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Post by T-R☼CK ♫ on Apr 25, 2008 2:04:10 GMT -7
The Galaxie....What an incredible tone machine this thing is...
Vol 2 (dirty) is maxed at 9:30 (IMO), and Vol 1 (clean) is givin' it up at 12:00... Turning either/or more clockwise from there, just gives more gain, not really much more volume.
Of course, all is dependent upon where your tone controls are set. That's the beauty of this amp to me...Every tiny nudge of any of the three tone knobs, (Presence/Bass/Treble) and you're playing a different amp. My Marshall/Fender/Mesa/Supro/Peavy, etc. amps' tone stacks are not NEARLY as sensitive as what this rig has to offer.
Just for an example; Set all 3 (tone knobs) at 12:00, and Vol 2 @9:00, Vol 1 @12:00. You have a fire breathing monster on channel 2, and a gritty Tweed on channel 1.
Don't touch the volume controls, and dial down the bass to let's say 11:00. Still a rock monster on channel 2, but with much more pronounced hi-mids, and you're getting into Twin territory on channel 1.
Bring the presence up to 2:30/3:00, the bass down to 10:00, the treble to 1:30.. You're all over a BF Twin on channel 1, JTM-45 (think Beano) on channel 2.
Dime all 3..Volumes still at 9:00 and 12:00 (respectively), JCM 800 on channel 2, cranked BF Super on channel 1..
Crank the volume controls another notch, it's a completely different amp. Sort of dual/triple rectifier textures, only MUCH more articulate.
Bring the presence down to zero, you get ratty Deluxe/Champ timbres....
I could go on, and on, and on, but I will spare you the details...This truely is an amazing tone sculpting instrument.
I have been palying around w/it for a couple months now, and it still makes me grin every time I turn it on. If you dig controlled feedback, ala Ted Nugent/Santana....Holy Moses!!. this is "deffly" your amp. Just a 1/4 turn toward your cab and bingo bango ...you're THERE.
I am a loooong way from mastering what this this rig has to offer, but suffice it to say, it has replaced SEVERAL of the higher wattage/gain amps that I own. Including a 70's SF/JBL Twin, a '73 JMP MKII (6550)100 watt Marshall 1/2 stack (that I DEARLY love), a late 60's Supro 4x6L6 head, and an early 80's Mesa MKII combo (now sold).
Yep...it really IS that good. I have YET to hook up a pedal of ANY kind between my guitar and this head. I just don't need it. I DO use an outboard delay (alesis) on a few recordings, but could live w/out it live.
A Ghia, it 'aint. You all know that's my fave, but this thing...WOW!
Again, I have not heard any of the other Z offerings live, but I will, on or about June 20th (Zfest '08). I simply cannot imagine being more satisfied with the tone I'm getting from these two amplifiers.
I have finally found the tone I've been hearing in my head for 40+ years with the Ghia/Galaxie.
I apologize for the rant/super long post........It's late/early, and I just felt compelled to share...
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Post by groovergeorge on Apr 25, 2008 5:09:49 GMT -7
Apology not accepted................what a great freakin' review.
That's covered it all and I agree totally 100%.................no need for a big bad twin, just too loud and not versatile enough. In pentode this thing covers it and more.
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Post by Joey Beverages on Apr 25, 2008 10:43:10 GMT -7
great review.
as a Ghia and Galaxie owner ..... I totally dig what your sayin' about findin' that tone
cheers always, eh
Joel
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Post by blackice on Apr 25, 2008 17:37:15 GMT -7
GREAT REVIEW! +1 k for U
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Post by zimmer on Apr 25, 2008 18:29:31 GMT -7
Thank you T Rock, for speaking the truth. The Galaxie has a lot going on, so much so that it makes me thrilled to have taken some time to turn the knobs.
Sitting on the N-Best with an Airbrake at the moment. (a Z-Best placed horizontally)
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Post by T-R☼CK ♫ on Apr 26, 2008 14:28:19 GMT -7
Yeah, I just don't know why this amp does'nt get any more love around here than it does. Truthfully, as 6L6 channel switchers go, this 1 is just amazing. Hard to beat with an "N"best...Thx for talkin' me into it Groover.
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Post by Danny on Apr 29, 2008 5:46:58 GMT -7
I have a question for you all: How does the Gal compare to a properly tweaked Fender Tone Master, which is also a 6L6 channel switcher? I have a Tone Master and love it, but if a Z will do the same things, only better, then I could be persuaded to part with the TM and get a Gal.
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Post by T-R☼CK ♫ on Apr 29, 2008 12:03:13 GMT -7
Daniel, I would love to tell you that the Galaxie will make your ToneMaster blush, but never having owned one, I can't. Like you said, Myles is the "go to" guy there. I can tell you that I have owned several 6L6 amps in my day, and still have 3 or 4 of 'em. They make beautiful plant stands and kocktail tables....
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Post by blackice on Apr 29, 2008 13:26:50 GMT -7
Daniel I have not played a Tone Master either. I have owned a Fender Blues DeVille about 15 years ago. My favorite tubes are 6V6's (Z-28) or 4 EL 84's. I usual don't like 6L6's when I play them. I like this one. I like the pentode/triode switch a lot. A little more headroom in the pentode. Cheers, Richard
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Post by groovergeorge on Apr 29, 2008 18:38:12 GMT -7
I played a Tonemaster back in the 90's and remember that it was a beast and a great amp for cutting through any situation needed. Volume wise it was more than I ever needed so I never owned one.
The tonemaster was a loud mutha, from what I can remember it was bright and many have compared it to a higher powered version of the vibroking. I a/b'd them both a few years back and I found that the vibroking was a little sweeter and more suited to blues. I remember playing that through the stock alnico 10's that came loaded in it rather than the 4x12 cab that came with the tonemaster that probably had v30's in it so that was probably one of the factors that affected this as well. The tonemaster was a great amp, make no mistake about it, it had great headroom,channel switching with a fully tweekable eq section. It had a very tight focused sound, probably because of its solid state rectifier, great for all those chugga,chugga rock-metal things that every young teenager liked to play back then. You could play anything from Jjazz,pop and country to heavy forms of rock on it but at 100 watts it was just not practical. If I was going to compare the galaxie to the tonemaster I'd say that the galaxie probably sits closer to the vibroking rather than the tonemaster volume wise. It shares the lush old school blues tones of a vibroking in triode mode but also has a little more modern gain on tap to take you somewhere toward the rock tones of the tonemaster in pentode mode on it's dirty channel. The galaxie has a looser feel, tube rectification obviously affects this and you also has the ability to sustain almost indefinitely ala Santana without causing hearing loss.
T rock really summed it all up in his great review of the galaxie. I don't think I could be more comprehensive or detailed in my analysis of the galaxie. At the same time I'm not going to dis the tonemaster just because it's not a Dr Z. The tonemaster is a great amp. It's point to point, has great tones in it and will peel paint but these days peeling paint and moving glasses on tables tends to get you very few gigs unless your doing lollapalooza and playing outdoor festivals to 10 000 people. Am I saying you should sell your tonemaster and buy a galaxie? Well I guess that depends on what your needs are. If you can afford it, keep the tonemaster and buy a galaxie as well.
I hope this has helped to some degree. I absolutely love this amp. I am really surprised it doesn't get as much interest as compared with the other Dr Z models.
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Post by myles on Apr 29, 2008 19:46:59 GMT -7
I have a question for you all: How does the Gal compare to a properly tweaked Fender Tone Master, which is also a 6L6 channel switcher? I have a Tone Master and love it, but if a Z will do the same things, only better, then I could be persuaded to part with the TM and get a Gal. I have not played a Galaxie or even seen one yet. But .... I have talked to the Doc about it when it was in development and know that the clean side was designed to create some of the magic of the tweed super. That being said, the tweed super, its lower votages, much different output transformers, tube rectified power supply and other differences are about as far as one could get from a Tone-Master. The only thing they would share is that they both use some 12AX7 tubes and 6L6 tubes plugged into them each somewhere. Trying to compare the two is like trying to compare a twin reverb with a quad of 6L6 tubes and a Peavey 5150 II with the same output set. They are very different amps and I would make a wild guess that the Galaxie would be more fun, responsive and useful in many more situations. The Tone-Master is a very high output monster that has limited use, especially when you are seeking an amp that can be dialed in at a rational level for great output drive distortion and player interaction and then mic'd with a great mic that will not be overloaded. The Tone-Master would need to be cranked to the point that it will blow crummy dynamic mics out of their mountings and still with it's massive power supply and transformers not give the player the touch dynamics of a tweed era super or even a blackface era pro reverb or super reverb. On the gainy side .... when the Doc does something he takes a long time and makes many changes to do it right. I would hazzard to guess that the distortion side of the Galaxie is probably pretty great as there are so many examples of what not to do to make it wrong and the Doc is quite aware of these pitfalls. I love a Tone-Master for a lot of things but they are the same sort of things ... huge big cleans ..... that I love a twin reverb for as well. It is not a players amp in many aspects, it is a grand beast in more ways but how often do we use all the horsepower that some of todays monster cars develop? Sometimes it's fun for a few minutes but having more fun a higher percentage of the time can be more rewarding. I love specialized stuff whether it is amps, boats or airplanes. I love fast racing multihull sailboats but they don't carry many people, do not have a lot of room inside or carry supplies well. They are not comfortable for much and are basically racing boats. Brad Paisley has a Lear 45. It carries a lot of stuff and maybe 8 people and can fly about 1500 miles at 450 knots and climbs at about 4500 feet per minute. On the other side of the coin is an airplane about the same size ... carries two people and can go about 800 miles and climb at 35,000+ feet per minute with no room for luggage. It flies for 800 miles max at mach .95 (Brad's plane is mach .80) and can actually do mach 1.3 over the ocean where it is legal. It burns 1600 pounds per hour of fuel (about 240 gallons per hour) at about $5.75 a gallon. They both have two engines and are about the same size The Tone-Master and Galaxie are not even close to the same size See how nicely I can digress from the subject but yet tie it all in together By the way .... Brad may be a speedy guitar player but I can borrow a Cessna Citation X out at Van Nuys and race him back to Nashville at Mach .92. The CX is currently the fastest civil aircraft. Below is my son Jack with a Citation X about when they first came on the scene ... and if you go here you can see Jack when he was 15 and got more interested in guitars than airplanes with a great teacher ... hmmmm .... who is that guy? He looks familar. www.guitaramplifierblueprinting.com/images/DSCF0196.JPG
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Post by myles on Apr 29, 2008 19:52:00 GMT -7
I played a Tonemaster back in the 90's and remember that it was a beast and a great amp for cutting through any situation needed. Volume wise it was more than I ever needed so I never owned one. The tonemaster was a loud mutha, from what I can remember it was bright and many have compared it to a higher powered version of the vibroking. I a/b'd them both a few years back and I found that the vibroking was a little sweeter and more suited to blues. I remember playing that through the stock alnico 10's that came loaded in it rather than the 4x12 cab that came with the tonemaster that probably had v30's in it so that was probably one of the factors that affected this as well. The tonemaster was a great amp, make no mistake about it, it had great headroom,channel switching with a fully tweekable eq section. It had a very tight focused sound, probably because of its solid state rectifier, great for all those chugga,chugga rock-metal things that every young teenager liked to play back then. You could play anything from Jjazz,pop and country to heavy forms of rock on it but at 100 watts it was just not practical. If I was going to compare the galaxie to the tonemaster I'd say that the galaxie probably sits closer to the vibroking rather than the tonemaster volume wise. It shares the lush old school blues tones of a vibroking in triode mode but also has a little more modern gain on tap to take you somewhere toward the rock tones of the tonemaster in pentode mode on it's dirty channel. The galaxie has a looser feel, tube rectification obviously affects this and you also has the ability to sustain almost indefinitely ala Santana without causing hearing loss. T rock really summed it all up in his great review of the galaxie. I don't think I could be more comprehensive or detailed in my analysis of the galaxie. At the same time I'm not going to dis the tonemaster just because it's not a Dr Z. The tonemaster is a great amp. It's point to point, has great tones in it and will peel paint but these days peeling paint and moving glasses on tables tends to get you very few gigs unless your doing lollapalooza and playing outdoor festivals to 10 000 people. Am I saying you should sell your tonemaster and buy a galaxie? Well I guess that depends on what your needs are. If you can afford it, keep the tonemaster and buy a galaxie as well. I hope this has helped to some degree. I absolutely love this amp. I am really surprised it doesn't get as much interest as compared with the other Dr Z models. Actually a VibroKing is very different than a Tone-Master ... less gain, a great reverb and much more usable. The Vibro-King also has a lot of clean headroom and although closer to a Tweed Super or Tweed Pro it is closer to a 60 watt modern amp than a sweet classic as 1/2 the Galaxie was slanted toward. And .... unless you keep the Tone-Master because it has the best Fender color scheme they ever made ... the cream tolex, oxblood grillcloth and cream knobs on the brown panel .... so it is really a nice display piece from ages of the sometimes even the recent past, then a Galaxie with a great studio mic and 500,000 watts of house power from a great system would let you do something like Woodstock today and more people would not only hear it but it would sound great as well
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Post by groovergeorge on Apr 29, 2008 20:18:35 GMT -7
I guess Myles summed it up once again.
The pentode switch on the galaxie does get you somewhat away from a tweed vibe and more towards a modernish sound if thats the correct term. Like Myles said with todays great range of instrument mikes available and a really good house pa I too don't see the need anymore for a "wall of sound."
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Post by T-R☼CK ♫ on Apr 29, 2008 21:13:34 GMT -7
Groover, I really dug what you said. Kinda filled in the holes on my post. Myles, get yourself one of these heads man.. If you dig the 6L6 thing, you OWE it to yourself. BTW...I'm diggin' the little Carvin. ;D Daniel...Are you happy now??.......... ;D ;D
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Post by brad737 on Apr 30, 2008 6:21:56 GMT -7
Ahhhh, the White Rocket. Where'd you get that cockpit photo? It looks brand-new. Brad Paisley has a Lear 45. It carries a lot of stuff and maybe 8 people and can fly about 1500 miles at 450 knots and climbs at about 4500 feet per minute. On the other side of the coin is an airplane about the same size ... carries two people and can go about 800 miles and climb at 35,000+ feet per minute with no room for luggage. It flies for 800 miles max at mach .95 (Brad's plane is mach .80) and can actually do mach 1.3 over the ocean where it is legal. It burns 1600 pounds per hour of fuel (about 240 gallons per hour) at about $5.75 a gallon. They both have two engines and are about the same size The Tone-Master and Galaxie are not even close to the same size
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Post by myles on Apr 30, 2008 8:04:30 GMT -7
Ahhhh, the White Rocket. Where'd you get that roosterpit photo? It looks brand-new. Brad Paisley has a Lear 45. It carries a lot of stuff and maybe 8 people and can fly about 1500 miles at 450 knots and climbs at about 4500 feet per minute. On the other side of the coin is an airplane about the same size ... carries two people and can go about 800 miles and climb at 35,000+ feet per minute with no room for luggage. It flies for 800 miles max at mach .95 (Brad's plane is mach .80) and can actually do mach 1.3 over the ocean where it is legal. It burns 1600 pounds per hour of fuel (about 240 gallons per hour) at about $5.75 a gallon. They both have two engines and are about the same size The Tone-Master and Galaxie are not even close to the same size This was a total restoration project a few years back. The airplane is the same year as my Deluxe Reverb .... 1965
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Post by Gregg White (aka stratbrat) on May 2, 2008 0:25:22 GMT -7
That Citation X is a great ride. Many are easily cruising a .94-.95 With a 150kt jetstream on its tail, it's amazing to see these screaming over the ground at groundspeeds near 700kts!
This is the "ride" I'd love to have:
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Post by Jones'n for Tone on May 16, 2008 16:56:05 GMT -7
The Galaxie....What an incredible tone machine this thing is... ....... Again, I have not heard any of the other Z offerings live, but I will, on or about June 20th (Zfest '08). I simply cannot imagine being more satisfied with the tone I'm getting from these two amplifiers. ... Back to amps again...... Tony, If you want to save yourself some dough, don't go to Z fest, stop reading posts on other Z amps and you'll probably be happy for the rest of your days. Conversely, go to Z-fest and you'll probably find that there at least 2 to 3 other Z's you won't be able to live without. I was pretty happy with the Gal.... Then I tried the 6545. Then I fell for the Maz GT. Not that the Gal is any less of an amp than what you've described above. I was 90-95% as happy as you with the Gal. I still think it's an awesome amp (and often wish I still had it). In fact I can't say that any of the three Z's that I have now (Ray, GT, 6545) are actually any "better" than the Gal. Just different flavors. It's just that the Gal is not the only awesome amp in the Z line. I'm at 3 Z's now and there's at least two more that I'd like to have (another Gal & EZG-50). So when you go to Z-fest at least you've been duly warned. Oh and don't forget your checkbook! ;D Brian
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Post by Jones'n for Tone on May 16, 2008 17:06:47 GMT -7
Yep...it really IS that good. I have YET to hook up a pedal of ANY kind between my guitar and this head. I just don't need it. .. I have to agree with you there! I think I've graduated from different pedals to different amps. I've yet to find an overdrive/distortion pedal that compares to the tone of these amps.
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Post by T-R☼CK ♫ on May 16, 2008 17:18:35 GMT -7
The Galaxie....What an incredible tone machine this thing is... ....... Again, I have not heard any of the other Z offerings live, but I will, on or about June 20th (Zfest '08). I simply cannot imagine being more satisfied with the tone I'm getting from these two amplifiers. ... Back to amps again...... Tony, If you want to save yourself some dough, don't go to Z fest, stop reading posts on other Z amps and you'll probably be happy for the rest of your days. Conversely, go to Z-fest and you'll probably find that there at least 2 to 3 other Z's you won't be able to live without. I was pretty happy with the Gal.... Then I tried the 6545. Then I fell for the Maz GT. Not that the Gal is any less of an amp than what you've described above. I was 90-95% as happy as you with the Gal. I still think it's an awesome amp (and often wish I still had it). In fact I can't say that any of the three Z's that I have now (Ray, GT, 6545) are actually any "better" than the Gal. Just different flavors. It's just that the Gal is not the only awesome amp in the Z line. I'm at 3 Z's now and there's at least two more that I'd like to have (another Gal & EZG-50). So when you go to Z-fest at least you've been duly warned. Oh and don't forget your checkbook! ;D Brian Yeah, I know man...That's EXACTLY what Groover Dawgg keeps tellin' me....I'm thinkin' a 66, or an EZG is prolly gonna find it's way into the trunk 'o me ride... Oh well...I can always unload something at OMS.. ;D BTW...Thx for sendin' her this way...I've been wailin' on 'er all afternoon....insert stoopid grin here.
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Post by Joey Beverages on May 16, 2008 19:05:03 GMT -7
The Galaxie....What an incredible tone machine this thing is... ....... Again, I have not heard any of the other Z offerings live, but I will, on or about June 20th (Zfest '08). I simply cannot imagine being more satisfied with the tone I'm getting from these two amplifiers. ... Back to amps again...... Conversely, go to Z-fest and you'll probably find that there at least 2 to 3 other Z's you won't be able to live without. I'm at 3 Z's now and there's at least two more that I'd like to have ........ So when you go to Z-fest at least you've been duly warned. Oh and don't forget your checkbook! ;D Brian well said and oh so true .... as a 3 Z owner .... I know there's more heading north from Cleveland .... just not sure when ;D cheers always, eh Joel
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Post by Jones'n for Tone on May 17, 2008 18:50:47 GMT -7
Hey Joel!
I'm pretty sure one of those Z's is a rocking Galaxie. What are the other two?
Just curious.
Brian
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Post by Joey Beverages on May 18, 2008 6:15:51 GMT -7
Carmen Ghia and Z-28 heads .... with a 112 cab and a 210 cab ;D here's a quick pic of 'em
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Post by Jones'n for Tone on May 18, 2008 9:24:23 GMT -7
Sweet! I've always been curious about the Z-28. How would you compare it to the clean side of the Galaxie?
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Post by groovergeorge on May 19, 2008 5:04:25 GMT -7
I find that the z28 is a little fatter and darker than the clean side of the galaxie in pentode mode. If you crank the z28 and pick hard the 28' will compress and the notes have this beautiful bloom and sag. The 28' has this sponginess about it that is hard to describe really. To my ears it's a sweeter tone. The galaxie is much more different than the z28. It's a lot more "raw", less focused and can be dialed in to achieve a varying degree of tones. I have heard a few people call the z28 a one trick pony. While this isn't entirely true I would still regard it a little less versatile than the galaxie.
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Post by Joey Beverages on May 19, 2008 7:31:59 GMT -7
I find that the z28 is a little fatter and darker than the clean side of the galaxie in pentode mode. If you crank the z28 and pick hard the 28' will compress and the notes have this beautiful bloom and sag. The 28' has this sponginess about it that is hard to describe really. To my ears it's a sweeter tone. The galaxie is much more different than the z28. It's a lot more "raw", less focused and can be dialed in to achieve a varying degree of tones. I have heard a few people call the z28 a one trick pony. While this isn't entirely true I would still regard it a little less versatile than the galaxie. yes ... 'cept for that last sentence .... just my .02, etc. etc. etc. cheers always, eh Joel p.s. now stop readin' and go start playin' ;D
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Post by groovergeorge on May 19, 2008 18:52:27 GMT -7
I knew by saying that there was going to be a little controversy.
It's like saying a Strat or Tele is more versatile than a Les Paul or SG.
The Z28 and Galaxie are both great amps, like all Dr Z's, but in my opinion, no one is better than the other, just different. Some are slightly different, some a lot but all are great rigs. For myself, even though I don't have a Maz jr, I'd imagine if I was in a situation where I could only play one rig, that would probably be it. Fortunately I'm not. I have the luxury of using my Carmen Ghia for blues-rock and some brit/pop stuff with my Tele or friends Les Paul. With the right speaker you can cover lots of ground. I then step up to the Z28 if I am playing funky stuff with the strat; Chillli Peppers, SRV at lower volumes, Jimi Hendrix, American southern rock with a L.P, like Skynard and ZZ or anything a little darker like Neil Young. With a greenback it is a superb grab and go rig. If you swap it out for a brighter speaker like a weber alnico-jensen clone it can even do some rockabilly ala Brian Setzer. Then there is the Galaxie. Tony (T'rock) summed it up beautifully about that amp.............
MESSAGE TO T'ROCK
Tony I know you love both your Ghia and galaxie and have said that the Galaxie could be the best rig since that, but here's the warning, leave that credit card at home when you go to Z' fest, because when you play all of those other great rigs, you are going to be financially poorer but tonefully richer. In fact I am willing to make a friendly wager that if you haven't bought a Route 66 or RXES jr or full strength by Independence day..............(you got some money comin' to you I heard) then I owe you a bottle of Jack D' if you do, you know where I live dawwwg! ;D
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Post by Joey Beverages on May 19, 2008 19:25:51 GMT -7
Well said groovergeorge If you are ever in the neighbourhood, look me up and we'll grab a pint or two at the local and discuss the many merits of all the Z amps ;D cheers always, eh Joel
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Post by T-R☼CK ♫ on May 19, 2008 19:29:53 GMT -7
;D ;D
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Post by groovergeorge on May 19, 2008 20:14:54 GMT -7
No problems Joel, I'm trying to convince my wife to do a big trip next year and include Z' fest in the itinerary . Canada could be an option as well.
Anyway, I've got to stop typing and get some rest, I'm still recovering from a MASSIVE weekend.
BTW Tony, I can see you're not saying much in your defence? LMAO
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