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Post by deltone on May 26, 2006 20:48:12 GMT -7
Hello all! I'm new to the forum and though I've not had the privilege to experience a Z amp in person, I'm really impressed with the tones I've been hearing through the Internet. As a result, I hope to acquire a Z amp shortly, if possible. Here's my question, or the dilemma I hope to resolve: For amps without a built-in effects loop, how do you go about setting up an effects loop to run time-based effects (delay, tremolo, etc.) after the amp instead of in-line between the guitar and amp, without modifying the amp itself and preferably not at the mixing console and having to rely on a sound person for the right effect at the right time? I've always heard that delay, etc., is best run after the amp/speaker, but I'm not sure how to accomplish that. Thanks in advance!
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Post by Telemanic on May 27, 2006 11:22:27 GMT -7
Deltone, welcome to the forum. You'll enjoy it here, lot o fun, and there is a tremendous amount of resources availible from other members and the experts that avail themselves to the site. I hope you are able to grab a Z, you'll be hooked, and they sound even better in Person !! As for the loop, The Doc will put a loop in certain models, upon request. Others, like say the Rt.66 for example, have such a simple signal path, that its almost a shame to put any additional circuitry in there, IMHO. The simplicity and immediacy of those circuits are part of the magic that makes them what they are. That being said, you can always ask the doc what he would do for ya. There for sure is more than one way to skin a cat, and many people have used time based effects on the front end, with great results. It really just depends on a lot of factors, regarding your particular rig. I would say it's more about trial and error, and experimentation, than locking yourself into a general rule, so to speak. Some effects do well in an amp loop, and others dont. Some will sound better in the front end. I know a number of guys really like their Holy grails right into the front end of their Z's. One thing to remember is that the Z amps will take pedals better than a LOT of amps on the market! If it is a must, then i really know no other way other than a Mod. Youll see a lot of MAZ 18's and 38's with the effects loop option, and it is a VERY versatile amp. I would say first kinda try to narrow down which Z you like and that suits your music style and go from there. Good Luck, !
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Post by deltone on May 27, 2006 20:39:09 GMT -7
Telemanic, thanks. I'm really leaning toward the Ghia. If I order a new one I'll definitely opt for an effects loop, but if I get one second hand I may not necessarily have that option. I was wondering if it is possible to run an amp that does not have an internal effects loop directly into another amp or head that has an effects loop and utilize that amp's effects loop. I realize the second amp would somewhat color the tone of the first one, but I'm not sure how to get from one to the other, if possible. Can you mic the first amp and then someway take that signal into the second? Or, will it work to go from the line out of the first amp directly to the input of the second? I hesitate to experiment for fear that I may damage one or the other. Anybody have any experience with this, or know for whatever reason why it can't be done or that it would not be a good idea?
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Post by jwr on May 28, 2006 9:48:43 GMT -7
I don't think Z put's loops on any of his amps that utilize a EF-86 in the pre amp. That being said, I've never seen a picture of a Ghia with a loop and it's 12ax7's all the way. It never hurts to e-mail the Doc and ask. If your hip on the Ghia but got to have a loop, look into a Maz 18 JR NR. It's a non reverb model that comes with a loop. Lot's of guys really like that amp, good luck! Jason
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Post by JASON (aka jgleaton) on May 28, 2006 12:02:50 GMT -7
Hey guy's, and welcome to the forum deltone... I'll chime in here ( maybe doc will too... and you can ALWAYS ask him to ge the straight deal.) cause the FX loop is a BIG deal to me for reverb... I asked him a while back about about an fx loop on the original RX... he said he tried it and didn't like it ( I think he said he may have even put one on an RX at a customers request and he didn't like the way it affected the circuit/ sound/ great percussive-ness and he said he wouldn't want to put one on my RX ES as an option either when I asked him if he would) I don't think he puts them on any of the GHIAs or Mazarati's for the same Reason... ( but not that he wouldn't, so you could always ASK him, maybe he WOULD??) But they have Very Direct circuit's and it basically defeats the purpose of having that direct circuit/ simple tone stack and affects the tone. so there is a tradeoff. WHEN YOU DO GET A CHANCE TO PLAY ONE OF THESE... you'll realize that you don't miss Reverb/ loops as much as you'd think even if your used to having it... like with the GHIA you just don't need reverb and if you DO need reverb/delay, it works great run in front of the amp... I've NEVER played amps without reverb ( or a loop to run it through) until I played DR Z's... The only EF-86 based amp that has an affects loop is the STINGRAY/ STANGRAY... and is one of the reasons I got one... SIMPLE circuit WITH an Effects loop.... that DOESN'T affect the tone...BEAUTIFUL TONE!! ALL MAZ SR/JR NR amps have an FX loop.. and some reverb models ( LIKE MINE) also have the loop added as an option... I REALLY wouldn't mess with the Docs designs too much... only what HE recommends and if in doubt let him tell ya first if it'll work in his circuit without affecting what makes the amp sound good in the first place... cause He oughta know, he made it... NOTE: he IS starting a list of MODs in the " NEWS FROM DR Z" section of this forum so there will be some neat things HE recommends that you can do to further tweak your amps... the first one is Mods for MAZ SR/JR's... very cool! Jason
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Post by sultan59 (Tim) on Jun 3, 2006 20:31:44 GMT -7
You could always use a Hotplate's line out into your effects to a power amp and cab. Lots of people think this is the best way to do it. You can also run from the Hotplate line out to the effects in of a second guitar amp, bypassing that amp's preamp. This works really good, too.
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Post by benttop (Steve) on Jun 4, 2006 2:02:11 GMT -7
I don't think Z put's loops on any of his amps that utilize a EF-86 in the pre amp. Stingray has EF86 pre and Effects Loop standard. Works great too!
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