|
Post by edoetsch on Mar 6, 2014 7:54:04 GMT -7
He loves my Route 66 and KT-45 but they are more power than he needs. I am thinking the Z-28 might be right for him.
I find the Route breaks up very early and by 10-11 on the volume knob it's not a clean amp any more. Of course the KT is clean until painful volume.
Where is the breakup point on the Z-28 as compared to the Route. I mean in terms of % of apparent volume? Is it more of a clean amp like the KT or dirtier like the Route?
Also what are the going used prices for the head and a 1x12 combo
|
|
|
Post by Mark (Basement Enthusiast) on Mar 6, 2014 10:28:10 GMT -7
I'd say the Z-28 is dirtier, like the Route. Pretty sure I had mine breaking up around 9-10:00 on the Vol yesterday using my Les Paul (guitar's volume all the way up).
Hypothetically speaking, if a Z-28 were to change hands for about $850, it would be a "fair" deal for both the buyer & seller, I think.
|
|
|
Post by digiTED aka 'Ted' on Mar 6, 2014 10:46:50 GMT -7
I've owned both an Interstate 66 and a recent Z28, but not at the same time. I seem to recall that if they both are running the same recto tube and the '28s got the big JJ 6V6s, the Z28 will still break up a bit earlier than the 66. Similar wheelhouse though. They're both just a twist of the guitar volume knob away from nice fat cleans though. I think the choice is more about the EQ zone you're interested in. The 28 can get that Fullerton glass happening which IMO makes the mids really punchy. The 66, at least the early one I had, was really round: it had big mids but HUGE lows that bloomed wonderfully without mush. Both amps, like every Z I've had the pleasure of owning, really transform in feel and headroom when biased up to different rectifier tubes. The Interstate with a 5V4 into a 1x12 Gold is just amazing and very usable at lower volumes. Used values I think are pretty comparable for heads; $850-950 in my area. I'd add $100-150 for a 1x12 combo '28. That said, there are deals out there, especially leading up to tax day About a month ago I saw a '28 4x10 combo listed for $750 at a shop about an hour outside of the city. Screamin' deal on that one!
|
|
|
Post by skinvoyager on Mar 6, 2014 13:36:11 GMT -7
Breakup depends where the tone controls are set, because past noon they induce gain. For example, if you have the gain at 2:00 but bass and treble at 9:00 or 10:00, you can get a clean tone. Roll the bass and treble up to 2:30 and it breaks up.
That's what I love about the Z-28...you can get get good loud clean tones or softer dirtier tones. Very versatile. I had the Rt. 66 and much prefer the Z-28. It's my favorite Z amp so far (I''ve had the Rt. 66, Maz 18, M12 and Stang Ray).
|
|
|
Post by Pete aka shouldb on Mar 6, 2014 18:09:33 GMT -7
a lot of it depends on the guitar or pickup being used. The Z28 is very "alive" to the guitar in my experience, so an LP will get gritty pretty quickly, whereas a Strat won't. I know that's true of all amps, but it seems more defined on the Z28, to me anyway. Also it is very alive to the Guitar Volume - roll the GV back, and it cleans up very quickly and easily. It also depends on your definition of "clean". I like the V dimed, and the T&B below noon, roll the GV back a bit, and there is a zingy harmonically rich "clean" sound going on, with a hint of edge when you dig in - a very dynamic setting to my ears.
|
|
|
Post by southmusic70 on Mar 6, 2014 18:49:59 GMT -7
I have the Z28, Route 66, Kt45 and a Rati v2.
They've actually become kind of guitar and application specifc, like, I like the Rati for rock and blues with Guild BluesBird/Strat/Tele/GretschProJet and effects board, while the KT45 positively sings with my Heritage and both my CS336 and Godin 5th Aevenue sound like they were made for the Route 66 (no effects, straight through).
The Z28 sounds good with all of them, with/without effects, clean/not so clean, loud/soft, it works well, and even though my 1x10 combo is remarkably big sounding, if I need to move more air, I add a 1x12 or 2x12 cabinet.
You can do an awful lot with the 28 once you understand how the controls work.
I know this next thing I'm going to say is very arguable, but if I had to tell somebody what Z to buy (first), it would have to be the 28.
|
|
|
Post by Brian on Mar 6, 2014 19:07:35 GMT -7
What about a Maz Jr or RxJr???
|
|
|
Post by southmusic70 on Mar 6, 2014 19:47:44 GMT -7
Yes, if I had to recommend three Z amps to someone who had to pick one of them, it would be Z28, Ghia and Maz18 (I don't know too much about the Rx world).
My experience with el84 Z amps is with my Rati, and the amp is really good, but there's some real magic that Dr.Z puts in those 6v6s.
|
|