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Post by teardrop123 on Sept 22, 2011 19:07:58 GMT -7
I'm new here and this is my first post last Sunday I played my Telecaster thru the Jaz 20/40. This amp had great Reverb and Trem the only thing that I didn't care for was the (Master Volume and the SS Rectifier.) I did email DR Z and they said we can take out the Master Volume Circuit. Can the SS Rectifier be also taken out and put a Tube Rectifier in its place? I also played a couple of other amps and the DR Z was the best. It was a used amp and it would be a great setup with my Tele. I'm looking for an amp with three things Reverb, Trem and No Master Volume like the 60's Fender and Vox amps but a modern amp.
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Post by buckeyebob on Sept 22, 2011 20:48:40 GMT -7
If you turn the master up all the way it's basically the same as not having it. I do that on my 6545's 65 side. It also adds to the versatility which this amp has in spades. If I recall, you can't replace the ss rectifier with a tube. Probably has to do with keeping the low end tight with the 6V6 power tubes. I say go for it. They are hard to find used.
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Post by doctorice on Sept 23, 2011 5:35:38 GMT -7
Expanding on buckeyebob's comment: Both the JAZ 20/40 and the MAZ master controls can just be cranked all the way up and then you use the volume knob to get where you want in terms of clean vs pushed sound.
My understanding is the master is not a master volume power attenuation. Instead, think of it as a volume control for the power tubes and the knob labeled "volume" is the "master" for the preamp section. This design enables one to balance preamp tube OD with power tube OD.
The JAZ is officially discontinued and hard to find used. If you have time, try it again with master cranked and see if it suits you. If the overall output level is too much you can use an attenuator (such as a Dr Z Brake Lite) to tame it.
The tremolo is stunning. You can set it so it's hardly noticeable when you play a bunch of single notes, but then hit a chord and it throbs beautifully.
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Post by doctorice on Sept 23, 2011 5:37:38 GMT -7
And +1 to our OSU Z player!
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Post by teardrop123 on Sept 23, 2011 16:56:49 GMT -7
Guys thanks for your reply the Jaz 20/40 was the 1X12. For me the 2X10 would be better now if I can find the Head with either a 4X10 or 2X12 that would be even better. I grew up in the 60's and that the style of music that I play. Also I have to save for the amp because I just found a job after 14 months of not working.
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Post by doctorice on Sept 23, 2011 19:11:32 GMT -7
^^^
Good luck in your quest. The amp is worth saving for.
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Post by argytar on Sept 25, 2011 15:32:14 GMT -7
The amp is totally worth it! Go for it! I have the brake lite in mine and it 's so versatile! If you turn up the master knob you 'll get some beautiful powertube distortion! It 's great! It 's so sweet that the amp holds its own with the bass, it never flabs out!
(Old twin reverbs had a SS rectifier and they were from the 60's too ,so don' t write the amp off because of the rectifier...just saying)
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Post by Deleted on Sept 25, 2011 19:14:47 GMT -7
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Post by teardrop123 on Oct 5, 2011 17:05:24 GMT -7
Hey guys I have started to save it going to take a while. I've looked at Eddies Guitars and if they still have the Jaz 20/40 Head when I have the money then I will buy it. Then I would have to get a cab for it. This may sound a little different but what is Z Fest? Also I heard about a DVD what's that about.
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Post by Deleted on Oct 5, 2011 19:42:22 GMT -7
The information about the DVD is the third item down on the front page of this forum. You might be able to make a deposit on the JAZ that's available, and they'll hold it. A sale is a sale in these times. Willcutt Guitars also has one left... www.willcuttguitars.com/amps/dr-z-amps/dr-z-jaz-20-40-red-1x12Good luck, let us know what happens.
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Post by teardrop123 on May 27, 2012 14:41:32 GMT -7
Back in February when I had the money I bought a reissue Fender 59 Bassman LTD. It was a mistake but last night I sold the amp for what I paid for it. Now I'm looking again for a new amp and the DR Z Jaz 20/40 is on my list again. The one I played back in February is still at the local music store and it's used. I know how it sounds with my Telecaster and there a good match. I need the amp to cover 50's to 60's music from Rockabilly to surf to British Invasion to Folk Rock. So can the Jaz 20/40 do it and I also need Reverb and Tremolo. I want to stay away from fender but if I did buy another Fender it would be the Vibro- King. That amp would be used. The only other amps that I would look at would be Tone King Imperial and Galaxy. The DR Z Jaz 20/40 seems to have it all together.
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Post by zpilot on May 27, 2012 15:18:15 GMT -7
I play a JAZ in a 50"s/60's show and it does the job perfectly. I have a history with and still own several tweed and blackface Fenders so that is the sound I love. I almost always have the master set full and run it at the full 40 watts. It really opens up like that. It's nice though to have the option to reign it back a little with the master volume control at rehearsals. I also like the 2x10 version better than the 1x12 but I like my Vibrolux better than my Deluxe too. One of the reasons I bought my JAZ is because I did not want to trust my 40+ year old Fenders at the show but I still needed the tones. The re-issues are close but not quite there. With the stock phase inverter it acts a lot like a brownface but I have swapped it out with a 12AT7 and now it is closer to a blackface. My advice is play around with different tubes and speakers but don't mess with the circuitry. The guys at "Z" have great ears (especially the Doc) and I find that their amps sound especially good cranked up with a band. Buy one and have fun.
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Post by doctorice on May 27, 2012 16:36:03 GMT -7
I've been playing my JAZ w/ a Tele a lot as I prepare to begin rehearsals for the summer season with a group that is heavily tilted to 50s and 60s rock and soul music. The JAZ is just right for this material.
I have the 2x10, same as zpilot.
I think you'll be happy with this amp.
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Post by doctorice on May 27, 2012 18:38:06 GMT -7
Let me add that lately I'm running the volume up all the way. My Tele has pretty low output pickups. I work the guitar volume and tone a fair amount. I use the amp master to set the overall level. The tone knobs are all set fairly low.
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Post by teardrop123 on May 27, 2012 18:55:44 GMT -7
The Jaz that I played at the music store was a 1X12. Zpilot I haven't played thru a 2X10 Jaz yet Because I do not se to many on the used market. It seems that the people who own them keep them. I might find one on a road trip to NYC I'll keep you posted
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Post by jesslm02 on May 27, 2012 20:38:51 GMT -7
Just a note. If you get either the 1x12 or 2x10, you can get either baffle from the Z shop and convert it to what you want. I purchased mine as a 1x12 and got a 2x10 baffle from Brent at Z. I got some of the Doc's custom made 10" speakers here in the BST section and that's what I'm trying in there now. I like the 10"ers in this amp as well as the 12".
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Post by zpilot on May 28, 2012 1:42:40 GMT -7
My JAZ started life as a 1x12 also and I converted it to a 2x10 which I like better. I wish mine was a head so it would be easier to haul but a combo is all I could find.
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Post by doctorice on May 28, 2012 5:33:04 GMT -7
I wish mine was a head so it would be easier to haul but a combo is all I could find. Same here. Would love to get my hands on the head version of this amp.
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