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Post by JASON (aka jgleaton) on Sept 18, 2007 14:39:10 GMT -7
ummmmmm ;D ;D ;D ;D!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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Post by ruger9 on Sept 18, 2007 14:49:33 GMT -7
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Post by cementman on Sept 18, 2007 14:53:30 GMT -7
well, i played mine with a humbucker,, and will let more pros talk about this amp, but, i was afraid it might be too similar to the ghia or the maz junior,, i tried it on about 9 oclock on the master on back, and the volume about 6,, perfect low jangly tone, then dimed the volume and had a good leslie west tone with a click of the pedal, all at a volume that was perfect. the master volume makes this amp, it is simply a built in attenuator, and the signal path is nice and neat. what really got me was the amount of low end of this amp. quiet, way quiet, nice ef86 tube dampers (two),, perfect construction. all at a very very reasonable price. all of the z amps are original designs,, i thought that sounded a bit presumptuos until i played more of them. this little baby here is perfect for that low volume tone, way more versatile than the ghia. i only played the maz junior once,, but i cant get over the whole package here. what a deal,, thanks doc for another great amp... review on guys..
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Post by JASON (aka jgleaton) on Sept 18, 2007 15:01:26 GMT -7
can't talk must play...
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Post by JASON (aka jgleaton) on Sept 18, 2007 15:08:27 GMT -7
well I ain't no pro, but I gotta testify... mine is Black with a tan tolex front and looks just like Stan's. serial #1 ;D ;D ;D which would explain my happy dance... but THAT is not why I am dancing today... cause I just plugged into it a while ago and.... ;D initial try out, couldn't stop playing it, couldn't get a bad sound out of it... HOMERUN Doc... ditto what cementman said... it's PERFECT just like doc made it, I wouldn't change a thing... and it's BETTER than what I remember from Z-fest... WAY better! ARTICULATE!!! PERFECT!!! I can get the Stingray type cleans and the Maz type bite with the RX in your face percussive feel... at a PERFECT volume from low to pretty loud. It IS Different than a Maz JR NR for sure. I like my Maz JR too but it's just a slightly different thing. It is simply an RX. More Headroom than the Maz JR... WAY more than the GHIA!! but with the Boost you can change that up a bit so it is quite versatile for such a pure sounding amp. and mostly used the Low input... I like the Low input on all of the Z's except for the Original strength RX, but do occasionally use the high input on the Maz... ALL the speakers I tried it with sounded wonderful, One thing I'd say is with the Two Celestion blues when I cranked it, I could hit the boost or overdose and push those speakers pretty hard... I think I could actually blow them with it. So if you plan on using a single blue you might easily blow it, if your not careful... the low end and overall in your face presence of this amp is that powerful. Both Strats and Teles loved this amp... didn't even have to tweak it to change between them... no squeeling, dead quiet even when cranked pretty loud, even when on my maple tele's bridge pick-up which most other amps I've ever had could only do this while being very careful or tweaking the treble some... takes pedals wonderfully of course... and One of the BEST features is I can USE the overdose instead of/ or even with a pedal on the RX JR even more/ way more than I can with the RX ES because it's just so loud... Very cool after playing it a while, MASTER volume works GREAT!!! And that I'm gonna be able to use the boost with it cranked some instead of a pedal is very cool BUT... already found one of it's secret weapons... Master volume turned down for LOW volume with the BOOST always ON... not as a BOOST but to give you BACK some of the B@LLs you loose when you turn the volume down... REALLY works nice, pretty and thick at a very lower volume, not quite bedroom volume, but knocked down ALOT while still loud enough and most importantly your NOT losing the feel or SOUND of that cranked amp... sweeet THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU DOC !!!!!!
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Post by cementman on Sept 18, 2007 15:23:04 GMT -7
you said it jg,,i havnet had time to use the guitar volume knob , but i can only imagine what this thing sounds like with a z 4/10 cab,, or two blues, like i was advised. you really have some unlimited tonal possibilities with the master low or high, and everythin in between. low end girth and nice highs,, time to get out the z 2/10 cab and see what it will do. time fer the nash tele to come out, and the grosh and put this humbucker away for a while. all at a cheaper price than some of the other z's. and i forgot to say, i havenet even tried it on the "high" input,, i always liked the "low" input on my rx senior,, another smash from dr z and the hits keep on comin...
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Post by taswegian on Sept 19, 2007 0:46:00 GMT -7
Oh boy here we go!
Well, Jas' I knew you'd end up with #1 Seems fitting.
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Post by guitarstan on Sept 19, 2007 4:29:56 GMT -7
I thought I would wait to give my review after Jason gave his so I wouldn't have to strain my brain . Yes ... Ditto! What he said! Awesome by golly amp, everything I thought it was going to be and more. This is the small club must have amp, no question about it.
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Post by 95strat on Sept 19, 2007 9:33:07 GMT -7
Got a chance to crank mine a bit with a live band last night at rehearsal. Very fine amp indeed. This is my first Z so I was blown away by the tone. I didn't really have the best cab for the amp (a 100W EV speaker in it so it wasn't the best match...waiting for my convertible cab to arrive).
Anyway, the clean side is what everyone has already said. Nice low end and very dimensional highs. Gets a nice chime. I ran the MV at 12:00 the whole night and didn't really have time to mess the knobs much.
The overdose switch is kicking! +3db is freaking loud. In my situation last night it was to much. When I went for a lead and hit the button it was over the top. I resorted to my Keely boost, which I have more control with. I see myself leaving the overdose on and tweaking the volume from there.
I used my modded TS9 for OD and WOW is all I can say. Doc knows how to make amps that blend with pedals. I know it's been said a ton of times, but it's true...it sounds like the pedal is right there inside the amp! I've been playing a DRRI and a Classic 30 for the past few months and there's no comparison on how the Jr handles pedals. Just amazing how well it accepts pedals out front.
I was also amazed at how good this thing sounded at relatively low volume...really thumped the closed back cab.
It will take some time to really dial things in, but from what little time I've had with this thing I love it. Thanks Doc for another great design.
More to come later.
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Cotton
Junior Member
Posts: 92
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Post by Cotton on Sept 19, 2007 13:21:09 GMT -7
95strat!
Congrats on your first Z.... I've got several and have enjoyed more. Eventhough I have more than one Rx, I'll be getting a JRx soon....
Thanks for the overview of yours...
Cotton
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Post by 95strat on Sept 19, 2007 15:02:42 GMT -7
Thanks Cotton! It's a great small club amp. I actually play in a large auditorium (seats 1,600), but I mic the amp so I don't need heaps of wattage.
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Post by ruger9 on Sept 19, 2007 15:17:47 GMT -7
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Post by heynewguy (Ol’ Bill) on Sept 19, 2007 15:34:26 GMT -7
I won't be a Z-brother until thursday... I'm coming over. Where in NJ are you? Bill
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Post by ruger9 on Sept 19, 2007 17:58:17 GMT -7
I'm coming over. Where in NJ are you? Bill ;D ;D I'm up in NW Jersey- Hackettstown.
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Post by bluzman on Sept 19, 2007 18:06:59 GMT -7
I won't be a Z-brother until thursday... In the meantime have some Karma... I called my dealer today... My chin is chaffed from wiping the drool for the past two weeks and I broke down today and called. He called me back 20 minutes later saying it shipped from the factory!! Then 15 minutes later he called and said it was in but I couldn't get there in time for 6PM!!. He opens at 10 AM... so I'll have a new red head in my life, #12 at 10 AM!! Whoo Hoo!!
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Post by 95strat on Sept 19, 2007 19:01:17 GMT -7
I won't be a Z-brother until thursday... In the meantime have some Karma... I called my dealer today... My chin is chaffed from wiping the drool for the past two weeks and I broke down today and called. He called me back 20 minutes later saying it shipped from the factory!! Then 15 minutes later he called and said it was in but I couldn't get there in time for 6PM!!. He opens at 10 AM... so I'll have a new red head in my life, #12 at 10 AM!! Whoo Hoo!! That's awesome! I know you'll love it!
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Post by bluzman on Sept 19, 2007 19:37:50 GMT -7
Thanks Bro... and a good Karma to you!
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Post by cementman on Sept 19, 2007 19:47:11 GMT -7
i would like to use this forum post to express my thanks to dr z, mike, and all at z amps for making this little amp. it is so fine to get zz top tones at this volume, and man it sounds way loud for a 2 el84 amp, and if i may interject my own self, the only z amp that dr z makes that has an ef86 and only 2 power tubes,(2 other 12ax7s, and it sounds sublime. you can get so many tones out of this. the price is outrageously simple.. thanks man,, ol man mike, i bought a lot a amps from you, and this is the most satisfying,, all because eric at wilcutts asked for it.. what a world,, j
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pete
New Member
Posts: 40
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Post by pete on Sept 19, 2007 20:09:47 GMT -7
I got # 6 today-got home late so i can't crank it up until tomorrow-can't wait-thanks for all the comments so far-I'll run it through my z best as I read that it might be a little too much for my 1 x 12 with a celestion blue
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Post by taswegian on Sept 20, 2007 1:14:28 GMT -7
Gee Whiz, I wasn't even that excited about getting a new amp. Just something I kinda needed but man you guys are starting to REALLY get me excited! It's great to hear it sounds great with a Celestian Gold straight from Z himself as that is the next 1-12 I get. Straight after I get a Grosh Tele, and a TTE, and a Mazerati GT Ok, well maybe I'll just stick to RXjr for a while. ;D So what's the final rating? 15 watts? 18? 20? Interesting to hear Jason thinks it pushes two blues pretty hard. Now THAT go me excited! and the overdose still being to loud, THAT go me excited too. I'm worried it won't keep up with a loud drummer, not that it matters as I have the 66 but I hate running out of headroom or volume during a gig. Can't wait to try it through my Ulbrick 1-12 with the custom Celestion V-35 which is basically a tamed Vintage 30 or a greenback with tighter bottom end. I think I remember Z saying he liked greenbacks with the RXES. It's a very inefficient speaker so it'll work great for smaller clubs. Then I'm gonna try the Z Best. I imagine I'll be playing it through this cab alot. First thing I'm gonna play on it is "Walkin' On The Moon" set nice clean fat and chimey! Then I'm gonna hit the overdose and straight into "Truth Hits Everybody"
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Post by heynewguy (Ol’ Bill) on Sept 20, 2007 3:15:07 GMT -7
I'm coming over. Where in NJ are you? Bill ;D ;D I'm up in NW Jersey- Hackettstown. Yikes! 3 hours and 160 miles away according to mapquest.
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Post by ruger9 on Sept 20, 2007 3:39:39 GMT -7
;D ;D I'm up in NW Jersey- Hackettstown. Yikes! 3 hours and 160 miles away according to mapquest. Oh well. Have some karma anyways.
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Post by heynewguy (Ol’ Bill) on Sept 20, 2007 11:38:33 GMT -7
Yikes! 3 hours and 160 miles away according to mapquest. Oh well. Have some karma anyways. Thanks and right back atcha. Have fun. ;D
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Post by bluzman on Sept 20, 2007 13:38:27 GMT -7
I just got home with #12, a Red Head a few minutes ago... I won't have time to plug it in here tonight, but I was test driving her at Alpha Audio in Mystic, CT through a 2x12 Z-Best cabinet... HOLY WOW!!! I think I'm gonna end up with that cabinet soon!! Anyways... I used an off the rack G&L Tele. Tone 75% Volume 65% Everything 1/2 way 12:00 It gave me some nice sounds... Rich and round (I'm sure the Z-Best played an important role here). Just from using the Master and Volume knobs without boosting any treble or mids I could get some rich harmonics and touch sensitivity but still great articulation.
The store owner wanted to hear how nasty we could get it dimed... WATCH OUT!!! This thing is a Friendly Monster. No taming required! Chock full of sounds. I can't wait to hook it up to my cabinets.
Two things I was VERY impressed with immediately: the tone stack is very interactive and at the same time, to my ears, extremely intuitive. The Master Volume is different yet BETTAH than any Master Volume I've ever had. (I don't wanna start anything here but the RXES and StangRay with that Master Volume....!?!?!?)
In the short time at the store, I got the StangRay Chime Ghia-ish tones Maz Jr-ish tones. (using the Dr. Z amp names for comparison sake) So there is the versatility right there!! I can see the possibility of not having to use an inline clean boost or an OD stompbox with this, as the OverDose pedal used with the guitar volume knob can do this job easily!
I gotta say after 20 minutes in the store I know this is my tool for the tone in my head... I know as I've already found some of the "my brain tones" in a short time. I also know that for the time being, the amp part of my quest for tone is quenched... FOR NOW!!
Can't wait til late tonight or early tomorrow to really play with this!!
Thanks Dr. Z Amps and all the individuals that the Doc kept an open mind and ear for. This is a true Masterpiece!!
Sincerely!
PaulT
PS... Also thanks to Dr. Z amps for getting this order completed in the first round.
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Post by guitarstan on Sept 20, 2007 13:47:50 GMT -7
Please keep us posted as you play with it some more.
Glad you finally got it!
Oh yeah, uh pics would be nice ;D.
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Post by ruger9 on Sept 20, 2007 15:42:45 GMT -7
bluzman, I think we are the first Redheads! Here's No. 8 (I thought I was no. 7, but no metter...) I've only played it for about 15 minutes, thru an Eminence 1x12 Red Fang (my Genz Benz Black Pearl combo), and I won't comment on the tremendous tone other than to say it's exactly what I expected... but I WILL say these 2 things until I get more playing time on it: BEST MASTER VOLUME EVER. The Overdose rocks, the way I use it... which is with the volume high enough that the overdose acts more like a gain boost than a clean boost. Which is also exactly what I was hoping for. QUESTION... FOOTSWITCH... what do I need? The footswitch from my Peavey and the one from my Genz Benz don't work, I guess I need to buy a footswitch for this thing... any suggestions???HOLD THE PHONE, I'M AN IDIOT. I was so exicted to plug in & play, I never finished "unpacking"... what a dumb@ss...
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Post by 95strat on Sept 20, 2007 15:48:13 GMT -7
bluzman, thanks for the low down.
ruger...nice readhead. Once you start playing it doesn't matter what the number it is!
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Post by fisholot on Sept 20, 2007 15:53:15 GMT -7
bluzman, I think we are the first Redheads! Here's No. 8 (I thought I was no. 7, but no metter...) I've only played it for about 15 minutes, thru an Eminence 1x12 Red Fang (my Genz Benz Black Pearl combo), and I won't comment on the tremendous tone other than to say it's exactly what I expected... but I WILL say these 2 things until I get more playing time on it: BEST MASTER VOLUME EVER. The Overdose rocks, the way I use it... which is with the volume high enough that the overdose acts more like a gain boost than a clean boost. Which is also exactly what I was hoping for. QUESTION... FOOTSWITCH... what do I need? The footswitch from my Peavey and the one from my Genz Benz don't work, I guess I need to buy a footswitch for this thing... any suggestions???Gotta love the Red Heads ;D
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pete
New Member
Posts: 40
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Post by pete on Sept 20, 2007 18:56:50 GMT -7
Fired up #6 tonight;ran it through my Z-Best.This is the best master volume ever, an extremely versitile amp.The RxJr is just what I was looking for-I was getting chimey stingray tones and by playing with the volume controls I was getting some breakup at a reasonable volume.I want to thank JGleaton and others for their reviews.I tried a Zen drive with this set up and it smoked-gotta try more pedals-but I might just get by with that overdose switch.There are many tone options available here-once again a totally satisfied customer-looks like I might have to swap out my celestion blue in my Z 1x12 cab for a gold-can't wait to get this amp to band practice.
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Post by heynewguy (Ol’ Bill) on Sept 21, 2007 2:42:06 GMT -7
OK Now I gotta have one.
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