Jack
New Member
Posts: 8
|
Post by Jack on Jan 19, 2021 10:22:10 GMT -7
I snapped up a Z-Master during this COVID "lull" in the gig scene, and I am completely floored. A-B'ing it with all my other amps (Fender 65 Deluxe reissue, actual Fender '65 Super Reverb, Vox AC15C), there is no comparison, at least for my tonal preferences. I did have to rethink my choice of overdrive pedals, because the Z-Master is quite hi-fi (in a good way), but I think I found the perfect combination. The tone is so musical and big I pretty much can't stop playing, and new musical ideas seem to be pouring out.
I'm about to begin rehearsing with one of my bands again, as we have a studio space we think is big enough to stay COVID safe. I need another amp to live in that studio so I don't have to keep moving the Z-Master there and back. (Lazy me.)
So my question: Is there another Dr. Z amp that gets close to the beautiful tone, feel, and note bloom of the Z-Master? If I can get that in a lighter package, that would be even better, but the tone is most important.
I have tried a Z-Lux and the Z-Wreck Jr., and while they are both great amps, they are very different from the Z-Master.
Was looking at maybe the Nova since it's got 5881 power tube like the Z-Master. Or the Z-Plus, or the MAZ-18, or...
What would you recommend?
|
|
|
Post by John on Jan 19, 2021 11:40:34 GMT -7
Ghia. The Z-master is heavily influenced by Fender Bassmans and early Marshalls. Even though the Ghia has el84s...it's more in the Marshall camp than the el84s would lead you to believe. (not as 'chimey' as many other el84 amps) But it also depends on how loud you need to be. The ghia is a low wattage amp. So you need to piece together 1) how loud you need to be....with 2) How much clean headroom do you need. If you've got a loud band, and you need things on the cleaner side of things...then perhaps the Ghia might not be the best. (don't know what kind of band, how loud your drummer is, what type of tone you need) "Usually"...rehearsals aren't that loud. The Ghia is known for breaking up a bit early...a feature I prefer. If you want Zmaster tones, I would stay away from Maz jr and Zplus. Great amps, but not the tone you're looking for.
Don't be put off by only two knobs on the Ghia. The tones are in there. (and how that I think about it, maybe a Cure)
And welcome to the forum....
|
|
|
Post by Jaguarguy (Mike) on Jan 19, 2021 12:18:12 GMT -7
Welcome to the Forum - lot of great people and information here. Starting out with Z-Master sets a high bar to compare to other amps. I have a "few" Z amps and I have a few favorites. The early Prescriptions, the Antidote, Delta 88, and the EZG 50 are all in my "favorite" list. Based on your desire for a more Fender-ish sound, you might want to try the EZG 50. I'll send you a my Z description list (it includes video demos from a number of sources). Good luck in your journey.
|
|
Jack
New Member
Posts: 8
|
Post by Jack on Jan 19, 2021 12:41:07 GMT -7
Thanks for the swift and helpful reply! I shoulda mentioned my band has a very loud drummer. I've seen many reviews that say Z amps with just 15 watts are loud for 15 watts, but I do like clean headroom so that's a thing.
So that's a recommendation for the Ghia or the Cure, both of which seem like great amps. From listening to the Nova demos, it seems like it's pretty close as well.
Would love to know to get to know all the amps – it sure would be great to have a nearby shop that sells Dr. Z, but alas I'll have to rely on demos and the collective wisdom of Z-Talk, which is much appreciated.
|
|
|
Post by John on Jan 19, 2021 15:28:34 GMT -7
If you've 1) got a loud drummer and 2) you want clean headroom and you 3) like the tone of the Z master....
Then perhaps the EZG 50 might do it.
But when you tried the Wreck Jr...did it have enough clean volume for you?
|
|
Jack
New Member
Posts: 8
|
Post by Jack on Jan 19, 2021 16:12:04 GMT -7
I think the Z-Wreck Jr. had plenty of volume, and it sounded fantastic. But it was a different kind of beast, at least to my ears. The Z-Master seems to have a wider frequency range, by which I mean lower lows and higher highs, but in a very balanced way. Many people have said it's 3 dimensional and I agree. The 3 10's are probably a big part of that, and it's not fair to compare that to a single 12 combo. Just hoping to find another Z amp with close to the same kind of tonal character and dynamic sensitivity. If not, maybe I should just freakin buy another Z-Master
|
|
|
Post by perryr on Jan 19, 2021 23:51:18 GMT -7
I love my Zmaster, and your right, the 3x10 cab has a sound that a 1x12 wont replicate. The Z 1x12 LT cab is pretty much the same size as a Zmaster... just 1” shorter, otherwise same width and depth. So smaller would have to be something in the Studio sized cab. But regardless of Studio or LT, my choice without a doubt would be the Jetta.. and its in a studio and very lightweight as well.
The Jetta has that big tone, fidelity, solid bottom and full mids like the Zmaster. Not quite as deep like the 3x10’s can do, but bigger (and thicker) than the other offerings except for maybe the Route 66. And when you turn the Jetta tone control towards treble it drives the upper mids like the Zmaster when you turn the treble up. I was using a Zmaster live and its great for sure, but the Jetta and its fabulous master (and potent output) is versatile and big sounding in a lightweight studio cab.
|
|
|
Post by Faze on Jan 21, 2021 14:38:41 GMT -7
Z-Master is a masterpiece of an amp. Another great amp is the Z-28. I would check out that Z-28 its one of the docs best IMHO.
|
|
|
Post by John on Jan 22, 2021 6:43:47 GMT -7
I think the Z-Wreck Jr. had plenty of volume, and it sounded fantastic. But it was a different kind of beast, at least to my ears. The Z-Master seems to have a wider frequency range, by which I mean lower lows and higher highs, but in a very balanced way. Many people have said it's 3 dimensional and I agree. The 3 10's are probably a big part of that, and it's not fair to compare that to a single 12 combo. Just hoping to find another Z amp with close to the same kind of tonal character and dynamic sensitivity. If not, maybe I should just freakin buy another Z-Master
If you are that satisfied with a Zmaster, then perhaps a 2nd Zmaster would be best.
An amp manufacturer tends to NOT want much tonal duplication in amp models. It defeats the purpose. It's a bit of a waste of resources. For all the time/energy that goes into developing an amp, it makes no sense to spend all that money a 2nd time to develop an amp that sounds almost the same. This will also lead to both amp lines not selling all that well, as sales will be divided up among the two amp models. Better to have a 2nd amp that DOESN'T sound like the first, as it may appeal to a different group of players that don't want the first amp.
|
|
|
Post by Jaguarguy (Mike) on Jan 22, 2021 7:30:19 GMT -7
I think the Z-Wreck Jr. had plenty of volume, and it sounded fantastic. But it was a different kind of beast, at least to my ears. The Z-Master seems to have a wider frequency range, by which I mean lower lows and higher highs, but in a very balanced way. Many people have said it's 3 dimensional and I agree. The 3 10's are probably a big part of that, and it's not fair to compare that to a single 12 combo. Just hoping to find another Z amp with close to the same kind of tonal character and dynamic sensitivity. If not, maybe I should just freakin buy another Z-Master
If you are that satisfied with a Zmaster, then perhaps a 2nd Zmaster would be best.
An amp manufacturer tends to NOT want much tonal duplication in amp models. It defeats the purpose. It's a bit of a waste of resources. For all the time/energy that goes into developing an amp, it makes no sense to spend all that money a 2nd time to develop an amp that sounds almost the same. This will also lead to both amp lines not selling all that well, as sales will be divided up among the two amp models. Better to have a 2nd amp that DOESN'T sound like the first, as it may appeal to a different group of players that don't want the first amp.
The CAZ 45 demonstrates your point.
|
|
|
Post by sharkboy on Jan 24, 2021 12:52:08 GMT -7
Welcome, Jack. You’ll find this to be a wonderful community. Some good and friendly guidance on this topic from these fine folks.
If your drummer is super loud, first: hearing protection! Then, let’s lak about watts. Amp ratings are before they distort, so a tube amp has a wider squish zone before max power, and it feels like the good Doc is conservative with his ratings. Doubling output power results in only a 3db boost in volume with the same speaker cab, so a challenge is to get your sound in the loud room.
I’d be curious if a full on ZWreck, Z80, Surgical Steel or Delta88 would also be a good match. I have a ZWreck, and it’s my favorite amp, ever. It’s a lot of amp, but it makes me happy. I also avoid playing with loud musicians.
|
|
|
Post by DRZ on Jan 24, 2021 14:10:02 GMT -7
Welcome, Jack. You’ll find this to be a wonderful community. Some good and friendly guidance on this topic from these fine folks. If your drummer is super loud, first: hearing protection! Then, let’s lak about watts. Amp ratings are before they distort, so a tube amp has a wider squish zone before max power, and it feels like the good Doc is conservative with his ratings. Doubling output power results in only a 3db boost in volume with the same speaker cab, so a challenge is to get your sound in the loud room. I’d be curious if a full on ZWreck, Z80, Surgical Steel or Delta88 would also be a good match. I have a ZWreck, and it’s my favorite amp, ever. It’s a lot of amp, but it makes me happy. I also avoid playing with loud musicians. Z 80 .............
|
|
|
Post by eggman on Nov 3, 2021 3:11:50 GMT -7
I love my Zmaster, and your right, the 3x10 cab has a sound that a 1x12 wont replicate. The Z 1x12 LT cab is pretty much the same size as a Zmaster... just 1” shorter, otherwise same width and depth. So smaller would have to be something in the Studio sized cab. But regardless of Studio or LT, my choice without a doubt would be the Jetta.. and its in a studio and very lightweight as well. The Jetta has that big tone, fidelity, solid bottom and full mids like the Zmaster. Not quite as deep like the 3x10’s can do, but bigger (and thicker) than the other offerings except for maybe the Route 66. And when you turn the Jetta tone control towards treble it drives the upper mids like the Zmaster when you turn the treble up. I was using a Zmaster live and its great for sure, but the Jetta and its fabulous master (and potent output) is versatile and big sounding in a lightweight studio cab. I'd snap up a Jetta were it not for it's MV.
|
|
oowl
Full Member
Posts: 154
|
Post by oowl on Sept 15, 2023 14:27:22 GMT -7
Thanks for the swift and helpful reply! I shoulda mentioned my band has a very loud drummer. I've seen many reviews that say Z amps with just 15 watts are loud for 15 watts, but I do like clean headroom so that's a thing. So that's a recommendation for the Ghia or the Cure, both of which seem like great amps. From listening to the Nova demos, it seems like it's pretty close as well. Would love to know to get to know all the amps – it sure would be great to have a nearby shop that sells Dr. Z, but alas I'll have to rely on demos and the collective wisdom of Z-Talk, which is much appreciated. Know this is an old thread, just wondering what you ended up doing? For anyone else interested, i would recommend what perryr said above since he's owned both and I've read his many praises of the Jetta. However, another equally feasible choice (if not moreso) is the Nova. It is the most similar of doc's amps to the z-master, has a very useful ppimv and is only 36#. It is noticably easier to carry than my z-lux which is 42# like the z-master. I, once again, applaud doc for making powerful amps that are easy for us working musicians to haul around.
|
|