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Post by Jan on Mar 23, 2007 21:15:42 GMT -7
Greetings kind and gentle persons. I have been reading this forum off and on for a few weeks and decided to post an introduction by way of yet another which Z is right for me thread. I generally find such topics, well, not very interesting for truly useful. Why? A guy who makes expensive decisions based on a few comments from total strangers usually makes me shake my head and wonder, if you know what I mean. On the other hand, the good Doctor's products are not your average mono tone machines, are they? :-) I am more fortunate than many, having a dealer nearby. I made the cross town trek to Midtown Music (a dream of a shop, by the way) this afternoon and got to spend 30 minutes playing with a few Zs. However, my ability to adequately evaluate amps is limited, well... by my ability. More introduction will explain what I mean.
I started playing when I was 7 or 8. I was exposed to some great talents early because my father was close friends of Don Howard, owner of the original Music Mart, a local icon in the '60s and '70s. It was not uncommon for people like Chet Atkins or Charlie Pride to be part of the Saturday night jam sessions in the store basement. In my teens I was sure I was going to be a professional player. Military service after high school intervened and while I was away, my 8 guitars and nearly as many amps were stolen from my parent's house. I was so devastated by the (uninsured) loss that I quit playing. Thirty plus years pass and I decided that my mid life crisis would be to take up guitar playing again. So a few months ago I bought a 60th Anniversary American Stratocaster, a Les Paul - the Vintage Mahogany Studio and a Blues Jr, the tweed reissue one with a 12" Jensen. The little Fender is "okay", but only so. The other bad news is that I have forgotten at least 99% of what I knew about playing. The why I am here is that my ears still work and I want learn how to play again with equipment that will inspire me. I suspect everyone here knows what I mean by that... there are some dues I would rather not pay again.
I have no particular aspirations beyond the personal satisfaction and maybe garage band mode with my brother. But I have high goals for tone, none the less. The little Fender will do me fine for a while but I crave something better. I have read dozens of which Z is right for me topics and some of them have been a help. However, many comments only talk about the amp and not the whole tone generator. I understand that adding speakers to the equation can be a lot more subjective than just talking about the amp. But I will throw some thoughts on this subject as well and will appreciate any additional commentary on the whole that you fine folk may offer.
Technique and tone that truly speaks to me can be heard on;
The One, the Only, Chet Atkins. George Harrison, especially the Dark Horse years. Mark Knopfler, especially on Communique and One Take Radio Sessions. Duane Allman, oh my! Does it get any better than Who Came First and Rough Mix? The profoundly underrated Dave Mason. Jorma Kaukonen, especially electric Hot Tuna and his acoustic country blues. Lowell George, nuff said! One more underrated Axe Victim, Bill Nelson from the Be-Bop Deluxe days.
I know that is a huge range of talent and tone. I like to be thorough. Amps I used to own that would get me a long way to where I want to be would be an AC30 with a pair of Celestion Blues or a JMP50. Neither would be the "one" for me today and I will let collectors fight over 30 years and older equipment. I want something new, reliable and fabulous. I probably still lean towards the Celestion Blues, though perhaps in a closed, ported cabinet. Power? 5 or 10 watts is enough volume for a long time, truth be told. But if my tone is to be found from a Prescription ES head, I will get an Air Brake and be happy. The "Hangin' with the Doctor" sound clip from Skip Black is divine, isn't it? And on a purely emotional reaction to the name, a Mazerati is calling out to me. The Vox meets Marshall may be what I am looking for. The other option I am considering is one of the small Soldano heads. I want clean finger style bell tones and growling sustain.
I hope this was not so long I have put you to sleep. Experts, talk to me, please. :-)
-Jan
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Post by benttop (Steve) on Mar 23, 2007 22:12:37 GMT -7
Oh man... I think you want the RXStangaratiRoute6545DeltaMaz! Seriously, your descriptions hit just about every amp's sweet spot in the entire Z arsenal! But you know what, I think you would get along famously with a Maz 18 Jr with an Alnico Blue or maybe even a Gold. Since the Maz 18 has a master volume, you can get it nice and greasy, but push up the MV and clean up the front end for the Chet Atkins spank. You're going to get a lot of responses here, and they will be all over the map, but when you go back and count them, I believe you will see a trend toward this amp. There's a reason it's the best selling amp in the entire line - it's probably the most versatile all around useful amp in the line. There it is.
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Post by yinielin on Mar 23, 2007 23:03:11 GMT -7
Id say the ghia. Very simple amp and sounds amazing.
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Post by JASON (aka jgleaton) on Mar 24, 2007 9:33:54 GMT -7
Welcome to the Forum Jan... I kinda know what your going through, after getting married and changing careers, sold most of my stuff except 2 guitars and one amp... I didn't play for about 6-7 years... can't imagine 30 years though!! and I did play a little during that time but not much... when I got back into it... got a Victoria 45410 1st, then got an original RX and was in love!! I would Highly recommend a Maz Jr head with a couple of cabs to cover what you need... a Ghia would also be a second great choice as an amp for ya... but IMHO the Maz Jr is the number one and here's my take why... the reason I'd go with a Maz Jr is it's probably got more of a variety of sounds in it... Marshall meets vox... lower volume BUT it'll get the clean headroom you might need... it'll get snarly if you need it... and then paired with a Z-best, that 18 watts would still hang with just about any amp volume wise... drop back to a 1x12 with a c-gold or blue or VERY nice with a G-12 H30 or Doc's 2x10's and you've got a WIDE range of volume levels and tone at your disposal. you just gotta decide which speaker set up gets you YOUR sound. I like the head / cab combo's for weight and versatility... but a 1x12 Jr combo is not to bad weight wise either... The biggest thing in MY opinion is that the Maz Jr is a very Forgiving DR Z... the reason I say that is some of the Docs amps ( like the Ghia even) can really show where a players chops are at, or aren't at... ya know. I mean when you play a Stingray you better bring it, cause your gonna hear everything... good, bad or sloppy... while most seasoned players or players already USED to playing other DR Z's can maybe adjust pretty quick... newer players or ones gettting back into the game after not playing for a while may find certain Z's a little more unforgiving and a little harder to dial in THEIR tone / or sound... some of em will REALLY show you where your chops are at... But thats not necessarily a bad thing though, and a Ghia IS AMAZING and the most fun amp I have so... YMMV. I just think the Maz Jr ( and SR) is one of the best amps out there and may be a little more usable to a newer player right outta the box... with more of an EQ, Reverb, FX loop and overall Feel / tone / sound that is a little more familiar to most players. and personally I don't think you can go wrong with a Maz.. Jr is a Great amp... my Fav ever is still the Sr. Good luck, and I'm glad your near a dealer, take you time and get the one YOU like... and what they sound like in the store is not nearly as cool as what they can do / sound like in a band situation... they are really sweet. hope this helps... Jason
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Post by Hohn on Mar 26, 2007 21:31:44 GMT -7
Jason's right about the Stang revealing all your mistakes. Heck, it makes me feel like I'm playing naked and everyone's laughing at my privates:)
But I can't get over the tone of the Stang-- so I just have to cope. That, and I can never take it out in public>
I second the suggestion that a first Z be a MAZ18 or Ghia.
The reason I went with the Stang is because I didn't need all the versatility, and I knew more of what I wanted in an amp. I think of it as the ultimate AC30:)
jmo
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Post by Jan on Mar 28, 2007 0:31:16 GMT -7
I appreciate the comments and feel truly welcomed. Thank you all. Since my post I have spent hours reading many of the topics here and in the individual amp sections. If the Mini-Z were still on the menu, I probably would have already bought one. yinielin, your straight to the simple approach certainly appeals to me. The Carmen Ghia is mighty tempting.
Without an Air Brake it is almost obvious to me that the MAZ 18 and the Carmen Ghia are *the* contenders.
JMO, I hear you about the Stang. Being so brand new again, lacking the chops to do a decent live evaluation, what I remember most about the 3 minutes I was plugged into a Stang is how bad I sounded. I *so* identify with that naked feeling. And again, the simplicity factor appeals. If you keep that Stang in your house, how do you deal with volume levels?
Jason, yes it helps and right on about not necessarily a bad thing. The world is full of cheap, noisy amps. Tone deaf people need love too, I guess. The MAZ 18 appeals to me for all reasons you mention. I am thinking NR and an effects loop option. I am not ready to think about pedals, but I will be. Separate head and speaker cabinets is definitely my ideal. One thing not lost long ago is a Univox 4x12 cabinet, which originally had 4 EV SROs. The cabinet is dead from water damage but I still have 2 of the SROs. A speaker rebuild and a 1x12 box will get me going with less cash. A Z Best with a pair of Celestion Alnico Blues wired with three jacks is on my wish list.
Steve, I have spent a lot of time listening to clips from your web site. Yes, a FrankenMazeratiEs may be the ticket. :-) You have probably read the post from Mike where he dropped the hint about a Mazerati GT. I need to write and ask if I can put down a deposit for one of those. If not, the MAZ 18 sounds more and more likely to be my first Z. Although, I know where I can get a new SRZ-65...
-Jan
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Post by Jan on Apr 2, 2007 17:24:14 GMT -7
It looks like my wait for a Maz 18 NR head is going to be 2 - 3 weeks.
calm blue ocean... calm blue ocean... calm blue ocean...
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Post by benttop (Steve) on Apr 2, 2007 17:55:48 GMT -7
It looks like my wait for a Maz 18 NR head is going to be 2 - 3 weeks. calm blue ocean... calm blue ocean... calm blue ocean... Oh man, you'll never make it.
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Post by Jan on Apr 2, 2007 18:07:33 GMT -7
Heh, if that were say an SRZ-25 or so, it would already be *mine*!
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Post by mward on Apr 2, 2007 18:51:30 GMT -7
Genjo - get an airbrake. If you thought I was full of dookie before, then hear me now and believe me later. The airbrake will tame the Z monster and turn it into an ultraversatile amp. It's a must have.
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Post by Jan on Apr 2, 2007 22:07:19 GMT -7
An Air Brake is on the list. An Air Brake and a SRZ would pretty much eat what I have budgeted for a Maz Jr and a speaker cabinet. Not quite the suffering that produces good blues players, eh?
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Post by mward on Apr 3, 2007 4:03:44 GMT -7
I think to be a good blues player you gotta have a mean-hearted woman, not a bad amp. Or a kind hearted woman who studies evil all the time. But not a bad amp.
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Post by Jan on Apr 3, 2007 18:38:41 GMT -7
My SWMBO is about as good as they come. I still dig the blues.
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Post by benttop (Steve) on Apr 3, 2007 18:51:00 GMT -7
If you asked for water, but she gave you gasoline, THAT's the blues.
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Post by mward on Apr 3, 2007 18:59:28 GMT -7
HOW TO SING THE BLUES:
1. Most Blues begin with: "Woke up this morning..."
2. "I got a good woman" is a bad way to begin the Blues, unless you stick something nasty in the next line like, "I got a good woman, with the meanest face in town."
3. The Blues is simple. After you get the first line right, repeat it. Then find something that rhymes... sort of "Got a good woman with the meanest face in town. Yes, I got a good woman with the meanest face in town. Got teeth like Margaret Thatcher, and she Weigh 500 lbs.
4. The Blues is not about choice. You stuck in a ditch, you stuck in a ditch, ain't no way out.
5. Blues cars: Chevys, Fords, Cadillacs and broken-down trucks. Blues don't travel in Volvos, BMWs, or Sport Utility Vehicles. Most Blues transportation is a Greyhound bus or a southbound train. Jet aircraft and state-sponsored motorpools ain't even in the running. Walkin' plays a major part in the blueslifestyle. So does fixin' to die.
6. Teenagers can't sing the Blues. They ain't fixin' to die yet. Adults sing the Blues. In Blues,"adulthood" means being old enough to get the electric chair if you shoot a man in Memphis.
7. Blues can take place in New York City but not in Hawaii or any place in Canada. Hardtimes in Minneapolis or Seattle are probably just clinical depression. Chicago,St. Louis, and Kansas City are still the best places to have the Blues. You cannot have the Blues in no place that don't get no rain.
8. A man with male pattern baldness ain't the Blues. A woman with male pattern baldness is. Breaking your leg 'cause you were skiing is not the Blues. Breaking your leg 'cause a alligator be chomping on it is.
9. You can't have no Blues in a office or a shopping mall. The lighting is wrong. Go outside to the parking lot or sit by the dumpster.
10. Goodplaces for the Blues a. highway b. jailhouse c. empty bed d. bottom of a whiskey glass
Badplaces for the Blues: a. Nordstrom's b. gallery openings c. Ivy League institutions d. golf courses
11. No one will believe it's the Blues if you wear a suit, 'less you happen to be an old ethnic person, and you slept in it.
12. Do you have the right to sing the Blues? Yes, if: a. you older than dirt b. you blind c. you shot a man in Memphis d. you can't be satisfied No, if a. you have all your teeth b. you were once blind but now can see c. the man in Memphis lived d. you have a 401K or trust fund
13. Blues is not a matter of color. It's a matter of bad luck. Tiger Woods cannot sing the Blues. Sonny Liston could. Poor ugly people also got a leg up on the Blues.
14. If you ask for water and your darlin' give you gasoline, it's the Blues. Other Acceptable Blues Beverages Are: a. cheap wine b. whiskey or Bourbon c. muddy water d. nasty black coffee e. smokestack lightning The following are NOT Blues beverages: a. Perrier b. Chardonnay c. Snapple d. Slim Fast e. Diet Coke
15. If death occurs in a cheap motel or a shotgun shack, it's a Blues death. Stabbed in the back by a jealous lover is another Blues way to die. So are the electric chair, substance abuse and dying lonely on a broken-down cot. You can't have a Blues death if you die during a tennis match or while getting liposuction.
16. SomeBlues names for women: a. Sadie b. BigMama c. Bessie d. Fat River Dumpling e. Caledonia
17. Some Bluesnames for men: a. Joe b. Willie c. LittleWillie d. BigWillie e. Leroy
18. Persons with names like Michelle, Amber, Jennifer, Tiffany, Brooke, Christy, Janet, Andrea. Brittany and Heather can't sing the Blues, no matter how many men they shoot in Memphis.
19. Make your own Blues name Starter Kit: a). name of physical infirmity (Blind, Deaf, Cripple, Lame, etc.) b). first name (see above) plus name of fruit (Lemon. Lime. Kiwi ,etc.) c). last name of President (Jefferson, Johnson, Fillmore, etc.) For example: Blind Lime Jefferson, Jakeleg LemonJohnson or Cripple Kiwi Fillmore, etc. (Well, maybe not 'Kiwi.')
20. Oh,by the way. I don't care how tragic your life: if you own a computer, you can't be singin the Blues.
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Post by Jan on Apr 3, 2007 21:46:19 GMT -7
I am good and truly blessed in so many ways. I am Buddhist, so you are just going to have to take my word for it that my definition of blessed may not be yours, but blessed it is, has been and shall continue to be. Let's not talk about the *R* subject any more than that, m'kay?
However...
I grew up in Cobb County, Georgia... a boy named Jan. Never mind that my family name comes from some German - Swiss types and I prefer the euro pronunciation. It may not have been quite as bad as what The Man In Black sang about in the boy named Sue. None the less, I submit that I do have a trump card to at least get me in the wannabe blues club. ;D
Raise your hand if you knew you had to play the blues the moment you first heard BB's The Thrill Is Gone.
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Post by mward on Apr 6, 2007 20:19:45 GMT -7
Raise your hand if you knew you had to play the blues the moment you first heard BB's The Thrill Is Gone. Didn't everyone?
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Post by Jan on Apr 7, 2007 14:55:42 GMT -7
There is a part of my brain that thinks all amps should be black. Red is pretty rad to look at in pictures but it sure seems that red would get fugly fast if you were gigging with it. Never mind blonde. At least with black you can use a big sharpie to hide little scuffs. Imagine my happy feet dance when told my local store had a black NR Jr and that they had found two black, old-style closed-back cabinets. Rush across town and yes, they have a head. But no, the part-time young guy did not actually know what and old-style cabinet was and no, they did not have any. I finally give up and just get an open-back 12" cabinet. Later last night, SWMBO, who does not yet know I brought new toys home, looked at the computer while I had a few gallery images up and ... she likes the blonde with the black and tan grill cloth. Hey, whatever it takes. Besides, this is my mid-life crisis, not a gigging rig. The probability of me doing the band gig thing is pretty small. So back across town this afternoon. And you know... never mind a little bitty cabinet, gimme that 2 x 12 Z Best. The Blues Jr is gone. My blonde NR Jr head should be here in a week or two.
It never pays to try to out guess SWMBO.
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