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Post by detuned on Mar 29, 2013 7:41:32 GMT -7
I had one of the early Minis, & while it was a lot of fun, it really *was* what the Doc described it as - a dirt pedal with a speaker attached. Eventually I moved on from it, not because it didn't sound good - it really did, but because I couldn't get it to hang in a band situation (not what its for, I know). Next up was a Maz18NR, easily able to hang...
Anyway, now I'm looking at a smaller amp for around the house & recording.
Initially I was thinking about the Swart 6V6se, which seems to have a nice range of clean to dirty sounds, but then I remembered to Mini Z.
So, questions:
Is there more "clean" in the newer Mini Zs, or are they still dirt pedals with a speaker attached? I actually like a fairly clean sound most of the time, almost but not quite breaking up, but I do pour the dirt on for leads. I know the Mini can do the latter, but the former?
How is the combo, in terms of tone - is it noticeably fuller in the low mids & lows than the older, smaller-speakered combo, or should I just get a head?
Help me, Z brethren!
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Post by club327 (aka Ben) on Mar 29, 2013 14:05:45 GMT -7
I think a head with a 210 cab will get you some clean and plenty of full mids and lows. But if you are recording.... A 112 cab will do.
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Post by limenine on Mar 29, 2013 19:00:05 GMT -7
It really just depends on how loud you need those cleans to be. I have no direct experience with the older versions, but my mini Z head has the upgraded transformer thanks to it's previous owner (a scholarly man of taste and style, obviously ) and I think it has really nice cleans for 'playing at home' volumes.
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Post by LuckyBlackCat on Mar 29, 2013 20:04:10 GMT -7
I agree. My Mini Z combo (10") will stay clean until just below noon on volume, which is fine for playing at home (with single coils). I wouldn't consider that anywhere near band levels, though, so if you're looking to hang with a band and stay totally clean, I don't think the Mini will do it.
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Post by detuned on Mar 29, 2013 20:47:54 GMT -7
No, not looking to hang with a band these days, I'm all set with other amps for that.
The original Mini had no cleans to speak of; my main question is can the newer ones stay clean at any volume, & if so, how is it? Does it compare favorably with some of the Doc's other amp's sweet, sweet cleans?
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Post by limenine on Mar 30, 2013 8:31:48 GMT -7
For me, yes. For you, ?? I can say that, at least for the new minis, I have not seen a demo video that does this little amp justice. Lots of great playing, but nobody really tries to show what the amp can do with different pickups, guitar volumes, amp volumes, etc.
I think it delivers really nice cleans that are very responsive to p'ups, guitar volume, and pick attack for that 'edge of breakup' sound. All at "plenty loud enough for me" volumes. Even playing clean, I almost always have some attenuation going on.
Don't forget speaker efficiency will also play a huge role in how loud things will be....
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Post by detuned on Apr 1, 2013 8:49:25 GMT -7
Thanks! That helps a lot, actually!
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Post by LuckyBlackCat on Apr 1, 2013 17:03:02 GMT -7
I concur. For me, it can stay clean enough for home playing at reasonable volumes. I have a Greenback in mine (95 db), so it's less loud than it would be with a more sensitive speaker. I think my favorite setting is right at noon, which will be clean if I pick light/medium, and grind up some when I hit harder.
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Post by limenine on Apr 1, 2013 17:49:58 GMT -7
I'm playing through a WGS V30 in a 112 closed back cab. WGS sez it's a 99 db speaker, so it gives the mini a pretty healthy amount of volume.
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Post by Jericho on Apr 3, 2013 19:59:31 GMT -7
I use a mini-Z for home practice volume and for extending my tube life on my other Zs. Changing out the preamp tube can net you some additional clean headroom. If I am using my pedalboard with it and want clean...I start to get dirty at about 9:00. I forget the preamp tube I tried (here in this forum they talk about it all the time for the mini) and I found it netted me about a 25% increase on the volume knob (about up to noon) and retained the clean. I didn't like the sound of it as much though and went back to stock. I love it for practice but I can't really gig with it as a main amp. Even for quieter worship services (but I have a M12 which works great for that). I have used the mini live as a 2nd amp when I still wanted a stereo setup but was concerned for stage volume. If I use my 2x12 I get a much better volume staying clean as well, but when I am using this amp its usually my intention to be playing quieter. If its an inside amp for you, the Mini Z can hang. Even keeping the Volume at 12-2:00 and rolling you Guitar volume down a bit for clean works. Then you can just roll up to 10 for leads and some dirt. I enjoy the Mini. It can't do everything, but its great at what it is designed to do. Different tools for different jobs
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Post by pcns on Apr 4, 2013 7:31:19 GMT -7
The newer mini's with the upgraded tranny are much clearer than the older design. Not sure if the clean head in more but there is less back ground grind and the tone is clearer in a good way. The bottom end is tighter too
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Post by Jericho on Apr 4, 2013 9:57:30 GMT -7
What do I have to do to get the Tranny Mod? Do I have to go through a local Dealer or just contact Dr Z in some way?
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