jd0009
Junior Member
Posts: 87
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Post by jd0009 on Feb 15, 2018 8:49:19 GMT -7
Need to some advice...know there is a big power difference but need something for live band and maybe stage. Have the lower wattage thing pretty much covered. Thoughts please?
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Post by scottunzicker on Feb 15, 2018 9:08:13 GMT -7
Need to some advice...know there is a big power difference but need something for live band and maybe stage. Have the lower wattage thing pretty much covered. Thoughts please? As a Z-Lux owner, I am quite naturally biased. Having said that, I think the Z-Lux is the better choice for one main reason: versatility. You can run it at either 40 or 20 watts. It has not just reverb, as the Z-PLUS does, but a great tremolo, as well. You can use either the stock 6V6 power tubes, or you can swap in a set of medium grade, Tung Sol 5881s in with no tweaking, giving a more blackface-like tone, if that's your thing. And finally, with the switchable/dial-able boost, you can cover much of the tweed territory the Z-PLUS does. Just my .02. Cheers!
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jd0009
Junior Member
Posts: 87
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Post by jd0009 on Feb 15, 2018 10:18:06 GMT -7
That's exactly what I was thinking. At 66 this will probably be my last amp. Just want it to be a versatile one. It sounds to me the Lux is more of a swiss army knife than the Plus. I've had a Maz 38 and 18. Loved the huge headroom of the 38 and the wattage of the 18. Lux just seems to do more than either of those..and am a big 6V6 fan from my Deluxe reverb days.
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Post by premiumplus (Dave) on Feb 15, 2018 13:42:12 GMT -7
I don't own a Z-Plus but I've had my Z-Lux for a couple of years and I just love it. It really is a great amp. We're about the same age and it's not a heavy amp, it transports very nicely. It loves pedals, not that it really needs them, but it works well with or without them. I think you'll love it. EDIT: I play in a big band along with the praise band at church and it works for both. I'll use full power at outdoor gigs on a big stage, but I suspect that I could get away with half power even there. It's a huge sounding, full, fat toned beauty. And she'll scream if you push her!
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Post by Stephen on Feb 15, 2018 14:29:03 GMT -7
I’m biased too. I don’t own a Z-Plus. The Z-Lux could be my only amp. In my stable, it is #1 of 10.
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sam
Junior Member
Posts: 91
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Post by sam on Feb 15, 2018 14:59:36 GMT -7
I love them both. Going to try them together tonight. I've only had the Z-Plus for a week, while I have gigged the Z-Lux dozens of times. They are both amazing "desert island" amps for me.
I think my current feeling is that the Z-Plus is more versatile and useful for clean tones and doesn't have quite as rich or deep breakup tones. The Z-Lux also has great cleans, but it features the most amazing light to medium and beyond breakup tones ever. It is amazing to open it up with humbuckers. Feels and sounds so good!
The Z-Plus doesn't have as much low end, but dialing back the treble (and Hi Cut) leads to the most beautiful mid-range tones. It's not that the bass isn't there, it's just that it isn't as prominent and full compared to the Z-Lux. On the other hand, the Z-Lux has tons of very clear present low end. I usually dial the bass back on the Z-Lux and I dial it up on the Z-Plus.
I guess to me the cleaner to slightly hairy tones of the Z-Plus are really magical with just about any guitar. I really love them. The Z-Lux really shines with slightly to a lot more breakup. It is just magic.
Z-Lux has a significantly bigger and louder sound. Both amps are bright but can be dialed back to beautiful sweet spots.
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Post by Maddog on Feb 15, 2018 15:24:14 GMT -7
Pretty much same age as you.... Z Lux is just "perfect." Have not played a Plus yet....and I'm certain it's great too, but the Lux gets 95% of my amp use while my other amps collect dust....I've gigged it, recorded it, use it for practice, jams....everything!!!
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Post by daddyelmis (Greg) on Feb 15, 2018 15:26:24 GMT -7
I’m really loving this thread. I’m jonesing for either the zplus or zlux. I’m a big fan of deluxe reverbs so I’m drawn to the zlux. BUT - I currently have a Therapy and a Z28, and I think the plus would sit in a different sonic place where the lux might overlap the therapy a bit.
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