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Post by hwy145 on Aug 11, 2020 3:08:47 GMT -7
I’m fairly certain i already know the answer, but i thought i would solicit advice anyway. My wife and i are building a house, and we’re stuck in an apt for 6 months. I’m currently amp-less, and I’ve been lusting after the jr. i really don’t want to buy some low-watt amp for “in the mean-time.” How does the amp sound at speaking levels? It’s only temporary, but I’m getting impatient, and the wife gave me the green light. Thanks in advance..
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Post by steiner on Aug 11, 2020 4:02:12 GMT -7
I use an OX with my amps (mostly 100W) and listen through earphones. I can play sitting in the same room with the Wife watching TV or reading. Glorious!
Congratulations on the new house! Anticipate extended time and costs...
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Post by sharkboy on Aug 11, 2020 4:32:34 GMT -7
Steiner has the best answer I can think of. Awesome for recording, too. I have used attenuators since the 70s, but the OX is by far the best I have used (received that guidance on ZTalk.)
The alternative might be a Z-plus or older low power Z (Maz8, mini Z,) but you probably still want an attenuator, so you may as well use your favorite Z that you might have already.
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Post by daddyelmis (Greg) on Aug 11, 2020 5:18:04 GMT -7
A ZWreck Jr owner will respond shortly I’m sure. In the meantime I’d say that the Z master volume amps I have (Z Plus and Therapy) sound very good at low volume. Now, you don’t get the power tube drive at that volume and there’s not much you can do about that.
There are a lot of solutions if you’re willing to spend north of $1,000 on top of the amp price (Ox, Powerstation, etc).
On the less expensive end, a Z Brakelite might be worth considering for your short term solution.
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Post by Rockerfeller on Aug 11, 2020 6:05:40 GMT -7
The Jetta sounds great at low volumes!
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Post by gotmojo on Aug 11, 2020 6:51:39 GMT -7
I’ve owned a Jr for 6 months now, it’s about all I ever play (out of some 20 amps). I use it at all volume levels, from live gig (only once now due to Covid) to home band rehearsal to sitting around the house with grandkids. The MV is the best I’ve ever played, so your ability to have just this amp to play in an apartment, in my humble estimation, would be perfect!!!! It sounds great down at living room conversation level! I play it after the lil woman has gone to bed with total personal satisfaction and with nary a complaint from the bedroom. A killer amp for all purposes. My biased suggestion: get one ASAP.
jj
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Deleted
Deleted Member
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Post by Deleted on Aug 11, 2020 7:40:26 GMT -7
The Wreck Jr is an awesome amp in every way, but you might get frustrated if you have to wait six months to open it up a bit. Where the Wreck Jr really comes alive is when you get that MV up past 10:00, and while it's not wall-rattlingly loud at that setting, it might be a bit much in an apartment. My advice--get a Katana 50 for apartment use--great little practice amp for the price of an up-market pedal--and celebrate your house-warming with a new Wreck Jr when the time comes. You'll like the Katana--I use mine all the time for speaking-level noodling, and I've also taken it along as a lightweight, basically indestructible backup for small gigs.
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Post by GuitarZ on Aug 11, 2020 7:42:42 GMT -7
The Ox will give you the attenuation you need. Or, you turn the live speaker off and pop on the headphones and turn up the room mics and it sounds/feels fantastic.
With all that said, I'd also argue six months will go by in a flash. So, whichever direction you choose, think about whether you'll use the amp, attenuator, simulator, etc after the fact or what will serve you best in the longer run.
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Post by Ridgeback on Aug 11, 2020 8:02:04 GMT -7
Buy a used Line 6 POD (or similar) for $50-$80 and use decent headphones or small powered speakers until you get into your house. Then sell the POD for about what you paid and get the amp you want. Listening to the marginal (but not really that bad) tone of the modeler for a few months will make you appreciate the Z that much more. My experience has been that the POD through good headphones will sound better than any amp attenuated down to "bedroom" levels. YMMV
Edited to add that the later versions of the POD sound noticeably better than the original red POD 2.0 but the original will be less expensive and get you through your apartment phase just fine.
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Post by John on Aug 11, 2020 11:18:17 GMT -7
Buy a used Line 6 POD (or similar) for $50-$80 and use decent headphones or small powered speakers until you get into your house. Then sell the POD for about what you paid and get the amp you want. Listening to the marginal (but not really that bad) tone of the modeler for a few months will make you appreciate the Z that much more. My experience has been that the POD through good headphones will sound better than any amp attenuated down to "bedroom" levels. YMMV
Because if you're building a home, you're gonna need money at some point.....so spending $50 on a POD is a lot different than spending on an amp you can't use. (and may need the money)
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Post by GuitarZ on Aug 11, 2020 15:20:02 GMT -7
As I was typing, the POD popped into my mind too. I had one for a few years. Not bad. Not a Z, but not bad.
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Post by Rockerfeller on Aug 11, 2020 16:16:25 GMT -7
I used a solid state Kustom 12 Gauge practice amp in my teaching studio for 10 years. The tube amps just made the room get really hot in summer. I also didn't want to burn through tubes just for teaching. Because that amp has a 12" speaker, it sounds great. I'd never gig with it, but for just messing around the house, it would more than do the job. Don't be afraid of using something like that.
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Post by bryan0418 on Aug 11, 2020 18:48:26 GMT -7
Save yourself some money and get a Two Notes Captor X. I use it with all of my amps in silent mode and it sounds great and doesn't upset the family
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Post by John on Aug 12, 2020 4:10:13 GMT -7
I used a solid state Kustom 12 Gauge practice amp in my teaching studio for 10 years. The tube amps just made the room get really hot in summer. I also didn't want to burn through tubes just for teaching. Because that amp has a 12" speaker, it sounds great. I'd never gig with it, but for just messing around the house, it would more than do the job. Don't be afraid of using something like that.
My version is a Vox Pathfinder. A 15 watt solid state amp that sounds pretty good. It comes with an 8" speaker (which is crap...but it works) There's also a 'speaker out' jack that allows you to hook up to an external cabinet...and when you do, it disconnects the internal 8" speaker. If you find one local for $50-79...that would be a good choice. I 'think' it may have a headphone jack too. After 20 years, I still have mine. I've been in a couple of bands where rehearsals are ultra low volume. Singers don't have mics...they just sing into the room. Drummer is either electronic, or snare only with brushes or snare only with a towel over it. In these cases, the Vox Pathfinder worked great. Probably about the same price as a used POD. But no effects...this could be a dealbreaker.
I'd check craigslist for a Vox Pathfinder or a Kustom 12 Gauge.
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Post by daddyelmis (Greg) on Aug 12, 2020 5:01:28 GMT -7
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Post by JebusCrebus on Aug 12, 2020 8:36:45 GMT -7
I use a Blackstar Fly 3 for sitting around on the porch or in my office. The bundle pack comes with the extra speaker taking it to 6 watts, and a power adapter but batteries last a long ... long ... long time so I never have used the P/S.
I wasn't sure about it at first, and bought it on a whim, but I use it all the time (I mean all the time!), grab and go with a cheap wireless, portability to the MAX! There are other options as well for different price points (blue tooth, single speaker, etc).
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Post by steiner on Aug 12, 2020 8:41:14 GMT -7
If you want low budget, find a Spark. For the price of a decent pedal, you get many customizations.
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Post by hwy145 on Aug 12, 2020 17:19:20 GMT -7
I ended up ordering a z wreck jr. i plan on purchasing an attenuator. Our business is two blocks away, and the building is huge. If I need to crank it, i can after we close (6 pm). Thanks for all the replies, although I really didn’t listen too well! It should be here tomorrow!
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Post by KeithA on Aug 12, 2020 17:26:55 GMT -7
I ended up ordering a z wreck jr. i plan on purchasing an attenuator. Our business is two blocks away, and the building is huge. If I need to crank it, i can after we close (6 pm). Thanks for all the replies, although I really didn’t listen too well! It should be here tomorrow! I'm sure Doc would say you decided well, grasshopper !
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Post by zm12 on Aug 12, 2020 18:24:29 GMT -7
I play at very low volumes after the kids go to bed and the jr’s Master volume works really well for this. Haven’t felt the need to attenuate it any further than the master provides. Although I’ve never used an external attenuator before so I don’t really know what I’m missing. Either way, the jr is a great amp at whatever volume
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Post by John on Aug 13, 2020 3:57:41 GMT -7
I ended up ordering a z wreck jr. i plan on purchasing an attenuator. Our business is two blocks away, and the building is huge. If I need to crank it, i can after we close (6 pm). Thanks for all the replies, although I really didn’t listen too well! It should be here tomorrow! So you have an empty building where you can crank an amp? WHERE is this building?
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Post by hwy145 on Aug 13, 2020 10:35:22 GMT -7
I ended up ordering a z wreck jr. i plan on purchasing an attenuator. Our business is two blocks away, and the building is huge. If I need to crank it, i can after we close (6 pm). Thanks for all the replies, although I really didn’t listen too well! It should be here tomorrow! So you have an empty building where you can crank an amp? WHERE is this building? Ha ha- about 12,500 sq ft! Ok, so maybe “huge” is exaggerating, but its plenty big, nonetheless...
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joe.h
New Member
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Post by joe.h on Aug 15, 2020 7:40:42 GMT -7
i own wreck jr its the best amp once you turn it down to 9 you have just about sucked the life out of it,still sounds good.if thats the amp you want and your wife gave you the green light BUY IT! you are building a new house your money is going to go in no time.its only $500 for better lights its only $1000.00 for those tiles that new sofa is going to look great in the family room.when your house is finished you will have one of the best little amp dr z has put out
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Aug 15, 2020 12:14:12 GMT -7
Sometimes you just have to go on and git it. Congrats--it's a great amp.
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