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Post by helmi on Jan 24, 2021 14:00:51 GMT -7
Any ballpark estimate on a release date for the 28 MKII?
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Post by djcakadave on Jan 24, 2021 16:36:42 GMT -7
Any ballpark estimate on a release date for the 28 MKII? I am also interested to know as well?!
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Post by DRZ on Jan 25, 2021 5:34:42 GMT -7
Any ballpark estimate on a release date for the 28 MKII? I'm having some second thoughts about the release. The new variation with 5881's sounds way different , very good but different. It might be best to release it as a separate new design. Then release an updated Z 28 MKII with a few improvements for those that crave the Z 28 sound. Understand I have been very busy with the Pandemic, poor supplier delivery, new releases , the success of the new Z Wreck Jr. and the CAZ 45. I would love to release a new amp every 3 months , but that just isn't practical. I have released 51 different models in 33 years of production. Now the first say formative years I had two models , the Ghia and the SRZ 65 it was this way for say 5 years , building in my basement and trying with all the energy I could muster to build a company. Then the MAZ line was released and models started flourish . Next in 1999 the release of the RT 66 and all of its variants , and new designs started to flow. The clip averaged a new amp every 6 months. Problem being you can't have too many models to chose from, it only confuses the consumer . So I have tried to have a nice selection of say 12 models , with variation in each design , a "broad brush " as the marketing people state. Every new release means an older design must be dropped and put into Legacy Production to maintain proper balance and a sensible number of different excellent products. Problem is at this time all my currant models sell well , some better than others of course , but it is very difficult to drop anyone right now. Actually a good problem to have in may respects. I hope this adds some insight into the world of DR.Z Amps. Z
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Post by helmi on Jan 25, 2021 6:11:41 GMT -7
Thank you Doc.
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Post by j4gitr (John) on Jan 25, 2021 7:27:37 GMT -7
Doc, I admire your business model and acumen. The balance and care you display towards your artistic side (design) and practical side have obviously paid off as displayed by your longevity. The ability to release two new models amidst a pandemic are to be saluted. If I were a younger man, I would ask to become a member of your team. If I were still teaching, I would want to use you as a model for students to study as a small business that does it right. I’m not trying to just blow smoke. We’ve never spoken, but I believe that you operate your business based on respect for your customers, vendors, and employees. That is a rare occurrence in this day and age. I left the business world 15 years ago to become a teacher because people had lost that sense of respect and partnership. May you continue to enjoy success and have fun living out your dream.
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Post by lowbudget on Jan 25, 2021 7:44:11 GMT -7
Any ballpark estimate on a release date for the 28 MKII? I'm having some second thoughts about the release. The new variation with 5881's sounds way different , very good but different. It might be best to release it as a separate new design. Then release an updated Z 28 MKII with a few improvements for those that crave the Z 28 sound. Understand I have been very busy with the Pandemic, poor supplier delivery, new releases , the success of the new Z Wreck Jr. and the CAZ 45. I would love to release a new amp every 3 months , but that just isn't practical. I have released 51 different models in 33 years of production. Now the first say formative years I had two models , the Ghia and the SRZ 65 it was this way for say 5 years , building in my basement and trying with all the energy I could muster to build a company. Then the MAZ line was released and models started flourish . Next in 1999 the release of the RT 66 and all of its variants , and new designs started to flow. The clip averaged a new amp every 6 months. Problem being you can't have too many models to chose from, it only confuses the consumer . So I have tried to have a nice selection of say 12 models , with variation in each design , a "broad brush " as the marketing people state. Every new release means an older design must be dropped and put into Legacy Production to maintain proper balance and a sensible number of different excellent products. Problem is at this time all my currant models sell well , some better than others of course , but it is very difficult to drop anyone right now. Actually a good problem to have in may respects. I hope this adds some insight into the world of DR.Z Amps. Z I’ve always wondered how it was possible to routinely release so many new models yet still keep the business at a size that allows maximum attention to detail and QA as it now stands. It must be quite a struggle. I’m fairly close to Doc’s age so I well remember the early days of Leo before he sold the business. I’m not counting them up, but how many models did he ever have in the catalog at any one time- maybe 6 or 7? Cosmetic options came when he completely changed the line, like Blackface to Silverface. I don’t remember many of my contemporaries ever saying “I’d buy one of those if it only came in a head version with red tolex”. We bought what he built because they were the absolute best out there and sounded terrific. Times change and businesses have to adapt to stay viable but some things just stand the test of time. And let’s face it, tube amps as a genre aren’t exactly cutting edge technology anyway. None of us gets a vote in how another man chooses to run his business, including me. But if I did I’d prefer to see fewer models with each being honed to perfection like they are now. There’s no question that Z amps all share a somewhat distinct DNA. Because of that, if we had to get by with even just a Ghia and a Maz Jr./Sr. how bad would that be? At some point it seems to me that model proliferation comes down to nuances that aren’t distinguishable by the audience anyway. I’d prefer that to a CBS buyout!
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Post by KeithA on Jan 25, 2021 8:40:59 GMT -7
I don’t remember many of my contemporaries ever saying “I’d buy one of those if it only came in a head version with red tolex”. We bought what he built because they were the absolute best out there and sounded terrific. Lol.....
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Post by DRZ on Jan 25, 2021 9:20:13 GMT -7
Doc, I admire your business model and acumen. The balance and care you display towards your artistic side (design) and practical side have obviously paid off as displayed by your longevity. The ability to release two new models amidst a pandemic are to be saluted. If I were a younger man, I would ask to become a member of your team. If I were still teaching, I would want to use you as a model for students to study as a small business that does it right. I’m not trying to just blow smoke. We’ve never spoken, but I believe that you operate your business based on respect for your customers, vendors, and employees. That is a rare occurrence in this day and age. I left the business world 15 years ago to become a teacher because people had lost that sense of respect and partnership. May you continue to enjoy success and have fun living out your dream. Thank You. Z
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Post by doctorice on Jan 25, 2021 15:24:53 GMT -7
Any ballpark estimate on a release date for the 28 MKII? I'm having some second thoughts about the release. The new variation with 5881's sounds way different , very good but different. It might be best to release it as a separate new design. The Nova starting as a Galaxie re-design is precedent for this.
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Post by trojanhov on Jan 26, 2021 14:07:43 GMT -7
Any ballpark estimate on a release date for the 28 MKII? I'm having some second thoughts about the release. The new variation with 5881's sounds way different , very good but different. It might be best to release it as a separate new design. Then release an updated Z 28 MKII with a few improvements for those that crave the Z 28 sound. Understand I have been very busy with the Pandemic, poor supplier delivery, new releases , the success of the new Z Wreck Jr. and the CAZ 45. I would love to release a new amp every 3 months , but that just isn't practical. I have released 51 different models in 33 years of production. Now the first say formative years I had two models , the Ghia and the SRZ 65 it was this way for say 5 years , building in my basement and trying with all the energy I could muster to build a company. Then the MAZ line was released and models started flourish . Next in 1999 the release of the RT 66 and all of its variants , and new designs started to flow. The clip averaged a new amp every 6 months. Problem being you can't have too many models to chose from, it only confuses the consumer . So I have tried to have a nice selection of say 12 models , with variation in each design , a "broad brush " as the marketing people state. Every new release means an older design must be dropped and put into Legacy Production to maintain proper balance and a sensible number of different excellent products. Problem is at this time all my currant models sell well , some better than others of course , but it is very difficult to drop anyone right now. Actually a good problem to have in may respects. I hope this adds some insight into the world of DR.Z Amps. Z Thank you for doing this. The way the new z28 mkii was being described sounded great, but totally different. Glad your amps are selling well doc. U deserve the success. My m12 and z lux are great, the latter being my favorite amp being made today. I want a z28 again one day. Such a beautiful amp. Served me well for 8 years in a 1x10 format as my main and only gigging amp. Best Hovik
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