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Post by telenick on Jun 24, 2020 13:36:14 GMT -7
After lurking around here for far too long, I finally own my first Z!! I just acquired a new (to me) DB4 a few days ago. Loving it so far! I mostly play Tele's so this one felt like the right fit. I've got a ways to go in discovering what all it can do. I haven't been able to really crank it up much at home yet, but did have it cooking at church over the weekend (miked up in a closed room in back). Sounded great! To my ears the cleans are brilliant and dimensional, and gets warmer and more muscular as I turn it up. It's very dynamic making it quite easy to play expressively.
From what I've read, it sounds like the 6N14N tubes may be worth a try. I'm also thinking a Brake Lite may be in my future to broaden its use in various places. But out of the gate, I'm loving what it does and am excited to continue to explore what it's capable of!
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Post by pcns on Jun 24, 2020 14:41:31 GMT -7
Great first amp and way to go cranking it up at church! Love it! Welcome to the forum God bless, Todd
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Post by Jaguarguy (Mike) on Jun 24, 2020 14:45:35 GMT -7
Welcome to the Forum! A lot of good people and information here! Did you get a combo or head?? I got the Bluesbreaker 2X12 combo - it can get loud!
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Post by telenick on Jun 24, 2020 20:19:09 GMT -7
Thanks! I suppose you all would have taken me in before I owned a Z, but it’s legitimized now! I’ve admired all the knowledge, info, and support here.
It’s a 1x12 combo with a Gold. I finally had some time to run it hot this afternoon. Goodness it gets ballsy turned up. Can’t imagine what the 2x12 Bluesbreaker version would sound like. I’ll say this...I’m no Brad, but that sound is as close as I’ll ever come. Though it’s an amp that can cover a lot of other ground too.
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Post by DRZ on Jun 24, 2020 22:12:57 GMT -7
Great choice I love the DB 4 and its unique tone. Welcome to the forum, enjoy that DB 4.
DR.Z
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Post by Chilly Gibbons (Todd T.) on Jun 25, 2020 5:44:31 GMT -7
The DB4 is one hell of a way to get started down “Z road”. I started with a MAZ Jr and that took my head off, can’t imagine the grin the DB4 must have produced. Welcome to the forum!
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Post by telenick on Jun 25, 2020 10:34:00 GMT -7
Wow. I'm going to like it here. You hear from fellow Z amp users, and a welcome from the man himself! Thanks Doc!! Loving your product!! Fevzay, guilty as charged. I'd been keeping an eye out for one on Reverb for a while. When that showed up, I jumped. Couldn't say no. That's good to know your take on the attenuator. That may be where I end up too. The true test will be playing out at a gig for me. So far, I'd say at church I need to keep the volume lower as I run delay/reverb into the front, so tend to need a cleaner signal. At home, I swear I always find time to play when the 2 year old is sleeping!! A brake would be nice for that. We'll see where it ends up at a gig though. Curious, for typical gig volume, where do you end up on the volume dial? And do the tubes make any volume difference? Mine has the JJ's.
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Post by detuned on Jun 25, 2020 12:27:26 GMT -7
Welcome in! You'll find folks are friendly and free with their knowledge around here. Make sure to go into the Lounge and introduce yourself!
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Deleted Member
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Post by Deleted on Jun 26, 2020 5:01:35 GMT -7
Congratulations on getting a DB4! Welcome to the forum! You can score the 6n14n tubes from PerryR here on the forum. Should you choose to replace the JJ's...
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Post by telenick on Jun 26, 2020 8:15:11 GMT -7
Thanks! PerryR for the tubes, noted. While I am really enjoying its sound as is, I see myself pulling the trigger on those fairly soon basically because I've read some pretty positive things about them around here. Gotta see what the fuss is about!
Detuned, thanks! I'll check out the Lounge. Your description of the folks here is spot on.
Fevsay, agree. Heck of a deal on this amp. As for playing with sleeping kids, I hear ya. But I've got a few good pedals that I suppose I could turn to.
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Post by helmi on Jul 5, 2020 17:46:27 GMT -7
Welcome to the forum.
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Post by trojanhov on Jul 6, 2020 21:06:48 GMT -7
[mention]goodez [/mention]
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Post by goodez on Jul 10, 2020 7:07:56 GMT -7
[mention]goodez [/mention] You just couldn’t resist lol.
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Post by LT on Jul 24, 2020 18:04:58 GMT -7
Welcome! Lots of great folks here. I don't own a DB4 but I bet it matches up with your Tele (based on your forum name) very well.
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Post by telenick on Aug 26, 2020 11:12:34 GMT -7
Thanks LT! Absolutely. I've really loved everything I've put through it so far, but the Teles and my old Jaguar are just killer into this amp.
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Post by telenick on Aug 26, 2020 11:29:38 GMT -7
I'm heavily considering a Brake Lite for the amp. I've been able to gig it a few times lately, and it always sounds great, but have had to keep the volume down. I had it around 2 on a bigger stage, and then ran it at 1 in a very echoey room where they wanted the whole band volume lower. The good news is it still sounded great and could run pedals into it for various tones. Not many amps I've had will still give you good tone down that low so was pleased with that.
That said, there's more to this amp than just a low volume pedal platform, and I'm thinking the Brake Lite can get me there. I had a couple questions though. I think I read the Brake Lite can handle amps up to 45 watts so the DB4 should be fine on full or half power, correct? Always feel better about checking before just assuming and having something go wrong!
Another question...I'm inclined to buy the mountable BL and install it in the DB4. But I got to thinking, if I went with the stand alone version, it would be easier to use with other things too. I've got an old Fender Tremolux head that might be fun to crank up with it. Or, if I ever got another Z, I could spread the love instead of have to buy another. Curious if there are other thoughts out there around that.
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Post by daddyelmis (Greg) on Aug 26, 2020 11:42:54 GMT -7
My $0.02 on Brakelite use (I’ve used them on all my Z amps) - I like the standalone. The cab mounted version is nice because it’s small and out of the way, but that makes it harder to adjust on the fly.
The way I use mine is to set the amp’s tone with no attenuation, then click the BL down to meet the room requirements. Inevitably, as the crowd grows and the night goes on, volume often needs to grow. I can just reach over and click the BL up a notch or two, keeping my exact tone but getting more overall volume. I think this would be harder with a cab mounted BL.
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Post by telenick on Sept 1, 2020 10:25:35 GMT -7
Thanks daddyelmis! Good input. I've now got a stand alone BL on the way!
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