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Post by Easyrom on Jun 8, 2017 1:49:17 GMT -7
Ok I surrender. Pulled the trigger this morning for a Cure. After a very long hesitation, I went for a black combo studio; what do you think of that? I'm still loving my Z-Lux (reminder: best amp Joe Walsh and I have ever played ), but I'm just too curious! I plan to take my time this summer so at the end I'll keep only one amp. Actually, my secret plan is also to finally own one single electric guitar, but that's not the subject, right? After a Maz 8, Therapy, Z-Lux and now Cure, I think I can say that I'm a Dr Z amps addict. Just love them, what can I do?
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Post by purpletele on Jun 8, 2017 4:20:21 GMT -7
You're a perfect client!
I will be interested to hear your comparison.
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Post by doctorice on Jun 8, 2017 4:44:42 GMT -7
Good for you. I'm sure you'll like the Cure. My impression is that it offers a bit of Therapy (more front-end gain than Z-Lux and that special volume pot), plenty of Z-Lux (with the 6V6 power tubes and being based on the Z-Lux design) and its own thing (the Level control). It will be very tough to pick one over the other if you follow through on your plan. Hey, don't you need a backup amp, just to be safe?
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Post by Alan M (aka 'Milky') on Jun 8, 2017 5:27:48 GMT -7
Ok I surrender. Pulled the trigger this morning for a Cure. I plan to take my time this summer so at the end I'll keep only one amp. Actually, my secret plan is also to finally own one single electric guitar....... Good luck with that.......you're kidding, right? Welcome to the Cure Club.
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Post by mickey on Jun 8, 2017 5:40:06 GMT -7
What is this strange one guitar one amp thing you speak of? No comprendo....
Congrats on the Cure though, I'm really enjoying mine!
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Post by Easyrom on Jun 8, 2017 7:37:55 GMT -7
Good for you. I'm sure you'll like the Cure. My impression is that it offers a bit of Therapy (more front-end gain than Z-Lux and that special volume pot), plenty of Z-Lux (with the 6V6 power tubes and being based on the Z-Lux design) and its own thing (the Level control). It will be very tough to pick one over the other if you follow through on your plan. Hey, don't you need a backup amp, just to be safe? A backup amp for a living room guitarist seems seducing but... fragile!
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Post by Easyrom on Jun 8, 2017 7:39:27 GMT -7
Ok I surrender. Pulled the trigger this morning for a Cure. I plan to take my time this summer so at the end I'll keep only one amp. Actually, my secret plan is also to finally own one single electric guitar....... Good luck with that.......you're kidding, right? Welcome to the Cure Club. Imagine "the plan" is one thing. Respect the plan is another story!
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Post by Easyrom on Jun 8, 2017 7:39:52 GMT -7
What is this strange one guitar one amp thing you speak of? No comprendo.... Congrats on the Cure though, I'm really enjoying mine! Thanks!
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Post by Russell B on Jun 8, 2017 15:35:04 GMT -7
Congrats! It's a great amp.
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Post by Faze on Jun 8, 2017 18:57:45 GMT -7
Excellent! Its a great amp. I think you will be happy you got it.
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Post by wraparound (Steve) on Jun 8, 2017 18:58:54 GMT -7
I admire the goal, just don't go in that BST section. EVER. Good choice though.
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Post by Easyrom on Jun 8, 2017 23:50:10 GMT -7
I admire the goal, just don't go in that BST section. EVER. Good choice though. Actually I'll have already been through this kind of incantation a few years back and I've had one strat and one amp (Maz 8). For a while.
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Post by simpleton on Jun 9, 2017 20:38:59 GMT -7
With the Cure ..... I found my cure. I just traded my Strat and LP for a few odds and ends. A few pedals, an acoustic for a neighbor kid learning how to play, a Mini Strat for my daughter, and this cool Recording King acoustic with Cowboys, Cacti, and Arizona desert scenes on the front. Anyhow the Cure and my Swampkaster Tele are my final thoughts on what I want or the amplified existence. ......but I have a secret Z that helps fuel my Z love. A 1x12 convertible cab, and a Z Verb! The Z Verb is like an amp ...BUT ITS NOT. So so if you go down to the Cure and wish you had Verb....the Z Verb is like a big pedal. This amp takes pedals very well and I like it a lot. Especially in that studio cab! Enjoy it brother!
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Post by Easyrom on Jun 9, 2017 23:30:50 GMT -7
With the Cure ..... I found my cure. I just traded my Strat and LP for a few odds and ends. A few pedals, an acoustic for a neighbor kid learning how to play, a Mini Strat for my daughter, and this cool Recording King acoustic with Cowboys, Cacti, and Arizona desert scenes on the front. Anyhow the Cure and my Swampkaster Tele are my final thoughts on what I want or the amplified existence. ......but I have a secret Z that helps fuel my Z love. A 1x12 convertible cab, and a Z Verb! The Z Verb is like an amp ...BUT ITS NOT. So so if you go down to the Cure and wish you had Verb....the Z Verb is like a big pedal. This amp takes pedals very well and I like it a lot. Especially in that studio cab! Enjoy it brother! Thanks! Now I have to look at the Z Verb! ;-) Is it somehow different from the built in reverb in Dr Z amps?
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Post by purpletele on Jun 9, 2017 23:42:07 GMT -7
With the Cure ..... I found my cure. I just traded my Strat and LP for a few odds and ends. A few pedals, an acoustic for a neighbor kid learning how to play, a Mini Strat for my daughter, and this cool Recording King acoustic with Cowboys, Cacti, and Arizona desert scenes on the front. Anyhow the Cure and my Swampkaster Tele are my final thoughts on what I want or the amplified existence. ......but I have a secret Z that helps fuel my Z love. A 1x12 convertible cab, and a Z Verb! The Z Verb is like an amp ...BUT ITS NOT. So so if you go down to the Cure and wish you had Verb....the Z Verb is like a big pedal. This amp takes pedals very well and I like it a lot. Especially in that studio cab! Enjoy it brother! Thanks! Now I have to look at the Z Verb! ;-) Is it somehow different from the built in reverb in Dr Z amps? The Z Verb is really cool, but you have one of the nicest reverb amps on the market with the Z Lux. Run them in stereo at low volume, it fills the air with nice tone.
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Post by Easyrom on Jun 9, 2017 23:51:28 GMT -7
Thanks! Now I have to look at the Z Verb! ;-) Is it somehow different from the built in reverb in Dr Z amps? The Z Verb is really cool, but you have one of the nicest reverb amps on the market with the Z Lux. Run them in stereo at low volume, it fills the air with nice tone. Well that's another idea! Keep very good memories of the Z-Lux and Maz 8 in stereo (through an El Capistan). But I don't have any stereo pedal anymore actually...
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Post by simpleton on Jun 11, 2017 7:38:23 GMT -7
With the Cure ..... I found my cure. I just traded my Strat and LP for a few odds and ends. A few pedals, an acoustic for a neighbor kid learning how to play, a Mini Strat for my daughter, and this cool Recording King acoustic with Cowboys, Cacti, and Arizona desert scenes on the front. Anyhow the Cure and my Swampkaster Tele are my final thoughts on what I want or the amplified existence. ......but I have a secret Z that helps fuel my Z love. A 1x12 convertible cab, and a Z Verb! The Z Verb is like an amp ...BUT ITS NOT. So so if you go down to the Cure and wish you had Verb....the Z Verb is like a big pedal. This amp takes pedals very well and I like it a lot. Especially in that studio cab! Enjoy it brother! Thanks! Now I have to look at the Z Verb! ;-) Is it somehow different from the built in reverb in Dr Z amps? I haven't heard the reverb on the Z-Lux in person......but the Z Verb might/should have more overall control. So it can probably give more variety of reverb in my guess. I can get nice bright, bathroom, splash back reverb or long hallway feeling....bright or dark reverbs......big or small rooms.....and space out full swim mode. It feels like I can get more than just springy splashy reverb. With the effects loop on the Cure the ZVerb blends into the amp like it was built in. For me, it was a way to have a few Z things while getting my collection down to a more applicable size for me. My thing was - with more than one amp others usually get neglected and just sit in my closet. The Cure is so nice for around the house(my primary gig). The level control is saving my ringing ears. If I could have afoarded the ZLux I would have been hot for one because of the reverb and tremolo PLUS the Lite weight. But I'm really enjoying the Cure. It's got a very vintage feel and reminds me of old Gibson and Fender amps ... but with that Z thing. TRIAD transformer sounds a bit softer than other Z amps I've owned and pedals blend easier because of this to me. You'll have fun either way. 2 or 1.
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Post by Easyrom on Jun 11, 2017 14:25:14 GMT -7
Thank you very much simpleton. I really appreciate your answer. My Cure is supposed to arrive on monday. I hope I'll have some time this week. I'll surely have plenty in July. I know for a fact that I'll need to take time to compare these two amps in my situation, with my guitars (I have only two electric guitars, so it will be easy). I'm really happy to finally try this new amp with its famous more tweedy voice. But to be honest, just right now I can't even imagine appreciate more than I do appreciate my Z-Lux! I'll let you know for sure. Fun time in perspective!
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Post by doctorice on Jun 11, 2017 14:38:10 GMT -7
^^^
I look forward to your comparison, Easyrom.
One thing I recall from my side-by-side comparison is that the larger Z-Lux cabinet has a significant effect on tone. So I suggest that part of your listening includes running the Cure into the Z-Lux cabinet and vice versa.
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Post by Easyrom on Jun 11, 2017 15:31:27 GMT -7
^^^ I look forward to your comparison, Easyrom. One thing I recall from my side-by-side comparison is that the larger Z-Lux cabinet has a significant effect on tone. So I suggest that part of your listening includes running the Cure into the Z-Lux cabinet and vice versa.Yes, I'm sure the cabinet will have its role here, but unfortunately that comparaison won't be possible in both ways, cause my Z-Lux is loaded with a 16 Ohms speaker (from factory, Dr Z does that when Brake Lite are factory mounted if I understood correctly) and I think the Cure only takes 8 Ohms speakers...
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Post by doctorice on Jun 11, 2017 17:25:05 GMT -7
^^^ I look forward to your comparison, Easyrom. One thing I recall from my side-by-side comparison is that the larger Z-Lux cabinet has a significant effect on tone. So I suggest that part of your listening includes running the Cure into the Z-Lux cabinet and vice versa.Yes, I'm sure the cabinet will have its role here, but unfortunately that comparaison won't be possible in both ways, cause my Z-Lux is loaded with a 16 Ohms speaker (from factory, Dr Z does that when Brake Lite are factory mounted if I understood correctly) and I think the Cure only takes 8 Ohms speakers... Yes, you're correct on the Cure. You can certainly plug the Z-Lux amp into the speaker in the Cure. Also, connecting an amp's 8-ohm output (on the Cure) to a 16-ohm speaker is OK. It's the other way around (16-ohm from the amp into a lower impedance) that can cause problems.
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Post by Easyrom on Jun 11, 2017 23:32:34 GMT -7
Yes, I'm sure the cabinet will have its role here, but unfortunately that comparaison won't be possible in both ways, cause my Z-Lux is loaded with a 16 Ohms speaker (from factory, Dr Z does that when Brake Lite are factory mounted if I understood correctly) and I think the Cure only takes 8 Ohms speakers... Yes, you're correct on the Cure. You can certainly plug the Z-Lux amp into the speaker in the Cure. Also, connecting an amp's 8-ohm output (on the Cure) to a 16-ohm speaker is OK. It's the other way around (16-ohm from the amp into a lower impedance) that can cause problems. Ok thank you! I always have a doubt (and a little fear) when it comes to matching Ohms stuff! ;-)
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Post by Easyrom on Jun 13, 2017 7:53:01 GMT -7
Ok, a Cure is in Paris! (I love to unpack new Z amps ) As I said before, I'll have to give the new speaker some time to break in. A shootout between a brand new Cure and a almost 1 year old Z-Lux wouldn't be fair... What I can already say is that it looks great and feels built with just the same professional care. It's very quiet (I mean no white noise whatsoever) and the level control seems to work just as they all say. Little piece of information about that: I would say the level control between 10 and 11 o'clock calms down the amp just like the Brake Lite on 4 clicks on my Z-Lux (20W mode engaged)... More to follow!
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Post by Easyrom on Jun 22, 2017 15:38:25 GMT -7
Breaking news: I've just found THE way to finally know which of your Z amps sounds best to you. It works for me everytime.
Choose a guitar you really like, plug it into your first Z and ask yourself: how could that guitar sound better than this? Bim: the first Z you just plugged into is your favorite amp ever. Sell the others. Immediately.
Warning; DO NOT plug your guitar into any other Z amp after that statement. Any other Z amp may become you favorite amp for the whole time you'll be using it. That game has no end and you could turn crazy in only a few hours.
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Post by Easyrom on Jul 14, 2017 17:10:19 GMT -7
Final verdict (I guess ) The Cure is a great sounding amp, full and thick with a touch more gain than the Z-Lux and a magical Level knob. But to my ear the Z-Lux can not be beaten. It's still the best amp I have ever played and I'll stick with it, no matter what! I don't try to preach that statement of course and I perfectly see why others could prefer the Cure (there's some juicy midy thick tones in there), but I hear some kind of clarity and complexity and growl from the Z-Lux which are pure bless to me. These reverb and tremolo are the cherry on the cake!
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Post by doctorice on Jul 14, 2017 19:19:23 GMT -7
The Cure is a great sounding amp, full and thick with a touch more gain than the Z-Lux and a magical Level knob. But to my ear the Z-Lux can not be beaten. I expect I'll keep both Cure and Z-Lux in my gigging rotation, but the Z-Lux would get the nod if I could only have one.
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Post by Easyrom on Jul 20, 2017 23:47:04 GMT -7
I'm happy to have tried the Cure, cause it was the only amp around these days which used to make me doubt that the Z-Lux is the best amp for my needs. Now, despite all the great tones which come out the Cure, I'm sure: the Z-Lux is my favorite, even if I mostly use it on 20W mode with my Brakelite on 3 or 4. My Cure has already found a new home in South of France. So we're two happy Dr Z users instead of one.
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