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Post by TelePrankster on Nov 19, 2016 10:25:22 GMT -7
Hi,
I'm gassing for a Dr. Z amp and I keep coming to this model for its simplicity and great tones. I play Telecasters and Gretsches mostly and I own a blackface Princeton reverb and a VOX AC15C1.
I always associated single channel non-master volume amps with clean tones, great clean platforms for pedals with good headroom. On the contrary, most master volume amps I played (with one or more channels) were designed to produce their own overdrive tones, if needed. For cleans... meh... some of them worked well, some didn't.
When I saw this amp for the first time I became very curious about how it works:
That "volume" knob controls the power tubes saturation or the preamp tubes?
Do you need a clean boost to make the preamp tubes going into overdrive or not?
How about the headroom for cleans?
I'm considering the idea of getting this amp as a complement of the ones I already have and probably I'd go with the 1x12 version, because usually I prefer 1x12 cabs compared to 1x10. They seems louder, more big sounding, more "airy" and articulate. Is it the case with this amp too?
I'd probably ask one of the newest light cabs they're doing, do I need to ask them also a specific set of tubes? I'd go for the "default" version and see how it works, unless there's a well known combination that works best.
Thanks.
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Post by limenine on Nov 19, 2016 10:45:10 GMT -7
If you go to Dr Z's website he has, of course, all the info about the ghia - and has collected a bunch of the best demo vids. This one is especially informative:
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Post by limenine on Nov 19, 2016 11:05:13 GMT -7
Something that I think is crucial for a single channel non-mv amp is that the volume level you need matches the amps natural sweet spot. You can work around it with attenuators to knock volume off, and micing / reamping to add more - but most people's complaints about an amp like this are either "I can't get the overdrive I want without being too loud or using pedals" or "I need more clean headroom".
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Post by TelePrankster on Nov 19, 2016 11:26:41 GMT -7
Being "too loud" isn't a problem if you use an attenuator or distortion pedals (which I wouldn't do with a great sounding amp like that).
The lack of clean headroom can be a problem for some people, if rolling off the guitar's volume and/or balancing things pushing the preamp more with a booster and rolling off the amp's volume isn't enough.
I would get this amp mostly for country crunchy Tele tones and for cleans I'd simply roll off the guitar's volume a little bit. It always worked with all the amps I tried, but if I need crystal clean tones I'd use my Princeton.
Judging from the clips I've seen this amp can do cleans with the volume up to 9-10 o'clock, depending on the guitar and pickups.
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Post by Jaguarguy (Mike) on Nov 19, 2016 11:43:52 GMT -7
Hi, I'm gassing for a Dr. Z amp and I keep coming to this model for its simplicity and great tones. I play Telecasters and Gretsches mostly and I own a blackface Princeton reverb and a VOX AC15C1. I always associated single channel non-master volume amps with clean tones, great clean platforms for pedals with good headroom. On the contrary, most master volume amps I played (with one or more channels) were designed to produce their own overdrive tones, if needed. For cleans... meh... some of them worked well, some didn't. When I saw this amp for the first time I became very curious about how it works: That "volume" knob controls the power tubes saturation or the preamp tubes? Do you need a clean boost to make the preamp tubes going into overdrive or not? How about the headroom for cleans? I'm considering the idea of getting this amp as a complement of the ones I already have and probably I'd go with the 1x12 version, because usually I prefer 1x12 cabs compared to 1x10. They seems louder, more big sounding, more "airy" and articulate. Is it the case with this amp too? I'd probably ask one of the newest light cabs they're doing, do I need to ask them also a specific set of tubes? I'd go for the "default" version and see how it works, unless there's a well known combination that works best. Thanks. Also take a look at the M12 - it was designed as clean amp specifically for use with pedals. |
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Post by limenine on Nov 19, 2016 11:45:56 GMT -7
If John checks in, his go-to amp for modern country gigs was a Ghia 110 combo with a tele. Worked for him!
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Post by TelePrankster on Nov 20, 2016 3:40:49 GMT -7
Hi, I'm gassing for a Dr. Z amp and I keep coming to this model for its simplicity and great tones. I play Telecasters and Gretsches mostly and I own a blackface Princeton reverb and a VOX AC15C1. I always associated single channel non-master volume amps with clean tones, great clean platforms for pedals with good headroom. On the contrary, most master volume amps I played (with one or more channels) were designed to produce their own overdrive tones, if needed. For cleans... meh... some of them worked well, some didn't. When I saw this amp for the first time I became very curious about how it works: That "volume" knob controls the power tubes saturation or the preamp tubes? Do you need a clean boost to make the preamp tubes going into overdrive or not? How about the headroom for cleans? I'm considering the idea of getting this amp as a complement of the ones I already have and probably I'd go with the 1x12 version, because usually I prefer 1x12 cabs compared to 1x10. They seems louder, more big sounding, more "airy" and articulate. Is it the case with this amp too? I'd probably ask one of the newest light cabs they're doing, do I need to ask them also a specific set of tubes? I'd go for the "default" version and see how it works, unless there's a well known combination that works best. Thanks. Also take a look at the M12 - it was designed as clean amp specifically for use with pedals. I already have a clean amp that I use as pedals platform (Princeton), I'd like to have an amp that can do overdriven tones by itself as well as clean/clean-ish tones. I watched all the Ghia videos in the Dr. Z website and I've got an idea about how it works, but I'd like to hear from people who use of them. This video was interesting, good cleans: I just need to decide if I'm gonna go for a 1x10 or 1x12 cab, but having the option of a lighter cab I'd go with the 1x12. |
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Post by bloozeman on Nov 20, 2016 8:57:42 GMT -7
I'd like to have an amp that can do overdriven tones by itself as well as clean/clean-ish tones. I'd get a Maz 18 for that then |
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Post by John on Nov 21, 2016 4:49:57 GMT -7
If John checks in, his go-to amp for modern country gigs was a Ghia 110 combo with a tele. Worked for him! I'm here! Yes, I played a 1x10 Ghia with a tele in a modern country band for years. Even though it had a brakelite in it, I hardly ever used it. There were only a few gigs where it wasn't loud enough. (I have a remedy for big gigs) Most of the time, it was small stages in small clubs. It was a perfect amp for this. The right tone, the right weight, the right size. If you're playing a tele...get the 10" gold. Don't use that red fang that often comes with the amp. If you play a small club, you need an amp that's not too loud. If you get to play a larger stage (actually 'wider') and you're far enough away from the drummer, you don't need a loud amp because the drummer's not so loud. As long as you get a mic on it....that's all you need. If you play with a drummer that always plays as hard as he can....beats the livin' crap out of the kit and doesn't understand dynamics...then you might need a louder amp than the Ghia. Don't think a 1x10 can't keep up, or sound good. Initially, I too was concerned about it sounding thin. But that went away after 1 gig. You will NEVER notice the difference. If you are in the basement and A/B back and forth with a 12" speaker...yes you will notice a difference. But it will be a matter of taste. But if you're on stage playing with a full electric band...you will NEVER notice the difference. Is it the right combo for stadium shows? Of course not, but for clubs, it was the best thing I ever had. (I sold it because I retired from gigging) And when it's 2am and you're loading out, it's nice to have a small combo to throw in the car. Not as light as a solid state amp, but better sounding. The Ghia is a little more Marshally than the Maz...something I prefer. (Maz is a little more Voxy...both are fantastic amps) If you gig often at small venues....do yourself a favor and get a 1x10 Ghia combo, put a 10" gold in it...and your search for the best club amp will be over.Something that I think is crucial for a single channel non-mv amp is that the volume level you need matches the amps natural sweet spot. You can work around it with attenuators to knock volume off, and micing / reamping to add more - but most people's complaints about an amp like this are either "I can't get the overdrive I want without being too loud or using pedals" or "I need more clean headroom". ^^^^^^ THIS! It all depends on how loud your 'clean platform' is. (or how loud you need it to be) To me, the Ghia, when playing clubs, was the correct amount of volume when set to the needed 'just a little amount of breakup'. If I needed a relative country clean lead, just crank the guitar volume to full. If I needed a rock and roll overdriven lead tone...step on a dirt box. Most of the time, I set the volume knob of the amp around 11:30. I left it there for years. But I remember setting it (at home) to 3:00 and just let the amp's natural distortion take over. It was great! All overdrive/distortion was controlled with the guitar volume knob. Playing a club  Playing an outdoor stage at a town square  Opening up for Garth Brooks on side stage:  |
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Post by TelePrankster on Nov 21, 2016 10:49:40 GMT -7
What about the 10'' speaker? Are you talking about the Celestion Gold? It doesn't seems an option for the 1x10 Ghia.
Why do you love that speaker so much? I play mostly Teles like you, and I want that amp mainly for country tones.
What about a 12'' speaker with lighter cab option? It would weigh like a 1x10...
Do you prefer the 1x10 version for the tone?
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Post by John on Nov 21, 2016 11:11:26 GMT -7
PM sent
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Post by TelePrankster on Nov 22, 2016 8:51:15 GMT -7
I just found a good deal for an used Ghia head in perfect conditions (around 800 euros). I think I'm gonna buy that, I just want to know if I can use both my Princeton 65 RI and VOX AC15C1 as cabs for the Ghia.
Speakers are 1x10” Jensen® C10R (Princeton) and 1x12" Celestion G12M Greenback (AC15C1). Is that a good idea?
I'll start a separated thread for cab/speaker suggestions and post the link here.
Thanks.
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Post by detuned on Nov 22, 2016 20:43:02 GMT -7
If John checks in, his go-to amp for modern country gigs was a Ghia 110 combo with a tele. Worked for him! Good to see you found something useful to do with that Line 6. |
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Post by TelePrankster on Nov 25, 2016 1:56:29 GMT -7
Bump?  |
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Post by paddywhacker on Nov 27, 2016 10:02:40 GMT -7
I just found a good deal for an used Ghia head in perfect conditions (around 800 euros). I think I'm gonna buy that, I just want to know if I can use both my Princeton 65 RI and VOX AC15C1 as cabs for the Ghia. Speakers are 1x10” Jensen® C10R (Princeton) and 1x12" Celestion G12M Greenback (AC15C1). Is that a good idea? I'll start a separated thread for cab/speaker suggestions and post the link here. Thanks. ...absolutely you can connect your Ghia to either of those cabs....you just need to get the proper cable that goes from the speaker to the Ghia.... |
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Post by freddieg on Nov 27, 2016 12:31:50 GMT -7
My Ghia has 4 ohm and 8 ohm outputs. Not sure if they ever came with 16 ohms as an option.
As far as clean headroom, it is highly tweak-able with tubes and speakers. Max clean setup will be 5751 preamp tubes and a high efficiency speaker like a Red Fang. And even at that the clean it still just a tad dirty at gig volume. Not too much dirt really, but if you are expecting super Fender clean, it won't quite get there.
That being said, the 1x10 Ghia with the G10 gold is perfect for me. You can control clean to mean with your guitar volume, it acts like an old tweed amp in that regard. Set the volume and tone at noon, and go. That's it. If you go above 12 o'clock on the volume you get more drive as opposed to more volume. So set it at the desired "lead guitar" level and dial in your rhythm tone on the fly by dialing back the guitar volume.
I usually use an Xotic RC boost, Ghia, Cable. The RC is on all the time at unity gain. It adds a little sustain and shimmer.
If you really want the clean option, look at a Z28 1x10. It runs off of 6V6 and it also goes clean to mean. I don't have one but eventually I will pick one up.
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Post by freddieg on Nov 27, 2016 12:39:28 GMT -7
This Dave Baker demo is a great example of the Carmen Ghia clean tone.
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Post by TelePrankster on Dec 5, 2016 4:34:04 GMT -7
I'm loving this amp, thanks to you all for the help.
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Post by jimiata on Dec 5, 2016 10:06:22 GMT -7
You can get amazing sounds out of the Celestion Gold 10 inch speaker; I almost prefer it over my 12 inch Gold.
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Post by zpilot on Dec 7, 2016 11:39:22 GMT -7
Good to see you found something useful to do with that Line 6. They do make good amp stands, don't they? |
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Post by TelePrankster on Dec 8, 2016 4:38:59 GMT -7
You can get amazing sounds out of the Celestion Gold 10 inch speaker; I almost prefer it over my 12 inch Gold. I started to use it with both my Princeton and my Ghia for cleans with my Gretsch. Chet Atkins stuff sounds very... Chet Atkins. |
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