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Post by micetzhu on Dec 26, 2006 6:20:51 GMT -7
I'm thinking to change my mesa mark I combo to Z-28 head because mesa is too loud for me (60/100W!!!)
So will this change be a good choice?
Will the Z-28 replace those mesas amazing clean sounds?
And what 2x12 cab will be good with Z-28? I play jazz, blues, funk and everything like that...
Thanks, i'm new here...
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Post by billyguitar on Dec 26, 2006 8:26:35 GMT -7
Conscensus is Mesa doesn't have anything on a Z for clean BUT a 100 watt amp wil definitely have more clean volume available than a 28 watt amp. The Z Best 2x12 cab will help make up that missing wattage with it's efficiency. If you want high db and squeaky clean for jazz I don't think any Z will do that except perhaps a KT-45.
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Post by jwr on Dec 26, 2006 10:23:32 GMT -7
If you put a 5751, 12AY7, or 12AU7 in the Phase Inverter position you will get varying degrees of clean headroom. The Z-28 is a great amp and can be clean at "loud" volumes, it just depends on your definition of loud. A Maz SR can be very loud and clean, maybe look there as well. Both are very nice amps. Jason
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Post by skydog958 on Dec 26, 2006 11:53:25 GMT -7
Stangrays also do loud cleans but with lots of Vox flavour.
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Post by billyguitar on Dec 26, 2006 12:45:53 GMT -7
Actually neither the Stang Ray or the Maz 38 will give you loud clean. Dinner music clean yes, but full dance floor clean, no. I have both and that's what I've found. To be honest 30 watts isn't very much at all when it comes to jazz/squeaky clean. Different guys have different ideas of what is clean. Some guys want some "hair" on their clean. Their idea of clean is what I would call solo distortion! If that's the kind of clean you want then all of the Zs are great. They are some of the finest amps being made by anybody anywhere. You'll like any of them even though the first one you buy may not be exactly what you want, and I'll wager you'll want more, just like the rest of us! I sure want an RXES, Route 66 and Z28 myself.
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Post by skydog958 on Dec 26, 2006 12:53:50 GMT -7
Good point, billyguitar. I forget sometimes I like my cleans "dirty" . The KT-45 can do loud and very clean though, I can attest to that.
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Post by micetzhu on Dec 27, 2006 11:39:49 GMT -7
The point is the mesa's volumes, I don't need so much volumes and power like in mesa.
Is that Z easy to drive for crunch by playing loud or by high volumes?
And in clean does that Z have good dynamics also when your are playing quietly?
Thanks
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Post by billyguitar on Dec 27, 2006 15:53:04 GMT -7
Go to www.drzamps.com and play the clips there on the Z28. There are also some good clips and videos here in The Sounds section. Those will help you.
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dave
New Member
Posts: 7
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Post by dave on Dec 27, 2006 17:13:30 GMT -7
I did the very same change a year ago. Mk1 reissue to Z28. Best move I ever made, topped only by getting a Ghia. The Z-28 drives easily into marshall territory with humbuckers, no question, and with the treble and bass at 3o/c you get plenty of drive with a single coils. And all without pedals. It will only get near the pure clean of the Mesa at relatively low volumes though. As an example there was an REM cover we did - the one I love - where the clean was plenty loud enough when the band backed off but a tad too gritty in the choruses. (IMO!). The Z-28 can get pretty loud though, plenty for decent stage volume vs a loud band - if you like a hairy to gritty to full on crunch sound.
It is really touch sensitive and easy to dig in to get hair on demand and moderate volumes, and very versatile tonewise, with the unique ability to dial in gain either in the top end or bottom end (or both!). Whether its going to be loud enough for you, well, you just have to try one! I admit I'd like a Z with slightly more headroom sometimes, maybe a '66 or a Stangray - as BillyGuitar says, get one and you are on a slippery slope to starting a collection! I'm am playing with a quieter outfit at the moment and the Ghia is just perfect for that - the Z-28 rocks though with our covers band.
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Post by Joey Beverages on Dec 28, 2006 20:59:51 GMT -7
Buy the Z-28 and feel the power ;D and beware the addiction that follows
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