|
Post by dverna on Sept 29, 2006 8:35:50 GMT -7
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Those of you that have played Ghias 2x10 and 1x12, can you compare and contrast the two? Also, what is the deal with the different colored jewel lights on Z amps... are green really that special or is it urban legend?
|
|
|
Post by Matt H. on Sept 29, 2006 11:33:41 GMT -7
Played both. I prefer the 2x10 because it is a little brighter. They both are incredible. Stick to the green jewel light - it's no legend - greener is better
|
|
|
Post by johnthigpen on Sept 29, 2006 11:54:51 GMT -7
The doctor may chime in here with details, but I read here that the secret to the jewel light is the version of the amp. He can tell by looking at the jewel whether an amp has been updated for minor tweaks. I sent my Carmen Ghia in for repair years ago and it came back with the famed green jewel. I don't know if there are any further tweaks.
John
|
|
|
Post by dverna on Sept 29, 2006 11:57:48 GMT -7
alright, the order has been placed.... blonde/tan Ghia with 2x10 -- hopefully I get lucky with a green jewel. my first Z amp.
|
|
|
Post by Matt H. on Sept 29, 2006 12:19:03 GMT -7
dverna,
Here's some karma for a good quick decision. You will be amazed when you get it.
Good Luck
|
|
|
Post by texblooz on Sept 29, 2006 12:21:44 GMT -7
Mine has an amber jewel
|
|
|
Post by dverna on Sept 29, 2006 13:47:09 GMT -7
Mine has an amber jewel but do you like the way it sounds?
|
|
|
Post by texblooz on Sept 29, 2006 14:04:37 GMT -7
Love it. But i gotta get one of those green ones I guess... ;D
|
|
|
Post by Martanthegreat on Sept 29, 2006 14:06:22 GMT -7
ok, ok, but how about the red Ghia with a green jewel light ? I have not played ant other Ghias but my mouth is on the floor !!! Dr Z rules!!!!!
|
|
|
Post by jimiata on Sept 30, 2006 8:11:09 GMT -7
My black/salt and pepper 2x10 with green jewel is a blues TONE MONSTER. I'm betting your Blondie will be the same. Welcome to Zland. Jim
|
|
|
Post by taswegian on Sept 30, 2006 19:17:58 GMT -7
I might be wrong but i think the original myth came from Dr Z using a green led for the Ghia's that he put Hammond organ tubes into. Apparently they sounded great and so the green jewel ghia became sought after. Maybe someone can clarify that, so I don't think the jewel would have too much significance today. I'd love to have one of those original 15 watt "Hammond" ghias though.
|
|
|
Post by Don on Oct 1, 2006 8:53:23 GMT -7
After speaking to Mike Zaite on the telephone earlier this year, he recommended a Celestion Blue when I purchased my red Ghia combo (green jewel lamp). What an unbelievable sound! There's warmth, definition, chime, and a full range of tones. I here a lot of talk here about Tonkers and other speakers. Wouldn't it be great if you could have all of these speakers mounted in identical cabs and really hear the difference side by side?!! Then you could choose the one that was most pleasing to your ear and most compatible to your genre of music.
|
|
|
Post by Dana {aka gp} on Oct 1, 2006 9:07:39 GMT -7
I might be wrong but i think the original myth came from Dr Z using a green led for the Ghia's that he put Hammond organ tubes into. Apparently they sounded great and so the green jewel ghia became sought after. Maybe someone can clarify that, so I don't think the jewel would have too much significance today. I'd love to have one of those original 15 watt "Hammond" ghias though. Here's the the episode in which Dr. Z himself reveals the Legend of the Green Jewel: drzamplifiers.proboards41.com/index.cgi?action=display&board=ghia&thread=1116328534&page=1-Dana
|
|
|
Post by dverna on Oct 1, 2006 17:19:45 GMT -7
After speaking to Mike Zaite on the telephone earlier this year, he recommended a Celestion Blue when I purchased my red Ghia combo (green jewel lamp). What an unbelievable sound! There's warmth, definition, chime, and a full range of tones. I here a lot of talk here about Tonkers and other speakers. Wouldn't it be great if you could have all of these speakers mounted in identical cabs and really hear the difference side by side?!! Then you could choose the one that was most pleasing to your ear and most compatible to your genre of music. So a Celestion Blue is that much better than the stock speaker(s) the Ghia comes with?
|
|
|
Post by Don on Oct 1, 2006 18:50:55 GMT -7
Well, in my case, the Celestion Blue was actually the stock speaker that came in my CG combo. The Dr offers the Blues as an option. Keep in mind, that this speaker is only rated at 15 watts, but then again, the Ghia is rated at 18 watts, so they're fairly compatible. I cannot tell you that it is the better speaker to go with, because that my friend, is for your own ears to decide. Mike recommended this speaker to me for the type of music that I'm playing, and I'm extremely satisfied with it. Now in addition, I'm also running a CG head through a cab with 2-12" Celestion Vintage 30s for a different flavor and timbre. If I'm right (and someone please correct me if I'm wrong), the Vintage 30 is the stock speaker that comes in the Ghia 12 combo.
dverna - is there a Z dealer by you where you can go and run a Carmen Ghia through different cabs to hear the difference?
|
|
|
Post by dverna on Oct 2, 2006 9:58:18 GMT -7
Well, in my case, the Celestion Blue was actually the stock speaker that came in my CG combo. The Dr offers the Blues as an option. Keep in mind, that this speaker is only rated at 15 watts, but then again, the Ghia is rated at 18 watts, so they're fairly compatible. I cannot tell you that it is the better speaker to go with, because that my friend, is for your own ears to decide. Mike recommended this speaker to me for the type of music that I'm playing, and I'm extremely satisfied with it. Now in addition, I'm also running a CG head through a cab with 2-12" Celestion Vintage 30s for a different flavor and timbre. If I'm right (and someone please correct me if I'm wrong), the Vintage 30 is the stock speaker that comes in the Ghia 12 combo. dverna - is there a Z dealer by you where you can go and run a Carmen Ghia through different cabs to hear the difference? good info, thank you. yeah there is a dealer nearby, and rather than sling mud and get specific, let's just say I will never give him a dime more of my business....
|
|
|
Post by myles on Oct 3, 2006 20:14:10 GMT -7
After speaking to Mike Zaite on the telephone earlier this year, he recommended a Celestion Blue when I purchased my red Ghia combo (green jewel lamp). What an unbelievable sound! There's warmth, definition, chime, and a full range of tones. I here a lot of talk here about Tonkers and other speakers. Wouldn't it be great if you could have all of these speakers mounted in identical cabs and really hear the difference side by side?!! Then you could choose the one that was most pleasing to your ear and most compatible to your genre of music. So a Celestion Blue is that much better than the stock speaker(s) the Ghia comes with? The Carmen Ghia is one of those amps that sounds great with any speaker right up to a closed Marshall 4x12 cab. But .... the Vox AlNiCO blue to me personally .... is the best guitar speaker ever made in the cosmos. A Ghia and a blue is just magic.
|
|
|
Post by myles on Oct 3, 2006 20:17:16 GMT -7
After speaking to Mike Zaite on the telephone earlier this year, he recommended a Celestion Blue when I purchased my red Ghia combo (green jewel lamp). What an unbelievable sound! There's warmth, definition, chime, and a full range of tones. I here a lot of talk here about Tonkers and other speakers. Wouldn't it be great if you could have all of these speakers mounted in identical cabs and really hear the difference side by side?!! Then you could choose the one that was most pleasing to your ear and most compatible to your genre of music. So a Celestion Blue is that much better than the stock speaker(s) the Ghia comes with? No better ... different. What most Carmen Ghia owners will find, even with combos, is that they are small and light and any Ghia combo can sit on any speaker cab and then you unplug the internal speaker and plug an external cab in the amp. Now you have the choice of two great amps. With any luck you will quit at that point as it is darn easy to start to build a Ghia speaker collection faster than some folks build pedal collections.
|
|
|
Post by dverna on Oct 5, 2006 10:01:45 GMT -7
I think I will do my best to wear out the new 2x10 combo as is, and then pursue what seems to be a mulititude of speaker/cab options down the road. I have a feeling this amp will not be lacking to my ears when it finallyarrives. should be 2 more weeks.
|
|
|
Post by canes on Oct 5, 2006 10:30:19 GMT -7
dverna, I've only had my ghia 2x10 about 3 weeks now but the novelty and honeymoon hasnt even begun to wear off. Mine has the stock 10's in it and they are chimey, punchy, with plenty of low-end. You wont be dissapointed. As others hear have suggested though, i will be ordering some beam blockers from weber as this amp cranked at ear level can have a little bite to the hi-end, that the beam blockers are supposed to alleviate. You're gonna love it! Jason
|
|
|
Post by Matt H. on Oct 5, 2006 11:03:51 GMT -7
dverna
I have the 2x10 Ghia combo and I run mine with 1x12 external cab at the same time as the 10's in the combo. It's easy to do w/ a Y cable. It sounds very full. Not to say that it doesn't sound full w/ the 10's in the combo, because it does. Running the 2 cabs at once just allows you the full spectrum of high's and low's. I guess it's something to think about later on - Just enjoy the flying endorphins when you play the combo by itself, It is truly awesome!
Good luck!
|
|
|
Post by dverna on Oct 9, 2006 8:52:40 GMT -7
dverna I have the 2x10 Ghia combo and I run mine with 1x12 external cab at the same time as the 10's in the combo. It's easy to do w/ a Y cable. It sounds very full. Not to say that it doesn't sound full w/ the 10's in the combo, because it does. Running the 2 cabs at once just allows you the full spectrum of high's and low's. I guess it's something to think about later on - Just enjoy the flying endorphins when you play the combo by itself, It is truly awesome! Thanks Matt.... looking forward to it. I'm in Mass too btw. Good luck!
|
|
|
Post by dverna on Nov 13, 2006 6:25:19 GMT -7
It arrives today. UPS around 4pm. Can't wait.
|
|
|
Post by pickupcentral on Nov 14, 2006 17:31:50 GMT -7
My Ghia has the green light, but has black tolex. The green light might have some mojo, but the red tolex is where the tone comes from.
-Phil
|
|
|
Post by dverna on Nov 15, 2006 12:32:27 GMT -7
My Ghia has the green light, but has black tolex. The green light might have some mojo, but the red tolex is where the tone comes from. -Phil guess I lost on the tone...but I am still having fun with it.
|
|
|
Post by pickupcentral on Nov 15, 2006 21:23:24 GMT -7
The Ghia is a great amp. It loves any guitar I throw at it. It is the only amp I have ever turned up all the way. Just sounds better all the time. Big beefy notes.
dverna, I'm glad you're diggin' it.
-Phil
|
|