Post by markT on Sept 18, 2022 15:07:08 GMT -7
Ok.....I've had this little red wonder a couple of weeks now and ready to give my impressions.
I LOVE THIS AMP!!!
I had a Z28 head about 10 years ago that I loved and is one Z I wish I still had. What I remember about that amp was it was mid-forward and could be a tad dark with humbuckers. That's the only Z28 I ever played, but played it through many cab's and speaker configurations. Manly through a Z 4-10 cab with either Z 10's or Gold's. And two Z 1-12 cab's with Gold's and other speakers. So, I don't know if it was that particular amp, tubes or what, but always the same general great sound, yet mid forward, dark with humbuckers tone.
So, I was kind of expecting the same with this MkII. Not so. I was very surprised at how much highs and chime this amp has. And can be very mid scooped. The tone controls work the same as what I remember but this amp is very different. Maybe it's the 5881's compared to the 6V6's...? Or maybe the Winged -C- EF86 vs the Dario in my original. Don't know, but it's quite different than I remember. Not bad, just different.
Yet still familiar.
I also love the ZMaster style cab. Like everyone says, so 3D and wonderful. Someone in a different thread said they hear bass coming from the top vent. I hear the chime and high's reflecting off the amp chassis coming from the top, and plenty of low's radiating from the back. Wonderful, full sounding at low volumes and, of course sounds even better at stage levels.
The stock Celestion Creamback M is one of my favorite speakers and sounds great with this amp, yet, even though it's on the warmer side, as far as Celestions go, I wanted something even warmer. Enter the Celestion Ruby. I tried a Ruby in another amp when the speaker first came out. I HATED it. Sold it as fast as I could. Dull, dark and uninspiring. (With the one amp I tried it in.) After dong some research, some folks had success with the Ruby in some situations. I took the plunge and ordered one. At the same time I got to thinking about the Tone Tubby Red AlNiCo for this amp as well.....
So....I ordered one of those too! To make a long story a little shorter, the Ruby was delivered first so I popped it in. Sounded fabulous right out of the gate. Smoothed out the highs a little and filled in the mid scoop I was hearing. (I gained much respect for the Ruby!) I really thought the Ruby was there to stay. Then the Tone Tubby came in. When I first swapped it out it rolled off even more highs and filled in even more mids, but in a more aggressive way. (The Ruby is one smooth customer) I wanted to give the AlNiCo Red more time because it looks so flippin' cool. Matches the red MkII perfectly. Over the next few days of hitting the TT hard, it smoothed out a little and was sounding really good to my ears.
I put the Ruby back in and it still sounded great, but my ears were leaning toward the Tone Tubby. I put the Tubby back in and it's a wrap for now. I love this pairing.
It's the Tone Tubby Red and Z28 MkII for me! ..... Another reason I love Dr Z amps, he makes it so easy to speaker swap. No need to break out the soldering station! Thanks Doc!
The tone of this amp is really special. The chime on top reminds me of the Z Wreck. Such beautiful clean and edge of breakup tones. Deep low-end. True piano low strings here.
And as most know, it makes effects sound like they are part of the amp. My delays sound better. My OD's sound better. Even my wah sounds better. Love it!!
This is my new favorite amp. Looking forward to gigging it soon I hope. I'm sure it will thrive in a band setting. An amazing grab-n-go.
Way to go Doc....I'm sure you have another winner! Hope it was as fun to make it as it is for me to play it. It truly is an instrument.
Studio Slips cover ordered! And yes they have in in their list already.
Sorry for all the rambling and speaker flipping~
I LOVE THIS AMP!!!
I had a Z28 head about 10 years ago that I loved and is one Z I wish I still had. What I remember about that amp was it was mid-forward and could be a tad dark with humbuckers. That's the only Z28 I ever played, but played it through many cab's and speaker configurations. Manly through a Z 4-10 cab with either Z 10's or Gold's. And two Z 1-12 cab's with Gold's and other speakers. So, I don't know if it was that particular amp, tubes or what, but always the same general great sound, yet mid forward, dark with humbuckers tone.
So, I was kind of expecting the same with this MkII. Not so. I was very surprised at how much highs and chime this amp has. And can be very mid scooped. The tone controls work the same as what I remember but this amp is very different. Maybe it's the 5881's compared to the 6V6's...? Or maybe the Winged -C- EF86 vs the Dario in my original. Don't know, but it's quite different than I remember. Not bad, just different.
Yet still familiar.
I also love the ZMaster style cab. Like everyone says, so 3D and wonderful. Someone in a different thread said they hear bass coming from the top vent. I hear the chime and high's reflecting off the amp chassis coming from the top, and plenty of low's radiating from the back. Wonderful, full sounding at low volumes and, of course sounds even better at stage levels.
The stock Celestion Creamback M is one of my favorite speakers and sounds great with this amp, yet, even though it's on the warmer side, as far as Celestions go, I wanted something even warmer. Enter the Celestion Ruby. I tried a Ruby in another amp when the speaker first came out. I HATED it. Sold it as fast as I could. Dull, dark and uninspiring. (With the one amp I tried it in.) After dong some research, some folks had success with the Ruby in some situations. I took the plunge and ordered one. At the same time I got to thinking about the Tone Tubby Red AlNiCo for this amp as well.....
So....I ordered one of those too! To make a long story a little shorter, the Ruby was delivered first so I popped it in. Sounded fabulous right out of the gate. Smoothed out the highs a little and filled in the mid scoop I was hearing. (I gained much respect for the Ruby!) I really thought the Ruby was there to stay. Then the Tone Tubby came in. When I first swapped it out it rolled off even more highs and filled in even more mids, but in a more aggressive way. (The Ruby is one smooth customer) I wanted to give the AlNiCo Red more time because it looks so flippin' cool. Matches the red MkII perfectly. Over the next few days of hitting the TT hard, it smoothed out a little and was sounding really good to my ears.
I put the Ruby back in and it still sounded great, but my ears were leaning toward the Tone Tubby. I put the Tubby back in and it's a wrap for now. I love this pairing.
It's the Tone Tubby Red and Z28 MkII for me! ..... Another reason I love Dr Z amps, he makes it so easy to speaker swap. No need to break out the soldering station! Thanks Doc!
The tone of this amp is really special. The chime on top reminds me of the Z Wreck. Such beautiful clean and edge of breakup tones. Deep low-end. True piano low strings here.
And as most know, it makes effects sound like they are part of the amp. My delays sound better. My OD's sound better. Even my wah sounds better. Love it!!
This is my new favorite amp. Looking forward to gigging it soon I hope. I'm sure it will thrive in a band setting. An amazing grab-n-go.
Way to go Doc....I'm sure you have another winner! Hope it was as fun to make it as it is for me to play it. It truly is an instrument.
Studio Slips cover ordered! And yes they have in in their list already.
Sorry for all the rambling and speaker flipping~