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Post by troyh on Mar 23, 2006 12:02:07 GMT -7
Thinking about joining you all in the wonderful world of Dr.Z tone... but I'm curious. While at times I just want a guitar and a bluesy/rock tone... and others some cleaner Tele twang... I also dig U2/Coldplay-ish sounds... lots of delay and reverb... Anyone using an RXES for this? Any sound clips?
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Post by Deleted on Mar 23, 2006 12:55:39 GMT -7
Hi troyh, welcome to the forum. While the RXES has a lot of that AC-30 swirl it is still very aggressive. It likes to be cranked. For the best of all worlds you should check out a Stingray/Mantaray, especially for those U2/coldplay sounds. With a good delay you can definitely get those sounds with that amp. It is after all based on a Vox AC-30/4. I believe that the Edge uses vox ac-30s and I am pretty sure the guy from Coldplay does too. Also this amp loves pedals so it can totally handle those Blues/rock tone. Rory Gallagher was another AC-30 user I believe. The RXES is loud and proud and sounds like it has some Marshall characteristics to it along with it's vox side. The Stingray/Manatary is all Vox. Hope this helps.
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Post by billyguitar on Mar 24, 2006 12:33:51 GMT -7
It's hard to remember so long ago but I think in an old Guitar Player magazine interview that Rory said he used a Strat and a 4-10 Bassman. I remember he said he turned his guitar DOWN a bit for solos, for clarity. Counterintuitive.
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Post by Deleted on Mar 24, 2006 14:34:43 GMT -7
Hi Billyguitar he actually first started using VOX AC-30s then started using a Fender Tweed Twin. He never got rid of the Vox though. He would use both at around 7 on the dial. I think sometimes he would favour one over the other, but as you know, guitarists tastes change from gig to gig practically.
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Post by billyguitar on Mar 24, 2006 15:16:30 GMT -7
Thats' what it was, a tweed twin. Thanks for the info. It's been about 30 years since that interview, I think.
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Post by janinedoubly on Mar 27, 2006 20:19:19 GMT -7
I use an RXES as my basic "clean tone" amp and add various distortion/overdrive pedals for flavor. I typically play my Fralin loaded Don Grosh Retro Classic "Strat" almost 95% of the time. A lot of the music I play at church calls for a lot of the U2/Coldplay "clean with an edge" type sound and the RXES is perfect for it. It takes pedals very well, and has a nice "hi-fi" vibe to it, due to its Ken Fisher inspired ultra-linear tranny. To me, the RXES running on 4 without the Overdose, has the perfect combination of AC30 chime and Fender blackface low end. The top end is pretty glassy with the Fralin Vintage Hots, but the cool thing is, it compresses so nicely that it never gets ice-picky like a blackface amp with the bright switch on, does. Which I think is the key to getting that classic U2/Edge tone without ticking off your band mates or audience. It really is nice and I can't imagine changing amps any time soon. I have been using this head either into a Bogner Cube (V30 loaded) or a Z 2 x 10" cab for over a year. Works great with both cabs. I think the MArshall references only apply when the "Overdose" gets kicked in. As a clean amp, its a perfect amp for lush and crystal clear "ambient" guitar work. Highly recommend it!!!
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Post by janinedoubly on Mar 27, 2006 20:37:24 GMT -7
Also, a couple of other tips. To really get that "clean with an edge" sound, try the new JJ ECC803S in V1 and I put a pair of '70's JAN NOS Phillips El84's along side the EL84S's to get a bit more top end edge, without destroying the top end clarity. These tube swaps also give you a great SRV "Little Wing"/"Lenny" type clean sound. To me, it sounds like the RXES is the perfect amp for you. My style tends to run the gamut as well; SRV/Hendrix inspired blues riffs, ala Wind Cries Mary, Lenny to lush ambient chordal work, ala Edge, Frisell, Bill Nelson, Johnny Marr.
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Post by Strato on Mar 29, 2006 16:50:31 GMT -7
Hey janinedoubly, i am really aiming for this sound as well. However, i have a Maz Jr NR. Would you recommend the same tubes?
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Post by janinedoubly on Mar 31, 2006 22:01:10 GMT -7
My first Z amp was aMAZ 18 Jr. 210 combo. I then bought an NR head with a 210 ext cab. When the RXES came out, I traded the NR head for it. As a stock amp, the MAZ 18 NR's are just about right, with stock tubes. Go ahead and experiment with the pre-amp tubes, you might find something you like, the JJ ECC803 is a great tube all around. I would NOT recommend the NOS Philips EL84's for the 18. By themselves, they are a little harsh and have very little bloom. Plus, the MAZ's low end is not as deep as the RXES, and the Philips tubes are not as rich in the low end. But, since the RXES can take two separate pairs, they match nicely with the GT EL84S's. What speaker array do you have on your MAZ 18 NR?
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Post by Strato on Apr 1, 2006 9:19:54 GMT -7
I just have the stock Zbest speakers... The V30 and G12H I believe. Any recommendations?
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Post by janinedoubly on Apr 2, 2006 20:00:15 GMT -7
Those speakers should give you the most versatility for that amp. Surprised the MAZ 18 NR has a V30 and G12H. Usually Z puts two H30's in the 18 212's. To get more of the "U2" sound, a pair of blues would be great, although I think you'd lose a bit of the muscular qualities the V30/H30 combo gives up. How many hours do you have on the speakers?
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Post by Strato on Apr 15, 2006 21:36:44 GMT -7
Well i Got a Zbest cabinet... so it comes with the g12h and v30. Hours... hmm less that 50? Ive had the amp for about 2 months
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Post by anacephalic on Apr 17, 2006 8:57:15 GMT -7
i need to chime in against being to quick to dismiss the phillips tubes as being harsh with little bloom. It's a real case of "your milage may vary". I have two sets of NOS Phillips miniwatts for my original strenght Rx. both were sold as "NOS matched sets" and were gotten off Ebay. Both sets are smoother than the stock groove tubes that came in the amp. One set is a little shy on blume. The other set is just killer. Very smooth, very open on top and blumes like a spring garden compared to the groove tubes. My guess is that the latter is a NOS true matched set the other is probably something less.
I would probably go to a place like upscale audio if i ever wanted to find NOS tubes again. They are pricey ( i gave $100 ea for matched top grade mullard ax7s for my home stereo, makes me wonder how the $30 reissues sound) but they do thorough testing and you really get what you order.
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