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Post by curtischa on Jul 25, 2011 1:35:56 GMT -7
I have only heard the 5f1 champ clone w/ 1-12in. alnico weber. Sounded awesome but I haven't seen a mini z locally. I wanted to know how the tone of the 5F1 champ circuit would differ with that of a mini z. If the mini-Z has the clarity of the champ combined with slightly less flabby bass, it may be just what the Dr. ordered.
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Post by curtischa on Jul 28, 2011 0:24:52 GMT -7
Wow, actually thought this question would draw more responses! Ultimate single-ended vintage circuit with an attitude vs. hand-wired well-respected new-comer with a reputation!
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Post by club327 (aka Ben) on Jul 28, 2011 13:21:54 GMT -7
I don't think my Mini does much clean. Unless you are saying note definition in an overdriven way, then yes it is good.
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Post by curtischa on Jul 30, 2011 0:36:28 GMT -7
Yes, what I meant by clarity is closer to definition. I have a Budda Superdrive 30 that is from the 1st. edition; hand-wired. I play a Gibson es125 and a gretsch viking and they both sound good with the Budda for sustaining lead but the Budda is dirty even when you try to set it clean. The 5f1 circuit retained more of the acoustic voice of the instruments when set clean and overdriving the 5f1 yielded that tweed voice. Just hoping to find THAT sound with a tiny bit more composure in the low end.
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Post by asattwanger on Jul 30, 2011 11:36:26 GMT -7
EL84 verse a 6v6?
There are a bunch of amps out there that do that. You just happen to be looking at a completely different idea of a amp.
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Post by curtischa on Aug 5, 2011 22:51:45 GMT -7
to asattwanger, I understand EL84 vs. 6v6 but that really doesn't tell me the tangible, audible differences between the two amps. There's many el84 amps that sound different from one-another, likewise 6v6,el34, etc. What I really need to do is hear, feel, and play a mini-z for myself, I guess! I just will have to try to find one locally....was really hoping someone had experience with both amps and could give me an idea if the mini-z was a viable alternative to the 5f1 champ and worthy of further investigation.
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Post by meanslide on Aug 7, 2011 19:39:17 GMT -7
Hey Curtis - I'm a long time Mini Z player and I'll try to shed some light on your question.
I have the newer version with the built in attenuator and Doc's 1X10 cab with a Red Fang Alnico.
From what I've heard out of the Champs (and played a couple of times) and what I know a Mini can do, the Mini a Champ killer. Single coil guitars are going to give you the most usable clean out it. I had a tele that sounded amazing through it clean (amp volume down around 9:00 o'clock). I then changed the pre amp tube in it to a JJ 12AT7 (60% distortion vs the stock 12AX7) and that kept the 'clean' tone to about 12 noon on the amp volume.
With the Red Fang, there is no flab in this amp at all. I mostly play a ES-335 through it nowadays and it holds tight even with HB's.
Here's a couple of vids that accurately display the Mini's tone -
This guy also has Mini demo's for HB's and Filtertron's if you want to look them up.
This next one has some great clean tone on it with a Strat style guitar...skip to 1:18 to get to the playing.
Hope this helps!
Robert
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Post by curtischa on Aug 8, 2011 11:04:20 GMT -7
to meanslide, very cool to actually get a response from someone who has played both amps and actually took time to read, understand, and answer the question. thank you! I have seen these videos but your first-hand experience means more to me than these vids! I tried the champ and a deluxe but I really needed to find an amp that fell right between the two volume-wise; closer to the champ. Both flabbed in the bass regs. though; too loose.
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Post by meanslide on Aug 8, 2011 11:38:43 GMT -7
Glad that helped some. My main point is you will not be disappointed with a Mini Z. Get the head version and you can use it with any cab. I've even played my through a 4X12 Marshall cab and it rocked!
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