mikek
Full Member
Posts: 144
|
Post by mikek on Aug 7, 2006 5:21:29 GMT -7
I picked up my RxES head from Mass Street on Saturday. As always, its a pleasure to do business there, as well as just shoot the breeze with the great folks there. As far as the amp itself, I am floored by this amp. I bought it with the need for an amplifier with great clean tones that are complex, punchy, and almost flat-EQ to really bring the most out in the guitar. Grant recommended the RxES after telling him what I liked and disliked about the other Z's. I am so glad he did. I've NEVER played an amplifier with this amount of harmonic content and dimension...on a clean sound?! Just absolutely stunning. Playing through this is like a grand piano. Every thing just sounds so much richer, spacially bigger, and punchier. ...and louder ;D. What really shocked me is the amount of distortion you can coax out of it as well (granted at HIGH volumes). At this point, the gain structure almost has a quality to it that I'd consider Dumble-like - granted I've never played one . Sustain, overtones, and dynamics....and SMOOTH. Just phenomenal. ...and lets not forget about Overdose. What a cool feature. Literally...this amp into my Avatar 2x12 with open-back and Alnico Blue Dog and Silver Bell is THE basic clean tone I've had in my head for years. I was so enamored with my tone last night that I couldn't pull myself away from the guitar. It took a large chunk of callous to tear off of my ring finger on my frethand. Thanks to Z!
|
|
|
Post by Bill on Aug 7, 2006 6:41:02 GMT -7
That's what it's all about!...enjoy A friend picked up an RxES Friday and gigged it that night. He is on about the same Z high as you.
|
|
|
Post by teleking36 on Aug 7, 2006 19:54:46 GMT -7
I've had Madison's RX ES for a few months now, and I'm still floored by this thing. I'm finding new things every day. I've also recently started messing around with the Overdose, which is something I haven't been able to do because I live in a 3rd floor apt with my landlord underneath. Anyway, he took his family on vacation, so I've been crankin' it up every chance I get.
I submit that I cannot find an unusable tone with this amp.
BEEE-A-UTIFUL!!!
|
|
|
Post by Chris_Ferreira on Aug 8, 2006 21:16:59 GMT -7
Congratulations, Mike.
I got my RX ES on Thursday, and I'm pretty darned excited. Since I got it, I've had four or five opportunities to really play it at volume, and it's already impacted my playing.
The first thing is I'm a lot more reluctant to use pedals because they just don't sound as good as the amp already does, and that I'm also paying a lot more attention to my volume/tone controls on my guitar. I used to just keep both pots wide open all the time, but I'm already hearing a lot of sonic possibilities that can be arrived at with just subtle little changes in volume.
I'd also heard that because of the immediate response of Dr Z amps, mistakes become more apparent, but I feel like the amp has really improved my playing. Definitely the best clean tone I've ever had, and I might just have to buy an Air Brake, because the Overdose sound is perfect for leads. Too bad the volume has to be at "noon" or above in order for it to really work.
I hope you're enjoying yours as much as I am mine. ;D
|
|
mikek
Full Member
Posts: 144
|
Post by mikek on Aug 9, 2006 4:52:51 GMT -7
Congratulations on your RxES too, Chris! I agree, the clean on this amp is amazing. I get so excited when I'm playing through this amp. You're right - it is extremely responsive and revealing, which I really dig. I've found that all of my pedals sound better through this than any other amp I've had (minus my TS-808 Analogman TV mod, which is unstoppable through my VHT D60H). Flirting with the Airbrake myself . When the RxES is wide open, the drive is really unique to my ears. Its really smooth, and has a singing harmonic sustain. But its also pretty focused and punchy, percussive in many ways. Karma for you and your new amp - enjoy it, I know I am!
|
|
|
Post by mikep47 on Aug 9, 2006 7:18:32 GMT -7
Chris, Welcome to the RX ES club my friend.Great group of people on these forums.I think we all have the same feeling about our amp that you are describing.You know it really is funny though how this amp mfg is so magical that it brings so many people together and everyone has the same great experiences and you never really hear any complaints.Justs goes to show that when you buy anything other than a Z you are selling yourself short.Welcome to the Z world and a great bunch of people. See ya round, Mike
|
|
|
Post by rockstok on Aug 22, 2006 16:26:50 GMT -7
I'm with you. I had heard some Z amps and worked with guys who played Dr Z amps but it wasn't until I heard a friend's Sting Ray that I had to make a move on one. I bought a SR combo and took it home but it had a persistent crackle even after replacing the tubes. I was going to replace it with another SR but at the last minute I had a chance to jam on both the SR and the RxES and determined that the Rx is the best amp for me. I love this amp! I managed to pick up two different 19"X19" 1x12 cabs, one open and one closed back and I have no idea why I would ever plug into one of my faithful Fenders again. I can't stop playing this amp!
|
|
|
Post by Bill on Aug 22, 2006 18:04:34 GMT -7
I'm with you. I had heard some Z amps and worked with guys who played Dr Z amps but it wasn't until I heard a friend's Sting Ray that I had to make a move on one. I bought a SR combo and took it home but it had a persistent crackle even after replacing the tubes. I was going to replace it with another SR but at the last minute I had a chance to jam on both the SR and the RxES and determined that the Rx is the best amp for me. I love this amp! I managed to pick up two different 19"X19" 1x12 cabs, one open and one closed back and I have no idea why I would ever plug into one of my faithful Fenders again. I can't stop playing this amp! Hey rockstok, good to see you here!
|
|
|
Post by mikep47 on Aug 23, 2006 7:17:54 GMT -7
Yeah welcome to the forum rockstok And welcome to the RX ES owners club.PM me if you have any questions on your amp and if i can help with it i will. Thanks Mike
|
|
|
Post by rockstok on Aug 23, 2006 11:02:29 GMT -7
Thanks for the welcome Madison and mikep47. I look forward to using this fine amp and plenty of interaction on the Dr. Z forum.
|
|
|
Post by mikep47 on Aug 23, 2006 12:21:59 GMT -7
No problem.Hey i checked out your website.Nice tunes man.You are a man of many talents i see. Keep jamming man.
Mike
|
|
|
Post by Bill on Aug 23, 2006 12:34:24 GMT -7
No problem.Hey i checked out your website.Nice tunes man.You are a man of many talents i see. Keep jamming man. Mike rockstok (Bill R) is a VERY busy local musician. Plays in at least 4 or 5 bands at last count, and played every instrument on his latest CD...AND sings! Check out rockstok's cover of the "Lemon Song" on his myspace site. It's been a challenge of mine for the last several years, to help "persuade" him away from his Fenders, and to the world of Dr Z. A killer guitarist needs a killer amp, right?? ;D "Lemon Song"
|
|
|
Post by mikep47 on Aug 23, 2006 12:59:57 GMT -7
You da man Bill You Da Man Persuasion achieved.Now that hes got the Z hell never look back. Seey a round Bill .............Mike
|
|
|
Post by rockstok on Aug 24, 2006 6:50:53 GMT -7
Thanks for the listen and the compliments guys.
Madison is my Z mentor for sure, not to mention forum and gear finder too. Many a Dr. Z has been bought on his recommendation.
|
|