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Post by genobluzgtr on Apr 12, 2007 15:25:57 GMT -7
Love these open marriages! A nice blonde on the side!
A Z28 Blonde 2X10 Combo, that is.
My first Z, but so far (about an hour of noodling) it's all I expected. The tone that was in my head, all that stuff! Great amp.
I have lots of questions about tubes, settings, accessories, etc...
First of all.. where can I get a cover to protect that fair skin?
The amp is currently outfitted (I bought it used) with GT tubes except the EF86 which is an NOS Telefunken. any advice? I have heard the Dario Miniwatt EF86 is best... what say you guys? How about power tubes and V2? Rectifier? I have a killer Bendix 6102 (super heavy duty 5Y3) can I use that in this amp?
How about settings? I see that with this amp I wouldn't need pedals in most places, but I am in a cover band, so pedals will probably be a necessity for that gig. I use a Barber LTD (Black) and/or a Barber Direct Drive, each pushed with an RC Booster. Also a little slapback delay with a Pharoah Echo Jr. Any advice here? We Mic everything in the cover band. Blues gigs and jams I plan to use just the amp.
Thanks in advance! I will post pics soon.
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Post by Jan on Apr 12, 2007 16:03:05 GMT -7
I was all set to get standard black (Maz 18 Jr NR) but SWMBO said, "blonde". Whatever you say, dear.
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Post by travsbluz on Apr 12, 2007 16:54:46 GMT -7
Congratulations on the Z purchase. I'm really interested in trying this model out, oh well someday. I've got a cover for my RX ES that I am extremely pleased with. It is a Studio Slips cover. I have the Clam Shell for a head, and a Slip over for my 2x10 cab. Easily the best cover I've ever owned short of a road case. You can find them at: www.studioslips.comFor the other ?'s you'll get some better advice from someone else here. Have Fun, Trav
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Post by UnclePat on Apr 12, 2007 20:03:53 GMT -7
I loved the Dario Miniwatt EF86, but truthfully it didn't hold up as long as I expected it to in my 28....going VERY microphonic. Replaced it with a Mullard reissue and I've been a happy camper ever since.
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Post by Curt on Apr 12, 2007 20:36:53 GMT -7
The Darios are nice, I currently run a GEC EF86, Tung Sol 6V6's and a 5V4 rec with a single greenback and am quite happy. Bought it off "Stratdev" set up like this and it kills.
Video clip in the sound section if ya'd like ta hear a flat out Z/28 and a Tele squeelin'.
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Post by rcrecelius on Apr 12, 2007 21:37:58 GMT -7
The Darios are nice, I currently run a GEC EF86, Tung Sol 6V6's and a 5V4 rec with a single greenback and am quite happy. Bought it off "Stratdev" set up like this and it kills. Video clip in the sound section if ya'd like ta hear a flat out Z/28 and a Tele squeelin'. I'd like to hear more about that 5v4 rectifier...does it lower your volume/headroom? Add some sponginess maybe?
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Post by zdogma on Apr 13, 2007 5:21:05 GMT -7
The Darios are nice, I currently run a GEC EF86, Tung Sol 6V6's and a 5V4 rec with a single greenback and am quite happy. Bought it off "Stratdev" set up like this and it kills. Video clip in the sound section if ya'd like ta hear a flat out Z/28 and a Tele squeelin'. Where do you bias the tung sols with that rectifier? I was thinking of trying one of those out. Do you get enough volume with that combination (greenback and the 5V4)?
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Post by Curt on Apr 13, 2007 8:39:29 GMT -7
Scott and Ronnie, I got this one set up this way, compared to my 1st 28; Yes...5V4 =less output, more sponge, able to actually work the power section, sounds WAY better at low volume gig also, played one the other day with the volume way back around 9:00, used a BB or a Bad Monkey for grind and was awesome..at lower than Mini Z levels and still a testy responsive clean tone.
Not sure where it is biased, have not had time to check..but this thing works GREAT for me.
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Post by zdogma on Apr 13, 2007 11:17:33 GMT -7
I'm going to try one of those out. I love the Z28 but it is really loud and snappy through the 212 with the 5AR4 (22 watts, but its louder than my bandmaster?)
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Post by rcrecelius on Apr 13, 2007 11:25:46 GMT -7
I'm going to try one of those out. I love the Z28 but it is really loud and snappy through the 212 with the 5AR4 (22 watts, but its louder than my bandmaster?) I may try that too...either we're playing quieter or mine is getting louder...nowadays I have to use the airbrake 99% of the time.
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Post by Joey Beverages on Apr 13, 2007 13:35:49 GMT -7
Love these open marriages! A nice blonde on the side! A Z28 Blonde 2X10 Combo, that is. My first Z, but so far (about an hour of noodling) it's all I expected. The tone that was in my head, all that stuff! Great amp. I have lots of questions about tubes, settings, accessories, etc... First of all.. where can I get a cover to protect that fair skin? The amp is currently outfitted (I bought it used) with GT tubes except the EF86 which is an NOS Telefunken. any advice? I have heard the Dario Miniwatt EF86 is best... what say you guys? How about power tubes and V2? Rectifier? I have a killer Bendix 6102 (super heavy duty 5Y3) can I use that in this amp? How about settings? I see that with this amp I wouldn't need pedals in most places, but I am in a cover band, so pedals will probably be a necessity for that gig. I use a Barber LTD (Black) and/or a Barber Direct Drive, each pushed with an RC Booster. Also a little slapback delay with a Pharoah Echo Jr. Any advice here? We Mic everything in the cover band. Blues gigs and jams I plan to use just the amp. Thanks in advance! I will post pics soon. congrats - just wait til you have a matching pair of blondes .... ;D Joel
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Post by billyguitar on Apr 13, 2007 14:02:28 GMT -7
The Bandmaster has a smaller output transformer than a Bassman or a Z-28 (I assume). The Bandmaster also has one less gain stage than a Bassman and I'm sure less gain than a Z28 so the Z28 is working everything to full capacity whereas the Bandmaster isn't. My second guitar amp was a blackface Bandmaster. With my SG plugged straight in and turned all the way up the speakers did most of the distorting. I know that because later on I used that head with two JBL D130s and it would barely distort. I wish I would've just bought a Super Reverb and been done but I was young and dumb!
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Post by Curt on Apr 13, 2007 15:51:18 GMT -7
I'm going to try one of those out. I love the Z28 but it is really loud and snappy through the 212 with the 5AR4 (22 watts, but its louder than my bandmaster?) I may try that too...either we're playing quieter or mine is getting louder...nowadays I have to use the airbrake 99% of the time. Understand fellas. My 1st Z/28 I just could not use..it was loud and I just did not like it, the V30 was part of it..never cehcked the bias, etc...just did not know how back then. This one is just great, the greenback helps, + it's a 16 ohm and I'm plugging into the 8 ohm tap, that may be taming the volume a bit as well, the rec I'm sure is part of it and the Tung Sols sound nice.....one thing is I have not pulled to check is the P.I. I think a 5U4 would be cool as well, My '68 Pro is running one and it knocks the power down to where I can use it with a nice bluesy break up.
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Post by jwr on Apr 13, 2007 16:59:26 GMT -7
Studio Slips are just awsome. I'm currently getting them for all of my amps, I'm getting all clamshells. Clamshells are a more expensive way to go, but it's worth it to protect an amp you love, isn't it? When I had my Z-28, it came with a 5751 in the PI position and a Dario EF-86. A 12AX7 in the PI will yield the LEAST amount of headroom, I really liked the amp with the stock Sovtek 5751. I tried NOS but the amp lost a certain something that drew me to it in the first place. Which was great becuase the Sovtek is cheap. I tried a Mullard and GEC EF-86 in it. The Mullard was a little brighter than the GEC, but the GEC just sounded huge, lots of detail, but had more umph than the Mullard. I highly recommend you try both. I liked them a lot more than the Dario, which I would carry as a spare at gigs.
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Post by billyguitar on Apr 13, 2007 18:52:28 GMT -7
For sure get a cover that completely encloses the head, cab or combo. 2 wheelers will scratch up the bottom of an amp quick!
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