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Post by Rockerfeller on May 23, 2023 9:17:21 GMT -7
I've gigged the Z-28 II a bunch of times now. Big stages and smaller ones. I can't say enough good things about it. I find myself closing my eyes on stage and getting lost in the tone. Often. That's my favorite place to be in a band, and I think we all love that space. It's hard to get there, but it's been very easy with the Z-28 mk II.
I set the volume at 12 and the Master at 2 o'clock. It responds very well to my volume knob. I'll roll it back for rhythm playing and dime it for louder leads. It is so present and alive and responds to my pick attack so perfectly. You can make it cry, sing, or moan without any pedals. The clean on the edge tone is inspirational. When I need that extra dirt, it reacts the same with a pedal.
This thing sounds great at home but it comes alive on stage. It's now my #1.
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Post by smolder on May 23, 2023 9:47:55 GMT -7
I sit on the rhythm pickup… even on humbuckers. My gear is set up trebly. I just hate that nasel tone many bridge pickups get. Bass is nearly off on the Z, with treble varying, but mostly at noon. Volume at noon and MV about three o’clock… varied to the room. That puts it on the edge of breakup… I use a ThinAir pre pedal the end of the pedal board almost always on… and push with an Earth Drive and TS809+boost on occasion for crunchy tone.
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Post by Faze on May 23, 2023 13:09:01 GMT -7
I agree 100 per cent its my main gigging amp. I have mine set up with the Volume at 9 treble at 1 bass at 11 and the master wide open. I hit the front end with my tchula and now with the Vemuram shanks as well and work my tone controls. I also use my fuzz and other overdrive pedal for leads. I have in the past had other Z amps that I just plugged into them with no pedals and was blown away at how killer the tone was. You got me thinking Rock. I am going to have to try it straight in no pedals now. Thanks for the update.
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Post by premiumplus (Dave) on May 24, 2023 9:26:45 GMT -7
I'm with you guys. Last night I gigged my Maz 18NR, and it sounded really good. But I missed my Z28 MKII, and my bass player did too.
There's something about how connected I feel to my guitar when I play through this amplifier. I'm hooked up in a great way, I feel like I'm one with the instrument. And it inhales pedals, and makes my guitar sound like it should. A Strat sounds really like a Strat, a LP like a LP. So clear and defined but never strident or brittle. It's a crowning achievement for Z and co.
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Post by Rockerfeller on May 24, 2023 10:45:29 GMT -7
I'm with you guys. Last night I gigged my Maz 18NR, and it sounded really good. But I missed my Z28 MKII, and my bass player did too. There's something about how connected I feel to my guitar when I play through this amplifier. I'm hooked up in a great way, I feel like I'm one with the instrument. And it inhales pedals, and makes my guitar sound like it should. That's it. That's exactly it. I don't feel that when I'm messing around at home, though it sounds great there. But in a live band situation where you can let it rip, it sounds and feels like you're connected to it in a different way. It's like the guitar is alive. I have trouble finding the right words to describe it but those are pretty close.
Now there has been a pretty viscous rumor spreading around this forum that I don't like red amps. I don't how that got started, but that's clearly not true. I love them!
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Post by Faze on May 24, 2023 12:19:36 GMT -7
That was the main thing I realized after getting this amp that you really have to gig it to really appreciate the concept of this combo. Kudos to Dr.Z for the design of the larger combo size the correct speaker the grill on the top. It just really moves air and sound in a different way than any other amp I have ever owned. I actually took my other amp to church a few weeks ago just to try something different it's the Paul Reed Smith HDRX20 and afterwards my wife said, I like the Dr Z better it sounds better! And I have to agree! I don't think there is any amp that can beat it live. It's like the guitar and the amp and you are 1 if that makes any sense. Anyway I agree 100 per cent fellas.
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Post by jimmydeez on May 26, 2023 6:52:58 GMT -7
I haven't gigged mine but I am 100% agree. Fantastic amp. Master at 10-12, Bass at 12, Treb at 12:30 -1, Volume at 11. Puts it right on the edge for me. If I dig in with the Tele bridge pickup it crunches just a tad. Hitting it with my OD pedals sounds amazing. Walrus 385 and a Critter CFR Klone. The p90 in the neck position just sounds soooo good. Articulate and smooth but angry if I want it.
I have always loved the Docs EF86 front end and this is it finally paired with the perfect power section for me. I have had the 6545, Rt 66 and the M12. Z28 MKII is just the goldilocks amp.... just right
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Post by psj1026 (Pete) on Jun 9, 2023 6:26:58 GMT -7
That's it time to piss off the neighborhood this weekend! My two car garage has a great open "live" sound. Unfortunately in my cult-a-sac the houses are close together but I have been told at least some enjoy my playing The others will have to put up with the outstanding tone from my Z your welcome
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Post by Rockerfeller on Jun 10, 2023 14:38:25 GMT -7
It just keeps getting better every show!
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Post by Rockerfeller on Jun 11, 2023 11:56:08 GMT -7
We played at a festival event yesterday. They backlined a bunch of stuff, but Iluvpunz and I went with our Dr. Z Z-28's (mkII). It was funny, because right next to my amp was the back lined Aguilar DB7 bass rig. I wished I had brought my DB4 just to take a picture of it IN FRONT of the amp that killed the DB4 amp name....but I digress. I did try to wipe the spit off of it after the show though I kicked it on my way out! The sound guy came up before the show and complimented the Dr. Z line saying "Wow a Dr. Z! Those things smoke!" After the show the sound man came up and complimented the amp saying "You had that thing wound up!" And I did. It sounded SO damn good on that big stage cranked.
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