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Post by Deleted on Oct 1, 2019 11:28:29 GMT -7
Am I just discovering the magic of a portable combo amp. That ratio surprises me! I think the advent of the light-weight, truly portable combo has really changed things. Weighing in at around a real 40 pounds they truly are portable. I have older combos that weigh almost twice that (Super Z, Z-28 4x10 combo, Super Reverb ... ) that sound great but aren't going anywhere. Doc's new combos sound great and a literally grab and go. As people get older they look for light-weight solutions and Doc has them. For sure. I have a mid 90's AC30 2x12 that has to weigh at least 90 pounds. My Z Wreck combo I think weighs less than my JCM800 head. |
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Post by ineedtherapy (Stuart) on Oct 1, 2019 14:04:42 GMT -7
I have to say, when I am playing anywhere that’s outside my house or church, I immediately wish I had a combo. Playing at home and church causes me to prefer a head for the same reason (I have a cabs in both locations that can handle all of my amps so moving cabs around isn’t necessary). I thought I would buy a Z Master or Z Lux, then got my old Therapy and Z28 heads back in trade recently. Now I’m thinking I may have to get the Jetta as my portable/gigging amp, or wait for the new z28 mkii to be released.
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Post by frankie on Oct 1, 2019 14:10:41 GMT -7
I had a discussion with Doc today on this question. Comparing the Jetta to the Cure is like comparing the Ghia to the Maz 18. They can both be fiddled with to come up with the same approximate sound but why would you do that? The Jetta is a fun little amp with a raw sound to it. Like the Ghia, it is only two knobs - volume and tone (with a Master Vol thrown in for good measure). The Cure, like the Maz 18, has a lot more (knobs) features - treble, middle, bass, and level. To my ears the has a more "refined" sound like the Z-Lux (which was its starting point if you weren't aware) - of course, YMMV when it comes to sound descriptions. My recommendation - play them together to see which is the right one for you. If you're near S.E. Mich I know a place you can test them both at  Did someone mention demo? http://instagr.am/p/B3CtJNIBPiG www.instagram.com/p/B3CtJNIBPiG/ Have to admit I like the Adrian Raso single coil demo better than the humbucker sounds in this teaser demo. I think this amp will shine with single coils. Looking forward to a full demo. This teaser was recorded with Strat with a JB humbucker, 16k pickup. It has the very thick midforward sound these pickups are known for. That’s because this amp amplifies the guitar, it doesn’t impart a sound on the guitar. This is what makes this amp special. You will hear the true sound of your guitar. Be patient, many clips are coming. |
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Post by frankie on Oct 1, 2019 14:17:22 GMT -7
I'm no Ampeg expert. But I do have a '64 Ampeg Superbreverb. If the Jetta sounds anything like that, I'll have to grab one. For you guys that played the Jetta, how much clean volume does it have with humbuckers? Is it somewhere in the ballpark of a JAZ or Zlux? We all know that headroom is a subjective thing - my idea of headroom will be different than yours. If you really need clean headroom, check out the Surgical Steel. To me, this amp isn't about clean headroom - it's more a vintage rock type of sound - think Rolling Stones late 60s early 70s. Keef's tone was definitely not a clean sound (unless he was playing his acoustics but even then it had hair to it). I've got a '64 Reverborocket - it's kinda in that vein but not quite. Definitely a new sound for Zs though. Mike, I have to respectfully disagree. This amp has more headroom than a Ghia, 18, or Cure, it gets close to Z Lux clean with the MV open and the gain up to noon. I think the clips to come will really demonstrate that this amp reproduces what you give it. It can get sparkling clean even with humbuckers. Balancing the gain and master volume will open a full range of clean to distortion, and the demos to come were recorded specifically to demonstrate all the levels of gain available. Everyone be patient and all will be revealed. |
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Post by KeithA on Oct 1, 2019 14:53:06 GMT -7
Have to admit I like the Adrian Raso single coil demo better than the humbucker sounds in this teaser demo. I think this amp will shine with single coils. Looking forward to a full demo. This teaser was recorded with Strat with a JB humbucker, 16k pickup. It has the very thick midforward sound these pickups are known for. That’s because this amp amplifies the guitar, it doesn’t impart a sound on the guitar. This is what makes this amp special. You will hear the true sound of your guitar. Be patient, many clips are coming. For sure. I heard some more of Ray's demo that you are trickling out on Instagram. Really loved the clean sounds I heard there as well. |
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Post by DRZ on Oct 1, 2019 16:03:16 GMT -7
For sure. I heard some more of Ray's demo that you are trickling out on Instagram. Really loved the clean sounds I heard there as well. Just finished a Legacy Stang Ray with added 1/2 power switch. I must thank Jaguarguy for loaning me the Brad Paisley #1 StingRay from the Z Museum , as I didn't have a sample of the Stang Ray in the shop. The sound of that amp never ceases to amaze me, its full dimensional clean tone and harmonic sparkle knocks me out. I plugged the finished amp into a 1X12 open back cab loaded with a Greenback and just smiled. The StangRay is my most requested Legacy build. Z |
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Post by KeithA on Oct 1, 2019 16:16:11 GMT -7
For sure. I heard some more of Ray's demo that you are trickling out on Instagram. Really loved the clean sounds I heard there as well. Just finished a Legacy Stang Ray with added 1/2 power switch. I must thank Jaguarguy for loaning me the Brad Paisley #1 StingRay from the Z Museum , as I didn't have a sample of the Stang Ray in the shop. The sound of that amp never ceases to amaze me, its full dimensional clean tone and harmonic sparkle knocks me out. I plugged the finished amp into a 1X12 open back cab loaded with a Greenback and just smiled. The StangRay is my most requested Legacy build. Z Ah, yes. It's still one of my favs whenever I hear a clip. I was actually out looking at Kemper profiles and some site out there had a 'Ray profile. Even that, on my computer at low volume, sounded fantastic  I need to sort out getting one before you (and I, lol) retire |
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Post by benttop (Steve) on Oct 1, 2019 16:59:22 GMT -7
For sure. I heard some more of Ray's demo that you are trickling out on Instagram. Really loved the clean sounds I heard there as well. Just finished a Legacy Stang Ray with added 1/2 power switch. I must thank Jaguarguy for loaning me the Brad Paisley #1 StingRay from the Z Museum , as I didn't have a sample of the Stang Ray in the shop. The sound of that amp never ceases to amaze me, its full dimensional clean tone and harmonic sparkle knocks me out. I plugged the finished amp into a 1X12 open back cab loaded with a Greenback and just smiled. The StangRay is my most requested Legacy build. Z When you said you were going to do legacy builds of this amp I almost had to tie my wallet down. I still dream about the tones I got from this amp... Hm.... |
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Post by steiner on Oct 1, 2019 18:11:07 GMT -7
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Post by nicholas on Oct 2, 2019 7:24:00 GMT -7
We all know that headroom is a subjective thing - my idea of headroom will be different than yours. If you really need clean headroom, check out the Surgical Steel. To me, this amp isn't about clean headroom - it's more a vintage rock type of sound - think Rolling Stones late 60s early 70s. Keef's tone was definitely not a clean sound (unless he was playing his acoustics but even then it had hair to it). I've got a '64 Reverborocket - it's kinda in that vein but not quite. Definitely a new sound for Zs though. Mike, I have to respectfully disagree. This amp has more headroom than a Ghia, 18, or Cure, it gets close to Z Lux clean with the MV open and the gain up to noon. I think the clips to come will really demonstrate that this amp reproduces what you give it. It can get sparkling clean even with humbuckers. Balancing the gain and master volume will open a full range of clean to distortion, and the demos to come were recorded specifically to demonstrate all the levels of gain available. Everyone be patient and all will be revealed. Thanks for that Frankie. I suspected it would be similar to the Z Lux in terms of clean volume. Bieng that I've had several MAZ's and a Ghia your description paints a good picture for me. Thanks again. |
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Post by frankie on Oct 2, 2019 11:29:16 GMT -7
I clipped together all our clean clips for you lovely forumites!
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Post by purpletele on Oct 2, 2019 20:53:08 GMT -7
Great sounding amp!!
Incredible price and value.
Wouldn't that be cool if Keith and Ronnie got wind and bought had a pair.
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Post by aaronblues on Oct 3, 2019 7:42:19 GMT -7
Sounds great!
Might get in on the pre-order.
Would love to try one side by side with a Ghia.
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Post by DRZ on Oct 3, 2019 8:18:36 GMT -7
Get the money up front before the first resistor is soldered in. Then you won't be hung out. You don't have a clue, that's not how it works . |
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Post by bassman00 on Oct 3, 2019 10:12:43 GMT -7
Hi, While I signed up a couple of years ago, I'm new here.
Big fan and currently own a Cure. Big fan of that amp, especially the level control. Nothing better than being able to get that edge of breakup tones at apartment levels and I'll be needing that going forward. I've owned a bunch of Z's years ago, but life and circumstances stepped in and I couldn't play them the way they need to be played, so I sold them off. I was considering ordering a legacy Monza 1x12 to compliment the Cure, but the Jetta sounds very interesting, especially at the intro price. Does the Jetta's master volume allow me to dial in the fat clean or edge of breakup tones at apartment levels like the Cure? Based on the demos I've heard, I know it'll sound great in a band/jam situation. I will be using pedals to ad varying levels of OD & Boost.
Thanks,
PaulD
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Post by frankie on Oct 3, 2019 11:09:57 GMT -7
Hi, While I signed up a couple of years ago, I'm new here. Big fan and currently own a Cure. Big fan of that amp, especially the level control. Nothing better than being able to get that edge of breakup tones at apartment levels and I'll be needing that going forward. I've owned a bunch of Z's years ago, but life and circumstances stepped in and I couldn't play them the way they need to be played, so I sold them off. I was considering ordering a legacy Monza 1x12 to compliment the Cure, but the Jetta sounds very interesting, especially at the intro price. Does the Jetta's master volume allow me to dial in the fat clean or edge of breakup tones at apartment levels like the Cure? Based on the demos I've heard, I know it'll sound great in a band/jam situation. I will be using pedals to ad varying levels of OD & Boost. Thanks, PaulD Hi Paul, thanks for joining the forum. The Monza is a higher gain amp, it has one of the most saturated and gainy tones of any of our amps. Basically it starts at edge of breakup, and only goes more gain from there. It basically sounds like a mini modded marshall. Cleans can be had with very low settings, but the point of the amp is to get a lot of distortion without blowing the roof off. As for edge of breakup tones, the Jetta has very similar master volume circuit to the Cure, so you will be able to get that sound at any volume level. For overall gain, the Jetta stays cleaner longer, but will give close to the same gain as the Cure, but with less compression and sag as you push it further. I would say the Jetta's overall distortion peaks out at max around where the Cure is about 75% of the way up. Plus the Cure has the boost, which as you know, adds a heap of gain. Since you will be using OD/boost pedals, I would say the Jetta is much more suited to your use than a Monza. A Monza does take many pedals fine, but since it is always near or fully distorted, you will find some pedals do not work as well as others. Here is a clip of the Jetta's master volume at work in real time with a good amount of gain: And a compilation of various guitars with various levels of pickup strength at the "edge of breakup point" for the Jetta: |
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Post by bassman00 on Oct 3, 2019 11:57:03 GMT -7
Thanks for posting those videos, frankie. The first one was exactly what I was looking for and the second sounded fantastic. The Jetta sounds like a winner. Now to find the funds...
Thanks,
PaulD
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Post by bgkyt1 on Oct 3, 2019 12:57:18 GMT -7
I hear you. even doing a small introductory run of heads, with maybe a 30-60 day pre-order period would be nice for people who want them. that way Doc wouldn't have to order more head cabs than he needed, and not get stuck with any. just my 2 cents! The problem is that people say they want something but when it comes to shelling out cash they are nowhere to be found. That happened with the Anniversary Mazerati. Many people said they wanted one but it took a while to move them. Not sure Doc would want to play that game again. a pre-order is different than, "[hey, if i made a discontinued amp for a short anniversary run, which one would you like to see?]" a pre-order should collect some money up front. |
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Post by perryr on Oct 3, 2019 22:08:59 GMT -7
Nicely done Z, another design with its own thing going, standing on its own great tone. Cleans and OD both sound great, love that solid bottom that’s Coming through!
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Post by ineedtherapy (Stuart) on Oct 4, 2019 5:34:58 GMT -7
You guys also don’t have to special order enough parts to be able to build a hundred houses just to build a single house. What attracted me to Dr. Z the most is that he’s building an amazing product by hand and selling it for much less per piece than his boutique competitors. I am assuming his business model works because he sells in larger quantities than builders who are doing one off special orders for people who pay up front. His amps are going out to retailers whereas smaller builders are doing custom orders and often charge a lot more for something that may not be as good as Doc’s stuff.
I would also add that most home builders don’t charge up front for the entire house. Like any other real estate deal, the buyer doesn’t pay for a new home until the buyer has had it inspected. Maybe smaller home builders who are doing custom builds on a property owner’s land can get away with this, but that is again a major difference in small companies and larger companies. While the Doc is in the boutique camp, I am assuming he’s one of the largest boutique builders out there.
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Post by frankie on Oct 4, 2019 11:35:41 GMT -7
You guys also don’t have to special order enough parts to be able to build a hundred houses just to build a single house. What attracted me to Dr. Z the most is that he’s building an amazing product by hand and selling it for much less per piece than his boutique competitors. I am assuming his business model works because he sells in larger quantities than builders who are doing one off special orders for people who pay up front. His amps are going out to retailers whereas smaller builders are doing custom orders and often charge a lot more for something that may not be as good as Doc’s stuff. I would also add that most home builders don’t charge up front for the entire house. Like any other real estate deal, the buyer doesn’t pay for a new home until the buyer has had it inspected. Maybe smaller home builders who are doing custom builds on a property owner’s land can get away with this, but that is again a major difference in small companies and larger companies. While the Doc is in the boutique camp, I am assuming he’s one of the largest boutique builders out there. Correct you get a down payment.........not payment in full. TeeDawg, I'm only going to respond once to fill you in, because this is not the forum for this discussion, this is about the Jetta, so don't bother replying. Of course we take half up front on any direct order. This is so that we know the customer is serious on their purchase. Not a fund for whatever parts we need. The fact of the matter is our suppliers do not provide us with chassis, parts, cabinets, etc. in onesies and twosies. We have explained this in very direct terms how this related to color cabinets. So apply this to custom made aluminum chassis. We can't just order 3. Add that to the time it takes to re-instruct a builder on how an amp that's been out of production for a decade, when he is used to building other models, the time it take to update the layout, custom make the boards, etc. and realize that it's not just "take a down payment and make it materialize." I think you should consider the fact of the matter is that Dr. Z has been in business for 30 years because he doesn't take down payments for amps that don't exist yet. He pays in-full for all the parts stock, so he has control of the inventory and can deliver consistent product in a timely matter, unlike a builder who promises an amp and doesn't have the parts or time to actually deliver. This is a major overhead consideration, but it is this practice that he had built a long career upon. Look up the history of amp builders that have taken down payments on imaginary product and you'll see a list of people not doing it anymore, and a lot of unhappy customers and ruined reputations. And for your insistence that "anyone who orders something custom/direct should get the option for colored cabinets" that I have seen you espouse? No, they shouldn't. There's no obligation for us to give you anything other than what we can offer. Amps are LUXURY item. We have one cabinet person, and he doesn't have time to untolex and retolex cabinets all day. But for you, he will, at a $1000 an hour upcharge. Hope you are now clued in. |
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Post by KeithA on Oct 4, 2019 16:16:12 GMT -7
Wouldn't that be cool if Keith and Ronnie got wind and bought had a pair. Thanks...but who's this Ronnie fella?  |
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Post by DeanG on Oct 5, 2019 4:04:06 GMT -7
No instra to materialize the Jetta, hard work and planning, the old fashion way, you earn it.
Well done Doc & Crew on a unique and cool sounding amp.
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Post by purpletele on Oct 7, 2019 10:38:28 GMT -7
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Post by frankie on Oct 7, 2019 11:17:48 GMT -7
TeeDawg, I'm only going to respond once to fill you in, because this is not the forum for this discussion, this is about the Jetta, so don't bother replying. Of course we take half up front on any direct order. This is so that we know the customer is serious on their purchase. Not a fund for whatever parts we need. The fact of the matter is our suppliers do not provide us with chassis, parts, cabinets, etc. in onesies and twosies. We have explained this in very direct terms how this related to color cabinets. So apply this to custom made aluminum chassis. We can't just order 3. Add that to the time it takes to re-instruct a builder on how an amp that's been out of production for a decade, when he is used to building other models, the time it take to update the layout, custom make the boards, etc. and realize that it's not just "take a down payment and make it materialize." I think you should consider the fact of the matter is that Dr. Z has been in business for 30 years because he doesn't take down payments for amps that don't exist yet. He pays in-full for all the parts stock, so he has control of the inventory and can deliver consistent product in a timely matter, unlike a builder who promises an amp and doesn't have the parts or time to actually deliver. This is a major overhead consideration, but it is this practice that he had built a long career upon. Look up the history of amp builders that have taken down payments on imaginary product and you'll see a list of people not doing it anymore, and a lot of unhappy customers and ruined reputations. And for your insistence that "anyone who orders something custom/direct should get the option for colored cabinets" that I have seen you espouse? No, they shouldn't. There's no obligation for us to give you anything other than what we can offer. Amps are LUXURY item. We have one cabinet person, and he doesn't have time to untolex and retolex cabinets all day. But for you, he will, at a $1000 an hour upcharge. Hope you are now clued in. Sure I am, but I'm still gonna reply. No need to get those panties bunched up. That was a great explanation even though you were bristling. I guess the reason Mesa Boogie can offer so many different options is because they are not a boutique builder. I've owned and own many Z's and I'm just wondering if you guys treat all the customers like that when they have questions that you don't want to deal with. I'm sorry, what was the question? I didn't see any questions. Anyway, Jetta full demo is now live: |
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