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Post by doctorice on Aug 29, 2010 6:40:45 GMT -7
I had an oldies gig last night, all songs from the 50s and early to mid 60s. I knew we'd be on a small stage, and this is a six-person group with keys that have a big footprint.
Given the limited space, I opted to bring the Monza -- smallest of my Zs -- and challenge myself to get mostly basic clean tones from the little guy.
Well, it worked. Volume @ 9, drive @ 8:30 and tone up around 1:00. Did not have my Strat volume above 5 all night. Delay set for slapback on some tunes and a pedal for a few solos. And Brake Lite on 2. To be sure, I didn't get much chime, but amp sat well in the mix and was perfect stage volume.
OK, it's not as much fun as cranking the amp as it is meant to be played, but this gig gave me comfort that the Monza is capable of more than hard rock and blues tones. Not ideal, mind you, but way more than adequate.
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Post by mikeslub on Aug 29, 2010 10:21:08 GMT -7
Thanks for the update! You were quite brave to use it as your only amp, because it certainly doesn't want to be a clean amp, and as you indicated, doesn't do chime or sparkle. Just flat out gain to the max unless you really restrain it the way you did!
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Post by toneexplorer on Aug 29, 2010 10:47:19 GMT -7
Doctorice, that has been my experience with my Monza as well......
One thing I do a little different though is I set me volume to about 11:00 and Brake Lite on 3, and really work the guit volume, I will hit the Monza with my OCD if I need to thickin things up a bit........
Glad you got a chance to run the Monza through the paces.....congrats!
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Post by Pete aka shouldb on Sept 1, 2010 0:40:56 GMT -7
Hey Mike, were you using the EC Strat that way? With mine, "clean" just doesn't appear in the sound palette no matter where I set the GV - I can manage it, like you did, with the Standard Strat only.
Pete
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Post by doctorice on Sept 1, 2010 6:52:02 GMT -7
Hey Mike, were you using the EC Strat that way? With mine, "clean" just doesn't appear in the sound palette no matter where I set the GV - I can manage it, like you did, with the Standard Strat only. Pete Hi Pete. Yes, it was the EC Strat and carefully modulated pick attack. It wasn't BF Fender clean, to be sure, but it worked fine. (The MAZ or Z-28 would have suited the gig better, but the footprint demanded Monza; haven't swapped the 28 into the 1x10 yet, which is another story.) Our PA was being run by the co-guitarist from my other band, and he thought it sounded great in the mix.
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Post by heynewguy (Ol’ Bill) on Sept 1, 2010 10:55:21 GMT -7
Mike, I think it shows you what a good musician you are being able to use an Monza for a gig like that. I only spent a little time playing the Monza at the shop at Z Fest. It was really loud with the Brake Lite on 2! Just goes to show you what you can do when you want to. I would have brought my Maz 18 and Blue.
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Post by doctorice on Sept 1, 2010 18:59:19 GMT -7
Mike, I think it shows you what a good musician you are being able to use an Monza for a gig like that. I only spent a little time playing the Monza at the shop at Z Fest. It was really loud with the Brake Lite on 2! Just goes to show you what you can do when you want to. I would have brought my Maz 18 and Blue. Thanks for the kind words
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Post by Pete aka shouldb on Sept 2, 2010 0:00:42 GMT -7
That's really interesting Mike and I guess gives a bit more versatility to the Monza which isn't immediately apparent. Nice one ;D
I suppose for me, having the 1x10 Ghia gives me more versatility right there, but it's good to know the Monza can do it when needed.
Cheers
Pete ;D
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Post by doctorice on Sept 2, 2010 19:21:37 GMT -7
Is your Monza back at Peach's now? Or still in residence?
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Post by bikedude on Sept 19, 2010 17:05:19 GMT -7
Played a nice lounge gig last sat. and took the CG/Avatar/Blue with my large pedalboard. What a toneful and fun evening. The CG just flat smoked all nite, from glassy clean, to mean with some pedals. Yesterday had an outside 2set gig and took the Monza 1X10 Combo and a small L6 M9 effects unit. What a blast. Had a chance to open up the Monza, and it just absolutely smoked outside. Kept it on the ground tilited up against an apple crate(apple festival gig), and draped a 57 over the grille. 1Click on the brake lite, vol. around noon, gain around noon, tone around 11(road worn tele). What a smoken amp, and it cleans up very well when rolling off the guit. vol. But by goosing the front end a little with some of the M9 drives, I was having a blast with sustain and feedback, with out being overly loud. I just love both of these Z's and am glad to be able to rotate them for the task at hand.
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Post by toneexplorer on Sept 22, 2010 12:00:59 GMT -7
Bikedude......same two Z's I have......I really dig both of them. They seem to satisfy my two different mood swings.....
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Post by bikedude on Sept 22, 2010 18:06:56 GMT -7
Bikedude......same two Z's I have......I really dig both of them. They seem to satisfy my two different mood swings..... I try to tell myself "I don't need these 2 Z's, but I really don't know which one I'd let go of. I've considered putting the CG into the 1X10 combo, but every time I play the Ghia, I just fall in love with the tone. I love the grab n go of the Monza too much also. I think I'm going to sell my Mesa Lonestar Classic soon, and who know's, maybe buy another Z! GAS.
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Post by doctorice on Sept 22, 2010 19:03:47 GMT -7
I think I'm going to sell my Mesa Lonestar Classic soon, and who know's, maybe buy another Z! GAS. That's the spirit
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Post by toneexplorer on Sept 22, 2010 23:56:06 GMT -7
Yeah they are both keepers......I do the same thing...I will play the Monza for several days and say "do I really need the Ghia?" Then I will play the Ghia and go , "Oh yeah I need it".
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heycaptjack
Full Member
Be sure you ask the wife before you buy!!!
Posts: 108
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Post by heycaptjack on Nov 23, 2010 19:04:38 GMT -7
Got to have both!
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