ZT Lunchbox: A must have for every guitarist?

[A.B.Negative]

My friend Iain H, guitarist with Part Chimp, has just bought one. this is what he says:

"Totally inspired by your purchase! I'd never heard of it before you sent me your piccies.

So far, I'm mighty impressed. I took it to our practice studio last night where we were doing some recording. Within minutes of getting to the studio it was wired up with the headphone output and speaker off to do some guide guitar during drum takes. It also sounds awesome through a 4x12 - beefy and natural, if a wee touch bass light in direct comparison with a solid state H&H head or a HiWatt. Just by unboxing it at work, 3 folk now want one. We're going to take it on tour as a spare."

[bignote]

I just ordered one based on the reviews and some youtube demos. I live on Okinawa, the clubs are small and my house is even smaller. This should be the cats A** for me. I can't wait till it arrives.

[Leoisgod]

Are they in stock now?

[A.B.Negative]

I've now replaced all the knobs on my Lunchbox...

[A.B.Negative]

I've got a problem with my lunchbox. Here's an email I've sent to ZT:

"I've had my lunchbox for about a month now and really enjoyed using it for
low volume rehearsals.

Last night was the first time I gigged with it and everything was going
fine. Soundcheck was straightforward and everyone was impressed with how
good (and loud) my lunchbox sounded.

But after playing for about half an hour, the lunchbox cut out, it was
VERY hot. After a few minutes it started working again, then cut out
again. I'd understand if it overheated after prolonged use but two thirds
of the way through our set...? Now when the lunchbox is switched on, the
LED doesn't come on and the amp vibrates!

I had the gain at halfway and volume at about 60-70%, and used a Tech 21
British pedal for distortion.

Have I inadvertantly done something I shouldn't have, or should I contact
my dealer to see about a replacement?"

I'll let you know what happens.

[jrfrond]

I've had a Lunchbox for months now, spurred on by my friend Billy Penn of Penn Amplification, who fell in love with them. It is DEFINITELY the coolest little amp to come along in years. Not only does it sound great, but it is loud when needed and mics unbelieveably in a live setting. As a drummer playing behind a LB, I can appreciate not getting blown-out. Not that I don't LIKE it loud, but we are talking about a clubdate band here. If you get the amp up about waist high, you'll hear it perfectly. It's very directional and won't kill your other players.

What most people don't know is that the Lunchbox has a digital front-end. What Ken & Co. have done is make a great-sounding digital amp without all the bells and whistles, just concentrating on a single good model, and they nailed it. OK, it's NOT a tube amp. So what? It sounds great, looks cool, is affordable and portable.

[A.B.Negative]

Things are looking up!

"I'm sorry to hear about your Lunchbox. The ZT Lunchbox is equipped with a circuit that protects the amp from damage when driven beyond a safe level. Overheating doesn't happen in most cases, but certain customers have had issues for one reason or another. We've solved the heat issue in our new production run. Where did you purchase your Luncbox? I will issue you an RA and will replace yours with the latest version that will not give you this problem."

[themachineisgod]

Originally Posted by A.B.Negative

Things are looking up!

"I'm sorry to hear about your Lunchbox. The ZT Lunchbox is equipped with a circuit that protects the amp from damage when driven beyond a safe level. Overheating doesn't happen in most cases, but certain customers have had issues for one reason or another. We've solved the heat issue in our new production run. Where did you purchase your Luncbox? I will issue you an RA and will replace yours with the latest version that will not give you this problem."

Now that's service. Can't wait for the 12 inch version to come out.

[musicalmartin]

I rather fancied one of these but wanted to try one out .As No-one remotely near Norfolk or London had one I bought my Blackstar Valve jobbie instead which I am very pleased with .I would like to try a lunch box still.

[A.B.Negative]

Originally Posted by A.B.Negative

Things are looking up!

"I'm sorry to hear about your Lunchbox. The ZT Lunchbox is equipped with a circuit that protects the amp from damage when driven beyond a safe level. Overheating doesn't happen in most cases, but certain customers have had issues for one reason or another. We've solved the heat issue in our new production run. Where did you purchase your Luncbox? I will issue you an RA and will replace yours with the latest version that will not give you this problem."

Got my replacement lunchbox yesterday! Great service from ZT, absolutely no complaints about how they've dealt with my problem.

[Jeff_K]

Glad it worked out for you...and for ME! I was thinking about it but with your message put me off, because I want to gig with it. But with their response and great customer service, I have no qualms about trying it out now. And it's still a great deal at http://www.lunchboxamp.com/ just $260 with free shipping and a free e-book user's guide. How can you beat that???

Thanks for your posts, they were very useful.

[Radspin]

I love it. Disclaimer--I've known Ken for many years and consider him a friend and a great designer. That said, I think this amp is really something special.

[BigDaddyLH]

As I mentioned in passing, there's going to be a 1x12" combo version of the lunch box called the "club" coming out soon, by the end of the month, I hear:

http://www.ztamplifiers.com/products/club.html

Some shortcomings I read about the lunch box include:

* limited bass from the small speaker
* no separate treble and bass controls
* no proper reverb
* no FX loop

The club fixes all of these, although it is heavier and more expersive ($400-something street). Still, I'd love to check it out.

[jazztele]

did a restaurant gig with it last night actually (i'm still not feeling well from my bout with strep throat earlier this week, so i didn't feel like carrying ANYTHING)

so i just used my godin kingpin straight into the lunchbox (very live room, hardwood floors) carried the lunchbox in a backpack--one trip from the car.

I thought it sounded pretty good, and I actually got a few compliments on my overall sound ---a few comments were like "your guitar sounds really nice" as opposed to just "you sound really nice." So maybe I played like crap but at least i had a decent tone!

so overall, I'm still maintaining, I really like this amp.

[Jeff_K]

Just happened to see this great tip on the jazzguitar forum:

Here's a tip for you Lunchbox owners: the amp fits perfectly in one of those little, soft sided six-pack coolers. I got one at the thrift store for a couple of bucks, and it has a shoulder strap and two large outside pockets that a couple of pedals and cord will fit into. Now I can show up for a gig with the little bag over my shoulder and my guitar in my hand.

Great tip! And another one I noticed was that for the reported lack of a lower end, putting the amp on the floor improved the bass significantly. Looking around, it seems that most pix and vids of the LB show it on a chair or tabletop.

[BigDaddyLH]

It also sounds better after about six beers.

[Groovey Records]

Originally Posted by BigDaddyLH

It also sounds better after about six beers.

Nope it doesn't uh uh


I saw the "inventor" and the Guitar for Higher at the NY amp show, got to play both models of this made in China modern one trick pony miracle. LOL

It was so funny, The guy from Wizzard Amps was next door demoing the 100w monster that AC/DC uses / endorses .

It was the loudest Amp at the show you could here it everywhere. The Air Conditioning duct crashed out of ceiling the thing was so loud.

Poor guy didn't sell many or get too many visitors

[Jo-Anne]

I have one of these. I'm not too pleased with the sound. It honks even into a big cab. It's like a midrange bandpass filter has been applied to it and there's no way to bypass it. You need to use an EQ pedal with a deep disco smile to flatten it out, with limited results. Might be a good sound for certain styles, like clean leads that need to poke through a dense mix. I was expecting something a little more neutral-sounding that I could lightly colour with pedals. I'll probably be selling mine.

[A.B.Negative]

Originally Posted by Jeff_K

Glad it worked out for you...and for ME! I was thinking about it but with your message put me off, because I want to gig with it. But with their response and great customer service, I have no qualms about trying it out now. And it's still a great deal at http://www.lunchboxamp.com/ just $260 with free shipping and a free e-book user's guide. How can you beat that???

Thanks for your posts, they were very useful.

Always glad to help!

This may be useful to avoid the "problem" models:

My broken Lunchbox said "Lunchbox 2" on the back panel and had a knob marked "Reverb" to the left of the "Tone" knob.

The replacement says "Lunchbox" on the back and the "Reverb" knob is now marked "Ambience".