|
Post by kledbet on Apr 16, 2008 9:51:26 GMT -7
I have 5 Z amps. More than I deserve for sure. I have always liked the Z-28 but for some reason put it away for awhile. I bought it used and never bothered to check the bias. A few weeks ago I was in the mood to tinker so I though I'd check the bias and maybe try some new power tubes. The bias ended up being about 34 on the tubes.... YIKES! The tubes were JJ's which sound great, but I wanted a little more breakup so I put in a new set of Tung Sol's and set them up biased at 25-26. I just loved the sound of the amp with the correct bias and new tubes! A blues monster! Its kind of like just put all the dials on about 3 and do the rest with the guitar knobs. I played through a Z 12 cab loaded with a Weber 1225 pre-rola and sometimes added a Z 2x10 cab together with the 1x12. The only other thing I did was add a treble booster in for variety. I used a Keeley Java Boost, a Swart Space Tone Boost, and a Hartman booster. All of them did well, the boosts can get a little noisy when you are cranking them, but by that time the amps is giving up the goods and it doesn't really matter so much. I played a Bill Nash strat with Fralin Blues specials and an SP43 in the bridge. Anyway like I said, I have a new appreciation for this amp.
|
|
|
Post by asattwanger on Apr 16, 2008 13:10:01 GMT -7
Well I can see your a EL-84 type of guy so no wonder the Z-28 takes a back seat at times, but as I can hear in your typing you secretly love the 6v6 tone.
I find 3,3,3 is a bit thick for my tastes but yeah I know what your talking about. It is a nice.
|
|
|
Post by kledbet on Apr 16, 2008 13:56:35 GMT -7
Actually I ended up lowering the bass to about 12 when I was crankin' away. It made the bottom end and little more in balance. As for 6v6 tubes... I love them. El84's have this great overdrive and high end sparkle, but the 6v6's are just sweet in the mids, with a great harmonic content when pushed.
|
|
|
Post by sudsysul on Apr 17, 2008 13:59:36 GMT -7
5 Z amps.. Nice... wish I was your neighbor (although your neighbor probably doesn't) so I could sample them all! 34ma on those tubes is like class A operation.. a testament to the conservative design of the amp that you didn't have any problems.
|
|
|
Post by ripple on May 1, 2008 12:42:56 GMT -7
Hey Kledbet, I'm currently embroiled in the timeless inner struggle of which Z amp to purchase and am riding the fence between a Z28 and a Rt 66. I notice you have both, as well as a Maz 38 (my favorite amp of all time... so far ) Anyway, from all the soundclips I've heard of both amps, the main difference appears to be in the 66's thicker, more complex mids and the 28's added sparkle and earlier breakup. I already own a MAZ 18 and 38, so I'm covered in the EL84 dept and I'm looking for something different from those. Of the two (66 or 28), IYO which is more likely to be a better amp with minimal or no pedals? I play classic rock, 70s funk, blues and soul in small to mid-size clubs. I'm really looking for a "Duane Allman" Marshall tone at usable small-club volumes without attenuation. I have a variety of stompboxes for boost & leads, so I wouldn't be opposed to using one or two pedals, but just trying to simplify my signal chain. And feel free to share any other pearls of comparative wisdom on the two amps and your likes/dislikes. Thanks in advance!
|
|
|
Post by psj1026 (Pete) on May 1, 2008 17:02:07 GMT -7
I have a MAz18 and Z28 and I play Allman stuff also. I never used a RT66 but I hear they are loud. For theta matter the 28 is PFL. I would suggest a pedal in front. I have NO REGRETS whatsoever. 18+28=awesome tone! Try them together.
|
|
|
Post by blackice on May 2, 2008 8:38:17 GMT -7
I've had a Route 66 & still have a Z28. Route 66 loud & proud. Z28 will be better for small club & no attenuation. Z28 is plenty loud.
Cheers, Richard
|
|
|
Post by ripple on May 2, 2008 9:54:13 GMT -7
Now this is exactly the kind of feedback I needed to help we wade through this decision. Thanks Blackice and psj!
My fear is the 66 will be too loud for me to ever get it cookin' without an attenuator. I gigged w/ a Maz 18 2x10 for 5 years before finally moving up to a MAZ 38 1x12 for the additional headroom. Still have the MAZ 18, but almost never play it since getting the MAZ 38. What a great amp! And mind you, I only needed the additional headroom at about 25% of the venues we play, but still can't stop playing the 38. Especially since I substituted a 12AU7 for V1. Oooooohh la la...
psj1026, I assume since you own both a MAZ 18 and a Z28, you could compare the amount of clean headroom afforded by the Z28? Is it at least as much as the MAZ 18, provided an efficient speaker is used?
And Richard, perhaps you could best answer this question: will the Z28 get those old school Marshall tones of the 66, or do you have to just pony up for the big boy to get that Marshall thickness and midrange bark?
I'm also expecting to have to use some sort of drive/boost to goose either of these two for some lead/solo work. I would love to get to the point where I could abandon pedals and get all of my "clean-to-mean" tones with the amp and my gtr vol knob. Unfortunately, I don't know if my playing will ever mature to that point, but you gotta start somewhere right?
Thanks again for the advice guys! John
|
|
|
Post by blackice on May 3, 2008 7:31:07 GMT -7
John Marshall tones on Z 28, turn knobs up. Picking dynamics work well with all Z Amps. I think drive/boost would do the trick for that Marshall thickness and midrange bark. I'm sure some one here would know the pedal for that sound.
Cheers, Richard
|
|
|
Post by psj1026 (Pete) on May 3, 2008 13:53:37 GMT -7
I use a BB pre-amp. I tried a Kelley BD-2 but too shrill for me. I like agressive tones so I would never use the Z28 alone. With the BB in front...VERY Marshally (old school) tones. I have never owned a Marshall, I never played on ethat sounded like the ones on the records I bought but this will do it. We mike everything every gig so I am told to turn down a lot. I just bought a Weber C1225 and put it in a home made 1X12 and it sounds better than my 2X12 Tomemast cabinet (V30's), [glow=red,2,300]PLENTY[/glow] loud for any gig I will do. Even outdoor ones. Like I said we mike the amps anyways. I was getting some Black Crowes tones and AC/DC type. Also Southern Rock sounds..really anything. I have been trying to use my tone control and volume on my guitar more. I never used the tone control on a guitar before buying a Z. Go figure. Anyways good luck I hope this helped in some way.
|
|
|
Post by ripple on May 3, 2008 22:16:36 GMT -7
Blackice & psj, Thank you for the informative analysis! And, exactly what I was hoping to hear. Old school Marshall is what I'm going for, but at sensible volume levels. I'm starting to think the Z28 may be the more practical choice for my perceived needs. Thanks again guys.
|
|
|
Post by cementman on May 4, 2008 7:07:30 GMT -7
well i have a 69 les paul with fralin pickups and the z 28 has absolutely perfect duane allman tones. i had a 4/10 z 28 combo, i sold it , was a bit big to carry. very simple amp, but very underrrated.. how could you go wrong?
|
|