to enable time travel. ;D
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Post by cpa2guitar on May 18, 2012 6:29:35 GMT -7
Thanks gentlemen.
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Post by cpa2guitar on May 18, 2012 6:11:26 GMT -7
Myles, I love the tone of my Remedy, but it is too loud, even with a Brake Lite, for playing around the house after the family has gone to bed. It was suggested by benttop that I use two Brake Lites on the Remedy. Is this okay, or can it cause the Remedy potential problems? Thanks, You are using the wrong tool for the job ... playing in the house when folks are sleeping .... The use of a less efficient speaker in a 1x12 or 1x10 cab will help but ultimately use a much lower wattage amp. DO NOT use two attenuators as the resistance will be improper. This will also alter the tone even more. Bottom line - if you want to play in the house when folks are sleeping you need a different amp or you can pile carpet and blankets over a small speaker cabinet and live with tone like that. You can also find an old GT Speaker Emulator and drive a set of headphones as one more option. Thanks Myles. That's what I needed to know. I understand when you say the wrong tool for the job, but it's kind of a shame, because the tone of the Remedy is so dead on.
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Post by cpa2guitar on May 16, 2012 18:57:47 GMT -7
Myles,
I love the tone of my Remedy, but it is too loud, even with a Brake Lite, for playing around the house after the family has gone to bed. It was suggested by benttop that I use two Brake Lites on the Remedy. Is this okay, or can it cause the Remedy potential problems?
Thanks,
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Post by cpa2guitar on May 16, 2012 18:50:17 GMT -7
Both savage8190 and benttop have suggested I consider switching from V-30s to greenbacks to lower the volume of my Remedy. I never really made a decision to use V-30s; I just bought amps from Dr. Z and one from Bogner, along with some cabs, and V-30s was what came in the cabs. I'm afraid I am speaker ignorant, so am asking for some help.
I have read some positive posts about greenbacks but don't know anything about them, so my questions are:
1. How does the sound from a greenback differ from the sound of a V-30? What are trade offs switching from V-30s to greenbacks?
2. Why do we see more amps being produced today using V-30s than greenbacks?
3. Are there other speakers beside greenbacks that would lower the amps volume that I should consider?
Thanks,
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Post by cpa2guitar on May 16, 2012 18:36:03 GMT -7
If you're using V30's now and switch to Greenbacks, you will see the same volume drop as if you had changed to an amp with half the power you now have. That is significant drop. I must look into this, and I think I am in need of being educated about speakers.
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Post by cpa2guitar on May 16, 2012 18:01:04 GMT -7
Fair point, Kirk. Cheers for being a Z player. To reiterate, no ill thoughts or feelings were intended for you. I sincerely apologize if you felt as though I was aiming at you... Thanks, fevzay - I appreciate the clarification. It's all good. Thinking about paying $2,000 for a low wattage amplifier, perhaps I'm the exception and not the rule, but paying $2,000 for a 15 watt amp with a half power switch does not seem out of line to me if it is well built and has great tone. Here's how I see it: The Maz 18 I owned was just 18 watts, but it was more than loud enough to hold its own in a mid-sized club. Back in the late '70s my band played the mid-west circuit, which included The Opera House in Dodge City, Kansas. I don't know if The Opera House is still there, but it was a good sized club and back then I played a little Lab Series L-5. That Lab Series was by no means a tone monster - though I could dial in decent tone - but it was able to fill up The Opera House with sound, and the Maz 18 is certainly louder than that little L-5 used to be. Back 25 years ago when I lived in Fort Worth my band had a monthly gig at the SPJST lodge in Burleson. Twice we played New Years Eve there with 500 to 550 people attending both times, and my little Lab Series L-5 was more than enough for the gig, and as I said, the Lab Series could not keep up with the volume of the Maz 18. So I'm thinking a 15 watt Dr. Z amp would be loud enough for almost all of the clubs that I would ever play, yet on half power with a Brake Lite, it would (hopefully) still deliver that great tone but at a level tolerable for playing around the house, or a small club. And speaking of small clubs, when I lived in Fort Worth, we also occasionally played The Hop, which is by the TCU campus. It was very popular but very small, so we had to play quiet. The Lab Series handled that also as it had a built in compressor/limiter that helped me control the volume at The Hop or country club dances where we also had to play quiet. So, an amp that would be loud enough for mid-sized clubs but quiet enough for rehearsals and even playing around the house - wow - not only would I be willing to buy it at a price typical of what Dr. Z charges for his amps, but I would also be willing to pay a premium due to the amp's versatility. But perhaps I'm the exception. As I have written before, the Remedy with a Brake Lite almost gets me there, it just needs to be a bit quieter. There have been some good suggestions in this thread (e.g., adding a second Brake Lite or switching from V-30s to green backs) that I will have to consider to tame the Remedy, as I really love the way that amp sounds.
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Post by cpa2guitar on May 15, 2012 21:31:58 GMT -7
I see by your sig you're using mostly V30's...ever try a less efficient speaker? There is quite a volume difference between my V30's and my Greenbacks. Also, I run and EHX Signal Pad right at the end of my chain. Its like having an extra volume knob between you're pedals and your amp. I usually only run my signal about half way at home and it works great. That's an interesting suggestion. Someone else, I don't remember who, also suggested this. I will have to look into it. Could you give me some idea about the magnitude of the reduction in volume? Thanks,
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