Fender Deluxe Reverb vs. Dr. Z Z-28

Robsocal · March 25th, 2008, 02:49 PM

For those of you who have played through both amps, I am looking for a new amp, and I need advice. I have been using a Pro Jr., and it's pretty cool, but I don't find it too inspiring, or clean enough. I like the fact that the DR has reverb and tremolo on board. That being said, the Z-28 has tone to the bone, and has been described as a Brown Deluxe on steroids. The low end on the Z is very articulated, while some say the DR is a little flabby down low.

I think the comparison here is somewhat apples to apples because the Z seems to be based on the old Deluxe. Which would you all choose?

zoppotrump · March 25th, 2008, 03:09 PM

i play a z28 head through 2x12" blue dog alnico speakers.
it sounds really awesome and you can dial in a clean sound as well as a really superb overdriven sound. no high-gain but beautiful. low end is very well defined and the high ends sparkle. i only swapped the ef86 tube to a nos-tube, which made a big difference.
compared to the DR, you have to separate new DRRI ones ore the old ones from the 60s or 70s. these sound good too, but for me not as "full" as the z28. this amp has more body. these are very subjective views -. hope it helps
take care

zoppotrump
:O)

greggorypeccary · March 25th, 2008, 06:00 PM

Haven't played a Z-28, but I can tell you that Z's are in a whole 'nother league from the DRRI (which I did own). I just got a Galaxie which is more of a tweed/brown type of 6L6 tone and it kills! More Fender than Fender IMO.

DRRI are great amps, but comparing it to a Z is more like comparing an apple to the whole pie!

Robsocal · March 25th, 2008, 06:45 PM

Wow, thanks for your input guys. People I have talked to who have played through Z's love them. I've actually not heard any negative comments about them at all. Seems like the consensus is that they give you what Fenders give you, plus some (even without the bells and whistles). It looks more and more like a Z is my next amp. I love the Carmen Ghia, but the Z-28 just sounded so musical to my ears that I became an instant fan. I hear they really like Teles and Strats, and that they take pedals really well, so the lack of verb and tremolo shouldn't be too much of a consideration for me.

zoppotrump · March 26th, 2008, 07:02 PM

hi robsocal,
if you chose an dr. z , your on the right way.
don´t get disturbed with the lack of reverb. once you play a z28 or a maz, you don´t miss it at all - all you get is pure tone. just be aware to put in good tubes that´s all. if you want a little more room, just add a short slapback delay and you´re fine.

take care

zoppotrump
:O)

bw · March 26th, 2008, 09:08 PM

I had a Z28 head/cab and it sounded great, but it ended up going back and I went for a Mazerati which I still have.I was playing in a band at the time and it just didn't seem to be lound enough at practice if you can believe it!The Mazerati doesn't have that problem, but of course it's alot cleaner sounding than the Z28 was.I also have a '66 Deluxe Reverb with a Weber Cali in it that just kills.I was lucky to get the DR at a decent price a couple of years ago and will probaly never get rid of it.The Z's are a great amp and good bang for your buck imo.So I guess I'm not much help!!!I love them both!

March 25th, 2008, 02:49 PM	#1 (permalink)
Robsocal Tele-Meister Join Date: May 2006 Location: Southern California Age: 46 Posts: 249	Fender Deluxe Reverb vs. Dr. Z Z-28 For those of you who have played through both amps, I am looking for a new amp, and I need advice. I have been using a Pro Jr., and it's pretty cool, but I don't find it too inspiring, or clean enough. I like the fact that the DR has reverb and tremolo on board. That being said, the Z-28 has tone to the bone, and has been described as a Brown Deluxe on steroids. The low end on the Z is very articulated, while some say the DR is a little flabby down low. I think the comparison here is somewhat apples to apples because the Z seems to be based on the old Deluxe. Which would you all choose?

March 25th, 2008, 03:09 PM	#2 (permalink)
zoppotrump Tele-Meister Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: nuernberg, germany Posts: 420 13 Photos	i play a z28 head through 2x12" blue dog alnico speakers. it sounds really awesome and you can dial in a clean sound as well as a really superb overdriven sound. no high-gain but beautiful. low end is very well defined and the high ends sparkle. i only swapped the ef86 tube to a nos-tube, which made a big difference. compared to the DR, you have to separate new DRRI ones ore the old ones from the 60s or 70s. these sound good too, but for me not as "full" as the z28. this amp has more body. these are very subjective views -. hope it helps take care zoppotrump :O) __________________ may the twang be with you !

March 25th, 2008, 06:00 PM	#3 (permalink)
greggorypeccary Tele-Holic Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Raleigh, NC Posts: 816 31 Photos	Haven't played a Z-28, but I can tell you that Z's are in a whole 'nother league from the DRRI (which I did own). I just got a Galaxie which is more of a tweed/brown type of 6L6 tone and it kills! More Fender than Fender IMO. DRRI are great amps, but comparing it to a Z is more like comparing an apple to the whole pie! __________________ I got the rockin' pneumonia, I need a shot of rhythm and blues! http://www.myspace.com/javablue

March 26th, 2008, 07:02 PM	#5 (permalink)
zoppotrump Tele-Meister Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: nuernberg, germany Posts: 420 13 Photos	hi robsocal, if you chose an dr. z , your on the right way. don´t get disturbed with the lack of reverb. once you play a z28 or a maz, you don´t miss it at all - all you get is pure tone. just be aware to put in good tubes that´s all. if you want a little more room, just add a short slapback delay and you´re fine. take care zoppotrump :O) __________________ may the twang be with you !

March 25th, 2008, 06:45 PM	#4 (permalink)
Robsocal Tele-Meister Join Date: May 2006 Location: Southern California Age: 46 Posts: 249	Wow, thanks for your input guys. People I have talked to who have played through Z's love them. I've actually not heard any negative comments about them at all. Seems like the consensus is that they give you what Fenders give you, plus some (even without the bells and whistles). It looks more and more like a Z is my next amp. I love the Carmen Ghia, but the Z-28 just sounded so musical to my ears that I became an instant fan. I hear they really like Teles and Strats, and that they take pedals really well, so the lack of verb and tremolo shouldn't be too much of a consideration for me.

March 26th, 2008, 09:08 PM	#6 (permalink)
bw Tele-Meister Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Central IL Age: 37 Posts: 185 4 Photos	I had a Z28 head/cab and it sounded great, but it ended up going back and I went for a Mazerati which I still have.I was playing in a band at the time and it just didn't seem to be lound enough at practice if you can believe it!The Mazerati doesn't have that problem, but of course it's alot cleaner sounding than the Z28 was.I also have a '66 Deluxe Reverb with a Weber Cali in it that just kills.I was lucky to get the DR at a decent price a couple of years ago and will probaly never get rid of it.The Z's are a great amp and good bang for your buck imo.So I guess I'm not much help!!!I love them both!