|
Post by kevinshiflett on Dec 13, 2012 13:52:55 GMT -7
I have a Zwreck and am going to get a small Z for smaller gigs. I have read and been sold by sales guys that the M12 is a god fit for Zwreck players who need something lower wattage when stuck playing a tiny bar.
You guys who have played both, what exactly do they share?
There are not enough you tube clips of the M12 by itself sans pedals for me to really make up my mind. I have seen the Dave Baker clips but Dave can make anything sound great hehe. None of the other clips I have heard sound remotely like Dave's. I have seen a ton of clips on you tube in the Gear Man Dude pedals vids and he is using an M12 as of late. However, as much as I like the GMD I am not digging his clean sound through the M12 before he stomps a box.
If I could have it sound like Dave's clips them ya, I can hear a bit of the zwreck in there, sound a little like when I run thr zwreck about 10 o' clock on the vol. That slight breakup sound. But even in the vid the M12 has alot less bottom and more harsh top end. Granted that is no doubt at least partly due to running the compressor in front of it.
I'm on the fence atm. The Maz amps have a long track record and are know for having a good variety of tones you can get with it. Not to mention there are alot of them out there and can be found often on ebay for between $1000-1200 for a combo. I hear the Maz18 is to loud for tiny bars but thats what the master vol is for eh?
O the sweet agony of picking an amp. I so wish there was a dealer in my area.
|
|
|
Post by jmacbeth30 on Dec 13, 2012 17:05:42 GMT -7
Where are you from? I only tried the Z Wreck once, so I can't give you enough info on how the M12 sounds like the Z Wreck. As an M12 owner, I can tell you that it's a lot easier to dial in the perfect tone, because it's lower watts. I'm playing in a small club tomorrow, and I'll be using my M12. It's perfect for small venues and if you're playing a bigger venue, just mic it. If I were you, I would just go for it and buy it. You WON'T regret it!! It twangs or rocks all night long. depending on what kind of music you play.
Cheers, Jason
|
|
|
Post by kevinshiflett on Dec 13, 2012 17:35:28 GMT -7
I'm down here in Baton Rouge LA. Humbucker Music is my nearest dealer. Still an 8hr drive. I'm debating making a weekend out of it and driving up there and spending an afternoon taste testing for myself. I doubt they would appreciate me ordering amps just to try them hehe. As far as music, I play rockin' twang on my telecaster. Think current Brad Paisely. Hence the zwreck
|
|
|
Post by jmacbeth30 on Dec 13, 2012 18:51:14 GMT -7
My band plays Brad Paisley and I have an M12 so it'll do what you need it to do. The M12 is a smaller version of the Z Wreck and Stang Ray. It's worth it to take a road trip to Humbucker Music to try it out, but I wouldn't waste my gas and time if it were me. I'd just buy it. You will love it!! Let me know what you end up doing.
Jason
|
|
|
Post by kevinshiflett on Dec 13, 2012 19:26:46 GMT -7
Well, I did more searching and found this clip on the forum from jesslm02. soundcloud.com/jesslm02/m12-demo-with-paisley-drive Ya, that pretty much settles it for me. I have the exact same pedals on my board and the sound he got are very close to how I run my zwreck. Now as soon as my other junk sells on Ebay I'm ordering a surf green head and probly the Z 1x12 cab. I thought about a Forte cab that some of the guys go on about but the Z is convertable and I have never been able to bond with a closed back cab. I gotta do something, I been getting told to turn down in some places and I'm like I CANT! my brake lite is already on 4! Of course my zwreck was on full tilt boogie at 2pm on the vol dial and I suppose I could have turned it down a little.......naa, not gonna happen hah.
|
|
|
Post by jesslm02 on Dec 13, 2012 21:46:44 GMT -7
Sweet! I'm glad the clips helped! I was about to give you the link but I see you found it. I've been running my M12 in the 1x10 combo and I get plenty of bass and a real nice thick sound like you heard in the clips. At the moment I'm running it with a weber alnico silver ten. I want to try the 10" gold though.
|
|
|
Post by Maddog on Dec 13, 2012 22:21:53 GMT -7
Hey Kevin.... I'm in San Antone.....If you have a reason to come over this way, you can jam my M12 all you want!
|
|
|
Post by Abandoned on Dec 13, 2012 22:37:20 GMT -7
Yeah I think taking the trip to Humbucker Music would be worth it, especially since your so close to it. But if this helps - remember what Dr. Z said... its more of a low wattage hybrid between the Z-Wreck and Stang Ray. Either way it's stinkin amazing.
|
|
|
Post by kevinshiflett on Dec 14, 2012 8:27:02 GMT -7
jesslm02Wow a 10"? I'd have guessed that was a 12" Ya, I might have to make the trip even if its just to try the head into different speaker cabs.
|
|
|
Post by jesslm02 on Dec 14, 2012 9:40:06 GMT -7
jesslm02Wow a 10"? I'd have guessed that was a 12" Ya, I might have to make the trip even if its just to try the head into different speaker cabs. Those clips were a Weber 12" Silverbell, but right now I'm just running the M12 in my 1x10 combo. However, I am getting very similar, thick tones, even with the 10" alnico weber. I have a low volume gig coming up with minimal stage space so I'm going to use the 1x10 setup.
|
|
|
Post by kinggabbo on Dec 14, 2012 9:59:36 GMT -7
I'm kinda like the OP as well. Was wondering if anyone could post a clip, straight guitar into the M12 cranked, that had a similar sound to the Zwreck/Stangray.
|
|
|
Post by kevinshiflett on Dec 14, 2012 10:09:50 GMT -7
"Those clips were a Weber 12" Silverbell"
Ahhh, Thought my ear had lost its mind there for a sec ha. Good sounding speaker.
|
|
|
Post by Frankie Starr on Dec 14, 2012 12:14:11 GMT -7
To my ears, The M12 does not remind me of the Zwreck in any way...(I do own both) The 12 is a great sounding amp, (without pedals) sounds nice and brilliant, and gets a little warmer as you crank it. Seems more hi-fi sounding then the ZWreck. The Zwreck on the other hand is more percussive, and imparts it's character on your sound, in a good way. And also seems like the Wreck shines in those cool semi-distorted sounds, not as much on the cleans....where the M12 sounds much cleaner and clearer. IMHO
|
|
|
Post by kevinshiflett on Dec 14, 2012 14:22:22 GMT -7
I would have to make use of my paisley drive then. Right now I just have it on my board when I'm using my Prinston Reverb which is what the M12 would be replacing. I have used my slightly modded PRRI on a number of small room gigs but it sounds best at bedroom vol. Turn it up to much and the bottom end falls apart.
In fact I may end up going combo vs head n cab. I tend to tilt the PRRI back so I can hear myself when stuck on a tiny stage and Im standing like two feet in front of the amp. Can't hear myself in those situations when the amp is flat on the floor.
|
|
|
Post by Jefferson on Dec 14, 2012 22:45:21 GMT -7
Part of the comparison to the wreck is in how the amp "feels". terrific touch sensitivity. It almost produces the notes before you play them! Love my M 12!
|
|
|
Post by KeithA on Dec 14, 2012 23:19:55 GMT -7
To my ears, The M12 does not remind me of the Zwreck in any way...(I do own both) The 12 is a great sounding amp, (without pedals) sounds nice and brilliant, and gets a little warmer as you crank it. Seems more hi-fi sounding then the ZWreck. The Zwreck on the other hand is more percussive, and imparts it's character on your sound, in a good way. And also seems like the Wreck shines in those cool semi-distorted sounds, not as much on the cleans....where the M12 sounds much cleaner and clearer. IMHO I have a Wreck and have only played a 112 combo M12 at a dealer for a few minutes. This is EXACTLY how I see the comparison as well. Keith
|
|
|
Post by markT on Dec 15, 2012 9:49:58 GMT -7
To my ears, The M12 does not remind me of the Zwreck in any way...(I do own both) The 12 is a great sounding amp, (without pedals) sounds nice and brilliant, and gets a little warmer as you crank it. Seems more hi-fi sounding then the ZWreck. The Zwreck on the other hand is more percussive, and imparts it's character on your sound, in a good way. And also seems like the Wreck shines in those cool semi-distorted sounds, not as much on the cleans....where the M12 sounds much cleaner and clearer. IMHO I have a Wreck and have only played a 112 combo M12 at a dealer for a few minutes. This is EXACTLY how I see the comparison as well. Keith Me three..... same here Keith I can see an M12 in my future, but my 2nd Z Wreck is going no where. ;D
|
|
|
Post by kevinshiflett on Dec 15, 2012 10:59:47 GMT -7
Further complicating my decision. An amp tech buddy tells me combo amps can be rough on EF86 tubes as they have a penchant for being microphonic and the added vibration of a combo does not help matters.
Suppose I could go head n cab and but a stand of some sort to get it off the floor when I need to stand practically on top of the amp so I can hear what I'm playing.
|
|
|
Post by Frankie Starr on Dec 15, 2012 11:49:38 GMT -7
Your right, but not a bad idea to have a spare ready in case of emergrncy. That's what I do, pack one up in a tube box with lots of padding, and tape it inside the amp
|
|
|
Post by Abandoned on Dec 15, 2012 16:24:16 GMT -7
Head and a cab = better
|
|
|
Post by jesslm02 on Dec 15, 2012 17:27:32 GMT -7
I think the ef86 is more of a problem in higher wattage amps like the stangray and other similar amps where there's a lot more vibration happening. I've had zero problems with the ef86 in my RX Jr combo and it gets hauled around and used alot. Also, any tube is prone to fail. Newer production tubes are even more likely. And if I'm not mistaken, an ef806 is a somewhat more ruggedized version and is a direct replacement.
|
|
|
Post by kevinshiflett on Dec 16, 2012 8:00:34 GMT -7
Talked with Jake over at Humbucker Music last night and placed the order for a head n 1x12 cab, surf green. Should be here in a few days.
Then I get to do the always fun speaker shuffle dance. Its shipping with the V30 in the cab. I already have a G12H30, A set of Rola G12-65 in my fender quad and Celestion blue and gold in my zwreck cab.
Altho after hearing clips of the Blackhawk HP here and on the WGS page I have to admit thats a really nice sounding speaker. Might have to oder one.
|
|
|
Post by rickc007 on Dec 16, 2012 9:49:13 GMT -7
I just got the M12, and have a Stangray,
The M12 seems a little pickier with Speaker choice, has a bit more mids and seems more neutral tone wise, Kind of really brings out the actual tone of the speaker.
At first I wasn't crazy about it with a Blue, like the Gold a lot better. But one of my new favorite speakers is the "Heritage" G12H30 75 Hz cone Not to be confused with the 70th Annive G12H30 that is so popular, they sound "different" The Heritage sounds Fantastic with the M12, I currently dont have the 70th Anniv G12H30, that speaker hasn't worked for me ... yet
I also have a 2x10 with Jensen C10Rs in it. It's a pine Tone Tubby, and the M12 sounds Really Good thru it.
Also put it through a couple of Greenback ... ehh... not my favorite choice for this amp
Still tone testing, it's a fun amp
But I dont' get the comparisons to the Wreck or the Ray, I wouldn't confuse it for either one of them
|
|
|
Post by smolder on Dec 16, 2012 10:03:44 GMT -7
But one of my new favorite speakers is the "Heritage" G12H30 75 Hz cone Not to be confused with the 70th Annive G12H30 that is so popular, they sound "different" The Heritage sounds Fantastic with the M12, I currently dont have the 70th Anniv G12H30, that speaker hasn't worked for me ... yet The heritage is one of my fav's as well... a shame I don't have one. I think the 70th is kind of a generic speaker, but spectacular when paired with either a greenback or a gold (two completely different voicings of course). Thanks for the reminder about the Heritage with the M12, I'll have to keep an eye open for one.
|
|
|
Post by kevinshiflett on Dec 16, 2012 12:23:25 GMT -7
My G12H30 is the 55hz one. Its ok but I tend to find the top end on it kind of raspy when pushed. Don't care for it so much. Would like something smoother.
|
|
|
Post by mazmaster on Dec 17, 2012 22:17:57 GMT -7
Well, I did more searching and found this clip on the forum from jesslm02. soundcloud.com/jesslm02/m12-demo-with-paisley-drive Ya, that pretty much settles it for me. I have the exact same pedals on my board and the sound he got are very close to how I run my zwreck. Now as soon as my other junk sells on Ebay I'm ordering a surf green head and probly the Z 1x12 cab. I thought about a Forte cab that some of the guys go on about but the Z is convertable and I have never been able to bond with a closed back cab. I gotta do something, I been getting told to turn down in some places and I'm like I CANT! my brake lite is already on 4! Of course my zwreck was on full tilt boogie at 2pm on the vol dial and I suppose I could have turned it down a little.......naa, not gonna happen hah. Can't tell you much about the Wreck and Ray, but I do have an M12 and Maz 18 and, IMO, the Maz 18 is probably not the amp to solve your small gig issue. It reacts much more like a 40-50W amp. The master is as good as any but it's not the same as getting the whole amp into it's sweet spot. I can't do that for most gigs with the Maz 18 without an attenuator but I can with with the M12. As for the Forte, it's not like any closed back you've played. It has the openness and air of an open back but the thump and projection of a closed back. It's truly the best of both worlds...and I have a lot of open and closed back and ported cabs to compare mine to. It's a completely different beast.
|
|
|
Post by kevinshiflett on Dec 18, 2012 9:23:17 GMT -7
I still might order a Forte after more of my old stuff sells on ebay. Its gonna bug me till I try one.
|
|
|
Post by Abandoned on Dec 18, 2012 11:35:51 GMT -7
I really wanna try a Forte cab too - I wanted to get one when I recently bought my M12 Head but I wanted surf green and that doesn't really go with any of the colors Forte provides. I want Humbucker Music to become a Forte dealer to help this
|
|
|
Post by kevinshiflett on Dec 18, 2012 20:55:15 GMT -7
I bet Forte would do surf green if you asked. I have done Tolex before and all the colors they offer are right out of the mojotone tolex selection.
|
|