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Post by battersbee on Feb 28, 2015 9:33:54 GMT -7
I'm looking at possibly buying a Dr Z. The options I'm considering right now are a Remedy and Therapy. I'm in the UK so there's a narrower range of options.
I'm currently playing in a 70s type rock band (think Rolling Stones/Tom Petty). I have other amps (combos) but I'm looking for something a little more portable around the 40 watts mark. I'll be looking at a 1 x 12". The rock band is a little off the beaten track for me, I'm usually more of a funk/soul/jazz guy so an ability to cover those styles as well would be a big bonus.
One of the big advantages with the Remedy is I think I can pick one up used. The Therapy I'd have to buy new.
Based on demos I think both amps would sound good on the rock project. The Remedy is supposedly more Marshall voiced and instinctively that puts me off - I've never been much of a Marshall fan. But in demos I'm not hearing Marshall tones. The cleaner sounds especially seem more into Vox/Fender territory, presumably owing to the 6v6s.
The appeal of the Therapy is it's lighter (only 3 lbs but every little helps). It's Fender voiced which has traditionally been more my thing. I also wonder whether I'm right in thinking it's less purely a rock amp and will be a bit more versatile than the Remedy.
If i were buying new I think I'd be leaning towards the Therapy. It ticks more boxes for me and is a little cheaper. But I'm potentially getting a much better deal on the Remedy so I'm tending toward that one.
I'd welcome any thoughts.
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Post by Jaguarguy (Mike) on Feb 28, 2015 10:10:17 GMT -7
The Remedy is Doc's take on the Plexi; The Therapy is more JTM45. both can clearly do 70's rock like you are looking for. You might also look into the Antidote - very versatile with the vintage modern switch. Get's 70s and 80s Marshall tones.
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Post by John on Feb 28, 2015 10:30:58 GMT -7
Sounds like you've answered your own question.
I'm an old 4 input marshall guy, so it's the Remedy for me. The amp is so dynamic, it can get lots of tones. With it's master volume and 1/2 power switch, I think it's a very versatile amp. (The remedy is a take on a vintage 4 input marshall...not the other models.)
If you go the Remedy route...I can't stress enough:
If you want classic rock tones and you want a 1x12 cabinet....get a Celestion Creamback M. It's a high powered greenback. And it's only 97db. So you can crank the amp a little more.
And welcome to the forum.
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Post by battersbee on Feb 28, 2015 12:32:31 GMT -7
Thanks guys - I understood the Therapy was Tweed-based rather than Marshall? - that was part of the attraction because the amps I've gotten on best with in the past have tended to be in the Fender camp.
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Post by John on Feb 28, 2015 14:39:28 GMT -7
Thanks guys - I understood the Therapy was Tweed-based rather than Marshall? - that was part of the attraction because the amps I've gotten on best with in the past have tended to be in the Fender camp. I dunno about that. While I have not played a Therapy, I don't see the "tweed" term used much. (if at all) And you have to be careful...the early marshalls were a direct copies of the Fender tweed Baseman. (Just with EL34's instead of 6L6....and a few other very minor differences due to part availability...not by design.) Marshall didn't even change the layout! The jtm45 and plexi are not original designs..they have 90+% of their DNA taken from tweed basemans.
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Post by limenine on Feb 28, 2015 17:55:14 GMT -7
From the Z website: "a cathode biased 6L6 based amp with a flavor of a low powered tweed Twin" - note it doesn't say 'based on' - just 'flavor'.
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Post by iluvpunz on Feb 28, 2015 19:57:05 GMT -7
I have both the Remedy and the Therapy. Love them both and gig with both. The Therapy does fall more to the Fender side of things and the Remedy is more early Marshall like a JTM 45 or Bluesbreaker. You can't go wrong with the Therapy because you can get really nice cleans, grit to thick smooth distortion. Think an old Twin but in my opinion more smooth and dynamic. The Therapy is very touch sensitive and doesn't need pedals to sound fantastic. Great with single coils especially. We had a jam with a guy who brought in a black face Deluxe Reverb and the Therapy could do all that but with a much bigger tone and more note blossom.
The Remedy is also capable of sweet cleans but not as 3D as the Therapy. The Therapy excells at that grind you hear in Malcom Youngs tone. The Remedy loves humbuckers for sure. It works really well with most pedals as does the Therapy. The half power switch, master volume and eq bypass really add to the versatility of the Remedy. The master volume is really good on the Remedy with no tone loss that I notice and is easy dial in. The Therapy takes some time to find the sweet spot for your guitar and room but it is by no means difficult. There are just a lot of tones and styles in the Therapy. The Remedy is less varied but it does what it does really well.
As John said the Creamback is fantastic with the Remedy. The Therapy likes a V30 style speaker better, I didn't like mine with the Creamback. The Remedy has power to spare but can also work great in a smaller room. The Therapy needs to be opened up to really sing but is not as loud as the Remedy.
I love both. Don't think I could really say one is better than the other but they are different. If at all possible you really need to play each with your guitar. IMHO you really need both, like me.
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Post by simpleton on Mar 1, 2015 0:10:30 GMT -7
I've not played the Remedy but have recently came upon a Therapy. I think it would do the Jazz/Funk/Soul thing really well and cover the 70's rock stuff, but what I'm really liking about the amp is that it HAS so many sounds in it. As far as typical Fender tones I think it's easy to come upon a variety of Fender esk tones/sounds but beyond that it's easy to just twiddle the knobs a bit until an enjoyable tone presents its' self and then play that vibe and then move 'em around and do it again. After some time I'm sure I'll have a dozen or so place I might go for certain sounds that I like. I feel like I come across all of the sounds out there from the big 3 ( F, M, V ) plus you get that sweet Z flavor that only Dr Z seems to know how to bring out. I think as I get more familiar with the tone stack that I'll only have to hear a tone in my head and I'll be able to find its neighborhood at least.
I am really getting into my Therapy. Played out a couple times only so far but it presents itself really well in a mix. I'm using the WGS Retro 30 with mine in a 1x12 Dr Z Covertible Cab.
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Post by muZician on Mar 1, 2015 2:57:44 GMT -7
I have tested carefully both amps and they sound both great. Both would do the job for you. I cannot say if one is more Marshall or Fender. The Remedy is based on an old Plexy but still has a strong Z character. The Therapy is very well described above IMHO as an amp that ranges across the big 3 but very clear with Z flavor. So if the sound you are looking for is Z-tone in the first place you can decide between one of the two. How to do it? Test both amps
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Post by John on Mar 1, 2015 5:43:32 GMT -7
Thanks guys - I understood the Therapy was Tweed-based rather than Marshall? - that was part of the attraction because the amps I've gotten on best with in the past have tended to be in the Fender camp. I dunno about that. While I have not played a Therapy, I don't see the "tweed" term used much. (if at all) And you have to be careful...the early marshalls were a direct copies of the Fender tweed Baseman. (Just with EL34's instead of 6L6....and a few other very minor differences due to part availability...not by design.) Marshall didn't even change the layout! The jtm45 and plexi are not original designs..they have 90+% of their DNA taken from tweed basemans. Jokes on me! I see from the Z website: The result is a cathode biased 6L6 based amp with a flavor of a low powered tweed Twin.
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Post by battersbee on Mar 1, 2015 6:14:12 GMT -7
I don't think I'm necessarily looking for "Z tone" because I'm not totally clear what that is. The attraction with the Zs is that they are reasonably light, and have an excellent reputation for build quality and I've liked the tones I'm hearing in demo clips. Alternatives I've considered - Fender Supersonic head (but don't trust their QC), Suhr Badger (a bit too Marshally in clips), Jackson Newcastle 30 (rare in the UK), Two Rock (not sure they are versatile enough and on-line feedback on their smaller amps seems very mixed). My main reservations about the Remedy are it's still a bit heavier than I'd ideally like and I'm concerned it's too much of a specialist rock amp without a lot of clean head-room. As a Fender-styled amp I thought the Therapy might be more versatile as well as being a little lighter. But it would be much pricier given I'd have to buy new.
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Post by benttop (Steve) on Mar 1, 2015 7:20:11 GMT -7
I don't think I'm necessarily looking for "Z tone" because I'm not totally clear what that is. The attraction with the Zs is that they are reasonably light, and have an excellent reputation for build quality and I've liked the tones I'm hearing in demo clips. Alternatives I've considered - Fender Supersonic head (but don't trust their QC), Suhr Badger (a bit too Marshally in clips), Jackson Newcastle 30 (rare in the UK), Two Rock (not sure they are versatile enough and on-line feedback on their smaller amps seems very mixed). My main reservations about the Remedy are it's still a bit heavier than I'd ideally like and I'm concerned it's too much of a specialist rock amp without a lot of clean head-room. As a Fender-styled amp I thought the Therapy might be more versatile as well as being a little lighter. But it would be much pricier given I'd have to buy new. Based on your stated needs I think the Therapy fits you to a "T" - even though it will cost more, I'm pretty sure you will be very pleased with it. I have both here as well, and love both. But I sure wouldn't take the Remedy out on a Jazz gig if I had the Therapy sitting there. The biggest decision you'll have will be the flavor of speaker. You can alter the tone of the amp pretty dramatically by dropping in a different flavor there. Dr. Z recommends the V30, but I've seen guys go from that to very American flavored speakers, and everyone seems to like something a tad different. You may have to try a few before you settle on one specific type. If you're really liking the Fender vib, you might start out with one of the American voiced speakers. I had a Celestion Alnico Gold already in my Z 1x12 convertible, and I love its sound. No telling if you'd like it without you playing it.
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Post by Ed M. on Mar 1, 2015 7:22:37 GMT -7
It sounds like you may prefer the Therapy from your description but you can't go wrong with either one. On a practical note if you can get a Remedy used at a decent price and decide it's not for you, you won't take much of a hit if you decide to sell it. I've had both and I think the descriptions are pretty accurate. The Therapy has a smoother overdrive than the Remedy and is a little more touch sensitive. You also feel a little more connected to the Therapy like your playing the guitar and the amp instead of playing your guitar through the amp. Again your can't go wrong with either one
-ed
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Post by battersbee on Mar 1, 2015 9:31:07 GMT -7
If price weren't an issue I'd get the Therapy. I have the option of good condition Remedy for around the £900-£950 mark. The Therapy lists at £1350 (a new Remedy is £1550). So on the face of it the Remedy is a much better deal. Not if I don't gel with it and have to re-sell though - even though the asking price is fair it's too much of a niche item to be an easy sell if I don't keep it.
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rmutt
Junior Member
Posts: 67
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Post by rmutt on Mar 2, 2015 20:42:14 GMT -7
I agree with the above- sounds like the Therapy will fit you well. That said, the Remedy is a sweet ride. Like a Ferrari, its got the grit and grind that is totally addictive, but maybe not the ride you want to pick your inlaws up at the airport.
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Post by JeffG on Mar 3, 2015 21:42:17 GMT -7
I don't think I'm necessarily looking for "Z tone" because I'm not totally clear what that is. The attraction with the Zs is that they are reasonably light, and have an excellent reputation for build quality and I've liked the tones I'm hearing in demo clips. Alternatives I've considered - Fender Supersonic head (but don't trust their QC), Suhr Badger (a bit too Marshally in clips), Jackson Newcastle 30 (rare in the UK), Two Rock (not sure they are versatile enough and on-line feedback on their smaller amps seems very mixed). My main reservations about the Remedy are it's still a bit heavier than I'd ideally like and I'm concerned it's too much of a specialist rock amp without a lot of clean head-room. As a Fender-styled amp I thought the Therapy might be more versatile as well as being a little lighter. But it would be much pricier given I'd have to buy new. I haven't played a Therapy so others may better advice than I do but I can say that in my amp search (which finally ended with the Remedy) I considered all of those same amps: Suhr, Supersonic, Jackson, etc. In other words, I've been in your shoes and ended up with the Remedy and haven't looked back. Love love love this amp.
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Post by battersbee on Mar 7, 2015 11:02:25 GMT -7
Thanks very much for the assistance guys. Bit up in the air at the moment as my band is going through one of those phases when you wonder if it's wise to be spending money on an amp that will be mainly for that band. So I'm minded to hold fire a bit. OTOH a 25th Anniversary Carmen Ghia has also come us as an option so there's that to think about - the ultra light weight really appeals, but I worry it won't be loud enough.
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Post by DRem on Mar 10, 2015 22:54:32 GMT -7
Can the therapy get you dirty tones at any volume, then use the volume on the guitar?
I'm a strat player with a remedy and I find it hard to beat. Just to use amp and guitar with no effects. Love the eq bypass. You can use that as a solo boost for extra gain, it can be clean with lots of headroom (40watt setting, master all the way up)
Would users of the therapy say the can use there amp like that? Cover lots of music styles?
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Post by nmz on Mar 10, 2015 23:06:44 GMT -7
Can the therapy get you dirty tones at any volume, then use the volume on the guitar? I'm a strat player with a remedy and I find it hard to beat. Just to use amp and guitar with no effects. Love the eq bypass. You can use that as a solo boost for extra gain, it can be clean with lots of headroom (40watt setting, master all the way up) Would users of the therapy say the can use there amp like that? Cover lots of music styles? Yes but no EQ-Bypass, you will have to use a pedal.
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