|
Post by vrdl87 on Nov 3, 2015 6:09:08 GMT -7
I have quite an amp-dilemma going on over here in Norway. A true first world problem! :-P I have got hold on two vintage blackface Fender-amps. A '64 SR and a '65 DR. They are mine to buy, if I want to. The price is going to be around 3.000 USD for one of them. As if I did not have a hard enough time deciding between the two, the Dr. Z Z-lux show up in my web browser. And now, it's between the 3 amps mentioned.
I really want this to be my "last" amp, as I've been searching for some time. My preference is: I love crystal clean Fender-tones, lots of headroom, response in picking, 3D sound, reverb, tremolo, as little maintenance as possible, and portability (less weight). I play 80% at home, in my apartment, and 20% in small club venues un-miced. How does the Z-lux compare/stand up to the two BF-amps, like the SR and the DR?
Hope for some answers/discussion.
vrdl87
|
|
|
Post by premiumplus (Dave) on Nov 3, 2015 7:03:39 GMT -7
First off, welcome to Z-Talk! Right now I've got my 1967 DR sitting next to my Z-Lux in my studio, and I was comparing the two yesterday. I can get very, very similar tones out of the two amps. They both have that 3D sound, attack, and wonderful Fendery chime that is so cool. But the Z-Lux has a lot more headroom than the DR. Plus it's got a superb master volume and you can get any range of preamp drive you like without blowing the roof off. Unless you want to. I'd say that the Z-Lux has as much if not more headroom than the SR. And it's WAY easier to carry. The vintage Fender tremolo is nice but the Z-Lux is quieter, lush, and it comes on instantly because it doesn't use an optical coupler in the circuitry. The reverb is comparable between the two. All three amps are built like tanks, but the Z uses fiberglass turret boards which will be immune to the so-called "Fenderitis" that happens to some old Fenders when the wax-impregnated eyelet circuit boards get moist and begin to conduct electrically. Good luck in your decision! Every amp I buy is my "Last" amp, until I get the "Next" one...
|
|
|
Post by vrdl87 on Nov 3, 2015 7:19:44 GMT -7
First off, welcome to Z-Talk! Right now I've got my 1967 DR sitting next to my Z-Lux in my studio, and I was comparing the two yesterday. I can get very, very similar tones out of the two amps. They both have that 3D sound, attack, and wonderful Fendery chime that is so cool. But the Z-Lux has a lot more headroom than the DR. Plus it's got a superb master volume and you can get any range of preamp drive you like without blowing the roof off. Unless you want to. I'd say that the Z-Lux has as much if not more headroom than the SR. And it's WAY easier to carry. The vintage Fender tremolo is nice but the Z-Lux is quieter, lush, and it comes on instantly because it doesn't use an optical coupler in the circuitry. The reverb is comparable between the two. All three amps are built like tanks, but the Z uses fiberglass turret boards which will be immune to the so-called "Fenderitis" that happens to some old Fenders when the wax-impregnated eyelet circuit boards get moist and begin to conduct electrically. Good luck in your decision! Every amp I buy is my "Last" amp, until I get the "Next" one... Thanks a lot for sharing your thoughts! I really appreciate the comparisions you've made, and I'll bring it with me when it's time to make the decision. I also have a Fender Princeton RRI '65, which is getting the axe to finance either of the 3 amps mentioned. Have you ever tried a PRRI, to compare with the Z-Lux, in case of response and 3D-sound (obviously without comparing the headroom)? :-)
|
|
|
Post by premiumplus (Dave) on Nov 3, 2015 10:15:01 GMT -7
Never played a Princeton other than my 1960 Tweed.
|
|
|
Post by vrdl87 on Nov 3, 2015 11:15:50 GMT -7
The Z-Lux is SS-rectifier and the mentioned BF-models are all tube. How different does that make the Z-lux from the original BF-amps?
|
|
|
Post by wraparound (Steve) on Nov 3, 2015 14:25:10 GMT -7
Had several Super Reverbs (both Black and early Silver panel). Had a nice Deluxe too. Consistency demands the Z product in my opinion. I mean, the old Fender's are what they are ( some great, some average ) and old amps need care to sound right. I've toasted caps on plenty of 'em. As for the rectifier, YES that is part of the whole but would not impact so much lower volume playing especially with a GZ34 which can be pretty solid. SS recto is going to keep things a bit tighter with the 6v6.
|
|
|
Post by shiner51 on Nov 3, 2015 15:24:29 GMT -7
My preference would be: 1. Z-lux 2. Super 3. Deluxe
I just sold a Deluxe Reissue to fund the purchase of the Z-Lux and still have a Super reissue and have owned a vintage Blackface Super. For the 3000.00 price tag you mentioned, you can get a Z-Lux and a few nice pedals to go with it and have a brand new amp that will do everything the other two will and more, and at bedroom levels. I still love my Super reissue for its glassy 3D tone but find the Z-Lux to be very close and with the master volume, wattage switch and boost, you have more possibilities. I like the S-lux tremolo better than the Fender. I also find the Z-Lux a be very easy on my 64 year old back when transporting. Oh yeah.......the Z-Lux can get LOUD!
|
|
|
Post by dgabbear on Nov 3, 2015 18:18:16 GMT -7
First of all, thinking that if you plan on playing in an apartment, I would definitely cross the Super Reverb off your list, unless you plan on using an attenuator. Although a great amp, it can be too much amp both in volume and weight. $3000 seems kind of high for that amp too, but I haven't checked vintage prices lately. 2nd if these vintage pieces are in awesome shape, you risk damage associated with gigging. As gingerly as I try to treat my stuff on gigs, they take a beating. That is to be expected as they are tools of my trade. My Maz and Ghia are build like brick houses and have stood up to many gigs. Just because these Fenders are desirable vintage models , doesn't necessarily make them "the holy grail". You may end up spending more for those vintage Fenders just to get them up to snuff, as some of those components may be 50+ years old. The best way to find out what will suit your needs (if you have the capacity to)is to play and compare all three. Benefit of the Z-lux as mentioned is a master volume, newer components, and wattage switch. boost etc. Although I have yet to play the ZLux, this is the route I would go. From my readings, this amp offers everything and more than one of those vintage pieces. If you gig a lot, you would probably feel less devastated if someone walked out of a joint with your Z Lux (because it is replaceable) than an original DR.
|
|
|
Post by freddieg on Nov 3, 2015 19:07:27 GMT -7
Check out a Z-28. 22 watts, 6V6 tubes. Perfect for home use and small clubs if you want a cleaner tone.
Not trying to talk you out of the Z-Luxe but "Dr. Z-Watts" are louder than everybody else's watts.
And it is available in a 1x10 combo, can't beat the portability. And the price is much lower as well.
I have a Carmen Ghia, and I can't imagine a gig that I would play where the 18 watt Ghia would not be enough power.
The Z 28 is next on my list. I would love to have a Z Lux but I will never need 40 watts.
If you really want super clean 6L6 tone, go look at the EZG50. But it will be heavy...
|
|
|
Post by zpilot on Nov 3, 2015 22:43:55 GMT -7
If you really want this to be your last amp buy the Z. I don't have a Z-lux but I have a JAZ and they are close. The quality of construction of any Z is such that it will last the rest of your life with reasonable care and maintenance. Those Fenders were built with similar quality but they are already 50 years old. Anything in them can be replaced if necessary but it reduces the resale value, if that is an issue with you.
I love old Fenders. I've owned almost every Blackface amp at one time and will always have at least one around. However, the only amps I play out now are Z's. I even sold a Blackface SR to fund the purchase of my JAZ.
Some folks look at vintage amps as an investment though. If that is the going price for those Fenders where you live the price will probably never go down and almost surely increase. Prices are down a little now from where they were before the recession. If that is a concern of yours then you might want to go with a Fender.
|
|
|
Post by JASON (aka jgleaton) on Nov 3, 2015 23:08:39 GMT -7
Z-LUX.
|
|
|
Post by kenbrolux on Nov 4, 2015 8:23:38 GMT -7
I've never played a Z-Lux and have owned several Deluxe Reverbs and still own a silverface. That being said, I'd go with the Z-Lux. I have a Maz Junior 2x10 and, as of yesterday, a Remedy--in rough terms, the front and back end of a Z-lux respectively. The Maz has a lot of the charm and sparkle of a Deluxe but has much better bass response and is far more versatile. I would a imagine a Maz with four 6v6s, tremolo, an American-style speaker, and a half-power switch would be even closer to a Deluxe Reverb. If I could afford a Z-Lux, I'd have one. And the fact that it's far less than $3000 USD is the icing on the cake.
A Deluxe Reverb is a great amp, maybe even my "desert island" amp, but it's not for everybody--it can be shrill and yet loose (in the bass) at the same time. They're also inconsistent--some vintage Deluxes are magical, and others are a little ratty sounding. I agree with everyone about the questionable reliability of a 50-year-old amp, regardless of how well-built originally. Other points to consider are that the Deluxe Reverb has no mid-range control or master volume, and it has a hard-wired bright cap--if you want a fat and round sound, you've got to crank it far past apartment levels.
|
|
|
Post by vrdl87 on Nov 5, 2015 11:19:40 GMT -7
Thanks a lot for all the replies! Keep 'em coming :-) I read each and every thought on the subject, and add (almost) everything to my reflections. How about some video/sound samples? Not much on YT.
|
|
|
Post by KeithA on Nov 5, 2015 12:29:01 GMT -7
Thanks a lot for all the replies! Keep 'em coming :-) I read each and every thought on the subject, and add (almost) everything to my reflections. How about some video/sound samples? Not much on YT. I would think these two videos are enough !
|
|