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Post by meddlingkids on May 20, 2020 15:05:04 GMT -7
Hi All,
I have been looking around at various amplifiers for a while keep coming back to Dr. Z's tremendous offerings. I'm mainly playing classic rock and blues these days (with some occasional VH and Guns n Roses), and after watching a ton of Z-Wreck videos, the touch sensitivity and ability to go from "clean to mean" using the volume knob on my guitar is appealing. It just sounds so incredible at numerous different settings. I haven't had the opportunity to play it yet given given the pandemic unfortunately, but believe this will be a good solution for my needs.
One issue I'm struggling with a bit is whether to go with the Z-Wreck or the Z-Wreck Jr (either would be in combo form). This will be my only amplifier so I will want to play it both at practice/bedroom volumes but also have the capability to play at small club-sized venues in the future. So, in the Z-Wreck's case I would need to pair it with the Z-Brake to tame the volume.
The cost of the Z-Wreck with the Z-Brake (even used) will be higher compared to the Z-Wreck Jr. so I'm trying to determine whether there are positives that would justify my spending more money for the standard Z-Wreck. More clean headroom, slightly less compression...I'm sure I'm missing plenty but would love to hear thoughts from folks here.
Thanks in advance!
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Post by Rockerfeller on May 20, 2020 15:37:39 GMT -7
Welcome to the wonderful world of Dr. Z Amps!
The Master volume on any Dr. Z amp makes it ideal for bedroom use as well as stage. I own the Big Wreck and to fully enjoy it at home I use my wireless, crank it up, leave the room and close the door. Oh man does it sound great, but it does rattle the walls. My wife can't be home when I do that. That's with the Brakelite on 1 or 2. My Jetta and ZLux both have the master volume. They don't need any attenuation at home to sound fantastic. They all sound amazing on stage. I don't have the Wreck Jr, so I can't weigh in on that. But if you're going to play mostly at home, a Z with a Master volume is the way to go. YMMV
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Post by meddlingkids on May 20, 2020 15:55:30 GMT -7
Thanks Rockerfeller! I believe the Z-Brake supposedly has a bedroom setting that would allow me to further attenuate down to a more appropriate bedroom volume from what I have been reading.
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Post by Rockerfeller on May 20, 2020 15:59:11 GMT -7
Thanks Rockerfeller! I believe the Z-Brake supposedly has a bedroom setting that would allow me to further attenuate down to a more appropriate bedroom volume from what I have been reading. Other people will chime in on this one. A LOT of people hear owned and sold the Big Wreck. For my ears, I don't like the way the Wreck sounds when it's heavily attenuated and the volume is cranked. But it works great when the volume is set lower. YMMV.
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Post by Jaguarguy (Mike) on May 20, 2020 16:54:18 GMT -7
Welcome to the Forum! A lot of good information and people here. I have the full-sized Wreck - and love it! But as you will hear, it is loud. If you're not playing big clubs, the Z-Wreck Jr. should more than cover you gigging needs.
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Post by trojanhov on May 20, 2020 19:43:36 GMT -7
Welcome to the wonderful world of Dr. Z Amps!
The Master volume on any Dr. Z amp makes it ideal for bedroom use as well as stage. I own the Big Wreck and to fully enjoy it at home I use my wireless, crank it up, leave the room and close the door. Oh man does it sound great, but it does rattle the walls. My wife can't be home when I do that. That's with the Brakelite on 1 or 2. My Jetta and ZLux both have the master volume. They don't need any attenuation at home to sound fantastic. They all sound amazing on stage. I don't have the Wreck Jr, so I can't weigh in on that. But if you're going to play mostly at home, a Z with a Master volume is the way to go. YMMV I came here to say this basically. If I were you, I’d go Maz38 mkii. If I didn’t have a z lux, that’s the amp i would have. Reverb, mv, half switch... that’s the only amp I’d trade my lux for, but my lux isn’t going anywhere!
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Post by j4gitr (John) on May 21, 2020 3:19:05 GMT -7
If this is your first Z, you’ll be surprised how loud 15 -18 watts can be. I owned a Maz 18 for about 15 years; bought new before Doc updated his master volume. It was loud. More than enough. I’m targeting a Wreck Jr., because experience tells me it will be enough, and several owners have said, “ it’s a loud amp.” YMMV
if versatility is your thing. Trojanhov’s advice on the Max 38 Mkii is dead on.
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Post by daddyelmis (Greg) on May 21, 2020 6:17:44 GMT -7
I think you have to take a hard look at how you’ll actually use the amp. If it’s 80%+ home use, with some gigging but usually in smaller bars (100 people or less - mixing from the stage - which tends to be most of us), you’re going to be much happier with a MV amp like the ZWreck Jr. (although based on the musical styles you referenced I would echo considering the Maz 18, and would also add the ZPlus or Jetta, which is 30 watts but has a great MV).
It’s very frustrating to have a great amp that’s too loud for the majority of use so that you can never get it to its sweet spot. If you ended up playing a big room, you can easily mic the amp to the PA (but as other have said, Z amps are rated conservatively and are plenty loud).
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Post by trojanhov on May 21, 2020 6:35:01 GMT -7
I think you have to take a hard look at how you’ll actually use the amp. If it’s 80%+ home use, with some gigging but usually in smaller bars (100 people or less - mixing from the stage - which tends to be most of us), you’re going to be much happier with a MV amp like the ZWreck Jr. (although based on the musical styles you referenced I would echo considering the Maz 18, and would also add the ZPlus or Jetta, which is 30 watts but has a great MV). It’s very frustrating to have a great amp that’s too loud for the majority of use so that you can never get it to its sweet spot. If you ended up playing a big room, you can easily mic the amp to the PA (but as other have said, Z amps are rated conservatively and are plenty loud). Agree. The way you get your dirt matters here too. Do you run amps hot and just add eq pedals or boost to get more saturation? Do you use pedals to get to your favorite dirt sounds? Both? All this matters I just recently got a winfield cyclone which is kind of a vox ac-15 with ef-86 front end and a few tweaks. It’s 15 watts and likes to get dirty quicker than the lux. I’m finding that even with the volume at 9, my dual P90 guitar already has the guitar driving at light gain. I find that all I need at that point is my klone for more dirt. What matters here is headroom. I run all my effects to the front of the amp and never use loops. My reverbs and delays into an amp that’s already breaking up can get too pronounced and in the way of my playing. This is never the case with the z lux d/t headroom. I play mostly at church and at home and I feel as though the z lux excels in both arenas. Even with the brake lite and mv both working, I still feel like I’d rather have more watts and headroom as opposed to less. Keep in mind that 15-20 watts when cranked is going to be damn loud. If you play with your guitar volume a lot and love amp gain then you should go z wreck JR. If you have a nice board with delays and verbs and stuff I’d probably go for the higher headroom option... also if playing clean louder is important to you. For what I do, higher headroom with master volume is important
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Post by meddlingkids on May 21, 2020 7:26:07 GMT -7
Thank you for the advice, all. Based on how frequently I would be playing out, and the types of locations I would be playing in, sounds like an amp with a master volume will be the way to go. Also, I don't really use pedals much to be honest so looking for the amp to do most of the work there and would run the amp hot to get overdrive/gain.
With that being said, curious to get your thoughts on why the Maz Sr, Z Plus, or Jetta would be more appropriate fits vs. the Z Wreck Jr.
Thanks again!
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Post by j4gitr (John) on May 21, 2020 12:44:13 GMT -7
Thank you for the advice, all. Based on how frequently I would be playing out, and the types of locations I would be playing in, sounds like an amp with a master volume will be the way to go. Also, I don't really use pedals much to be honest so looking for the amp to do most of the work there and would run the amp hot to get overdrive/gain. With that being said, curious to get your thoughts on why the Maz Sr, Z Plus, or Jetta would be more appropriate fits vs. the Z Wreck Jr. Thanks again! I traded my Maz18 2x10 for my Z-Plus. A lot of that had to do with weight. It was a Mk1. That amp had some serious mojo. I wish I hadn’t sold it but as it was heavy and I desperately wanted the Z-Plus, I traded it in at CME for the Z-Plus. One came in one went out. The Z-Plus has rich overtones/harmonics, nice touch sensitivity, and a great master volume. It’s using the Maz front end. I like the half power option offering nice grind at very reasonable volume. It also has the eq bypass. A versatile amp. I can’t say whether it’s a better fit than the Z-Wreck Jr., as I don’t have one, but intend to get one. There are others that have both plus and wreck jr that may weigh-in.
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Post by dixiechicken on May 22, 2020 6:54:06 GMT -7
DC here!
If you got your heart set on Z-Wreck. I' go for the new Z-Wreck combo with the MV. I bought my Z-Wreck the first model with the Celestion Alnico Gold Comfort/Speed switch at the back.
I bought i pre-loaded with the Break-Lite from Pro-Guitar in Germany. I works very well for me with the lite some 3 clicks down.
But 2 things to keep in mind: ( I very seldom use any pedals myself )
1)
The new Z-Wreck Jr 15W with the master volume uses default another Celestion speaker the Celestion Greenback. I suspect that perhaps you'd loose a little chime compared to
the Z-Wreck combo with the Alnico gold speaker. It may not be a big deal for you - but you have to listen & decide. Also ask Doc himself about this!
2) Its a single channel amp so you'd have to run your pedals in front. (when if you use them)
What I found is that if I set mix and volume of my reverb (T-Rex RoomMate - when i DO use it) for my chording volume and then max out the Volume pot on my guitar for soloing.
To my ears the reverb gets too much up front.
Admittedly I'm not much of a pedal guy so take my observation for what it may be worth. YMMV
Cheers: Dixiechicken!
PS: Congrats to your Z-Wreck combo to be - it's a fantastic amp any way you slice it DS:
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Bradz
New Member
Quest for the ultimate tone!
Posts: 29
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Post by Bradz on May 22, 2020 8:56:01 GMT -7
The other guitar player in my country band has the Z wreck head/2x12" cab with the airbrake. It sounds great, he's a good player too! I tried it one night and was hooked, but it's loud!! I went with the Z Wreck Jr combo and love it. Don't think Fender Blues Jr. volume or tone at all, no comparison. The Z Wreck Jr. is plenty loud for any normal size club. This is the loudest 15 watt amp I've ever heard. The master volume is great. Turn the volume to adjust the amount of "dirt", set the master to the level you need and your good to go. When you fire it up for the first time, you can feel the power this amp has right away.
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Post by Don A on May 23, 2020 11:29:36 GMT -7
I have a great amp that has no master volume control and sounds best when it's cranked up and dirty- an old Budda Twinmaster. It's "only" 18 watts ("Budda watts" are loud as heck like Dr. Z watts", lol), but I can't use it anywhere unless it's attenuated to the point that the sound is affected negatively. I love the amp and can't bear to part with it, but it's almost useless to me.
The Z Wreck is a 30 watt amplifier that probably wouldn't be a lot louder than my Twinmaster, but I'll bet it'll have more punch. I wouldn't recommend having a beautiful amp like that unless you have the opportunity to open her up regularly. I'd go the the Jr (in fact, I want one).
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Post by meddlingkids on May 24, 2020 7:34:03 GMT -7
Thanks all. Sounds like the Jr is the way to go if I want the Wreck. That said, a few suggestions have me thinking through whenever the Maz Sr could be a better fit due to the versatility.
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dax
New Member
Posts: 8
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Post by dax on Jun 9, 2020 12:38:37 GMT -7
When I got my big Wreck with matching Wreck 2x12 cab I struggled with volume . Its so freakishly loud. I did enjoy minimal volume. On a lower volume it sounds really fenders to me. I even prefer my Wreck for blackface tones over my hardwired custom 64 deluxe reverb. I tried Z Brake but it was sucking tone way to much on bedroom volumes. I was about ready to give up Wreck but than I did best decision in the years ...I purchased Boss Waza Tube Amp Expander. It allows me to crank Z Wreck and play at any volume. I have to say IMHO Z Wreck is best amp for clean all the way to mid gain. I mentioned before I have 64 Custom DR and also have Friedman BE-50 modded by Dave with Plexi channel and Dirty Shirley. Both Fender and Friedman get 5% of the use. 95% is my Z Wreck. I haven't tried Junior but if its been 75% good as big Wreck and have master volume....than its hell of amp. specially for the money
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dax
New Member
Posts: 8
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Post by dax on Jun 9, 2020 12:51:26 GMT -7
My friend also has big Wreck and he uses Fryette Power Station and it sound incredible. Nothing I tried get close to cranked Z Wreck. Its tone heaven
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Post by thatstatuemoved on Jun 13, 2020 20:01:33 GMT -7
I am not dissing the Z-wreck sr. or jr. as I have never played one. Some one above suggested a maz 38. I agree. It can cover many bases and with the upgrade you have an 18 and 38 in one package. I have had a maz 38 for many years and when I was gigging a bunch it was my go to amp. I had it upgraded with the Mk11 upgrade and it is indeed an awesome tone tool. I wish that upgrade would have been available when I was gigging a lot cause there were lots of times 18 watts would have been more than enough. YMMV.
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Post by sharkboy on Jun 13, 2020 21:24:55 GMT -7
Nothing sounds better than a ZWreck. I have two other amazing Zs (Route66 and DB4, which are both great) and some very nice other amps. I was rather happy with a Weber attenuator, but not wild about recording with it. I have recently switched to a UA Ox and that is amazing at every recording volume for recording.
Before the Ox, I was contemplating buying the ZWreck Jr., but I’m extremely happy now (but still tempted by his other offerings.) In general, you’re only losing a few clean db between the full and the Jr. I am not sure what else you lose, but Z and the team are meticulous about getting these amps right, so I have no worries for you there.
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