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Post by Russell B on Jan 27, 2021 14:33:48 GMT -7
Well due to some financial burdens I had mine listed on Reverb! I read Premiumplus (Dave) and Russel B's settings this morning and tried a few! I quickly ran over to Reverb and took down my listing Whew...dodged another bullet I did.... I glad you're keeping it. I think it's a great amp. I love it.
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Post by Russell B on Jan 27, 2021 14:38:13 GMT -7
The guy who derailed this thread is now gone (deleted). I really don't understand why guys like that come to this forum just to stir something up. Oh well.
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Post by runninwiththerevil (Matthew) on Jan 27, 2021 14:45:31 GMT -7
The guy who derailed this thread is now gone (deleted). I really don't understand why guys like that come to this forum just to stir something up. Oh well. I think many just like to hear their own opinions. Anyone like that here is missing the true treasure this forum is. To have the founder, designer, and builders accessible like this is a gift. Add to that the many members who currently and formally have owned some many of the Z line up. If you can listen and understand you don’t already know everything, there is so much to pick up around here.
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Post by djcakadave on Jan 27, 2021 15:08:44 GMT -7
Well due to some financial burdens I had mine listed on Reverb! I read Premiumplus (Dave) and Russel B's settings this morning and tried a few! I quickly ran over to Reverb and took down my listing Whew...dodged another bullet I did.... I have some other things I can sell to releave some of my burden! I don't need the Cure or the Dr Z Reverb that leaves me with The Caz-45 and the Z Master I think I can get all I need with those two amps?
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Post by Chilly Gibbons (Todd T.) on Jan 27, 2021 16:49:48 GMT -7
A Z Master and a CAZ, that should cover ALL bases for sure.
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Post by headshrinker (Marc) on Jan 27, 2021 16:55:57 GMT -7
He's entitled to his opinion, as we all are. For me that's not the problem. It's the belaboring of the point and trying to convince others that his opinion is correct and others' is wrong, that gets me.
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Post by frankie on Jan 27, 2021 19:20:09 GMT -7
He's entitled to his opinion, as we all are. For me that's not the problem. It's the belaboring of the point and trying to convince others that his opinion is correct and others' is wrong, that gets me. Exactly. He’s entitled to his opinion, but his opinion means next to nothing if he hasn’t played the amp. I have a gentleman than lives a few minutes from the shop email me and tell me out of the blue that the CAZ stands above his ENGLs and other high gain amps, and he also showed me his stack of amps (including 3 other Z). If (deleted) knew the amp, and played the amp, he would know it can easily achieve that level of gain with the right settings. Just because it hasn’t been demonstrated as such, I can tell him for sure that is can do exactly what he considers “hi-gain.” And mark my words, we are getting a new recording set up going here at the shop, and I’ll make it a point to prove it.
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Post by adam on Jan 27, 2021 19:25:42 GMT -7
I have some other things I can sell to releave some of my burden! I don't need the Cure or the Dr Z Reverb that leaves me with The Caz-45 and the Z Master I think I can get all I need with those two amps? Those 2 and call it a day would be a blessing. Sometimes when you get rid of something thinking you can always pick one up later turns into the one that got away.
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Post by doctorice on Jan 29, 2021 13:21:50 GMT -7
I missed joining this thread earlier. I believe I was one of the first, along with Dave and Russell, to start posting about the CAZ. (Adam's great demo too, of course.) We all noted that it offers a lot more versatility, and was not narrowly focused on high-gain rock or metal. "All gain" is a great shorthand for what this amp delivers.
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Post by Chilly Gibbons (Todd T.) on Jan 30, 2021 9:56:50 GMT -7
Looks like I poked the bear. LOL But this goes to show me that the total package wasn't fully thought out with the high gain player in mind. I agree aesthetics are usually silly and I'd never not buy an amp because of the color or whatever but to pretend like they don't matter is missing the point. Those pictures all look like people that play in their house. The whole point of a vertical 2x12 in a live setting is to put the bassier speaker on the bottom for th ethump, and the speaker with more high end or mid range content at the top for the player to hear. If you play in a high gain live environment, a horizontal closed back cabinet is a nightmare to work with. Stage volume is just too loud. That's doubly magnified using a cabinet that has a long throw like the Z Best. You need good monitors and let's be honest those aren't necessarily available in places that have a lot of high gain bands these days. I just saw the backline cabinet that Z offers. Offer two options, one with the Z Best and one with that and see which one sells better. I guarantee the backline would outsell the Z Best by at least double. Making a lot of assumptions here. Please don't assume "the total package wasn't fully thought out with the high gain player in mind." It's insulting to the amount of work that was put into this amp. There was a full year of development, and at one point in March, there were 7 different hi-gain amps in house that were used as comparisons to the CAZ and 3 different cabinets and we loaded a half a dozen different speaker combinations to come up with the final configuration. Also, don't assume that anyone can't order the the backline 212 and load it with whatever their heart's content. The backline 212 is an option. No one said it wasn't. You can have it grilled to match the CAZ or whatever color scheme you please and load it with literally any combination of speakers we offer. If you prefer the backline, good for you. The general consensus here is that the backline was too focused in the mids and not thumpy enough. But to each their own. Please, I would love for you to be our guest and order a backline with a Salt and Pepper grill and a CAZ to match and report back about how much better it is. I'm being serious. If that's the combination for you, then it would make us more than pleased that you ventured out and found what worked the best. But it's all conjecture until you've actually played one. Hey Frank, can you disclose some of the models of the 7 hi-gain amps that are mentioned above?
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Post by frankie on Jan 31, 2021 8:42:49 GMT -7
Making a lot of assumptions here. Please don't assume "the total package wasn't fully thought out with the high gain player in mind." It's insulting to the amount of work that was put into this amp. There was a full year of development, and at one point in March, there were 7 different hi-gain amps in house that were used as comparisons to the CAZ and 3 different cabinets and we loaded a half a dozen different speaker combinations to come up with the final configuration. Also, don't assume that anyone can't order the the backline 212 and load it with whatever their heart's content. The backline 212 is an option. No one said it wasn't. You can have it grilled to match the CAZ or whatever color scheme you please and load it with literally any combination of speakers we offer. If you prefer the backline, good for you. The general consensus here is that the backline was too focused in the mids and not thumpy enough. But to each their own. Please, I would love for you to be our guest and order a backline with a Salt and Pepper grill and a CAZ to match and report back about how much better it is. I'm being serious. If that's the combination for you, then it would make us more than pleased that you ventured out and found what worked the best. But it's all conjecture until you've actually played one. Hey Frank, can you disclose some of the models of the 7 hi-gain amps that are mentioned above? In March of 2019, a week before COVID hit, a group a kind folks brought in a Friedman JJ, Diezel D Moll, Diezel Herbert, Mike’s SLO, a Soldano Avenger (single channel SLO), and one other I’m not recalling right now. Mike’s prototype CAZ was in the mix, this was prior to a rework to add more overall gain. It’s not that the CAZ was out classed tonally, it was when compared to the overall amount of gain that was available in a few of the other amps, it was clear that to satisfy a player expecting hi gain we would need to up the ante. As Dr. Z has said before, he didn’t want to be in the position of hearing “needs more gain” ever again. So from here the development of the “aggression” control, Alan’s rework of the FX loop, and then finally Dr. Z’s meticulous tweaking and balancing of the final gain stage got us to where we are now. I recall testing the final 3 production prototypes and Z coming across the final balance of the gain stage as being a “a-ha!” moment. Production had already begun and it was in comparing the first 3 off the line that the final special sauce was implemented to put the icing on the project.
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Post by Chilly Gibbons (Todd T.) on Jan 31, 2021 12:47:27 GMT -7
Hey Frank, can you disclose some of the models of the 7 hi-gain amps that are mentioned above? In March of 2019, a week before COVID hit, a group a kind folks brought in a Friedman JJ, Diezel D Moll, Diezel Herbert, Mike’s SLO, a Soldano Avenger (single channel SLO), and one other I’m not recalling right now. Mike’s prototype CAZ was in the mix, this was prior to a rework to add more overall gain. It’s not that the CAZ was out classed tonally, it was when compared to the overall amount of gain that was available in a few of the other amps, it was clear that to satisfy a player expecting hi gain we would need to up the ante. As Dr. Z has said before, he didn’t want to be in the position of hearing “needs more gain” ever again. So from here the development of the “aggression” control, Alan’s rework of the FX loop, and then finally Dr. Z’s meticulous tweaking and balancing of the final gain stage got us to where we are now. I recall testing the final 3 production prototypes and Z coming across the final balance of the gain stage as being a “a-ha!” moment. Production had already begun and it was in comparing the first 3 off the line that the final special sauce was implemented to put the icing on the project. Frank, exactly what I was looking for. Thanks for posting, and well written. The CAZ should do the trick nicely.
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Post by premiumplus (Dave) on Jan 31, 2021 13:04:37 GMT -7
Hey Frank, can you disclose some of the models of the 7 hi-gain amps that are mentioned above? In March of 2019, a week before COVID hit, a group a kind folks brought in a Friedman JJ, Diezel D Moll, Diezel Herbert, Mike’s SLO, a Soldano Avenger (single channel SLO), and one other I’m not recalling right now. Mike’s prototype CAZ was in the mix, this was prior to a rework to add more overall gain. It’s not that the CAZ was out classed tonally, it was when compared to the overall amount of gain that was available in a few of the other amps, it was clear that to satisfy a player expecting hi gain we would need to up the ante. As Dr. Z has said before, he didn’t want to be in the position of hearing “needs more gain” ever again. So from here the development of the “aggression” control, Alan’s rework of the FX loop, and then finally Dr. Z’s meticulous tweaking and balancing of the final gain stage got us to where we are now. I recall testing the final 3 production prototypes and Z coming across the final balance of the gain stage as being a “a-ha!” moment. Production had already begun and it was in comparing the first 3 off the line that the final special sauce was implemented to put the icing on the project. So can I assume that since I've got #1 off the line that it holds the "Secret Sauce"?
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Post by DRZ on Jan 31, 2021 15:51:08 GMT -7
Yes you do Dave. Z
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Post by premiumplus (Dave) on Jan 31, 2021 16:22:50 GMT -7
Cool, Doc...I knew you wouldn't let me out of there otherwise! Loving the CAZ more every day. There are new tones every time. I just plugged in a Tele and it's nuts how good it sounds. It amazes me how single coils don't hum as bad as you'd think with this kind of gain on tap.
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Post by djcakadave on Feb 1, 2021 11:28:47 GMT -7
Loving the CAZ more every day. There are new tones every time I just plug in and It amazes me! Had to edit to how I feel about this amp!
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Post by DRZ on Feb 5, 2021 11:27:44 GMT -7
I'm surprised on the sarcastic tone the good Doc takes when defending his creations. I mean I definitely believe in a person defending their work. But, when a fellow has an honest opinion and is taking great pains to not be disrespectful........I don't believe that warrants sarcasm and disrespect back at him for his opinion. Just my 2 cents.
I will one day own the Caz, but it will take years to save up for it.
Travis I haven't kept count, but this isn't the first time you have criticized my posts. I understand this is a forum and opinions are welcome . But it was multiple posts and the thing that got me was " he didn't spend enough time developing the CAZ " The term fake news comes to mind, how do you know how much time I spent in the CAZ development , you don't. I spent more time in the CAZ development then 95% of the amps i have released, mostly do to the Covid shut down. Once I included Alan's excellent tube Effects Loop a larger chassis was needed, then once done I connected it to a Z Best and was blown away by the tonal response. I had many high gain , drop D tuning players in and all raved at the match of the Z Best and the CAZ. I did "function follows form", which was his main objection , needed to he a Vertical stack, his opinion. When he includes a clip of a Death Metal band and the Guitar player is using a Horizontal 2X12 short cab, huh no one else commented on this so I thought I would. I'm sure you will find my well thought out response disrespectful ,though its not meant to be. Z
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Post by DRZ on Feb 5, 2021 11:50:59 GMT -7
If I didn't like you I wouldn't own 5 of your amps LOL! Wow well I'm glad you like me. I shutter to think what you might post if you didn't like me. Z
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