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Post by ntotoro on Mar 8, 2024 7:44:01 GMT -7
Hey, everyone! So... contemplating between the head and the combo. Still not sure which, all depends on how I want to simplify my rig vs wanting maximum options... I currently have a Bogner Helios Eclipse into a Bogner 2x12 as my rig, but I have a few pedals I use on the third channel, just with the gain turned down (King of Tone, Analogman Sunface (Low-Gain NKT Red Dot) and Astrotone) and my style is more Hard Rock than anything else. I just want a good sound. The Helios is a good, Hard Rock amp. The clean channel isn't terribly versatile, but it works. Using the right pedals, does the MKII seem to do well with Hard Rock? I always get nervous running an overdrive into a clean amp because it never sounds right. My understanding is that's not the case with the MKII. I like different kinds and levels of gain as well as playing with the guitar volume, but my style is primarily Hard Rock. Does this seem like the right amp for this day and age of playing out? Especially with the right pedal? I'm not worried about my chorus, phase, trem or anything like that... more concerned about gain since that's the one thing I do have right now... Thanks! Nick
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Post by Rockerfeller on Mar 8, 2024 7:49:06 GMT -7
I went with the combo on the Z-28 Mk II. My band mate went with the head. I chose the combo because of the unique design and I really like that. For the X-Ray, I went with the head.
What do you mean by hard rock? What kind of band / tones are you looking for?
The Z-28 II takes pedals great and I have no issue covering AC/DC, Zep, ZZ Top tones with it with or without a pedal. YMMV.
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Post by ntotoro on Mar 8, 2024 7:55:20 GMT -7
Thanks!!! Hard Rock in the vein of Deep Purple or even more modern-ish sounds, but not tons of gain. My concern is an amp where my KoT or an Overdrive (that would normally sound bleh on a clean amp) isn't enough and that I'd need a distortion pedal.
Put it this way... Yngwie is too high gain to me LOL!
Normally, I have the third channel of my Eclipse set up to the point of break-up, then use an OD or fuzz over that. When I use pedals, that is. I want to use my pedals more... guess I should have been more specific. It's just what you know over taking a chance and having something even better. If I can get a good, clean sound from the MKII and just use pedals for gain, I'll be happy.
Guitars are Suhr Moderns (H/S setup), Classic S's and T's.
Nick
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Post by Rockerfeller on Mar 8, 2024 7:57:58 GMT -7
"If I can get a good, clean sound from the MKII and just use pedals for gain, I'll be happy."
You'll have no problem getting a great clean sound out of this amp and it takes dirt pedals very well. What demos have you been watching?
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Post by ntotoro on Mar 8, 2024 8:03:15 GMT -7
I think I've watched every demo I can find, from Matt's Music, to the official Dr Z channel, Peach Guitars' and Lance Keltner's. It's just always different when it's you. You know what I mean? More personal. Nothing specifically with my pedals, though, so I'm always worried about how an OD pedal sounds going into a more "traditional" 12AX7 amp. Always sounds thin and weedy unless you have the amp hardening up a bit first.
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Post by bubs42 on Mar 8, 2024 8:10:07 GMT -7
If you are looking to do Hard Rock, I would go with a head and cab. The Z 1x12 convertible is the best of both worlds that will allow the airiness of an open back for blues or country and the punch for hard rock. Plus if you already have a great cab that you like it’s a plug and play option.
The other thing to consider is that the Helios being EL34 Powered is just a different spectrum than the 5881. Personally I think that Z28MKII is a killer versatile amplifier that inhales pedals. I used a Nobles Type, a Marshall Type, and a Dumble Type OD on my board depending on the guitar and the song. Plus if the pedalboard goes down just dime the amp and turn the master volume back and use your guitar volume.
Some Z28 fanatics swear by the 333 setting, but If I was sans pedal it would be Volume at 3 o’clock, Bass at 9 o’clock, Treble at 3 o’clock. Bring the bass up or down to taste and the tone won’t be woofy.
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Post by darwinh on Mar 8, 2024 8:15:44 GMT -7
Yes this amp will do hard rock. Lance used that Golden Dillo pedal and that was a pretty raunchy tone. My Hudson Broadcast sounds killer through it.
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Post by ntotoro on Mar 8, 2024 8:23:03 GMT -7
If you are looking to do Hard Rock, I would go with a head and cab. The Z 1x12 convertible is the best of both worlds that will allow the airiness of an open back for blues or country and the punch for hard rock. Plus if you already have a great cab that you like it’s a plug and play option. The other thing to consider is that the Helios being EL34 Powered is just a different spectrum than the 5881. Personally I think that Z28MKII is a killer versatile amplifier that inhales pedals. I used a Nobles Type, a Marshall Type, and a Dumble Type OD on my board depending on the guitar and the song. Plus if the pedalboard goes down just dime the amp and turn the master volume back and use your guitar volume. Some Z28 fanatics swear by the 333 setting, but If I was sans pedal it would be Volume at 3 o’clock, Bass at 9 o’clock, Treble at 3 o’clock. Bring the bass up or down to taste and the tone won’t be woofy. You know... that's a good point and something I'd normally consider. The closed 2x12 would have more punch. I just didn't this time around for... reasons LOL! Not sure why, exactly, it didn't occur to me. I could theoretically use it in my Helios 2x12 still (V30/G12M Creamback). The funny thing is I'm more worried about playing around with and learning my way around the active EQ more than EL34 vs 5881. I've learned sometimes the more Marshall-ish tone can be too bright for what I like with single-coils and the Helios is straight-up modded Plexi-type sound.
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Post by ntotoro on Mar 8, 2024 8:23:36 GMT -7
Yes this amp will do hard rock. Lance used that Golden Dillo pedal and that was a pretty raunchy tone. My Hudson Broadcast sounds killer through it. That was a pretty nasty sound! Is that pedal more a distortion or OD? I couldn't find much info on it.
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Post by Rockerfeller on Mar 8, 2024 8:40:32 GMT -7
There isn't a bad tone in this amp. If you're in the USA, order it from Sweetwater and try it out with your pedals. If it doesn't work, send it back. It's that easy.
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Post by ntotoro on Mar 8, 2024 8:43:00 GMT -7
There isn't a bad tone in this amp. If you're in the USA, order it from Sweetwater and try it out with your pedals. If it doesn't work, send it back. It's that easy. Good point, thanks!!! I always feel a little guilty about stuff like that, but I had a good experience getting my Eclipse from them as a demo.
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Post by Rockerfeller on Mar 8, 2024 9:07:31 GMT -7
I understand feeling a little bad about that. But that's their business model. For a lot of us, that's the only way to try out an amp. But if this is your first Z Amp, you should know that Z amps are designed to be played on stage. You don't really know how they sound until you get them in a band mix, on stage, and turned up. That is where the magic happens.
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Post by bubs42 on Mar 8, 2024 9:18:15 GMT -7
If you are looking to do Hard Rock, I would go with a head and cab. The Z 1x12 convertible is the best of both worlds that will allow the airiness of an open back for blues or country and the punch for hard rock. Plus if you already have a great cab that you like it’s a plug and play option. The other thing to consider is that the Helios being EL34 Powered is just a different spectrum than the 5881. Personally I think that Z28MKII is a killer versatile amplifier that inhales pedals. I used a Nobles Type, a Marshall Type, and a Dumble Type OD on my board depending on the guitar and the song. Plus if the pedalboard goes down just dime the amp and turn the master volume back and use your guitar volume. Some Z28 fanatics swear by the 333 setting, but If I was sans pedal it would be Volume at 3 o’clock, Bass at 9 o’clock, Treble at 3 o’clock. Bring the bass up or down to taste and the tone won’t be woofy. You know... that's a good point and something I'd normally consider. The closed 2x12 would have more punch. I just didn't this time around for... reasons LOL! Not sure why, exactly, it didn't occur to me. I could theoretically use it in my Helios 2x12 still (V30/G12M Creamback). The funny thing is I'm more worried about playing around with and learning my way around the active EQ more than EL34 vs 5881. I've learned sometimes the more Marshall-ish tone can be too bright for what I like with single-coils and the Helios is straight-up modded Plexi-type sound. Then I think you will like the Z28MKII its where American meets British and if you pair it up with those speakers it would sound great I’m sure.
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Post by ntotoro on Mar 8, 2024 9:37:42 GMT -7
Thanks, everyone! Just made my day a lot easier!!!
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Post by Rockerfeller on Mar 8, 2024 9:52:47 GMT -7
Thanks, everyone! Just made my day a lot easier!!! Sweetwater just happens to have the head on sale as a Demo right now. Z-28 Mk II Demo. Grab it before it's gone
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Post by trojanhov on Mar 8, 2024 10:12:41 GMT -7
The z28 mkii handles my Fuzz and treble booster with ease. This thing has beautiful cleans and I use it as a clean to cleanish platform and get my dirt from pedals and I am more than happy.
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Post by ntotoro on Mar 8, 2024 10:26:13 GMT -7
Thanks, everyone! Just made my day a lot easier!!! Sweetwater just happens to have the head on sale as a Demo right now. Z-28 Mk II Demo. Grab it before it's gone Done and done LOL!!!!
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Post by ntotoro on Mar 8, 2024 10:27:10 GMT -7
The z28 mkii handles my Fuzz and treble booster with ease. This thing has beautiful cleans and I use it as a clean to cleanish platform and get my dirt from pedals and I am more than happy. Wow!!! How many gain pedals do you have on there? Seems to handle them all pretty equally?
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Post by frankie on Mar 8, 2024 11:21:08 GMT -7
You haven't really heard your gain and fuzz pedals until you've heard them through an EF-86 front end.
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Post by trojanhov on Mar 8, 2024 11:45:15 GMT -7
The z28 mkii handles my Fuzz and treble booster with ease. This thing has beautiful cleans and I use it as a clean to cleanish platform and get my dirt from pedals and I am more than happy. Wow!!! How many gain pedals do you have on there? Seems to handle them all pretty equally? I’ll use the seafoam Lightspeed or nordland odr-c as my base drive sound. The Lightspeed at the end of chain is more of a dirty ish boost. Fuzz is fuzz. And I’ll use the R2R treble booster to kick my drives into Valhalla. Because I use time based effects i set my amp clean to edge of break up. The ef86 front devours these pedals. The z28 mkii diagnosed an RF issue I was having with another delay pedal that I didn’t even realize until I plugged it in to the z28. With these drive pedals, I can cover as much gain as you could possibly want MAYBE sans heavy metal, however, a treble booster into the z28 mkii gained up will get there pretty much.
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Post by darwinh on Mar 8, 2024 12:03:00 GMT -7
Yes this amp will do hard rock. Lance used that Golden Dillo pedal and that was a pretty raunchy tone. My Hudson Broadcast sounds killer through it. That was a pretty nasty sound! Is that pedal more a distortion or OD? I couldn't find much info on it. Here is some info. Looks like they are already defunct
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Post by ntotoro on Mar 8, 2024 12:36:34 GMT -7
You haven't really heard your gain and fuzz pedals until you've heard them through an EF-86 front end. Killing me LOL!!! Think I'll get one of those "demo" heads!!!!
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Post by markT on Mar 9, 2024 9:35:20 GMT -7
Hey, everyone! So... contemplating between the head and the combo. Still not sure which, all depends on how I want to simplify my rig vs wanting maximum options... Sounds like others have you talked into the head. While the head would sound great through any 8 ohm cab, remember that it only has an 8 ohm tap. That said, the combo version of this amp is in the "Z-Master" sized box and is the most 3D sounding amp I've ever owned/heard. Sound comes from the front., back and a LOT of sound comes out of the oversized vent on top of the amp. It's truly something to behold...and to think about. Love my Z28 MkII. And it sounds great with all styles, pickups and guitars.
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Post by trojanhov on Mar 9, 2024 9:45:14 GMT -7
Hey, everyone! So... contemplating between the head and the combo. Still not sure which, all depends on how I want to simplify my rig vs wanting maximum options... Sounds like others have you talked into the head. While the head would sound great through any 8 ohm cab, remember that it only has an 8 ohm tap. That said, the combo version of this amp is in the "Z-Master" sized box and is the most 3D sounding amp I've ever owned/heard. Sound comes from the front., back and a LOT of sound comes out of the oversized vent on top of the amp. It's truly something to behold...and to think about. Love my Z28 MkII. And it sounds great with all styles, pickups and guitars. Agree on the combo cab. Best cab I’ve played through
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Post by Faze on Mar 9, 2024 10:44:20 GMT -7
I have to agree with the choice of the combo. It has a huge 3D surround sound too it. I get compliments every time I play through it. Best sounding amp I ever owned. To me the head/cab takes away from the way that speaker cab in the combo moves air. But I do understand why some would like the head/combo as well. You could match the head up with other cabs and speakers. The combo just works better for me.
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Post by gfreak on Mar 9, 2024 10:45:59 GMT -7
Combo!! Love it! It is the best amp!
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sanox
New Member
Posts: 36
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Post by sanox on Mar 9, 2024 10:50:57 GMT -7
Combo for me too. I build cabs to run different speakers/flavours but the combo always sounds best. Generally just more enjoyable. I’ve also built an adaptor ring to mount a 10” in the cab and still prefer the combo vs head/cab. Seems to be a special reaction happening with the speaker massaging the tubes. 😊
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Post by Faze on Mar 9, 2024 10:52:16 GMT -7
You haven't really heard your gain and fuzz pedals until you've heard them through an EF-86 front end. It loves fuzz pedals! I use a Chase tone Fuzz Fella its silicon kind of like Jimi's BOG tone. That with a love pedal tchula a vemuram Shanks ODS-1 and with a Strat it is the fattest tone I have ever heard out of an amp. Its huge! Plus you can roll back you volume and go from clean to screaming leads. I don't even really need my high gain dirt box sometimes I hardly use it. It loves boost pedals and fuzz pedals and overdrive pedals they become a part of the amp.
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Post by Rockerfeller on Mar 9, 2024 10:53:37 GMT -7
Even though I provided a link to Sweetwaters demo head of the Z28, I too, am an owner of the combo. And love it.
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Post by premiumplus (Dave) on Mar 9, 2024 10:55:41 GMT -7
Another combo user here. That amp just sings with this particular cab, it's synergistic.
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