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Post by aj1169 on Dec 4, 2006 18:40:23 GMT -7
I'm looking at getting either the Stang Ray or RxES as my next Z amp, and I have a question about the volume. I play mostly country and a little classic rock, but mostly I go for a nice tight clean tone with maybe a little hair on it. All my guitars are single coil strats and teles. Between these two amps, which one would you say is louder, the Ray or the RxES? I know there's a pretty big difference in the gain structure of each amp, but what about volume? I got a chance to play a Stang Ray recently and loved it, however I'm waiting to try the RxES before making my final decision. Thanks
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Post by Shannon on Dec 4, 2006 19:11:40 GMT -7
I was in a similar situation today at a Chinese restaurant. Couldn't decide between the Tso or the Sesame chicken. I went ahead and got both. Seriously, I don't have any experience with the Rx ES, but I think the Ray is great for what you described. I play in two bands, one a 3 piece (bluesy) and one a 5 piece (blues). I've never had a problem with the level in either. Don't get me wrong, it's loud, but very manageable.
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Post by benttop (Steve) on Dec 4, 2006 20:02:44 GMT -7
The RXES has a bit more power I think. If I'm not mistaken, the RXES is around 45 watts, while the Stingray is around 30 watts. Now if you put the Stingray through the Alnico Blues (102db sensitivity) and you put the RXES through some ceramic speaker (at about 99db or 100db or so sensitivity) they are going to seem almost identical volume wise. You wouldn't put the RXES through Alnico Blues (too much power), so there you have it. They are about the same...
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Post by JASON (aka jgleaton) on Dec 4, 2006 22:43:48 GMT -7
I have both. RX ES is louder IMO... But the RX can also be played at lower pretty managable volumes, and has anywhere from a little hair on it, to full on drive... it can be a beast, one loud amp. the Stingray CAN be loud, the RX IS loud. But benttop is right the volume you perceive can change with both using different speakers and tube swaps could lower the headroom on the RX to a more managable level... I bought my airbreak because of the RX... can run both of em together... RAY on about 6-7 and the RX on about 3-4 and they sound pretty even and VERY LOUD. Huge sound.. don't know where I'd ever be able to use it....
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Post by Bill on Dec 5, 2006 5:55:30 GMT -7
Honestly I wouldn't base your decision on which one is louder...they are both plenty loud and if you want louder yet, use TWO efficient speakers. Rather, base your decision on which one serves your tone needs better.
We're using one of each in my new band (both using 1x12 cabinets) and the two amps work well together. When we trade off solos (he's much better than me!) his sounds more "rockish" because he runs the overdose on and there is more drive. My solos are spanky, clean, and more "country"... the RC will put a little hair on it, but the feel is in general more clean and sparkly. I also have a Keeley BD-2 that I love with the 'Ray for getting a more rock or modern country tone.
I know it's hard to line both up for a demo, but if you can...they really are quite different amps. If Z comes out with the RxES and Stang Ray 1x12 combo, that will be great for players like myself.
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Post by dock66 on Dec 5, 2006 7:19:02 GMT -7
Both amps are different with respect to their own unique tonal characters.These are tone monster amps,it would be hard to pick one over the other IMO.If opportunity presents,get both and you can A/B for the ultimate tonal rigs. ;D ;D
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Post by dock66 on Dec 5, 2006 7:24:30 GMT -7
Oh,as far as volume....RxES is louder, to my ears anyways.
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Post by Curt on Dec 5, 2006 7:40:00 GMT -7
The RXES is an awesome amp, many more tones in the amp itself, very satisfying to play. My time with a 'Ray was very limited but I do know it has little to no 'Hair" on the notes by itself.
Of course slap a pedal in front and your set, one thing is, they both sound awesome even at low levels, but to me the RXES has the edge on versatility and volume YMMV.
I concur with Madison, If Doc pops out with a 1x12 offering in these two models I'll be stumped, I'll get one, but which will be a tough, tough decision.
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Post by aj1169 on Dec 5, 2006 7:55:31 GMT -7
Thanks for the info guys. I think I may end up getting an airbrake as well whenever I make my decision to help control the volume in certain situations. This brings me to my next question, can the RxES get the same not definition and chime as the Ray at clean settings? The only reason I'm holding off on buying the Ray now is that I think I may find the versatility of the RxES with its added drive more appealing for certain situations. I know you can't really have your cake and eat it to, but the perfect situation for me would be the clean of the Ray (or close to it), with the extra drive of the Rx if needed. By the way, I will be running whichever I get through a Celestion Gold speaker.
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Post by JASON (aka jgleaton) on Dec 5, 2006 8:34:29 GMT -7
Thanks for the info guys. I think I may end up getting an airbrake as well whenever I make my decision to help control the volume in certain situations. This brings me to my next question, can the RxES get the same not definition and chime as the Ray at clean settings? The only reason I'm holding off on buying the Ray now is that I think I may find the versatility of the RxES with its added drive more appealing for certain situations. I know you can't really have your cake and eat it to, but the perfect situation for me would be the clean of the Ray (or close to it), with the extra drive of the Rx if needed. By the way, I will be running whichever I get through a Celestion Gold speaker. ummm yea I'd wait and try an RX ES... think you might just like it... Can the RxES get the same note definition and chime as the Ray at clean settings? YES almost, just a little different... but beautiful... it was and still is ( and is why I bought my RX ES), one of the most beautiful cleans I'd ever heard until I heard the Stingray... especially in the Low input without the overdose... which is how I use it and you turn it up and get a little hair on it and has more clean headroom. but you always have that overdose and the high input if ya wanna rock out...very versatile. it's just got that wonderful clean to boot... thats why they are saying it's more versatile cause it's almost as sparkling and can touch on the Ray, sound great at lower volumes and you can still get the drive all Without pedals... don't get me wrong the RAY with the right pedal can do almost anything but theRX ES can do it without a pedal... OR with a pedal.... would sound KILLER with a Gold too.... BTW You CAN have your cake and eat it too....
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Post by dock66 on Dec 5, 2006 8:38:26 GMT -7
RXES can get nice clean tone and chime close enough to StingRay, IMO.I use low input for clean,and hi input with overdose for a nice boost . Celestion Gold would be a fantastic speaker as well.Either way You can't go wrong.
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Post by dock66 on Dec 5, 2006 9:00:46 GMT -7
Jgleaton has both amps and more, 2 StingRays ,RxES and original Rx.He could definitely tell you all you need to know about those amps.
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Post by Curt on Dec 5, 2006 9:35:19 GMT -7
My current fav with the RXES is; Lo Imput OD on; to me it sounds alot like a fatter more powerful Ghia with GOBs of chime, definition and detail..roll the Guitar volume wide open and it has just the right "hair" for me...I DIG the RXES.
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Post by aj1169 on Dec 5, 2006 9:36:59 GMT -7
Cool! Thanks for all the help. It looks like I'll wait a little bit and try out the RxES. Who knows, I may just end up with both at some point, though I would have to do something really nice for the wife to stay out of the dog house.
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Post by JASON (aka jgleaton) on Dec 5, 2006 9:46:50 GMT -7
Jgleaton has both amps and more, 2 StingRays ,RxES and original Rx.He could definitely tell you all you need to know about those amps. hey, looks like you got just about all of em too... and you've got an SRZ 65! you da man! no... YOU da man!
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Post by dock66 on Dec 5, 2006 10:00:06 GMT -7
Jgleaton has both amps and more, 2 StingRays ,RxES and original Rx.He could definitely tell you all you need to know about those amps. hey, looks like you got just about all of em too... and you've got an SRZ 65! you da man! no... YOU da man! Hey Jason, It looks like you are going to catch up with Myles soon with your Z collections. YOU da Man! ;D
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Post by dock66 on Dec 5, 2006 10:04:25 GMT -7
Curt,YOU da MAN too,Great White Shark you are!
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Post by Don on Dec 6, 2006 21:11:03 GMT -7
I was in a similar situation today at a Chinese restaurant. Couldn't decide between the Tso or the Sesame chicken. Hey Shannon - They've got Chinese food in Alabama?
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Post by JASON (aka jgleaton) on Dec 6, 2006 22:02:13 GMT -7
I was in a similar situation today at a Chinese restaurant. Couldn't decide between the Tso or the Sesame chicken. Hey Shannon - They've got Chinese food in Alabama? Yes, we do but it is eaten v e r y s l o w l y with 3 syllables and a drawl... ;D
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Post by Shannon on Dec 7, 2006 22:55:22 GMT -7
I was in a similar situation today at a Chinese restaurant. Couldn't decide between the Tso or the Sesame chicken. Hey Shannon - They've got Chinese food in Alabama? Of course. If you've never had grits cooked in a wok, you haven't lived!
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