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Post by joem19 on Aug 31, 2020 11:03:13 GMT -7
Came home with a new Cure this Saturday and am really stoked about the amp. This is coming from a Fender amp fan-boy. I have tried just about every amp out there the last 30+ years and none have floated my boat more than this little guy. Even had a Maz jr a few years ago that, to me, was just "ok". Nothing special; but the Cure definitely is. I'm pretty sure that it's because I have really settled on 6V6 powered amps, it's just the sound I want/like. Still not ready to get rid of my hand-wired PRRI or hand-wired DRRI, but the Cure doesn't take a back seat to either of those. I've put a Fender Tre-verb pedal in front of the Cure and it handles it very well. Gotta have a little 'verb and trem every once in a while. Anyway, enough gushing, just wanted to say hi and that I'm glad I found this forum. I'm sure I'll like it here.....
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Post by premiumplus (Dave) on Aug 31, 2020 11:35:14 GMT -7
Welcome to the forum, there are lots of friendly folks here and a lot of knowledge too. I used to be a Fender guy too, and used them for 30+ years. Then I plugged into a Z amp and it was all over for me...I sold most of my Fender stuff and I have a nice group of Z amps now. I kept a very, very nice old 1967 Blackface Deluxe Reverb and a 1960 Princeton but they're in the closet. I take them out now and then but I get a 'connected' feeling with Z amps that I don't with any other amp. Especially on the stage, Dr.Z knows how to voice an amp so that it comes through in the mix without sounding harsh or overbearing. Very musical tone.
You picked a great one for your first Z...but watch out. They're addictive.
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Post by donovantyler on Aug 31, 2020 12:28:45 GMT -7
I have been very curious about this amplifier ... being able to be a fender p p r i or ddri killer? does it get that "fender" clean? Does it get the black face vibe? Seems like all the doctors Z amps have a little vox something something even if it's minuscule ... Which is a very good thing. They have their own thing going on regardless. What totally intrigues me about it is the level control as like the ultimate attenuator where I've heard that you don't lose all of the Mojo if you turn it way way down. Effects Loop and tone bypass switch and boost and impeccable Construction, resonant cab. And it says Z right on the front! 🤙😃 Would you say it's as loud as your Deluxe Reverb?
__ Dr Z.Remedy David Allen Chiquaqua Fuchs Blackjack 21 Rivera Clubster Royale Rec Valvetrain Savannah Ceriatone Super Champ
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Post by premiumplus (Dave) on Aug 31, 2020 13:40:52 GMT -7
I'd say yes to it being easily as loud as a DR, with a big range of tone and drive. The Volume, Master, and Level controls allow you to set up varying degrees of output stage overdrive. It's a killer amp in a small, lightweight package.
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Post by joem19 on Aug 31, 2020 13:58:39 GMT -7
I have been very curious about this amplifier ... being able to be a fender p p r i or ddri killer? does it get that "fender" clean? Does it get the black face vibe? Seems like all the doctors Z amps have a little vox something something even if it's minuscule ... Which is a very good thing. They have their own thing going on regardless. What totally intrigues me about it is the level control as like the ultimate attenuator where I've heard that you don't lose all of the Mojo if you turn it way way down. Effects Loop and tone bypass switch and boost and impeccable Construction, resonant cab. And it says Z right on the front! 🤙😃 Would you say it's as loud as your Deluxe Reverb? __ Dr Z.Remedy David Allen Chiquaqua Fuchs Blackjack 21 Rivera Clubster Royale Rec Valvetrain Savannah Ceriatone Super Champ The more I play this amp, the more I'm impressed. To try to answer your questions: to me, it's a fit right between the PRRI and DRRI. Bigger-sounding and not as focused as the PRRI, probably mainly because of the 12" speaker, and tighter-sounding than the DRRI, probably mainly because of the smaller cab. The level control is, to me, the clincher. The Cure sounds way louder than either the PRRI or the DRRI, I think mainly because of the level control. I sure would like to know the difference between this control and a true attenuator. Plus, since it has a master volume, it can get some grit way earlier volume-wise than either of the Fenders. And, yes, it has Fender clean in spades if you want it. FWIW, remember I said I have the hand-wired versions of the PRRI and DRRI. I've had the regular production models of both and, even though they're nice amps, the hand-wired versions are completely different animals. Way worth the extra money, IMHO. I think it's more of an apples to apples comparison between the Fenders and the Cure. Welp, that's my story, so far, and I'm sticking to it. Hope I answered your questions. Stay tuned, I'm sure I'll have more comments as I get to know this amp better......
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Post by donovantyler on Aug 31, 2020 14:09:37 GMT -7
Wow great , comprehensive response! It sounds like you can get your Fender cleans and a whole lot more.
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Post by Jaguarguy (Mike) on Aug 31, 2020 15:00:27 GMT -7
Came home with a new Cure this Saturday and am really stoked about the amp. This is coming from a Fender amp fan-boy. I have tried just about every amp out there the last 30+ years and none have floated my boat more than this little guy. Even had a Maz jr a few years ago that, to me, was just "ok". Nothing special; but the Cure definitely is. I'm pretty sure that it's because I have really settled on 6V6 powered amps, it's just the sound I want/like. Still not ready to get rid of my hand-wired PRRI or hand-wired DRRI, but the Cure doesn't take a back seat to either of those. I've put a Fender Tre-verb pedal in front of the Cure and it handles it very well. Gotta have a little 'verb and trem every once in a while. Anyway, enough gushing, just wanted to say hi and that I'm glad I found this forum. I'm sure I'll like it here..... Welcome to the Forum!! A lot of great people and information here! The Cure is a great choice for a Z amp!
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Post by joem19 on Aug 31, 2020 15:23:58 GMT -7
Thanks, Mike. That's quite a collection of Z's you have. I see you're in Metro Detroit, as am I. We probably have met somewhere, I'm sure....
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Post by Seńor Verde on Aug 31, 2020 18:46:24 GMT -7
I've owned a few Maz 18 amps and currently still have two. I got my Cure a few months ago and it works great at home and at gigs. I'm seriously considering selling my Maz amps and getting a spare Cure to leave at home.
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Post by LT on Aug 31, 2020 18:51:01 GMT -7
Welcome to the forum! As has been said, lots of great folks here.
You've chosen my #1 gig amp as your first Z. I've used mine in my 8pc (horns) band since year one of production. Such a great amp!
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Post by joem19 on Sept 19, 2020 16:17:37 GMT -7
Ok, after two more weeks of playing my Cure, more comments....I am amazed every time I turn this thing on and hit a chord, just beautiful. It's so good, my hand-wired DRRI is now gone, my hand-wired PRRI is soon to follow, as soon as I can find something to swap it out on. It took me a while knob-tweaking to find the sound(s) I wanted, but now I have it dialed in pretty well. At first, didn't really like all the "extra" knobs, but now realize it just adds to the amazing versatility of the amp. I never, ever, thought I'd get rid of my Fender amps, but, as I said, one is already gone and the other is on the block. FWIW, I don't play out anymore, so this is my "bedroom" amp; perfect in every way. I honestly can't think of how the amp could be any better....except for verb and trem....which I've taken care of with a pedal. Color me very happy....
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Post by donovantyler on Sept 19, 2020 17:52:28 GMT -7
How much Headroom does it have compared to a DDR I? Compared to a Princeton? Can you get true Fender cleans out of it? I suspect you can get a lot more gain. Is it as loud as your d d r i? Do you think it would keep up with a Rock band , with a drummer, not mic'd? I've always thought that it was a very compelling amplifier. Thank you for your information!
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Post by Don A on Sept 19, 2020 19:01:43 GMT -7
I've found that the Cure has more headroom than my Princeton Reverb. I don't have a Deluxe Reverb to compare it to. Mine keeps up well with a band, but we play blues and classic rock and we're not super loud. Also, I like the dirty sound from the Cure so mine is not set really clean.
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Post by Buzz Fretwear (Ignatius) on Sept 20, 2020 5:44:43 GMT -7
I've always been intrigued by the Cure. I've never played through one but I just cannot imagine that at 15 watts it's going to hang in a band/loud drummer situation and have anything resembling clean headroom. It's a simple matter of physics. If Doc could manage to make a "Cure Sr." with a bit more oomph and headroom while retaining the great value of the Cure, I think they'd FLY off the shelves. But I also know that it may not be possible, as a simple matter of economics
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Post by Buzz Fretwear (Ignatius) on Sept 20, 2020 5:44:53 GMT -7
Oops, duplicate post
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Post by donovantyler on Sept 20, 2020 6:01:34 GMT -7
I have a doctor's remedy amp which is an awesome awesome amp and it has a half power switch (40/20 watts). I think a half power switch on the Maz 38 Sr. Is a modification that you can purchase and have Dr Z shop install, but it would be so useful if it was standard with the app! I don't think that amp cost much more than that 18 watt version, but if you had that half power switch you could have the best of both worlds.
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Post by joem19 on Sept 20, 2020 8:01:17 GMT -7
FWIW, the Cure has the loudest 15 watts I've ever heard. Definitely louder than a PRRI and, IMHO, louder than a DRRI. And I'm talking about the hand-wired versions of both these amps, which, to me, are louder than the regular production models. And because of the master and level controls, makes it much more useable. Plus, the amp seems to have more of a hifi sound than either of the Fender's, I think mainly because of those two "extra" knobs. It can get dirty, if that's what you want, but it stays cleaner than the Fenders at a higher volume. Lastly, unless you're playing with an EXTREMELY loud drummer or in a HUGE room, I'm pretty sure the amp could be easily heard with plenty of clean headroom without being miked....
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Post by Don A on Sept 20, 2020 12:36:07 GMT -7
I just played my Cure and my Princeton Reverb and realized that I like to use my Princeton Reverb set clean, but at a high enough setting that it sounds "full"- that's between 3 and 5 on the volume control. Below 3, it sounds a little dull. Over 5 and it gets dirtier than I like a PR. I find that the Cure can be used as a clean amp both quieter and much louder than the PR (though I like my Cure set dirty).
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Post by southmusic70 on Sept 20, 2020 13:32:53 GMT -7
I bought my Cure in the spring of 2017 right after they came out. It’s an excellent amp for a lot of what I do, mostly lower volume venues and jazz jobs. After a month or two with it, I felt like it had maybe a higher output wattage than the 15 that’s stated, called the factory and was told that it was actually closer to 18 to 20 watts and that Doc had merely been conservative with the specs.
I have found that it works clean beautifully with humbuckers (Heritage Golden Eagle/Gibson CS336/Guid Bluesbird, in my case) but I’ve also used it with a Tele in a 4 horn band in a medium-sized club, and it worked just fine and takes pedals well.
FYI, my other Z amp is a Maz38NRmark2, which I use with a 2x12 cabinet for larger venues.
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Post by donovantyler on Sept 20, 2020 14:07:50 GMT -7
Great detailed info Southmusic 70! I heard/reas it was 18 watts when they first came out but then saw 15 on the web site. Would you say that it was as loud as your Maz 18 then? Keeps up with drummer in you horn band unmic'd? Thanks!
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Post by Seńor Verde on Sept 20, 2020 14:20:21 GMT -7
My Maz amps are louder than the Cure. Playing out, I have the masters on the Cure all the way up and the volume just below distorting. With my Maz, setting the volume just below distorting, there is a lot more volume available on the master. Some of it may be the efficiency of the speaker, but I don't think it matters that much as the Maz is waaay louder.
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Post by Russell B on Sept 20, 2020 14:24:55 GMT -7
It is loud! I was able to play a 3000 seat hall last fall unmiced with my Cure. It sounded great and everyone there heard it!
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Post by southmusic70 on Sept 20, 2020 18:33:55 GMT -7
Donavantyler,
I sold my Maz18NRmark2 last week to a forum member, but played it about 2 years. I got a Max38NRmark2 last November. I feel like the Maz18 may be slightly louder than the Cure, but exact comparison of the two amps is difficult because of the power tubes being different and what you are putting into the amps (humbuckers/single coils, pedals or not). Suffice to say that either one can hang pretty well with a full band.
South
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