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Post by fuzzee on Dec 17, 2006 16:23:51 GMT -7
My Ghia just arrived a few days ago and I hate to say it but, I just don't dig it . It's a brand new Red head/green jewel model but it just does'nt have the big sound I was looking for, In fact it kinda sounds like a little practice amp. I have the tone at 3-4 o'clock just to get it from sounding thin, with the tone completly off it sounds like a transister radio. I trying really hard to like it but I think maybe a 66 might be more what I'm lookin for.
pleease help!! Any comments? Questions
Thanx Fuz
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Post by yinielin on Dec 17, 2006 17:19:35 GMT -7
I always thought it sounded like a radio with the tone off too but I liked it. What pickups/guitar are u using and where do u have the volume. I normally run my tone around half strat or les paul and it still sounds full.
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Post by T-R☼CK ♫ on Dec 17, 2006 17:26:28 GMT -7
My Ghia just arrived a few days ago and I hate to say it but, I just don't dig it . It's a brand new Red head/green jewel model but it just does'nt have the big sound I was looking for, In fact it kinda sounds like a little practice amp. I have the tone at 3-4 o'clock just to get it from sounding thin, with the tone completly off it sounds like a transister radio. I trying really hard to like it but I think maybe a 66 might be more what I'm lookin for. pleease help!! Any comments? Questions Thanx Fuz OOOOH you gonna get slammed here.. Just kidding..It's like the man said, Difrnt' Strokes.....You might consider shooting a PM to the DR and see what he has to say.. He might want you to send it in for a checkout..Or, post a msg to Myles on the "Ask The Experts" thread..It is a rare thing indeed for a player to not like a Ghia...Best recording amp I have EVER laid my ears on... What kind of cab are u running thru?? Check to make sure all your tubes are seated well and fired up. I really can't imagine getting a bad sound out of one..... All things being proper, remember, the CG is and 18 watt machine..To expect 50 - 100 watt pant leg flappin' half stack sounds is a bit unreasonable...But, "transistor radio" ...Shouldn't be happnin' to ya man..Hell, even the 5watt Mini-Z sounds huge compared to anything else in its class..(and beyond). Hope you find a cure for your ills..The good Dr wants you to be happy for sure.....
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Post by billyguitar on Dec 17, 2006 17:48:16 GMT -7
I think they do sound small but it's 18 watts which to me is small. I feel like the CG is the modern tweed Deluxe and it fills the same need. If you don't need that niche filled them by all means, move up.
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Post by fuzzee on Dec 17, 2006 19:53:56 GMT -7
Thanks for the replies I've tried it with differant cabs and guitars strat w/ anderson pup's les paul w/p 90,s 2x12 cab w/celestions even a 4x12 w/ eminence v-12s it gets plenty loud but anything below 3:00 on the tone control just doesn't work for me. I thought it would sound as big as my Maz18 but kinda have a dif'nt vibe and I guess it does,. I think it's a little smoother and not as punchy sounding.maybe i just need ti\o give it a little more play time
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Post by johnnyl on Dec 17, 2006 20:25:26 GMT -7
I was just jammin everything from Floyd to Santana to ZZtop on my Ghia and it sounded great. It's such a versatile amp. I was getting pretty loud tones at just over 9:00 on the volume.
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Post by GuitarZ on Dec 17, 2006 20:32:38 GMT -7
Chuck a mic in front of it if you can and record a lick or too. The Ghia brethren might be able to help a little better with some sound.
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dave
New Member
Posts: 7
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Post by dave on Dec 18, 2006 3:49:39 GMT -7
Strange, when I first got the Ghia I wondered what all the fuss was about, and said so on the forum way back. Mine was used and new tubes changed everything. I use it all the time at the moment for small venues, while the Z-28 gathers dust. IMO the sweet spot is about 2.00 on both volume and tone and then it just sings. It attracts comments for the sound even from drummers!! But as always, horses for courses...
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Post by tjstrat on Dec 18, 2006 6:27:52 GMT -7
I go between a Ghia head and an old Maz 38 Studio Lead. The Ghia really grabbed my attention from the first one I saw, I just held off buying one because I realized that I'd probably never run it past 10 o'clock anywhere I played. That said, even at 9:00 or a little past, it gives me a fat clean tone that is a great foundation for almost any boost or overdrive I've cared to use.
It sounds to me like there's something wrong with the amp or the way it's working. Just my opinion, because it sounds like you've addressed those possibilities. Make sure to open it up some and let it breathe volume wise. At least 9:00, more if you can. And DO give it a little time. Almost everyone loves this amp, and we aren't all as ear retarded as I am...
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Post by canes on Dec 18, 2006 13:32:23 GMT -7
I just gigged my Ghia saturday night, a 2x10 combo in medium sized room, with another guitar in the band. I had the volume below 9 all night. I also brought my route 66 thinking i'd use the ghia as only backup; but when I got setup i plugged in the ghia for the heck of it and thought .. wow... it gets me everytime. I unplugged the 66 and played the ghia all night. Now the 66 really floors me, its just the ghia is so sweet to my ears. The 66 is new and im not really used to it yet and I just cant make the Ghia sound bad.
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Post by fuzzee on Dec 18, 2006 15:33:14 GMT -7
I pretty sure the first Z I ever heard was a CG and I remember it sounding nice and BIG.This is a new amp and I tried some other tubes as well (nos tesla el84's a svetlana 12ax7 and a nos 5751) but it sounds better with the tubes it came with. I don't really think there is anything wrong with it , I'm probly just ear retarded.
Hey TJ ... let me know if you have any gigs coming up so's I could give your ghia a listen, I see your in DeKalb and I live about 20 min. south of Rochelle
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Post by tjstrat on Dec 18, 2006 16:58:00 GMT -7
We'll be at the Grove in Poplar Grove on the 23rd and the Village Pub WAAAAAY up in Rockton on the 29th. We play in Rockford just about every weekend, so if you look for Prime Time Live on beetcafe.com you might see us at Big Al's, one of the various Shooters, or the 10th Inning. A bit of a haul, but I'll probably use the Ghia at the Village, about an hour up 251 from where you are. I' haul up 90 to Rockton Rd and then cut back to Elevator and then w to Rockton. Hole in the wall, but a good time. And I try to be far less lame than the band name suggests...
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rgb
Full Member
Posts: 158
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Post by rgb on Dec 19, 2006 6:39:59 GMT -7
Don't feel bad about not caring for it. You're not alone! I used my Ghia in a wet/dry setup as the wet amp and it worked quite well for that, but I could never use it alone. I just didn't care for the tone. Not that it sounded small for me, but I just didn't care for the overdriven tones....and I tried a bunch of different cabs and speakers. I liked the C Rex the best with it....kinda tamed the ratty highs. A re-tube helped some, but I just never really bonded with it.
However, the guy I sold mine to just loves it, so it's all about what you're looking for. We all hear something different when we plug in!
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Post by billyguitar on Dec 19, 2006 7:30:55 GMT -7
There may be something wrong if he has to set the tone control at 3:00. At 3:00 mine is so bassy I can't use it..
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Post by mojoslide on Dec 19, 2006 10:39:20 GMT -7
Yeah something might be wrong with your amp. I can't go past 2 on the tone on my Ghia or it gets too bassy. I usually keep it between 1 and 2 o'clock or less depending on volume. I have to say the Ghia worked for me right away - even at low volume clean settings. It took awhile for me to get it right in a band situation but getting my Dr Z 1x12 cab helped with that immensely. On saturday I played a 3 1/2 gig with my Ghia and it rocked. I just installed a Weber beam blocker in the Z cab and it made my setup even better sounding. I used my AC Booster for most of my overdrive and kept the amp's volume around 10. It was a small space in a small club. That setup just killed in the tone department (plus we played great too which always helps).
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Post by guitarboy02451 on Dec 20, 2006 20:49:49 GMT -7
You have to understand the tone knob. It's not like the tone on your old radio. The tone does excactly what it says... It scopes and shapes the tone. You are running it to thin at 3 oclock. Try right in the middle or around 1pm.
The only time you'd ever want to run the Tone at zero is if your covering an old Beatles tune. Try playing Day Tripper with the tone knob all the way off. You'll see what I mean.
The tone is to move the amp through stages of different sounds.... When in the middle to 1pm it has chime. So all the way off your getting more of a Vox tone...
2nd, sounds like you got some good cabs going on. And you're happy with your Maz 18. Remember the CG is a differnt animal
Maybe it isn't your bag... thats ok too..
But if you're into blues, rock, country... throw an RC Booster and AC Booster and your favorite reverb and look out! You're done.
But I'd put the Ghia up against any tweed out there and I bet it would blow it away. I just did some recording with my Ghia and I was amazed at how the mic just takes to that amp.
Hope this helps. If not, there are plenty of folks that would love to get their hands on a red head.
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Post by fuzzee on Dec 21, 2006 19:24:17 GMT -7
Thanks for the replies It seems to me that the more you turn the tone knob up the fuller the sound,like I said before anything less than3:00 iskinda smalland really trebly, but ll keep trying
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Post by guitarboy02451 on Dec 21, 2006 20:51:07 GMT -7
Wow, les then 3 is thin? Hmmm... Have you re-tubed? What do you have in V1 and V2?
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Post by zdogma on Dec 22, 2006 6:50:30 GMT -7
I agree, there might be something a bit off.
For comparison, if I run my ghia and my SF bassman thru the same cab, the ghia has just as much bottom. The low end is fuller than my 15 watt matchless, and my friend's 18 watt TMB (marshall clone) by quite a bit.
It does sound like a transistor radio with the tone off, though, that's normal.
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Post by guitarboy02451 on Dec 22, 2006 8:32:26 GMT -7
exactly. The ghia has tons of low end. Not as much as may Sr. It also depends on the room too. If it's in a basement with a concrete floor, that will kill bass as well.
But yeah, definately something is off...
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Post by billyguitar on Dec 22, 2006 9:02:11 GMT -7
Deeper trouble than just tubes. Needs looked at by the Doc. I'd call or email Dr Z about this.
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Post by Stumpy on Dec 22, 2006 12:00:11 GMT -7
"My Ghia just arrived a few days ago and I hate to say it but, I just don't dig it."
When my Ghia arrived I gigged with it right away the next night and that was my intial impression too.
I was standing on stage thinking this dang thing exposes all my flaws I'm not sure I am going to like this!
I eventually learned to clean up my playing because of it and love the Ghia now!
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Post by tjstrat on Dec 22, 2006 12:15:28 GMT -7
I picked my Ghia up from a local who sold it to me on the WAY to a gig and used it that night. And I was totally destroyed by it. Hands down the best amp I'd ever gigged with. And I didn't even have time to take it home, monkey with it, swap tubes... Grabbed her at 6:30 pm, drove 10 minutes to the gig, set up, and an hour later it was making me as happy a player as I've ever been.
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Post by Bill on Dec 22, 2006 12:38:51 GMT -7
I trying really hard to like it but I think maybe a 66 might be more what I'm lookin for. pleease help!! Any comments? Questions Thanx Fuz That may be. I've owned both, and to me a Rt 66 with an RC Booster was like a big, beefy Carmen Ghia. Not that the Ghia can't sound big, it can...but the reality is two EL 84's vs a pair of big bottle KT 66's. Problem is you say it's brand new, so you'll take a hit if you try and sell. I'd look at what cabinet and speakers you're using, go at least a 2x12 with a couple Cele Blues...yes, expensive but what a huge sound. And check in the Ask the Experts section, see what tubes Myles recommends for more headroom...I believe the Ghia is his all time favorite amp.
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Post by jb on Dec 22, 2006 12:47:18 GMT -7
A agree with you Madison, I have a Rt 66 and was interested in adding a Ghia. In the meantime I convinced my brother in law to buy a Ghia, so I play it quite a bit. The Ghia is great, but I honestly can't hear any sounds come out that I can't get with the 66 and an RC Booster. And the 66 can get bigger and beefier. I am trying to decide on another Z to complement the 66 and I originally thought the Ghia was the amp. Now I am not so sure, I think they sound more similar than different.
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Post by Bill on Dec 22, 2006 13:22:17 GMT -7
I am trying to decide on another Z to complement the 66 and I originally thought the Ghia was the amp. Now I am not so sure, I think they sound more similar than different. Well that makes 3 of us...Curt/ tele62 also compares the two as big/little brother. The Stang Ray is the polar opposite (tonewise) of the Route 66, if you're looking for something to add to your lineup. It, with an RC AND BB are unstoppable...lots of headroom, real clean, simple tone stack...provides a killer platform for the Xotic pedals.
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Post by jb on Dec 22, 2006 16:16:08 GMT -7
I think you are right, either a Stang Ray or a perhaps a Maz. It's too bad though because I really wanted to get the Ghia, but after listening to it, it doesn't make sense to me to have both. Oh well, the search is half the fun!
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Post by guitarboy02451 on Dec 22, 2006 16:43:24 GMT -7
I trying really hard to like it but I think maybe a 66 might be more what I'm lookin for. pleease help!! Any comments? Questions Thanx Fuz That may be. I've owned both, and to me a Rt 66 with an RC Booster was like a big, beefy Carmen Ghia. Not that the Ghia can't sound big, it can...but the reality is two EL 84's vs a pair of big bottle KT 66's. Problem is you say it's brand new, so you'll take a hit if you try and sell. I'd look at what cabinet and speakers you're using, go at least a 2x12 with a couple Cele Blues...yes, expensive but what a huge sound. And check in the Ask the Experts section, see what tubes Myles recommends for more headroom...I believe the Ghia is his all time favorite amp. I agree except with taking a hit on the Ghia. I doubt that he will. Take good pictures, post a picture of the purchase date.... I mean there is a 8 week wait or so for a new one. I bet his would go fairly quickly, especially someone jonesing for a CG. But honestly, if it is thin as you say, you should call DR and see if something didn't get bumped in shipping.
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Post by taswegian on Dec 22, 2006 17:48:50 GMT -7
I'm intrigued here that people are saying they can get the same tones out of their Rt 66's. That's great because esentially I'm looking for a low wattage Rt 66 for smaller clubs. I dont like attenuating even though I have an airbrake and even though I like my 1-12 I'd prefer using the Z best if I could get away with it. I woundn't have thought the RT66 would get the "el84 chime" that the Ghia has. I'm betting I might like a Ghia into my Zbest for smaller clubs over my Rt66 into a 1-12. Guess I'll only know once I've tried one out.
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Post by jb on Dec 22, 2006 18:26:04 GMT -7
I agree with you Tas that it is a good proxy for a lower wattage Rt 66. The tone is great, but they are louder than you think. It seems to me to be almost as loud as my 66.
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