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Post by cpa2guitar on Jun 15, 2012 17:01:38 GMT -7
Well, I am now Wreck-less. With some angst and a twinge of sadness, I have traded the best amp I ever plugged into. I love the Z-Wreck, but could not work around how loud it is. When I had the Z-Wreck volume cranked to 2:00 or better, even with the Brake Lite set to 4, the amp was still loud. I've played a number of gigs where I would never be able to play at that volume, so the amp is just not for me; notwithstanding how fine it is.
If anyone is looking for a used Z-Wreck, call Guitar Resurrection in Austin, Texas.
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Post by KeithA on Jun 16, 2012 11:23:41 GMT -7
Too bad.... I hear ya when you say there's a lot a sweetness at 2:00 and above....but there are so many great sounds at Levels below 12:00.... I use mine in my basement and even though I'll not likely live past 2:00 very often, there's so much sweetness below 12:00 that I'll never sell it. Then again, I'm never selling any Z, so I guess I'm just biased Hopefully the Stone Pony fills your bill. They seem like a neat company. Keith
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Post by markT on Jun 16, 2012 14:09:53 GMT -7
It's always sad to let a Z go, but sometime, for some of us, that's the way it is. I've thought about selling my Z Wreck several times...even listed it one time. But I don't think I'll ever bring myself to do it. Like you Kirk, it is a LOUD sucker....but my Remedy is LOUDER!! And STOUTER! ;D I'm not playing anywhere that I could use either of these tone monsters right now, but I love it LOUD at home!! The Z Wreck is such a glorious ride... I know you'll miss it.
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Post by cpa2guitar on Jun 16, 2012 19:55:42 GMT -7
It's always sad to let a Z go, but sometime, for some of us, that's the way it is. I've thought about selling my Z Wreck several times...even listed it one time. But I don't think I'll ever bring myself to do it. Like you Kirk, it is a LOUD sucker....but my Remedy is LOUDER!! And STOUTER! ;D I'm not playing anywhere that I could use either of these tone monsters right now, but I love it LOUD at home!! The Z Wreck is such a glorious ride... I know you'll miss it. Interesting about the Remedy, Mark. Yes, I wish it was quieter, but when I put it on half power and set the Brake Lite to 4, it is only a little too loud, whereas the Z-Wreck was WAY TOO LOUD. When you say our Remedy is louder than your Z-Wreck, is that with it on half power?
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Post by markT on Jun 17, 2012 9:13:31 GMT -7
When you say our Remedy is louder than your Z-Wreck, is that with it on half power? Oh Yes! ;D Full Power Baby...that's the only way to rock the Remedy!! 40 watts w/ SS rectifier vs 30 watts w/ tube rectifier. The Remedy is way louder to me. And more IN YOUR FACE!! Actually, I played it full power at first all the time. Then I tried half power and liked that too. Then I read some stuff...and I might be wrong, but I think half power all the time may wear the tubes differently...I mean put more wear on 2 of the output tubes. So I just use full power all the time and don't worry about it. I can just dial the volume back on the AirBrake. (Btw....I have an AirBrake and a BrakeLite and like the AirBrake better. It's got more control and it seems to sound smoother to me.) Now back to the Z Wreck. I just got thru playing the Z Wreck thru some other cabinets. All I can say is I hope you tried that before you sold yours. The 'Wreck thru my 1-12 Z cab with a Tone Tubby AlNiCo was AWESOME!! Almost as fat as the Wreck cab and not near as loud. I think I'll use that rig at a gig I have coming up.
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Post by cpa2guitar on Jun 17, 2012 11:19:46 GMT -7
When you say our Remedy is louder than your Z-Wreck, is that with it on half power? Oh Yes! ;D Full Power Baby...that's the only way to rock the Remedy!! 40 watts w/ SS rectifier vs 30 watts w/ tube rectifier. The Remedy is way louder to me. And more IN YOUR FACE!! Actually, I played it full power at first all the time. Then I tried half power and liked that too. Then I read some stuff...and I might be wrong, but I think half power all the time may wear the tubes differently...I mean put more wear on 2 of the output tubes. So I just use full power all the time and don't worry about it. I can just dial the volume back on the AirBrake. (Btw....I have an AirBrake and a BrakeLite and like the AirBrake better. It's got more control and it seems to sound smoother to me.) Now back to the Z Wreck. I just got thru playing the Z Wreck thru some other cabinets. All I can say is I hope you tried that before you sold yours. The 'Wreck thru my 1-12 Z cab with a Tone Tubby AlNiCo was AWESOME!! Almost as fat as the Wreck cab and not near as loud. I think I'll use that rig at a gig I have coming up. Ooohhh... this trade is done, so I don't want to even think about the possibility that a cab change might have solved the problem. Actually, I think this will work out fine. I always loved the sound of late '60s Ampegs for chord work. Tried one for a couple of weeks decades ago and gigged with it, but did not buy it because it did not give me a satisfactory lead tone. But oohhh those rock 'n roll chords. I've always thought Keith Richards' chord tone from Let It Bleed through It's Only Rock and Roll was just about perfect (think "Brown Sugar" or "Honky Tonk Woman"). So now 65Amps has made a Stone Pony that takes that great old Ampeg tone to another level. With the Stone Pony giving me that great Ampeg sound plus some and the Remedy giving me a killer plexi sound, I should be fixed up. Well, if you are running the Remedy at full power, now I understand why it is louder than the Z-Wreck.
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Post by muzacman02 "Jamie" on Jun 17, 2012 19:01:43 GMT -7
The remedy doesnt run 2 tubes at half Power Thats the beauty of it it still runs all 4 just for the 411 ;D I want a ZWreck. While I have a Remedy it does rock but it just doesnt have the Chime I prefer. I find using inefficient speakers helps a ton! I wish I had the chance to get the wreck from you I think I could handle the volume issue for the tone it delivers. I'm glad you kept the Remedy its a great amp Loud? Yes even at 20 watts but it can be controlled I use the AB at 3 clicks 20 watt setting on most my gigs and its loud enough un mic'd in a 3 peice set
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Post by decayocaster on Jun 17, 2012 21:14:03 GMT -7
yeah - when in doubt, try a cab with greenbacks. 97 dB, vs. the 101 or 103 dB (too lazy to look it up) of the alnicos. essentially the equivalent of a click or two on the attenuator.
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bigbean
Junior Member
Home on the Range
Posts: 79
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Post by bigbean on Jun 23, 2012 8:01:27 GMT -7
I'll look forward to your post in a couple of years about getting another wreck for the tone and touch. I get the emotions of moving out of something you love, I'm still grieving over an Am Strat I sold in 78 to make the rent one month. That's the way us players are.
A Z-Wreck is what it is, in all terms: volume, size, weight, price, stripped out features - all pushed aside for the sake of tone and touch. The tone and touch of a wreck in a production amp in my opinion have never been equaled and all of the second place finishers aren't even close.
Maybe Doc will change that or some young designer I haven't heard of yet but with the current line up of manufactures of high end 30 watt and below guitar amps, there is nothing offered that's in the same league of tone and touch. Lot's of good amps in our world though only a few great ones. Of the great ones, this is the only amp that is a production product.
Happy Tunes ;D
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Post by gotmojo on Aug 21, 2012 17:56:12 GMT -7
Jeez, you guys, I could never. Gotta get yourself an Air Brake - the biggun with the bedroom setting - and you can play the best danged sounding amp at any volume any where you want!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Even wif da wife sleeping in the next room!
Once again, just one loser's opinion.
jj
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