dave
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Posts: 7
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Post by dave on Nov 13, 2005 15:41:25 GMT -7
Greeting from England! I am buying a Z-28 from a friend in the US and bringing it home in a few weeks. I tried a Maz a while ago and was wowed. The z-28 came up so I'll give that a go.
So, looking forward to a really simple amp that can be run wide open - I have used a Mk1 boogie for years - the tone is there but its is earbleedingly loud! It rarely gets used above 2.5 on the master volume. So, wide open, how loud is the Z? I ideally need lead sound that will cut unmiked at small venues (pubs and clubs), ... but we do have a loud drummer. Will it be useable live?
dave
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Post by Lefty on Nov 13, 2005 16:11:30 GMT -7
Let me just say this...I bought my Air Brake to be used with my Z-28...yes it's very useable live.
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Post by arniez on Nov 13, 2005 17:54:57 GMT -7
Let me just say this...I bought my Air Brake to be used with my Z-28...yes it's very useable live. +1 With efficient speakers it is plenty loud enough, you may not be able to open it all the way up! ArnieZ
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dave
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Posts: 7
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Post by dave on Nov 14, 2005 3:34:27 GMT -7
Thanks for the replies. My experience of 15 watters is fine for rehearsals but not quite enough for small gigs - hence the need for reassurance.. Those 7 extra watts must be something special!
best wishes
dave ;D
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Post by Bill on Nov 14, 2005 7:32:38 GMT -7
Not only is the Z28 loud, but it serves a good platform for a clean boost pedal. I used an RC Booster with mine and got by with a single 12 speaker. If the gig was particularly loud, I'd use a closed back cab with a Swamp Thang or Vintage 30, otherwise usually opted for an open back with a blue dog.
Another attribute of the 28 is its strong bottom end...doesn't flab out at high volumes like most 2-6V6 amps.
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Post by UnclePat on Nov 27, 2005 21:26:45 GMT -7
To me, it's the perfect power range amp. Plenty of juice for gigging with a loud drummer, yet not overly powerful to where you can't crank it up and enjoy it giving you all it's got. The tone controls will help a lot as they actually add gain as they're opened up, too. Mine's an open back combo with a Celestion Century. I was real skeptical about that speaker before I tried it (it was what came in the amp as a special order for a dealer) but it made a believer out of me.
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Post by billyguitar on Nov 28, 2005 5:15:59 GMT -7
The Century is probably the most efficient speaker made. It is very bright though so you have to be able to deal with that. Probably does work good with the Z-28. Typical Celestion cone cry on high notes.
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Post by JChance on Nov 28, 2005 16:51:35 GMT -7
I've had a chance to play through a Z-28 210, and compared it to my MAZ Jr 210. In terms of output, I think they are pretty close. With that said, I can tell you that my MAZ Jr will keep up with a loud band in most club situations. I've even used it outdoors before with no problem. Dr.Z's statement about the MAZ Jr being able to easily carry a small club without the use of a mic is dead-on. I use mine unmic'ed all the time at various clubs around Nashville. So I can't imagine you having a problem with the Z-28 unless your band is just WAAYYY loud. In that case, get a Route 66.. ;-)
J
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Post by LeftyLang on Nov 29, 2005 21:58:55 GMT -7
My Z28 with a 4x10 Zcab is way louder than my old Fender Deluxe. It can easily be used for most gigs. I think on Myles site..he had the output at 35 watts, but I would have to check with Myles. Add a good clean boost and you are gig ready.
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dave
New Member
Posts: 7
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Post by dave on Dec 10, 2005 10:10:22 GMT -7
;D
Well I got the Z-28 back home today and finally got to try it out. OK it was only in the living room (no-one at home so I could crank it a bit) but my god what a complex sound from such a simple little amp! It is so transparent and responsive, and dimed out what a wonderfull touch sensitive lead sound. Even right after a 12 hr flight and a 2 hr drive home I didnt put the guitar down for 2 hours!!! I guess I was most impressed with the way the treble added gain and touch sensitive sustain with a really thunky bottom end. Cant wait to try it with the band next w/e.
And how loud? I think loud enough!!
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Post by Curt on Dec 10, 2005 10:21:20 GMT -7
Cool Dave glad your happy, What are you feeding the Z-28? 'Buckers or singles? I REALLY like 'Buckers with the Z-28.
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dave
New Member
Posts: 7
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Post by dave on Dec 11, 2005 4:30:19 GMT -7
For the record I mostly use a Strat with Callaham hardware and Fralin vintage hots, and a stock PRS CU24. The head was payed through a Mesa 1x12 widebody 3/4 back cab. Spend most of the workout session with the Strat but a brief go with the bridge humbucker on the PRS tells me that ZZ top covers aren't going to be a problem! Very Marshall-like. This amp is a chamelion!!
best wishes to all for the Christmas Hols
Dave
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Post by Curt on Dec 11, 2005 20:47:18 GMT -7
Yep, No one seems to talk about, or haven't discovered the Marshallesqe tones in the Z-28 when you hit the front end with humbuckers. I still prefer my ghia with a Strat or Tele, but a Lester and a Z-28 just NAILS '60's and '70's rock tones.
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dave
New Member
Posts: 7
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Post by dave on Dec 17, 2005 18:26:00 GMT -7
OK, first work out with the band at stage volume. How loud is the Z-28? Well lets just say that at the start I was thinking my god I need an airbrake as I has the volume no more that 9 oclock and it was plenty loud. I recall reading that the Z was so clear and transparent at low volume that your technique had to be spot on and, sure enough, every twitch and glitch in my technique showed up load and clear and it was hard going fot a bit. Then... as the session wore on and I got the volume and treble up to 2-3 o/c and then jaws began to drop - the Z just roared with a really tight bottom end, so single low string runs thumped through with sweet sweet overdrive. The volume doesn't really increase so much after 2 oclock but the complexity of the tone just gets richer. At the edge of feedback with the bridge humbucker of my PRS pinched harmonics just jump out, and with the volume rolled back a whisker the neck humbucker sounds sublime for rhythm. Well I guess thats old news to most of you. Our drummer really gives it some and with the volume at 2-3 oclock the Z was just about right to keep up. Happy? Yep. Still a lot to learn though. Those 'simple' tone controls are very subtle and give a wide range of sound and headroom.
But an arbrake? Sorry, nah. Crank it up!
Dave
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Post by ejecta on Jan 6, 2006 20:05:09 GMT -7
Yep, No one seems to talk about, or haven't discovered the Marshallesqe tones in the Z-28 when you hit the front end with humbuckers. I still prefer my ghia with a Strat or Tele, but a Lester and a Z-28 just NAILS '60's and '70's rock tones. You know.... I had heard the Z28 comparisons to Fenders but with my PRS custom 22 it gets very Marshally IMHO and I come from playing plexis. Split the coils and the 28 cleans up into the Fender territory. I find it to be a bit of a cameleon myself.
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Post by taswegian on Jan 6, 2006 20:18:32 GMT -7
Uh Oh, another plexi lover praising the Z28... Looks like another guy who's posts I'm going to have to ignore along with Terryg and Tele62...or just get the damn Z-28. Ahhhh!
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Post by Curt on Jan 7, 2006 15:12:10 GMT -7
Uh Oh, another plexi lover praising the Z28... Looks like another guy who's posts I'm going to have to ignore along with Terryg and Tele62...or just get the d**n Z-28. Ahhhh! Come on Jaye, Just take the plunge !!! LOL
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