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Post by fjam82 on Apr 4, 2007 20:15:09 GMT -7
Hello Everybody,
I currently own a delta 88 which is amazing with humbuckers and with can nail the angus youg/page/joe perry tone. But I find the KT-88's are way too harsh for single coil guitars. The amp is also way too loud for the house... I need an amp that will bring out the twang and warmth of my strat without the earbleeding volumes....
The 6V6's on the Z-28 seem interesting to me because I tried a divided by 13 with the same tubes and it was great, except for the $4,700 + tax price-tag....
Do you guys reccomend I go with a Z-28? Which old amp can you compare this to? Who's tone can you compare this to? Can it nail the SRV tone?
If not, which of the Z's do you guys reccomend?
Does it take overdrives well?
Chris
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Post by matcaster on Apr 5, 2007 4:55:36 GMT -7
I think you can get really close to that old ZZtop sound and it does take overdrive well.....but you can get amazing overdrive tone just with the 3 knobs, it is not a really a clean amp.
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Post by UnclePat on Apr 5, 2007 5:13:03 GMT -7
I don't know about grabbing "signature tones", but there's a LOT of different sounds in that amp for a three-knobber. Those tone controls do some cool things when tweaked. Sadly though, my Z-28 hasn't seen much action since I discovered the Maz Junior.
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Post by fjam82 on Apr 5, 2007 6:20:08 GMT -7
Why don't you use the z28 anymore? Is the maz junior better??
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Post by UnclePat on Apr 5, 2007 7:00:42 GMT -7
I wouldn't call it so much "better" as I would "more versatile for my needs". I really dig the master volume for those small restaurant/lounge gigs where I just can't crank the Z-28. I love the sound of the Z-28 and it is VERY pedal-friendly, but the Junior works better for me. Out of my own Z quest...a Prescription 2x12 combo, Mazerati and Carmen Ghia heads, a Z-28 head and a Maz Jr 2x10 combo....the latter is THE keeper for it's overall versatility.
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Post by fjam82 on Apr 5, 2007 10:55:24 GMT -7
Interesting... makes sense though, it seems like a real practical amp. In terms of tone difference though, do you find the Z28 gets more of the SRV thing going and has more of a twang?
Do you think the Ghia or Stangray might be for me?
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Post by UnclePat on Apr 5, 2007 14:50:29 GMT -7
I love the Ghia, but it didn't have enough "oomph" at gig time. Funny, I came home from work and fired both amps up in the basement before the missus gets home ;D to make sure I wasn't feedin' you a line of BS. My ears change from one week to the next, almost. Had the Z-28 with all knobs at 3PM, and a P-90 equipped PRS feeding it....damn I love that amp. Immediately unplugged and went into the warmed-up Junior, master wide open and volume about 2PM....damn, I love that amp too! Not a real appreciable difference in volume between the two, but the sponginess and compression of the EL84's when digging in hard was very apparent. The 6V6's in the Z-28 will take everything you dish out. Doc has said the Z-28 comparisons to a brown Deluxe are pretty much "on" but it's more than that. If you're looking for SRV, between the two I'd have to say the Z-28 will float your boat nicely. More twang with a Strat, too...although I give the edge to the Junior for Strats because of the cut control. The cut enables you to quickly go from humbuckers to Fendery single coils without jacking around with the tone controls.....which again makes it very popular with giggers like myself who use a variety of axes for different things. This is the b*tch about Doc's amps. They all do things a little differently, and no amp is better than another....just a different flavor of badass. I've not tried a Stangray, but would love to. Closest I've come is the Mazerati....nice, but too loud (in my experience) for anything but really big rooms or outdoors to get the goods out of it.
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Post by Curt on Apr 5, 2007 15:24:52 GMT -7
I too own and gig a MAZ Jr NR 1x12 combo and/or a Z/28 head through a 1x12 cab. They are both outstanding gig amps for me, and most weekend warriors, neither is "better" IMO, just diff'rnt I also switch favorites back and forth.......but both are keepers and I have had most every Z made...several of several ...............
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Post by fjam82 on Apr 5, 2007 17:09:26 GMT -7
I love hearing the passion you guys have for this stuff!! Amazing!!!
It sounds like the Z-28 is for me..
I've only had a Delta 88 for a little over a month and I want the Z28 already, you guys are scaring me with the whole "they all do different things" (in a good way).. I guess I'm going to have to start a Z collection...ha
Now for the Z-28... what difference would the head with 2 by 12 cab be compared to the combos? Is one sound better?
Thanks guys!
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Post by Joey Beverages on Apr 5, 2007 18:01:13 GMT -7
I think you will dig the Z-28. It seems to handle the various speaker configurations quite nicely - I use mine mainly with a Z 2x10. But will also be running it occasionally thru a Z 1x12 when I pick-up my new acquisition on the weekend ;D I have not used a 2x12 with it yet .... but I did see a nice blonde Z 2x12 at the store today ..... just don't tell my wife all kidding aside - my plan is to have the Z28 and Carmen Ghia as the heart of my collection .... and eventually add in some extra strength as the cash starts to build-back-up in my account ;D happy shopping Joel p.s. guitarwise, I have used a bunch of single coil and humbucker equipped guitars with my current Z gear and have been happy with everything.
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Post by Curt on Apr 5, 2007 18:33:32 GMT -7
I love hearing the passion you guys have for this stuff!! Amazing!!! It sounds like the Z-28 is for me.. I've only had a Delta 88 for a little over a month and I want the Z28 already, you guys are scaring me with the whole "they all do different things" (in a good way).. I guess I'm going to have to start a Z collection...ha Now for the Z-28... what difference would the head with 2 by 12 cab be compared to the combos? Is one sound better? Thanks guys! In my opinion any EF86 pre amped amp is preferable in a head. FWIW, I have a live video up in the sounds section with my Z/28 cranked through one greenback.
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Post by JD on Apr 8, 2007 7:30:22 GMT -7
I have had a Maz Jr R combo for a long time. Mine was the 8th one built back when you used to call Dr. Z and order them directly. I really dug the tone and flexibility of the Jr.
However, the Z28 is the thing for me. I have it as a head with a 1x12 (V30) and 2x10 cabinet. Also have a combo with the Greenback. The thing I love about the EF86 amp is how it takes pedals. It seems to my ears not to compress too much hitting it with a boost pedal - it just really seems to get a nice brownish tone going. I use an Airbrake with all of my amps as most clubs seem to be too small to totally open up the amp. I primarily play a Lentz SSL through my amps though sometimes I bring out the LP Special with P90s.
I recently added a Carmen Ghia head to the stable with hopes that our other guitar player in our band will buy a Z. I posted a video of Z28 and Carmen Ghia in the Sounds section recently.
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Post by LeftyLang on Apr 11, 2007 22:48:54 GMT -7
The Z28 with a 4x10 cab will give you a Bassman like tone. With a 1x12 it is more like a Brown Deluxe. It is a great amp. It was my #1 for a few years.
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