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Post by arussell on Jan 24, 2006 13:02:28 GMT -7
Hi Everyone,
I'm seriously considering ordering a Carmen Ghia combo. I want the combo for the convenience of carrying around, touring, etc. Does anyone have any opinions in the 1x12 vs. the 2x10 versions? Currently I am using a 1964 Ampeg Superbreverb, which is about an 18 watt amp with one 15" speaker and an open back (one reason I'm getting a new amp is that the old Ampeg, while wonderful sounding, can be a bit unrealiable and I also feel bad beating it up by taking it on tour).
I tried a ghia head through a 2x12 Z cabinet in a local store and liked the sound, but feel I would be better off with a combo. I generally prefer a warm, clear tone that breaks up a bit when I play hard and can be cleaned up with the volume knob. I usually use a G&L ASAT special with both pickups on and play with bare fingers for a warmer sound. My instinct is that the 1x12 will be a little clearer sounding at higher volumes that the 2x10 due to less speaker distortion, but am not well-versed in gear-related issues like this, so any advice would be nice!
Thanks, Aaron
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Post by straightblues on Jan 24, 2006 13:13:04 GMT -7
I have a 1x12 and it is very nice. I can't compare it with the 2x10 as I have never played through one but I can assure you that the 1x12 is great.
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Post by zane on Jan 24, 2006 13:13:58 GMT -7
I have a 2x10 Maz Jr...it sounds great to me... I don't think you have to worry about the Z-10's breaking up in a Ghia...speakers are 70w x 2 + 140w
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Post by arussell on Jan 24, 2006 13:34:38 GMT -7
Do you think that the 2x10 will have more low end than the 1x12? The 2x10 has 628 square inches of speaker surface area vs. 452 square inches for the 1x12, but then if an individual 10 is miked for recording or through the P.A. it should have less low end that the 12...
I'm trying to avoid sounding shrill in all events, but am thinking I will enjoy the challenge of having a little more brightness than the old Ampeg affords (I always run it with the tone all the way up).
As I mentioned before, I am not all that sharp on this kind of question and am not big on tweaking, which is probably why I prefer amps with two knobs.
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Post by StrangeC on Jan 24, 2006 14:34:12 GMT -7
I love my Ghia 1x12! I swapped my V30 for a G12M Greenback because I needed to drop the volume a tad via 3 less dB and get earlier breakup with the Greenback. You wouldnt want that. I suspect the G12H30 would be a great speaker to order with the Ghia. I like the 12 for rock tones. I tried the 2x10 and while good, I preferred the classic 12 sound. (More speaker options too).
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Post by real oldster on Jan 25, 2006 0:27:23 GMT -7
I also play with fingers. I find the Ghia with a V30 12 to be loud, clear and warm.
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Post by Phil (aka Phil) on Jan 25, 2006 5:36:23 GMT -7
Have you heard the Z 10" speakers in his combos or the Z open back 2X10? I used my Carmen Ghia for years with my Z-best 2X12. About a year ago I bought a Dr. Z 2X10 open back to go with my Z-28. I was shocked by how loud that cab is and how low it goes. Those "little" 10's sound like 12's, with the response of 10's!
PDW
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Post by bluzsteel on Jan 25, 2006 6:01:22 GMT -7
Ghia through 112 is killer
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Post by JASON (aka jgleaton) on Jan 25, 2006 7:16:50 GMT -7
Hi arussell,
My Ghia 2X10 combo arives on THE BROWN TRUCK TODAY, ;D...blond with brown grille cloth...nice looking...
Except for my Victoria bassman (love the 4-10's thing in it) I have all 12" speakers and am a 12" speaker-liking kinda guy myself....got the 2X10's for smaller size/ portability and I'm just gonna try em out......so I'll let you know what my thoughts are (got practice tonight and I'm playin it)...
I also have the newer Z 1x12 combo and I'm gonna run it through that also (a/b) to see which I like/ what the differences are (+/- of each)...I LOVE that little Z 1X12 cab....
I figure whichever I like with the ghia the best (int. 10's or ext. 12), I'll run it through that and the other I'll run my Maz 38 head for a little a/b action...I already like the 38 through the 1X12 so it'll also be interesting to see how the Maz 38 sounds through the ghia's 2X10's...
(I'm leaning towards running it that way, maz w/ 2x10 and the ghia w/1x12) just sittin em side by side and switching the speakers on em' but we'll see....
Jason
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Post by arussell on Jan 25, 2006 8:27:31 GMT -7
Wow, thanks for all the responses! I'm leaning towards the 1x12 V30 right now, but I'm really interested to hear what jgleaton thinks of the new 2x10 ghia he's getting today.
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Post by JASON (aka jgleaton) on Jan 25, 2006 14:55:17 GMT -7
;D My initial response is my ears are ringing......WOW this little thing is loud...... " I was shocked by how loud that cab is and how low it goes. Those "little" 10's sound like 12's, with the response of 10's!" DITTO PDW!!! I couldn't have said it any better....ummmm......... not to be repetitive but these 10's DON'T sound like 10's... they do sound bigger and have some low end...and I can still hear the "10" in there, like I get from my bassman 4X10.....This is a great cabinet and it sounds great....these are not your mama's 10's I'm more confused with the one tone knob than I am on all my other amps combined....It's everything I've ever heard about....VERY wide range of tones...could spend all afternoon just playin with the one tone knob and turning the volume up and down getting different sounds.....watch the treble with those 10's though (tone is set up backwards..I forgot about that) ... man my ears are ringing... BUT...I initially played a ghia through my Z-best at elite music when I got it...so I plugged my combo into my Z-best instead and .....hmmmmmm..different sound......I remember that sound.....I like it....... ALOT AND THEN I plugged the GHIA into my THD cab loaded with the WEBER CERAMIC BLUE/ SILVER....HOLY CRAP!!! I like all of these sounds but I must LOVE the weber's cause that was the smoothest tone/ great tone... I think I'm just a 12" speaker fan..... 12" might be a little fatter and the 10" just might have a little more spank... However the amp sounded GREAT through everything... didn't get to try it with the 1X12 yet but I will....as far as 10" vs 12"..... I THINK IT'S A MATTER OF PERSONAL TASTE... those 10" Z SPEAKERS ARE NOT DISTORTING, BUT the AMP is starting to break up past 1:00... so you'll get the max headroom out of either a 1X12 or a 2X10 but they will just be a little different sounding....If I change anything I'd probably get a head so I could use whatever speakers I wanted with it...which is what I'm gonna do if I get another Maz 18 NR BUT..I'm gonna just play this amp awhile cause it is a neat little grab n go amp, fun amp....plenty loud and I think I can get the same tones out of it that I got out of the Maz JR...in addition to a thicker meaty tone I don't remember the Maz able to get... I might be more of a Maz 38/ RX man when it's all said and done though.... arussell, I really don't know what to tell ya and I don't know if I helped you out....I think if I was on the fence, and couldn't TRY out one of these first..... I would go with what I usually like...Maybe in your case your since your leaning toward the 1X12.....and you want a combo, i'd probably go with a 1X12...But I think I would recommend the Head / cab for versatility and a little z 1X12 or 2X10 ext cab woulb be just as easy/ portable...plus you could have the best of both worlds....I'm gonna give mine some time and rehersal's to see what it can really do, opinion will change and as with most Z's, need to "learn" the amp.... just a first impression, ...and I will enjoy getting to know her! Jason
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Post by arussell on Jan 25, 2006 17:00:49 GMT -7
The description there seems to indicate that I would probably want the 12. A separate head would be good for versatility, but would end up costing me a little more (that amp is at the outside edge of what I can afford anyway), and the combo is a little more convenient. Also, knowing myself, if I like the way the combo sounds I'm not going to go around wishing I could try every permutation of speakers. So I think I may go with the 1x12 combo.
Aaron
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Post by Curt on Jan 25, 2006 17:07:25 GMT -7
I also play with fingers. I find the Ghia with a V30 12 to be loud, clear and warm. +1, Ghia head Z 1x12 cab. V-30 = Happy Tele yanker here.
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Post by JASON (aka jgleaton) on Jan 25, 2006 18:09:34 GMT -7
Aaron,
It's a great amp...to ease your mind, I think you almost can't go wrong with it either way...and one more thing I'd add about it so far...I noticed you don't need as much as far as pedals go with this amp....just a good boost pedal goes along way. maybe a good transparent OD pedal with light gain also....
ohhh, tried some different tubes..KCA NOS !!!!!! big difference... especially like the rectifier. liking the 10's better today.... getting used to the amp, FUN AMP!...still ever so slightly prefer 12's but I'm really starting to like these 10's...thinkin the 10's might make a good difference if I use just the GHIA at practice....might cut through a little better? Tried holy grail reverb...Don't need it... and I'm a reverb kinda guy....Just don't need it...so far, so fun
Jason
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Post by arussell on Jan 27, 2006 14:47:31 GMT -7
Thanks for all your comments! If I buy one of these I think I'm going to go with the 12. My band is kind of funny in that I don't have much to cut through - we're pretty quiet. I'm actually more worried about this amp being too loud than the other way around. As an example, the other guitarist in the band plays through a Vibro Champ and has no problem being heard during rehearsal.
If I do buy one, I'll come back here and let everyone know how it's working out.
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Post by niversen on Jan 29, 2006 16:21:04 GMT -7
I've got the 2x10 and it is my favorite (other amp is a 3x10 Victoria BandMaster). Tone for days and days. I've not played the 1x12, but I am quite happy with the 2x10. Nothing missing that I can tell.
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Post by arussell on Jan 30, 2006 13:12:22 GMT -7
Just found a 1x12 with a Celestion blue speaker on ebay and bought it! I can't wait to try it out. Thanks again to everyone who gave their thoughts.
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Post by niversen on Jan 30, 2006 17:11:45 GMT -7
Congrats! And enjoy! I am sure you will be quite happy.
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Post by zdogma on Jan 30, 2006 19:37:45 GMT -7
I have a blue and it sounds great (I think it is my favorite) with the ghia. Beware though, some have a bit of bell rattle at high vols. I also use a governor and a redfang for different flavors. All very good.
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Post by arussell on Jan 30, 2006 21:12:08 GMT -7
Great. Do you know how easy it is to damage that speaker? I notice that those are 15 watt speakers and the ghia is 18 watts. I probably wouldn't want to turn it all the way up very often, but I'm wondering if that would be a danger to the speaker. Sometimes I use a zvex SHO pedal, too. Would that be too "hard on" it if the amp was only up about halfway?
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Post by zdogma on Jan 31, 2006 10:23:26 GMT -7
I asked the doctor prior to using this combination and he said it was quite safe. Apparently Brad Paisley has used a ghia with a 112 in past also with no problems. I have used mine for about 6 months without issues. The rating is conservative, it is said, but I wouldn't use a z28 or anything.
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