|
Post by greyhatninja on Nov 21, 2023 8:50:59 GMT -7
Hey all,
Looking to buy my very first tube amp! I currently own a super crush 100 and it’s pretty good but I want the experience of a tube. I will mostly be playing around 80-85 dB and then occasionally want to play at some lower volumes and have the amp still sound good with and without pedals. How does this amp sound at talking volumes or loud tv volumes?
As far as guitars. I will be using PRS silver sky, custom 24, and McCarty 594. For music I like lots of different styles: 80s, classic rock, 90s alternative, Metallica, Tool, and even stuff like John Mayer or other cleaner stuff. Is this amp pretty versatile and/or getting there with pedals?
Cheers and happy holidays!
|
|
|
Post by Ridgeback on Nov 21, 2023 9:03:58 GMT -7
Can't help you with the Z-28 MKII but I'm sure plenty of folks here can. Welcome to the forum.
|
|
|
Post by nick0 on Nov 21, 2023 10:07:33 GMT -7
Z28mkII will have absolutely no problem getting you what you need, especially with a couple good drive pedals.
|
|
Zed
Full Member
Posts: 183
Member is Online
|
Post by Zed on Nov 21, 2023 11:16:15 GMT -7
I really like the maz 18 for versatility but you have to know how to use it so do some research first. Understanding the cut control is key
Z/28-2 is great too but maz is the gateway drug lol
|
|
|
Post by Don A on Nov 21, 2023 12:41:12 GMT -7
80-85db is tough- sometimes the limiter to low volume isn't the amp, it's that guitar speakers really weren't designed to sound good at such a low volume.
|
|
|
Post by dcarver on Nov 21, 2023 13:49:20 GMT -7
Hi grayhatninja. I don't have a Z-28 MkII, wish I did. I bet it can sound really good a loud TV volume. At conversation volume, ahh probably sound OK, but I don't think any amp sounds that good at those levels. You gotta move some air to sound "good". There's also the Z-Plus, Maz 8, and Mini Z that sound great at low volume. You won't regret getting any Dr. Z amp. Welcome to the forum.
|
|
|
Post by greyhatninja on Nov 21, 2023 13:49:47 GMT -7
How does the z28 compare to the z lux? Would both be similar for my wants?
|
|
|
Post by Stephen on Nov 21, 2023 13:53:02 GMT -7
Welcome. I think the Z-28 MKII will be just the thing for you. The new design, along with the master volume, and cabinet is so musical. I don’t think you will use too many pedals with it; maybe a Strymon Flint and a Z-Drive.
|
|
|
Post by Chilly Gibbons (Todd T.) on Nov 21, 2023 14:52:23 GMT -7
Don’t own the Z28MKII, but as an Adam Jones fan, I can say you will need a good amp-in-a-box pedal to get you there like an Empress Heavy Menace or the like. The good thing about the Z28MKII is the ef-86 front end, meaning the first preamp driver tube. It soaks up pedals like crazy, making it seem like they’re inside the amp vice out front. For really heavy tones like Adam’s, you either have the right pedals and amp platform, or spend $10K on the exact amps and cabs required, and then you’re at 110db+. So in summary, I believe this amp would be a great choice. Excellent versatility.
|
|
sanox
New Member
Posts: 36
|
Post by sanox on Nov 21, 2023 15:30:20 GMT -7
Hi. I have a Z28ii and can tell you it’s musical at lower volumes. I regularity play it at those and lower decibels and don’t feel limited. I agreed opening it up is thrilling but not necessary to enjoy the amp. Speakers are the limiting aspect. A low efficient 10” works wonders to bring it inline with quieter environment. It’s easy to make an adapter ring that will allow you to bolt in a 10” speaker. WGS veteran 10 is what I use. A small external cab may be more convenient but I can’t resist the combo cab. It’s just so room filling and relaxed. I was looking at a Princeton for the very same reasons as you and found my way to the Z28ii. The tone stack and master are wonderful and I prefer it without effects. That said using them brings a smile every time. Playing it reminds me of playing an acoustic guitar. Less about what side of the pond it comes from and more about realizing instrument potential. Good luck.
|
|
|
Post by greyhatninja on Nov 21, 2023 18:09:23 GMT -7
Anyone compared this to the z plus as well? Think I’m leaning the z28 but need to listen to some more demos.
|
|
|
Post by nick0 on Nov 21, 2023 19:56:28 GMT -7
That's a tough call because they are both killer amps. Short: I would still give the nod to the Z28mkII over the z plus for two reasons. I feel the Z28mkII has more clean headroom. I also feel the Z28mkII has a wider frequency response. Thus, i think you'll find more versatility outta the Z28mkII for the wide range of tones you're in to. More on the z plus: The z plus will get you closer to a fender kinda thing with amazing reverb and the ability to switch down to 7 watts. Thus getting the small cranked amp vibe. It's no slouch in the clean headroom department either. Does clean fender well. Does cranked fender well. Check out Matt's musice demo of the z plus. However, the mv is not a ppimv so it has a big impact on gain. It sounds smaller in the bottom end than the Z28mkII. But, you could definitely get where you want to go with the z plus as well. Volume: I wouldn't sweat the volume thing either. You can have fun with these amps at 85dB. You can just have a little more fun at 95dB I usually like bigger amps at lower volume (still moving air tho) over pounding smaller amps into submission. Thats just the tone i like. But volume is relative. If i gotta play whisper volume, i use a desktop amp casue thats just more practical at that point for me. Bottom line: If you get a Z, you'll say it's the best amp you've ever played.... until you get your second Z.
|
|
|
Post by greyhatninja on Nov 21, 2023 20:44:26 GMT -7
One last decision. I currently have a Mesa vertical closed back 2x12 with a vintage 30 and a m65 creamback already. Would it be possible with the combo to use my cab as en extension cabinet with the combo if i want ecen bigger stage occasionally or with the combo am I limited to only using the 1x12 that comes in it? If that’s the case shoud i still go combo and use my existing cab as occasional stereo option or would you do the z28 head?
|
|
|
Post by nick0 on Nov 21, 2023 21:05:17 GMT -7
The combo has only one 8 ohm speaker out. I believe the head is same. I would always go combo. It sounds sick, looks stunning, and is paired with the perfect speaker. If your extension cab is an 8 ohm load, you can unplug the combo's internal Creamback and power your extension cab. I personally would never do that just because i wouldn't want to haul the extra gear and i think the combo is just that good.
You wouldn't be getting true stereo either way, just more drivers. True stereo would require another amp. Thats where the z plus would come in!
|
|
|
Post by greyhatninja on Nov 21, 2023 22:26:42 GMT -7
Ahh ok that makes sense. Down the road which Dr. Z amp might pair well with the Z28 in stereo for home for kind of a different flavor?
|
|
|
Post by nick0 on Nov 22, 2023 10:22:14 GMT -7
I've never fired another amp up with the Z28mkII. It sounds so full by itself, I've never had the urge. I think at least one of these guys here run two Z28mkIIs for a stereo spread. I think any amp would work as long as the volumes are close enough to hear both.
|
|
Zed
Full Member
Posts: 183
Member is Online
|
Post by Zed on Nov 22, 2023 19:56:30 GMT -7
Ahh ok that makes sense. Down the road which Dr. Z amp might pair well with the Z28 in stereo for home for kind of a different flavor? I run stereo out of my strymon flint. One side into a maz mk2 set up with eq bypassed and cut control around 2:30/3 o’clock, so pretty chimey. Lo input. Slight crunch. Output 2 goes to the z/28-2 bass around 10:00 treble around 1, master to match the maz and volume to taste. The sound is huge! Perfect blend of tight and saggy, darker and brighter, it’s really balanced and great sound. You’ll be happy with that for sure.
|
|
|
Post by bubs42 on Nov 23, 2023 8:33:12 GMT -7
IMHO the Z28MKII will do whisper to roar and I think you will enjoy the amp. If you’re not going to crank it throw a Greenback in there and you will drop the volume pretty low and you won’t hurt that speaker. Those Greenbacks can take a lot. Personally I use the Z12 because it sounds freaking amazing with the Z28MKII.
|
|
|
Post by bubs42 on Nov 23, 2023 13:37:08 GMT -7
|
|
|
Post by Chilly Gibbons (Todd T.) on Nov 23, 2023 14:24:16 GMT -7
Bubs, where was the volume set for that vid?
|
|
olin
New Member
Posts: 1
|
Post by olin on Nov 24, 2023 15:45:03 GMT -7
Hey all, I'm new here...bought a Z28 MKII a few weeks ago and the shop that I bought it from recommended that I come check out this forum.
I play only at home and couldn't love this amp any more. I don't have a DB meter so can't say how loud I play but I do play at relatively quiet volumes fairly often. This amp sounds great at any volume. And it's not just because of the master volume, which is great, it just doesn't need to be very loud or driven very hard to sound great. It's one of the few amps I've played where I don't feel like the volume knob on my Strat needs to be just about at "10" for the guitar to sound great.
I've heard people say that this amp has a 3-dimensional sound that they've not heard with other amps and I agree, even at lower volumes. Not sure if it's the cab or what but it just sounds so "big." I was experimenting with a few different reverb pedals the other day and messing with different settings on each and I realized, when switching the pedals off, that the amp almost produced a natural reverb that's really pleasing.
Anyway, thought I'd chime in. Thanks!
|
|
|
Post by nick0 on Nov 24, 2023 16:09:19 GMT -7
Hey all, I'm new here...bought a Z28 MKII a few weeks ago and the shop that I bought it from recommended that I come check out this forum. I play only at home and couldn't love this amp any more. I don't have a DB meter so can't say how loud I play but I do play at relatively quiet volumes fairly often. This amp sounds great at any volume. And it's not just because of the master volume, which is great, it just doesn't need to be very loud or driven very hard to sound great. It's one of the few amps I've played where I don't feel like the volume knob on my Strat needs to be just about at "10" for the guitar to sound great. I've heard people say that this amp has a 3-dimensional sound that they've not heard with other amps and I agree, even at lower volumes. Not sure if it's the cab or what but it just sounds so "big." I was experimenting with a few different reverb pedals the other day and messing with different settings on each and I realized, when switching the pedals off, that the amp almost produced a natural reverb that's really pleasing. Anyway, thought I'd chime in. Thanks! Welcome! Great explanation. I couldn't agree more!
|
|
|
Post by bubs42 on Nov 25, 2023 7:46:12 GMT -7
Bubs, where was the volume set for that vid? In the 1 o’clock range, so it’s up there. The amp doesn’t have a bad sounding spot. Cleanish pushed with a pedal, or pushed with a touch of boost, it’s all great.
|
|