|
|
Post by garysgearreviews on Jan 26, 2015 21:13:28 GMT -7
So I'm back in Z-land on my amp search. I sold my hand wired Deluxe Reverb and had a Princeton clone lined up but it didn't work out. So while perusing my local CL I find this listing for a Ghia for and pretty insane price (IMO). Let's just say it's less than any used Ghia head I can find for sale right now and it's a 1x12 combo with an extra empty head shell and a WGS speaker.
It's an older (says late 90s) Carmen Ghia 1x12 combo. It's definitely not the same cab as the newer ones, it looks more like a studio-size cab, kinda taller and skinnier than the newer ones look. The guy has had it for like 10 years and says he has gigged it all over town so that answers that question. I'll post a pic when I get home.
Just wondering if there's anything in particular I should know about the older Zs.
For example:
1.) I want to confirm that the combo cab is original as I've never seen one quite like it.
2.)Also, I've seen demos of newer Ghias and it seems like the tone control works backwards or something, is that a problem?
3.) I've heard of the Doc doing free "once overs" of amps if you pay to ship them to him.
4.) Hoping I'm not in amp culture shock coming from a Fender-style background but I seen tons of guys here in town gigging Zs so I'm sure it'll be ok.
It currently has a WGS Veteran speaker in it and the seller says it sounds best out of the 10+ speakers he's tried in it over the years.
I've contacted the guy and I'm gonna go check it out (unless it's sold since I emailed him). As long as it sounds good I'm all over it.
It also comes with an empry head cab the dude built himself for it that he's including. If it works out it'll be my first Z and hopefully the last amp I have to buy for a while. It've been buying/selling/trading amps for a while looking for a grab and go combo for club gigs that I can also use at home for practicing and my pedal review videos. I just want to be careful because I'm REALLY sick of not being happy with stuff a week later. I've tried to streamline everything else to a budget friendly setup and make myself live with it for a while. I've got a MIM Road Worn Tele, like 4 pedals (Barber Comp, Barber OD, Wampler Delay, EQD Boost/EQ), and hopefully this amp.
For reference I play country with single coil Teles. I'm about to drop a super "hot" set of Budz pups in the Tele and I have a feeling they'll be amazing with this amp. It's his Stylemaster neck pup and a custom wound bridge pup he made to match the neck, the bridge is like 9.9k which is way hotter than I'm used to (I've used the Lollar Special T bridge in my last couple Teles which is like 8.0k) but looking to change it up.
Pics to come. Any insight would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks.
Gary.
Edit:
The main concern I have is volume. I know Zs can be real loud. My Deluxe Reverb was a little too loud for my needs but it had a Tone Tubby speaker in it (I actually got complaints on the volume, "man that thing sounds great but it's so damn loud!"). So 18w of Dr Z power sounds like a lot and is scarring me a little. I really don't want to drop $200 on a Brake Lite, I should've kept the one that was in the Deluxe I sold, oh well!
I was initially a little concerned about headroom issues but I'm sure I can make it work. The clubs are mostly small here in Nashville and you're mic'd up 99% of the time anyway.But those hot pups and the Ghia, It could get nasty in a really nice way!
|
|
|
|
Post by garysgearreviews on Jan 26, 2015 21:21:10 GMT -7
|
|
|
|
Post by simpleton on Jan 27, 2015 1:55:48 GMT -7
It's a no brainer to just buy it and see what you think after owning it. I mean if you can buy that cab for $700 bucks or less you'd be insane to not have done it already. But that's my opinion. I bought my first used Ghia in a 2x10 cab for $800 and I've never regretted it...on the contrary I regularly think about it like it was some kind of shinning example of providence in my life.
Try it ... if you don't like it sell it. That's my take.
|
|
|
|
Post by doctorice on Jan 27, 2015 6:22:06 GMT -7
Gary,
I can't tell you about the combo cab, but the Ghia is a great amp. No worries about it being older, although there have been some circuit changes along the way. Mine, which I bought used, is early 2000s, has chicken head knobs, etc. I love it and gig with it (1x10 combo) regularly.
I usually set the tone knob straight up (noon o'clock, if you will) and adjust from there. Turning counterclockwise thins out the mids and adds chime; going clockwise thickens the tone. It's not a conventional bass and treble arrangement. With a Les Paul, I usually end up leaving the tone near noon and work the guitar knobs. The amp is great with single-coil axes as well, but I tend to perform (blues, rock) with the LP.
The amp is loud for its "size". I use a Brake Lite, but I'm usually playing pretty small bars. I also use pedals, so my output level overall tends to be higher than if I were using the guitar straight in. I'd guess the pedal effect is equivalent to one click on the Brake Lite.
I don't think Dr Z provides free once-overs of used amps. Doc's running a busy commercial enterprise. However, if you have any concerns about a Z that you've purchased you can always send it to the shop for a thorough going over. I've done that several times. Price has always been reasonable.
If you can get a decent deal on the amp and it doesn't work out, you can probably sell it off without much financial damage.
Important note: Make sure you try it out with other speakers, unless you end up loving it as is with the WGS.
You owe it to yourself to go try the amp.
|
|
|
|
Post by John on Jan 27, 2015 10:28:44 GMT -7
Older Ghias had quicker breakup. The newer models have more headroom. This is not a drastic thing, but it is a slight difference.
|
|
|
|
Post by garysgearreviews on Jan 27, 2015 10:59:43 GMT -7
Thank you guys for the insights. The guy emailed me back and luckily he still has it. The only weird thing is he says he's not "set up" for me to come by and play it. I guess he lives in a town home and can't make noise. But he says he's happy to meet me somewhere. We'll see how it goes. Hopefully he's a cool guy and it works out.
|
|
|
|
Post by Jaguarguy (Mike) on Jan 27, 2015 11:11:03 GMT -7
Sometimes people don't want strangers in their home - a lot of wackos out there!
I have had Doc work on a couple of my amps - good as new and very reasonable.
|
|
|
|
Post by garysgearreviews on Jan 27, 2015 12:09:35 GMT -7
Sometimes people don't want strangers in their home - a lot of wackos out their? I have had Doc work on a couple of my amps - good as new and very reasonable. That's cool and I get it. I'm just trying to figure where to meet him. He's actually got a pretty killer review of this amp on his website. He tours with some pretty big dudes and he lists his gear on his site. I don't want to keep talking about him because he could easily be a member here. If you're out there let me know! Lol. I was going to post a quote from his review but I can't get his site to load now for some reason. Anyway, he really sings the praises of the amp but offers some criticism too. IIRC the biggest things he pointed out are: 1. Crazy amount of Sag 2. Mid-spike that can't be tamed by the tone knob I can't remember the others, just thought I'd mention it and get you guys' take on it. I'm having a hard time getting a ahold of him as I imagine he's super busy. Can any of you speak to making the jump from Fender-style amps (deluxes, princetons, etc) to a Dr Z, particularly the Ghia? I don't really know what to expect. It's been a while since I've played one and I've never spent any extended amount of time with one. Hopefully he'll be willing to meet me at my house or something so I can really go thorough it for a bit with my board and everything. I'll prob buy it regardless because the price is so good. I could always flip it if I don't like it but I'm actually getting sick of that whole in-and-out thing. I just want to find an amp I can live with for a while and not screw around with flipping stuff. I've got way too many other things to do that are more important (IE school, work, actually playing music, relationships with people, etc.), but it's so fun! |
|
|
|
Post by southmusic70 on Jan 27, 2015 15:01:10 GMT -7
Simply put:
THE Z AMPS SOUND BETTER.
Stop.
|
|
|
|
Post by limenine on Jan 27, 2015 15:58:22 GMT -7
Regarding the cab - that looks like a z cab, but the 10" not 12". I recall at least one of the guys here converting his cab some time back and being really happy with the results.
|
|
|
|
Post by simpleton on Jan 27, 2015 16:16:52 GMT -7
In my opinion the Ghia has more of it's own personality and Fender has more of a neutral tone. Obviously Fender is Fender tone...but the Ghia has a little more to say about itself. The low end on a Ghia will be tighter than the Deluxe ... which flaps about under weightier music. The Ghia will be more responsive to instrument changes and will bring out their best qualities. If you are a Fender sound guy then it might take a second to adjust to the 2/3 Marshal, 1/3 Vox mixed up Z sound of the Ghia, but I found my Ghia more usable for all styles of music ( finger picking, strumming, rock, folk, blues ecttttttera ) I came to the Ghia from a Divided by 13 SJT 10/20 which is like Blackface/Tweed style fender. While it's not always fun to get stuff and flip it. Sometimes it's the only way to know if it's what we really want. Get and live with it for a few months or a year and see how you feel then. It might just tickle your Elmo  |
|
|
|
Post by rcrecelius on Jan 27, 2015 19:13:56 GMT -7
I'm gonna go out on a limb here and say that 12" cab is not original, an original Z12 combo cab is bigger than that...he made some "studio deluxe" Maz amps similar in size w 12" but the Ghia is a smaller chassis....so as long as the cab is a good build quality, you'll have a perfect grab n go Ghia WITH a 12" speaker...what's not to love about that?
You've already bought it right?
|
|
|
|
Post by j4gitr (John) on Jan 27, 2015 20:28:12 GMT -7
My .$02 go for it.Don't over think it. That's the beauty of the Ghia. Simple, especially if it's the great price you claim.
|
|
|
|
Post by garysgearreviews on Jan 27, 2015 22:32:57 GMT -7
I'm gonna go out on a limb here and say that 12" cab is not original, an original Z12 combo cab is bigger than that...he made some "studio deluxe" Maz amps similar in size w 12" but the Ghia is a smaller chassis....so as long as the cab is a good build quality, you'll have a perfect grab n go Ghia WITH a 12" speaker...what's not to love about that? You've already bought it right? I was able to speak with the seller and we're meeting tomorrow. He told me that Doc himself (iirc) custom made this amp for the guy he bought it from in 2005. I'll have to ask him the guy's name again but it sounded familiar. He was a big singer/songwriter/player in Nashville in the mid-late 90s and the seller told me the amp was made custom for him. I can't imagine the dude is lying. He seems like an honest guy and he plays with some big name dudes and you don't get those gigs without being a good dude. I mean, no matter how skilled you are they still have to put up with you on the road! Lol. But we're supposed to meet up tomorrow at my local music store so I'll be able to crank it up and really check it out. I'll report back. Hopefully it'll be a NAD post. |
|
|
|
Post by simpleton on Jan 27, 2015 23:10:29 GMT -7
That's awful generous of the local music shop to let the deal happen in their shop and let you play it too there. Most of the ones I know around here wouldn't let that happen. Hope you have a fun meet up.
|
|
|
|
Post by garysgearreviews on Jan 28, 2015 11:15:26 GMT -7
That's awful generous of the local music shop to let the deal happen in their shop and let you play it too there. Most of the ones I know around here wouldn't let that happen. Hope you have a fun meet up. Yeah, it's not a big box store but it's probably the coolest store here in Nashville IMO. I didn't even ask them because I know they won't care. And I need to get pickups put in a guitar anyway so I need to go there for that plus another clip on tuner (always losing those things). Just waiting for the guy to call me and meet up. Hopefully it'll be this afternoon sometime. ***One correction. The speaker is a WGS Reaper, not the WGGS Veteran that I posted before. I always get the WGS stuff mixed up. |
|
|
|
Post by garysgearreviews on Jan 28, 2015 18:27:12 GMT -7
I bought it! Price was too good to pass up. He also gave me the head cab he made which looks super well made. He also gave me another bigger girll cloth/baffle so if I want to go head cab the other grill cloth will cover the cut out for the chassis. He also have me a back panel with a speaker out wired up. So it can literally be a combo or a perfect head/cab for an unreal price.
It's crazy loud, that's my only concern. Makes me feel like the M12 would be perfect but the price was just too good to pass up. I'll post pics later!
|
|
|
|
Post by simpleton on Jan 28, 2015 18:29:45 GMT -7
I think that if you want it to be a pedal platform you'll soon see that the volume control is very usable and that it can be quiet IF you want clean. Good deal bro and congrats !!!
|
|
|
|
Post by Jaguarguy (Mike) on Jan 28, 2015 20:35:22 GMT -7
Congrats! I think you're gonna love it!
|
|
|
|
Post by garysgearreviews on Jan 28, 2015 21:38:40 GMT -7
SO here's all the stuff this awesome dude threw in with the amp. Here's the insanely convincing head cab the guy made himself:  Here's the awesome back panel he made complete with wired out jack:  Here's the extra baffle he made with exact matching grill cloth so that if i put the chassis in the head cab the grill will cover up the cut out for the chassis and make it look like a completely legit speaker cab:  Here's a good pic of the amp, you can kinda see road worn-ness of the combo cab which all indications are the it is original. The amp was made custom by Doc for David Mead. Look him up, he's a pretty famous dude but apparently in the 90s he was supposedly the next big thing in Nashville. This amp has been all over the world with Hunter Hayes as well:  |
|
|
|
Post by garysgearreviews on Jan 28, 2015 21:47:08 GMT -7
The "Z" badge isn't on the combo because the guy put it on the head cab he made.
With all this great stuff and as amazing as the amp sounds, I still might consider flipping it as it might just be too loud. It's WAAAAAYYYY louder than the 22w Deluxe Reverb I just had and it was hand wired with a super efficient and crazy loud Tone Tubby 40/40 speaker
I love the tone but I was having a really hard time getting workable sounds out of it in my apartment. About the only thing I could do was put the volume on the amp super low to where it was barely on and the tone isn't all there (but still sounds ok), and then boost that with my EQD Boost EQ Tone Job pedal (Crank the level and the mids both all the way up). Then it sounds pretty good at a playable (at home) volume. I knew it was gonna be loud but I tried it in a rehearsal space on stage and it was loud in there. But regardless, the deal (with or without the add ons) was too good to pass up even if I hated the amp. I know I'd like to stick with Zs because I love the tone but maybe the M12 is more up my alley volume wise, or even the Maz 18 with the master volume.
I know I'll probably take some crap for considering flipping it so quickly but whatever. I thought it might be ok but it's probably too loud. I got yelled at by a sound guy with my Deluxe Reverb on like 4, lol. I'm not gonna do anything crazy unless some great offer materializes but who knows, maybe I'll get over it or get a gig where i need a loud amp and keep it forever. So please don't judge me too harshly!
|
|
|
|
Post by limenine on Jan 29, 2015 7:30:38 GMT -7
Well, two easy things to try are putting in an inefficient speaker and or a brake lite (or Airbrake for max attenuation). Heh - for playing at home, I actually set my 5 watt mini's onboard attenuator to zero (off) and use an outboard swart nite light (airbrake would work here too) so I can crank it up without making the neighbors hate me  . |
|
|
|
Post by doctorice on Jan 29, 2015 11:55:51 GMT -7
Gary, since you got such a good deal, why not buy a Brake Lite? I have one installed in my Ghia combo and use it almost all the time.
|
|
|
|
Post by garysgearreviews on Jan 29, 2015 22:45:25 GMT -7
Gary, since you got such a good deal, why not buy a Brake Lite? I have one installed in my Ghia combo and use it almost all the time. I thought about it. But I had a Brake Lite in my Hand Wired Deluxe Reverb (which had a tone tubby 40/40 in it). The brake lite definetly helped but not enough for this sucker. I swear the Ghia seems twice as loud at 18w than the Deluxe did at 22w even with that super loud TT speaker in it. I'd really like to keep it but I'd rather move it on to someone who has a situation where they can crank it to it's sweet spot where it really shines. I'd love to trade it for an M-12 or something. If not, I'll probably just sell it and buy an old Princeton NR. |
|
|
|
Post by rcrecelius on Jan 30, 2015 12:31:50 GMT -7
I've owned a NR Princeton...if that's the kind of volume levels you're looking for, then I can see why the Ghia might be too loud for you.
|
|
|
|
Post by rcrecelius on Jan 30, 2015 12:32:50 GMT -7
Wish I had the money to make you an offer on that ghia right now… I would love to have one in that size cab
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Jan 30, 2015 15:14:27 GMT -7
Gary, since you got such a good deal, why not buy a Brake Lite? I have one installed in my Ghia combo and use it almost all the time. Or, a Swart Night Light. It knocks off a lot more volume than the BL. I've had a couple of both, and like them both a lot. Two different tools, though - The BL is better for playing with a band when you just want to knock a few dB off. The Swart makes my amps (A Ghia, A Remedy, and a Swart) playable at home with my kid asleep two floors up. I'm a huge attenuator fan. Without them, I'd never get to have an amp in the house. |
|
|
|
Post by garysgearreviews on Jan 30, 2015 22:25:08 GMT -7
I'm keeping the amp posted where I have it listed for sale/trade for now but I might just keep it. It's soooo loud man but it sounds so great. Here's what I wrote about it on the Tele forum as I've gotten to spend more time with it:
(I was responding to someone asking if I had gotten to crank it up and really hear it):
"Yeah when I went try it we used a big live stage at this venue/rehearsal space. With both knobs at noon (Volume and Tone) this thing is a MOOOOONSTER. But for me and what I do typically, i'd bury everyone else at that volume. It's unfortunate because it sounds soooo good there. I can't imagine dime-ing the volume knob. You could probably kill someone! Lol. I think it's kind of designed to be played at level though (about half way up). It still sounds good at low volumes but it's difficult. The volume knob sweep isn't great. If it's all the way down and you slowly start turning it up while hitting a string, it's silent until just before 9 o'clock and then it comes in pretty suddenly and pretty loud. I've been leaving the volume at 9 o'clock or just past and then controlling it by rolling my guitar vol off or sort of attenuating it with my EQ/Boost pedal's level knob. With the volume at 9 o'clock and my guitar's vol dimed I could probably play with a drummer pretty easily unless he was super loud.
The tone control is really cool too. In watching demo videos it seemed like it was backwards (it gets darker as you turn it up). The guy I bought it from described it as more of a "Cut" knob and it made sense instantly. You can get some crazy sounds with that one knob from super dark jazzy stuff to almost like a cocked-wah sound. The amp is pretty "Mid" heavy and that can't really be blended out with the one knob tone stack. But I'm kinda liking it. It's soooo different than the BF Fender style EQ I'm used to but in a good way. It's really loving the "hot" Budz pups I just put in my Tele too. The EQ/Boost pedal has 3-band active EQ so if I cut the mids with the pedal, it makes the amp at least "seem" a little less loud."
Someone else on the Tele forum recommend trying some JJ EL-844s, that they will take some of the volume out.
The Swart thing looks cool, I haven't got to try one yet.
|
|
|
|
Post by JASON (aka jgleaton) on Jan 31, 2015 14:00:32 GMT -7
I REALLY hope you can make this amp work for you, cause I think it sounds like a really special amp and a keeper.
I would also maybe try a 5751 in V1...
and with my old ghia that a friend still has a uses as I had it tubed up... I had a NOS 5751 in both V1 and V2... really smoothed it out and gave it a bit more clean headroom before break up / hair. I could then start to get a nice fat clean from around 9 o'clock to around noon / 1 o'clock before it started to get really loud with more than just hair and drive really started coming on...
|
|
|
|
Post by doctorice on Jan 31, 2015 14:11:05 GMT -7
^^^
A great reminder.
Gary, what preamp tubes are in there? Stock from Doc had a 12ax7 in V1 and a 5751 in V2 in these older Ghias. If you've got two 12ax7s in there that explains some of the volume.
|
|
.
