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Post by smolder on Oct 8, 2022 14:56:03 GMT -7
Z28 mkII head arrived today. After about 30 minutes, I replaced all tubes with NOS because they’re just sitting on the shelf…
rec: Mazda 5AR4 power tubes: Tung-Sol Canadian JAN 5881 phase inverter: RCA grey plate 12AX7 (likely overkill) preamp: Amperex
Definitely heard some improved clarity… and these will surely last longer.
I’ve got a pretty wide range of speakers and cabs, prefer 10’s, but wondering what’s working great for you guys?
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Post by nick0 on Oct 8, 2022 15:08:39 GMT -7
Got the combo with the Creamback. Don't need to even try anything else. It's outstanding!
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Post by Faze on Oct 8, 2022 20:09:08 GMT -7
Combo with creamback as well and it’s perfect. The only other speaker I tried with the older Z-28 I had was an alnico cream. It was very Rich and vintage sounding I liked it but eventually went back to the greenback. The Doc has a great ear for matching his combo Amps up with the right speakers.
But that’s the benefit of having the head you can Now experiment with it to find what you like.
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Post by premiumplus (Dave) on Oct 9, 2022 6:33:13 GMT -7
My production Z28MKII sounds great with the stock Creamback. I also have Proto #2 and it's loaded up just like Brad Paisley's...with an Alnico Creamback. The Alnico is really a special speaker and it pairs beautifully with the amp. I've gigged the Proto amp and it is spectacular. I'm going to gig the production one this coming Saturday.
I've thought about replacing the production amp's speaker with the Alnico Creamback, but whenever I get close to buying one for it I plug in and go "Ahhhh, there it is again". So for now it's definitely staying just like Doc released it.
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Post by nick0 on Oct 9, 2022 20:25:34 GMT -7
If i was going to try anything, I'd probably lean towards an American voiced thing like a z12. See how that plays with a cleaner setting. I like the Creamback so much, I've never been motivated enough to try it.
I'll need to try the alnico cream at some point as well. Good suggestion.
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Post by Faze on Oct 10, 2022 7:29:10 GMT -7
If i was going to try anything, I'd probably lean towards an American voiced thing like a z12. See how that plays with a cleaner setting. I like the Creamback so much, I've never been motivated enough to try it. I'll need to try the alnico cream at some point as well. Good suggestion. The alnico cream is a exceptional speaker and I would also Be interested in how it would sound in the Z-28 mk11 combo I wonder if the Doc tried that one when he did his speaker test? I remember when I had the alnico cream in the old Z-28 combo. It was very rich sounding it had a nice warmth and top end to it. But then I put the greenback that doc made to go with it back in. The greenback type of speakers break up a little differently And I think that is what I liked I think they break up a little better. I just remember the feeling of hey if something ain’t broke why try to fix it ? But we all like different things and different sounds. The good thing is those alnico creams are easy to re sell if you don’t like them. I flip so much gear I need to change my name to flipper ! It’s a vicious cycle pray for me.
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Post by JeffG on Oct 10, 2022 10:41:39 GMT -7
I've been playing mine with a WGS ET65 and really liking it.
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Post by smolder on Oct 11, 2022 8:44:35 GMT -7
So… here is the list things I have around…
2x10 WGS G10C and G10CS sounds ok 2x10 Alnico gold (formerly w/ Z28) sounds good 2x10 Tone Tubby Red Alnico 12’s not yet broken in, but promising TT red Alnico JBL D120 Alnico Blue TT ruby TT purple haze Z 12 from the Zplus Plus a bunch of Celestion and Scumback British speakers
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Post by buckeye on Oct 19, 2022 16:02:02 GMT -7
I have a 2x12 slant top cab that I built and loaded it with a Creamback 65 on the bottom and a Jensen Blackbird 40 on top. It's a great match for the Mkii.
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Post by frankie on Oct 20, 2022 9:25:17 GMT -7
If i was going to try anything, I'd probably lean towards an American voiced thing like a z12. See how that plays with a cleaner setting. I like the Creamback so much, I've never been motivated enough to try it. I'll need to try the alnico cream at some point as well. Good suggestion. The alnico cream is a exceptional speaker and I would also Be interested in how it would sound in the Z-28 mk11 combo I wonder if the Doc tried that one when he did his speaker test? I remember when I had the alnico cream in the old Z-28 combo. It was very rich sounding it had a nice warmth and top end to it. But then I put the greenback that doc made to go with it back in. The greenback type of speakers break up a little differently And I think that is what I liked I think they break up a little better. I just remember the feeling of hey if something ain’t broke why try to fix it ? But we all like different things and different sounds. The good thing is those alnico creams are easy to re sell if you don’t like them. I flip so much gear I need to change my name to flipper ! It’s a vicious cycle pray for me. The Alnico Cream was the first speaker considered. It has a really nice Clean tone. However we felt that overall the Creamback 65 was a better overall choice, as it's drive characteristics were a bit better and more detailed than the alnico Cream.
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Post by Seńor Verde on Oct 20, 2022 9:30:48 GMT -7
So… here is the list things I have around… 2x10 WGS G10C and G10CS sounds ok 2x10 Alnico gold (formerly w/ Z28) sounds good 2x10 Tone Tubby Red Alnico 12’s not yet broken in, but promising TT red Alnico JBL D120 Alnico Blue TT ruby TT purple haze Z 12 from the Zplus Plus a bunch of Celestion and Scumback British speakers You might actually have more speakers on hand than I do.
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Post by nick0 on Oct 20, 2022 9:32:10 GMT -7
The alnico cream is a exceptional speaker and I would also Be interested in how it would sound in the Z-28 mk11 combo I wonder if the Doc tried that one when he did his speaker test? I remember when I had the alnico cream in the old Z-28 combo. It was very rich sounding it had a nice warmth and top end to it. But then I put the greenback that doc made to go with it back in. The greenback type of speakers break up a little differently And I think that is what I liked I think they break up a little better. I just remember the feeling of hey if something ain’t broke why try to fix it ? But we all like different things and different sounds. The good thing is those alnico creams are easy to re sell if you don’t like them. I flip so much gear I need to change my name to flipper ! It’s a vicious cycle pray for me. The Alnico Cream was the first speaker considered. It has a really nice Clean tone. However we felt that overall the Creamback 65 was a better overall choice, as it's drive characteristics were a bit better and more detailed than the alnico Cream. Thanks for the info!
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Post by smolder on Oct 20, 2022 9:34:24 GMT -7
So… here is the list things I have around… 2x10 WGS G10C and G10CS sounds ok 2x10 Alnico gold (formerly w/ Z28) sounds good 2x10 Tone Tubby Red Alnico 12’s not yet broken in, but promising TT red Alnico JBL D120 Alnico Blue TT ruby TT purple haze Z 12 from the Zplus Plus a bunch of Celestion and Scumback British speakers You might actually have more speakers on hand than I do. Yah… it’s a problem. I think I have eight D120’s here… My wife would like to use part of the garage this winter and it’s coming fast ; )
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Post by Faze on Oct 20, 2022 14:01:50 GMT -7
The alnico cream is a exceptional speaker and I would also Be interested in how it would sound in the Z-28 mk11 combo I wonder if the Doc tried that one when he did his speaker test? I remember when I had the alnico cream in the old Z-28 combo. It was very rich sounding it had a nice warmth and top end to it. But then I put the greenback that doc made to go with it back in. The greenback type of speakers break up a little differently And I think that is what I liked I think they break up a little better. I just remember the feeling of hey if something ain’t broke why try to fix it ? But we all like different things and different sounds. The good thing is those alnico creams are easy to re sell if you don’t like them. I flip so much gear I need to change my name to flipper ! It’s a vicious cycle pray for me. The Alnico Cream was the first speaker considered. It has a really nice Clean tone. However we felt that overall the Creamback 65 was a better overall choice, as it's drive characteristics were a bit better and more detailed than the alnico Cream. Thanks Frankie
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Post by DRZ on Oct 20, 2022 16:25:24 GMT -7
Just to add to Frankies response/post.
1) The Cream Alnico cost me over 3 times the Creamback M , I believe in todays economy getting a good price point is very important and by the comments I have received I feel I did hit nice spot for a 1X12 combo if this caliber, something I couldn't have done with an Alnico.
2) Weight is also a BIG concern too many and the Creamback M is pounds lighter.
3) And my most important consideration, is to come as close as possible to the original Z 28 1X12 combo tone which was loaded with a Greenback. I tried a Greenback but the MKII was too much power for the Green and the drive tone suffered. To me the Cream is very close to the Green in the M ( Smaller Magnet less efficient ) but handle much more power.
Z
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Post by smolder on Oct 22, 2022 10:27:20 GMT -7
So far the Tone Tubby’s are killing it. The Alnicos are wonderful. Purple Haze has earned the top spot so far. I’m lacking any Celestion Alnicos… tempted to find a ruby.
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Post by bubs42 on Oct 22, 2022 16:32:34 GMT -7
I love my Z28’s with Greenbacks, or the Tone Tubby 40/40. But my world was turned upside down when I plugged it into the Z12. Glorious American Tone that allows all the different drive pedals show the colors of their different midranges.
Kudos DRZ
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Post by nick0 on Oct 22, 2022 19:17:46 GMT -7
I love my Z28’s with Greenbacks, or the Tone Tubby 40/40. But my world was turned upside down when I plugged it into the Z12. Glorious American Tone that allows all the different drive pedals show the colors of their different midranges. Kudos DRZ Did you compare the z12 to a creamback with the MKII?
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Post by bubs42 on Oct 23, 2022 5:40:10 GMT -7
I love my Z28’s with Greenbacks, or the Tone Tubby 40/40. But my world was turned upside down when I plugged it into the Z12. Glorious American Tone that allows all the different drive pedals show the colors of their different midranges. Kudos DRZ Did you compare the z12 to a creamback with the MKII? Couple things, first those speakers are in two different sides of the spectrum like apples are to oranges. Second I’m not much of a fan of the Gold or the Creamback. The Z12 is very American with big round lows, sparkle highs, with a midrange that is clear and colorless. Leaving a great clean pallet to lay colors onto with your pedals. A Celestion has their own midrange thing that you will always have to except or compromise with. They are the benchmark but a lot of music has been recorded with “American” Speakers ala Magnatones, Fenders. The Z28 is a perfect in between, and a swap of a speaker will yield just how versatile it can be.
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Post by Joey Beverages on Oct 23, 2022 6:12:02 GMT -7
Just to add to Frankies response/post. 1) The Cream Alnico cost me over 3 times the Creamback M , I believe in todays economy getting a good price point is very important and by the comments I have received I feel I did hit nice spot for a 1X12 combo if this caliber, something I couldn't have done with an Alnico. 2) Weight is also a BIG concern too many and the Creamback M is pounds lighter. 3) And my most important consideration, is to come as close as possible to the original Z 28 1X12 combo tone which was loaded with a Greenback. I tried a Greenback but the MKII was too much power for the Green and the drive tone suffered. To me the Cream is very close to the Green in the M ( Smaller Magnet less efficient ) but handle much more power. Z Good to know. Best regards and cheers always Joel
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Post by Joey Beverages on Oct 23, 2022 6:14:12 GMT -7
Anyone paired the Mark II with a Z 210 cab (old box or more current model) ?
Anticipating use primary with Stratocaster, Telecaster and a Gibson SG P90s.
Cheers always
Joel
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Post by DRZ on Oct 23, 2022 8:21:01 GMT -7
Anyone paired the Mark II with a Z 210 cab (old box or more current model) ? Anticipating use primary with Stratocaster, Telecaster and a Gibson SG P90s. Cheers always Joel Joel I did try a modified 2X10 baffle installed in the new Z 28 MKII cab. I used 2 Z 10 16 ohm speakers , combine to 8 ohms what the MKII watts to see. I was excited to try this as the original Z 28 sounded excellent on top of a 2X10 extension cab. But I must say I was a bit disappointed in the 2x10 combo configuration sound. Not sure why as I didn't investigate , plugged in wasn't knocked out and moved on. YMMV with your 2X10 extension . Z
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Post by bubs42 on Oct 23, 2022 8:35:54 GMT -7
Anyone paired the Mark II with a Z 210 cab (old box or more current model) ? Anticipating use primary with Stratocaster, Telecaster and a Gibson SG P90s. Cheers always Joel Joel I did try a modified 2X10 baffle installed in the new Z 28 MKII cab. I used 2 Z 10 16 ohm speakers , combine to 8 ohms what the MKII watts to see. I was excited to try this as the original Z 28 sounded excellent on top of a 2X10 extension cab. But I must say I was a bit disappointed in the 2x10 combo configuration sound. Not sure why as I didn't investigate , plugged in wasn't knocked out and moved on. YMMV with your 2X10 extension . Z Bummer, it sure sounds like it should have been a killer.
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Post by Joey Beverages on Oct 23, 2022 10:01:11 GMT -7
Anyone paired the Mark II with a Z 210 cab (old box or more current model) ? Anticipating use primary with Stratocaster, Telecaster and a Gibson SG P90s. Cheers always Joel Joel I did try a modified 2X10 baffle installed in the new Z 28 MKII cab. I used 2 Z 10 16 ohm speakers , combine to 8 ohms what the MKII watts to see. I was excited to try this as the original Z 28 sounded excellent on top of a 2X10 extension cab. But I must say I was a bit disappointed in the 2x10 combo configuration sound. Not sure why as I didn't investigate , plugged in wasn't knocked out and moved on. YMMV with your 2X10 extension . Z Thank you for the info. Much appreciated. Cheers always Joel
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