ruby
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Post by ruby on Jun 23, 2019 1:08:42 GMT -7
Would it be ok to replace the tube rectifier in the therapy with a solid state rectifier plug-in like this one?
I understand the effect it would have on the sound and feel of the amp but using the amp as a clean and loud platform for pedals i feel it could be a step towards maximizing headroom, right?
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Post by DRZ on Jun 23, 2019 1:37:15 GMT -7
Not sure you'll like the results, but yes you can replace the rectifier tube with a plug in SS unit. Z
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ruby
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Post by ruby on Jun 23, 2019 2:04:04 GMT -7
Thanks a bunch for the swift reply doc, just wanted to make sure it's safe to try. :-)
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Post by Rockerfeller on Jun 23, 2019 5:22:11 GMT -7
Would it be ok to replace the tube rectifier in the therapy with a solid state rectifier plug-in like this one?
I understand the effect it would have on the sound and feel of the amp but using the amp as a clean and loud platform for pedals i feel it could be a step towards maximizing headroom, right? Ruby, what a lot of us here have learned, through extensive trial and tinkering is this:
Doc knows best. If you spend any time here, you'll hear that over and over and over and over again. He's got a great ear. He experiments with lots of different parts when building an new amp. When he chose to go with a SS vs tube rectifier, it's probably because it worked the best and made that amp the best it could be.
I'm sure others will chime in and say the same thing. So experiment away...just keep the original rectifier so you can switch it back!
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Post by ss "Shane" on Jun 23, 2019 12:49:51 GMT -7
Would it be ok to replace the tube rectifier in the therapy with a solid state rectifier plug-in like this one?
I understand the effect it would have on the sound and feel of the amp but using the amp as a clean and loud platform for pedals i feel it could be a step towards maximizing headroom, right? Ruby, what a lot of us here have learned, through extensive trial and tinkering is this:
Doc knows best. If you spend any time here, you'll hear that over and over and over and over again. He's got a great ear. He experiments with lots of different parts when building an new amp. When he chose to go with a SS vs tube rectifier, it's probably because it worked the best and made that amp the best it could be.
I'm sure others will chime in and say the same thing. So experiment away...just keep the original rectifier so you can switch it back!
I couldn’t agree more with this ⬆️. If there’s something like not enough headroom I’d make attempts to change that with speaker and/or tube swaps. If this doesn’t get you where you wanna go I’d move on to another amp that does. The Therapy has every box checked for me, but I’m not the OP. Good luck!
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Post by Jaguarguy (Mike) on Jun 23, 2019 15:56:44 GMT -7
What type of speaker are you using? If you're looking for more headroom make sure you have an efficient speaker.
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ruby
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Post by ruby on Jun 23, 2019 22:17:52 GMT -7
Actually i was just wondering if the therapy (ss rectifier or not) would have more headroom than a z-lux, the z-lux being the amp i currently own and the therapy being the one i was interested in.
On another thread some guys who own both were able to tell me the z-lux seems to be the one with the most headroom so i'm gonna stick to it.
Speakerwise there is most certainly room for a boost in power as i am currently running a 4x10 cab with Eminence Z legend speakers (20watt 98dB). I was thinking about going for something like the Eminence ramrod.
If that still doesn't cut it i read i could also load the amp with some medium grade Tungsol reissue 5881 power tubes. *What is this medium thing about though? I can only find one kind on their website or in stores.
And lastly maybe a 12ay7 in V1?
Don't get me wrong, the amp is fantastic and plenty loud for my taste. If it weren't for my loud bandmates i wouldn't be having this problem.
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Post by daddyelmis (Greg) on Jun 24, 2019 3:17:56 GMT -7
Yikes! I’m trying to imagine how loud your band is where the 40watt Zlux can’t cut it staying clean.
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ruby
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Post by ruby on Jun 24, 2019 4:18:30 GMT -7
Yikes! I’m trying to imagine how loud your band is where the 40watt Zlux can’t cut it staying clean. I know right, stupid loud, i find it frustrating at times. I prefer those nice well rounded, chimey clean/slightly hairy sounds but i'm always forced to push beyond that limit if i even want to hear what i'm playing.. And that's when i lose the sound i know and love.
It's not the amp, it's the band, but i would love this amp to work with that band. :-)
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Post by Jaguarguy (Mike) on Jun 24, 2019 4:32:27 GMT -7
Have you ever played an EZG 50? Plenty of clean headroom in that amp! And loud! If that's not enough, try listening to a Surgical Steel!!!
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Post by Rockerfeller on Jun 24, 2019 4:50:27 GMT -7
Yikes! I’m trying to imagine how loud your band is where the 40watt Zlux can’t cut it staying clean. I know right, stupid loud, i find it frustrating at times. I prefer those nice well rounded, chimey clean/slightly hairy sounds but i'm always forced to push beyond that limit if i even want to hear what i'm playing.. And that's when i lose the sound i know and love.
It's not the amp, it's the band, but i would love this amp to work with that band. :-)
I can't imagine a scenario where the Z-Lux on 40 watts can't keep up. Is the problem you're having more at rehearsal or on stage?
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ruby
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Post by ruby on Jun 24, 2019 5:39:40 GMT -7
Have you ever played an EZG 50? Plenty of clean headroom in that amp! And loud! If that's not enough, try listening to a Surgical Steel!!! I've never played one, but if i hadn't gotten the z-lux i would have definitely gone for the ezg. Though i might have had some second thoughts afterwards, i regret nothing. :-)
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ruby
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Post by ruby on Jun 24, 2019 5:46:41 GMT -7
I know right, stupid loud, i find it frustrating at times. I prefer those nice well rounded, chimey clean/slightly hairy sounds but i'm always forced to push beyond that limit if i even want to hear what i'm playing.. And that's when i lose the sound i know and love.
It's not the amp, it's the band, but i would love this amp to work with that band. :-)
I can't imagine a scenario where the Z-Lux on 40 watts can't keep up. Is the problem you're having more at rehearsal or on stage? Only at rehearsal. I'm playing my strat, z-lux and 4x10 cab but the other guy plays this les paul trough a cranked bandmaster driving a 2x12 farfisa cab built for organ. Mine is a really soft edged/round cleanish sound while his is a really present in your face driven sound, i guess it just kind of drowns me out.
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Post by John on Jun 24, 2019 5:57:14 GMT -7
Playing a full blast 40 watt Z-lux at rehearsal....and not having it keep up....is to me: nonsense. Nonsense in the concept that your band's rehearsal volume is stupid loud. Sounds like an equipment/ego problem.
By bro-in-law played in a classic rock band. They rehearsed in the keyboard player's basement. (smaller than a two car garage) The bass player had a 1200 watt Ampeg SVT w/ an 8/10 cabinet turn up REAL LOUD; and he refused to turn down. You could hear the band out in the street in front of the house. And get this, they ended up micing the drums! In a basement! I told my sister, get him some earplug!
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Post by daddyelmis (Greg) on Jun 24, 2019 6:19:45 GMT -7
Ruby’s band should absolutely be wearing earplugs or you guys are doomed. I’d also tell the other guitarist to turn the f@ck down - it’s rehearsal for Pete’s sake. If a Z 40watt amp can’t hang then the problem is with the band and not the amp.
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Post by Jaguarguy (Mike) on Jun 24, 2019 6:29:39 GMT -7
Have you ever played an EZG 50? Plenty of clean headroom in that amp! And loud! If that's not enough, try listening to a Surgical Steel!!! I've never played one, but if i hadn't gotten the z-lux i would have definitely gone for the ezg. Though i might have had some second thoughts afterwards, i regret nothing. :-)
Well, your next Z could be an EZG or a Surgical Steel because just like potato chips, you just can't stop at one!
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ruby
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Post by ruby on Jun 24, 2019 6:44:41 GMT -7
Agreed with all of the above. :-) Turning down would be nice, but none the less i will give the more efficient speakers and the 5881's a try, that might just put me on par with the rest.
I love this forum. :-D
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Post by Maddog on Jun 24, 2019 6:50:30 GMT -7
the other guy plays this les paul trough a cranked bandmaster driving a 2x12 farfisa cab built for organ. . I've never seen a Bandmaster that could hold its own against a 40 watt Dr. Z amp, and I've owned a few great Bandmasters. The output trannies just aren't up to snuff compared to Doc's big amps...... Is his amp stock or hot-rodded?
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ruby
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Post by ruby on Jun 24, 2019 7:07:41 GMT -7
the other guy plays this les paul trough a cranked bandmaster driving a 2x12 farfisa cab built for organ. . I've never seen a Bandmaster that could hold its own against a 40 watt Dr. Z amp, and I've owned a few great Bandmasters. The output trannies just aren't up to snuff compared to Doc's big amps...... Is his amp stock or hot-rodded? No it's been modded over the years, in fact it wasn't even working when he got it. I don't know exactly what he's got in there but the OT is the one thing i know for sure he replaced.
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Post by Rockerfeller on Jun 24, 2019 8:11:19 GMT -7
So the issue is your other guitar player is too loud? It's not the drummer or the other guys, just him?
If that's the case, I would talk with him about turning down. The solution to volume wars, is for somebody to turn down!
If you are that loud at rehearsal, you can believe you are going to be far too loud at the gig. My angle with the guys would be just that: Let's practice at a lower volume so we can handle any size gig.
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ruby
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Post by ruby on Jun 24, 2019 11:16:24 GMT -7
No just him.. We played a gig this weekend and after setting up he started soundchecking at the same volume we usually use at rehearsal, standing in front of the stage it instantly became clear that it was waaay too loud so he had to turn down, a lot. That night on stage i was able to run my amp with the master maxed and the volume under 1/4th of the dial to get the sound i like and i still turned it down a bit because i was the loudest one on stage this time.. So i guess that goes a long way to show just how excessively loud those rehearsals are.
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Post by Rockerfeller on Jun 24, 2019 11:35:45 GMT -7
Try talking to him. If you guys are standing on opposite sides of the stage, you should be able to hear what he's doing, but it shouldn't over power you and the rest of the guys. It he is, he's too loud. If you have a hard time hearing yourself, HE must also have a hard time hearing you. In a two guitar set up, we need to hear each other. I want to hear my other guitar player. What I don't want is to only hear him.
If the guy gives you the middle finger and won't turn down? Then you have a real issue. Personally, I wouldn't tolerate that.
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Post by daddyelmis (Greg) on Jun 24, 2019 12:39:31 GMT -7
This is gonna turn into an arms race. You should go ahead and buy this amp from the other “Doc” amp builder:
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ruby
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Post by ruby on Jun 24, 2019 12:49:16 GMT -7
Ok now i'm losing it. I just plugged the z-lux into my marshall 2x12 2061x cab and it nearly ate me alive at a fraction of the volume i usually run the amp at with my 4x10 cab. I'm talking face melting electric delta blues drive rich in sag and harmonics with my barber dd/dc.
That thing is loaded with two 30 watt celestion G12H30's and my 4x10 Z cab has four 20 watt eminence Z legends, wouldn't that mean the 4x10 cab should be way louder totalling at 80 watts instead of 60 for the marshall? Ok the sensitivity on the celestions is 100dB weheras the others are 98dB, but is that making the difference or Is there something wrong with my 4x10 cab?
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Post by daddyelmis (Greg) on Jun 24, 2019 13:53:26 GMT -7
Are all the 10’s working (not blown, disconnected, etc)? There will be some difference between 2-12’s and 4-10’s, but it shouldn’t be drastic if all the speakers are working properly and if relatively similar kind (the different efficiencies you have will matter, but again should be that drastic).
There’s a lot of info out there on the interweb on relative volume of sets of speakers - all things being equal, more speakers are louder than fewer for the same output signal, but it’s not linear and the calculations are fairly complicated. You do get the multiple for power handling (4 20 watt speakers give you 80 watts of power handling) but that’s not the same as volume.
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ruby
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Post by ruby on Jun 24, 2019 14:36:46 GMT -7
The cab is at the place where we rehearse right now so i can't tell, but i am definitely going to take a look inside once i get the chance. The difference in volume is just too huge for there to be nothing wrong somehow. And damn that amp sounds fantastic with those G12H30's! I should have tried that out before but it never really crossed my mind.
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Post by ss "Shane" on Jun 24, 2019 16:58:57 GMT -7
Sell everything you have then buy a Z80 with two 4X10 cabs. Easy fix!
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Post by Rockerfeller on Jun 24, 2019 18:53:08 GMT -7
Sell everything you have then buy a Z80 with two 4X10 cabs. Easy fix! And a pair of Earasers www.earasers.net/
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Post by doctorice on Jun 27, 2019 14:41:17 GMT -7
I think there's a bit of truth in this: "If you can hear yourself playing, you're too loud. If you can't hear yourself, you're too quiet."
Anyway, it will be interesting to hear what you find with your 4x10.
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ruby
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Post by ruby on Jul 4, 2019 8:43:58 GMT -7
So i took the Marshall 2061x cab and the Z-lux to rehaersal and the combination of the two was just as loud as it was at home, no need to cranck the volume too much and i got the sound i wanted. Then i took the 4x10 cab home and screwed it open but it's perfectly fine. I then tested it side by side with the 2x12 cab using a Marshall 2061x head and got the same results, the 4x10 cab is just a lot quieter. I guess i could have known this when opting for the vintage style 20 watt alnico speakers but they seemed so appealing. Long story short: amazing amp, superbly built cab, wrong speakers for me.
If anyone has some suggestions for loud 10" speakers that sound something like a G12H30, please feel free to share.
*Apologies for making this thread go awoll but i guess anyone who came here looking for the answer to the original question has already been served a long time ago anyway.
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