Carmen Ghia vs M12 vs ???

[montana]

Hello all!

As you can tell I'm brand new here. I was reading up on some of the Ghia vs M12 threads but I figured I would ask the question with my terms and see what kind of response I get, you all seem like reasonable and knowledgable folk, so here we go. (I will try and be as specific and in-depth as I can, extra questions are also appreciated)

Being that it's tax time I'll be getting a decent return soon and I wanted to invest in a smaller but higher quality amplifier than the one I currently own. I have an old Fender Hotrod DeVille 212, and while I absolutely love it, this thing is 60 watts of loud that I just can't use in my current living situation.

I am mostly looking for an amp to practice and sometimes record with, but should the occasion arise, I'd like to be loud enough to keep up with a drummer/band un-mic'd in a practice setting (I would mic at a gig of course).
Beyond that, I would also like something which is a good pedal platform (I use 2 OD's, a fuzz, phaser, chorus & delay, though I am growing fonder of plugging in direct and using my controls) and I know that this is what the M12 was designed for, I just worry it wouldn't be as loud as I'd like. (I've seen a lot of people say that the Dr.Z amps are particularly loud though.) I also like the added tonal versatility of a treble and bass control instead of the Ghia's lone tone knob.

I am mostly a Fender man, I like the cleans, and I play a Strat for my main guitar, all SC pups. I want to be able to rock out too, not like metal, but I'd like to be able to get some Marshall-ish tones from an amp too.

I would be buying a combo, most likely with a 12" speaker, unless anyone can speak to the advantages of a 10".

My price range is between $1300-1400 FIRM I really don't have wiggle room with buying power, I need to save some money too haha

Also if anyone has any suggestions for other boutique-type amps in that price range that are <~30 watts that you think might better suit my needs, let me know. 

Thank you all so much for you time!

[southmusic70]

Take a look at the Z28 while you're at it.

[Deleted]

Don't stress about which one too much.

It'll be your first Z, not your last.

[Mark (Basement Enthusiast)]

There's nothing inherently wrong in going with a 1×10" amp, but something tells me you might be disappointed in doing that if you've been using a monster 2×12 amp. 1×12's are versatile and sound great.

The Z-28 would be worth a look for you, and also the MAZ 18 Jr. They're both "strat" amps in my opinion... that's largely the guitar I reach for with either of those 2 amps. Two of Dr. Z's best amps right there.

Also, Doc's amps are often considered "loud for their size," in that the 18-watt MAZ sometimes sounds & feels like a 40-watter. I strongly suggest trying to get a combo with a Brake Lite installed, so that you can dial back some volume when needed to be quieter. The Doc's attenuator works extremely well with his products--any "tone loss" is minimal to non-existant.

PS. If you're looking to keep costs down, definitely consider buying used.. especially if it's from somebody here on the forum. Dr. Z's amps are very well-built and durable; most of the used stuff that I've bought around here has been as good as new.

[digs57]

Agreed with mark...the maz 18 and z28 are a plug and play and pedal platform friendly...with the maz youll get a nice clean...but it wont be fender clean...it will be maz clean.

I don't have any extended experience with the z28...with maz 18 it will only encourage you to use less pedal's and plug and play for the tone it serves up with a strat.

[montana]

So I checked out the Maz 18 & Z28 today, I had no idea those amps were so affordable used, I hadn't really thought about that since I just assumed the used would be out of my price range. 

I seriously dig the Maz 18, I know theres a lot of players that really like that model. I like the 3 band EQ.

That said I can't go into the buy/sell/trade area yet, as I've not been a member for 30 days yet, so I'll have to wait until then to check that out. Depending on when my tax return comes in I may or may not try buying from someone on the forum.

Thank you all for your replies, very helpful! 

If anyone else has anything to add please do 

[freddieg]

A Ghia 1x10 combo with a Red Fang speaker will keep up with 90 % of bar gigs and rehearsals. And the portability / tone / value factor can't be beat. You can buy an amp head and buy a 1x10 cab later. The amp chassis fits into Dr Z 1x10 cabs, little work required on our end. I know you are new but there is usually a used Ghia on the BST at any given time.

The Ghia clean is not a Fender clean. It is clean ish with a little grit on it. But it rocks out with the best. And you won't need most of those pedals, maybe one boost or just ride your guitar volume for the solos.

A Z28 1x10 combo is probably closer to a Fender-y tone. But I don't own one.

I played a Fender Hot Rod 1x12 before the Ghia. Sold the Fender. Haven't missed it. My 2 cents.

[digs57]

another quick point going for the maz..is a master vol.As roscoe said it wont be your last if your on board w/z's

[paddywhacker]

....i think a Ghia is a must try amp for every guitar player alive....you can turn down and its a sweet pedal platform or you can plug straight in and rip it up....all with those two crazy knobs.....and a blue...

[msterling45]

Check out the dr z 2x10 cabs. I usually run a modded Marshall 1936 open back w/ 2 v30s but I took my 2x10 cab to my last pub gig and it kept up perfectly.... Those are some really special cabs

[uncleebeneezer]

Be warned on the Ghia, with a loud drummer/band you may run out of clean headroom (my current issue.) It can totally keep up with a loud band, volume-wise (and sounds great) but not without getting a bit into dirt territory. I think the Maz 18 has a bit more headroom than the CG and with the Master Volume (or especially a Brake Lite) you would have the best of both worlds.

[djcakadave]

Z-28, and if that don't do it for you, Therapy!

[thorquil]

I figured I'd revive an old thread instead of making a new one of the same title. Thinks kind of digressed from the original question here: what are some of the differences and similarities between the Carmen Ghia and the M12?

[doctorice]

M12

front end EF86 
tone control(s) 2 active 
basic character stays clean until pushed hard (without pedals, that is)
can be souped up to resemble a mini-Stangray
designed for clean headroom


Ghia

front end 12ax7 / 5751 (stock on older ones; can be used on any)
tone control(s) 1, presumably passive
basic character goes into crunchiness sooner, but very controllable with guitar
Marshall crossed with Vox vibe
designed to go from clean to crunch

Not sure that covers it and definitely not sure everyone would agree with my quick characterization. YMMV.

Added: I own both.