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Post by Maddog on Apr 14, 2016 13:35:21 GMT -7
There was only one problem I discovered on the maiden voyage of my Z-lux's first gig last week. The ergonomics were certainly there (a 1 x 12 combo @ 45 lbs), and "the look?"..... well, no need to waste any ink about that, all badass! Could it have been the tone? Not a chance, this amp holds the best tone I've heard from any amp built since 1967! Sufficient Volume for a Street Dance? 40 watts thru 2 x 12's? More than enough, brothers, I prolly never got past 50% MV! So what was the problem, oh wise one you might ask?
Well, after the sun went down, I couldn't easily find my master volume knob. It's a black knob on a black faceplate, and it's located pretty much in the middle of the layout with all the other knobs on each side of it. A few times I accidentally cranked the bass knob instead of the MV, and that wasn't a good thing.
Granted in a well-lit studio, or at a friendly casual jam, this wudda been a non-factor for sure, but scrambling around at a gig especially with my amp in the shadows, it was problematic. So, here's my solution. I realized the only controls I changed from the gig's start to finish were the V and the MV.....so here's my brilliant solution:
A tad "rigged" in appearance I know, but VERY functional..... (In my mind's eye I can see Doc's brow beginning to furrow just a bit). He's prolly thinking, "Why do these monkeys have to jack with EVERYTHING I build....Why can't they just leave perfection alone?" Hahahaaaaaaaaaaa
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Post by Paul (TRANE) on Apr 14, 2016 13:39:07 GMT -7
Nice idea. Congrats!
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Post by BritInvasion on Apr 14, 2016 13:56:59 GMT -7
Great idea Lee!
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Post by Norrin Radd on Apr 14, 2016 13:59:14 GMT -7
Brilliant solution, Lee! And an idea now filed away for future reference.
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Post by doctorice on Apr 14, 2016 14:12:16 GMT -7
I woulda used red, fwiw I sure hope it didn't rain. That's a lot of cables lying right next to a downspout.
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Post by El Gato Blackie on Apr 14, 2016 14:18:00 GMT -7
I would have drilled a hole above the controls and installed a blue light. Just kidding.
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Post by LT on Apr 14, 2016 14:20:00 GMT -7
I like it! Coupla sweet axes there brother Lee.
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Post by Albert on Apr 14, 2016 14:40:16 GMT -7
OR... he is trying to figure out how to implement this without having to pay you royalties lol
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Post by thatstatuemoved on Apr 14, 2016 14:52:04 GMT -7
I guess all those years at vet school really paid off for you-- . That is a great solution. I had a prs guitar that I absolutely loved. It had some abalone inlays on the neck on the various frets and they were hard to see in a dimly lit environment. Never did figure out a solution to that one--should have contacted Maddog and I bet he would have come up with something. Where did you get the white knobs?? BTW that is a great looking rig--love the salt and pepper.
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Post by Maddog on Apr 14, 2016 15:17:33 GMT -7
Where did you get the white knobs?? Chicago Music Exchange (via a Reverb auction). About 20 bucks plus shipping for a 6 pack. I need some anyway to replace some damaged ones on my old blonde Bassman and Tremolux piggyback amps...
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Post by zpilot on Apr 14, 2016 15:29:20 GMT -7
I had a Peavey Duce for many years that had different colored knobs. I've wondered ever since then why other amp makers don't do that.
And my solution for fret markers? I had a guitar with dinky little edge fret markers. I drilled them out as large as I could and replaced them with rhinestones and filled them smooth with clear coat. I was playing a lot of outdoor party type gigs at the time where the lighting was iffy. Sure helped. Go ahead and say it. Rhinestone Cowboy.
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Post by Hohn on Apr 14, 2016 15:33:00 GMT -7
That's what happen's when you buy an amp with more than necessary amount of knobs.
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Post by Deleted on Apr 14, 2016 15:34:36 GMT -7
Excellent idea and outstanding look.
Well done!
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Post by Mark (Basement Enthusiast) on Apr 14, 2016 15:41:17 GMT -7
Excellent, sir! That's exactly the kinda stuff I do, but mostly with pedals. (I believe I've left a pic somewhere in the Z-Drive thread on my colored knobs for that one.)
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Post by simpleton on Apr 14, 2016 16:01:03 GMT -7
I like it. Looks just right to me. Using a head switcher?
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Post by premiumplus (Dave) on Apr 14, 2016 16:05:17 GMT -7
Great idea...me likey
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Post by Dan F"i"fe on Apr 14, 2016 16:30:50 GMT -7
Just crank the master and you'd only need one knob.
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Post by premiumplus (Dave) on Apr 14, 2016 16:42:57 GMT -7
And here I thought I was the only one getting the Master confused, but I usually grab the Reverb control instead and then start playing surf tunes!
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Post by nmz on Apr 14, 2016 17:12:36 GMT -7
I woulda used red, fwiw I sure hope it didn't rain. That's a lot of cables lying right next to a downspout. Texas doc, no worries.
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Post by Baconator on Apr 14, 2016 18:02:51 GMT -7
Brilliant idea, Lee! My nearfield vision has gotten so bad that I'm not even sure I could maneuver adjustments on my Maz 18 without reading glasses and a flashlight except for the fact that the volumes are in easier-to-spot locations. That might be a good part of the reason I love my Interstate so much.
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Post by Maddog on Apr 14, 2016 18:58:55 GMT -7
I like it. Looks just right to me. Using a head switcher? No Jason, but I wish I was.....Just using the Monza as a back-up.....
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Post by thatstatuemoved on Apr 15, 2016 9:04:26 GMT -7
I had a Peavey Duce for many years that had different colored knobs. I've wondered ever since then why other amp makers don't do that. And my solution for fret markers? I had a guitar with dinky little edge fret markers. I drilled them out as large as I could and replaced them with rhinestones and filled them smooth with clear coat. I was playing a lot of outdoor party type gigs at the time where the lighting was iffy. Sure helped. Go ahead and say it. Rhinestone Cowboy. That is a nifty solution for the fret markers---did those rhinestones stay put?? With my skill set, I would not even try that fix , but maybe handoff to someone who is handy at that sort of modification. Thanks for the advice.
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Post by nicholas on Apr 15, 2016 13:52:17 GMT -7
Nice Lee. Looks WAY better than the alternative he he he.
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Post by zpilot on Apr 15, 2016 15:33:34 GMT -7
I had a Peavey Duce for many years that had different colored knobs. I've wondered ever since then why other amp makers don't do that. And my solution for fret markers? I had a guitar with dinky little edge fret markers. I drilled them out as large as I could and replaced them with rhinestones and filled them smooth with clear coat. I was playing a lot of outdoor party type gigs at the time where the lighting was iffy. Sure helped. Go ahead and say it. Rhinestone Cowboy. That is a nifty solution for the fret markers---did those rhinestones stay put?? With my skill set, I would not even try that fix , but maybe handoff to someone who is handy at that sort of modification. Thanks for the advice. Yes. I just used a small drop of epoxy. It was an Ibanez Tele clone so I didn't mind hacking it up with unusual mods. It worked great but looked kind of gaudy.
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Post by Pete aka shouldb on May 12, 2016 2:49:43 GMT -7
Brilliant idea, Lee! My nearfield vision has gotten so bad that I'm not even sure I could maneuver adjustments on my Maz 18 without reading glasses and a flashlight except for the fact that the volumes are in easier-to-spot locations. That might be a good part of the reason I love my Interstate so much. I had my Z28 modded with an MV (unauthorised, but fantastic!) which had to be mounted on the back panel. The tech used a chicken head knob and it works a treat ! Don't like the look of them though, so wouldn't use them on a front panel..............
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Post by Mark (Basement Enthusiast) on May 12, 2016 8:32:47 GMT -7
...mounted on the back panel. The tech used a chicken head knob and it works a treat ! Don't like the look of them though, so wouldn't use them on a front panel.............. I've got a couple amps with some sort of control on the back panel (reverb dwell on my Vintage Sound 22, master volume on my Rx Jr.) and I like chicken-head knobs back there for sure--allows you to simply reach back there and know exactly where the knob's pointing "by feel." Picked up that idea from seeing Jaguarguy's MV-modded Mazerati GT, actually!
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Post by jammergreg on May 13, 2016 8:02:31 GMT -7
ThIs amp is so gooood (The only complaint is) we have to change the volume knobs color...great idea and a perfect A M P. I have had number 21 for over a year now. Just love it. Thank you Doc.
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Post by Stephen on May 13, 2016 9:48:37 GMT -7
Ok, I'm in!
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Post by Paul (TRANE) on May 13, 2016 13:15:04 GMT -7
I always put chicken head knobs on my amps. So much easier for me to see quickly on stage. This amp had the standard barrel type knobs when it showed up. I like this loom much better.
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