|
Post by benttop (Steve) on Aug 12, 2006 11:38:32 GMT -7
I used the Stingray and the Flexi together again last night, and I have to say, this thing is LOUD! I had the Flexi wide open except for a bit left on the master, and the Stingray was drowning out the Flexi big time. It cuts through like no other amp I've ever owned. I know the Alnico Blues are more efficient, but wow! For the kinds of places I play, I can't see ever needing more than what this amp produces. But here's the best part - it is loud, but it SOUNDS GOOD TOO!
|
|
|
Post by billyguitar on Aug 12, 2006 13:58:56 GMT -7
Ain't it a shame that it doesn't have a half power switch. Myles says it wouldn't sound good, probably no worse than the Air Brake?
|
|
|
Post by benttop (Steve) on Aug 13, 2006 11:34:01 GMT -7
I think the Airbrake sounds fine. You have to realize your ears don't hear the same response at different volumes. You're not going to get much help from a simple device like the Airbrake in that regard. Switch to half power, and you just lost like 4X in the low frequencies due to the normal response of your ears. If you understand that, you start realizing the Airbrake is just doing its job - it's us that need a tweak...
|
|
|
Post by billyguitar on Aug 13, 2006 17:16:34 GMT -7
I like the air brake just fine. I usually turn the cut up a bit.
|
|
|
Post by mikep47 on Aug 14, 2006 14:43:10 GMT -7
You Ray guys are making me crazy.I am going in circles trying to figure out how to get ahold of one of these bad boys.I have found several in stock but the funds just arent there right now for me.Any donations are accepted,hehehe Seriously though sounds like everyone is loving these great amps.Hope to get me one real soon. Mike
|
|
|
Post by billyguitar on Aug 14, 2006 14:58:23 GMT -7
If you are considering one be sure and read all the threads. Another guy recently had the wrong impression. These are pretty low gain amps although cranked they can get into early Marshall territory. They don't distort as much as a top-boost Vox, for another reference point. Beautiful sounding amps.
|
|
|
Post by Bill on Aug 14, 2006 15:32:11 GMT -7
Just back from RMC where I had the Stangray 2x12 combo, Route 66/ZBest, and Maz Sr/ ZBest all lined up. The 'ray is one loud and thick sounding mutha. I half expected the 66 rig to have more bottom than the 'Ray...but it didn't. More drive & balls with the 66, but the 'ray just sounds SOOOOOOO big! I've got a RT 66 due in tomorrow, so once in my studio they can be put to the real test. ;D
|
|
|
Post by hdahs143 on Aug 14, 2006 16:33:39 GMT -7
The Stingray really is amazing and it keeps getting better! It is by far the best sounding most versatile amp I've ever owned. I keep finding more and more sounds everytime I play. With my Strat, a moderate ;D amount of volume, and my boost pedal, I was absolutely killing the old Bryan Adams sounds he used to get through his VOX. I had the MAZ SR/Z BEST setup, and loved it, but for me this amp is the shizzle! 3 knobs and 3 seconds to dial your sound in. I would like to try a RT 66, or if the DOC makes a 6L6 type amp in the future, I would want one, as Fender 6L6 amps are what I was weaned on. Could you imagine a DR Z 6L6 based amp with an EF86 front end? I can!
|
|
|
Post by Curt on Aug 15, 2006 9:02:32 GMT -7
Just back from RMC where I had the Stangray 2x12 combo, Route 66/ZBest, and Maz Sr/ ZBest all lined up. The 'ray is one loud and thick sounding mutha. I half expected the 66 rig to have more bottom than the 'Ray...but it didn't. More drive & balls with the 66, but the 'ray just sounds SOOOOOOO big! I've got a RT 66 due in tomorrow, so once in my studio they can be put to the real test. ;D Bill, The 'ray and a 66 sould KILL fo sho ;D
|
|
|
Post by kc on Aug 15, 2006 9:19:29 GMT -7
Just back from RMC where I had the Stangray 2x12 combo, Route 66/ZBest, and Maz Sr/ ZBest all lined up. The 'ray is one loud and thick sounding mutha. I half expected the 66 rig to have more bottom than the 'Ray...but it didn't. More drive & balls with the 66, but the 'ray just sounds SOOOOOOO big! I've got a RT 66 due in tomorrow, so once in my studio they can be put to the real test. ;D Madison, Would you consider comparing the Ray and Rte 66 using the same speakers - the Celestion Blues? I'd like to hear your take on that. kc
|
|
|
Post by Bill on Aug 15, 2006 9:41:38 GMT -7
kc, I definitely will...but it will be a comparison using the two amps through a Z 1x12 with an alnico 50w blue dog, and a Marshall 1960AX 4x12 with greenbacks, which I think the latter will be awesome with the Rt 66. At RMC the comparison was between a ZBest closed back, and the 'Ray combo...which of course is open back with two very efficient Celestion Blues. So, not the fairest comparison ground. At RMC the Tele was plugged straight in. I also want to compare the two using a couple pedals...RC Booster, Keeley TS9/808, and a Barber Tone Press. Curt, I have no doubt the two amps will be pretty spectacular! I should have my hands on the Route 66 around 4:00 this afternoon.
|
|
|
Post by Curt on Aug 15, 2006 9:49:06 GMT -7
Are ya droolin'? LOL
Got mine back from Doc yesterday...it just KILLS !! Love these amps (66's), For me the Weber Blue Dog 30 watt Alnico is the beeZ KneeZ with the 66.
|
|
|
Post by benttop (Steve) on Aug 15, 2006 19:12:58 GMT -7
I'm still floored by the volume of this rig compared to my 50-watt Flexi. Played it again last night, and the Stingray was just KILLING! Had the Hot Plate on the Flexi set to thru, and the Airbrake set one step down, and the Stingray was still louder than the Flexi. I did have the Master Volume engaged on the Flexi, so there was maybe a tad more volume left, but not much.
But the more interesting thing is that I played the Stingray on several tunes I hadn't previously. One didn't work as well as I wanted (need a pedal on that tune), but several just smoked! Even had a customer comment on the Stingray - he must have some Z knowledge because he could pick out which amp was on when I played.
Anyway, I hate to always be coming on here and going off about this amp, but it is a way cool sounding amp! I have a gig coming up on a boat, and to save space I've decided to bring only one amp, and it's going to be the Stingray and a pedal. Cool!
|
|
|
Post by Hohn on Aug 16, 2006 7:37:24 GMT -7
By all means-- keep going off on this amp.
I know I am:)
Happiness is a fulldrive MOSFET into a TS9 into a 'Ray:)
|
|
|
Post by benttop (Steve) on Aug 20, 2006 8:44:07 GMT -7
So yesterday I had two gigs - first up in the afternoon was the blues band and then the evening set with the covers band. I decided to use the Flexi and Stingray again because that's worked pretty nice so far. We got the first afternoon set out of the way and started the second set, when the Flexi suddenly produced a sound reminiscent of a blown speaker. ACK! So I finished out the second set with just the Stingray. Since I was getting my gain tones from the Flexi, that meant the rest of that set had only two options - the straight clean, and the tone I get from standing on the Radial JX-2's boost button. That produces about 6db of boost, which is sucked up by the Stingray's front end to produce a bit of overdrive. It wasn't the same as the Flexi, but damn, it was pretty nice! So I had a choice of driving back home between gigs (30 miles each way) to fetch my other Flexi or play the second gig with only the Stingray and boost. I decided for less driving - I don' t know about you guys, but a 60 mile drive terminating just five minutes before play time isn't my idea of a fun afternoon. And the Stingray - whoa! It totally rocked. There were a few tunes I typically use a bit more gain on, but they weren't suffering. The bass player came over after the first set and he was just slobbering all over me about that amp. I can see why - it just sounded fantastic. Made me work harder though - you can't hide behind anything when you're playing the Stingray - you better be on pitch, on tempo, and no mistakes tolerated, because it will all be instantly revealed!
|
|
|
Post by billyguitar on Aug 21, 2006 7:02:38 GMT -7
The cool thing about little mistakes and flubs is that to the listener it gives the player more musical personality. That's the thing i like about less gain. I've always felt that more gain just covers up the guitar's tone and the more subtle nuances of the player.
|
|
|
Post by guitarhero on Aug 23, 2006 19:10:04 GMT -7
My 66 is too loud for me and I was considering a Stang Ray, but it sounds like it may also have too much power. I like the amp to break up a little earlier. The Z-28 seems to be my best bet, but the Stang Ray has a sound that appeals to me more. Is it really as loud as a cranked 66?? I find that hard to believe. I can only crank my 66 when I am in a packed club full of sweaty dancers.
|
|
|
Post by Curt on Aug 23, 2006 19:42:59 GMT -7
yes, a 'ray is quite loud, so is a z/28 !!
Z/28 = 22 watts my arse !! more like a 35 watt amp IMO.
try a ghia or MAZ Jr NR.
|
|
|
Post by benttop (Steve) on Aug 23, 2006 19:44:07 GMT -7
Keep in mind that how loud it is will depend a GREAT deal on what speakers you use. With the Celestion Alnico Blues, I'm getting another 3 db, which is like turning a 30 watt amp into a 60 watt amp. If you run through speakers that are less efficient, it won't be nearly as loud.
|
|