twrc
New Member
Posts: 1
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Post by twrc on Dec 23, 2019 20:53:49 GMT -7
Hi Everyone, I got myself an early Christmas present today... A Z-28 head, which just so happens to be my very first Dr. Z amp! I'm a big fan of 6V6 amps; and have owned my fair share of them over the years, but none of them compare to this Z-28. I'm sure it has to do with the simplicity of the design, but the lack of reverb and or vibrato going through the tonestack gives this amp the attack and immediacy that makes it stand above the rest. I currently have the head plugged into a 2x12 cab loaded with a Creamback G12H75 and a UK-made V30, and just love the massive tone. Tonight, I rolled some tubes and discovered that the stock Dario is a bit microphonic, but sounded better than the Tesla Winged C tube that I had, so I threw on some damper rings over the Dario, and it seemed to quiet things down a bit. I also swapped the 12AX7 in V2 for a JJ 5751, which gave the amp a bit less snarl in the mids for a more vintage-y vibe. Anyways, I know I'm currently in the honeymoon phase with this Z-28, but after shooting it out with my other amps ('65 DRRI, '65 TRRI, '77 AC30), there's definitely a place for it amongst my tone palette. Needless to say, I'm very happy with my decision to take this amp home!
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Post by "Z" Steve on Dec 23, 2019 21:13:23 GMT -7
Welcome to the forum! This is an outstanding place to get info, ask questions, or share your experiences.
I had a Z28 for years and it was a great amp, but I had to let it go because I wasn't playing at gigs where I could open it up - even with a Brakelite. But tube rolling is fun with this amp and it is a great pedal platform as well. Enjoy your new purchase as well as any of the other offerings the good Doctor has in his product line!
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Post by bigben55 on Dec 23, 2019 22:05:21 GMT -7
Congrats! The Z28 is the only amp I've bought, played for years, sold, and missed so much that I bought one again.
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Post by Ridgeback on Dec 23, 2019 22:22:01 GMT -7
I'm on my second Z-28 also. My favorite Z model. Enjoy.
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Post by trojanhov on Dec 23, 2019 23:28:36 GMT -7
I played a z-28 1x10 with celestion gold exclusively for 8 years. I’m on a z lux 1x12 now, but the z-28 will be an amp I definitely revisit down the line. A phenomenal amp
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Dec 24, 2019 7:08:29 GMT -7
Congratulations, and Welcome to the Forum!
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Post by Mark (Basement Enthusiast) on Dec 24, 2019 8:05:34 GMT -7
Welcome to Z-Talk, twrc! The Z28 is a fantastic amp.. one of Doc's best, I think. Simple & straightforward, but sounds great pretty much anywhere you put the knobs. (And it's a loud beast, too!) Congrats on the new amp.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Dec 25, 2019 13:45:22 GMT -7
Congratulations
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Post by daddyelmis (Greg) on Dec 26, 2019 6:53:44 GMT -7
I’ve had my Z28 for a little over 10 years - bought it new from Humbucker. Just a great amp. I usually run it now in a 2 or 3 amp setup, using it for its glorious breakup as the “dirty” amp. Brakelite is a must-have if you want to push the Z28 into that breakup. The 3-3-3 setting is great, depending on the guitar.
I’m looking forward to Doc’s “mkII” mod to add a master volume to this great amp.
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Post by pcns on Dec 26, 2019 9:51:01 GMT -7
Z28 is a great amp! Glad you are enjoying it. Welcome to the forum, God bless, Todd
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Post by goodez on Dec 26, 2019 19:13:06 GMT -7
I’ve had my Z28 for a little over 10 years - bought it new from Humbucker. Just a great amp. I usually run it now in a 2 or 3 amp setup, using it for its glorious breakup as the “dirty” amp. Brakelite is a must-have if you want to push the Z28 into that breakup. The 3-3-3 setting is great, depending on the guitar. I’m looking forward to Doc’s “mkII” mod to add a master volume to this great amp. Still waiting 😴 ⌛️ 😇. The mkII mod is one of my New Years Resolutions 🤞
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Post by bigben55 on Dec 27, 2019 6:43:01 GMT -7
The MkII Upgrades do look awesome. I may get them eventually. Anymore, my Z28 is a clean/edge of breakup pedal platform amp for single coil guitars. I use the Z Drive pedal. I have a Brake Lite already. Unless I can really get loud and I'm playing my strat, I never crank it to 3-3-3. I love knowing that I can and have just plug straight in and it works, but honestly, and I'll say it here on the Z forum....my Valvetrain Saratoga beats the Z28 for plugged straight in, ride the volume knob use. At least mine does. Which makes me think, how will upgrading my Z28 really help?
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Post by goodez on Dec 27, 2019 11:01:13 GMT -7
The MkII Upgrades do look awesome. I may get them eventually. Anymore, my Z28 is a clean/edge of breakup pedal platform amp for single coil guitars. I use the Z Drive pedal. I have a Brake Lite already. Unless I can really get loud and I'm playing my strat, I never crank it to 3-3-3. I love knowing that I can and have just plug straight in and it works, but honestly, and I'll say it here on the Z forum....my Valvetrain Saratoga beats the Z28 for plugged straight in, ride the volume knob use. At least mine does. Which makes me think, how will upgrading my Z28 really help? “The PPIMV + less bass tone adjustments are still worth the price of admission to me. I'd gladly pay for that upgrade! I use a Brake Lite and find it ESSENTIAL with the Z28. A PPIMV plus the BL??? That's the ULTIMATE in gig volume flexibility!” ztalk.proboards.com/thread/82341/scored-28#ixzz69KbOeGRI Originally, you seemed all for it 🤔 You could always ask the Maz 18/38 crews if they thought the mkii upgrades were worth it. Shoot, they didn’t even get the benefit of master volume since the originals already had it.
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Post by bigben55 on Dec 27, 2019 11:53:35 GMT -7
I agree with everything you said, and I am still for it. But, I still think even with said upgrades, I'd use the Z28 as a pedal platform more than anything. NO amp takes pedals better, and I LOVE Z28 cleans, and headroom is plenty enough. IMO, Bass only gets TOO much when you crank the amp into overdrive(bass past noon) and use humbuckers. Clean, it's fine at 10-12 oclock, with single coils. I'll need to hear an upgraded amp, and see what it costs. Not ruling anything out. The MkII Upgrades do look awesome. I may get them eventually. Anymore, my Z28 is a clean/edge of breakup pedal platform amp for single coil guitars. I use the Z Drive pedal. I have a Brake Lite already. Unless I can really get loud and I'm playing my strat, I never crank it to 3-3-3. I love knowing that I can and have just plug straight in and it works, but honestly, and I'll say it here on the Z forum....my Valvetrain Saratoga beats the Z28 for plugged straight in, ride the volume knob use. At least mine does. Which makes me think, how will upgrading my Z28 really help? “The PPIMV + less bass tone adjustments are still worth the price of admission to me. I'd gladly pay for that upgrade! I use a Brake Lite and find it ESSENTIAL with the Z28. A PPIMV plus the BL??? That's the ULTIMATE in gig volume flexibility!” ztalk.proboards.com/thread/82341/scored-28#ixzz69KbOeGRI Originally, you seemed all for it 🤔 You could always ask the Maz 18/38 crews if they thought the mkii upgrades were worth it. Shoot, they didn’t even get the benefit of master volume since the originals already had it.
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Post by bigben55 on Dec 27, 2019 12:06:14 GMT -7
The difference also is, I've really come to love that Valvetrain! You would too, it's not super different from the Z28, but it's different enough. Handwired, 5Y3 rectifier, two 6V6s, 3 knobs(gain, tone, volume). Its not as tight(has more sag), not as(but still plenty) loud(16 watts), has more/different gain. Think Fender Tweed Deluxe with a tighter, brighter Marshall-esque preamp. It doesnt have the headroom or as sweet of cleans at gig volume and doesnt take pedals as well(still good tho), but is VERY dynamic and cleans up great. Prefers P90s and humbuckers. I prefer it plugged straight in.
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Post by johnnygringo on Jan 8, 2020 18:22:13 GMT -7
I’ve had my new-to-me Z 28 for about 3 months now. It’s the single 10” combo with a cream back speaker, and I’m running a single 10” Z extension cabinet as well. I acquired it hoping to use it as a pedal platform, which it does very well. My question is, what can I do to increase clean headroom in this amp? Tubes are original-as far as I know. Any suggestions?
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Post by daddyelmis (Greg) on Jan 9, 2020 5:34:11 GMT -7
Try a different speaker. That Dr Z 10” is rated at 97db - move to something 100db or more and you’ll get more volume so you can keep the amp volume turned lower (cleaner) with greater volume than with the 10”.
Lots of opinions here on which speaker so folks will chime in with specific recommendations.
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Post by Ridgeback on Jan 9, 2020 6:50:49 GMT -7
I’ve had my new-to-me Z 28 for about 3 months now. It’s the single 10” combo with a cream back speaker, and I’m running a single 10” Z extension cabinet as well. I acquired it hoping to use it as a pedal platform, which it does very well. My question is, what can I do to increase clean headroom in this amp? Tubes are original-as far as I know. Any suggestions? I play mine exclusively clean, through a 2x12 though and mostly lower output pups. +1 on the more sensitive speaker(s). I assume that you have read about keeping the tone controls below 12:00. Since you bought it used, have you checked the bias? Good luck.
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Post by johnnygringo on Jan 9, 2020 7:04:17 GMT -7
Try a different speaker. That Dr Z 10” is rated at 97db - move to something 100db or more and you’ll get more volume so you can keep the amp volume turned lower (cleaner) with greater volume than with the 10”. Lots of opinions here on which speaker so folks will chime in with specific recommendations. Thanks for the recommendation, I’ll give that serious consideration.
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Post by johnnygringo on Jan 9, 2020 7:06:12 GMT -7
I’ve had my new-to-me Z 28 for about 3 months now. It’s the single 10” combo with a cream back speaker, and I’m running a single 10” Z extension cabinet as well. I acquired it hoping to use it as a pedal platform, which it does very well. My question is, what can I do to increase clean headroom in this amp? Tubes are original-as far as I know. Any suggestions? I play mine exclusively clean, through a 2x12 though and mostly lower output pups. +1 on the more sensitive speaker(s). I assume that you have read about keeping the tone controls below 12:00. Since you bought it used, have you checked the bias? Good luck. I haven’t had the bias checked, thinking that needs to be done, and hopefully move forward from there. Thanks!
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Post by bigben55 on Jan 9, 2020 7:45:45 GMT -7
Check and see if your amp has a 12AX7 or a 5751 in the PI slot. A good 5751, like a NOS JAN GE will allow you to push the amp a little harder before it starts breaking up. It's a lower gain tube. That said, more efficient 10's will make a bigger difference. Playing single coil guitars vs humbuckers will too.
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Post by johnnygringo on Jan 9, 2020 17:56:49 GMT -7
Check and see if your amp has a 12AX7 or a 5751 in the PI slot. A good 5751, like a NOS JAN GE will allow you to push the amp a little harder before it starts breaking up. It's a lower gain tube. That said, more efficient 10's will make a bigger difference. Playing single coil guitars vs humbuckers will too. Please excuse my ignorance, but If I replace the 12AX7 with the 5751, would the bias need to be adjusted? Thanks for the suggestions, btw...
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Post by Ridgeback on Jan 9, 2020 18:23:03 GMT -7
No re-biasing unless you change the power tubes (or rectifier?). Plug and play on V2
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Post by meanslide on Jan 10, 2020 9:55:32 GMT -7
No re-biasing unless you change the power tubes (or rectifier?). Plug and play on V2 ^^ Yep. Preamp tubes, plug and play. Power tubes or rectifier tube, check the bias and adjust as needed.
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Post by johnnygringo on Feb 16, 2020 8:04:17 GMT -7
Check and see if your amp has a 12AX7 or a 5751 in the PI slot. A good 5751, like a NOS JAN GE will allow you to push the amp a little harder before it starts breaking up. It's a lower gain tube. That said, more efficient 10's will make a bigger difference. Playing single coil guitars vs humbuckers will too. I did a complete retube of the amp and did change the 12AX7 to a 5751 as you’d suggested-along with bias adjustment-and I have to say, the amp sounds AMAZING! Thank you for the great suggestion!
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