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Post by patrick555 on Jan 3, 2022 12:31:41 GMT -7
I just ordered my Z-Plus from Sweetwater. I was very close to buying a used one because it was in the no longer available red tolex with an alnico blue speaker. After reading about the challenges Z has been facing during the pandemic, it felt more important to me to purchase new from an official dealer.
I've long been a Dr Z fan. I owned a Z-28 for over ten years. I regret that I sold that one two years ago. I had decided I no longer could maintain the space of separate head and cab combinations, so I sold all of those and kept only my combos - a 1963 Princeton that I completely rebuilt and a Fender 64 Custom Deluxe Reverb. When I read Dr Z's post that he will likely stop making new model combos due to the degrading quality of tube production, it seemed I shouldn't wait any longer to purchase the Z-Plus I've been thinking about for a while.
Thanks for continuing to make such excellent quality and great sounding amps. I won't make the mistake of selling this one.
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Post by Chilly Gibbons (Todd T.) on Jan 3, 2022 13:51:01 GMT -7
I’ve never owned or played the plus, but what a following it has. You’ll definitely enjoy it no matter your musical style. Cheers!
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Post by DRZ on Jan 3, 2022 16:00:35 GMT -7
Welcome Patrick. I think you will enjoy the Z Plus, it has so well received.
Also I won't stop making combo's. The only combo's I dread and will stop making is EF 86 based combo's.
I have a good supply of EF 86's but some new customers can be a bit finicky if they notice a slight ringing. Where many of my old customers do not think twice about it and just enjoy the great tone.
Z
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Post by helmi on Jan 3, 2022 16:29:46 GMT -7
Also I won't stop making combo's. The only combo's I dread and will stop making is EF 86 based combo's. Z Is this because of vibration, leading to microphonic issues Doc?
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Post by DRZ on Jan 3, 2022 17:14:23 GMT -7
Also I won't stop making combo's. The only combo's I dread and will stop making is EF 86 based combo's. Z Is this because of vibration, leading to microphonic issues Doc? Yes mostly. And in a small combo the internal speaker will play hell with the EF 86. The EF 86 has 3 times the gain of a typical 12AX7 so it is susceptible . In most cases it is very minuet but some at home players find this unacceptable in a new expensive amp. Whereas players who play out on stages do not even hear the it and it doesn't concern them. In a head version this isn't an issue. Z
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Post by helmi on Jan 3, 2022 17:41:47 GMT -7
Thank you Doc sir.
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Post by patrick555 on Jan 4, 2022 3:46:59 GMT -7
Also I won't stop making combo's. The only combo's I dread and will stop making is EF 86 based combo's. That is great to know. I misunderstood the post. Thanks!
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Post by heynewguy (Ol’ Bill) on Jan 4, 2022 4:31:24 GMT -7
I just ordered my Z-Plus from Sweetwater. I was very close to buying a used one because it was in the no longer available red tolex with an alnico blue speaker. After reading about the challenges Z has been facing during the pandemic, it felt more important to me to purchase new from an official dealer. I've long been a Dr Z fan. I owned a Z-28 for over ten years. I regret that I sold that one two years ago. I had decided I no longer could maintain the space of separate head and cab combinations, so I sold all of those and kept only my combos - a 1963 Princeton that I completely rebuilt and a Fender 64 Custom Deluxe Reverb. When I read Dr Z's post that he will likely stop making new model combos due to the degrading quality of tube production, it seemed I shouldn't wait any longer to purchase the Z-Plus I've been thinking about for a while. Thanks for continuing to make such excellent quality and great sounding amps. I won't make the mistake of selling this one. I would love a Z Plus head!
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Post by buckeye on Jan 4, 2022 4:54:50 GMT -7
I just ordered my Z-Plus from Sweetwater. I was very close to buying a used one because it was in the no longer available red tolex with an alnico blue speaker. After reading about the challenges Z has been facing during the pandemic, it felt more important to me to purchase new from an official dealer. I've long been a Dr Z fan. I owned a Z-28 for over ten years. I regret that I sold that one two years ago. I had decided I no longer could maintain the space of separate head and cab combinations, so I sold all of those and kept only my combos - a 1963 Princeton that I completely rebuilt and a Fender 64 Custom Deluxe Reverb. When I read Dr Z's post that he will likely stop making new model combos due to the degrading quality of tube production, it seemed I shouldn't wait any longer to purchase the Z-Plus I've been thinking about for a while. Thanks for continuing to make such excellent quality and great sounding amps. I won't make the mistake of selling this one. I would love a Z Plus head!
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Post by buckeye on Jan 4, 2022 4:56:02 GMT -7
Z-Plus NR head. Now we're talking!
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Post by patrick555 on Jan 6, 2022 13:47:36 GMT -7
My Z-Plus arrived yesterday, and I had a chance to play with it for a while today. I love it. It is exactly the amp I have needed for a long time.
Normally I play two amps, a 63 Princeton and a 64 Custom Deluxe Reverb. In order to get either of those to the edge of breakup at home, I need to use my Z Airbrake at bedroom setting with the bedroom knob at less than 9 o'clock. It allows me to get the tube reaction that I want, but the amps always sound so muffled.
At first I thought I was going to have the same limitation with the Z-Plus. After dialing it in, I was able to find some great sounds. With the volume at about 1 o'clock and the master at 9 (on high power and high input with my Tele) I was able to get a similar breakup response without using the Airbrake. In the past I have hated master volumes, but this one along with the cut control works very well.
In my house (a twin in the city), a Deluxe Reverb is way too much amp. Even the Princeton is too much unless I just want a clean sound with the volume at 3. The Z certainly can be as loud as the Deluxe, but it can also sound great at a much lower level. Soundwise I can cover what either of the other two do and with a much nicer breakup. Honestly I like the clean better than either Fender too. It's brighter than the Princeton, and not as brittle as the Deluxe - just right. I couldn't be happier.
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Post by Chilly Gibbons (Todd T.) on Jan 6, 2022 16:11:01 GMT -7
How’s the verb in the plus compared to the 64 custom deluxe?
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Post by DRZ on Jan 6, 2022 17:01:18 GMT -7
My Z-Plus arrived yesterday, and I had a chance to play with it for a while today. I love it. It is exactly the amp I have needed for a long time. Normally I play two amps, a 63 Princeton and a 64 Custom Deluxe Reverb. In order to get either of those to the edge of breakup at home, I need to use my Z Airbrake at bedroom setting with the bedroom knob at less than 9 o'clock. It allows me to get the tube reaction that I want, but the amps always sound so muffled. At first I thought I was going to have the same limitation with the Z-Plus. After dialing it in, I was able to find some great sounds. With the volume at about 1 o'clock and the master at 9 (on high power and high input with my Tele) I was able to get a similar breakup response without using the Airbrake. In the past I have hated master volumes, but this one along with the cut control works very well. In my house (a twin in the city), a Deluxe Reverb is way too much amp. Even the Princeton is too much unless I just want a clean sound with the volume at 3. The Z certainly can be as loud as the Deluxe, but it can also sound great at a much lower level. Soundwise I can cover what either of the other two do and with a much nicer breakup. Honestly I like the clean better than either Fender too. It's brighter than the Princeton, and not as brittle as the Deluxe - just right. I couldn't be happier. Glad to hear that Patrick. The Z Pus is quickly becoming my fav , warm 6V6 in TRUE Class A. Z
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Post by patrick555 on Jan 6, 2022 18:09:06 GMT -7
How’s the verb in the plus compared to the 64 custom deluxe? I have to preface the answer by admitting I am not a big reverb guy. That being said, I appreciate the reverb in the Plus more than the Deluxe. It sits well with the guitar sound and doesn’t get in the way. I actually have found myself leaving the reverb on, whereas on the Deluxe I generally turn it off. The Deluxe has such a small range before the reverb becomes overwhelming.
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