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Post by speedyone on Jun 8, 2008 12:06:16 GMT -7
Hello all,
I have recently discovered Dr Z amps, and have a few questions.
I was intent on buying a 59 Bassman LTD Reissue, but was concerned about build quality... I wanted an amp that was put together with a little more TLC and with better quality control.
I am looking for the Bassman's clean tone out of a Z amp.
I will be playing "Eric Johnson-esque" things-- ie, super clean chording with overdriven leads. The pedals I will be using are a Deluxe Memory Man, BK Butler tube driver, Holier Grail reverb, and Analogman chorus.
My goal here is to find an amp which will give me the warm, 3-d tonality of the Bassman AND acept pedals well. If the potential Z amp has 2 channels, that is a plus, but not a necessity.
Also, I'd like a combo, not a head.
Any speaker configuration is fair game-- 1x12, 2x12, 2x10, 4x10. But I would PREFER the amp to not be ridiculously heavy. (think 55lbs or less)
I appreciate any input you folks can give me, and please feel free to move this thread if it is not in the appropriate area.
Thank you!
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Post by speedyone on Jun 8, 2008 12:12:03 GMT -7
I thought I would add some more info if it is needed...
I do not need tons of clean headroom; I will be playing in Church and at home...I don't gig arenas or anything!
The potential amp does not have to have a master volume. If the amp has 2 channels, then it would be nice to have a master volume to get a nice distortion out of the lead channel.
Again, a MV is not necessary, but a Bassman like clean tone and the ability to accept pedals well is!
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Post by benttop (Steve) on Jun 8, 2008 13:54:19 GMT -7
Yoiks. Well you may have figured out by now that many of the Doc's amps are voiced more like a Vox AC30 than a Fender, with some caveats and exceptions. Probably the closest to that sound is going to be the new EZG-50, which we are all waiting for with baited breath. They'll be shipping late June, but it only comes as a head. That said, it was specifically designed by the Doc to get that blackface tone. It's definitley worth a look. You don't really say how much power you think you need, so it's a little hard to make real specific comments, but I'll say this: the two Maz amps (the 18-watt Jr. and the 38-watt Sr.) are extremely versatile. I've got a really big and FAT sound coming out of my Jr, and you would be amazed at how loud it is. That said, if it's not loud enough, the Sr. most assuredly is. With the right speaker choice, and some tone tweaking, you can get either of these to come pretty close to a great Fender sound. The coolest thing about them is that you can get them pretty close to a Marshall and a Vox too. Very versatile amps, and they do come as a combo (and they come in at 47 lbs in either 1x12 or 2x10 configurations). Of course there is the Galaxie which is also a 6L6 based amp, and we have a load of folks who like that amp too. It's more of a tweed super sound, so if that's your deal well there you are. It's a bit heavier I think, but unfortunately the Doc's web page doesn't list the weight. And of course you can't forget the Z-28 - the Doc's first 6V6 based amp. Kind of a supercharged Deluxe, and a real screamer. Check them out!
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Post by Jan on Jun 8, 2008 16:51:04 GMT -7
Of course there is the Galaxie which is also a 6L6 based amp, and we have a load of folks who like that amp too. It's more of a tweed super sound, so if that's your deal well there you are. It's a bit heavier I think, but unfortunately the Doc's web page doesn't list the weight.
According to my bathroom scale my Galaxie head weighs about 30 pounds. She is Blonde. If she was Uma Thurman, her clean channel would be Venus from The Adventures of Baron Munchausen and her mean channel... her mean channel would Kill Bill. Pedals? I have no pedals. She don't need no stinkin pedals. :-)
Having heard my Galaxie beside a Bandmaster that I used to like, I now think the Fender sounds thin and plain.
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Post by benttop (Steve) on Jun 8, 2008 17:05:22 GMT -7
There it is! Galaxie owners believe!
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Post by speedyone on Jun 11, 2008 9:09:59 GMT -7
Thank you all very much for your input!
I am sorry for the late response; my new laptop's motherboard just died... I had to set up my 7 year old clunky computer to get back online!
I will be checking out all the amps mentioned, digging through soundclips, looking to find a good fit for me.
Thanks again!
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Post by mahons on Jun 12, 2008 12:25:26 GMT -7
+1 on the Z- 28. It's fender-y and it has that EF- 86 front end so it just eats up pedals. It might sound a little off the wall, but look at the Route 66 as well. I hear nothing but great things about it, and it has the same front end as the Z- 28. Also, it is a bit of a spin on the JTM 45, and the JTM 45 came from the Bassman, so indirectly... The funny part about Z's is they're all great, so you'll get a recommendation for almost every model!
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Post by dixiechicken on Jun 12, 2008 14:16:32 GMT -7
DC here! I'll cast my vote for Route66 - (he's off again I hear some folks moaning ;D) - I agree with "mahons". I'll go a more direct route though - pun intended btw. I had a Fender Blues DeVille 2x12" combo - for 10 years - by and large it served me well enough - I loved it's clean sound and projection. When we borrow back-line at larger gigs - when we share amps with several bands etc - i always specify Fenders. (so you see I really do like Fenders ) But finally I sold it and bought my Route66 October-2007 with a 2x10" cab. That's hands down the best amplifier I ever played - it's not even a contest. I have no sentimental attachment to my gear - it's just working tools for me - to make me play my best - but I'm in love with this amp - I just can't get enough of it. I stand for hours on end down in the rehearsal studio - all alone - grinning like an idiot - plying my Route. ;D ;D ;D And please note that I actually DONT LIKE Marshalls - yes yes I know now I'm in for it , - but I must confess I have never played or heard a Marshall that sounds good - except Eric Clapton on the first John Mayall (Beano) album. Cheers: Dixiechicken!
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Post by Danny on Jun 12, 2008 15:28:59 GMT -7
DC doesn't like Marshalls?!?! Grrrrr...
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Post by dixiechicken on Jun 14, 2008 3:51:21 GMT -7
Yes I knew someone had it in for me. ;D ;D ;D ;D And to think I have always considered myself a dog lover. Time to reconsider Cheers: Dixiechicken!
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milo
New Member
Posts: 26
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Post by milo on Jun 14, 2008 18:33:37 GMT -7
The first thing that came to my mind was the Route 66 but it's a head. I think the Z-28 will get you closer than the EL-84 tubed amps. I really like the one I just bought and it has a beefy, sort of Fendery brown/tweed sound, only with a twist due to the EF-86 preamp.
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Post by jwr on Jun 14, 2008 19:07:18 GMT -7
The only amp from Z that reminds me of a Bassman is a Route 66, but you can only get them as a head. None of the EL-84 models are gonna get ya there. A Galaxie might do it too, but it's doing more of a Tweed thing. Those are the 2 your gonna want to audition.
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Post by billyguitar on Jun 15, 2008 13:23:02 GMT -7
He mentioned the tweed Bassman tone was what he's looking for. The reissue Fenders are sturdy and get very close to the real tone. I've got two 1957 Bassmans. I converted one to the '59 circuit. It is a hair smoother sounding than the other one. This is the circuit they emulated in the reissue. IMO no Z gets that sound, he could if he wanted to but it's already been done to death. In the neighborhood would be the Galaxie and the Z 28. I also have a 1959 Super. Very similar in tone to the Bassmans after taking into account the obvious differences. Bassmans have this wide open treble that is quite unique but I hear that in the Z28 given a complimentary speaker. A blackface Bassman sound is nice but nothing special. that's why they are still relatively cheap. A blackface Bandmaster is really bland. One less gain stage and smaller transformers.
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Post by jwr on Jun 15, 2008 15:39:28 GMT -7
Tweed huh Well, if that's the case...... Victoria
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Post by eliot1025 on Jun 17, 2008 22:02:41 GMT -7
He mentioned the tweed Bassman tone was what he's looking for. The reissue Fenders are sturdy and get very close to the real tone. I've got two 1957 Bassmans. I converted one to the '59 circuit. It is a hair smoother sounding than the other one. This is the circuit they emulated in the reissue. IMO no Z gets that sound, he could if he wanted to but it's already been done to death. In the neighborhood would be the Galaxie and the Z 28. I also have a 1959 Super. Very similar in tone to the Bassmans after taking into account the obvious differences. Bassmans have this wide open treble that is quite unique but I hear that in the Z28 given a complimentary speaker. A blackface Bassman sound is nice but nothing special. that's why they are still relatively cheap. A blackface Bandmaster is really bland. One less gain stage and smaller transformers. +1 on that. Especially the Galaxie for the tweed sound.
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Post by dock66 on Jun 18, 2008 12:21:23 GMT -7
Galaxie.
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Post by cementman on Jun 18, 2008 15:02:54 GMT -7
for church tone, wherein you dont have to play really loud, i would go for a "da da", (trumpet sound here) a 2/10 z28 combo,,, i have owned a 4/10 combo and wish i had it back. perfect for what you are looking for. the 22 watts sounds like a whole lot more... one of the best buys of the dr z line,,, at least go play one somewhere before you buy an amp with more watts
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Post by dragonofbabylon on Jun 22, 2008 9:41:02 GMT -7
Just hooked up a 4-10 Z cab to a Maz GT and a Presription ES and it come very close to getting that 59 Bassman sound ,, just a slight tweak on the tone knob and man is it there
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Post by Hohn on Jun 28, 2008 11:01:59 GMT -7
Both amps at the same time, or which one?
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