milo
New Member
Posts: 26
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Post by milo on May 9, 2008 6:35:57 GMT -7
I kind of discovered the tone of the EF86 about a year ago when I played a Route 66 at a local store but I figured that as much of that tone was in the power tubes as well and don't really use a head and cabinet set-up very often.
About three or four weeks ago a used Z-28 2x10 combo popped up at my favorite local store and I fell in love with it but the funds weren't available and work has been sketchy so I had to put it out of my head a bit. Then I got sent to Louisville for work and figured the amp would be long gone.
Anyway, I went back yesterday and amazingly the amp was still there so I gave it another quick test drive and popped it on layaway so sometime in the next four weeks she'll be coming home.
I got to play one of the handwired Vox AC-15s side by side yesterday and it was a really nice sounding amp as well, although it's hard to imagine how a handwired amp made in China can cost almost as much as a new Dr-Z made with better components in the US. Besides that, the used Z cost a little less than the new Vox. These EF86 tubes are pretty impressive and the Z-28 tone stack is great. I can't wait to get this thing to house.
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Post by blackice on May 9, 2008 7:14:50 GMT -7
Cheers, & Happy Giging.
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Post by flem on May 9, 2008 7:17:41 GMT -7
Pre-grats on the soon to be new amp! I love mine (112 w/Greenback).
I can imagine what the price of the HWAC15 would be if it wasn't assembled by someone making pennies an hour with parts from who knows where.
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Post by Joey Beverages on May 9, 2008 7:54:11 GMT -7
'28+210= ;D '28+112 = ;D '28+Zbest= ;D ;D ;D congrats and welcome aboard, eh Joel p.s. sending some K for choosin' an awesome Z ... 'course, I think they're all awesome
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milo
New Member
Posts: 26
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Post by milo on May 9, 2008 8:08:24 GMT -7
Thanks guys. I've actually been wanting to add an EL84 amp to the stable after selling my Vox AC30 but everything I played with an EF86 sounded so good and different from what I had and Z-28 seems to get some of that Vox sparkle while keeping some of the 6V6 tone. Besides that, I've got about 10 pairs of various old stock 6V6s at the house to keep the amp happy.
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Post by asattwanger on May 9, 2008 10:14:51 GMT -7
Yeah, I think the Ef-86 adds that tone factor that keeps it from being strictly "Fender" sounding. I don't know about the "Brown Deluxe" sound people proclaim to hear. Of course I don't own a Brown Deluxe either.
Don't afraid to run this into one of your other amps speakers. A single 12 is no match compaired to the 2x10's, but you get a totaly different vibe from the reaction of the amp.
Will you and Ches be swapping amps in the near future? MazJr one week Z-28 the next? Sounds like alo of fun.
DAVE
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Post by sudsysul on May 9, 2008 11:31:51 GMT -7
I agree asattwanger.. I don't hear anything Fender'y with my Z28. I've heard guys even say it's an improved Deluxe Reverb, which it most definitely is not. I've heard the Tweed and the Brown comparisons too. I think it's got it's own sound.. very unique and versatile.
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milo
New Member
Posts: 26
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Post by milo on May 9, 2008 12:35:19 GMT -7
I own a brown Deluxe. After I played the Route 66 I checked the Z website looking for other EF86 amps and sort of wrote the Z-28 off as not being an option due to the description comparing it to the brownie, which is a great amp by the way. I just figured it would be too much like that amp to consider it.
The brown Deluxe has a driven sound that I suspect a lot of pedal manufacturers chase, but I didn't feel there was very much overlap between the two amps. The Z-28 seems to have a bit more sparkle to it. Of course I'm also comparing two (probably relatively hefty) 10 inch speakers to a single 12 inch alnico.
I don't share too much with that Ches guy, we can't stand each other (lol) I only lend him stuff when I'm trying to sell it to him or to prove that he does or doesn't need that particular item when he gets GAS.
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Post by oldwoodak on May 9, 2008 12:40:16 GMT -7
My comparison of my z-28 and my sfdr reveal direct similarities up to the 9 o'clock volume position after that the deluxe mushs out where the z-28 stays very articulate with some growl; using the same Weber Silver Bell. As for the brown deluxe, I'm going off 8 year old memory but my recollection is that this was the sweetest amp I ever heard; the z28 is right up there. Up until I got the Z28 I ask the owner daily to sell it to me. Saw one on ebay yesterday starting at $2300USD.
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milo
New Member
Posts: 26
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Post by milo on May 10, 2008 9:12:14 GMT -7
I got my brown Deluxe two years ago for a little over $900 but the transformers had been replaced with bigger iron from a Vibrolux and the grill cloth was well abused replacement. All the original board components and pots were still inside so I wasn't too worried about it. I love the tremolo on that amp.
I'd sell it to you for a lot less than $2300 ;D
I'm looking forward to comparing the two amps, but my impression from playing the Z-28 two times in the store was that it is a bit more three-dimensional than the Deluxe with a little more sparkle.
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