2nd 1st impressions (4 years later)

[telejas]

Today I got my 2nd DB4. 

I had one back in 2016, when they were first released and I was very "dis-pleased" with the tone. I thought it was a very stiff, and dark amp and traded it 3 or 4 days after I got it (didn't even try it live).  

As mentioned above, I picked up another DB4 today (got in a trade). I finally had a chance to play it. 

I REALLY liked it! I'm not sure if my taste have changed, or this speaker is more broke in and it sounds better, the tube mix is better, or what?? But I love this amp!  

The cleans aren't the best cleans that Dr. Z has ever made (StangRay, Maz Jr, Z-Wreck), but they are really nice. But, this amp wasn't really made for pretty cleans. 

It is a darker amp, and to me, has a very stout, vintage feel to it.

I haven't had a chance to run any pedals through it, but with the strong mid-range, I can almost tell it's going to be really good with pedals. 

I really would like to know what the difference is between now and 4 years ago?? 

[Mark (Basement Enthusiast)]

Yup, I think you're describing it right. I found it to be a darker amp (but this is not a bad thing), very stout, and punchy. Similar in many ways to the Z28 in my opinion--which also can be darkish, and is very stout & punchy. The DB4 to me did NOT feel or sound like it had those jangly, chimey EL84 power tubes in it. I really felt like the DB4 was one of those upper-echelon amps from the Doc at the time of its release, in the same "ultra premium" territory perhaps as the Z-Wreck, Sting/StangRay, and those original Rx's that still haunt me.

[Joey Beverages]

Just seen one listed .... was gonna post for some recent use/input ...... your timing is impeccable

Cheers always

Joel

[Rockerfeller]

I remember your sudden change of heart back then!

I do think the DB4 is the perfect Telecaster amp. I find it very easy to dial in and it tames the brightness of the Tele Bridge pup perfectly.

[perryr]

DB4 is the Ballsiest EL84 amp ever, strong like Bull. Rich and solid at the same time, great amp! I bet the DB4 Bluesbreaker Combo with Blues is Amazing.

[eggman]

Howdy,

So..can the DB4 be characterized as being rather like a Carmen Ghia, but with more power?

[Mark (Basement Enthusiast)]

Sept 7, 2020 8:15:15 GMT -7 eggman said:

Howdy,

So..can the DB4 be characterized as being rather like a Carmen Ghia, but with more power?

Nah, I really wouldn't say so. [Also, the DB4 has a 1/2-power switch, which will technically bring it down to the "same" power as a Carmen Ghia, more or less.]

The Carmen Ghia is more in the similar camp as the MAZ 18 Jr. NR, in that it's got a little bit of Marshall/Vox flavor thrown together (the MAZ has a bit of Fender flavor thrown in there, too). But those both still "sound like EL84 amps," and they can still jangle. The DB4, on the other hand, is tremendously beefy and is even more punchy than the MAZ or Ghia, without any of that jangle--much more beefy/punchy crunch.

[pcns]

Apr 9, 2020 12:30:21 GMT -7 perryr said:

DB4 is the Ballsiest EL84 amp ever, strong like Bull. Rich and solid at the same time, great amp! I bet the DB4 Bluesbreaker Combo with Blues is Amazing.

the first time I played thru a DB4 was a head at Doc's shop thru a 1x12 cab with a Gold in it. I kept walking around to the back of the amp and looking at the tubes and shaking my head. I could not believe an EL84 amp had so much authority!

[ineedtherapy (Stuart)]

I’m in the same boat this week. I don’t remember the exact timeline but it’s pretty close to 4 years for me too. I had a red DB4 combo when I first got into Dr. Z amps. I was on a reckless trip to own every Z possible, but could never own more than one or two at a time back then. As of this week, I now have my second DB4 (#6) and can’t believe I ever let it go the first time. I traded my Z Plus for it over the weekend. The Z Plus is awesome, but didn’t suit me personally. The DB4 joins its cousins, a Z Wreck and Therapy. They certainly make a great trio.