Probably a really stupid question. (Dr. Z Content)

[MoOMaN2679]

Well I know this may be really stupid, but i'm sure someone can answer it for me.

I'm in the market to buy me a Dr. Z very soon...Actually, probably one of the new Rx Jr's, they look real, real appealing.

My question is that i've got one of the VOX valvetronix amps, an AD50VT. Anyone that has played through one of these amps, how do they compare to a Dr. Z? I'm sure the Dr. Z completely blows away this modelling amp, but i'm just curious of how anyone would compare them. I'm hoping to go try out a Maz Sr here in a few days....But that isn't a definite. How would anyone compare a Z with a SF Champ cranked to 10? How much are the sounds the same between these two amps?

...Being only 18 year's old and just got a job...i'm not really one to just go throw 1600 bucks on anything. I'm a HUGE Paisley fan and I'm sure this would work nice with me.

Thanks for the Help!

[ruger9]

I've never owned a AD50VT. I have played one in a music store. Awesome amp. The Valvetronix amps are the best of the modelers, and alot of fun can be had with them. They are gig-worthy, and for alot of players is probably all they would ever need.

That being said, for anybody who is a tone hound or tube hound a modeler just won't do. I love my little DA5 for what it is- a compact, fun, go-anywhere amp. But it could never replace my tube amps. No modeler could.

The RxJR is in a different realm. All handwired tube amps are. As far as Dr. Z's go, what sound are you looking for? I've got an RxJR, so if you've got any questions, fire away.

Also, keep in mind that the Vox comes with a full bank of effects. The Dr. Z would require quite a pedalboard to match that. For versatility, the Vox wins hands down. However, it'll NEVER sound or feel like a handwired tube amp with a nice pedalboard.You can actually get a pretty good Paisley sound out of the Vox, but plug into the Z, and IT'S THERE. No matter where you put the knobs, it's THERE. The Z's really are a huge part of his signature tone.If you haven't been over to the Z forums, GO!!! You'll find tons of help over there, as well as USED Z's in mint condition... no doubt helpful for your situation!

[MoOMaN2679]

Originally Posted by ruger9

I've never owned a AD50VT. I have played one in a music store. Awesome amp. The Valvetronix amps are the best of the modelers, and alot of fun can be had with them. They are gig-worthy, and for alot of players is probably all they would ever need.

That being said, for anybody who is a tone hound or tube hound a modeler just won't do. I love my little DA5 for what it is- a compact, fun, go-anywhere amp. But it could never replace my tube amps. No modeler could.

The RxJR is in a different realm. All handwired tube amps are. As far as Dr. Z's go, what sound are you looking for? I've got an RxJR, so if you've got any questions, fire away.

Thanks, I saw you on the Z forum and here...i've been kinda sneaking around over there.

Well, I know for sure I love tube amps, and I can for sure tell the difference...I have a 70's SF Champ and I just love how everything just shows through, nothing really to cover you up. Hard to explain, but it's real easy to notice.

I have gigged around a few times and the ol' VOX has worked well. I wish it had some more bass on it, and sometimes the highs are a little shrill. Anymore, about all I play is country, some older rock, and a lot of jazz since i'm in the school's jazz band. I'm just going for what Brad says in the RXES clip about clean but with a little hair on it. I defintly know the RXES would be way too big for me, so that's why the RxJr looks so nice.

I'm not really worried about the amp being able to do bigger distortion, and from what i've heard the RXES can do that...The Jr is just a smaller verson of the RXES right, but with a Master volume?

Since you've played through one of the VOX's before, how does the AC30tb compare to the Dr. Z? Any info you can give me would be great! Hopefully I won't bug you with questions too much.

Thanks!

[ruger9]

I've never played thru an AC30TB. But I know that the 2 amps built for/with Brad lean heavily on the AC30 design, especially the Stangray. I'm not sure what you mean by "bigger distortion", classic rock overdrive is about al you'll get out of the RxJR (no 80's hair metal or anything remotely heavier than that.) You can add pedals for more distortion, but you ain't getting it from the amp.

Also be forwarned: the Z's have ALOT of high end, and can easily get shrill IMHO. Alot of guys over at the Z forum have the treble knobs pretty low for that reason. Of course speaker choice also makes a huge difference. The RxJR has tons of bass. If it were LACKING in anything, I'd say it was lacking in mids... not really any Marshally tones in there, even with the overdose on. Maybe with a humbucker, but not with single coils. Don't get me wrong- great amp- I love mine- but...

...might I suggest a Genz Benz Black Pearl? It's a great tube amp with alot of tones in it, sort of a "tube modeler" if you will. It's PCB (not handwired), but it's 100% tube. And it can hold it's own against the RxJR. The Genz Benz would be a great choice for someone who wants a tube amp, but aren't really sure what they want, because it has a voicing switch & gain boost, with give it many different voices. Something worth checking out. You can usually get them used for around $900.

Not trying to turn you off of the Z - they are fantastic amps- and the RxJR can certainly do the styles you currently play no problem. I think the combos are $1700 new, I think you'll be waiting awhile for used ones to show up.

[MoOMaN2679]

Originally Posted by ruger9

I've never played thru an AC30TB. But I know that the 2 amps built for/with Brad lean heavily on the AC30 design, especially the Stangray. I'm not sure what you mean by "bigger distortion", classic rock overdrive is about al you'll get out of the RxJR (no 80's hair metal or anything remotely heavier than that.) You can add pedals for more distortion, but you ain't getting it from the amp.

Also be forwarned: the Z's have ALOT of high end, and can easily get shrill IMHO. Alot of guys over at the Z forum have the treble knobs pretty low for that reason. Of course speaker choice also makes a huge difference. The RxJR has tons of bass. If it were LACKING in anything, I'd say it was lacking in mids... not really any Marshally tones in there, even with the overdose on. Maybe with a humbucker, but not with single coils. Don't get me wrong- great amp- I love mine- but...

...might I suggest a Genz Benz Black Pearl? It's a great tube amp with alot of tones in it, sort of a "tube modeler" if you will. It's PCB (not handwired), but it's 100% tube. And it can hold it's own against the RxJR. The Genz Benz would be a great choice for someone who wants a tube amp, but aren't really sure what they want, because it has a voicing switch & gain boost, with give it many different voices. Something worth checking out. You can usually get them used for around $900.

Not trying to turn you off of the Z - they are fantastic amps- and the RxJR can certainly do the styles you currently play no problem. I think the combos are $1700 new, I think you'll be waiting awhile for used ones to show up.

Thanks for the help...I have played through one of the Genz Benz Black Pearl's before. I really loved how it sounded...To tell you the truth, I would rather not have that many different settings on a real tube amp.. That's the one thing I love about the Dr.Z's, couple knobs and ready to go.

...Still set on getting the Z though, haha. I don't use any of the effects on the VOX really. I might sometime use a tad bit of verb' or some delay, but that's it. I'm not an effect's guy, and when I use compression, it's from a pedal...not from the VOX amp. I never use many effects because to me, it just seems to cover up the real tone more...and get in the way.

What I was meaning about the distortion...not anything more than you would hear on a distorted guitar in a newer country song. I don't ever go Van Halen or something like that other than for giggle's.

It seems the VOX is just lacking bass completely...Tube amps, to me, can have a big high end and not sound real shrill. Like the Champ I have, that thing has a massive high end on it but it's different from the VOX...probably because it's full tube...

Don't know if that explains what i'm feeling any better or not...

Thanks.

[ruger9]

I hear you on the "keep it simple" thing. I sometimes wish the Black pearl had LESS knobs/less tweaking... but that IS the beauty of the RxJR (and any Z for that matter): they sound like Z's. No matter where you put the knobs, the RxJR sounds like an RxJR. No drastic changes in tone. It is what it is.

PLENTY of bass- you won't be lacking bass with the RxJR. And the master volume works very well, but I think for the amp to really open up & sound like it should, the MV needs to be at 10:30 or 11:00 at least... and that's not quiet. It's certainly too loud for an apartment. You could get away with it in a house, but it's a LOUD 15 watt amp.

Hey... where is Middlebourne anyway? I'm originally from Gallipolis Ohio... a river town about an hour south of Parkersburg.

[MoOMaN2679]

Originally Posted by ruger9

I hear you on the "keep it simple" thing. I sometimes wish the Black pearl had LESS knobs/less tweaking... but that IS the beauty of the RxJR (and any Z for that matter): they sound like Z's. No matter where you put the knobs, the RxJR sounds like an RxJR. No drastic changes in tone. It is what it is.

PLENTY of bass- you won't be lacking bass with the RxJR. And the master volume works very well, but I think for the amp to really open up & sound like it should, the MV needs to be at 10:30 or 11:00 at least... and that's not quiet. It's certainly too loud for an apartment. You could get away with it in a house, but it's a LOUD 15 watt amp.

Hey... where is Middlebourne anyway? I'm originally from Gallipolis Ohio... a river town about an hour south of Parkersburg.

Well thanks for the help...I'll get just a little idea of how the Z's work when I try out the Maz Sr....then I can try the Black Pearl right after I try the Z.

And i'll be buying me a attenuator, that will be better than the master volume...I really want to get those power tubes working if I can. No one cares how loud I play around here, anytime I play the champ...I just leave it on ten...but it's also only 6 watts...

Middlebourne...is about an hour away from Parkersburg...Kinda southwest from here. If you know where Tyler county is, Middlebourne is smack dab in the middle of it...hense the name. We're pretty close to Wheeling too.

Thanks for the help again, you wouldn't by any chance have a sound clip of the amp would ya?

[ruger9]

I don't have a sound clip, but over on the Z forums, if you look in the "sounds" forum, there is a VERY ACCURATE clip of the RxJR. Just search the titles & you'll find it.

Here:
http://drzamplifiers.proboards41.com...d=1 190838036

+1 on the attenuator. Couldn't agree more. I have 2 Weber Mini-Masses, and they are very good, but the RxJR really loses alot of high end when attenuated... so much so I have the treble on 10. So I would recommend getting the 25W MiniMass that has treble compensation, or maybe try out several different attenuators to see which one "plays best" with the Z. If I didn't have any attenuators, and I was in the market to buy one, as much as I like the Webers (and I do highly recommend them), I would also be looking at the new Badcat Leash & the Z Airbrake.

[MoOMaN2679]

Originally Posted by ruger9

I don't have a sound clip, but over on the Z forums, if you look in the "sounds" forum, there is a VERY ACCURATE clip of the RxJR. Just search the titles & you'll find it.

Here:
http://drzamplifiers.proboards41.com...d=1 190838036

+1 on the attenuator. Couldn't agree more. I have 2 Weber Mini-Masses, and they are very good, but the RxJR really loses alot of high end when attenuated... so much so I have the treble on 10. So I would recommend getting the 25W MiniMass that has treble compensation, or maybe try out several different attenuators to see which one "plays best" with the Z. If I didn't have any attenuators, and I was in the market to buy one, as much as I like the Webers (and I do highly recommend them), I would also be looking at the new Badcat Leash & the Z Airbrake.

Oh yeah, that sounds real nice. I really wanna hear a Tele through one (Since I only have tele's ), but you can still really hear that Paisley tone in there....

Mmm...I'll probably be getting me one, just need to get up to the music shop to order one!

Thanks for all the help!

[TelZilla]

An 18 yr old with a SF Champ who's getting a DR Z?

You are a lucky kid.

[MoOMaN2679]

Originally Posted by TelZilla

An 18 yr old with a SF Champ who's getting a DR Z?

You are a lucky kid.

I'm lucky enough to have a decent job at my age...and guitar is mostly my only hobby.

[frank4001]

One more thing to consider is that allot of guys are selling their Maz 18's and Ghia's ect. and going for the newer models...you could scoop one of them up used and save a few bucks...If you didn't get along with it you wouldn't lose much if anything and get a good idea of what Z's are about..I love my RXes but in all honesty my Tremolux (through 1x15) and Deluxe Reverb get most of the work because they are lower volume. I'm just not crazy about attenuators

[ruger9]

Originally Posted by frank4001

I love my RXes but in all honesty my Tremolux (through 1x15) and Deluxe Reverb get most of the work because they are lower volume. I'm just not crazy about attenuators

Exactly why the Rx JUNIOR STRENGTH was built. 15 watts with a very workable master volume (Ken Fischer-designed). That being said, I run my RxJR with the MV dimed thru an attenuator for home use, and it's S-W-E-E-T.

The Maz 18 would get you to Paisleyville, but not sure about the Ghia... only because of the unique/limited tone control (not knocking the Ghia, just not as versatile as Maz18 & RxJr)

[Ignatius]

Well, I haven't played either a Vox or the new Rx Jr (they DO look very interesting though), but I've owned a Maz JR, a Mazerati, and a Maz 38 (my current amp). I wanted to chime in and agree with what some others have already said - you might do well to pick up a used Maz Jr at a really good price, and it will be a very versatile amp for you. If the Rx Jr appeals to you I'm assuming that it's the appeal of the low wattage and the ability to get the power tubes cooking at a relatively low volume. If that is the case, then the Maz Jr might be a better choice than the Maz 38. My 38 is LOUD, and I use an Airbrake attenuator with it at a lot of gigs. Only rarely can I let it really open up. That being said, I did need a little more clean headroom than the Maz Jr had so the Maz 38 fits the bill for me nicely.

[tele_jas]

Dr. Z amps are GREAT amps! They'll sound better than any modeling amp, but won't be as versitile though. If you can keep you Valvetronix and get a Dr. Z that'd be the best, but if you have to sell..... you won't regret it either.

I have a Stangray and a Mazerati (I just got from Ignatius) and they are both 2 of the best amps I've ever owned. I had a Prescription ES and a Maz Sr, while I liked both, I like my current Z's better.

If you want Brad tones, the Stangray was used on his last CD quite a bit..... The Mazerati was used on the Mud on the Tires CD (along with several other Z amps), but featured on "Spagetti Western Swing". The Prescription ES was the main amp on the "Time Well Wasted" CD. Voc AC30s were his main amps on his first two CD's and are still about 50% of his main tone on all his CD's. even his latest CD has lots-o-Vox on it.

You can't go wrong with any Dr. Z... We all have our favorite, but They're all great

[detuned]

One thing to consider about BP is that he has *at least* two amos running at all times to get his sound. That, & his copious talent...

My limited experience with Z amps is that they all sound a bit different, both from the blackface sound & from each other.

My extensive experience with my Maz Jr is that it's a heck of an amp. Very versatile - but kind of the polar opposite of a Vox modeling amp. Any sound you want, just one at a time.

[ruger9]

Originally Posted by detuned

One thing to consider about BP is that he has *at least* two amos running at all times to get his sound. That, & his copious talent...

Another thing to consider when looking for "PaisleyTone" is that he plays those amps LOUD. Both in the studio and onstage. L-O-U-D. You might get them that loud at a gig...maybe... but no way in the house. I run my RxJR with the MV maxed thru an attenuator, it sounds great & I highly recommend it.