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Post by jcolagross on Aug 27, 2010 6:50:54 GMT -7
Well, I read all of the posts on the Monza this morning and I just placed my order for a red 10" with BL from Humbucker in GA. I've never even played, touched, or seen a DrZ in person but have wanted one for a long time. I have a Fender Blues Jr and wanted an amp to complement it and be able to cover ZZTop, etc. 2 days ago I purchased a Bogner Alchemist, and it just had no soul. I do not like it, so I am selling it. I knew I would read, ponder, dream, and drool for the Monza for the next month, so I thought, "Hell, I'm going to pull out the VISA and just get it now". ....and I did.
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Post by doctorice on Aug 27, 2010 7:44:21 GMT -7
Good for you. I think you'll find that it does complement your Fender. Be aware that the gain comes on quick and strong. Don't shy away from dialing your guitar volume back from where you might typically run it.
Let us know your impressions after it arrives.
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Deleted
Deleted Member
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Post by Deleted on Aug 27, 2010 7:50:55 GMT -7
You had the right response to a Dr Z - just get it! Welcome to the forum... Let us know how you like your Monza, you'll be in good company... cheers / tom
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Post by pcns on Aug 27, 2010 8:02:21 GMT -7
awesome, welcome to the Monza family, I love mine, same color too, Red, BL and 1x10" its awesome! Todd
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Post by toneexplorer on Aug 27, 2010 10:32:14 GMT -7
Hey Congrats!!.....doctorice is right on the money....when I got mine I was used to running everything wide open guitar volume tone knob......If you play with the knobs and your amps volume, you will dicover some killer tones :0
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draco
Full Member
Posts: 126
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Post by draco on Aug 28, 2010 21:02:28 GMT -7
Well, I read all of the posts on the Monza this morning and I just placed my order for a red 10" with BL from Humbucker in GA. I've never even played, touched, or seen a DrZ in person but have wanted one for a long time. I have a Fender Blues Jr and wanted an amp to complement it and be able to cover ZZTop, etc. 2 days ago I purchased a Bogner Alchemist, and it just had no soul. I do not like it, so I am selling it. I knew I would read, ponder, dream, and drool for the Monza for the next month, so I thought, "Hell, I'm going to pull out the VISA and just get it now". ....and I did. I think you'll find that the Monza has the soul you're looking for.
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Post by jcolagross on Aug 31, 2010 9:20:59 GMT -7
It was just delivered to my job. I'm going home for my lunch break to plug it in for about 20 minutes. I'll let you guys know what my initial reaction is.
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Post by jcolagross on Aug 31, 2010 10:15:32 GMT -7
It sucks that I had to come back to work. Wow! I have an earache! It was delivered to me with the attenuator on 2. It didn't take long until I bumped it up to 4. I can't believe how loud it is! I look forward to using it with a full band and watching the face of the 4-12 Marshall guy. I can't really give a full review now because I was excited and basically just jamming "Life's Been Good", some ZZTop, SRV,etc. I am pleased that it does get as clean as it does. I was concerned after what I'd read that it would be too dirty in a church situation, and I had assumed I would have to bring my Fender. The descrition someone else used "clean with alittle hair" is spot on. I love the red tolex. I am just happy. I have been wanting a Z since Brad P first started using them but everytime I would get the means to buy one, studio gear won out (mics, preamps, converters, synths). I'm glad I finally pulled the trigger. I want to travel to Humbucker one day so I can try out one of each model and see what else is offered in the DrZ line.
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Post by jcolagross on Aug 31, 2010 13:31:35 GMT -7
If, and this is a big IF, I decide the Monza is too loud for my uses (mostly home studio, smaller club/venue, wedding reception, church), I may see about swapping it (I just got it today) for a Z28 or MazJr NR. Are these a little quieter and which takes pedals best? Plus these 2 have the benefit of a cleaner sound too. I do like the Billy Gibbons sound when I dirty it up though. What do you "Z Pros" recommend? I am definitely sold on the Z! I just want the right one. Thanks guys.
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Post by doctorice on Aug 31, 2010 17:51:31 GMT -7
If, and this is a big IF, I decide the Monza is too loud for my uses (mostly home studio, smaller club/venue, wedding reception, church), I may see about swapping it (I just got it today) for a Z28 or MazJr NR. Are these a little quieter and which takes pedals best? Plus these 2 have the benefit of a cleaner sound too. I do like the Billy Gibbons sound when I dirty it up though. What do you "Z Pros" recommend? I am definitely sold on the Z! I just want the right one. Thanks guys. Neither is quite as loud as the Monza and the gain doesn't come on as fast. However, both have plenty of gain on tap and are good with pedals. The MAZ is probably more versatile, but the tone of the Z-28 is extremely seductive -- I think it's the EF86 front end. IF ( a big if ) you decide the Monza isn't quite right, you could get a Z28 head, then swap the Monza and 28 amps. (The MAZ chassis won't fit the 1x10 cab.)
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Post by jcolagross on Sept 1, 2010 6:10:57 GMT -7
The nice people at Humbucker told me that there was a 30 day return period so I could still swap it for a Maz, but last night I hooked up my Xotic AC and BB pedals and was able to get a reasonable level for practice. I like the amp ALOT and I'm leaning towards keeping it. I'm about 60/40 for keeping it and ABing it with my Fender Blues Jr. The other 40% is thinking sell the Fender and swap the Monza for the Maz Jr head and cabinet. The Maz might cover both amp sounds enough and by getting the head /cabinet, I can buy future DrZ heads and not clutter my floor with more combos. AARRGHH! Decisions decisions! Can the Maz Jr NR get that ZZTop tone that the Monza is getting me? Because if it doesn't I could keep the Monza and my Fender and cover alot of ground but it would be nice to have both in one amp!
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Deleted
Deleted Member
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Post by Deleted on Sept 1, 2010 6:35:27 GMT -7
My experience with A/B-ing the Maz/Monza was that the Maz could "do" the Monza almost exactly with the right overdrive pedal. The closest I got was with a Zendrive, which was tonally very similar if slightly smoother. You can get pretty close with an OCD, too.
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jeff25
Junior Member
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Post by jeff25 on Sept 1, 2010 17:00:12 GMT -7
My experience with A/B-ing the Maz/Monza was that the Maz could "do" the Monza almost exactly with the right overdrive pedal. The closest I got was with a Zendrive, which was tonally very similar if slightly smoother. You can get pretty close with an OCD, too. Not to hijack the thread,but do you get that kind of sustain out of the Maz with those pedals? That demo video drives me nuts!I love the Monza tone,but worry about it cleaning up enough to be my only amp,so your description of the Zendrive piqued my interest.
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Post by toneexplorer on Sept 5, 2010 9:23:10 GMT -7
My Monza cleans up fine.....enough to use in a band setting for some of the cleaner songs we do....just have to roll back the guitars volume..if you want more clean, turn the brakelite all the way off.
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Post by doctorice on Sept 6, 2010 6:44:09 GMT -7
My Monza cleans up fine.....enough to use in a band setting for some of the cleaner songs we do....just have to roll back the guitars volume..if you want more clean, turn the brakelite all the way off. This approach has worked well for me also. I keep the volume and drive controls pretty low; sometime turn drive all the way down. For convenience when using the Monza this way I use pedals, which seems a bit silly given what's inside the amp. Maybe someday I'll get adept at moving the knobs and clicking the Brake Lite up and down instead of using the little boxes on the floor.
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Post by toneexplorer on Sept 6, 2010 9:37:08 GMT -7
Yea, but we luv those little boxes dont we?......and there much easier to hide from the mrs. "what that pedal? its been on my board" (for about a day)
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Post by doctorice on Sept 6, 2010 17:46:06 GMT -7
Yea, but we luv those little boxes dont we?.. Yup. Ordered another two today.
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Post by toneexplorer on Sept 7, 2010 9:09:49 GMT -7
I hear you, I am getting my beloved G2D Creamtone back today.....I foolishly sold it in an effort to get more gear.
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Post by Pete aka shouldb on Sept 7, 2010 10:14:04 GMT -7
Just an observation but both the Z28 and the Maz18 LOVE the Xotic pedals ;D
I'll come clean and say that I had a Monza for a few weeks and traded it out for a Z28 - the Monza was too "mids" and dark for me, and didn't clean up enough. Z28 does what I need, with the Xotics, perfectly, including as much "Billy" as you could shake a stick at. The Monza is an EXCELLENT amp though, so no criticism from me implied at all, you just got to find the combination you're happiest with ;D
Pete
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Post by toneexplorer on Sept 7, 2010 12:40:01 GMT -7
Yo Pete, I think the I would like to try your Z28.....take er for a spin!....Relax, I will bring er back, just want to open her up a bit on the open road..... As far as amps go, Me Like MI MonZa!....... I like the dark-mid thang goin on........ In the past I have not spent enough time with some of my amps exploring the possibilities and tones.........I have had a lot of amps that sounded good out of the box, but after a couple months the tone became stale and bland.......This has not been the case with my Z's (Ghia and Monza) Somewhere there is a happy medium..... Just teasing about the Z28 Pete........would luv to try one.......
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Post by English John on Sept 7, 2010 13:52:48 GMT -7
I actually love the Monza set up without a brakelite, it gives me the low gain crunch sounds i like, at those levels it won't do everything for you but the work that you put in comes out sounding huge.
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Post by jcolagross on Sept 7, 2010 14:53:25 GMT -7
Well, I opted to swap the Monza for the Maz18NR, in red. I'm sad because I loved the Monza tone, but I'm hoping I will equally love the Maz tone and maybe with pedals I can get the "Monza thing" going. I had never played a DRZ, so I was buying based on what I'd heard and read here. Humbucker said it should come in a few weeks.
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Post by mikeslub on Sept 7, 2010 15:59:58 GMT -7
I'll come clean and say that I had a Monza for a few weeks and traded it out for a Z28 - the Monza was too "mids" and dark for me, and didn't clean up enough. Z28 does what I need, with the Xotics, perfectly, including as much "Billy" as you could shake a stick at. The Monza is an EXCELLENT amp though, so no criticism from me implied at all, you just got to find the combination you're happiest with ;D Pete Sold my Monza and bought an RxJr. for the exact same reason as Pete states above. The Monza is a cool amp, but isn't my cup of tea.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Sept 11, 2010 16:33:32 GMT -7
I'll come clean and say that I had a Monza for a few weeks and traded it out for a Z28 - the Monza was too "mids" and dark for me, and didn't clean up enough. Z28 does what I need, with the Xotics, perfectly, including as much "Billy" as you could shake a stick at. The Monza is an EXCELLENT amp though, so no criticism from me implied at all, you just got to find the combination you're happiest with ;D Pete Sold my Monza and bought an RxJr. for the exact same reason as Pete states above. The Monza is a cool amp, but isn't my cup of tea. RXJR is sort of an about face isn't it. I'd have to say I thought it was by far the brightest Z amp..
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Post by mikeslub on Sept 13, 2010 7:49:55 GMT -7
Sold my Monza and bought an RxJr. for the exact same reason as Pete states above. The Monza is a cool amp, but isn't my cup of tea. RXJR is sort of an about face isn't it. I'd have to say I thought it was by far the brightest Z amp.. My observation is that you can make the RxJr. darker by adjusting the bass/mid tone controls and based on the speaker you use (for example, a Greenback is darker than a Blue). I don't think it's any brighter than the Maz 18 Jr., for example. In any event, the Monza is way too dark for me.
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Deleted
Deleted Member
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Post by Deleted on Sept 13, 2010 10:37:47 GMT -7
RXJR is sort of an about face isn't it. I'd have to say I thought it was by far the brightest Z amp.. My observation is that you can make the RxJr. darker by adjusting the bass/mid tone controls and based on the speaker you use (for example, a Greenback is darker than a Blue). I don't think it's any brighter than the Maz 18 Jr., for example. In any event, the Monza is way too dark for me. Yeah I agree..I just couldn't bond with mine yet love the maz. Can't like them all. I for example based on demo's expected the Monza to me much darker than it is in reality. Maybe that's because I always had Boogies before switching to Z's. Although eventually I may sell it. For now I'm thrilled..You know how your tone taste sorta change from time to time. Awhile back I played nothing but my acoustic. Just what I was into. Usually inspired by a song you here either new or old that sends you in a different direction for awhile. I probably could never be a professional. I have done gigs but bored real easy playing the same stuff. That's just me. Of course there are those select songs that no matter how often you play them they are fun. And there are other songs where I'm thinking one more Verse and chorus and we are done.. I'd didn't mean to offend your choice of Z's.
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Post by mikeslub on Sept 13, 2010 10:59:28 GMT -7
My observation is that you can make the RxJr. darker by adjusting the bass/mid tone controls and based on the speaker you use (for example, a Greenback is darker than a Blue). I don't think it's any brighter than the Maz 18 Jr., for example. In any event, the Monza is way too dark for me. Yeah I agree..I just couldn't bond with mine yet love the maz. Can't like them all. I for example based on demo's expected the Monza to me much darker than it is in reality. Maybe that's because I always had Boogies before switching to Z's. Although eventually I may sell it. For now I'm thrilled..You know how your tone taste sorta change from time to time. Awhile back I played nothing but my acoustic. Just what I was into. Usually inspired by a song you here either new or old that sends you in a different direction for awhile. I probably could never be a professional. I have done gigs but bored real easy playing the same stuff. That's just me. Of course there are those select songs that no matter how often you play them they are fun. And there are other songs where I'm thinking one more Verse and chorus and we are done.. I'd didn't mean to offend your choice of Z's. I absolutely understand what you are saying, and wasn't offended at all. Variety is the spice of life, and each person's ears are different! Peace.
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Post by Phil (aka Phil) on Sept 13, 2010 12:18:39 GMT -7
I always think of the RxES/Jr and KT-45 as the "brightest" Z amps...even though you can make almost any amp "bright" by raising the treble control and lowering the bass and/or mids. One exception I can think of is my '98 Route 66...you can dime its treble and zero the bass and it's still pretty mellow.
The RxES/Jr and KT have enough treble on tap to make a cymbal look bad. As was said earlier you can always lower the treble...even though it seems weird to a lot of us to be running your treble from 0-2. Dr. Z's are like that. You kind of have to "forget what you know" if you're coming from the Fender or Marshall camp. Heck, the EZG-50 has a *ton* of bass with it's bass control on "0"!
Having said that, I'm a *huge* fan of the MAZ JR NR and I've never ever thought of it as a "bright" amp...even though raising the "cut" control and treble gets it pretty bright. I guess I just always think of each amp in terms of where it seems to "want" to be. The Rx's and KT just want to be bright...just like my Victoria Bassman (45410).
And for the record, my Monza gives me the best crunch tone and more that I've had in 28 years of playing. Just standing in front of my Monza/Z-Best rig with the volume at 10:00 and the tone and drive at noon is more fun than should be allowed by law. ;D
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heycaptjack
Full Member
Be sure you ask the wife before you buy!!!
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Post by heycaptjack on Nov 23, 2010 23:22:33 GMT -7
Nice! Whipped out the Visa card and took care of business! I love it.
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