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Post by eggman on Oct 16, 2020 15:11:13 GMT -7
Howdy,
The Z-Master and Route 66 appear to have identical wattage and they both sport big bottles. Which amp do you prefer and why?
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Post by perryr on Oct 17, 2020 17:08:32 GMT -7
I have both and comparing the 2 is not EZ. There is definitely some similarity, but they are also quite different. Both are meaty toned, with the 66 being the thicker of the 2. The 66 just loves to be cranked up, and sounds better the more you turn it up. Even when you crank up the 66, the bottom holds together real nice as the amp fattens up, sings and does that fabulous old school KT66 Marshall thing.. glorious!
The Z master can roar as well but I like it more for the clean to medium breakup tones. To me the Zmaster is like a 3/4 sized and powered Tweed Bassman... but I hate saying that cause everyone whos had a modern repro bassman would likely not be overly thrilled about that. But if you plug into a great sounding Bassman, and then 3/4 size it, the Zmaster kinda fits right there. The dual volume controls with single Input is brilliant, I absolutely love that feature as it offers another layer of tone shaping Control and gives the user the option of Brite or Normal from the same jack. The 3x 10 is really sweet as well, not as expansive as 4x10 but It still does that big and engulfing delivery, just from a smaller cab... that is a cab that is basically the same size as Dr Z’s 1x12 LT cabs, I think just 1” taller.
Both amps need to be plugged into, they each are uniquely special and have their very own distinct character and feel. I love my 66 (Big time, I have 2), but the Zmaster has more versatility With its 3x10 combo format and added tonal flexibility.
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Post by eggman on Oct 19, 2020 9:28:37 GMT -7
I have both and comparing the 2 is not EZ. There is definitely some similarity, but they are also quite different. Both are meaty toned, with the 66 being the thicker of the 2. The 66 just loves to be cranked up, and sounds better the more you turn it up. Even when you crank up the 66, the bottom holds together real nice as the amp fattens up, sings and does that fabulous old school KT66 Marshall thing.. glorious! The Z master can roar as well but I like it more for the clean to medium breakup tones. To me the Zmaster is like a 3/4 sized and powered Tweed Bassman... but I hate saying that cause everyone whos had a modern repro bassman would likely not be overly thrilled about that. But if you plug into a great sounding Bassman, and then 3/4 size it, the Zmaster kinda fits right there. The dual volume controls with single Input is brilliant, I absolutely love that feature as it offers another layer of tone shaping Control and gives the user the option of Brite or Normal from the same jack. The 3x 10 is really sweet as well, not as expansive as 4x10 but It still does that big and engulfing delivery, just from a smaller cab... that is a cab that is basically the same size as Dr Z’s 1x12 LT cabs, I think just 1” taller. Both amps need to be plugged into, they each are uniquely special and have their very own distinct character and feel. I love my 66 (Big time, I have 2), but the Zmaster has more versatility With its 3x10 combo format and added tonal flexibility. Well said and thank you for the insight.
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Post by eggman on Nov 3, 2021 3:07:34 GMT -7
I have both and comparing the 2 is not EZ. There is definitely some similarity, but they are also quite different. Both are meaty toned, with the 66 being the thicker of the 2. The 66 just loves to be cranked up, and sounds better the more you turn it up. Even when you crank up the 66, the bottom holds together real nice as the amp fattens up, sings and does that fabulous old school KT66 Marshall thing.. glorious! The Z master can roar as well but I like it more for the clean to medium breakup tones. To me the Zmaster is like a 3/4 sized and powered Tweed Bassman... but I hate saying that cause everyone whos had a modern repro bassman would likely not be overly thrilled about that. But if you plug into a great sounding Bassman, and then 3/4 size it, the Zmaster kinda fits right there. The dual volume controls with single Input is brilliant, I absolutely love that feature as it offers another layer of tone shaping Control and gives the user the option of Brite or Normal from the same jack. The 3x 10 is really sweet as well, not as expansive as 4x10 but It still does that big and engulfing delivery, just from a smaller cab... that is a cab that is basically the same size as Dr Z’s 1x12 LT cabs, I think just 1” taller. Both amps need to be plugged into, they each are uniquely special and have their very own distinct character and feel. I love my 66 (Big time, I have 2), but the Zmaster has more versatility With its 3x10 combo format and added tonal flexibility. Thank you, Perryr. I'm less than comfortable springing for a used amp. I've now got the Z-Master on my gear radar. I have some reservations about 10-inch speakers, although it's more of a generalized reservation. One reads so many good things about the old tweed Bandmaster and of course the Z-Master. I'm after big bottle American tone without the power of a twin or dual showman.
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Post by Jaguarguy (Mike) on Nov 3, 2021 10:38:01 GMT -7
No reservations needed with the 3x10 speakers - they are definitely a part of "The Swirling Sound" of the Z-Master. There's a reason Doc will not release this amp as a head - the 3x10s just add so much to the whole package!
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Post by fishbeiner on Nov 8, 2021 19:11:55 GMT -7
The Z-Master is a brilliant amp. I owned one briefly and it was REALLY good. One of my favorite Z amps. And, it’s not as heavy as you would think. Had some medical issues so I was forced to send it back, otherwise it would still be with me. I always have my eye out for one on the second hand market…
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