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Post by jmacbeth30 on Jan 26, 2012 19:35:02 GMT -7
Hey All, I am almost 100% sure that i'm getting a stangray for my next amp, but as i've been searching for a quality amp, i came across the matchless dc-30. Does anyone have one of these amps, and how do they compare to the Z amps? I don't even have a Z amp (yet), but just from talking to people on this forum, i'm already a huge Z amp fan! I just want to know if the dc-30 is worth the $, or should i just pull the trigger on s stangray? Thanks, Jason
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Post by muzacman02 "Jamie" on Jan 26, 2012 19:54:21 GMT -7
While The Matchless products are top notch..... The Guys at Matchless do not offer the friendly Service nor Support Like DR Z Amplification can, I dont know of any company whose service is anywhere near the Stellar Service and Stellar Products that these folks offer. While I do own a Stangray , I never even played it, I just bought it as like my other Zamps. They are Simple, Roadworthy and Deliver Tone like no other. I have said it before about any DR Z amp, Tone for Dollar you can't beat them. I hope you get a Stangray, I bought mine just for another Clean Based amp. It does 10x More than cleans with a couple OD's in the front. The only Complaint I have with the company.... They make so many Good amps it makes it so darn Hard to choose which one to buy! ;D That being said i'm going for one of each! good luck with your Desicion
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Post by Sean on Jan 26, 2012 20:19:36 GMT -7
Jason
I have a Matchless SC30 and a BadCat Cub II. I have played a Stangray but never gigged with one.
There is some overlap in all the amps but they each have their own place and voice. I love the options on the matchless ... Especially the two channels combined. Feel free to hit me up in a pm if u have specific questions.
Sean
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Post by Maddog on Jan 27, 2012 5:40:57 GMT -7
I've owned DC-30's many years ago. They are great amps tone-wise, but seem to be un-necessarily more complicated and more likely to break down. Expensive to own, expensive to fix......I'd buy a Ray (or a Wreck) if I was going down that tone road....
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Post by Sean on Jan 27, 2012 8:45:47 GMT -7
Complex??
;-)
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Post by jmacbeth30 on Jan 27, 2012 10:00:56 GMT -7
After looking at the picture, i think i'll go with a Ray....LOL....That looks very complex! I'm suppose to try out a ray tomorrow if this guy drops it off. We'll see. Matchless amps seem nice but way too expensive! Thanks for the advice.
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Post by Norrin Radd on Jan 27, 2012 10:34:36 GMT -7
Yeah - play the Ray - let that decide for you. I tried one once - that was my gateway drug to Z tone. I'll be honest though - after the Ray, I'm still searching for that Z amp that I like better overall. Still not there. The Ray is just pure bliss, IMO. I'm afraid to get my hands on a Wreck though, that might seal the deal for me and keep me lusting for way too long! If you can - try both. If not - that Ray WILL suck you in - be warned!
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Post by jmacbeth30 on Jan 27, 2012 17:08:05 GMT -7
I did try the ZWreck, and the tone was AMAZING, but the price is out of my range! I'm suppose to tey the Ray out tomorrow, so i'll let you know what i think.
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Post by muzacman02 "Jamie" on Jan 27, 2012 17:46:27 GMT -7
That matchless is super sweet. Has some really cool.features. there is a hefty tag with that amp though. Great amp. Im sticking with my Ray yes its limited to options but full of the main Option Tone Tone Tone IMO:))
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Post by Sean on Jan 27, 2012 20:53:11 GMT -7
I gotta say, a Matchless would have NEVER entered into my life if not for 1) selling a lot of gear suddenly - stuff was listed FOREVER and no bites then BAM! Big ticket old rack stuff sold 2) killer deal of a "like new" SC30 with quality NOS tubes and backups and cover shipped to me for well under $2k 3) knowing that if I really didn't like it, I would most likely be able to move it for what I paid. All that being said, I really don't see this leaving my possession for quite some time. But back to the org post - I would venture to say that you couldn't go wrong with ANY of these amps!
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Post by gotmojo on Feb 2, 2012 9:08:35 GMT -7
I have tons of experience with the 2-12 DC30, was my go to amp for more than a decade. Lots of tones and great gig amp with the most excellent master volume feature and the half power switch. Brilliant, chimey, glassy, at about any volume you wanted -very Voxy. I never really had to run it at full power, always got enough volume at half power. Used it in the home studio more than any other amp, and I have quite a few vintage Fenders and AC30's to choose from. My only complaint is the danged thing weighs in at 85 pounds - too heavy for an old man like me anymore. Now that I'm running several different Z's I haven't used the Matchless much. Still sounds great when A-B'ed with the Z's, but no more fun that the Remedy or the Wreck or the Stang Ray. And all the Z's I've got are heads, so carrying 'em out to gigs is so much more feasible - not so danged heavy!!!!! I'm definitely sold on the Z's I've got, especially when used with a Z Brake. Hardly play anything else anymore!
jj
the key to the dc30 is running both channels at once, like a plexi: channel one with the treble dimed and the bass off and channel two with the tone knob cranked up to heavy bassified; channel one then is your treble volume and channel two is your bass volume, and you dial in your sound with those two knobs!
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Post by Hohn on Mar 17, 2012 10:17:07 GMT -7
The only Z tone I've liked better than a Ray is a Ray in stereo with an EZG-50.
That's a tone that will endanger your control of bodily functions.
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Post by Brian on Mar 27, 2012 20:13:32 GMT -7
I did that with a Ray and a Maz 18. Rays shimmering clean, Maz 18 with some grit. HOLY SMOKES!!!
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Post by Sean on Mar 30, 2012 17:05:15 GMT -7
the key to the dc30 is running both channels at once, like a plexi: channel one with the treble dimed and the bass off and channel two with the tone knob cranked up to heavy bassified; channel one then is your treble volume and channel two is your bass volume, and you dial in your sound with those two knobs! Dude, I have tried jumping the channels but never thought of this approach! Can't wait to try it. Been pretty much playing the first channel fairly clean then adding pedals as needed for more drive...but this could be cool. Thanks. Any other hints/recommendations? I have been searching google images for shots of dc30s live to see what folks are doing...ha.
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Post by gotmojo on Apr 8, 2012 12:12:09 GMT -7
Sean, Once I came upon this use of the amp, its the only way I ever use it. With the amp set on half power and dialing in your tone for whatever it is your doing, you can get great sound at about any volume by using the master volume feature of the amp. I typically run both volumes up about 1-3 o'clock to get the nazz that I want and just twist the bass volume up or down a bit to suit the room/band sound that night. Great amp. 'Course, I hardly use it any more cause I'm addicted to the sound of a Remedy or Wreck or Stangray. Probably still use it again once the infatuation with the Z's wears off, if it ever does.
jj
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Post by drew on Apr 10, 2012 15:09:22 GMT -7
The only Z tone I've liked better than a Ray is a Ray in stereo with an EZG-50. That's a tone that will endanger your control of bodily functions. Oh my... Break out the depends and keep on pickin... To quote Joel, "I'm jes sayin"
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Post by Dan F"i"fe on Apr 10, 2012 15:46:23 GMT -7
I played a matchless dc 30 while in the studio a while back, fun amp but cost per tone I'd rather have a Z. IMHO
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Post by Sean on Apr 11, 2012 8:10:08 GMT -7
I played a matchless dc 30 while in the studio a while back, fun amp but cost per tone I'd rather have a Z. IMHO I would agree, but considering I got the SC30 for less than a new Maz8 I had to go for it. I had been saving up for the Maz... I suppose I am back to saving up.
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Post by rockinmac on Apr 15, 2012 0:56:27 GMT -7
To me there is no amp out there that has The matchless clean when driven sound or the edge of breakup sound. But there is also no amp out there like a Maz 18 nr That can get pretty damn close to most amps that have been made in past 50 years. So that's why i have a maz 18 nr and a matchless lighting on order. Sean you were right i couldn't resist. I did play my maz into a matchless 1x12 and it sounded more like a matchless. But in the end a matchless is a matchless and a Z is a Z. Hands down BOTH are Awesome. Bottom line is play them and if you like one over the other then buy the one you like...But you will probably like them both and in time end up getting both of them. You can't go wrong with either, both are TOP NOTCH. GOOD LUCK
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Post by Maddog on Apr 15, 2012 6:23:21 GMT -7
And then at the end of the day, go to the Matchless Forum "M-Talk" and see if Dr. M will return yer PM's..... ;D
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Post by rockinmac on Apr 15, 2012 7:46:11 GMT -7
that's true. But i have never had a problem getting in touch with phil at matchless ethier. So like i said both guys are top notch and both make an outstanding product and both stand behind that product, and then the beautiful thing is.... Dr.Z and Phil know that!
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Post by Phil (aka Phil) on Apr 15, 2012 14:23:09 GMT -7
The only Z tone I've liked better than a Ray is a Ray in stereo with an EZG-50. That's a tone that will endanger your control of bodily functions. I believe that was in my living room It was one of the best tones I've ever heard. The guy at the helm (Justin) and the axe in question (Collings) didn't hurt either
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