Dr Z Stangray Q's????

[Maddog53]

Hey all, I am interested in the Stangray, but I have a concern. I previously owned a Dr. Z Route 66 that I thought sounded great. However, it was one of those amps that did not get the great sound until the volume was dang near too much to use in small or moderate venues. I always had to "turn down" and then, there went the tone..... I have heard the Stangrays are loud amps as well. That's fine with me as long as they can still produce great tone at moderate volumes. Any comments from those of you that are experienced with this amp? I play in a 6 piece band and we are usually fairly loud. Thanks in advance, Lee

[Yayhoo]

The Stangray is loud and bright, imo. Most guys that use the 'Ray for club/bar gigs bring an Airbrake.

[eggman]

Howdy,

Never played a Route 66 or Stangray, but after spending 10 minutes test-driving a Carmen Ghia w/ matching cab, I was impressed.Loved it! Good luck and keep us informed; always like hearing about Dr. Z. Wish I could offer more help.

Eggman

[ecsong187]

check out the dr. z forum you will find a ton of information on their.
http://drzamplifiers.proboards41.com/

[Cooleyman]

I had to look twice to see if I posted this topic and had forgotten - I had the EXACT same experience with the Route 66! Man, it sounded good when cranked but jeez, who could stand it?
I just got a Stangray head last week based on what I had read about the great tone at lower volumes. I'm happy to say that it's very true, it's nice and fat when the volume knob is at 1. As you increase in volume the tone stays about the same it just gets louder. At about 4 or 5 it starts to breakup nicely. Past that on the volume knob does not get much louder (it does just not incredibly) it just gets fatter and more compressed.
I'm, admittedly still getting to know the amp and toying with different speakers but it is a fantastic head.

[tele_jas]

I've got a Stangray.... I think the "Sweet spot" is between 3-4 on the volume knob (just a hint of hair).... from about 4 and above, there isn't much more *volume* left on the dial, just more OD and compression. I do use an attenuator form most of my gigs, but there are tricks to getting around that.

1) A plexi-glass shield
2) Point the amp "off stage"
3) lower efficiency speakers (such as Weber Alnico Blue Dogs)
4) use a 1x12 cab instead of a 2x12 cab.

There are a few clubs/bars we play where I can actually get by without an attenuator, but for most I still have to use it if I want to get that sweet spot I like.

That being said, some of the nicest clean tones happen below 3 on the volume. The Ray is a very 3-D sounding amp, and has tons of low end on tap at low and high volume. I've got some clips on my website that show the difference in sound/tone as I turn the volume up, starting below 1 on the volume knob all the way up to almost all the way up. Here's that link: http://www.guitartest.moonfruit.com/...ray/4524185294 .... it's the 2nd up from the bottom on the right hand side. I also have a speaker comparison clip that shows how the Weber blue breaks up sooner than the Weber silver bell.

Hope some, or any of this helps.

Jason

[golfnut]

Originally Posted by tele_jas

I've got a Stangray.... I think the "Sweet spot" is between 3-4 on the volume knob (just a hint of hair).... from about 4 and above, there isn't much more *volume* left on the dial, just more OD and compression. I do use an attenuator form most of my gigs, but there are tricks to getting around that.

1) A plexi-glass shield
2) Point the amp "off stage"
3) lower efficiency speakers (such as Weber Alnico Blue Dogs)
4) use a 1x12 cab instead of a 2x12 cab.

There are a few clubs/bars we play where I can actually get by without an attenuator, but for most I still have to use it.

That being said, some of the nicest clean tones happen below 3 on the volume. The Ray is a very 3-D sounding amp, and has tons of low end on tap at low and high volume. I've got some clips on my website that show the difference in sound/tone as I turn the volume up, starting below 1 on the volume knob all the way up to almost all the way up. Here's that link: http://www.guitartest.moonfruit.com/...ray/4524185294 .... it's the 2nd up from the bottom on the right hand side. I also have a speaker comparison clip that shows how the Weber blue breaks up sooner than the Weber silver bell.

Hope some, or any of this helps.

Jason

Most of my gigs the volume is between 2 and 3. Most closer to 3. I like it in this range to get a clean sound and with my OD that has 2 channels I have settings for hair and one for higher gain.
If I'm on 3 I get nice hint of hair. I don't like using an airbreak. For me it was too much compromise on the tone. I know the Z faithful praise it but for me and the other guitar player in my band that owns an RXES, we hated it.

[tele_jas]

Originally Posted by golfnut

I don't like using an airbreak. For me it was too much compromise on the tone. I know the Z faithful praise it but for me and the other guitar player in my band that owns an RXES, we hated it.

Yeah, any and all attenuators do *suck* the tone out of an amp... No matter how transparent they are supposed to be. But in most cases (when using an attenuator), it's close enough in tone for 200 drunk people dancing, so it'll work for me.... and I still get compliments on my tone.

But it does sound a little like different amp with & without the attenuator, but both sound good - you just have to EQ it a bit different.