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Post by tjnies on Feb 21, 2013 14:14:24 GMT -7
I was wondering a couple of things about people's opinions on the 1x10 M12 combo.
I've read most of the threads, but want updates if you are willing to share. If I purchase one I will go the 1x10 combo route. Don't prefer the larger cabs, too darn big. I'd go head-and-cab route before that.
Is the 10" Gold THE speaker for this? Better options?
Is the low input ok for home use? I won't be gigging at all, probably not taking it out of the house too often.
Brakelite necessary?
Is the tone nice without pedals? Right now I have an OCD and Flashback delay, but likely add trem and perhaps reverb pedals. Any particularly good ones? How do Wampler pedals sound with the M12?
I'm actually also considering going with a vintage Princeton Reverb instead (had one and did like it). What comparisons would you draw if you've played both?
Sorry for the barrage, but want to choose wisely.
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Post by jesslm02 on Feb 22, 2013 9:09:43 GMT -7
I've yet to discover a pedal the M12 can't inhale. There may be some, but they aren't on my board. Also, I can personally acknowledge that Wamplers sound great through the M12 as that's what I have on my board. I'm currently using a Weber Alnico in my 1x10 but I really think the 10" gold is the way to go. As far as a brakelite, I don't have one in mine, and don't really feel like I need one, even when just playing at home (which isn't the case with my maz jr). I do really like this amp but I have decided to let mine go. I have other Z's that fit my needs just a tad bit better. Overall, it's a great amp that was made for gigging, but will please the bedroom player just as well IMO.
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Post by tjnies on Feb 23, 2013 20:10:15 GMT -7
Hello?
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Post by Abandoned on Feb 23, 2013 21:00:53 GMT -7
This amp will be great for home use I would say on the LO input switch, just turn up the tone controls past noon to make it livelier.
It sounds gret with a Wampler Ecstasy.
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Post by mazmaster on Feb 24, 2013 13:52:54 GMT -7
Agree with all if the above
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Post by smolder on Feb 24, 2013 14:55:50 GMT -7
I think the Gold is too bright for this amp. I have a tone tubby red alnico.
As for the volume... (IMHO) you have to get a little hair on the tone and that puts you above half way volume, or you can adjust either or both tone controls above half way... both methods will make it fairly loud for in home use with others in the house. It's nearly the same as either my princeton NR or Princeton Reverb... though the NR actually has to be louder to get the hair.
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Post by bluzman on Feb 25, 2013 10:35:24 GMT -7
+1 on all of the above.
Right out of the box here, since you are also looking at the Fender I wanna say this: I would say the Eminence Legend gave the M12 the most "Fendery" sound of all the speakers I have tried so far before that speaker was even broken in. The Legend is inexpensive and very cost effective compared to other speakers.
M12 Nekkid Without pedals you get nice clean tones at a lower and higher volumes. Without using pedals, I can easily mimic the clean rhythm tones of the RnB, Funk and Soul that I like. Also depending on how you have the M12's Volume, Bass and Treble set, and by just tweaking the guitar's Volume and Tone pots I easily can dial in some really sweet lead tones too with single coils or humbuckers. When I was a kid I had a Fender Twin with the Master Volume and I can get those full sounding cleans. With the Volume, Bass and Treble of the M12 up, you can rip some nice lead tones all controlled from the guitar once you set the amp settings. See the video demos on the Z-Amps page.
Brake Lite + M12 Home use will kind of depend on how loud you are allowed to be in general, what guitars you use and what kind of music you will be jamming, but I would go for a BrakeLite because it will give you that option of being quieter with the amp opened up. The Bass and Treble controls pushed a bit and the EF 86 with the BL give some nice furry action. Another thing that I like about the BL with this amp, which makes it different from other EF86 front end amps I own, with a drive pedal and the BL you can get some singing sustain and "fun factor" at bedroom volume and gig volume "without too much compression". I think that has something to do with how Z designed the power section. Is the BrakeLite necessary? ...probably not but I think it's cool.
Low Input The low input is a really nice feature! Gives more versatility for different guitars and tones.
M12 + Pedals (Plays Nice With Pedals) The pedals you own will compliment the amp nicely. Mine loves the OCD and every other pedal I tossed at it. ...ahh yes... but of course, as that is the basis of this amp! Do you have any Grey Poupon?
Speakers + M12 (M12 Likes Different Speakers Too!) Far as speakers go, since you are looking at 10's I will stay there except to say that this amp loved the Z-Amps 2x10 stock convertible, as well as the 2x12 stock Z-Beast as well as the Z-Amps 1x12 with C-Gold as well as the Z-Amps 2x12 Open back with 2 C-Blues.
10" in the M12 Back to the 10s... In your case being a home player, I'd look closely at the sensitivity rating... maybe a 103db will be too loud for you and a 94db will be too quiet, but maybe not. Maybe if you got a less efficient speaker you wouldn't even need to consider a BL! I currently have a Gold in mine now but I liked it with other 10s I've tried. With 10's, I gravitate to the louder more efficient speakers as I gig with my M12 and need the volume. The Eminence Red Fang and Rajin' Cajun make the amp sound HUGE... and even though they have some darker tendencies, the EL84 chime is still there. The Eminence Ram Rod, Lil' Buddy and Legend also worked great too! I really liked the feel of the Legend, but I'm still experimenting. I would say the Legend gave it the most "Fendery" sound of all the speakers. I gotta try my Jensen Neo 10 in here again. The Jensen Neo also had a Fendery vibe. It was in my Z-28 for a while to be broken in and I want to give it more time in the M12.
Take all this with a grain of salt and lissen at what others have posted here and in the Speaker forum too. I may have posted something different early on when I first got the M12, but I'm evolving... or maybe dissolving.
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Post by skinvoyager on Feb 25, 2013 15:03:40 GMT -7
The OCD works great, in fact it sounds better than my $350 Rockbox Boiling Point with this amp. Bedroom levels shouldn't be a problem. Here's a trick I've discovered for controlling volume without an attenuator (works with other amps too): get an "always on" pedal to goose the front end. I use a Lovepedal OD11, but many will work. You'll want a very low gain pedal. This way, you can turn your amp up a little louder than you would normally to get the power tubes cooking, but reduce the input level on the pedal to control the overall level...kinda like a reverse master volume.
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Post by tjnies on Feb 26, 2013 10:41:29 GMT -7
Thanks for the replies; since the original post I was able to test-listen an M12. I did like it a lot, and used an OCD as well. It's sweet!
Only concern was the test mule was a head and 1x12 cab. I am concerned that I like the setup I used, but will the 10" sound similar?
Just to mention I do like PRs but not when I play a 335 (with HBs) on the neck pickup - it flubs out pretty quickly. If I were only to play my Tele, frankly I'd have a PR and forget everything else.
I like Skinvoyager's idea about a pedal to goose it. Also the in-depth speaker analysis of Bluzman. I am hoping to find a Z to fit my needs; I really like Zs, and the great support of you guys here! Sadly another amp company does make a model I am considering too, as it fits my needs precisely.
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Post by smolder on Feb 26, 2013 10:57:34 GMT -7
The red fang is the first ten that to me, sounds like a 12. The tone tubby red alnico 10 (which I use with the M12) is very close. I don't feel it lacking over a 12 in any way with the M12. As a reference point, I prefer the Princeton NR and Reverb with a 10. I had one with a 12, and it no longer had that Princeton magic... sounded a lot more like other fender amps though. I typically run JBL's in my fenders. While I like the 1x10 combo box, a head and 1x10 isn't much more of a carry.
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Post by ljohns on Feb 28, 2013 16:24:53 GMT -7
The M12 loves loves loves Wampler pedals. I use a Paisley Drive, Euphoria, and a Plexi Drive. I can easily play it at home on the low setting and get great tone - no need for a brakelite. I am using a 1x12 Gold with the head - love it!
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Post by tjnies on Mar 20, 2013 17:13:04 GMT -7
Hate to admit, but the other amp was my choice.
You guys are really the greatest, this is the BEST forum. So helpful and supportive.
I'll be reading the threads, maybe join you again at some point. LOVE the Drs good amps.
For now...Z-less. Thanks everyone!
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Post by Albert on Mar 24, 2013 15:29:20 GMT -7
The Gold is bright in this amp ...BUT...in a gig setting really cuts thru ...using the amp in a Rock/Country band setting ...the RF speaker is a great speaker although LOUD can't turn the amp up to get the goodies like I can with the Gold would like to try a less efficient speaker when I get a chance but right now I am able to turn the amp up to V3 B12 T 12 and get some nice tones out ( I mic it thru the PA)
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Post by mustachio on Mar 27, 2013 20:28:01 GMT -7
Short and Sweet: Klon...accept no substitute...save...spend the coin...life is short. M12 doesn't need a brakelite. Gold is the standard on so many levels. Go forth. Rock!
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Post by Deleted on Mar 27, 2013 20:49:39 GMT -7
The 10" Gold is also very nice with the M12, at least in a 2x10 cab it is. So is the Creamback.
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