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Post by pcns on Apr 9, 2016 7:22:23 GMT -7
Nice follow up Doc on the comments. The new light weight cabs are OUTSTANDING!! Not only do the shave 10 pounds off the weight of the combo they also sound extrodinary. Huge is a good word to use. Very huge and dynamic would be better. It's also hard to demo the clean side of an amp when you are having so much fun with dirty end of the knob! To John's point about the rotary tone control. The neat thing about it as you go from 1 to 5 the amp gets thicker sounding. Playing with the cut control really does a lot with this amp (I've played with other amps with cut and did not hear as much difference as with this one). So you can fatten it up going with a higher number ad the still brighten it up a bit too. The amp also changes voices when you go thru the tone positions. It's really a neat idea and would be very easy to use live to change tone between songs for different songs. Can you tell I'm a little excited about this amp? Todd  |
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Post by dergit (Markus) on Apr 9, 2016 10:37:19 GMT -7
It so funny, I build an amp with wonderful clean tone (i.e., StangRay ) and I sold 5 of them in 2015. Players ask for more gain and natural distortion. I build an amp with EXCELLENT natural drive and Rockin' Vintage tone, and I hear it needs more cleans. Not dissing you Jesse, that is why there is Chocolate, Pistachio, and Vanilla different taste and different tools for the job at hand. Like you say, that's why there's currently 21 Zs to choose from on your website. The DB4 isn't for me either but I can think of many people in my surroundings who I think are exactly after this tone. It's a testament to the variety of the amps you build that so many of us even consider buying more than one or two of them. It's not because I'm not happy with my MAZs that I lust after a Lux and a Wreck, it's exactly the opposite: My MAZs have convinced me that these amps are worth buying. And fortunately for me, not all 21 fit my needs. Or I'd be in trouble.  I think I speak for the majority here: We buy these amps exactly because of their character. There are plenty of other amps out there that do it all but don't do any of it quite right like Zs do. |
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Post by purpletele on Apr 9, 2016 11:05:20 GMT -7
It so funny, I build an amp with wonderful clean tone (i.e., StangRay ) and I sold 5 of them in 2015. Players ask for more gain and natural distortion. I build an amp with EXCELLENT natural drive and Rockin' Vintage tone, and I hear it needs more cleans. Not dissing you Jesse, that is why there is Chocolate, Pistachio, and Vanilla different taste and different tools for the job at hand. Like you say, that's why there's currently 21 Zs to choose from on your website. The DB4 isn't for me either but I can think of many people in my surroundings who I think are exactly after this tone. It's a testament to the variety of the amps you build that so many of us even consider buying more than one or two of them. It's not because I'm not happy with my MAZs that I lust after a Lux and a Wreck, it's exactly the opposite: My MAZs have convinced me that these amps are worth buying. And fortunately for me, not all 21 fit my needs. Or I'd be in trouble. I think I speak for the majority here: We buy these amps exactly because of their character. There are plenty of other amps out there that do it all but don't do any of it quite right like Zs do. Very well stated! You are our voice of Reason! |
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Post by doctorice on Apr 9, 2016 11:21:58 GMT -7
I like how the amp sounds in the demo. I'll probably hold off on getting one, at least for a little while, so I can hear more comparison of its sound against other Zs (hint, mint Mike (jaguarguy)). I'm especially interested in overlaps and differences among DB-4, Remedy, Therapy and Antidote. Very different amps, but all superb rock machines.
Question for Z: Doc, how would you summarize the sonic difference between the regular model and the Zagato? Half power is s nice option, but I have an Air Brake. Btw, Z, nice work getting your half-power setup working with the quad EL84 configuration.
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Post by KeithA on Apr 9, 2016 11:52:15 GMT -7
This amp sounds wonderful. I love the rootsy rock/rock crunch. I think going to the heavier side falls a little flat but as a crunchy rock amp is one of the best I've heard and not something I expected this amp to be able to do. With the sounds I'm hearing in this amp I wouldn't care if there wasn't a clean tone in there anywhere. Colour me impressed  |
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Post by simpleton on Apr 9, 2016 13:49:14 GMT -7
I would love one in the 2x12 especially. I have been feverishly trying to create similar sounds with my Therapy....id love to hear one next to my Therapy...ooo the wonders a fellow could do with that powerhouse.
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Post by jesslm02 on Apr 9, 2016 19:02:52 GMT -7
The rock crunch is cool for sure but unfortunately, I require some cleans. Looks like I'm holding off on this one. Glad you appreciate the amps strengths Jesse. It so funny, I build an amp with wonderful clean tone (i.e., StangRay ) and I sold 5 of them in 2015. Players ask for more gain and natural distortion. I build an amp with EXCELLENT natural drive and Rockin' Vintage tone, and I hear it needs more cleans. Not dissing you Jesse, that is why there is Chocolate, Pistachio, and Vanilla different taste and different tools for the job at hand. I will say this the DB 4 has great cleans by just rolling your guitar volume back, it has the most dynamic front-end of any amp I have designed to date. I wish Dave could have demo'd that , but I allow my demo artists freedom with only a little input from me. I did ask for a Z Wreck / DB 4 comparison which he did. Also this is a compact light weight 1X12 combo, which sounds HUGE in the room, this doesn't translate very well to a recorded compressed You Tube video. Trust me you will be amazed once you plug into one. Z I will be trying one Doc! And I agree, we guitarists are a fickle bunch to say the least! Haha. I have great respect for you and your amps as we all do here. That said, I do have all the cleans I need in my Mazerati, so maybe I should just get the DB4 head and use it for my lead channel. Hmmm... |
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Post by Jaguarguy (Mike) on Apr 9, 2016 19:18:21 GMT -7
I like how the amp sounds in the demo. I'll probably hold off on getting one, at least for a little while, so I can hear more comparison of its sound against other Zs (hint, mint Mike (jaguarguy)). I'm especially interested in overlaps and differences among DB-4, Remedy, Therapy and Antidote. Very different amps, but all superb rock machines. Question for Z: Doc, how would you summarize the sonic difference between the regular model and the Zagato? Half power is s nice option, but I have an Air Brake. Btw, Z, nice work getting your half-power setup working with the quad EL84 configuration. I'll have one of the "Zagato" 2x12 Blues combos for Mini Zfest this year (along with a Surgical Steel 1X15 I hope). Eric Ambel made me aware of his deLisle Amp Switcher V2 which handles 4 amps and 4 cabs so we can do a lot of comparisons! Can't wait! |
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Post by Pete aka shouldb on Apr 10, 2016 0:50:36 GMT -7
The rock crunch is cool for sure but unfortunately, I require some cleans. Looks like I'm holding off on this one. Glad you appreciate the amps strengths Jesse. It so funny, I build an amp with wonderful clean tone (i.e., StangRay ) and I sold 5 of them in 2015. Players ask for more gain and natural distortion. I build an amp with EXCELLENT natural drive and Rockin' Vintage tone, and I hear it needs more cleans. Not dissing you Jesse, that is why there is Chocolate, Pistachio, and Vanilla different taste and different tools for the job at hand. I will say this the DB 4 has great cleans by just rolling your guitar volume back, it has the most dynamic front-end of any amp I have designed to date. I wish Dave could have demo'd that , but I allow my demo artists freedom with only a little input from me. I did ask for a Z Wreck / DB 4 comparison which he did. Also this is a compact light weight 1X12 combo, which sounds HUGE in the room, this doesn't translate very well to a recorded compressed You Tube video. Trust me you will be amazed once you plug into one. Z Absolutely Doc - and you have such an incredible variety of flavours in your amp range, there's something there for just about everyone. Yep, Jesse is spot on when he says he'll pass on this one - perfectly valid view point. However, I am one of those in the other camp who searches for natural tube gain and rock dynamics, and as such, this is the amp I MUST try when it hits Peach Guitars! I ADORE my Therapy as everyone knows, but there are gigs when a lightweight 1x12 combo is just the ticket, and this DB4 seems the perfect fit!! I'm a rocker at heart and in my band, so the stuff Dave demoed here is PERFECT! We do a few of those songs in our set list already, so he could have just as well tailored that demo for me - cheers Dave   |
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Post by heynewguy (Ol’ Bill) on Apr 10, 2016 4:30:38 GMT -7
this doesn't translate very well to a recorded compressed You Tube video. Z Not to mention... listening on laptop speakers. Or iPad speaker. |
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Post by doctorice on Apr 10, 2016 5:22:54 GMT -7
I like how the amp sounds in the demo. I'll probably hold off on getting one, at least for a little while, so I can hear more comparison of its sound against other Zs (hint, mint Mike (jaguarguy)). I'm especially interested in overlaps and differences among DB-4, Remedy, Therapy and Antidote. Very different amps, but all superb rock machines. Question for Z: Doc, how would you summarize the sonic difference between the regular model and the Zagato? Half power is s nice option, but I have an Air Brake. Btw, Z, nice work getting your half-power setup working with the quad EL84 configuration. I'll have one of the "Zagato" 2x12 Blues combos for Mini Zfest this year (along with a Surgical Steel 1X15 I hope). Eric Ambel made me aware of his deLisle Amp Switcher V2 which handles 4 amps and 4 cabs so we can do a lot of comparisons! Can't wait! I'm looking forward to it, Mike! |
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Post by DRZ on Apr 10, 2016 6:01:20 GMT -7
Ok Mike not trying to ignore your question just thinking about a suitable answer. First the half power setup is not the same as the 6V6 design I use on other amps. For that circuit to work at full half power split I need to utilize a dual cathode bias or as Mullard calls it a split load bias. When I attempted that I lost the NEAR Class A drive of the 4 EL 84's , understand the character of 6V6's and EL-84's are completely different. The attempt altered the tone, feel, and drive of the originally designed Db 4 ( which at the time was the Z06 ) so I modified the circuit design and can up with a more SR. / JR. type split which works great with a Z Brake. OK now the ZAGATO a name passionately used by Brad when speaking of the 2X12 combo configuration. I use that as a secondary designation as 90% of the guitar players have no idea what Aston Martin full blow race car design DB 4 Zagato is, but know exactly what a Bluebreaker 2X12 combo is. OK it's sound, first the newly designed Ultra Lite 1x12 cab that the DB 4 resides in will shock many once you play it, trust me I'm a doctor. But the perfectly designed Marshall Bluesbreaker cab when loaded with 2 Celestial G-12 Alnico speakers is a joy to hear and is near perfection as a 2X12 combo, why mess with perfection. It's over sized baffle, it's 12 MM or 1/2 " Baltic Birch construction, it's perfect hight to width dimensions , let alone it's stunning beauty makes it a Classic Vintage Rock machine. BTW it comes standard with casters, a Z English umbrella, and a can of Earl Grey Supreme tea, this SWAG is only available with a DB 4 2x12 combo amp, so don't ask. Z |
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Post by Deleted on Apr 10, 2016 6:30:44 GMT -7
What's the price on the Zagato, Doc? That thing looks amazing.
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Post by KeithA on Apr 10, 2016 6:32:18 GMT -7
What's the price on the Zagato, Doc? That thing looks amazing. $2,899 |
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Post by Deleted on Apr 10, 2016 6:36:03 GMT -7
And it's priced accordingly! Will check sofa for loose change.
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Post by KeithA on Apr 10, 2016 6:43:13 GMT -7
And it's priced accordingly! Will check sofa for loose change. If this is your sofa it will certainly help !  |
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Post by Jaguarguy (Mike) on Apr 10, 2016 7:42:22 GMT -7
OK now the ZAGATO a name passionately used by Brad when speaking of the 2X12 combo configuration. I use that as a secondary designation as 90% of the guitar players have no idea what Aston Martin full blow race car design DB 4 Zagato is, but know exactly what a Bluebreaker 2X12 combo is. OK it's sound, first the newly designed Ultra Lite 1x12 cab that the DB 4 resides in will shock many once you play it, trust me I'm a doctor. But the perfectly designed Marshall Bluesbreaker cab when loaded with 2 Celestial G-12 Alnico speakers is a joy to hear and is near perfection as a 2X12 combo, why mess with perfection. It's over sized baffle, it's 12 MM or 1/2 " Baltic Birch construction, it's perfect hight to width dimensions , let alone it's stunning beauty makes it a Classic Vintage Rock machine. BTW it comes standard with casters, a Z English umbrella, and a can of Earl Grey Supreme tea, this SWAG is only available with a DB 4 2x12 combo amp, so don't ask. Z Being a car fanatic that worked in the auto industry for almost 30 years I know exactly what type of car the Zagato is - so I understand exactly that the description as a Zagato means it is a top of the line, work of art! I also happen to own a 2x12 Bluesbreaker combo (though it does have greenbacks in it) - I know what to expect on that front as well. Like I said before - I can't wait to have it in-house for mini-Zfest! |
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Post by Deleted on Apr 10, 2016 8:34:57 GMT -7
Missed the post with pricing--how much are the heads? I thought I was done buying EL84 amps for awhile, but this thing has got me interested.
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Post by KeithA on Apr 10, 2016 8:37:30 GMT -7
Missed the post with pricing--how much are the heads? I thought I was done buying EL84 amps for awhile, but this thing has got me interested. $1,799 |
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Post by Deleted on Apr 10, 2016 8:42:44 GMT -7
Missed the post with pricing--how much are the heads? I thought I was done buying EL84 amps for awhile, but this thing has got me interested. $1,799 Not bad, as Z-amps go. Something to keep in mind. |
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Post by benttop (Steve) on Apr 10, 2016 14:01:45 GMT -7
All of the pricing details are posted on the Z web site.
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Post by Deleted on Apr 10, 2016 15:03:52 GMT -7
Just now found that--thanks.
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Post by Deleted on Apr 10, 2016 20:35:52 GMT -7
Having someone as good as Dave Baker demo an amp is also a double edged sword. Let's also not forget that someone of Dave's caliber is going to sound good through pretty much whatever he plays... |
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Post by dergit (Markus) on Apr 11, 2016 2:53:14 GMT -7
As one of the cleans-crowd, I like that Dave didn't do a technical demo showing everything the amp can do. These amps are cool because they get out of the way and let the player shine through. Dave plays dirty. This amp allows him to do what he does and he is visibly enjoying it. The DB-4 inspires him to play rock and roll. Good, do that. If I wanted to play rock and roll, I'd be counting my money right now. Let someone else do the "it takes pedals really well and here's how it sounds with ambient echoes" demo. |
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Post by Pete aka shouldb on Apr 11, 2016 3:19:44 GMT -7
As one of the cleans-crowd, I like that Dave didn't do a technical demo showing everything the amp can do. These amps are cool because they get out of the way and let the player shine through. Dave plays dirty. This amp allows him to do what he does and he is visibly enjoying it. The DB-4 inspires him to play rock and roll. Good, do that. If I wanted to play rock and roll, I'd be counting my money right now. Let someone else do the "it takes pedals really well and here's how it sounds with ambient echoes" demo. Nicely said sir! |
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Post by fishyfishfish on Apr 11, 2016 7:22:54 GMT -7
Sounds stellar! The comp. between the Wreck got me thinking of building an A/B rig.
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Post by Mark (Basement Enthusiast) on Apr 11, 2016 8:20:01 GMT -7
Let's also not forget that someone of Dave's caliber is going to sound good through pretty much whatever he plays... True! In fact, not only does Dave sound good, he sounds like Dave in every demo. Although I do get a sense of the DB4's character, making it a good demo, I'll admit Dave sounds like Dave in all his demo's (just like Paisley sounds like Paisley, roknfnrol sounds like roknfnrol, etc.). This is not a bad thing at all, just something for everyone to keep in mind. |
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Post by Deleted on Apr 11, 2016 14:49:20 GMT -7
Let's also not forget that someone of Dave's caliber is going to sound good through pretty much whatever he plays... True! In fact, not only does Dave sound good, he sounds like Dave in every demo. Although I do get a sense of the DB4's character, making it a good demo, I'll admit Dave sounds like Dave in all his demo's (just like Paisley sounds like Paisley, roknfnrol sounds like roknfnrol, etc.). This is not a bad thing at all, just something for everyone to keep in mind. Agreed! Watching a player like Dave put quality amps like Doc's through their paces is a lot like watching an F1 driver navigate the streets of Monaco... |
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Post by Pete aka shouldb on Apr 11, 2016 20:54:04 GMT -7
Let's also not forget that someone of Dave's caliber is going to sound good through pretty much whatever he plays... True! In fact, not only does Dave sound good, he sounds like Dave in every demo. Although I do get a sense of the DB4's character, making it a good demo, I'll admit Dave sounds like Dave in all his demo's (just like Paisley sounds like Paisley, roknfnrol sounds like roknfnrol, etc.). This is not a bad thing at all, just something for everyone to keep in mind. Absolutely, but what interests me is what he chose to play in his demo..........that gives me insight to the flavour if the amp as much as his actual playing |
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Post by Kris Richards on Apr 12, 2016 9:11:43 GMT -7
That amp sounds great!!!
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