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Post by skipper on Jun 23, 2014 13:10:27 GMT -7
Hi I am new I joined the group as I really like the Z-Product line.I play in garage band that does pop, rock and the odd country tune. I have thinned the herd of guitars and I am now down to a Gretsch Country Club and 59 LP Reissue.I currently play through a 59 Bassman Reissue and Traynor YBA-1 with a Traynor 2x12 cab. What I am have a hard time with is choosing an Amp from this fantastic product line!! Wow it is a hard choice. I would like to use this amp at home to practice with and take it to small gigs.I rarely even turn up the Bassman or the Traynor past 4 so I am confident that volume is certainly not going to be an issue with any of the DR.Z line up. I had a Blues Junior III but it was not for me. I can't bring myself to buy a solid state I guess I like tube amps to much LOL. Based on the membership it looks like many members have multiple amps from the product line so I would really like to here your opinions. I was looking at the Carmen G and the M12. The Z28 sounds like it would be very versatile.After seeing a Z Wreck Combo in that blue and gold I wanted to sell everything.LOL  |
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Post by nmz on Jun 23, 2014 13:36:48 GMT -7
Ghia and/or the Z-28 would be a great place to start. Maz would also be something to try if you can. Any of those are great grab and go amps that fit the bill 95% of the time. But for a bigger amp the EZG will keep you firmly in the fender camp.
Welcome to the board!
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Post by smolder on Jun 23, 2014 13:43:35 GMT -7
What nmz said.
If you're volume challenged... the M12 is a good solution, but the Z28 has the same tone stack, 6V6's and more volume potential. The ghia is just a killer general purpose amp.
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51d
Junior Member
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Post by 51d on Jun 23, 2014 14:27:06 GMT -7
I'm not a multiple Z owner (at least not yet...), but have to say that as an ex-Maz owner, I am blissfully happy with my Carmen Ghia - and feel that it is night and day more versatile than it has any right to be (only two knobs? please!). It works at home, is small and light enough for rehearsals, and will work with authority at the kind of gigs so many of us play. But my gut tells me that if the Ghia was going to be joined by another Z, it would be the Z28...
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mattp
Junior Member
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Post by mattp on Jun 24, 2014 21:00:34 GMT -7
Welcome--there are some of the coolest people W/ great info on this forum. I just dove into the Z camp myself and landed on a Z-Wreck combo. I was hesitant b/c I thought it would be too Vox-y (and too loud), but it is the most musical and articulate amp I have ever played. Highly recommend it! But, #2 would have been a Maz 18 or a Z-28. I couldn't really tame the Ghia to my tastes. Definitely try some if you can--I never would have thought the 'Wreck was for me if I hadn't tried it on a whim... Have fun tone hunting--there's something in he line up you'll love for sure.
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Post by Joey Beverages on Jun 25, 2014 5:27:13 GMT -7
Welcome aboard! I have played and/or owned a YBA-1, YBA-2, YGM-3 and a coupla Super Reverbs and Fender Bassman's .... all inneresting amps indeed  Currently own a Z-28 with a 112 and 210 cab. Have also played/owned: Remedy, Galaxie, Rt 66, and Carmen Ghia .... with a coupla flirtations with a Z-Wreck and SRZ-65. A classic combination worth consideration is a Z-28 with Carmen Ghia - and choose your cab(s) of choice ... My next steps as I re-acquire some gear will be a Galaxie and maybe a Ghia or Monza. All kindsa great amps available to cover the styles you mention ... and to share your sound with the Gretsch and Gibson. cheers always, eh Joel |
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Post by skipper on Jun 25, 2014 12:28:10 GMT -7
Thanks  Love to see the passion for tone with this forum and I am total surprised a the number of members who have owned or own multiple models.That is a real testament to the brand. I have to say the Route 66 and the Remedy although higher power amps would be nice own.If I were to replace my Bassman with a Z product would the Route 66 be a good choice? I would would need to get a brake to tame them for home use.Is the Therapy do to be released this fall? |
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Post by John on Jun 25, 2014 12:34:01 GMT -7
Closest Z amp to a Bassman is the Remedy. (if you want to keep that similar tone.)
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Post by Mark (Basement Enthusiast) on Jun 25, 2014 12:49:09 GMT -7
Closest Z amp to a Bassman is the Remedy. (if you want to keep that similar tone.) What about the Antidote? I've never played one, but I always kinda figured... |
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Post by Baconator on Jun 25, 2014 14:16:45 GMT -7
My biased opinion (since it was my first Z) is that you should try a Ghia. Great range of tones and volume levels and responds well to slight changes in your guitar's controls. This was the amp that finally demonstrated to me how responsive an amp could be. I also have a Route 66 which I love, but the Ghia is such a great amp for playing at home and in clubs and ridiculously easy to dial in that I couldn't imagine a better introduction to the brand.
And last but not least, welcome to the forum!
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Post by skipper on Jun 25, 2014 17:10:11 GMT -7
Baconator thanks for your comment. I really have been considering a lower powered amp that is simple to get tone.
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Post by jasper on Jun 25, 2014 17:58:04 GMT -7
Welcome to the forum! Hopefully you are close to a Dr Z dealer. If not take a holiday to somewhere there is one.
Plug in and test drive several types... maybe and just maybe you'll find what amp you're looking/listening for! Good luck and have fun on your search!
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Post by benttop (Steve) on Jun 25, 2014 18:33:50 GMT -7
"Collect the whole set!" That's my motto... |
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Post by skipper on Jun 26, 2014 6:44:29 GMT -7
With a product line-up like this it is a one stop shopping experience. I just found a used Mini Z head that would be nice to have also.
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Post by jb on Jun 26, 2014 21:48:12 GMT -7
Ghia would be my choice for a lower powered amp. I am always switching guitars, and it only takes a few seconds to dial in the tone you are looking for. If I had a lot of knobs to turn, I would always be tweaking the tone and playing a lot less.
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51d
Junior Member
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Post by 51d on Jun 27, 2014 3:20:52 GMT -7
I'm entirely biased too (CG 25th owner), but I genuinely do believe that the Ghia is an amp everyone should own/play. It is as fundamental to the evolution of amplifier design as the Fender Champ, as rewarding tonally, but significantly more versatile. How this is actually achieved is up there with the 'meeting the devil at midnight at the crossroads' mythologies...
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Post by Jaguarguy (Mike) on Jun 27, 2014 6:56:00 GMT -7
Closest Z amp to a Bassman is the Remedy. (if you want to keep that similar tone.) What about the Antidote? I've never played one, but I always kinda figured... Antidote is similar to JTM 45 ( I have them sitting side-by-side so able to directly compare. The Antidote is way more versatile than JTM 45. Mif you buy into idea that JTM 45 was British Bassman copy then there you go! Definitely not lower powered though! |
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Post by Jaguarguy (Mike) on Jun 27, 2014 6:59:19 GMT -7
"Collect the whole set!" That's my motto... Mine too!!! |
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Post by skipper on Jun 27, 2014 8:30:23 GMT -7
Jagarguy that is an impressive list!!! Out of curiosity which one is dearest to your eardrums?
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Post by John on Jun 27, 2014 8:51:30 GMT -7
Jagarguy that is an impressive list!!! Out of curiosity which one is dearest to your eardrums? What day of the week is it? HA! |
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Post by Jaguarguy (Mike) on Jun 27, 2014 11:33:49 GMT -7
Jagarguy that is an impressive list!!! Out of curiosity which one is dearest to your eardrums? What day of the week is it? HA! John is absolutely correct. This morning I was playing my Remedy through the 4x10 cab - sweet sounding. Lately it has been my Therapy that I have been playing most. One of my favorites. |
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Post by freddieg on Jun 27, 2014 16:43:00 GMT -7
The Ghia is a great amp but it gets dirty quick, not a ton of headroom. You can get more headroom from a Ghia with choosing different tubes and speakers. Personally I like the way the Ghia reacts but if you like your Gretch and Fender combo you may look into the z28......
But the price point vs tone quality for the Ghia is hard to beat. It is about the best bang for the buck out there. Especially for practice, small clubs. Get the 1x10 combo...
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Post by eggman on Jul 1, 2014 23:50:18 GMT -7
Howdy,
The Ghia offers decent headroom with single-coil P/Us. Speakers play a part, too. I suggest a Carmen Ghia head and mating to your 2x12 cab, assuming you gig un mic'd. This would give you tone, headroom and delicious touch-sensitivity. Good luck!
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Post by southmusic70 on Jul 7, 2014 15:18:31 GMT -7
Every now and then I look over here and on some other of the threads for amps I don't own just to see what people are thinking.
Here's the way it's going for me:
As you can see, I own four Z amps (28, Route, Rati v2, KT45) and some non-z amps. More and more, I'm finding that whenever I leave the house for a job, I don't need a high-powered amp. Part of this is because that most of my calls are for jazz or society jobs that don't require a lot of power or speakers, but for the other jobs and concerts, the usual situation is that my amp is being miked, or much less often, I'm going direct. Hence, the need for a high-powered amp and anything bigger than a 1x10 or 1x12 cabinet or combo just isn't there, and neither is the willingness on my part to hump all of that stuff around. So when I go out these days, it's different guitars for different jobs, but it's usually either my Z28 1x10 combo, Mesa TA15 w/1x12 Mesa cabinet, or, particularly for jazz, my Polytone BabyBrute. It's not that I don't like my other Z amps or my modded '65 Showman or Mesa F50 combo, it's just that I don't use them. So, you may be seeing them on BST in the future.
I wonder if anybody else is in this situation.
Or am I crazy?
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51d
Junior Member
Posts: 95
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Post by 51d on Jul 11, 2014 12:26:56 GMT -7
The combination of the weight/volume of high wattage gear and the proliferation of sound attenuated venues - plus a genuine wish to be heard - lead me to the same conclusions. And, although that whole 'experienced through the soles of the feet' thing was great fun, a touch of tinnitus suggests now is the time to throttle back on the wattage. Plus I can't lift the likes of my long gone Ampeg V4 any more, without comedy face pulling and big back problems...
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Post by southmusic70 on Jul 11, 2014 13:27:44 GMT -7
Amen.
My rig in early 70s was a Fender Vibrolux Reverb w/two 10" speakers and a 1x15 extension cabinet AND (I ran them together) a Showman head into a 3x12 Kustom enclosure.
Heavy..
Loud..
Of course, we only miked the vocals and the horns back then.
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Post by Brimstone on Jul 17, 2014 18:02:53 GMT -7
My Ghia 1X10 is my workhorse amp. Never an issue anywhere I've played. If you get a combo, do yourself a favor and add the Brakelite. You'll be glad you did!
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Post by jesslm02 on Jul 18, 2014 11:54:27 GMT -7
+1. For cost and portability, the 1x10 combo is hard to beat. I had one a few yers ago and it sounds bigger than it looks. I have a 1x12 combo headed my way but I'm thinking of picking up a 1x10 cab as well just to have a another option.
Sent from my Galaxy S4 using Proboards
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Post by skipper on Jul 19, 2014 6:10:06 GMT -7
It seems that the 1x10 is a pretty popular configuration which would deliver a lot of punch.
On another note : Does anyone have any good sound clips with a Gia and a Humbucker? I also have noticed that Marshall 's new Handwired series has a few new low watt models.Very nice but the price would make me consider a Therapy and 2 x 12 cab.LOL.
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Post by simpleton on Jul 20, 2014 0:12:58 GMT -7
It seems that the 1x10 is a pretty popular configuration which would deliver a lot of punch. On another note : Does anyone have any good sound clips with a Gia and a Humbucker? I also have noticed that Marshall 's new Handwired series has a few new low watt models.Very nice but the price would make me consider a Therapy and 2 x 12 cab.LOL. This may help some link |
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