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Post by nicholas on Dec 31, 2017 11:31:28 GMT -7
ETA 1/4. Super excited about this one. This will be my first studio combo as well.
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Post by Jaguarguy (Mike) on Dec 31, 2017 13:51:53 GMT -7
You're going to have a great New Year!
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Post by captainron (Ron) on Dec 31, 2017 18:43:52 GMT -7
Happy New year indeed!
The Plus is my 1st Studio cab as well. I'm liking it!
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Post by nicholas on Jan 5, 2018 16:54:32 GMT -7
Landed! I picked up my new Zplus on the way home from a 8 hour drive today. I had been out of town due to a north earstern storm. So the "big brown building" held it for me. In all honestly I'm pretty beat, lots of driving. I almost just unpacked the little guy and called it a day. Not possible. I set the new Z-Plus next to my (now aging) JAZ 20/40. Which is my favorite amp of all time. The first thing that strikes me is the size of the studio cab Z-P. It's not to big, not too small. The goldilocks of amp cabs. Just right. I love the size, and look. Then I grabbed my go to LP Custom and gave it a whirl. This is a newer Custom in Silverburst trim. I've swapped out the factory pups with a Gibson 57' classic in the neck and a 57' Classic + bridge some time ago. It's a great guitar. I insert guitar cable, hit the power switch and blast off into old school american goodness. At this point I'm really pleased. The amp is in full power mode and has plenty of punch. Even with the humbucker equipped LPC. I initially started with the master full, full power and dialed up the "volume" to get my tone. It seems to work perfect like that. Very nice clean tones. Set up like this it actually reminds me of my JAZ. However the verb on the Zplus seems more developed. For a one knob verb it behaves very nicely. After a while of knob tweaking, I decided to try the other side. I dialed back the master. Cranked the volume all the way up and let it rip. Little did I konw that I was in for and unexpected treat. Holy smokes! This amp is very interesting. This little guy rips! I set the TSB set around half. This amp will get dirty! I definitely hear a little Therapy in this little guy. At this point I feel like saying. Set the volume knob like this: Set the master like this: Plug a Les Paul in like this: Then play whatever music you like using the guitar volume knob. . I have a challenge brewing for the Doc after listening to this amp. I'm going to ask in the "ask doc anything" section .
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Post by Chilly Gibbons (Todd T.) on Jan 5, 2018 18:14:56 GMT -7
Awesome!! You are going to have a hell of a weekend!
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Post by doctorice on Jan 5, 2018 19:50:08 GMT -7
Congrats, Nick. I must say your photo gave me a jolt of nostalgia for my JAZ. (Mine was "old school" with the oval front with 2 Z 10s behind it.)
I'm using my LP with the Z-Plus for tomorrow's gig. Volume is dialed up and the hi input is engaged. Sounded great while practicing today in half power. I'll be able to open it up at the gig, but if I can't that's OK. It sounds so good.
I've neglected the Cure since the Z-Plus arrived.
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Post by nicholas on Jan 6, 2018 12:00:13 GMT -7
Mike, Mine had the oval front too. I might put it back on. I have my JAZ set up with 5881's. It's real nice for a loud cleanish tone with my Les Pauls or P90's. I love that amp. The Z-plus actually reminds me like a cross between that and a lower watt Therapy. The Z-Plus is unique. I've moved it back to a more traditional eq. Very similar to how I set the JAZ. Not surprising as they are similar front ends. I don't use pedals, so set up like that it can be clean enough with the GV down a little. Then with the bypass set around half it's all the drive I ever need. Mine has the creamback and I usually go for a Billy Gibbons-ish tone. It fits in well for that. I'm sure I'll move the knobs around some more. But it will probably end up close to the pic and stay there for the most part. I doubt I'll try any other speakers. The Creamback sounds perfect for my needs. Dirty blues, classic rock. I really like the half power option. It seems to work better than the half switch in my JAZ. Probably because in half power you basically have a full power single 6v6 single ended amp! On that note this is my third single ended amp. The first was a 5w single 6v6 Richter that I sold to Paul T. It was nice, and sounded great but had what I'll call the "single ended" hum. It was a background 60 cycle type hum that stayed consistant regardless of the amp volume. Just a base hum. I also had a Victoria Regal which is a two 6v6 parallel single ended amp. It had the same hum and it got worse with the second tube on. I just figured thats how all single ended amps are. Inherent in the design. But the Z-Plus has none of this hum. Some how Dr.Z figured a way to get rid of it, and without over filtering it. The Z-Plus sounds alive at any volume level and no hum! Awesome. The Z-plus half power is super effective. It sounds awesome on one tube and louder with both. Perfect.
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Post by doctorice on Jan 6, 2018 12:40:13 GMT -7
Nick, one thing you might try: raise Cut (noonish) and back off Treble. It seems, to me, a little fuller sounding while retaining the highs that an LP often benefits from.
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Post by captainron (Ron) on Jan 6, 2018 19:33:14 GMT -7
Nick, one thing you might try: raise Cut (noonish) and back off Treble. It seems, to me, a little fuller sounding while retaining the highs that an LP often benefits from. Nick, I'd add to back off the mids a touch if needed to find your tone. Agree with Mike, the Cut up around 11-12ish seems fuller with humbuckers. Heck even with my single coils I like the Cut at least 10ish or so. Lets us know if it helps.
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Post by nicholas on Jan 15, 2018 14:03:27 GMT -7
I've concluded the amp sound awesome wherever you set the knobs!
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Deleted Member
Posts: 0
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Post by Deleted on Jan 15, 2018 14:29:06 GMT -7
I've concluded the amp sound awesome wherever you set the knobs! I concur!
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