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Post by ss "Shane" on Jun 13, 2018 20:37:19 GMT -7
After less than one minute with my new Z Wreck Combo I knew that there was something extremely special going on inside of this thing. This “minute” was clean (below 9 o’clock) and I could immediately tell that clean headroom in a band setting would be easy to achieve.
I then went ahead and turned it up to around 10 o’clock and.....well let’s just say that it was then that I had a complete understanding as to what I paid for and the healthy price tag associated with this amp. Worth the money? You had better believe it’s worth the money and probably more! My Tele neck pickup sounded amazing and the voodoo bridge sounded not of this world!!!
I turned on my comp pedal and decided it was useless to me with the Wreck. Not that the ZW sounded bad with the comp pedal, it’s just that it seemed to have one built in with ample sustain. Very strange I know. Maybe a couple of OD pedals, but honestly I don’t need my pedal board to have a phonomimal tone and feel with this machine.
My concerns were how loud it was and noise floor. Let me say that this amp is loud but it can be controlled with or without a Brake Lite. Yes, I bought the Brake and installed it with very happy results, but I could see myself going without the BL in some situations I play in. My goal is to be able to use this amp at 10 o’clock.
As for noise floor, let me say that it’s dead silent even with the cut cranked all the way up. This is such a pleasing thing for me! I know most players don’t care about a little noise floor but I’m strange I guess. Anyway, not even close to being a problem with the ZW.
I’m really digging the speed setting the most! Is it just me or does anybody else out there like the way the cut knob sounds all the way up? To me it adds more demimsion and sparkly mids. I’m probably the only guy in Z world who will dime the cut knob!
This is Dr. Z at his very best and any person searching for pure unbridled heavenly tone should give the Z Wreck a try!
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Post by DRZ on Jun 14, 2018 3:17:56 GMT -7
Great Shane, glad you dig the Wreck. It is a special amp, and I hope it gives you years of inspiration.
Z
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Post by Maddog on Jun 14, 2018 5:15:24 GMT -7
I call it my "Cold Dead Hands" amp! Congrats Shane! Play it in good health!!!
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Post by premiumplus (Dave) on Jun 14, 2018 17:34:13 GMT -7
Doc said that the Z-Wreck would change my life. He was, as usual, correct. I love this amp, it's the best guitar amplifier I have ever played, ever. I'm going to convert mine into a combo with a Gold.
Inspiration is the keyword here; When you strike a note and your guitar responds like it does with the Z-Wreck, it changes your approach to the instrument. At least it did for me.
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Post by ss "Shane" on Jun 14, 2018 21:31:13 GMT -7
Well I haven’t had a chance to use my ZW in a band setting so I’m not sure where my settings will be or even exactly how to handle this complex and ten deminsional amp. If I didn’t know better I’d think there is some sort of ambiance stomp box built it...so incredible! I’d seriously like to know the secrets to this amp, I mean... it’s just a wood box with a 12” speaker and some electrical components right? Unless the wood came from some forbidden enchanted forest with jungle people guarding it.
I wanna believe that I can get away with one click up on my Brake Lite and run it somewhere between 9 and 10 o’clock on volume. At the moment I’m using my Crook T with 11:00 on treble, about 10:30 on bass and around 2:00 on cut. I like this sound but I’m hoping it’s not too bright for others listening.
I’m finding that these settings slightly change as volume levels change so I have lots to learn. I can only imagine how this thing will sound when the 12” Gold gets broken in!
I want to sum the ZW up by saying it’s a strait up blues amp because it’s so smooth, but then I move some knobs and it’s a country amp with bridge pick up bite and echoing sting, turn knobs again and it’s a rock amp that sounds like it’s in stereo! I’m really overwhelmed in a good way, like a kid in a candy store.
This is my 4th Z amp and this one has kept me in my music room the longest because I can’t put my guitar down. So much fun! My fingers are killing me!
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Post by Lash LaRue on Jun 14, 2018 22:42:04 GMT -7
Wow- this is an exciting review! I have purchased the Quantum Silver Wreck setup that Frankie Starr offered-up. I am looking forward to receiving it after a check-up at The Z Shop. Additionally, I am having the 1/2 power mod installed and chose the comfort setting.
Hoping the head/cab setup has as much mojo as your combo’s!
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Post by premiumplus (Dave) on Jun 15, 2018 7:59:44 GMT -7
Wow- this is an exciting review! I have purchased the Quantum Silver Wreck setup that Frankie Starr offered-up. I am looking forward to receiving it after a check-up at The Z Shop. Additionally, I am having the 1/2 power mod installed and chose the comfort setting. Hoping the head/cab setup has as much mojo as your combo’s! I'm happy for you, brother! I had just bought mine a month or so before that set went up for sale or I would have bought it. I like the comfort setting the best too, and I thought about getting the half power mod but instead I went for the Power Station. Either way, this is the best amplifier I've ever had, it truly is an inspiration. I'm running a single Gold...I can't imagine how good it'll sound with a Gold and a Blue together. Wow.
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Post by Lash LaRue on Jun 15, 2018 9:07:11 GMT -7
Dave-
Thank you! I’ll let you know how she sounds!
EL
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Post by Lash LaRue on Jun 15, 2018 9:11:34 GMT -7
And, regarding the half power mod vs the power station:
Since the amp was already going to be at Z’s shop, I went with the mod. I have faith in the mod and I would prefer to not carry around another piece of gear. I’ll give a report...
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