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Post by jazzguitar14 on May 7, 2006 15:44:39 GMT -7
Need a new amp and have narrowed it down to a Gia or a Spitfire; and Im leaning towards the Matchless... So, talk me out of it or just tell me wht you think...
I play Jazz 85% of the time and need clean headroom, but recently began gigging w/ a classic country / rockabilly band. Also, I switch between GTR and violin frequently. I have other amps and Im looking for that glassy country twang, but still need versatility and heedroom...
Anybody ever fiddle through their Gia? Any thoughts would help...
I know their both great amps, and I prefer the small spitfire combo to the larger Z sizes. Price is also an issiue and a gia is about 1/2... Id also love to support the good Dr because I have better faith in Z than Matchless as a company... AGGGHHHH Thanks, Andrew
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Post by billyguitar on May 7, 2006 19:13:57 GMT -7
The Ghia can sound beautiful for jazz but it's only 18 watts. You will also need to use your guitar's tone pot to darken it up. You could play dinner set volume and get by with it for jazz but not much more. If the drummer is using brushes you'd be okay. I imagine it would have about the same volume of clean as a Deluxe Reverb. I'd really recommend something more powerful. Same for the country/rockabilly band. Sometimes those bands really get loud. I'd suggest a Maz 38. I have an Evans JE150 that was my main amp since 1999 before I got my Maz 38 a year ago. I use an EV in the Evans. The Maz 38 won't get the clean volume that my Evans does but I bought the Maz 38 to be an all around amp. Violin: You'd need a separate preamp or graphic EQ to make your violin sound good at the same settings as your guitar, depending on your violin pickup system. In my band our sax player switches off on electric violin. I have to run his violin into a volume pedal and a graphic EQ for boost and then into the PA. He hears himself thru the floor monitor. I'd suggest trying to hear the Z amps before you buy.
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Post by bustertheboy on May 7, 2006 23:00:59 GMT -7
i'd agree that listening is best re clean volume, a 12bh7 in v2 will give a ghia a l lot more i'd have thought a ghia at 18w would be similar to a spitfire at 15w (i think) also re the tone thing, what guitar are u using? i have an esp xtone with a seymour jazz in the neck- semi hollow guitar, low output humbucker and i get reasonable clean volume with the 12bh7 all the best and there's a z that would be right for u- how about a maserati?
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Post by billyguitar on May 8, 2006 5:40:34 GMT -7
I had a Mazerati for a few weeks before I got the Maz 38. The Mazerati really didn't have enough clean headroom for the jazz tunes on the gig. The Maz 38 will do it but barely for jazz. Maybe I just expect too much.
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Post by jazzguitar14 on May 9, 2006 11:52:37 GMT -7
Thanks for the replies,
Yeah Im already playing Evans amps, usually a 300wt head through a raezers edge twin 8, but also have a je and ae... And I lovem all, cant say enough good stuff about evans.
I agree w/ Maz recomendations, but Im specifically looking for simplicity and purity of tone... 1 guitar, 1pickup, 1cord, 1knob... also, I cant imagine dragging a Maz around (Im a gear hauling girl thingy)...
I also agree that I should let my ear decide, but I dont live near any decent music stores, and I dont drive... Back to needing a small combo... and by the way, dont let yourself get a DUI...
as far as fiddle goes, I usually have nop trouble running straight in to GTR amps w/out a pre. Im using a Baggs Pup and volume is usually on Par w/ GTR output... Also, I used to run the violin in to a boogie MKIII, when cranked you could get some great OD that gave very authentic Sax timber... Gotta love the tubes...
One final note: I must say this is the greatest Amp discussion forem on the net... and I thank you guys, its a pleasure to shoot the poo w/ you all...
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Post by billyguitar on May 9, 2006 12:16:11 GMT -7
I have on order a Stangray. I wanted to be sure it could do a jazzy tone. I told the guys how i set up my Maz 38 for a jazzy sound and asked them if the Stangray could do that. they reported back it could. So I ordered one. What makes it possible is the Cut control, a feature the Ghia and Mazerati don't have.
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