|
Post by riffmeister on Jan 8, 2015 10:57:09 GMT -7
Hi All, first post here. Looking into a Therapy and 1x12 cab, seems like a cool amp! I play in a band....medium volume I'd say....and I'd like an amp that stays "mostly clean" in a gigging situation, using pedals for more saturated sounds. I've owned several Z's in the past: 6545, KT45, EZG50, Maz Jr, Z28. The EZG50 was "too clean" for my musical style, the KT45 side of the 6545 was awesome in the loud rock band I was playing in at the time, and I'd like a little more horsepower than the Maz Jr and a little bit more clean headroom and more flexible tone stack than the Z28. Seems like the Therapy might fit the bill.
So anyway, I'd love to hear from Therapy users on their opinion of the amp for use as a "mostly clean" pedal platform in gigging situations. (the amp will not be mic'd so I do need some horsepower while remaining "mostly clean")
And a secondary question might be how does the Therapy compare to the Antidote and Remedy for my purpose?
|
|
|
Post by Mark (Basement Enthusiast) on Jan 8, 2015 11:52:58 GMT -7
I think the Therapy would be a good option for you to try, especially if you're already familiar with Dr. Z amps and have liked them in the past.
If the EZG-50 was "too clean" for you then I think you'll appreciate the Volume & Master Volume setup on the Therapy--the first Volume control on the Therapy allows you to dial-in a wide range of preamp gain from "almost none" to "just enough" and beyond, and then the Master Volume essentially sets the overall sound level. I find the Therapy to be more American rather than British sounding, if that makes sense; but I also consider it to be higher-gain than I recall the EZG-50 and the KT-45 being.
PS. Welcome to the forum!
|
|
|
Post by Jaguarguy (Mike) on Jan 8, 2015 11:59:46 GMT -7
Welcome to the Forum Riffmeister! A great place to hang out with great information and people. Where do you live? Maybe there is a Z-bro nearby where you can tryout their amp if there is no dealer nearby. If you're anywhere S.E. Michigan you can always visit the MuZum - I have a couple Zs you could tryout
|
|
|
Post by riffmeister on Jan 8, 2015 12:57:49 GMT -7
Hi Guys, thanks for the welcome. I'm near Philly. Thinking about adding a Therapy to the stable, but need to get a sense of how much clean headroom it has when gigging with a band....drummer is a medium hitter, I'd say. Let's consider the MV maxed when I'm using it. I need the amp to be "mostly clean", pedals for OD tones. Amp will not be mic'd thru the PA. Thanks!
|
|
|
Post by Maddog on Jan 8, 2015 14:13:22 GMT -7
I have a pretty loud drummer and the Therapy can hold it's own in a loud band setting with the master and the volume both around noon to two o'clock. Still plenty of juice left in the tank.....
|
|
|
Post by doctorice on Jan 8, 2015 14:23:04 GMT -7
Welcome to the forum.
From your description, I'd say cranked MV (or nearly so) with appropriate settings of volume and the tone stack -- real easy to dial in, btw -- will do what you want. Speaker will be important. Needless to say, there are lots of choices and opinions on that.
|
|
|
Post by riffmeister on Jan 8, 2015 14:38:43 GMT -7
I have a pretty loud drummer and the Therapy can hold it's own in a loud band setting with the master and the volume both around noon to two o'clock. Still plenty of juice left in the tank..... Cool, thanks for that. Is it still "mostly clean" set up that way?
|
|
|
Post by bigplay on Jan 8, 2015 14:52:12 GMT -7
I love my Therapy but I set it up with a little grit. I kept my Maz38 which to me is better for a clean platform.
|
|
|
Post by Maddog on Jan 8, 2015 16:46:04 GMT -7
I have a pretty loud drummer and the Therapy can hold it's own in a loud band setting with the master and the volume both around noon to two o'clock. Still plenty of juice left in the tank..... Cool, thanks for that. Is it still "mostly clean" set up that way? It's is now. Unlike most everybody else, I like mine cleaner. So I pulled the 12ax7 in V1 and installed a 5751 tube. At noon and noon, it's fairly loud and has just a moderate amount of hair. Dropping the gain (V) to about 9-10 and increasing the master to 3 is clean and very loud with a 100 db speaker, You would get run out of a medium beer joint at this setting especially if you add boost pedals like I do.
|
|
|
Post by riffmeister on Jan 8, 2015 16:50:26 GMT -7
Cool, thanks for that. Is it still "mostly clean" set up that way? It's is now. Unlike most everybody else, I like mine cleaner. So I pulled the 12ax7 in V1 and installed a 5751 tube. At noon and noon, it's fairly loud and has just a moderate amount of hair. Dropping the gain (V) to about 9-10 and increasing the master to 3 is clean and very loud with a 100 db speaker, You would get run out of a medium beer joint at this setting especially if you add boost pedals like I do. Cool, sounds like this amp might work for me. What speakers/cab are you using?
|
|
|
Post by riffmeister on Jan 8, 2015 16:52:11 GMT -7
I love my Therapy but I set it up with a little grit. I kept my Maz38 which to me is better for a clean platform. Maz 38.......hmmmm......another one to consider......
|
|
|
Post by Maddog on Jan 9, 2015 6:11:59 GMT -7
It's is now. Unlike most everybody else, I like mine cleaner. So I pulled the 12ax7 in V1 and installed a 5751 tube. At noon and noon, it's fairly loud and has just a moderate amount of hair. Dropping the gain (V) to about 9-10 and increasing the master to 3 is clean and very loud with a 100 db speaker, You would get run out of a medium beer joint at this setting especially if you add boost pedals like I do. Cool, sounds like this amp might work for me. What speakers/cab are you using? I was running a Celestion Gold at first as it is usually my "go-to" speaker. But I had a Celestion Vintage 30 laying around and since Doc recommends it, I gave it a whirl and preferred it, which is odd since I usually hate that speaker...so the V-30 has become my speaker of choice for the Therapy... Speaker cabs: both speakers were in Doc's 1 x 12 Convertible cabs.
|
|
|
Post by doctorice on Jan 9, 2015 7:17:13 GMT -7
You would get run out of a medium beer joint at this setting especially if you add boost pedals like I do. Are you speaking from personal experience, Lee?
|
|
|
Post by Maddog on Jan 9, 2015 10:48:25 GMT -7
^^^^ Most definitely, Mike!
|
|
|
Post by gplayer1965 on Jan 9, 2015 14:52:10 GMT -7
Welcome to the forum. From your description, I'd say cranked MV (or nearly so) with appropriate settings of volume and the tone stack -- real easy to dial in, btw -- will do what you want. Speaker will be important. Needless to say, there are lots of choices and opinions on that. with this type of settings i get very "bell like" tones. Nice and clean
|
|
|
Post by riffmeister on Jan 10, 2015 6:15:13 GMT -7
Thanks everyone for your feedback on the clean headroom issue.
One more question. For those of you that can compare, which amp has a smoother breakup characteristic when playing at band levels, the Therapy or the Maz 38? I tend to associate EL84 with a smoother, more compressed breakup type of sound compared to 6L6. But of course, the preamp sections in these two amps are quite different from one another, too.
|
|
|
Post by benttop (Steve) on Jan 10, 2015 8:54:14 GMT -7
Thanks everyone for your feedback on the clean headroom issue. One more question. For those of you that can compare, which amp has a smoother breakup characteristic when playing at band levels, the Therapy or the Maz 38? I tend to associate EL84 with a smoother, more compressed breakup type of sound compared to 6L6. But of course, the preamp sections in these two amps are quite different from one another, too. That's a hard comparison simply because they are both smooth, but different. I'm going out on a limb here and saying that the Therapy is as smooth but more dynamic and touch responsive. That is not to denigrate the Maz 38, which is an amazing amp (I've owned two!).
|
|
|
Post by jlowder23 on Jan 10, 2015 10:24:48 GMT -7
Thanks everyone for your feedback on the clean headroom issue. One more question. For those of you that can compare, which amp has a smoother breakup characteristic when playing at band levels, the Therapy or the Maz 38? I tend to associate EL84 with a smoother, more compressed breakup type of sound compared to 6L6. But of course, the preamp sections in these two amps are quite different from one another, too. Sent you a pm. I've got a very nice therapy head and cab for sale.
|
|
|
Post by gplayer1965 on Jan 10, 2015 11:02:01 GMT -7
Thanks everyone for your feedback on the clean headroom issue. One more question. For those of you that can compare, which amp has a smoother breakup characteristic when playing at band levels, the Therapy or the Maz 38? I tend to associate EL84 with a smoother, more compressed breakup type of sound compared to 6L6. But of course, the preamp sections in these two amps are quite different from one another, too. That's a hard comparison simply because they are both smooth, but different. I'm going out on a limb here and saying that the Therapy is as smooth but more dynamic and touch responsive. That is not to denigrate the Maz 38, which is an amazing amp (I've owned two!). I has a Maz 38. Loved it and will own another one if the time is right but I agree with Steve on his take. Z forum brother thatstatuemoved is in town this weekend and I know he has a maz 38 and maybe he will get a chance to try my Therapy and offer his opinion
|
|
|
Post by bigplay on Jan 10, 2015 19:44:06 GMT -7
What Steve said +1
|
|
|
Post by 1poorplayer on Jan 13, 2015 6:38:54 GMT -7
Several months in , and my marriage to my Therapy is still strong. Best All Around Amp - I own , period. My Maz 18 is 2nd place. I find the maz is more of a "character" amp , while the Therapy gives me more of what I put into it. ( if that makes any sense ) My band situation as of the last 3 gigs has me using an electronic pedalboard, instead of my amp , and everyone has iems.I'm glad to say I'm no longer suffering from ringing ears after a show, but my guitar tone has suffered without my Therapy. .... anyone have experience placing their amp or speaker cab out front by PA speakers, so the whole iem , crosstalk, phase cancelation, feedback senario isn't a factor ?
The reason I'm posting, .... I plugged my Les Paul into my Therapy for the first time in over a month , and I can't stop thinking about her.wow!! 4 x 12 cab , veteran 30's mixed in , master and volume straight up , BEAUTIFUL cleans to MEAN and crunchy with the twist of a guitar volume. I Love It ! One thing to consider for guys new to Dr Z amps ..... Not only speaker - cab combinations , but choice of guitar and pickups. In my personal experience, if your humbucker isn't a medium to low output , you'll never know the sweet tones that are in your Dr Z amp. My Gibson Reissue has those , and it is magic. My other favorite is my tele. Anyways......... THERAPY !!!!!! Thank you Dr.Z
|
|
|
Post by doctorice on Jan 14, 2015 15:05:26 GMT -7
In my personal experience, if your humbucker isn't a medium to low output , you'll never know the sweet tones that are in your Dr Z amp. My Gibson Reissue has those , and it is magic. Excellent point. That's a key to getting crystalline tones out of an LP into a Z.
|
|
|
Post by riffmeister on Mar 31, 2015 10:56:37 GMT -7
I should be able to answer my own question in about a week with a blonde. If there is not enough headroom I will try the Antidote.
|
|
|
Post by doctorice on Mar 31, 2015 11:03:43 GMT -7
I should be able to answer my own question in about a week with a blonde. If there is not enough headroom I will try the Antidote. Cool. Let us know how it goes. The Antidote is another amazing amp. Not as much appreciated as it should be, imo. This most likely due to it being loud. I've been on a big Antidote kick lately.
|
|
|
Post by harry on Mar 31, 2015 15:55:08 GMT -7
The Antidote will give some loud cleans but after that it gets real fun! I too have been on a Dote kick and continue to fall in love with it. I play it through a Z Best with a Jetter G124 sometimes; it kicks like a mule and just flat out smokes...
|
|
|
Post by jammergreg on Mar 31, 2015 16:04:21 GMT -7
A'Dote will sound like a 60 record album. But louD))) and proud. The low volume thing will not work as good a Therapy (for me the sweet spot was up there.). But you want cleans.
Try both before you pull the trigger. Both stellar amps.
|
|