ZLux vs 72 Fender Delux Reverb
Jan 14, 2016 22:03:35 GMT -7
heynewguy (Ol’ Bill), Jaguarguy (Mike), and 7 more like this
Post by curtisjames on Jan 14, 2016 22:03:35 GMT -7
Ok, was lucky enough to score a a mint 2nd hand Zlux .....and took possession of it today. The BEST side to side comparison I had was my insanely great Fender 72 Delux Reverb w a 12" Eminence legend, with two 6l6's in the power section. i paid ALOT of money for this classic Silver Face Fender since they are not all the same. Some are just OK, and some are legendary. This is in the latter camp, and employs everything that gives them their reputation. Black Faced, or not. This is not
In all fairness, and not turning up the Volume, and really putting the ZLux through its complete paces.....I heard enough to say: it's very rich sounding with more clean headroom on tap. It lives up to its rep in this arena. The Reverb is really really good as well. As good as the Fender 72, which isn't easy to do since Fender is known for its lush and rich reverbs. Better?......let's say, great or as good.
The 1/2 power switch just adds flexibility and in the 20wt mode, a little less headroom than when in 40wt. To be expected
I've owned older Z and this is the by far the newest Z I've ever owned....and the new cooling fan is dead quiet in comparison to the older Z's. A real relief.
Weight: It's not a feather weight....but not a lug either. Pretty comfortable and about the same as my 72. I didn't pick it up and go "Wow....this is light"! It's just comfortable, and doesn't need wheels added as some do
My 72 Delux Reverb doesn't have a mid control, which the Z does....and the Z's mid range EQ is nice. It, Actually makes my 72 sound "mid-rangy" don't think it's the Legend speaker either. 72; Still great, but I cant cut out that mid stuff that's just a perfect mix for MY ears. Ya know? The Z I can. I can fiddle with it. Cuz we like to fiddle with our gear. We're finicky that way. Whether it's the room, or any or other obsessive acute annoyance we hear....we fiddle to compensate for that day's variable.
Along with the Z's master volume....a huge huge benefit. Love the thickness of the low end I can dial in...think very full bass. I'm a sucker for it, as this speaker delivers just that: highs & lows (not overly honest or bright like a Celestian Gold though, and think would be too bright for this piece
Probably my al time favorite amp of the Z line was an original and the only 1x12" StingRay (which I regretfully sold). This new Z has all the portability and boat loads of cleanssss, that I've been missing since my El84 Sting Ray. A ton in fact....so my pedals aren't colored.
I'm very stoked I scored a relatively new Z amp, at a discount and feel very lucky to actually be excited again about a Z amp again.
I've owned a Ghia since the late 90's and still need a Ghia in my life.
So back to the comparison vs the 72 Delux. The 72 is a classic and there is no reason to sell it. I'd miss it in fact; But this Zlux has left me with more to discover with all the flexibly of the EQ, master vol, 1/2 power....full power, and both power and stand by toggles with easy access on the front panel. (Blind feel in the rear on the 72) The new Z speaker that "yet" has to be broken in. As well as this new to Z, imported pine wood cab.
I played a Chad Underwood Strat....and Underwood Tele through it today, and have to say this amp loves the single coils. They own each other if that makes sense. Haven't played the humbuky thru it yet.
As for the boost pedal, I don't care for it too much. Like all boosts, they add a lot of mid range punch I'm not too fond of. My volume control, and or vol pedal will handle the boost, and won't need the Z Pedal. Others may dig it. Just not my thing. The tremolo, and reverb pedal are really nice. As nice as my 72. Just great....vintage, Deep swells.....maybe a lil, new "sterile" but that again is the new amp sterile thing. This amp needs, and will be broken in. Matured, which my 72 obviously is. Electronics get better with time.....and become mature. Imagine in a few years, Zzzzschocking the mother board, running juice through its veins? I mean, This amp is really great now......Forget about it
Cant see why this won't be a classic for Z.
I've owned a StangRay, and an original StingRay, Carmen Ghias, and a Remedy Xtra Strength. This is a badass amp I'm going to gig....I'm sure
My 72 Fender Delux would get overwhelmed by the drummer if not Mic'd due to the lower wattage and get a Drowned out, or break up when I didn't want it too. This will not be a problem with the Dr Zlux. It just won't. It has way more power with a speaker that can handle the wattage
Looks wise: not that this matters much,..... but my Z has Red Tolex....with the wheat grill. Nice looking amp,but all Z's are.....lite enough......flexibility beyond the Siver Face classics, with the modern twists Z incorporates. I dig it. I'll gig it.
So to finish the comparison....everything my 72 Fender Delux has, and more. The Dr took a classic....and improved on it. That's not easy to do
like a good song or a standard that never gets old, the Zlux takes everything great from the great classic and tweaked enough to not copy, or emulate.....but improve on. It's a 4 6v6....vs the 2 6L6. Different animal that may seem the same when listening to other critics and players.... But when compared side by side, they are not the same at all. Love it
In all fairness, and not turning up the Volume, and really putting the ZLux through its complete paces.....I heard enough to say: it's very rich sounding with more clean headroom on tap. It lives up to its rep in this arena. The Reverb is really really good as well. As good as the Fender 72, which isn't easy to do since Fender is known for its lush and rich reverbs. Better?......let's say, great or as good.
The 1/2 power switch just adds flexibility and in the 20wt mode, a little less headroom than when in 40wt. To be expected
I've owned older Z and this is the by far the newest Z I've ever owned....and the new cooling fan is dead quiet in comparison to the older Z's. A real relief.
Weight: It's not a feather weight....but not a lug either. Pretty comfortable and about the same as my 72. I didn't pick it up and go "Wow....this is light"! It's just comfortable, and doesn't need wheels added as some do
My 72 Delux Reverb doesn't have a mid control, which the Z does....and the Z's mid range EQ is nice. It, Actually makes my 72 sound "mid-rangy" don't think it's the Legend speaker either. 72; Still great, but I cant cut out that mid stuff that's just a perfect mix for MY ears. Ya know? The Z I can. I can fiddle with it. Cuz we like to fiddle with our gear. We're finicky that way. Whether it's the room, or any or other obsessive acute annoyance we hear....we fiddle to compensate for that day's variable.
Along with the Z's master volume....a huge huge benefit. Love the thickness of the low end I can dial in...think very full bass. I'm a sucker for it, as this speaker delivers just that: highs & lows (not overly honest or bright like a Celestian Gold though, and think would be too bright for this piece
Probably my al time favorite amp of the Z line was an original and the only 1x12" StingRay (which I regretfully sold). This new Z has all the portability and boat loads of cleanssss, that I've been missing since my El84 Sting Ray. A ton in fact....so my pedals aren't colored.
I'm very stoked I scored a relatively new Z amp, at a discount and feel very lucky to actually be excited again about a Z amp again.
I've owned a Ghia since the late 90's and still need a Ghia in my life.
So back to the comparison vs the 72 Delux. The 72 is a classic and there is no reason to sell it. I'd miss it in fact; But this Zlux has left me with more to discover with all the flexibly of the EQ, master vol, 1/2 power....full power, and both power and stand by toggles with easy access on the front panel. (Blind feel in the rear on the 72) The new Z speaker that "yet" has to be broken in. As well as this new to Z, imported pine wood cab.
I played a Chad Underwood Strat....and Underwood Tele through it today, and have to say this amp loves the single coils. They own each other if that makes sense. Haven't played the humbuky thru it yet.
As for the boost pedal, I don't care for it too much. Like all boosts, they add a lot of mid range punch I'm not too fond of. My volume control, and or vol pedal will handle the boost, and won't need the Z Pedal. Others may dig it. Just not my thing. The tremolo, and reverb pedal are really nice. As nice as my 72. Just great....vintage, Deep swells.....maybe a lil, new "sterile" but that again is the new amp sterile thing. This amp needs, and will be broken in. Matured, which my 72 obviously is. Electronics get better with time.....and become mature. Imagine in a few years, Zzzzschocking the mother board, running juice through its veins? I mean, This amp is really great now......Forget about it
Cant see why this won't be a classic for Z.
I've owned a StangRay, and an original StingRay, Carmen Ghias, and a Remedy Xtra Strength. This is a badass amp I'm going to gig....I'm sure
My 72 Fender Delux would get overwhelmed by the drummer if not Mic'd due to the lower wattage and get a Drowned out, or break up when I didn't want it too. This will not be a problem with the Dr Zlux. It just won't. It has way more power with a speaker that can handle the wattage
Looks wise: not that this matters much,..... but my Z has Red Tolex....with the wheat grill. Nice looking amp,but all Z's are.....lite enough......flexibility beyond the Siver Face classics, with the modern twists Z incorporates. I dig it. I'll gig it.
So to finish the comparison....everything my 72 Fender Delux has, and more. The Dr took a classic....and improved on it. That's not easy to do
like a good song or a standard that never gets old, the Zlux takes everything great from the great classic and tweaked enough to not copy, or emulate.....but improve on. It's a 4 6v6....vs the 2 6L6. Different animal that may seem the same when listening to other critics and players.... But when compared side by side, they are not the same at all. Love it