bart
New Member
Posts: 30
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Post by bart on Jan 18, 2009 9:00:01 GMT -7
Hello folks, I have a Carmen Ghia that I really like. However, it has a reputation of being unforgiving. That it accentuate every note, as well as all the mistakes, a clean picker's amp. Sadly, I'm not a clean picker, I tried to be more articulate in playing but failed miserably. I'm looking at the Z28 because I love the sparkle of the 6V6. My question is, is the Z28 more forgiving than the Carmen Ghia? It was compared to the Brown Tolexed Deluxe in Dr. Z's website. I have a Tweed Deluxe 5E3 clone that I have no problem using, it doesn't accentuate my mistakes as much. Could it be said that the Z28 is similar to the tweed in that respect? I'm consdering replacing my Carmen Ghia with a Headstrong Lil' King Reverb, another awesome amp. But I love Dr. Z amps (I've tried my friend's MAZ 18 and loved it too, although it doesn't have the tone I'm looking for) and it'll sadden me to part with it altogether if they only cater to clean pickers. Thanks.
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Post by mangoman on Jan 18, 2009 9:22:54 GMT -7
Bart,
I am by no means a clean picker. I went from a Maz jr - great amp, just too many knobs for me, although I think when I got it dialed in, the cut knob is the best out there...unforgiving, but workable for me. Then got an RX Jr - LOVE(D) it. Will probably own again. Very percussive and really unforgiving. Traded that for the Z 28. Really dig it. LOUD. A bit TOO loud. Seams to let me play a bit better. In my opinion, its a tad bit more forgiving.
I did pick up a Savage Rohr, and I am really loving that thing. Pretty forgiving as compared to the Z's, but I love the Z mojo. However, being that I am in Minneapolis, the Savage mojo is second to none.
Hope that helps!!!!
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bart
New Member
Posts: 30
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Post by bart on Jan 18, 2009 14:01:03 GMT -7
Thanks, mangoman. Some more input is greatly appreciated.
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Post by mangoman on Jan 18, 2009 18:19:03 GMT -7
How about firing me a PM and some questions. I will do my best!
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Post by UnclePat on Jan 18, 2009 18:41:16 GMT -7
The Z-28 is more "in your face" with that EF86 front end, and can be every bit as unforgiving if the tone controls are set that way. You'll hear every nuance of your playing technique, good and bad. Dial in plenty of drive that you can clean up with your guitar volume knob and it's a killer, along with being a lot more forgiving. That seems to me to be one of the great things about Z amps. If you stick with them, they'll make you a better player.
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Post by fishman on Jan 19, 2009 5:44:07 GMT -7
I woulden't say its all tweedy....some resemblance but not the main thing, actually I think it sounds more like an early marshall. Does killer marshallesque tones circa wind cries mary, hey joe, as well as others. dial down the bass-treb and you can have fenderish going on, clean and rich, will show when you mess up. You can hide mistakes behind OD or distortion but clean, there is no where to hide. You can also turn that 6V6 sparkle into a Voxy chime with the right settings, perhaps a bit of clean boost. great amp, I have had 3 Z's,. 28-38 and StingRay, they are all pretty much magnifiers of your mistakes. Conversley, they are also magnifiers of your successes as well. Its an equal reaction either way. No doubt about it, the 28 is a great amp.
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Post by mangoman on Jan 21, 2009 19:30:56 GMT -7
3-3-3. LOUD AND PROUD. That should hide most little things, and man, is that loud!!!
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Post by UnclePat on Jan 22, 2009 5:37:49 GMT -7
3-3-3 is just about as perfect an all-around setting as there is on this amp. Gives you a lot of options with your guitar's volume and tone knobs.
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Post by bustertheboy on Jan 22, 2009 14:16:28 GMT -7
More forgiving with a strat neck pickup certainly. A bit less percussive than the Ghia. Still a Z but neither amps sounds quite like anything else on the planet- I think the Doc has the ability to come at things from very different angles to other people rather than worshipping at the altar of Fender or Marshall! re the loudness bit I don't find it enormously louder than the Ghia- but a lot more dynamic (not a cathode biased amp) Brett
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Post by Joey Beverages on Jan 22, 2009 16:51:23 GMT -7
Bart, I have just re-acquired a 'Ghia .... and still got a '28 .... I will try to give some realtime ideas shortly. From what I recall the first time around both amps forced me to work on technique. the '28 seemed to have a sweetness that got my attention from the git-go .... but will roar if you wanna dial-it-in that way the Ghia had(has) a clarity that with some guitars put an almost piano-like clearness and sensitivity to notes ... very coool .... it has an awesome overdriven sound ... again if you are looking for it, it can be a thing of beauty while I am by no means a pure-clean git-picker .... both amps will provide some of the most beautiful break-up and drive you'll ever hear ... and, never mind the possibilities if you decide to put a pedal or two in front of either or both amps all at the same time ;D which is more forgiving? I ain't sure .... the way I play, sometimes it is nice to hide behind a pedal or two every now and again not sure that I came close to helping your situation .... but I just wanted to share some thoughts cheers always, eh Joel
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Post by Bill on Jan 22, 2009 17:07:38 GMT -7
3-3-3 is just about as perfect an all-around setting as there is on this amp. Gives you a lot of options with your guitar's volume and tone knobs. One of my favorite gigs of '08 was done on my Z-28 1x12 combo, outdoors, plugged straight in with the knobs 3-3-3. Used a strat and worked the volume knob...excellent!
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Post by bustertheboy on Jan 22, 2009 21:49:13 GMT -7
A more forgiving sound- strat neck pu into an OCD all knobs set straight up, Z28 set 12, 3, 3- lush and sweet. How to go the other way for totally unforgiving? Straight in, 4, 11, 11- tight with lots of head room (did I say loud?). Brett
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Post by jordanbunte on Jan 22, 2009 22:30:55 GMT -7
damn loud for 22 watts. God Bless Air Brakes.
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