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Post by mtlrecords on Jan 17, 2010 15:54:10 GMT -7
So I thought I would update after a few months of gigging with the EZG-50. I play guitar in a 5 piece rock band, performing all original material at high volumes in all types of venues- usually small and medium stages, and some large- although nothing beyond 400-500 seats.
First of all, the EZG-50 has tone. Lots of it. However, I have moved away from the Dr. Z 1x12 cab (even though it is pretty decent and in matching red) in favor of a 2x12 Marshall 1936. Strange as it may seem to some, I prefer the sound of the Marshall cab with the EZG, in part b/c of the added headroom and the tone.
Also, I have found that although the EZG is billed as "the clean" amp of the Z line, I exclusively use it with a quite a bit of of (what I hear as) power tube distortion/saturation. Which sounds INCREDIBLE, but boy is it LOUD!!!
Pros- - Great semi-cleans, lots of different tones- i.e. not a one-trick pony - EQ is similar to my Galaxie, but I enjoy it even more! - Ballsy overdrive, just plain rippin'
Cons- - I could use either a true master volume or an attenuator. - The reverb can be a bit much- I have to keep the settings low. - Doesn't sound good through certain speakers/cabs (although the Dr. Z 1x12 is good, just not as good as a 2x12 or 4x12).
So much too like about this amp though!
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Post by zombieZ on Jan 18, 2010 3:09:17 GMT -7
hook this thing up to the docs 4x10 cab and watch it come alive,...things tend to bloom, the headroom goes way up and the projection rea;;y allows the tone to shine through more natural.
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Post by baddaddy on Jan 19, 2010 19:06:58 GMT -7
I am liking the 1 x12 z cab quite a bit. I have a 2 x 12 Best, too. That's nice, but something about the 1 x 12 works really well. I like the compactness, too. but I might listen to Zombie man on this..He's nailed everything so far in my exchanges with him. Be nice to try to 4 x 10 thing from Z just hear the difference...I tried a Marshall 4 x 10 the other day and wasn't impressed, though i don't think the cab was up to par. I agree so far on the master volume and reverb comments. The amp is beautiful but, it might benefit from a few tweaks and I'm just a newbie to this thing, only played it for a week and a half. I love it. Glorious tone.. Right now, current settings, I play it around 1:00 on pre and post both, reverb cut way down, bass around 8:00 mids and treble up around 12:00. So the attenuator I am using right now might leave someting to be desired...the Weber Mass 100w... it' a bit dark and a little too much attneuation even on the lowest dial in.
It's a fun amp to talk about! I gotta 6 month old Maz Sr up for sale, I don't think I'll go back to that direction...If ya all know anyone lookin'. peace out
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Post by asattwanger on Jan 19, 2010 19:47:35 GMT -7
Cons- - The reverb can be a bit much- I have to keep the settings low. Funny when people say that about a amp. It's almost like there is an issue with finding the reverb is sweet low on the dial. Like it should be up more for some odd reason. See if the EZG had an one and off footswitch for the reverb you could have two EZGs. One set for light reverb always on and the other surfing. Man, that is a fun sound with 5 watts could only wonder about 50!!!!
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Post by zombieZ on Jan 19, 2010 22:31:02 GMT -7
i might be able to use a Maz sr........
Reverb, well another tough subject to talk on. Reverb is a great tool to open up a sound when it seems a lil boxy. Its used to help fill a room and feel a room. The latter part is where things get lost. You want to use it to duplicate reflections in a rooms structure naturally. It can be fun to surf or use it as an effect but depending on the room, the volume your playing at and many other factors the reverb can either fatten up the sound or cause it to actually begin to sound weaker. Its a relevant thing anyhow and everyone has an opinion. Just like the eq settings will vary from venue to venue, room to room the verb will vary as much if not more. Good thing is the EZG has lots of it on tap, and if you dont want any verb just dial back both the switches. I wouldnt mind the ezg having a footswtitchable reverb, going from bone dry to wet in real time with a footswitch could be usefull.
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Post by baddaddy on Jan 20, 2010 9:42:15 GMT -7
Footswitch would be cool, then you're really lining up with BF! Might as well get the Trem circuit going, too! I kinda miss that at times.
Agree with zombies' insight on reverb. Don't treat it like an effect, only if on the occasional tune, but more of a tool for grabbing the room dynamic. A little goes a long way in most cases... Less is more!
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Post by asattwanger on Jan 20, 2010 19:47:58 GMT -7
That is why you use two amps. One of the amps is your solid tone with just a hint of reverb and you have a second sound suppling the wet lost in lust reverb sound.
It doesn't hurt if you have an amp that has the tap for the reverb signal before the volume pot. Kinda an expensive reverb unit, but not even the best reverb units will give you this sound. The Z-verb will not, but it does another reverb trick that is pretty cool if you add a Third Hand pedal to your desired nob on the front.
It's surely an effect for me.
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Post by mtlrecords on Jan 21, 2010 7:50:37 GMT -7
I have been turning the reverb off lately...
When I am in a decent sized venue, I find that the reverb washes the sound out for my ears. And when I say the reverb is a bit much, I just mean that for my purposes I wish I had more play with the controls. By the time the reverb is barely on, it is already almost too much for me.
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Post by asattwanger on Jan 21, 2010 9:11:58 GMT -7
WOW, that's crazy! So your not able to dial it down via the mix nob? Of course I haven't tried to get that non-Fender reverb sound out of my Z-verb or Swarts. Your amps would suggest your not a reverb guy any way. O-well enjoy!
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Post by mtlrecords on Jan 21, 2010 11:06:08 GMT -7
Yeah, I am more of a slapback delay guy than a reverb guy, most of the time. I am really glad to have the option on the EZG-50 to use a great reverb, I just find that I don't use it much.
With the dwell knob around 8:00 and the Mix barely on, I usually find that to be plenty, sometimes too much. Others may love to crank those knobs, I don't know!
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