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Post by chimera963 on Dec 26, 2007 14:40:26 GMT -7
The title says it all.
I'm looking for a head that is fairly low wattage, that will cover a variety of clean sounds, for use in Jazz, Funk, Reggae, Country, etc. It will just be used for cleans, as I would use pedals in the front if you I want to get gainy.
At the moment I'm looking at the Z-28, would this be a good choice?
I'm going to a Dr Z dealer on Friday, so hopefully they'll have plenty in stock.
Thanks,
-Chris
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Post by wilhelm on Dec 27, 2007 4:48:40 GMT -7
Hi Chris, I have a MazJrNr head and play thru a 1-12 cab. The speaker is a TT alnico. The MazJr is very versatile. I changed the rectifier and preamp tubes (V1 5751, V2 and V3 Brimar 4068) for NOS. With these tubes I can play clean as loud as I want. The Maz has two inputs lo and hi (difference in loudness - 3db if I´m correct). For crunch and leads I use AC and BB Booster. For people liking crunchy sounds from the start the Doc used the right tubes (3 12AX7). The best will be to try different Z-amps to find the one you like.
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Post by benttop (Steve) on Dec 27, 2007 7:41:48 GMT -7
The title says it all. I'm looking for a head that is fairly low wattage, that will cover a variety of clean sounds, for use in Jazz, Funk, Reggae, Country, etc. It will just be used for cleans, as I would use pedals in the front if you I want to get gainy. At the moment I'm looking at the Z-28, would this be a good choice? I'm going to a Dr Z dealer on Friday, so hopefully they'll have plenty in stock. Thanks, -Chris "fairly low wattage" means how much to you? Most of the Z lineup is 15 watts and higher, with the exception of the MiniZ which is 5 watts. Each comes to the table with a slightly different approach, and they all sound different, but they all do sound like Dr. Z amps. Have a look at the Maz Jr. It's 18 watts, has a full complement of controls, comes with or without reverb, and is the best selling amp that Dr. Z offers. There's a reason for that. It is also probably the most versatile, offering up a huge pallet of tones. And yeah, it has great clean headroom - you'll be surprised the first time you actually play one.
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Post by chimera963 on Dec 27, 2007 11:11:44 GMT -7
Yeah I'm looking for something around 20 watts. I'll make sure I try out as much as possible tomorrow.
-Chris
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Post by blackice on Dec 27, 2007 12:10:37 GMT -7
What about the RX Jr.?
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Post by chimera963 on Dec 28, 2007 7:17:21 GMT -7
Tried out the MAZ NR Jr today, extremely impressed. I'm in love with the sounds this little amp makes. Right now I'm putting my current amp up for sale to get the cash to buy this new one.
-Chris
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Post by benttop (Steve) on Dec 28, 2007 9:31:20 GMT -7
Tried out the MAZ NR Jr today, extremely impressed. I'm in love with the sounds this little amp makes. Right now I'm putting my current amp up for sale to get the cash to buy this new one. -Chris I thought you might like that. Mine is on the truck, and should arrive here on January 2nd. I'm sweating bullets waiting for it.... ;D
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Post by billyguitar on Dec 28, 2007 11:27:12 GMT -7
Low wattage and clean headroom is a paradox. To me you can't really have both but a Maz jr and a Z28 aren't a bad compromise. I'm actually using a 12AU7 in V1 of my Maz jr reverb head. I really like the way it sounds but then I'm not going for much gain.
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Post by eliot1025 on Dec 29, 2007 6:53:24 GMT -7
I use amps the same way usually. The Z with the most clean headroom seems to be the KT-45. It has TONS of it. It's also a rich, warm sounding amp with gobs of harmonics. I have one and I use it for all the styles you play. I highly recommend it. It's loud so I turn my guitar down or use the amp controls. The amp is very quiet and very pedal friendly. Maybe there's a Z-talk member with one who's near you and will let you try it.
You might consider a Z Carmen Ghia. I think the wattage is low on that. It sounds darker than the KT-45 to my ears. All the Z amps sound great to me. The Z28 should do the trick for you, too. It's more Fenderish. The Route 66 is fantastic but may be too dark for Country.
Curious - If you want clean headroom, why does it have to be low wattage?
I hope that helps, Eliot
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Post by chimera963 on Dec 30, 2007 11:40:02 GMT -7
Well, not super low, I just think around 20 watts would be a good level for me. Anyway, I think I've settled on the MAZ Jr. I've just gotta sell my ENGL Powerball and then I'll take my pedals and guitar up to the shop and give this amp a final test before I shell out for it.
-Chris
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Post by benttop (Steve) on Dec 30, 2007 14:23:15 GMT -7
Well, not super low, I just think around 20 watts would be a good level for me. Anyway, I think I've settled on the MAZ Jr. I've just gotta sell my ENGL Powerball and then I'll take my pedals and guitar up to the shop and give this amp a final test before I shell out for it. -Chris Do yourself a huge favor and try the amp with just one cord for the first play. Not that your pedal board has problems, but you'd be surprised how many times I've seen a question come in here about tone issues and then they reveal their pedal board was the culprit.
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Post by chimera963 on Dec 31, 2007 11:08:48 GMT -7
Yes, my ENGL has just sold!! That should be out of the house by the end of the week and I'll go back to this shop and try the Maz Jr one more time before purchasing.
-Chris
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Post by myles on Jan 2, 2008 12:08:42 GMT -7
The Z amp with the highest clean headroom is the KT-45 or the 45 side of the 6545.
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Post by chimera963 on Jan 4, 2008 15:14:04 GMT -7
Got my MAZ NR Jr today. Couldn't be happier, it makes such a sweet sound. Also got a Blackstar HX-Distortion pedal, which is an amazing piece of kit. Overall, extremely satisfied.
-Chris
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Post by benttop (Steve) on Jan 4, 2008 19:49:47 GMT -7
Congrats! You'll be digging that amp for a long time.
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Post by myles on Jan 9, 2008 9:32:55 GMT -7
The title says it all. I'm looking for a head that is fairly low wattage, that will cover a variety of clean sounds, for use in Jazz, Funk, Reggae, Country, etc. It will just be used for cleans, as I would use pedals in the front if you I want to get gainy. At the moment I'm looking at the Z-28, would this be a good choice? I'm going to a Dr Z dealer on Friday, so hopefully they'll have plenty in stock. Thanks, -Chris Z-28 with a 5751 in V2. For even more clean headroom a 12AY7 in V2.
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Post by chimera963 on Jan 10, 2008 3:09:03 GMT -7
^ Would that work the same with the MAZ Jr as well?
-Chris
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Post by myles on Jan 10, 2008 10:28:45 GMT -7
^ Would that work the same with the MAZ Jr as well? -Chris Yes ... and you can use a 5751 in V1 and V5 for even more clean headroom on the MAZ Jr.
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Post by chimera963 on Feb 2, 2008 15:35:30 GMT -7
On another note, just out of curiosity, what tubes could one use if they wish to achieve the maximum amount of gain out of it, when cranking the master?
-Chris
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Post by Phil (aka Phil) on Feb 2, 2008 16:37:21 GMT -7
The Z amp with the highest clean headroom is the KT-45 or the 45 side of the 6545. What about a Delta 88 biased at 50% ID? How does it compare to the KT-45?
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