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Post by Abandoned on Apr 23, 2020 18:35:10 GMT -7
Hey guys
I’m looking for a great clean to clean-ish that type of tone that is smooth but clear with great dynamics and has a nice compression that gives some elasticity and softer sag to the feel, has great smooth clarity and sparkle/shimmering highs. I’m not looking for warm but rather smooth and clear clean tones to edge of break up and some overdrive.
I feel I’m more of a Fender blackface / deluxe reverb kinda guy but kinda want that tone too but sweeter and smoother and refined sounding ... but that demo of the Z Wreck Jr. by Matt’s Music sounds like THE tone for me.
Is the Z Wreck Jr. the way to go?
I’m also wanting to know what Dr. Z amps would be the best for this type of application. I’ve listen to a lot of demos and Matt Music demo of the Z Wreck Jr. sounds pretty perfect. It’s out of stock everywhere and Z is shut down for I don’t know how long and I’m not sure I have the patience to wait for them to show back up again.
So if there is a very close alternative to the Z Wreck Jr., what Dr. Z amps would that be?
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Post by sharkboy on Apr 23, 2020 19:06:26 GMT -7
It sounds like the ZWreck Jr. would be perfect. Other thoughts may be a ZWreck (senior?,) EF86 ones, like a Stangray (used.) I have a Route66 that is less voxy bright, but stays clean with lots of gain. A MAZ would be another good choice, BUT whatever else you get, you’ll probably pine for the ZWreck (or Jr,) so I’d seriously consider preordering now.
FYI: I have owned in the neighborhood of 30 amps. I own a ZWreck, which I consider to be the best amp I have ever played and still am considering a Jr. I also have the previously mentioned Route66 and a DB4, which are spectacular- as well as a bunch of other amps.
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Post by purpletele on Apr 23, 2020 19:37:43 GMT -7
Hey guys I’m looking for a great clean to clean-ish that type of tone that is smooth but clear with great dynamics and has a nice compression that gives some elasticity and softer sag to the feel, has great smooth clarity and sparkle/shimmering highs. I’m not looking for warm but rather smooth and clear clean tones to edge of break up and some overdrive. I feel I’m more of a Fender blackface / deluxe reverb kinda guy but kinda want that tone too but sweeter and smoother and refined sounding ... but that demo of the Z Wreck Jr. by Matt’s Music sounds like THE tone for me. Is the Z Wreck Jr. the way to go? I’m also wanting to know what Dr. Z amps would be the best for this type of application. I’ve listen to a lot of demos and Matt Music demo at the Zeroed Junior sounds pretty perfect. It’s out of stock everywhere and Z is shut down for I don’t know how long and I’m not sure I have the patience to wait for them to show back up again. So if there is a very close alternative to the Z Wreck rJr., Dr. Z and Amps would that be Abandoned, Based upon your specifications it seems to me the Maz 38 Mark II is the way to go. The Maz 38 was known to be the clean versatile amp for stage performance until the Mark II edition with the MV. Now it is a powerful clean machine or a powerful mid gain wonder. I don't think you will go wrong with the Z Wreck Jr., but your requirements seem to put you in the Maz 38 or 18 range. Have fun
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Post by Abandoned on Apr 23, 2020 20:29:47 GMT -7
It sounds like the ZWreck Jr. would be perfect. Other thoughts may be a ZWreck (senior?,) EF86 ones, like a Stangray (used.) I have a Route66 that is less voxy bright, but stays clean with lots of gain. A MAZ would be another good choice, BUT whatever else you get, you’ll probably pine for the ZWreck (or Jr,) so I’d seriously consider preordering now. FYI: I have owned in the neighborhood of 30 amps. I own a ZWreck, which I consider to be the best amp I have ever played and still am considering a Jr. I also have the previously mentioned Route66 and a DB4, which are spectacular- as well as a bunch of other amps. Thanks so much for chiming in. I feel the way I communicated kinda put myself in the direction and of the Z Wreck Jr. being THE right/only amp for me, but I am truly open to other options if they are pretty close to that tone from The Z Wreck Jr. in Matt’s music demo.
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Post by Abandoned on Apr 23, 2020 20:33:42 GMT -7
Hey guys I’m looking for a great clean to clean-ish that type of tone that is smooth but clear with great dynamics and has a nice compression that gives some elasticity and softer sag to the feel, has great smooth clarity and sparkle/shimmering highs. I’m not looking for warm but rather smooth and clear clean tones to edge of break up and some overdrive. I feel I’m more of a Fender blackface / deluxe reverb kinda guy but kinda want that tone too but sweeter and smoother and refined sounding ... but that demo of the Z Wreck Jr. by Matt’s Music sounds like THE tone for me. Is the Z Wreck Jr. the way to go? I’m also wanting to know what Dr. Z amps would be the best for this type of application. I’ve listen to a lot of demos and Matt Music demo at the Zeroed Junior sounds pretty perfect. It’s out of stock everywhere and Z is shut down for I don’t know how long and I’m not sure I have the patience to wait for them to show back up again. So if there is a very close alternative to the Z Wreck rJr., Dr. Z and Amps would that be Abandoned, Based upon your specifications it seems to me the Maz 38 Mark II is the way to go. The Maz 38 was known to be the clean versatile amp for stage performance until the Mark II edition with the MV. Now it is a powerful clean machine or a powerful mid gain wonder. I don't think you will go wrong with the Z Wreck Jr., but your requirements seem to put you in the Maz 38 or 18 range. Have fun Thanks for helping out I did own a Maz Sr. about 10 years ago. I was playing different guitars and music styles back then but I felt the Maz was dry, stiff, harsh and hard hitting. Has the MKII changed much?
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Post by purpletele on Apr 23, 2020 20:43:44 GMT -7
Abandoned, Based upon your specifications it seems to me the Maz 38 Mark II is the way to go. The Maz 38 was known to be the clean versatile amp for stage performance until the Mark II edition with the MV. Now it is a powerful clean machine or a powerful mid gain wonder. I don't think you will go wrong with the Z Wreck Jr., but your requirements seem to put you in the Maz 38 or 18 range. Have fun Has the MKII changed much? The Maz 38 Mark II is the Sleeper. You have four power tubes and a great MV on a great circuit. It is much different than before but you can still get the previous tones.
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Post by Abandoned on Apr 24, 2020 11:23:36 GMT -7
How’s the headroom on the Z Wreck Jr.?
Is it similar to a tweed deluxe for example?
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Post by sharkboy on Apr 24, 2020 17:28:16 GMT -7
How’s the headroom on the Z Wreck Jr.? Is it similar to a tweed deluxe for example? At rated power with the MV all the way up, it is 3db down from a full ZWreck. That’s a lot of headroom. (Edit to add:) I suspect it’s more than a Tweed Deluxe.
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Post by Abandoned on Apr 25, 2020 5:01:59 GMT -7
Has the MKII changed much? The Maz 38 Mark II is the Sleeper. You have four power tubes and a great MV on a great circuit. It is much different than before but you can still get the previous tones. Ok thank you. Are you able to compare and contrast the tones of Maz II and the Z Wreck Jr.? Also - how does the Maz feel compared to the Z Wreck Jr.?
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Post by Abandoned on Apr 25, 2020 5:03:15 GMT -7
How’s the headroom on the Z Wreck Jr.? Is it similar to a tweed deluxe for example? At rated power with the MV all the way up, it is 3db down from a full ZWreck. That’s a lot of headroom. (Edit to add:) I suspect it’s more than a Tweed Deluxe. Ok thank you. One thing I enjoyed about my tweed deluxe is its ability to sound and feel so good and not ear crushing volumes.
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Post by Jaguarguy (Mike) on Apr 25, 2020 7:14:44 GMT -7
The Maz 38 Mark II is the Sleeper. You have four power tubes and a great MV on a great circuit. It is much different than before but you can still get the previous tones. I have a prototype Maz 38 Mark II with a 1/2 power switch. That covers all the bases!!!
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Post by gotmojo on May 2, 2020 7:52:54 GMT -7
Hey Abandoned. The Z Wreck or the Jr are simply killer amps, and if you like the demo you heard of this amp, I’m guessing you will love this amp in person. Buying another model will likely leave you wondering About and pining for a Wreck ever after. Despite the love so many have for the MAZ series of amps, if you did not bond with your MAZ in the past, there’s some pretty good chance you’ll not be in love with another, despite whatever updates and changes have come down the line. 10 years ago I had a MAZ 18 and it was simply not for me, although it is exactly what many, many others need and love!
The Wreck Jr is much louder than a ‘50’s tweed Deluxe, though absolutely tame-able with the MV, which works superbly. If I hear you correctly, it sounds like you want an amp that can stay clean up into the live performance setting (potentially loud). And I can FULLY understand the inability to wait out this viral lockdown and the delay it will cause to get one’s hands on a Z Wreck Jr. Addiction is a difficult thang. So, for what it’s worth, my advice, despite the increased price tag (it will be worth it!), is to get a Z Wreck - the senior! There are heads available at Sweetwater and Humbuckers (I just checked), but my suggestion is the 1-12 Combo, which is available at Sweetwater right now. And get a Dr Z Brake-Lite to put inside. With this rig you can get ”smooth and clear clean tones” at any volume, plus the Wreck has the ability to go way beyond edge-of-breakup and on into full distortion, and you can control the overall volume with the Brake-lite. The Wreck has a ton of tonal possibilities with incredibly functional tone controls. And the senior has the speed/comfort options, very interesting (I love ‘em both).
i have both amps, Wreck and Wreck Jr, and I’m totally addicted to both, couldn’t possibly part with either. The senior has a little difference in tone compared to the Jr, with a little more sparkly highs, very controllable with the cut knob, and the extra headroom of 30 watts is nice to have on hand, though I’ve never used it. I have gigged the Wreck senior and used it for recording and for just playing around the house and have found it, in all scenarios, to be supremely satisfying for every style of music I play, which ranges from classic rock to country to blues to gospel to old standards; for me it would probably cover anything but metal (and I’m sure the Wreck would handle that with a fuzz box), not that I play any metal. With the Wreck I don’t think I’ve ever needed any more volume than the Brake set on 3 will give me, even live with a hard hitting drummer!
So ....... you could order the Z Wreck combo right now from Sweetwater and have this itch scratched within a couple days, with the tone you loved in a demo, and demo vids never really do an amp justice. My feeling has always been, it is well worth spending extra to get what you really want for your passions in life. To spend less and get something below the holy grail you seek ends up costing more, because eventually you spring for the bigger ticket item anyway. And if it’s an item that you use every day for the thing you are passionate about, it pays off every time you use it and re-experience the joy of using it. For me, the Wreck (and the Jr) does just that, and I’ve never ever considered the $ cost of it. There is no price to put on such nirvanic satisfaction. Of course, this is just my $0.02. That and $4.00 will get you a cup of coffee.
jj
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Post by Abandoned on May 2, 2020 19:27:15 GMT -7
Very good advice. I won’t jump for the Wreck cuz it’s just too much money for me. I don’t have that.
I do feel like I’m more of a fender amp / tone kind of guy but I do wanna try a Z Wreck Jr. This will get me into the Wreck tone territory with less commitment financially. I’m so glad Dr. Z did what he did with the Jr. so people like me without big budgets for amps can get great tone without breaking the bank.
I bought a Z Wreck Jr. and it will arrive later next week. I’ll write a review after I get some time with it.
I do like the demos from the videos I’ve watched online. The gain is more modern than I’m used to, but I plan on running it more clean/EOBU and it’ll be nice to have a bit more of a modern gain sound to use.
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Post by gotmojo on May 3, 2020 9:43:46 GMT -7
Oh, excellent, you found one!!! i believe you will be very happy with the JR, a killer amp. I could easily live with the Jr as my only amp for the remaining years of my life. But luckily, thus far, I’m not doing that!
jj
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