spike
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Posts: 18
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Post by spike on Apr 19, 2018 12:28:26 GMT -7
A Galaxie head has come up fairly locally at what looks to be a good price. 1000 CAD so about 800 USD. A little more for shipping though I think the guy may include that in the price.
I have Z 28 and Maz 18 NR heads. I have a Marshal 1974x head that a friend with OCD built from a kit. Upgraded parts and meticulous hand wiring. I have a Ghia 10 combo with a Gold. I have a Traynor 15 Blue (these are awesome little amps).
What's this thing going to give me that I don't already have? What kinds of questions should I ask the seller? Unless I fall in love, the Galaxie is not likely to be my gigging amp. Too loud for home use? I have an Air Brake but I kinda prefer not using it.
Opinions/advice appreciated. Maybe this post is just venting while I ponder. Not many of us need another amp, but when a classic Z comes up you have to think about it.
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Post by Ridgeback on Apr 19, 2018 12:38:04 GMT -7
I think there was a mod at some point to balance the two channels better. You might do some research into what year that was incorporated. I played an early one and the drive channel was way out of balance with the normal channel with no way I could find to balance them. $800 US with the mod seems like a good deal.
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Post by Jaguarguy (Mike) on Apr 19, 2018 18:12:35 GMT -7
I've had both modded and unmodded. I like them both. The second channel of the Galaxie sounds really great especially with a LP. More drive than any of the amps you described - wonderful growl to it. The first channel is in the Super Tweed realm of sound - very clean,
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Post by wraparound (Steve) on Apr 19, 2018 18:40:09 GMT -7
Spike, I’ve read and re-read your question and I’m not certain there’s a conclusive answer. Having had a bunch of amps but not as many Z amps as you already have, I’ll just say that there are a few qualities that stand out to me with the Galaxie that I found unique and maybe you would too. 1. 5U4 rectified ( bit more sag in a good way ) 2. Tweed channel early Fender tone ( the essence of early electric guitar amplification ) 3. An option for how the output tubes are used ( pentode/ triode ) 4. 6l6 output for more than enough power 5. A drive channel that will stand out in the mix no matter the drummer But I will say this, you have to know how to ride the horse. It may take more than a few turns around the corral to get all that’s in there. Hope this helps.
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spike
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Posts: 18
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Post by spike on Apr 19, 2018 20:09:05 GMT -7
Thanks to you all for your thoughtful responses. Much appreciated. I'm still on the fence on this one. I'm leaning toward just staying with what I've got for heads and putting my recent work bonus towards another cab. With a Blue.
Still, based on my research, and what you all have said, this amp does seem to be calling my name. This one has Presence. Even if the channels don't balance, and I've never had a two channel amp that did, the thought of having two amps in one is intriguing. Especially if one is pure old Fender and the other is a gain playground.
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Post by Joey Beverages on Apr 20, 2018 8:05:09 GMT -7
Thanks to you all for your thoughtful responses. Much appreciated. I'm still on the fence on this one. I'm leaning toward just staying with what I've got for heads and putting my recent work bonus towards another cab. With a Blue. Still, based on my research, and what you all have said, this amp does seem to be calling my name. This one has Presence. Even if the channels don't balance, and I've never had a two channel amp that did, the thought of having two amps in one is intriguing. Especially if one is pure old Fender and the other is a gain playground.
As you said about, that's exactly why you need it.
And, it pairs well with a variety of speaker configurations - though, my favorite is a pair of Z-10s And, it plays well with a variety of guitars and pickup configurations And, it aint a current production model And, it's just a damn-cool amp
cheers always,
Joel
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spike
New Member
Posts: 18
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Post by spike on Apr 21, 2018 10:44:14 GMT -7
I decided to go for it and messaged the seller yesterday. He's come to his senses and now wants to keep it. I asked to be first in line if he changes his mind.
Oh well. I've spent half the morning with the 18 NR and the other half with the Ghia. I'll be alright.
Back to the cab search. Hey Canadians - any 1x12 or 2x10 Z cabs you want to part with?
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Post by simpleton on Apr 21, 2018 11:08:58 GMT -7
I decided to go for it and messaged the seller yesterday. He's come to his senses and now wants to keep it. I asked to be first in line if he changes his mind. Oh well. I've spent half the morning with the 18 NR and the other half with the Ghia. I'll be alright. Back to the cab search. Hey Canadians - any 1x12 or 2x10 Z cabs you want to part with? Missed it by thiiiis much .... I missed out on a Galaxie a few years back and have alwybeen bummed it didn’t work out. Good luck on the cab search.
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Post by Joey Beverages on Apr 23, 2018 6:56:35 GMT -7
I decided to go for it and messaged the seller yesterday. He's come to his senses and now wants to keep it. I asked to be first in line if he changes his mind. Oh well. I've spent half the morning with the 18 NR and the other half with the Ghia. I'll be alright. Back to the cab search. Hey Canadians - any 1x12 or 2x10 Z cabs you want to part with?
Thought I saw a 210 cab in the Local Store Specials section - Long and Mcquade Otherwise, Craiglist/kijiji are your best bets
cheers always
Joel
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Post by Joey Beverages on Apr 23, 2018 7:03:17 GMT -7
PM sent re L&M and 210 cab available in B.C.
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spike
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Posts: 18
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Post by spike on Apr 23, 2018 12:36:23 GMT -7
PM of thanks sent. Also emailed L&M. I think that cab will soon be mine.
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spike
New Member
Posts: 18
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Post by spike on May 11, 2018 18:39:06 GMT -7
The Galaxie is now at my house. More on all that later. The tubes were removed for shipping and I'm just putting them back in. Is there some trick to getting the 12AX7's in? They are not going in easy and I've stopped rather than forcing them.
Edit - Got it figured out. So far, this amp sounds great. I've mostly been on the clean side. Wow. I have no other amp that has that sound.
Going to go play more now.
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Post by simpleton on May 11, 2018 22:36:04 GMT -7
The Galaxie is now at my house. More on all that later. The tubes were removed for shipping and I'm just putting them back in. Is there some trick to getting the 12AX7's in? They are not going in easy and I've stopped rather than forcing them. Edit - Got it figured out. So far, this amp sounds great. I've mostly been on the clean side. Wow. I have no other amp that has that sound. Going to go play more now. Enjoy! I love me some new amp day jams!
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Post by Joey Beverages on May 14, 2018 6:12:47 GMT -7
Congrats on your new Galaxie. Great amp. And the 210 cab? cheers always, Joel
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spike
New Member
Posts: 18
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Post by spike on May 14, 2018 17:13:39 GMT -7
Congrats on your new Galaxie. Great amp. And the 210 cab? cheers always, Joel Thanks. I'm still loving it. My other Z's are sharing the number 1 spot equally but this one is fitting right in. The gain side is way cool but I find the clean side to be absolutely stellar. It's inspiring me to play some new stuff. Well, probably just my same old stuff, but clean. I passed on that cab. After shipping and taxes it was getting very close to the price of a new one. And a new one would have a grill cloth that matches my heads. I've got a nice 2x10 cab with Golds built by Derrick Bell in Trenton, Ontario. That's doing just fine for now. Pretty sure there's a Z cab in my future but it might be a little while away.
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Post by sharkboy on May 15, 2018 18:33:00 GMT -7
The Galaxy has a cathodyne PI, so it should go into distortion a little different from most Zs. This and the ZPlus have been nagging at my completist nature of late.
Let us know what you observe with it.
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