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Post by buckeye on Nov 6, 2019 18:07:51 GMT -7
Ok, I received my Jetta this afternoon. Wow! This thing rocks! Its amazing how just 3 knobs can tweak the voice of an amp.
I bought this amp mainly for home and rehearsals since my Z-plus does everything I need for the smaller gigs that my band typically does.
I have to admit that I've never been a combo guy so I quickly patched the Jetta into a couple of different cabs that I built to hear the difference. One cab has an Austin Speaker Works KT-70 which is similar to a G12 h-30. Much improved bass response due to the bigger cab. I also plugged into a 2X10 8 0hm cab with a Weber Ceramic/ Alnico combination and this is where the Jetta really shined. While I do believe Doc has hit it out of the park with this one, I do believe a head version would do incredibly well. Just my 2 cents!
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Post by DRZ on Nov 9, 2019 11:04:24 GMT -7
I would love to do a Jetta head.
I just need to be convinced that it would sell .
Z
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Post by John on Nov 10, 2019 11:07:09 GMT -7
I think I remember Doc saying: Combos outsell heads 10 to 1.
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Post by KeithA on Nov 10, 2019 12:42:10 GMT -7
I think I remember Doc saying: Combos outsell heads 10 to 1. ok...so, isn't the notion of not making a head for sale leaving a "1 of 10" sale on the table? From what I see, the only incremental part/cost right now is a reversible faceplate as everything else is common manufacturing hardware. The head chassis would fit inside an existing black head cab that Doc currently stocks for other heads, so there is no incremental cost there. I understand if Doc only wants to make a combo (the design concept being a light-weight, low-cost combo), but your argument doesn't make sense as to why a manufacturer wouldn't make "1 of 10" of its builds heads. Just sayin'  |
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Post by John on Nov 10, 2019 13:02:09 GMT -7
I think there's another factor to consider. I don't think most dealerships carry enough units of a particular amp. So if they order only say 3 of a particular amp...and one of those is a head, there could be a decent chance that the one customer who wants a head, may never enter their store.
(and I wasn't making an argument, I was just stating why Doc is resistant to make heads of some models.)
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Post by KeithA on Nov 10, 2019 13:37:29 GMT -7
I think there's another factor to consider. I don't think most dealerships carry enough units of a particular amp. So if they order only say 3 of a particular amp...and one of those is a head, there could be a decent chance that the one customer who wants a head, may never enter their store. (and I wasn't making an argument, I was just stating why Doc is resistant to make heads of some models.) I hear you. However, most "brick and mortar" dealers are not going to carry multiple amps these days. My dealer in Canada carries one of each amp it wants to sell (these days that's one Maz 18 & one Jetta). In addition, in the past I know Doc has been hesitant to make head version of some models that had reverb (and I totally agree). However, Doc's two main dealers today (Sweetwater & Humbucker) never have to rely on somebody coming in the door to buy an amp. As well, no one says the amp has to be "pre-made" as the amp could be made as a portion a a weekly/monthly run once the order is received at the dealer. No one says the amp needs to be stocked, just available as an option. Whenever I order a Z in Canada I have to wait 6 - 12 weeks for the amp anyway (most likely), so if I had to wait for an head version of an amp...no biggie. Now, if Doc didn't want to make a head because he felt that the most benefits of the amp are because of the light-weight, all-in-one combo design, or if the incremental costs to make a head version were punitive, then that's a different argument. All I'm saying is that if Doc sells 10 combos to 1 head, as long as making the head is not punitive from a cost a manufacturing perspective, why would you not make 1 of 10 builds a head? Or at worst, offer the head as an available option and built to order on the next run of amps. I respect Doc's business practices as much as anybody. However, I'm also a guy who is not going to buy a combo version of an amp just because a head version is not offered. So, just to circle back to your comment, all I'm saying is that (as you say) if combo amps out-sell heads 10-1, why not make amp runs in the same ratio (10-1) for those who want a head or at least offer the head as a special order (with full wait time). I guess I just see the notion of selling 10% of a Jetta as a head form (as long as the cost a manufacturing is not punitive) is not a bad thing. I'm a CFO/Director of Finance in a software-manufacturing firm. I'm used to looking at the world and leaving nothing on the table  |
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Post by DRZ on Nov 10, 2019 18:41:39 GMT -7
OK let me respond to Keith's post .
Like so many of you guys you are so supportive of my company and I truly appreciate it, let me tell my side of the story.
First the investment I would need to make is $28.00 per head panel set, this would be my minimum purchase of 50 sets of Jetta Head panels.
So an investment of $1400.00 to build the first one.
With the margin so low on the Jetta ,about $200.00 per unit, baring any warranty claims , any claim beyond a replacement tube can wipe the complete profit margin , sad but that is the joy of owning an amp company.
So it will take 7 amp head sales to to cover my additional costs , which may take a long time if history serves me right.
OK now let's look at the Jetta Head .
The Jetta uses a wonderful sounding single end ( 8 ohm ) speaker out Output transformer, so the Jetta head will only have a one 8 ohm speaker tap. I just can't wait for the many emails asking how can I connect my 4 ohm cab, or 16 ohm cab, or my multiple cabs.
The cost , ok the Head Cab and the Studio Cab are pretty much a wash as far as cost to me , the head cab is just slightly less.
It has no speaker so I can lower the price say $100.00 even though when I buy speakers by the skid I get a better price.
So the single output Jetta head will cost say $1299.00 .
It will weigh only a few pounds less, and have no speaker.
My dealers do not want to carry heads as they have to mate it to a speaker cab that sounds good, and many have a problem doing that.
So as you can see the Jetta head does have some marketing down side.
And I honestly don't believe I would sell more then a couple , less then 6 , maybe I'm wrong but's my gamble.
I guess I have devulged some in sider cost info , but what the heck this the Z Talk Forum.
Guys the Jetta is very cool amp , and it uses the original Ampeg Jet a compact 1x12 combo as its inspiration.
It is selling very well right now do to its extreme low price , for an amp of this hand built quality.
A complete grab and go package weighing in at 34 lbs. loaded with a G12-H 30.
In my mind this is the optimum configuration .
Z
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Post by markT on Nov 10, 2019 20:36:57 GMT -7
I totally get all sides of this story. The first thing I thought about was that single output OT.
All that said, I plugged a Jetta into a 8 ohm cab with 2 Gold's in it today. Sounded amazing!
The little combo sounds amazing too.
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Post by KeithA on Nov 11, 2019 0:09:47 GMT -7
In my mind this is the optimum configuration . Z +1000 I alluded to this in my original post. This notion trumps every other argument I may have made in my response 😉 |
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