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Post by GearHound on Aug 21, 2021 12:31:20 GMT -7
Been on the hunt for a Z-28 for a while but curious how it stacks up against the 65 Amps Tupelo. Strongly leaning toward the Z although want to turn over all the rocks... Thanks in advance for any input! sixty-fiveamps.com/blue-line/tupelo
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Post by Mark (Basement Enthusiast) on Aug 21, 2021 13:21:25 GMT -7
The Tupelo seems to have more features built-in, with its tremolo & master-voltage control. (It's probably also more expensive, though.) But the Z-28 is IMO one of Doc's finest amps--simple yet pure & balanced tone. And it's also LOUD, too.
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Post by bubs42 on Aug 21, 2021 18:27:55 GMT -7
The Z28 is the baddest Princeton in the land. Compared to the Tupelo it is going to be more muscular and forward. The Z28, is quicker and more articulate and some may not like that, but throwing an Airbrake between it and the speaker allows you to crank it up, get more edge for a great rock tone.
65 Amps are great, if you buy a Tupelo, IMHO try to get one built by 65 before the merger with Boutique Amps. I miss Dan and his YouTube Podcast, he has hinted at a return for 65 Amps but it does not look like its in the forefront of his priority chain.
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Post by GearHound on Aug 22, 2021 6:00:04 GMT -7
That's really helpful, gents. Another quick vs. question is how the Z28 compares to the RT66. Part of me wants to try them all to figure it out for myself but I know you all have so much experience with many, many Z's. Thanks again!
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Post by adam on Aug 22, 2021 13:54:20 GMT -7
@1morepurhcase - I feel that way all the time.
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Post by purpletele on Aug 22, 2021 14:03:29 GMT -7
Been on the hunt for a Z-28 for a while but curious how it stacks up against the 65 Amps Tupelo. Strongly leaning toward the Z although want to turn over all the rocks... Thanks in advance for any input! sixty-fiveamps.com/blue-line/tupeloThe Dr. Z amps are quite a bit more sexy than the Tupelo.
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Post by bubs42 on Aug 22, 2021 14:30:50 GMT -7
That's really helpful, gents. Another quick vs. question is how the Z28 compares to the RT66. Part of me wants to try them all to figure it out for myself but I know you all have so much experience with many, many Z's. Thanks again! Believe it or non, they don’t sound the same at all. The Z28 IMHO is louder, punchier, its a quicker responding amp. The RT66 is warmer, softer bottom end, more harmonically complex but not as defined and articulate as the Z28. I have both, they do different things, both are great amps, but I really love the Z28.
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Post by GearHound on Aug 22, 2021 19:28:41 GMT -7
purpletele - Seriously. I've always been on-the-fence about the, um, unique metal bits on the front of the 65 Amps. Bold move on Mr. Boul's part. Need to put on my patient pants and wait for a Z-28.
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Post by Faze on Aug 24, 2021 9:31:27 GMT -7
purpletele - Seriously. I've always been on-the-fence about the, um, unique metal bits on the front of the 65 Amps. Bold move on Mr. Boul's part. Need to put on my patient pants and wait for a Z-28. It’s well worth the wait. There is a reason it’s the Docs favorite Z amp.
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Post by Ridgeback on Aug 24, 2021 10:42:48 GMT -7
My favorite Z also. It's my opinion that, in the long run, the Z-28 will wind up being the Doc's "Legacy" design even though it is nowhere near the best selling one.
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Post by doctorice on Aug 27, 2021 12:38:31 GMT -7
I can't help with the comparison to a Tupelo, but I did have a 65 Amps Ventura. The Ventura, like the Z-28, uses an EF86. The Ventura is a nice amp, but I ended up selling it and keeping the Z-28.
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Post by runninwiththerevil (Matthew) on Aug 30, 2021 6:18:38 GMT -7
I also had a Ventura. I thought that amp was pretty life-less. Unlike the knowledge here and the responsiveness of Z's staff when you have questions I reached out a few times to 65 trying to see if there was something that I needed to tweak or a better tube in a certain position and I never got a response. That may not matter if you are plugging in a rocking, but if there is ever an issue I know that I would even consider a 65 again.
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Post by detuned on Aug 30, 2021 6:39:11 GMT -7
The Tupelo is my second-favorite 65, after the L'il Elvis. If you want built in reverb and trem, it's a no-brainer. They're relatively affordable used if you can find one.
There's something about a Z-28, though. I don't know if it's the EF86 front end, but it has a foundational tone that really stands out.
No bad answers here!
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