Z Wreck and Stang Ray impressions
Oct 19, 2023 14:07:12 GMT -7
doctorice, Andy 67, and 3 more like this
Post by rmconner80 on Oct 19, 2023 14:07:12 GMT -7
Hey folks, first post. I’ve been going through some gear changes… lots of stuff moving in and out. Been playing since 1996 and recently got my first Z for a good deal - a Stang Ray head. It supposedly had an issue with crackling sounds but with fresh tubes I have not had any issues.
The other amp I was tracking was the Z Wreck. Fast forward a few weeks… Guitar Center had a 10% off used sale and I bit the bullet and grabbed a Wreck combo for a good price as well. Turns out it had both the Gold and the Brake Lite installed - score!
So I’m here to compare these two fine amps. I’ve been mostly a Matchless guy, first SC30 then the Chieftain and Brave (EL34). Teles, Les Pauls, Gretsch.
The summary here is these are both killer amps, and I don’t think either is ‘better’ than the other. Though the Wreck is arguably more ‘magic’ as one might expect. In terms of gigging tools, they are absolutely equals.
The Stang Ray is definitely loud and clean. But it does break up ever so slightly when you dig in. It’s less of a clip than a harmonic fuzz around the note, in a good way. It puts out volume at 2.5 comparable to the Wreck on about 4. I’m running this one into a Matchless UK made Vintage 30. Gasp! I found it far better than the Gold for some reason. More mids, less ratty high end. It takes certain pedals real well. Others with too much transparency (mid scoop) or big mid bump not so well, though if you want that honky mid bump sound it does that well (I’ve never been into that). It is a great amp for popping those strings and digging in, which I love, and hearing that fat, loud report. It tracks so fast and immediate.
The Wreck by contrast has more natural midrange. It can get honky but you control this with the treble knob, ie more treble equals less mids. But still has a lot of plucky midrange in the all the right frequencies. It is an amp that wants to, and is voiced for, break up, but plenty loud and full for clean. It is less punchy, but still plenty punchy. When you dig in, it compresses far more and goes into that lush harmonic clip. But it’s still dynamic enough to capture your right hand nuance, and bark loud. It is overall looser feeling and sounding, but in a great way. It takes pedals great as well and treads that line between clean and clip beautifully, it is loud enough for any gig, and blends tube clip with pedal clip, and pairs great with the Gold.
In general I am very much enjoying both! I am not sure yet which I would take to a gig!
I have a pic… but don’t know how to post it.
The other amp I was tracking was the Z Wreck. Fast forward a few weeks… Guitar Center had a 10% off used sale and I bit the bullet and grabbed a Wreck combo for a good price as well. Turns out it had both the Gold and the Brake Lite installed - score!
So I’m here to compare these two fine amps. I’ve been mostly a Matchless guy, first SC30 then the Chieftain and Brave (EL34). Teles, Les Pauls, Gretsch.
The summary here is these are both killer amps, and I don’t think either is ‘better’ than the other. Though the Wreck is arguably more ‘magic’ as one might expect. In terms of gigging tools, they are absolutely equals.
The Stang Ray is definitely loud and clean. But it does break up ever so slightly when you dig in. It’s less of a clip than a harmonic fuzz around the note, in a good way. It puts out volume at 2.5 comparable to the Wreck on about 4. I’m running this one into a Matchless UK made Vintage 30. Gasp! I found it far better than the Gold for some reason. More mids, less ratty high end. It takes certain pedals real well. Others with too much transparency (mid scoop) or big mid bump not so well, though if you want that honky mid bump sound it does that well (I’ve never been into that). It is a great amp for popping those strings and digging in, which I love, and hearing that fat, loud report. It tracks so fast and immediate.
The Wreck by contrast has more natural midrange. It can get honky but you control this with the treble knob, ie more treble equals less mids. But still has a lot of plucky midrange in the all the right frequencies. It is an amp that wants to, and is voiced for, break up, but plenty loud and full for clean. It is less punchy, but still plenty punchy. When you dig in, it compresses far more and goes into that lush harmonic clip. But it’s still dynamic enough to capture your right hand nuance, and bark loud. It is overall looser feeling and sounding, but in a great way. It takes pedals great as well and treads that line between clean and clip beautifully, it is loud enough for any gig, and blends tube clip with pedal clip, and pairs great with the Gold.
In general I am very much enjoying both! I am not sure yet which I would take to a gig!
I have a pic… but don’t know how to post it.