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Post by brentalight on Mar 15, 2023 5:31:49 GMT -7
New member with some questions for my first post. I'm a long time Mesa and Fender user. Still have a MK V35, Lonestar Classic, Lonestar Special, Heartbreaker and a Fender DRRI in my arsenal. All combos. I play in a blues rock band and we do a lot of festival and outdoor gigs in addition to playing small/medium clubs. I have been wanting a new amp for a while and have been zeroing in on the Dr Z Lux. Have never been able to play through one but it seems like it would be right up my alley. I love the sound clips I have heard of the amps capabilities. I have a decent collection of overdrive pedals (Klon KTR, Timmy, Zen Drive, KOT, Overated Special, Fultone Fulldrive...) I could run into it to push the amp harder when needed. My biggest question is related to which format to choose. Like I mentioned above all my other amps are combos. The 1x12s do fine for small/medium clubs but when playing outdoors and potential PA limitations they can sometimes get a bit lost in the mix. The Heartbreaker or LSC combo can handle it but I'm tired of lugging them around. Band is five piece with another guitarist and a sax player. I'm leaning towards the Lux in a head format and a 1x12 or 2x12 cab depending on the gig. I have never owned an amp in a head format before. Other than grab and go portability will I be losing anything choosing a head over a combo? How does the Lux sound pushing a Dr Z 2x12?
Seems like the Lux will be a good pedal platform. Anyone have experience running any of the overdrives I mentioned above? I play both single coil and humbucker equipped guitars.
Lastly, should I be checking any of the other Dr Z options out before settling on the Lux?
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Post by Russell B on Mar 15, 2023 5:44:10 GMT -7
I use the Lux at larger venues. I would recommend the combo. The amp can get VERY loud if you need it to be. I can't speak to running it through a 2x12, but it sounds great as a combo. I use similar pedals that you use.
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Post by Rockerfeller on Mar 15, 2023 5:52:59 GMT -7
First of all, welcome to the forum. I own a Zlux, Wreck, and DB4 Head, as well as the small Jetta combo and the Z28MkII combo. I can say with absolute certainty that you'll NEVER have a problem getting lost in the mix or cutting though ANY situation with any Dr.Z amp. It doesn't matter if it's a combo or a head/cab. They're created for the stage and function very well there. I'll let other people chime in here, but I don't think you'd ever need a 2x12 cabinet with a Dr. Z amp JUST to not get lost in a live mix.
The Zlux is an amazing amp. The head is 35lbs and the combo is 42lbs. The combo vs head/cab is more a preference. I think head/cab looks more bitchin on stage and you can more easily mix and match stuff.
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Post by nmz on Mar 15, 2023 7:32:11 GMT -7
Personally I would go combo and if needed run an extension cab. It sounds bigger than you’d expect. I think you’ll love the Lux. It’s been my main amp for the last 5 years.
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Post by brentalight on Mar 15, 2023 8:08:03 GMT -7
Thanks for the responses guys! I hear you on the combo. I just have so darn many combos already. LOL
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Post by Stephen on Mar 15, 2023 12:39:52 GMT -7
I’m a Z-Lux combo owner too, so I’m no help on the head/cab debate.
But welcome to Z-Talk!
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Post by brentalight on Mar 15, 2023 12:53:33 GMT -7
Just pulled the trigger on the head and 1x12 cab. I’m sure the combo would have been totally sufficient but I ultimately I wanted a different format. I literally have combos all over the house and couple at our rehearsal space.
I’m stoked! Can’t wait play through this amp.
Brent
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Post by nmz on Mar 15, 2023 13:21:09 GMT -7
Congrats man!!!!
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Post by Rockerfeller on Mar 15, 2023 13:23:28 GMT -7
The tremolo on the Z-Lux is sooooo good! One time I was playing it at my teaching studio when there was no one else in the building. So I turned it up and was just playing mellow Spacey tremolo stuff. I caught some movement out of the corner of my eye, and I turned to look out the window. There was a deer staring in the window, listening to the amazing sounds of the Z-Lux. True story!
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Post by Chilly Gibbons (Todd T.) on Mar 15, 2023 13:26:18 GMT -7
Well, I have both and would have recommended the head/cab combo for the versatility you get with being able to run the cab open back, partial, or closed back depending on your needs and preferences. I love ‘em both, and you’ll have no problems sounding great and sitting perfectly in the mix with that rig for sure. Let us know what you think when it arrives.
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Post by Chilly Gibbons (Todd T.) on Mar 15, 2023 13:27:39 GMT -7
And as mentioned above, the head/cab looks impressive.
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Post by brentalight on Mar 15, 2023 13:45:18 GMT -7
Good to hear! Now I need to find a road case for the head.
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Post by Maddog on Mar 15, 2023 13:47:42 GMT -7
1) The 1x12s do fine for small/medium clubs but when playing outdoors and potential PA limitations they can sometimes get a bit lost in the mix. 2) Seems like the Lux will be a good pedal platform. Anyone have experience running any of the overdrives I mentioned above? 1) This is my fav rig for outdoors or street dances.... The extra cab is only there for the Monza head (not for extra volume)... The Lux has plenty of power for most anything you'll play today, it will def NOT get "lost in the mix." 40 Dr. Z watts are VERY loud. I use the extension cab with the Lux occasionally but it's just for kicks.....I never need more volume than the 1x 12 combo delivers.... 2) I currently run two Klon type pedals with the Lux, a Tumnus and a RYRA Klon/clone... In the past, I've used Xotic A/C and B/B drives, Wampler Clarksdale OD, and a Zvex Box Of Rock Distortion/OD pedal....ALL with excellent success...
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Post by Chilly Gibbons (Todd T.) on Mar 15, 2023 15:25:53 GMT -7
Items of beauty.
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Post by mule43 on Mar 15, 2023 16:04:48 GMT -7
Congratulations! The Z-Lux is a fantastic amp, it was my first Z. I have a head as well and agree that it looks bitchin' on all of my cabs, sounds bitchin too! I have a friend who comes over to jam mainly, I think, to use the Z-Lux with the 1x12 which he loves.
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Post by Rockerfeller on Mar 15, 2023 16:15:12 GMT -7
But I have to add that a Zlux combo sitting on top of a 112 Dr. Z cabinet is more bitchin!
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Post by DocMartin on Mar 16, 2023 19:16:30 GMT -7
I too have the zlux combo mkii and it’s an amazing amp. I use a klon clone, Tim pedal and bluesbreaker/ts combo pedal for overdrive and the Z lux takes them all so well. If your 1x12 doesn’t have a speaker yet, I would highly recommend the Dr Z Z-12 speaker with this amp. It’s like they were meant for each other. Enjoy!
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Post by brentalight on Mar 18, 2023 6:32:05 GMT -7
I could only find the cab loaded with a Celestation V30. Everything I have read points to the Z12 being a perfect speaker for this amp. Luckily I found someone selling a brand new Z12. The head and cab will be delivered today and the Z12 should be here sometime next week. I will give both a shot. If the Z12 sounds the best, as I’m expecting, I’m sure I can find a use for the V30 somewhere. Like I said I have several combos laying around that I could test it in. Maybe it would pair well with my Mesa LSS.
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Post by Rockerfeller on Mar 18, 2023 6:50:09 GMT -7
The Z12 completes the magic!
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oowl
Full Member
Posts: 154
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Post by oowl on Apr 19, 2023 18:02:59 GMT -7
I could only find the cab loaded with a Celestation V30. Everything I have read points to the Z12 being a perfect speaker for this amp. Luckily I found someone selling a brand new Z12.. Curious how you're diggin the amp?
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Post by brentalight on Apr 21, 2023 6:18:56 GMT -7
Absolutely love it! Hardest part about this amp is having to keep reconfiguring my pedal board as I pull off overdrives. Amp just sounds better without most of them. Trying to decide between my KOT or Full Drive 2 for when more dirt is needed.
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bobro
New Member
Posts: 35
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Post by bobro on Jun 16, 2023 11:14:21 GMT -7
Hey,
I just saw your post about your Z-Lux. I have a Z-Lux head and a few options for cabs.
If you change the tubes to 5881's, your overdrive and fuzz pedals should be usable. I really enjoyed the sound of my head but found that it wasn't getting along with my overdrives. I was even ok with that at first, but then it felt like I was limited with what I could do with the amp. So I changed the tubes (to 5881s) and it brought the amp into a Fender like zone that made my pedal board work with it.
Concerning speakers for the Z-Lux, I've tried quite a few Celestions - Creamback, Greenback, V12 UK, G12 H30 and an A type. I ended up ordering a Z12 and like you said, it is a perfect fit. I am in Switzerland, so getting anything here is a little bit harder than in the states. I had Tube Town in Germany build a custom 1x12 cabinet that's about the same as the Z 1x12 cab and put the Z12 in it. That's my cab for most situations. I also have a Z-Best if I need to get loud. It's loaded with a Greenback and the V30 UK. It has an open sound that's much different than the tight 1x12 cab and punchy Z12. I don't think it's a great fit for the Z-Lux. I was in a rock band, playing through a Marshall Silver Jubilee with the Z-Best and it sounds great with that amp.
I just joined a country band and I'm finally able to play the Z-Lux in a band and gigging situation. I used to tour with a Fender Bassman, a Fender Vibroverb and a 70's Marshall JMP 100 watt. I think the Z-Lux is a better amp than the Fenders and it's in that style. It has the sound of a Fender, but it's not as harsh as a BadCat or Matchless, in my opinion. It seems more refined and harmonically rich than the Fenders I had. And it seems to respond quicker than those old amps. It feels excited. It also runs super hot. Probably biased on the high side. Mine didn't come with a fan, so I rigged up some computer fans on the outside of the grill to pull the hot air from where the tubes are at. I could cook my breakfast on the top of my amp if the fans weren't on. It gets super hot if I forget to put the fans on.
Are you having fun with yours?
If I ever sold mine, I would truly regret it. It's a masterpiece.
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Post by ampedup on Aug 14, 2023 21:16:59 GMT -7
I can’t speak to the cab vs. Combo question really. I have the combo and I tend to play pubs and legion halls. When I play outdoor festival stages the PA is usually great. We don’t mic the amp for the pub/legion gigs though.
As far as the overdrive question… I only use the amp in 40w mode with the boost engaged (so tone stack is out of the equation). I run the volume at 12:00 and the master no more than 9:00. I’ve never needed the amp louder. Some gigs the master is riding that line between almost no sound and being just perfect for the room. I have an Xotic EP boost turned all the way down and it’s always on. It gives it just a hair more low end authority that makes me happy especially with the tone stack bypass on. Then I have a lot of drive options including fuzz’s and a KOT but my favourite pedal with this amp is a Kingtone Duellist. I use that for all but a couple songs, mostly the Tube Screamer side but the Bluesbreaker side is on 30% of the time. Occasionally both sides for solos. We play mostly blues and blues/rock.
It is a fabulous amp, it basically ended my amp gas for all but Marshally sounds. Every time I think about another amp I go play the Z-Lux and I’m OK again 🙃. I do have other amps but the Lux is always my foundation sound for gigs.
Neal
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