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Post by TelePrankster on Aug 22, 2017 7:57:53 GMT -7
I have a Carmen Ghia head and a Z-28 head. I run the Ghia into a 1x10 cab w/Celestion Gold and the Z-28 into a 1x12 cab w/WGS G12C/S. I have a wet/dry rig and the Z-28 does all the cleans with effects (comp, delay, verb etc.) when needed, while the Ghia does the dirtier/lead stuff. It takes just a Timmy for boost and an Aqua Puss delay. So... I have those Fender-esque great cleans with the Z-28 set clean and basically a Marshall for leads with the Ghia and an attenuator.
I have space for a third head in my music room and I was thinking about getting a third Z to complete my collection. I think I have two options: 1) Something that covers the VOX tones. I've read tons of threads here and got some conflicting/misleading suggestions, plus some of the suggested amps in the oldest threads are not in production anymore. 2) Go for a master volume+FX loop head, which I don't have with my amps. This would be a go-to amp when I don't need a wet/dry rig.
Your suggestions already helped me to get two great amps, I'm sure you'll help me also this time. Feel free to suggest whatever could work, or to NOT get another amp, or look for something else.
Don't tell me to "get a VOX" because I've had issues with the chinese made models and I don't think the HW models are priced correctly. For that kind of money I'll go with a Z all day any day. Thanks!
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Post by digs57 on Aug 22, 2017 10:35:34 GMT -7
Just one question about that possibly last... That has maz 18 all over it imho...might be blue for speaker...you leave timmy on all the time?
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Post by jkramsey1991 on Aug 22, 2017 10:54:35 GMT -7
New production Maz.
If you're buying used StangRay.
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Post by Mark (Basement Enthusiast) on Aug 22, 2017 11:49:50 GMT -7
I'm thinking maybe a MAZ--a 38 instead of the 18, in fact, just to change things up if your volume/power needs ever increase. Also, it's possible that one might find the MAZ 18 juuust a little too close to the Carmen Ghia's territory. However, the extra "oomph" and low-end of the 38 might be nice for when you'd want more power, more push, but still have that vox-ish MAZ goodness. That's just my $0.02.
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Post by Jaguarguy (Mike) on Aug 22, 2017 12:16:59 GMT -7
Two words - Stangray and Mazerati.
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Post by digs57 on Aug 22, 2017 13:12:33 GMT -7
How does the wgs 12 c/s sound w/z-28...curious what you think of that speaker...orange back right?
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Post by jimiata on Aug 22, 2017 14:50:57 GMT -7
Maz 18, Z cab with a Blue.
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Post by zpilot on Aug 22, 2017 15:26:49 GMT -7
EMS. I wish I had one even though I have no practical use for it.
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Post by sharkboy on Aug 22, 2017 15:58:40 GMT -7
The Z-Wreck is architecturally close to an AC30 but can go many places beyond it. Mine replaced voxy amps and I haven't missed them.
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Post by zpilot on Aug 22, 2017 16:24:36 GMT -7
Are you looking for something with a different sound or something in a different power range?
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Post by Rockerfeller on Aug 22, 2017 19:58:50 GMT -7
"I'm thinking about getting my third Z amp."
I fixed it for you. That other part about "possibly the last one" is just wishful thinking!
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Post by TelePrankster on Aug 23, 2017 0:34:10 GMT -7
How does the wgs 12 c/s sound w/z-28...curious what you think of that speaker...orange back right? It sounds very good imho, maybe a little bit bass heavy for some people. With the amp set clean you get that classic Fender tone without scooped mids. When pushed into overdrive this amp turns into a completely different beast and the warm/dark character of the speaker keep things solid and neat, if you know what I mean. I bought this speaker also because it works great with the Carmen Ghia. It changes its voice a lot and help taming some treble with bright guitars. It's a great sounding and LOUD speaker. Are you looking for something with a different sound or something in a different power range? I'm looking for a VOX voiced amp. Like I said, Z-28 covers Fender cleans, Carmen Ghia covers Marshall growl. I miss my VOX+Tele days but I ditched VOX for a number of reasons. I sell a lot of gear but usually not amps, I want something reliable to enjoy and keep. I'm really, REALLY tempted to get a Morgan AC20 Deluxe but it's very pricey (2000 euros for just the head) and I'd prefer to stick to Dr. Z if possible because I'm a huge fan of his work. Power range is not a problem because I have an Air Brake, so going up to 30+ watts could be smart, even if I don't need that wattage at the moment.
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Post by zpilot on Aug 23, 2017 1:32:57 GMT -7
Vox tones? StangRay with a 2x12 Celestion Blue cabinet. Used Stangrays can be found with a little work. The C-Blue speakers are VERY important to getting that Vox sound. Combos are usually a little pricey but I see a head on Reverb for $1350. I understand that the M12 is a half-power version of the StangRay. Maybe owners of these two will chime in. A little humor there.
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Post by TelePrankster on Aug 23, 2017 3:32:14 GMT -7
I already found an used Stang Ray locally and sent a message to the seller. What about the Celestion Blue? I have a 1x10 cab with a Celestion Gold. The Gold is one of the go-to speakers for VOX amps. I thought that the M12 was a lower wattage version of the Route66.
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Post by 2Cents on Aug 23, 2017 4:13:09 GMT -7
I already found an used Stang Ray locally and sent a message to the seller. What about the Celestion Blue? I have a 1x10 cab with a Celestion Gold. The Gold is one of the go-to speakers for VOX amps. I thought that the M12 was a lower wattage version of the Route66. From both the Dr. Z and Humbucker websites’ description of the M12: “. . . Think of the M12 as the perfect half powered offspring of the Z Wreck and Stang Ray. You get the clarity of the Stang Ray with the sweetness and ease of the Z Wreck . . .”
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Post by zpilot on Aug 23, 2017 5:27:40 GMT -7
I already found an used Stang Ray locally and sent a message to the seller. What about the Celestion Blue? I have a 1x10 cab with a Celestion Gold. The Gold is one of the go-to speakers for VOX amps. I thought that the M12 was a lower wattage version of the Route66. I don't think the 10" C-Gold is that close to the 12" version. That's just my opinion though. If I was going for the Vox sound I'd stick with 12" speakers. I have a Gold in my MAZ 8 and used to have one in my MAZ 18. Love 'em. VERY close to the C-Blue.
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Post by doctorice on Aug 23, 2017 5:28:11 GMT -7
It's time you got an amp with more knobs Imo, a MAZ into a Cel Blue or Gold would complement what you've got as it's capable of going into Vox zone and blackface zone due to the full eq plus Cut control. (Fwiw, I have CG, Z-28 and MAZ.)
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Post by TelePrankster on Aug 23, 2017 6:06:09 GMT -7
I already found an used Stang Ray locally and sent a message to the seller. What about the Celestion Blue? I have a 1x10 cab with a Celestion Gold. The Gold is one of the go-to speakers for VOX amps. I thought that the M12 was a lower wattage version of the Route66. I don't think the 10" C-Gold is that close to the 12" version. That's just my opinion though. If I was going for the Vox sound I'd stick with 12" speakers. I have a Gold in my MAZ 8 and used to have one in my MAZ 18. Love 'em. VERY close to the C-Blue. With the Ghia, the Gold is killer. Do you suggest one or two Blues? I don't know if I have space for a 2x12, probably not. It's time you got an amp with more knobs Imo, a MAZ into a Cel Blue or Gold would complement what you've got as it's capable of going into Vox zone and blackface zone due to the full eq plus Cut control. (Fwiw, I have CG, Z-28 and MAZ.) I think that maybe there's a little bit of tonal overlap between the Ghia and the MAZ, but I don't have a MAZ so I don't know. If I decide to buy a Maz, maybe it would be smart to: - Get a combo instead of a head. Since it's an all-around amp it can easily become a go-to amp to play outside. If it's heavy, better go with a head. - Get a 38 instead for more clean headroom maybe? A couple of days ago I found a guy here in Rome who sells his 18th Anniversary MAZ 18. I'll probably go to try it anyway, but he told me on the phone that is VERY heavy and he sells it because he have back problems. It's a model with reverb and I've read some negative comments about the reverb itself, less clean headroom compared to the non reverb model and noisier?
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Post by digs57 on Aug 23, 2017 6:43:07 GMT -7
Studio model brother...
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Post by purpletele on Aug 23, 2017 8:40:18 GMT -7
"I'm thinking about getting my third Z amp." I fixed it for you. That other part about "possibly the last one" is just wishful thinking! Excellent editing Rock! That is silly to say 'possibly'
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Post by purpletele on Aug 23, 2017 8:50:18 GMT -7
I have space for a third head in my music room and I was thinking about getting a third Z to complete my collection. I think I have two options: 1) Something that covers the VOX tones. I've read tons of threads here and got some conflicting/misleading suggestions, plus some of the suggested amps in the oldest threads are not in production anymore. 2) Go for a master volume+FX loop head, which I don't have with my amps. This would be a go-to amp when I don't need a wet/dry rig. Teleprankster, With your requirements I would consider the Maz 8 in a Head Cabinet. Play that for a year and then the PSE mod will be available and the Maz 8 will be putting out +/- 12 to 14 Watts, with more Headroom, and also more grind when called upon. The Mod will be a little expensive, but that will make that amp even more utilitarian.
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Post by Jaguarguy (Mike) on Aug 23, 2017 9:37:25 GMT -7
EMS. I wish I had one even though I have no practical use for it. EMS is not really in the Vox playground (though I really like it a lot!)
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Post by zpilot on Aug 23, 2017 11:35:20 GMT -7
I didn't really want to pack a 2x12 cabinet around anymore so that is part of why I went with the C-Gold with it's 50 watt rating.
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Post by TelePrankster on Aug 24, 2017 1:48:00 GMT -7
I spent some time doing some research and I came to the conclusion that if I decide to buy a Z it would be a Stang Ray or a Z-Wreck. Z-Wreck seems a little bit too much aggressive and Marshall-esque for my taste, but it sounds very good, while the Stang Ray seems more like an upgraded AC30 with some twists. Maz 18/38 would be another good option just for the versatility, but with a Ghia and a Z-28 I already cover a lot of ground. EDIT: call me a traitor, but I just ordered a Morgan AC20 Deluxe. As much as I wanted to get my third Z amp, this one was the most suited for my needs. I'll keep looking for an used Stang Ray or a Z-Wreck anyway, I have all the time in the world. Money? Not so much. Thanks for your help.
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Post by Jaguarguy (Mike) on Aug 29, 2017 6:12:31 GMT -7
"I'm thinking about getting my third Z amp." I fixed it for you. That other part about "possibly the last one" is just wishful thinking! It's not wishful thinking - it's delusional thinking!
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Post by zpilot on Aug 29, 2017 6:39:49 GMT -7
I'm going to go out on a limb here and suggest something I've never personally owned. I always dislike it when people on internet forums do that so please forgive me. If I wanted something truly different from what you already have I'd opt for the new Z-Plus when it becomes available. You don't have anything currently that has a single-ended output stage and it is a sound different from push-pull amps. I do have a MAZ 8, which IS single-ended so I know approximately what the new amp will be like. Also, some of the Z amps are close to running Class A but a single-ended amp can ONLY run in Class-A. Again, you don't have anything like that.
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Post by TelePrankster on Aug 29, 2017 6:56:00 GMT -7
Thanks, man. I'll take a look at it when available.
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Post by goodez on Aug 29, 2017 11:40:38 GMT -7
I spent some time doing some research and I came to the conclusion that if I decide to buy a Z it would be a Stang Ray or a Z-Wreck. Z-Wreck seems a little bit too much aggressive and Marshall-esque for my taste, but it sounds very good, while the Stang Ray seems more like an upgraded AC30 with some twists. Maz 18/38 would be another good option just for the versatility, but with a Ghia and a Z-28 I already cover a lot of ground. EDIT: call me a traitor, but I just ordered a Morgan AC20 Deluxe. As much as I wanted to get my third Z amp, this one was the most suited for my needs. I'll keep looking for an used Stang Ray or a Z-Wreck anyway, I have all the time in the world. Money? Not so much. Thanks for your help. I looked at the Morgan Ac20 and Rca35 for a really long time. As fate would have it I ended up with a Dr.Z though lol. The Morgan does cleans phenomenally well. Enjoy it!
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Post by TelePrankster on Aug 30, 2017 0:12:29 GMT -7
I did the opposite: looking for a Z, ended up with a Morgan. I was eyeballing it since a while to be honest, I can't wait to try it.
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