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Post by nick0 on Feb 22, 2022 10:53:08 GMT -7
I've fallen back in love with the Stratocaster (my first love) after building an HSS using Lollar Vintage Blonds and a Low Wind Imperial. It is just a fantastic guitar and exactly what I wanted! Therefore, the EZG-50 that's always kicked around in the back of my head is now an absolute necessity. I couldn't find anything new, but did find a used 2018 combo at one of the Dr's distributors. It's ordered and will soon be on its way to me!
There has been a lot of speaker talk over the years on this amp. I was wondering if anyone has directly compared the sound of the combo with the G12-65 to a 4x10. I was going to have a Weber 4x10 built with 10A125's and 10F150's. Anyone experienced with this combo of Webers?
How does the amp react with the level modification? Anyone compare before and after? I will most likely have this done. Don has done three PPIMV mods for me. They all have come out BETTER! His work is always exceptional.
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Post by Ridgeback on Feb 22, 2022 11:51:17 GMT -7
Congratulations. I can't address the specific speaker comparison you wanted but I can tell you that I had almost the same Weber speaker combination in a Super Reverb at one time. 1x10A100 + 2x10A125 + 1x10F150. The 10A125 is my all time favorite after market 10" speaker. I had four of them in a 60 Concert. I never owned a compatible-ohm 4x10 cab when I owned my previous EZG and was still playing out. I have no use for a 4x10 anymore but my EZG sounds great through a Z 2x10 with C-Rex's (yes, I would have preferred a pair of 10A125's but too much $). I eventually had the bass mod done on my current EZG but not the level control.
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Post by nick0 on Feb 22, 2022 12:10:56 GMT -7
Great feedback on the Webers Ridgeback. I really appreciate it! Do the current production voicing amps have the bass mod or is it something that is done based on preference?
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Post by Ridgeback on Feb 22, 2022 12:53:25 GMT -7
If I remember correctly, any EZG after 2012 has the bass mod. The voicing and level control mods are probably included in any current production EZG but don't quote me on that.
PS: Don't judge those speakers until they are broken in. It can take quite a while depending on your usage.
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Post by nick0 on Feb 22, 2022 13:11:20 GMT -7
I'll keep that in mind!
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Post by Chilly Gibbons (Todd T.) on Feb 22, 2022 13:22:22 GMT -7
Congrats on finding one. I was looking all Summer and gave up. They’re awesome amps.
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Post by Ridgeback on Feb 22, 2022 13:31:46 GMT -7
Chilly, don't feel bad. I casually looked for 3-4 years before I found the one I was looking for (blonde head with the oval front panel).
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Post by nick0 on Feb 22, 2022 14:01:27 GMT -7
I had to jump on it. Some of the sound clips and demos that I have heard are spot on strat tone! I'm definitely going for SRV vibes on this one!
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Post by adam on Feb 22, 2022 19:14:39 GMT -7
Congrats! Mine, got used, was smoking and red plating one of the tubes in 3 minutes and I sent it to Don. He did whatever mods and added the other master volume control/circuit, but I pretty much just run it super clean and full on.
I might add that it has a ton of clean headroom and sounds fantastic with a thicker sounding Les Paul too, like it doesn't really favor single coils over humbuckers. It also has a lot of room in the tone controls and you can kind of dial it in for whatever speaker you have without problem. I mainly use it with a Z 1x12 v30 or or Creamback, but it doesn't really matter either way. Where one might be darker, just turn up the treble. It's a wonderful sounding, fantastic amp.
Might add that the revival drive pedal works great with this amp, and not really sure why. You can go from really authentic, great clean fender sound to pretty darn convincing old Marshall with that combo.
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Post by nick0 on Feb 22, 2022 21:09:36 GMT -7
Thanks Adam! It's definitely going to Don for a checkup and some magic!
That's some good info. I'll be sure to run some les pauls and drive pedals through it. May even have to get my hands on a revival drive!
I'm interested to see how it sounds with different speakers. Especially a 4x10. It seems like a lot of folks are pleased with that setup.
Thanks for all the feedback guys! You're really making me excited to finally get to play with one!
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Post by Jaguarguy (Mike) on Feb 22, 2022 21:42:51 GMT -7
I ran my EZG 50 through the Z-28 4x10 combo speakers and it sounded great. As good, if not better, than the 1966 Super Reverb only a lot more reliable! Right now I have it paired with an Eminence 1x15 - I really like that combination!
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Post by nick0 on Feb 23, 2022 3:54:42 GMT -7
I ran my EZG 50 through the Z-28 4x10 combo speakers and it sounded great. As good, if not better, than the 1966 Super Reverb only a lot more reliable! Right now I have it paired with an Eminence 1x15 - I really like that combination! That's an absolutely stunning looking head! A 15 is interesting, vibroverb feel... I've only played one 1x15. I really didn't spend enough time with it for a good comparison. How would you say the 1x15 compares to other speakers you have tried with it? What are you hearing outta the 15 that makes you choose that over other configurations? Thanks for the post!
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Post by Jaguarguy (Mike) on Feb 23, 2022 8:24:10 GMT -7
That was my first Z. Harvey used the faceplate as his template for wood valances for the EZG - that's the first one he crafted.
The 15 does have that Vibro-verb feel to it but it has a tighter bottom end and just feels massive. A lot of clean headroom!
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Post by nick0 on Feb 23, 2022 8:41:16 GMT -7
Awesome!
So from what I gather: the EZG is an amazing sounding amp with or without mods, with any guitar, through any speaker, with or without pedals. Good to know it's got the versatility!
Thanks guys!
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Post by nick0 on Feb 25, 2022 20:16:42 GMT -7
I got the amp today and I love it! The combo is a beast and really has a big full sound. I think the stock G12-65 is a good match for it as well.
I ordered a Weber 4x10 with 10A125's and 10F150's. I'm excited to see how it sounds with that.
For tones, the clean strat thing is really nailed! And the reverb is a dream. It's got a firm attack on the front of the note that I like. The high end is really defined and clear as a bell. The volume controls interact nicely. I find I like the tone best when it's running pretty loud, pre around 10:00 and post around 12:00. For me, it's got the perfect balance of cleanness with the slightest little bit of grit. A nice dynamic attack on the front of the note with a very pleasing natural compression and sustain on the tail.
Minor criticism (emphasize minor) is the bass comes on all at once and quickly gets muddy with a lack of definition. The top can get a little harshness on it as well. However, both of these things can be compensated for with some careful tweaking of the eq.
I would be very pleased with the amp as it is. But I do have it scheduled to go in to Don for a checkup, the latest voicing mods, and a level control. I'm confident Don will make a great sounding amp even better and it'll have added versatility.
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Post by nick0 on Mar 5, 2022 6:46:40 GMT -7
The combo is with Don at Dr Z! He is going to do the latest iteration of voicing mods. These are more recent than the "current production voicing". He's also going to add a post phase inverter master volume and a black/silver switch. The amp should be killer versatile and able to cover a wide range of american amp tones and volume levels when it's done! I've also got the weber 4x10 on the way. Now I wait......
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Post by premiumplus (Dave) on Mar 5, 2022 11:59:55 GMT -7
You're going to love the bass control when you get it back. It is really usable throughout it's range. Right now I've got mine at about 9:30-10:00 and it sounds great. The mid control comes alive as well, like I think someone said in another thread. And the PPIMV is great. I can run the pre at 2-ish and the post at noon, which would be screaming loud without it...and it sounds terrific. It's a massive sounding amp, and sounds louder at say 85dB than another amp does at the same SPL.
I'm running a 2x10 right now and it slays my Super Reverb 4x10. It sounds wonderful with a 15" speaker too. I have an Altec 218B open back cab that is lots of fun.
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Post by nick0 on Mar 5, 2022 13:09:14 GMT -7
Nice! I can't wait to try it out after the mods. I was considering a super reverb reissue before I was able to find the EZG. Because you have both, can you expand more on the differences in tone between the EZG and Super?
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Post by premiumplus (Dave) on Mar 5, 2022 17:06:09 GMT -7
The EZG has a quality in the low mids/bass area that the Super lacks, and the Super is touchy on the treble setting. Plus the EZG sounds more open and dynamic. The Supers I've had (3 of 'em over the years) all tend to accentuate the highs where the EZG goes in the other direction. The EZG can bite with the treble too, but it's more balanced than the Super is. I can get frustrated with the Fender while the Z is easy to manage. Especially with a pedal board. The Super that I've got right now is probably the best sounding one that I've had, and I dig the CTS alnico 10's. The thing about it that I don't like is that the Treble is touchy, I mean to say that it's easy to have too much or too little. It goes from sweet to piercing too easily. Once I get the treble down to where it sounds good to me the amp is losing it's overtones and sounding kind of flat. And it's really sensitive to pickup selection on the guitar. The EZG on the other hand is so 'big' in the low mids and bass that I can keep the treble up enough to have a sweet kind of glassy tone, if that makes sense. It's easier to control like all of Z's amps; where it can be a challenge to get the sweetness with the Super without getting too bright. As I write this I'm thinking that maybe I should do some tube changes in the Super, the amp can sound great, really great but then say I switch from both pickups on a Les Paul to the bridge alone and it'll be too cutting. I'd much rather gig the EZG than the Super because I don't have to micro manage the tone stack.
And this is with an open back 2x10 EZG vs 4x10 Super...
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Post by nick0 on Mar 6, 2022 13:55:26 GMT -7
premiumplus (Dave) (Dave) great explanation on EZG-50 vs Super Reverb! Thanks for that. I'm usually most sensitive to the top end of the amp. If an amp can't be bright without being shrill, it'll drive me nuts! Based on your description, I'm glad I didn't go the super rout. All the Dr Zs I've played have a sweet top end. One thing I liked about the EZG is that the top end will start to break up when pushed, but the lows stay cleaner. At least that's what I was hearing. I really liked that tone and feel. It sounded driven and clean at the same time. Kept great clarity as well. As you pointed out, it's very full. All Z amps sound like there are a lot more frequencies available. Especially when compared to Fender. More open and articulate as well. Thanks again for all the info! I'll update when I get the amp back and get speaker cab.
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Post by nick0 on Apr 30, 2022 6:21:07 GMT -7
Time for an update.
I got the amp back from Don. He did truly outstanding work as he always does. He took time to listen to what I was going for and really dialed the amp in beautifully!
For speakers... I was using the new weber cab 4x10. I noticed after a few hours of playing that there was something going on with the lower mids. It was loose and lacked definition. It also had a bit of a break up to it that I didn't care for. I couldn't dial it out. I unplugged the 4x10 and plugged into the combo's stock Rola Celestion g12-65. CLEAR AS A BELL!!! That's the speaker for this amp. It was the perfect SRV Lenny sound that I had in my head. Wow! Don was singing the praises of that speaker with this amp. He was so right! The 4x10 was an expensive experiment that didn't pay off. I guess it answered my question though.
The amp is expressive and has a huge dynamic range. It keeps the bass clear and punchy and clean. The mids are scooped but accent the tone nicely. The highs can be crystal clean glass or break up a little based on pick attack. The voicing mods are amazing! The ppimv works like a charm and really opens up some nice edge of break up tones in the sub 100dB range. The black silver switch is a nice feature. If you are going for edge of breakup glass, silver. If you are riding the pre and post high for more overdrive, black gives you a nicer feel and a little less high end bite.
I couldn't be more pleased! The combo sounds huge and I honestly don't think I'll be experimenting with speakers. The stock Rola is boss!
I played around with my JHS Bonsia. It just had a little too much effect on the frequencies for my taste. Although the clipping was nice. I ordered an Analogman Maxon OD-9 808/Silver with BadBod boost added. Hope to get it next week. If anyone was able to find a screamer style pedal they like with the EZG, please let me know!
Thanks all!
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Post by Jaguarguy (Mike) on Apr 30, 2022 7:58:08 GMT -7
Time for an update. I got the amp back from Don. He did truly outstanding work as he always does. He took time to listen to what I was going for and really dialed the amp in beautifully! For speakers... I was using the new weber cab 4x10. I noticed after a few hours of playing that there was something going on with the lower mids. It was loose and lacked definition. It also had a bit of a break up to it that I didn't care for. I couldn't dial it out. I unplugged the 4x10 and plugged into the combo's stock Rola Celestion g12-65. CLEAR AS A BELL!!! That's the speaker for this amp. It was the perfect SRV Lenny sound that I had in my head. Wow! Don was singing the praises of that speaker with this amp. He was so right! The 4x10 was an expensive experiment that didn't pay off. I guess it answered my question though. The amp is expressive and has a huge dynamic range. It keeps the bass clear and punchy and clean. The mids are scooped but accent the tone nicely. The highs can be crystal clean glass or break up a little based on pick attack. The voicing mods are amazing! The ppimv works like a charm and really opens up some nice edge of break up tones in the sub 100dB range. The black silver switch is a nice feature. If you are going for edge of breakup glass, silver. If you are riding the pre and post high for more overdrive, black gives you a nicer feel and a little less high end bite. I couldn't be more pleased! The combo sounds huge and I honestly don't think I'll be experimenting with speakers. The stock Rola is boss! I played around with my JHS Bonsia. It just had a little too much effect on the frequencies for my taste. Although the clipping was nice. I ordered an Analogman Maxon OD-9 808/Silver with BadBod boost added. Hope to get it next week. If anyone was able to find a screamer style pedal they like with the EZG, please let me know! Thanks all! Don does great work and is one of the nicest guys you'll meet. BTW - pretty much goes for everyone at Doc's place. He's put together a great team! Never once been there where I haven't been welcomed by everyone. Great product, great staff, great price! Thanks Doc!
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Post by nick0 on Apr 30, 2022 8:20:57 GMT -7
Yes! Same here. Well said!
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Post by doctorice on Apr 30, 2022 16:08:22 GMT -7
I played around with my JHS Bonsia. It just had a little too much effect on the frequencies for my taste. Although the clipping was nice. I ordered an Analogman Maxon OD-9 808/Silver with BadBod boost added. Hope to get it next week. If anyone was able to find a screamer style pedal they like with the EZG, please let me know!
If, for some reason, the Analogman doesn't suit, consider one of the KingTone pedals from Jesse Davies. I have the Duellist, and the TS side is really great. His Soloist pedal is the TS side of the Duellist with some added features. They are expensive, though.
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Post by nick0 on Apr 30, 2022 19:42:15 GMT -7
I played around with my JHS Bonsia. It just had a little too much effect on the frequencies for my taste. Although the clipping was nice. I ordered an Analogman Maxon OD-9 808/Silver with BadBod boost added. Hope to get it next week. If anyone was able to find a screamer style pedal they like with the EZG, please let me know!
If, for some reason, the Analogman doesn't suit, consider one of the KingTone pedals from Jesse Davies. I have the Duellist, and the TS side is really great. His Soloist pedal is the TS side of the Duellist with some added features. They are expensive, though.
If the analogman doesn't sit well, I'll look at those next. Good suggestion. Thank you!
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