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Post by jhen86 (jordan) on Mar 13, 2020 14:37:40 GMT -7
Anyone tinkering with rectifier types or speakers yet? Any discoveries worth noting?
I was surprised at how warm the combo sounded. I’m sure this is from the Greenback mostly. Though Don did comment on how the big wreck is brighter with the increased power and bigger trannies.
Would be curious how the jr’s overdrive, touch response, and top end react to a 5v4 or GZ34/5ar4.
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Post by helmi on Mar 13, 2020 16:48:53 GMT -7
Here we go. I'm surprised it took this long! (lol)
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Post by jimexcursion on Mar 13, 2020 18:40:59 GMT -7
I would like for it to be a bit brighter. Sounds great as is though.
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Post by Deleted on Mar 13, 2020 19:48:35 GMT -7
I may be alone in this, but I think it's stellar as is. I wouldn't change a thing.
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Post by jhen86 (jordan) on Mar 13, 2020 19:59:27 GMT -7
And I agree with both these previous two comments. It’s a stellar amp. Sounds amazing as is. Tinkering does not presume flaw in the stock option. But I probably would welcome more top end if I owned one. Only played one for about 15 min. Through the combo and then daisy chained to a 1x12 G12H30 (ala Matchless). Fantastic sound.
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Post by Russell B on Mar 13, 2020 20:12:13 GMT -7
I ran it through a well broken in Gold and it sounded good. It was a touch brighter to my ears. But, I have to say that I thought it sounded better through the Greenback. I would be interested to hear what a GZ34 would make it do.
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Post by evenon on Mar 13, 2020 20:18:11 GMT -7
Anyone tinkering with rectifier types or speakers yet? Any discoveries worth noting? Would be curious how the jr’s overdrive, touch response, and top end react to a 5v4 or GZ34/5ar4. To my ear the 5AR4 makes it more immediate, aggressive and louder. I liked it. Might put it back in. Tried different speakers/cabinets. I am not typically a G12H fan, but it sound great in a 2x12 with an H and V30. I mostly play it through a Friedman 4x12 with Greenbacks on top and Vintage 30s on the bottom. Also a Marshall Angled cabinet with V30s. The Friedman cabinet almost has to much thump to go with the low mids, the Angled Marshall sounds great with V30s. I just ordered a Dr Z backline 2x12 yesterday with Greenbacks. Thinking that will be great with it and my Marshall Studio Vintage head.
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Post by evenon on Mar 13, 2020 20:34:00 GMT -7
oh.. and I have a set of JJ EL84s in there now. To my ear, reduces some of the low mids, makes it more agressive.
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Post by jhen86 (jordan) on Mar 14, 2020 6:19:24 GMT -7
Nice. That was one of my first thoughts. A standard el84 since the nos 6n14n’s lean warmer as well. I was advised by Z crew that they would likely not be hardy enough for the task though and would wear out considerably quicker.
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Post by evenon on Mar 14, 2020 12:55:28 GMT -7
there is a tone talk episode with Dr Z and Dave Friedman and they talk about beating up EL84s in their amps. Figured the EL84s might not have a long life span in the Wreck.
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Post by evenon on Apr 11, 2020 13:53:50 GMT -7
more tweaking... have a JJ ECC83S in V2, NOS Tungsram EL84s and with a 5AR4 rectifier.... sounds and feels awesome, really like the response, also brighter, different top end
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Post by helmi on Apr 11, 2020 14:27:11 GMT -7
Tinkering does not presume flaw in the stock option. But I probably would welcome more top end if I owned one. I have to ask this ? regarding your post and jimexursion's comment about having more top end. and I mean this with no sacasm at all, but do you guys think it lacks in the high end? in all the video's I've seen, to me it has WAY more then enough top end, especially with single coils. I've heard it in person for a few minutes at the shop with humbuckers, and I thought the high end/low end balance was great. I mean were all different. that's what make's the world go around, but I was just very surprised people were wishing it had MORE top end. what guitars and pups are you playing through it?
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Post by DRZ on Apr 11, 2020 15:36:06 GMT -7
Since the Z Wreck Jr is self biased I hope that "TubeRollers" are checking the Plate Currant when they swap Rectifiers and EL 84's. The ZWJ is self biased ( 125 Ohm 10 watt bias resistor ) for the plate Voltage of a 5Y3 rectifier. The added 25 to 30 volts on the plates of a standard EL 84 when a 5AR4 is installed extremely over biases those tubes with 125 ohm bias resistor. So an adjustment of the bias resistor is in order when playing Tube Roller.
Understand these are not authorized mods, tread at your own risk. Have you even checked the plate voltage and plate currant once you mod'd this amp ? I'm sure it will sound OK running that hot, for a short time that is, what do they say " it always sounded the best right before it blows up ".
I realize it's your amp and you can change it any way you want. But I have been building and designing amps for over 32 years, those 6n14n's are VERY stout , most currant production EL 84's aren't.
LITFA,
Z
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Post by KeithA on Apr 11, 2020 16:16:52 GMT -7
I would like for it to be a bit brighter. Sounds great as is though. That's why I always buy heads. I have multiple cabs already and I think you can vary the sound of the amps more with a speaker/cab interchange than a tube change. When I eventually get my Z-Wreck Jr. it will be a head that I can mix and match with my cabs.
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Post by evenon on Apr 12, 2020 14:47:47 GMT -7
But I have been building and designing amps for over 32 years, those 6n14n's are VERY stout , most currant production EL 84's aren't. LITFA, Z Thanks for the advise, appreciate it. Without an adjustment to the bias resistor, would the 6n14n's take the increased plate voltage with the 5AR4 instead of the 5Y3. Or just a bad idea idea all together ? And while I have you.... got to say after 20 years of buying and selling amps, and a basement room stocked with more interesting stuff than my local stores, theWreck Jr is my absolute favourite amp, certainly does get the "sound in my head" with simply my '02 Historic Les Paul and a guitar chord.
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Post by perryr on Apr 12, 2020 16:49:42 GMT -7
Without an adjustment to the bias resistor, would the 6n14n's take the increased plate voltage with the 5AR4 instead of the 5Y3. Or just a bad idea idea all together ? Its not just a matter of plate voltage, by changing the plate voltage it effectively changes the bias, you need to check and make sure the tubes are not exceeding their max. Typically in a cathode bias amp you would bias around max (combination of plate volt and idle current), so bumping things up 10% likely puts the bias point above max (or as Z put it, ‘extremely over biases those tubes’). Kinda like a tach in a car, when the needle goes into the red, its rockin but...
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Post by Jason Cornelius on Apr 12, 2020 21:44:53 GMT -7
I’ve been playing mine through an open back Z 212 with a blue and G12h30 and I can’t imagine anything being better. I LOVE this amp!
It’s perfect for me straight from the factory!
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Post by buckeye on Apr 13, 2020 4:03:21 GMT -7
I received my head a week ago. Tried it with an open back 1x12 w/ a G12H30. Sounds good to me! I also dropped G1265M Creamback in the same cab and was pleasantly surprised. So many variables by tweaking the knobs. I have a Greenback on order that should be here today. Can't wait to give it a go. I'm really liking this amp. Are you sure this beast is only 15 watts? Wow!
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Post by prspastor on Apr 17, 2020 6:55:48 GMT -7
Without an adjustment to the bias resistor, would the 6n14n's take the increased plate voltage with the 5AR4 instead of the 5Y3. Or just a bad idea idea all together ? Its not just a matter of plate voltage, by changing the plate voltage it effectively changes the bias, you need to check and make sure the tubes are not exceeding their max. Typically in a cathode bias amp you would bias around max (combination of plate volt and idle current), so bumping things up 10% likely puts the bias point above max (or as Z put it, ‘extremely over biases those tubes’). Kinda like a tach in a car, when the needle goes into the red, its rockin but... Yep. No way I would put a 5AR4 in a ZWJ. You are working those tubes outside of good design specs. That’s just me...
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