I am thinking new Amp

wesley7777 · February 18th, 2006, 04:23 PM

Now i love my mesa, well at least the Rythem 2 and lead channel. I just don't think any thing sounds better than the lead. But here comes the problem. I am really movong into country music, and the clean channel just doesn't do it. I have played with it for more than20 hours and just not getting the sound i want. I am really looking for that Brad Paisley, brent Mason tone(go figure). NOw i know that half of it is in the hands, but the mesa is murdering me, well least to my ears. Its the most annoying thing having the tone in your head and then no even getting close. I know getting a new amp won;t be perfect but maybe it will get me in the same ZIP code. Right now i am considering a DR Z., Vox AC-30, or a Bad Cat. I am really looking into the DR Z. Prescription ES, StringRay, and Maz 18. With the Prescription being in the lead. I plan on trying to have something done by my birthday April 16, give or take a month. I will not be selling my boogie mark IV. For the other amps are not high gain that then would leave me wanting for my mesa not solving a problem. SO this is the paln. I would like some input on these amps, possilbe other choices, and just overall your thoughts and opinions. Thanks for the help. Here is the links to the sites.

http://drzamps.com/
http://badcatamps.com/
http://www.voxamps.co.uk/

tomtheguitarguy · February 18th, 2006, 05:54 PM

Well, from a totally biased Dr. Z owner. . .

You can't go wrong with the Z's. They are high quality at what I think are reasonable prices - especially considering the cost of some other boutiques that are out there.

Mike (Dr. Z) has a great work ethic and really delivers on a quality product. He's always just a phone call or email away from answering any questions and his amps really are pretty unique - not a complete clone of anything really. Sure some share the same power sections as other popular amps, but his tone stack and signal path come together to make a great tone.

Hope this helps. Obviously, YMMV as well as others.

tomtheguitarguy

Tone Disciple · February 18th, 2006, 06:28 PM

Of the options you are considering, I would say the Dr Z comes the closest to getting the tones you sound like you want. Having owned and played the Bad Cats, I would recommend the Dr Z more for the Brad Paisley tone. Check out the tones of Buddy Whittington as well. You can hear him on the Z website or on the Lentz guitar forum. He is a great player and gets a great sound out of his Maz 38. I saw him live just a couple of weeks ago (for the umpteenth time) and I am always surprised that he just takes his one Maz 38 1x12 combo to his gigs, then mics them through the house PA. Great sound and extremely portable!

I had a Mesa Mark III for a number of years and it surprises me that you don't feel like you can get the sound you want out of your Mark IV, but for that Brad Paisley sound - definitely Dr Z!

Regards
Tone Disciple

wesley7777 · February 18th, 2006, 09:34 PM

THe only thing i wonder about the DR Z is how much clean head room do i get with the RXES?

tomtheguitarguy · February 19th, 2006, 06:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wesley7777

THe only thing i wonder about the DR Z is how much clean head room do i get with the RXES?

You can get a LOT of clean headroom with the RXes. But w/ the EF-86 in it, you can also get some nice grind at lower volumes by tweaking the tone controls (after 12o'clock, some hair is added).

One thing's for sure, you can't just use your "regular" amp settings that you are used to on other amps - you really get the "full effect" and realize the tonal capabilities by experimenting with the tone controls with the Dr. Z amps.

tomtheguitarguy

CancerLeoCam · February 19th, 2006, 12:20 PM

..."G-Reverb." 12W, a 15", syrupy trem and spring reverb in a non-back breaking package that looks killer. That is what I would say to someone looking for portability and smaller power. Other people like Allen, Swartz, Carr, Dr. Z have beautiful looking and sounding amps too. We all have our little 'angle.' If they have audio samples on the website that will help make your mind up a little if you can't drive to where they are being sold. Plenty of options with speakers and cab size/configuration too so keep that in mind. Gluck.

February 18th, 2006, 04:23 PM	#1 (permalink)
wesley7777 TDPRI Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Posts: 45	I am thinking new Amp Now i love my mesa, well at least the Rythem 2 and lead channel. I just don't think any thing sounds better than the lead. But here comes the problem. I am really movong into country music, and the clean channel just doesn't do it. I have played with it for more than20 hours and just not getting the sound i want. I am really looking for that Brad Paisley, brent Mason tone(go figure). NOw i know that half of it is in the hands, but the mesa is murdering me, well least to my ears. Its the most annoying thing having the tone in your head and then no even getting close. I know getting a new amp won;t be perfect but maybe it will get me in the same ZIP code. Right now i am considering a DR Z., Vox AC-30, or a Bad Cat. I am really looking into the DR Z. Prescription ES, StringRay, and Maz 18. With the Prescription being in the lead. I plan on trying to have something done by my birthday April 16, give or take a month. I will not be selling my boogie mark IV. For the other amps are not high gain that then would leave me wanting for my mesa not solving a problem. SO this is the paln. I would like some input on these amps, possilbe other choices, and just overall your thoughts and opinions. Thanks for the help. Here is the links to the sites. http://drzamps.com/ http://badcatamps.com/ http://www.voxamps.co.uk/

February 18th, 2006, 05:54 PM	#2 (permalink)
tomtheguitarguy Tele-Meister Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: SoCal USA Age: 42 Posts: 242	Dr. Z for me Well, from a totally biased Dr. Z owner. . . You can't go wrong with the Z's. They are high quality at what I think are reasonable prices - especially considering the cost of some other boutiques that are out there. Mike (Dr. Z) has a great work ethic and really delivers on a quality product. He's always just a phone call or email away from answering any questions and his amps really are pretty unique - not a complete clone of anything really. Sure some share the same power sections as other popular amps, but his tone stack and signal path come together to make a great tone. Hope this helps. Obviously, YMMV as well as others. tomtheguitarguy __________________ http://www.tomtheguitarguy.com CIJ Pink Paisley w/ McVay G Bender CIJ Blue Floral w/ McVay G Bender 52RI w/ McVay G Bender Gibson Chet Atkins CE - Nylon String RxES 2x12 ~ Airbrake Mini Z Vox Valvetronix AD50VT Tonefactor Envelope Filter ~ Hellbilly ~ Huckleberry ~ Zendrive ~ RC Booster ~ BYOC Chorus ~ DD-20 GigaDelay

February 18th, 2006, 06:28 PM	#3 (permalink)
Tone Disciple NEW MEMBER! Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Deep in the Heart of Texas Posts: 4 3 Photos	Re: I am thinking new Amp Of the options you are considering, I would say the Dr Z comes the closest to getting the tones you sound like you want. Having owned and played the Bad Cats, I would recommend the Dr Z more for the Brad Paisley tone. Check out the tones of Buddy Whittington as well. You can hear him on the Z website or on the Lentz guitar forum. He is a great player and gets a great sound out of his Maz 38. I saw him live just a couple of weeks ago (for the umpteenth time) and I am always surprised that he just takes his one Maz 38 1x12 combo to his gigs, then mics them through the house PA. Great sound and extremely portable! I had a Mesa Mark III for a number of years and it surprises me that you don't feel like you can get the sound you want out of your Mark IV, but for that Brad Paisley sound - definitely Dr Z! Regards Tone Disciple __________________ A journeyman on the never ending quest for tone!

February 19th, 2006, 12:20 PM	#6 (permalink)
CancerLeoCam Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Mule Deer-Mt. Lion Safari, CA Posts: 1,692 5 Photos	Gomez Amplification's... ..."G-Reverb." 12W, a 15", syrupy trem and spring reverb in a non-back breaking package that looks killer. That is what I would say to someone looking for portability and smaller power. Other people like Allen, Swartz, Carr, Dr. Z have beautiful looking and sounding amps too. We all have our little 'angle.' If they have audio samples on the website that will help make your mind up a little if you can't drive to where they are being sold. Plenty of options with speakers and cab size/configuration too so keep that in mind. Gluck. __________________ Everyone's your "buddy" or "friend" when they want you or something from you. If you're not willing to work for free why should somebody else?

February 18th, 2006, 09:34 PM	#4 (permalink)
wesley7777 TDPRI Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Posts: 45	THe only thing i wonder about the DR Z is how much clean head room do i get with the RXES?