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Post by prsnstrat on Feb 17, 2007 9:55:16 GMT -7
Hey fellow Z-natics! I am thinking of adding another Z amp to my stable and I want something (head) in the 30-40 watt range. I am torn between the two big daddy's...the Stangray and the RxES. I am playing mostly modern stuff, Sublime to Weezer and back to some country/roots stuff. We play our own stuff too, so I want something with it's own voice that is versatile as heck, and will take all OD/modulation pedals like a charm. I'm playing mostly a strat and a PRS McCarty. I've thought about a Maz Sr. but i already have a jr...so I dunno. Hope you guys can chime in and offer some rational advice for me. I am at that stage where I am starting to wig out just a bit...too many cool Z's!! Thanks, Brandon
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Post by Hohn on Feb 17, 2007 14:03:26 GMT -7
I don't much about the ES other than what I've read on here and heard on the clips.
I love my 'Ray, but I think that the "mostly modern" part of your post would point towards the ES over the Ray. The Ray is an incredibly versatile amp, but it depends on the pedals and stuff you feed it. The ES has more options built into the amp vis a vis EQ and such.
I'm convinced that the Ray can pull of almost anything, but it's probably not as "modern" sounding as an ES.
Both are incredible amps. Of course, I hear that running them BOTH sounds OK, or at least Brad P seems to think so:)
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Post by DRZ on Feb 17, 2007 16:34:44 GMT -7
Hohn's reply pretty spot on to me.
To my ear no better clean tone then the StangRay, but the RX ES has lot's of delicious tone available.
DR.Z
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Post by prsnstrat on Feb 17, 2007 20:57:01 GMT -7
Thanks Hohn and Dr. Z (honored) for the great feedback, I guess I should clarify that while we do play some modern rock like All American Rejects, and Weezer/Sublime/Originals, but no metal, no chuga chuga stuff. We do dabble in some country and some Doyle Bramhall II kind of stuff too...that's why I want the most versatility. Will both the 'Ray and the 'ES both take pedals equally well? I like to use a lot of 'dirt' pedals...sort of an addiction. Thanks again, keep 'em coming!
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Post by JASON (aka jgleaton) on Feb 17, 2007 21:36:17 GMT -7
Thanks Hohn and Dr. Z (honored) for the great feedback, I guess I should clarify that while we do play some modern rock like All American Rejects, and Weezer/Sublime/Originals, but no metal, no chuga chuga stuff. We do dabble in some country and some Doyle Bramhall II kind of stuff too...that's why I want the most versatility. Will both the 'Ray and the 'ES both take pedals equally well? I like to use a lot of 'dirt' pedals...sort of an addiction. Thanks again, keep 'em coming! The short answer is Yes... they both take pedals well. I swear you cannot go wrong with either... The RX ES doesn't get the credit it's due sometimes... it is an amazing amp and has a CLEAN thats as good as your gonna get except for the Ray!! The RX ES has more Hair to it and gets a little louder overall than the RAY, you really don't need a pedal with it as it can get a great GRIND all by itself.. OR you can set it up with some hair on it then hit it with a pedal and WOW... WOW. the sound is articulate and if I had to describe it ... COMPLEX. The RAY has almost total clean headroom with a clarity and smooth sound that has to be heard to be believed, Also complexity with alot of harmonic content to BOTH of these amps... just not nearly as much hair with the RAY and no grind like the RX ES... But when you hit the RAY with a pedal.... with pedals it can get thick and hairy... the RAY LOVES a great BOOST pedal and use a boost for hair ( or a guitar with hotter p-ups) then use an overdrive pedal on top of the boost and stand back... yea it's versatile with pedals. You can't go wrong with EITHER... need to find one and play them IF you can? if I had to choose for versatility of styles I might go with the RX ES... JMHO and an Airbreak. hope it helps, Jason
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Post by Bill on Feb 18, 2007 7:52:57 GMT -7
Jason just described the two perfectly. I'll just add that I've been using a Stingray at practices and gigs since last May, and last week got lazy and didn't take it...instead opting to use the bass players RxES/ Mesa 2x12 closed back cab.
I liked it enough to where I'm planning to use his rig again this week. Not that it's "better", but that each amp is so good I wouldn't have any qualms about using either. I've said it here before, and Jason said it above...the RxES is more aggressive and percussive in tone and attack, the Stang Ray is smoother and thicker. Using pedals can get either amp to cross into each others zone to a degree.
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Post by Curt on Feb 18, 2007 9:02:26 GMT -7
While I ultimatly found the RXES to be too powerful for my needs it is a truely amazing Amp that made me smile EVERY time I plugged in, I've not had that with any other amp, the others had it at first then I would get used to their 'stuff', the RXES is big grin everytime FWIW.
$0.02
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Post by Tom the Guitar Guy on Feb 19, 2007 12:23:11 GMT -7
Well, my vote would be for the RxES. Absolutely great tone - takes pedals very well, and can be very very versatile. In the Open Mic Jam that I host, I have to go from oldies to classic rock to blues to blues rock to weezer to sublime to - oh you get the point!
Handles all of those duties very well, and with this assortment of pedals, there's not too much that I can't cover. And when I just want to do some modern country, all the pedals get turned off!
Hope this helps.
tomtheguitarguy
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Post by prsnstrat on Feb 19, 2007 13:09:18 GMT -7
Well, my vote would be for the RxES. Absolutely great tone - takes pedals very well, and can be very very versatile. In the Open Mic Jam that I host, I have to go from oldies to classic rock to blues to blues rock to weezer to sublime to - oh you get the point! Handles all of those duties very well, and with I disagreeortment of pedals, there's not too much that I can't cover. And when I just want to do some modern country, all the pedals get turned off! Hope this helps. tomtheguitarguy Boy does it ever! Thanks so much. Brandon
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Post by dock66 on Feb 19, 2007 13:24:08 GMT -7
I'd say both will do. Life is too short ;D.
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Post by prsnstrat on Feb 19, 2007 14:05:24 GMT -7
Now THAT would be great! Which one do you like better?
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Post by benttop (Steve) on Feb 19, 2007 14:34:46 GMT -7
"disagreeortment" ?? that filter is too funny!
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Post by dock66 on Feb 19, 2007 14:39:46 GMT -7
Now THAT would be great! Which one do you like better? These are like my children,they all receive the same love. ;D Brandon,you can't go wrong with any of these amps,with the right pedals the possibilities are endless. Although,I'd recommend an AirBrake with RxEs if you're going that route.
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Post by prsnstrat on Feb 19, 2007 14:45:50 GMT -7
Now THAT would be great! Which one do you like better? These are like my children,they all receive the same love. ;D Brandon,you can't go wrong with any of these amps,with the right pedals the possibilities are endless. Although,I'd recommend an AirBrake with RxEs if you're going that route. I hear ya...I often thought about the Ghia for it's lower wattage...but the ES so intrigues me that I must explore it before I do that...maybe I will eventually get both. I plan on using a Hot Plate with the ES. Thanks again!! B
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Post by dock66 on Feb 19, 2007 14:49:27 GMT -7
These are like my children,they all receive the same love. ;D Brandon,you can't go wrong with any of these amps,with the right pedals the possibilities are endless. Although,I'd recommend an AirBrake with RxEs if you're going that route. I hear ya...I often thought about the Ghia for it's lower wattage...but the ES so intrigues me that I must explore it before I do that...maybe I will eventually get both. I plan on using a Hot Plate with the ES. Thanks again!! B You are quite welcome. It sounds like RxEs got your attention.
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Post by prsnstrat on Feb 19, 2007 15:22:54 GMT -7
Yes those Paisley clips really got me.
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Post by prsnstrat on Feb 22, 2007 15:26:00 GMT -7
I hear ya...I often thought about the Ghia for it's lower wattage...but the ES so intrigues me that I must explore it before I do that...maybe I will eventually get both. I plan on using a Hot Plate with the ES. Thanks again!! B You are quite welcome. It sounds like RxEs got your attention. Do you miss the reverb on the RxES?
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Post by aj1169 on Feb 23, 2007 7:30:35 GMT -7
I can't speak for the RxES, but I currently own a Ghia, MAZ Jr. non-reverb, and I have a StangRay on order. As you can see, none of these amps have reverb. The Z amps are the only clean sounding amps that I don't miss reverb on. When playing a Fender amp, I always had a little reverb going. Not so with the Z's. The Maz and StangRay have an effects loop that I thought about running a reverb pedal in if I missed that sound, but honestly I haven't even tried it yet. These amps sound so complex and harmonically rich on their own, I don't think they need reverb. Just my two cents.
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Post by prsnstrat on Feb 23, 2007 13:16:24 GMT -7
I can't speak for the RxES, but I currently own a Ghia, MAZ Jr. non-reverb, and I have a StangRay on order. As you can see, none of these amps have reverb. The Z amps are the only clean sounding amps that I don't miss reverb on. When playing a Fender amp, I always had a little reverb going. Not so with the Z's. The Maz and StangRay have an effects loop that I thought about running a reverb pedal in if I missed that sound, but honestly I haven't even tried it yet. These amps sound so complex and harmonically rich on their own, I don't think they need reverb. Just my two cents. Thanks aj, I appreciate the feedback. Come to think of it I usually have my Maz Jr reverb set to almost off anyway. Cool!
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Post by prsnstrat on Feb 28, 2007 23:08:32 GMT -7
I hear ya...I often thought about the Ghia for it's lower wattage...but the ES so intrigues me that I must explore it before I do that...maybe I will eventually get both. I plan on using a Hot Plate with the ES. Thanks again!! B You are quite welcome. It sounds like RxEs got your attention. It no doubt will get my attention and my attenuation.
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