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Post by ss "Shane" on Jan 17, 2016 8:23:01 GMT -7
Ok, here's the thing I've learned about Z amps in general...I shouldn't buy a Z amp, use it for a few hours then post some sort of make shift review. I believe that with most Fender amps one can get away with this, but Z amps (IMO) are much more complex.
New owners or potential buyers, don't get caught up with the fact that the knobs are few or there may be no reverb. I strongly believe that you have to understand and get to know these amps, then once that's accomplished there is NO turning back. I've only owned two Z's, but each had its own map with different coordinates to greatness. Yes, this forum has helped greatly, but it takes time and patience. This is what puts Dr. Z above all in my mind.
I understand that each musician has a different ear, but Z has changed my outlook on what a guitar should sound like, and for the better I might add. The Therapy took time for me. Lots of time lol...but after that time I've come to realize that I've never acquired this kind of professional, full and clear tone.
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Post by benttop (Steve) on Jan 17, 2016 8:44:49 GMT -7
Well stated. I've done the same thing - post a review after an hour of playing, then realize the amp is significantly deeper in capability than what I'd given credit for. All of the Z amps I've owned are world class tone machines, and each definitely is different from all the others, with a wide palette of tones possible. It could be the Therapy has the widest palette of tones, but as I said, they are all pretty great.
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Post by doctorice on Jan 17, 2016 9:06:08 GMT -7
I'll echo Steve: Well stated. I also think it's helpful to evaluate Zs in performance settings as well as at home and/or studio. I realize many folks don't gig, so I don't mean their comments are to be discounted. Rather, how the amp responds live, e.g., sitting in the mix and cutting through when appropriate, is another aspect of understanding and learning to use these fine instruments.
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Post by ss "Shane" on Jan 17, 2016 9:17:08 GMT -7
Agreed Doctorice...my Therapy covers the bedroom practices and live events all just as well. The beauty for me is that I barely have to adjust my settings from the bedroom when playing out. It seems as if I can find my tone at home and use it with a band. Honestly I can't remember owning an amp like that, other than the Maz.
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Post by Rockerfeller on Jan 17, 2016 9:42:56 GMT -7
The most helpful type of reviews, at least from my perspective, must include how an amp sounds live. Almost any amp can sound good off stage in a room somewhere.
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Post by Deleted on Jan 17, 2016 10:07:59 GMT -7
I concur. I believe one must gig with a Dr Z to truly experience the magnificence of these amplifiers. I've played many amps, for many years, and I've never gotten as many compliments on my tone and playing as I do now. When you factor in all things we guitarists look for in amps; build quality, reliability, tone, versatility, dynamics, touch sensitivity, etc. all at a reasonable price, there isn't a better manufacturer out there today.
I learn new things about my Z amps everyday. Coming from an amp manufacturer known for knobs, switches, push pull pots, etc., it's hard to believe there can be so much versatility built into an amp with only a handful of knobs. They truly feel like an extension of your guitar.
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Post by Faze on Jan 17, 2016 14:16:30 GMT -7
I agree shane I plan on doing a actual review or like a shoot out between my 20th Anniversary Vibro King and my newly acquired Z-Lux. Yesterday I put hem back to back and went through a very calculated comparison and was quite shocked and surprised at how much the Z-Lux came very close to the Vibro King In tone. I was going to post a review but decided to wait and be more patient and do some more experimentation between the two. I will say this much The Z-Lux is way more versatile then The Vibro King. I could get the Z-Lux to sound almost identical to the Vibro King just by adjusting the bass up. The Z-Lux just has away more flexibility. Man I need to stop Im about to do a review right now!
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Post by markT on Jan 17, 2016 14:41:23 GMT -7
^^^^^ Randy...umm..I think you're in the wrong section.. I've owed many Z amp models and they all have strong points, fill certain niches and suit some better than others. That said, the Therapy is still my favorite Z flavor to date. Still waiting on that lightweight, Z Wreck combo style, Therapy combo! .......Doc?!?!?
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Post by Pete aka shouldb on Jan 17, 2016 15:46:49 GMT -7
You PLAY a Z amp............ you do not just play through one.......... Like any great instrument, time, patience, and effort are hugely rewarded! Nice post Shane
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Post by Faze on Jan 17, 2016 16:36:22 GMT -7
^^^^^ Randy...umm..I think you're in the wrong section.. I've owed many Z amp models and they all have strong points, fill certain niches and suit some better than others. That said, the Therapy is still my favorite Z flavor to date. Still waiting on that lightweight, Z Wreck combo style, Therapy combo! .......Doc?!?!? [b Thanks Mark I realized this was the therapy amp he was talking about I was just agreeing with him on the fact that you should play your Z amp for a while before you post a review on it. You always discover new things.
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Post by djcakadave on Jan 17, 2016 16:36:47 GMT -7
^^^^^ Randy...umm..I think you're in the wrong section.. I've owed many Z amp models and they all have strong points, fill certain niches and suit some better than others. That said, the Therapy is still my favorite Z flavor to date. Still waiting on that lightweight, Z Wreck combo style, Therapy combo! .......Doc?!?!? Mark I got your Therapy combo right here
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Post by daveyk on Jan 17, 2016 19:30:13 GMT -7
This is so true. I feel like the first year of owning my Maz 38 I was always still getting to know her. There are just so many different elements to its tone. Also, I had never owned a master volume amp before my Maz so getting used to the whole volume + master volume thing took some time to fully understand their interaction. I had only owned fenders that I feel were fairly easy to dial in simply because my fenders could only do the fender thing. My Maz has so many different voices it took me a while to find which voice I liked best. The knobs on my Maz actually make a difference when tweaked just a little bit it's crazy how capable this amp is and how you can always find a new voice. It definitely takes more than a few hours to really get to know your Z
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Post by pcns on Jan 17, 2016 19:47:51 GMT -7
Totally agree that live performance or at least with a band is a must to let the dynamics of the amp shine and to hear how well they cut thru the mix
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Post by JoeMo' on Jan 18, 2016 8:59:22 GMT -7
^^^^^ Randy...umm..I think you're in the wrong section.. I've owed many Z amp models and they all have strong points, fill certain niches and suit some better than others. That said, the Therapy is still my favorite Z flavor to date. Still waiting on that lightweight, Z Wreck combo style, Therapy combo! .......Doc?!?!? Another vote for the therapy combo!!
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Post by ss "Shane" on Jan 18, 2016 9:39:26 GMT -7
With suggestions like a Therapy combo it's inevitable that the good doc and his staff will have all my money in the end. My spending discipline wears thin in this forum lol.
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Post by simpleton on Feb 4, 2016 19:09:23 GMT -7
I've had 3 Z's and each one seemed to take me a while before I felt like I fully explored the amp....sometimes I went thru speakers or cabs...different pedals, tubes, guitars...somehow these amps have really made my ears pay more attention to the nuances of tone. In the end the Therapy has fully asserted itself as my favorite Z because it is so variable as well as those big bold 6L6 tubes don't compress under pressure like I was used to with EL84's, 6L6 just get bigger and stronger.
If I had a hope for a special Therapy release, it would be a limited run of the Therapy in a combo with Tremolo. Seems a lot of tweed style amps just had tremolo and it would alter the Therapy's tone a bit making it like the SRZ 65R.
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Post by purpletele on Feb 4, 2016 21:02:44 GMT -7
I've had 3 Z's and each one seemed to take me a while before I felt like I fully explored the amp....sometimes I went thru speakers or cabs...different pedals, tubes, guitars...somehow these amps have really made my ears pay more attention to the nuances of tone. In the end the Therapy has fully asserted itself as my favorite Z because it is so variable as well as those big bold 6L6 tubes don't compress under pressure like I was used to with EL84's, 6L6 just get bigger and stronger. If I had a hope for a special Therapy release, it would be a limited run of the Therapy in a combo with Tremolo. Seems a lot of tweed style amps just had tremolo and it would alter the Therapy's tone a bit making it like the SRZ 65R. Simpleton, Did you sell the Monza?
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Post by simpleton on Feb 4, 2016 22:28:05 GMT -7
I've had 3 Z's and each one seemed to take me a while before I felt like I fully explored the amp....sometimes I went thru speakers or cabs...different pedals, tubes, guitars...somehow these amps have really made my ears pay more attention to the nuances of tone. In the end the Therapy has fully asserted itself as my favorite Z because it is so variable as well as those big bold 6L6 tubes don't compress under pressure like I was used to with EL84's, 6L6 just get bigger and stronger. If I had a hope for a special Therapy release, it would be a limited run of the Therapy in a combo with Tremolo. Seems a lot of tweed style amps just had tremolo and it would alter the Therapy's tone a bit making it like the SRZ 65R. Simpleton, Did you sell the Monza? My Therapist suggested a monogamous relationship and I complied. ... I'm just not doing the two amp thing anymore and trying to simplify. I got a great deal on that particular Monza and traded it in at a local shop for some new effects. I was planning a thread soon after I play some more with the newbies. The MONZA is/was a great amp for soloing (my preference ), but the Therapy does it all AND has more juice when I'm with the band....I regularly miss the Ghia I once had and I'm sure I'll miss the Monza BUT the Therapy really feels great and can mostly do what both the Ghia or Monza could do yet it can do sooo much more. Like Shane, it took me time with each amp to really 'get' it .... The Therapy has really been a great amp and I don't feel I've fully explored all it can do even after a year. Not that I haven't heard all it can do but I haven't hung out long enough in all the places to totally get it. I'd like to add some different cabs to Therapy to even further the available sounds. Anyhow the Therapy with LP, Strat, Tele and various noise makers....I can do it all, at least all I ever could do.
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Post by purpletele on Feb 4, 2016 23:11:14 GMT -7
Simpleton, I picked up a new Therapy last week and I could be happy with just that amp. However, I now have several amps and parts/cabinets for two more. I have separation anxiety when I start listing my amps for sale, but it is time to thin the herd a bit. Family Photo
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Post by simpleton on Feb 4, 2016 23:43:12 GMT -7
Simpleton, I picked up a new Therapy last week and I could be happy with just that amp. However, I now have several amps and parts/cabinets for two more. I have separation anxiety when I start listing my amps for sale, but it is time to thin the herd a bit. Family Photo Take your time doing it. That was my second Monza...I'm on the other side of g.a.s. these days and just enjoying the settled feeling of 'satisfied with my gear'. I could of just kept the Ghia and 2x10 cab I had but the extra watts of the Therapy, MV, and the bigger glass SEALED THE DEAL. I had a nite where the duo of Ghia and Monza got lost, compression being cranked and lower watts contributed, with my friends Bogner Metropolous 30 watt and drummer...the Therapy had PLENTY of power to stay in the mix without getting squashed. Sometimes you just need more power but with the MV as equally good to the first Monza I had, the Therapy really does living room to stage easily.
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