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Post by Hammerhead on Apr 30, 2009 10:26:10 GMT -7
Hey Ya'll, My first post here about my first Z amp. I have owned and played through many old fender, Gibson, ampeg, mesa, matchless, and a few others that are not even worth mentioning. I still own a near mint '64 deluxe reverb, a '58 tremolux, a modded '59 bass man reissue, Doug Hoffman 30 watt re-verb combo, and a Carr rambler. After hearing so many great things about Z amps and hearing players like Red Volkert and Brad Paisley I finally pulled the trigger on a used z-28 blond 1x12 combo. Let me just say that I am amazed at the sounds I can get out of this thing. It is like my '58 tremolux on steroids. I own several strats and tele's and this amp makes them all sound like new guitars to me again, similar to my first matchless DC-30 but at a much better price and more usable volume level. Thank you DR. Z.
I do have a question: It currently has a g12 h 30 in it and wondered how a celestion gold alnico would sound keeping in mind I want to keep the headroom as high as possible in other words I don't want the speaker to break up any earlier than one one I have. If any one has a gold in their 1x12 combo I'd like to here any comments. Or if there is a better speaker than that. Thanks
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Post by tiptone on Apr 30, 2009 11:33:40 GMT -7
Congrats!!!
I played my Z28 head through a 1x12 cab with a G12H30 for several years and thought that it sounded mighty fine. I went to a Scumback greenback clone to tame a bit of the high end and bring the db level down a bit, but I could have been perfectly happy with the G12H30 had I not been able to purchase the Scumback.
I never tried the Gold, but I honestly think you'd have a to put a very crappy speaker in there to make that Z28 sound bad. You're likely looking at different shades of good and it's up to you to decide what's best for you.
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Post by Hammerhead on Apr 30, 2009 18:28:59 GMT -7
Thanks for the feed back, I've already tried some different tubes and like all the sounds, but I know a speaker change can make a difference also.
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Post by fishman on Apr 30, 2009 19:29:20 GMT -7
quick suggestions, NOS rectifier.... RedFang I also agree with tiptone, you would have to work at making this amp sound bad. congrats on the 28, a great choice.
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Post by Joey Beverages on May 1, 2009 6:35:10 GMT -7
First, congrats on the new amp Hammerhead. Z-28 was my first Z amp and remains my go-to. 99.9 % of the time with Z-210 cab. Second, while I have not tried a Gold or the G12 H 30, I have run with the Z112 that came stock with Vintage 30 for the past couple of years. Took some time for me to break-it-in, but am diggin' it now. Singles, 'buckers and 90s. And, I gotta say that I have tried other '28s at various shops and found it works very nicely with pretty much any cab/speaker you hook-it up with. Crank it up and let 'er rip. It's a strong 'un cheers always, eh Joel
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Post by timford on May 4, 2009 6:38:13 GMT -7
Hey Hammerhead, the z28 may well be my first z amp also. I've got a c 30 head and 112 cab and found your comment on the tone and volume difference interesting.
When the matchless is on, it starts loud and gets louder, even on the half power setting. I got a headstrong lil king (64 princeton clone) as an amp for quieter volumes but find it lacks the sound I love from the matchless. It has its own thing going on that I love, but I am looking for an amp that has the feel/definition of the matchless but at lower volumes (on the ef86 channel I prefer the volume at 9am no MV, than using the MV for a higher preamp setting at same listening volume - but I can only play it when the family is out). The headstrong is a beautiful clean at low to medium volume, but doesn't have the sparkle/color overall, or the bass note definition at higher volumes. It's 15" weber 15f150 sounds fantastic with the matchless (and chute cc04). But I am considering a 15" alnico blue dog (50w), and are tossing around with the idea of whether to go a celestion blue or gold in a 112 (or 212 cab with a g12h30). If you try it, give us your feedback. I'd look at the gold, as I'd hate to blow a blue if it was in a 112. How much can the celestion blue 'really' handle? Would it handle the z28 by itself?
How does the z 28 volume work in comparison to the c30, especially at lower volumes (I have no doubt it would be superb at higher volumes)? Is the volume control a more linear affair than the c30? How else would you compare them? I would rather try a z than get a second smaller matchless.
How does the volume of the 22w z28 compare to the c30 half power when cranked? More/less/similar?
I originally thought the route 66 would be my first choice, but I never reach for my airbrake as it is, and it would just give me another awesome big amp that I could only really take advantage of while the family is out (when playing at home, which is most of my playing).
Hoping you can fill me in on some of my questions Hammerhead,
Thanks,
Tim
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Post by Ridgeback on May 4, 2009 8:37:57 GMT -7
Great choice for a first Z. I have 4 Z's and the 28 may be my overall favorite.
I have an Avatar Vintage 1x12 cab with a Gold and have occasionally played the 28 through it. As expected, it sounds great but it loses the Fenderish flavor that I like about the 28 so the Gold would not be my personal choice with that amp. I like the Weber 12 (A or F) 150 series speakers with the 28. Just personal preference.
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Post by Hammerhead on May 10, 2009 19:51:36 GMT -7
I really appreciate all the info and opinions you guys share on these posts. Timford , sorry it took so long to get back to ya, I've been real busy. I haven't had the DC-30 for quite some time now so I can't give you a head to head comparison. I just remember I loved the tone but it was always too loud no matter how I set it. I suppose an air-brake would have helped but I never tried one on it. I have purchased a brake lite for the z-28 and it does help if I need to play at quieter gigs. I like it. I'm thinking of buying an extension cab, maybe a 2- 10 z cab to put under the amp for bigger gigs. How does that work for anybody? I'm also thinking that would sound really good with my new Route 66 head that I'm now dreaming about owning. Any comments on favorite speakers for the Route 66?
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