joe.h
New Member
Posts: 27
|
Post by joe.h on Jun 24, 2020 15:18:42 GMT -7
well I finally pulled the plug on a dr z wreck jr I could only get the 1x12 combo and it is the last one long and McQuade had in Canada. so about five to ten days before I receive it. I had a maz 18 2x12 combo and stang ray 2x12 combo with golds about seven years ago and for most gigs I played they where to loud. I had brake lights on them but I felt the brake light really sucked the tone out of them. so i traded them for a kemper profiler power rack. and it has worked good. but if you like tube amps the feel under your fingers when you dig in you just don't get the same feel and I missed that. I always wanted a z wreck just to loud. I have played gigs with the kemper for about seven years now but have always missed my dr z amps. I didn't miss the weight of them though.so hoping this little amp is going to do the job and I can sell my kemper!
|
|
|
new amp
Jun 24, 2020 15:44:08 GMT -7
Post by helmi on Jun 24, 2020 15:44:08 GMT -7
Congrats and welcome. give us a update after you have played around with it.
|
|
|
new amp
Jun 24, 2020 17:00:07 GMT -7
Post by Jaguarguy (Mike) on Jun 24, 2020 17:00:07 GMT -7
Congrats on a great amp - you're gonna love it!
|
|
|
Post by patrick69 on Jul 22, 2020 5:05:28 GMT -7
well I finally pulled the plug on a dr z wreck jr I could only get the 1x12 combo and it is the last one long and McQuade had in Canada. so about five to ten days before I receive it. I had a maz 18 2x12 combo and stang ray 2x12 combo with golds about seven years ago and for most gigs I played they where to loud. I had brake lights on them but I felt the brake light really sucked the tone out of them. so i traded them for a kemper profiler power rack. and it has worked good. but if you like tube amps the feel under your fingers when you dig in you just don't get the same feel and I missed that. I always wanted a z wreck just to loud. I have played gigs with the kemper for about seven years now but have always missed my dr z amps. I didn't miss the weight of them though.so hoping this little amp is going to do the job and I can sell my kemper! Hi Joe, I am in almost the same situation. Thinking of buying the Z-Wreck junior or the Maz18 MKII. Did not finally decide which. Since you had the Maz18 and now the Z-Wreck jr. could you compare the 2 amps and part your experience with me? Many thanks Patrick
|
|
|
new amp
Jul 22, 2020 6:39:38 GMT -7
Post by Jaguarguy (Mike) on Jul 22, 2020 6:39:38 GMT -7
well I finally pulled the plug on a dr z wreck jr I could only get the 1x12 combo and it is the last one long and McQuade had in Canada. so about five to ten days before I receive it. I had a maz 18 2x12 combo and stang ray 2x12 combo with golds about seven years ago and for most gigs I played they where to loud. I had brake lights on them but I felt the brake light really sucked the tone out of them. so i traded them for a kemper profiler power rack. and it has worked good. but if you like tube amps the feel under your fingers when you dig in you just don't get the same feel and I missed that. I always wanted a z wreck just to loud. I have played gigs with the kemper for about seven years now but have always missed my dr z amps. I didn't miss the weight of them though.so hoping this little amp is going to do the job and I can sell my kemper! Hi Joe, I am in almost the same situation. Thinking of buying the Z-Wreck junior or the Maz18 MKII. Did not finally decide which. Since you had the Maz18 and now the Z-Wreck jr. could you compare the 2 amps and part your experience with me? Many thanks Patrick Hey Patrick, If you are thinking about a new Maz 18 MKII you might also want to think about the Maz 38 MKII with a half power switch. A little bit more versatile but still a great amp.
|
|
|
Post by detuned on Jul 22, 2020 6:41:20 GMT -7
Lest it go unsaid: welcome Joe and Patrick!
|
|
joe.h
New Member
Posts: 27
|
Post by joe.h on Jul 22, 2020 17:02:06 GMT -7
well i have it for about two weeks now.i read about guys going too modeling amps then come back to tube and find it hard to adjust.well that is me i have been playing a kemper for the last seven years and found i was the same.this little amp is a monster and it has taken me a while to find my sound.some times it sounds a bit boxy but i think it the speaker needs braking in.so i played it with my keyboard with midi files the keyboard goes through a bose L1model 2 p.a classic rock country rock all that stuff it cuts through you don,t need a lot of volume to be heard i also bought a wampler paisley deluxe pedal and that a loud pedal but sounds Stella.so still working on my volume it sounds best with the master at noon and volume at about 1pm then turn your guitar volume and tone down to about halfway its very touch responsive set like this.but when you find that sweet spot this thing sings.i would say that this is definitely a lead guitar amp lead rhythm lead guitar amp. i think the maz 18 is more versatile and more sounds out of it.but if you want a amp that kicks arse and puts you right up front in a band this little guy will do it.my only gripe is wish it had a effects send and return reverb and delay plus your drive pedals take a bit more TLC to get your sound but i am getting there.hope this is some help for any one trying to decide.like with all dr z amps you play a bad note and every one hears it!
|
|
|
Post by redtele on Jul 23, 2020 12:13:58 GMT -7
Hi Joe, glad to read that your experimenting is leading you to find some great tones.
I was mainly using mine at home and was very happy with the edge of breakup sounds I was getting using my telecaster with the gain at 1pm and master between 9-10 o'clock.
I have now had 4 rehearsals with it, and once the master volume goes past 2pm, it really becomes a different amp. The telecaster sounds like a Les Paul at this volume, and it's so thick and juicy, and my Les Paul Junior has never sounded so massive!
I know what you mean about not being able to hide, as we've recorded a few early versions of songs to listen back to work on, and my Zwreck is dominating the mix. Even though the other guitarist is using a PRS through a 30 watt Mesa Transatlantic, I thought I would be burried as we also have a keys player going through the super loud PA, but the little ZWreck is holding its own!
I really should experiment with turning down my guitar more and having the amp set louder when playing at home, as it may emulate these thicker tones I am getting at rehearsal, so thanks for suggesting that.
|
|
|
new amp
Jul 29, 2020 20:01:38 GMT -7
via mobile
Post by zm12 on Jul 29, 2020 20:01:38 GMT -7
The problem I have with it is that I can’t crank it up enough! However the master volume on the z wreck junior is fantastic. Best I’ve ever heard in terms of keeping a great tone at lower volumes. All the gain I need and those edge of breakup tones are something else!
|
|
|
Post by redtele on Jul 30, 2020 5:50:36 GMT -7
While we'd all mostly agree that louder is more good (to steal a phrase), as the sound of the power section overdriving and the added speaker movement really transforms this amp into a fire-breathing monster, lower volume tones definitely have their own character, application, and are just as viable as options.
When i've played super loud with my band, sometimes i'm almost maxed out with the gain at 2pm and the master volume opened up to 3pm, and there's nowhere left to go. The range narrows and although amazingly fun to play and sounding immense, i'm pretty much left with one great sound, as once the headroom has been reached, it's only the shades of saturation that change and I no longer have the huge dynamic range available to play with like I do at lower volumes.
So basically don't write-off using the amp at lower volume/edge-of-breakup or think you're missing out, as these are unique sounds themselves, and even though the amp opened up is where we think we'd always be the happiest, I enjoy the amp for what it is at lower home volumes as I don't always want to play with an 'amp-about-to-explode' tone for every song!
|
|
|
new amp
Jul 30, 2020 8:02:34 GMT -7
via mobile
Post by zm12 on Jul 30, 2020 8:02:34 GMT -7
Yes I’m certainly content with the lower volume tones. May have to move some drive pedals. The od tones can be so smooth. Impressive
|
|
|
new amp
Jul 30, 2020 8:54:47 GMT -7
Post by patrick69 on Jul 30, 2020 8:54:47 GMT -7
While we'd all mostly agree that louder is more good (to steal a phrase), as the sound of the power section overdriving and the added speaker movement really transforms this amp into a fire-breathing monster, lower volume tones definitely have their own character, application, and are just as viable as options. When i've played super loud with my band, sometimes i'm almost maxed out with the gain at 2pm and the master volume opened up to 3pm, and there's nowhere left to go. The range narrows and although amazingly fun to play and sounding immense, i'm pretty much left with one great sound, as once the headroom has been reached, it's only the shades of saturation that change and I no longer have the huge dynamic range available to play with like I do at lower volumes. So basically don't write-off using the amp at lower volume/edge-of-breakup or think you're missing out, as these are unique sounds themselves, and even though the amp opened up is where we think we'd always be the happiest, I enjoy the amp for what it is at lower home volumes as I don't always want to play with an 'amp-about-to-explode' tone for every song! Can you describe the sound and the own character at lower volume a bit more in detail please? Does the amp sound kinda muddy or boxy at lower volumens ? Is there enought chime and sparkle or highs ? thx.
|
|
|
Post by redtele on Jul 30, 2020 11:19:39 GMT -7
Hi patrick69 I'd almost say the ZWreck junior has more range at lower volumes, as you have the options of setting the bass and treble wherever you want, which changes the mid range, and the amp can be dialled in for quite a wide scope of sounds.
At very high volumes, maybe exacerbated by the added compression, the sound is narrower as you simply can't push the bass control up high to add low end and/or scoop some mids, as the amp won't be able to handle it. This is why you're left with that 1 great sound at max volume, which puts a smile on my face, but you can forget about adding modulation pedal effects and achieving those nuances of changing your tone with pick attack like it excels at when set more modestly.
In answer to your other question, I'd say the amp is definitely not boxy or mid focused at lower volumes, and much less honky and mid-forwards in general as my celestion blue equipped Vox, but still retains that characteristic of classic Vox amps that we all love.
The greenback is probably a big contributing factor in all the above, and even though a celestion gold is tempting to give me more volume, I would miss the fullness that the greenback adds at low volumes and gives me the low end that's always been lacking from my Vox amps at low volumes.
|
|
joe.h
New Member
Posts: 27
|
new amp
Jul 30, 2020 11:29:16 GMT -7
Post by joe.h on Jul 30, 2020 11:29:16 GMT -7
well i am back after pounding this little amp the speaker is beging to sound good. I found when using my pedals a wampler paisley deluxe i keep the cut at about all the way master at 10am bass, treble and volume at 11am.that gives me enough room to set the pedal up.it took me quite a while to get that pedal at a volume to work with the amp. Its got lots of drive or gain and this amp on its own is very responsive. I still found using the volume and tone on your guitar at half then crank it for lead works the best especially when you want clean tones just from the amp you can turn the volume up on your guitar. I think 9am on the master is about as low you can go before you loose sound of this amp. I can make this amp sound like a maz 18 with a bit of hair on it. this is not a turn on and go amp you have to work your guitar, pedals and the amp its self to find your sound. I found mine its a kick arse amp if your not afraid of getting up and giving it her she will reward you with great sounds!
|
|
joe.h
New Member
Posts: 27
|
Post by joe.h on Jul 30, 2020 12:27:17 GMT -7
Hi Joe, I am in almost the same situation. Thinking of buying the Z-Wreck junior or the Maz18 MKII. Did not finally decide which. Since you had the Maz18 and now the Z-Wreck jr. could you compare the 2 amps and part your experience with me? Many thanks Patrick Hey Patrick, If you are thinking about a new Maz 18 MKII you might also want to think about the Maz 38 MKII with a half power switch. A little bit more versatile but still a great amp.
|
|
joe.h
New Member
Posts: 27
|
Post by joe.h on Jul 30, 2020 12:55:55 GMT -7
hi Patrick 69 you know this little amp can sound as sweet and has a nice clean tone but with a little hair on it. turn your volume down on your guitar and you get a really clean tone. But the maz 18 is also a very versatile amp they are both class A amps and sound class A the maz has bass, mid treble so you have more control over your eq setting plus effects send and return. The z wreck jr is more of a rebel amp. classic rock,country rock, rock,new country.the maz 18 can be as smooth as you want it then put some pedals in front of it for gain or drive. I had a maz 18 what a great amp should have never sold it I also at the had a stangray with 2x12 golds in it but preferred the maz 18 2x12 over it. I loved the sound of the z wreck but just to loud for gigs. so I think you have to ask your self what kind of guitar player are you and which amp will fit your needs best
|
|
|
Post by helmi on Jul 30, 2020 14:20:01 GMT -7
While we'd all mostly agree that louder is more good (to steal a phrase), as the sound of the power section overdriving and the added speaker movement really transforms this amp into a fire-breathing monster, lower volume tones definitely have their own character, application, and are just as viable as options. When i've played super loud with my band, sometimes i'm almost maxed out with the gain at 2pm and the master volume opened up to 3pm, and there's nowhere left to go. The range narrows and although amazingly fun to play and sounding immense, i'm pretty much left with one great sound, as once the headroom has been reached, it's only the shades of saturation that change and I no longer have the huge dynamic range available to play with like I do at lower volumes. So basically don't write-off using the amp at lower volume/edge-of-breakup or think you're missing out, as these are unique sounds themselves, and even though the amp opened up is where we think we'd always be the happiest, I enjoy the amp for what it is at lower home volumes as I don't always want to play with an 'amp-about-to-explode' tone for every song! Does the amp sound kinda muddy or boxy at lower volumens ? Is there enought chime and sparkle or highs ? thx. I think a big part of this question is going to have to do with what pickups your using with it.
|
|
|
new amp
Aug 1, 2020 8:45:46 GMT -7
via mobile
helmi likes this
Post by patrick69 on Aug 1, 2020 8:45:46 GMT -7
Does the amp sound kinda muddy or boxy at lower volumens ? Is there enought chime and sparkle or highs ? thx. I think a big part of this question is going to have to do with what pickups your using with it. I would use the Zwreck Jr with my Nacho Broadcaster, Dale Wilson paisley tele with Fender 63/67 pickups, and my Fender Double Esquire thinline with Fender Broadcaster 50/51 pickups.
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Aug 1, 2020 11:06:10 GMT -7
It's funny--I found the ZW Jr to be remarkably easy to dial in, and the speaker sounded great to me right out of the box. For lower volume cleans for use with pedals, volume and master at 10:00, bass and treble at noon and cut around 8:00 works great for me. If you want to open it up a bit and get some reward from the power tubes, set everything at noon with the cut off. If you really want to hear what the amp does best, set the volume at about 2:00 and the master anywhere above 10:00 and leave the pedals at home.
|
|
|
new amp
Aug 8, 2020 19:48:20 GMT -7
via mobile
Post by zm12 on Aug 8, 2020 19:48:20 GMT -7
Anybody have a collection of Single coil, p90, humbucker, other types of pickups. What did you find suited the amp best?
|
|
|
Post by redtele on Aug 9, 2020 9:24:34 GMT -7
zm12 I can offer you up my personal experiences, as I own and have used my Fender '51 Nocaster (single coils), Gibson '57 Goldtop Les Paul (humbuckers), and Gibson BJA Les Paul Junior (P90 pickups) with my Zwreck Junior at home and loud rehearsals.
For lower 'home' volumes, all three guitars are equally versatile, as both clean, edge-of-breakup and full on distortion is achievable with all types of pickups. Unlike other amps I have owned, this amp is voiced in quite a narrow range and there's not much scope in the EQ to move away from the inherent character of the amp's own voice, so i'm glad it's perfectly voiced for me and in fact very difficult to get a 'bad' sound' from it.
The humbuckers and P90s obviously push the amp into distortion much earlier on the gain, as anything past 10 o'clock on the gain regardless of how low the master is set, is enough to begin the onset of distortion, where single coils need a bit more gain to really begin overdriving. The ratio of more preamp and less power amp distortion seems to result in some fizzyness when played really quiet, so the lower output single coils means the master can be set a touch higher, balancing this out a little better.
Turning down the guitars volume at lower volumes does help reduce the proclivity to overdrive with my Les Paul and Junior, but it's never far away, and I wouldn't choose these midrange-focused guitars if I just wanted a sparkling and/or spanky guitar sound, especially with the already mid-forward voicing of the amp. This is the territory of a Telecaster of course, so I naturally reach for my Nocaster when I want a pure clean sound, and both lovely bright twangy and full warm cleans can be had here up to a decent volume, with distortion coming in when the gain is pushed past noon.
Loud rehearsals narrow this range, and the Les Paul and Junior are basically rock machines when the master is opened up to around 2pm, and even my Nocaster struggles to stay completely clean at these settings. Luckily I bought the amp to breakup for those EOB tones at any volume, so this just means this is the perfect amp for me, and I would not have bought a 15 watt hot-rodded Vox type amp if I wanted loud Fender Twin type cleans! I have enquired about putting a Celestion Gold to increase the clean headroom, but playing my amp yesterday I realised I must be insane if I wanted to change anything about this amp!
I have tried turning down the volume on my Les Paul Junior, but when the gain and master volume are both set at 2pm then the cleanup is very minimal, and you have distorted or more distorted as options. My Nocaster can just about manage some hairy cleans, and then with the master at 3pm, it can rival the Les Pauls for the rock crown! The Nocaster sounds very close to my Junior when overdriving, and i've had difficulty telling them apart when listening back to band recordings, so i'd say the guitar and type of pickups matter less the louder you play this amp it seems.
So to sum up, I would say the range of tones available with single coils is more suited to both the voicing and output volume of this amp, as I can get chime and thick distortion by adjusting the gain and master volume and is what i'd choose for maximum versatility when playing live. However, if I just want to play dirty, and want to seriously rock out, then I have no need to be able to clean-up completely, and my Humbucker or P90s do an amazing job and give me the most fun and most effortless distortion i've ever had the pleasure to play.
|
|
|
new amp
Aug 9, 2020 12:35:55 GMT -7
Post by helmi on Aug 9, 2020 12:35:55 GMT -7
Great review.^^^^^^^^^^
|
|
|
new amp
Aug 9, 2020 19:03:02 GMT -7
via mobile
Post by zm12 on Aug 9, 2020 19:03:02 GMT -7
Thanks for all the detailed info. Very useful for me as I have a cs junior with a single p90, as well as a mustang special with single/humbucker pickups. Glad to hear that you are getting the same results! The od tones are simply amazing with this amp and rolling off the guitar volume pulls it back just enough to calm things down when you need it.
|
|