Dr. Z owners

Howdy,

Bought my first Z recently, a Carmen Ghia head. I ordered with a matching 1-12 Z cab in blonde. Recently I retro-fitted it with a Weber AlNiCo Silver Bell (Pre-Rola treatment). Sounds fantastic. Great for slightly overdriven "Keef" type tones and nails "Day Tripper" at low volume with my ES-335.
Tell us all about your Z amp.

Eggman

Loves me Z's. Went thru about 11 amps in roughly a year before settling on an RXES and Carmen Ghia heads. Have my second Z 112 cab arriving this Tuesday for proper stereo.

I really love the OD from a Route 66 pedal but really only find myself using the the compression side in very modest doses and a smidge of delay for certain songs. I pretty much set the CG for grit and use the RXES for beautiful cleans and A/B them, a tad of stereo action here and there for original stuff.

We're headlining an outdoor show in July, can't wait. Obviously not Woodstock but can't wait to let the Z's breathe. It's a big deal to us.

I've owned 2 Z's and liked both of them. I had a RT66 which was a greta blues amp!! The only thing is that it was too loud for most of the rooms I was playing. So I sold it and got a Z28 head and while it was a really nice tight sound I think the 6v6 thing is just not quite what I want either. I'm playing in a 7 piece Country band so I need more of a "bigger sound" with out hurting everyones ears.

I'm currently having an amp custom made made by RusTech amps that will do what I want. I think that if I can afford it in the future I would get a Charmin Gia for my Blues and more drivin' sounds. I really like the doc's designs and of coarse his customer service is second to none!

Have Fun!

I'm still loving my Prescription Jr and Z 2x10 cab after a year. It has, hands down, the best master volume on any amp. Beautiful cleans and can get nice and raunchy. Takes my pedals beautifully too. On another note, my buddy just got an EZG and that is a MONSTER amp. It's huge sounding and has a beautiful/lush reverb. This amp takes pedals like no other I've played.

Had a Studio 38 that was terrific sounding, but just a bit bigger than I wanted to schlep (hey, I'm an old geezer).

I got my first Z a couple weeks ago. I decided on a Remedy and man what an amp. It only comes in a head and I also got a 1x12 convertible Z cab. The damn thing sounds huge. The amp has a nice half power switch (20w/40w). I have not yet run it at 40 watts:shock:. After the first week I bucked up for an Airbrake. It is an ear saver. Very impressed with it. The "bedroom" setting is surprisingly great. Not fizzy and the dynamics of the amp are not squashed beyond pleasing. The Airbrake is also tunable in that there are sliders that you can adjust to taylor the amount of attenuation when you click through positions. My amp arsenal is complete.

I'm still loving my Prescription Jr and Z 2x10 cab after a year. It has, hands down, the best master volume on any amp. Beautiful cleans and can get nice and raunchy. Takes my pedals beautifully too. On another note, my buddy just got an EZG and that is a MONSTER amp. It's huge sounding and has a beautiful/lush reverb. This amp takes pedals like no other I've played.

+1 Never had an amp take to pedals like the Z's. An attenuator doesn't seem to destroy the sound like it does on others either.

I have the Maz 18 NR 112 combo...I absolutely love this amp!!! I tried one out a few weeks before getting mine, found a new one in the store and just had to plug into it. I had been reading lots about them prior to even trying one and had severe GAS for one of these, upon the first strum I said "ahhhh this is it!!!!" I couldn't get the smile off my face. I sold my TRRI and my Esquire to fund it but I picked up a good used NR combo in great shape (except for the scuff on the "Z"). It goes so well with my tele and I run a couple of pedals in front for drive...the amp drives nice on its own but for 18 watts it is killer loud!! Most of the rooms we play are small so I use the amp to set my base tone and then when I need OD or distortion I kick in the modded BD2 or my MXR distortion plus. I also use a delay for a bit of echo (just a trickle). This is by far the best amp I have ever owned hands down...

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v692/marknicholson/003.jpg

Black and Tan! Love that scheme.

how's about black and tan with a beautiful blonde???
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v692/marknicholson/IMG_0904.jpg

i had a Prescription for several years — best sounding amp i ever played — but sadly, by the time i got it up to the sweet spot, it was too dang loud for almost every gig i played. with regret, i sold it and replaced it with a 5E3, but i'll never forget how good that thing sounded when i got it up to about 5. so although i can't be a card-carrying member of the club, maybe i could be a member emeritus!

Howdy,

It sounds like you have acquired an appreciation for Dr. Z, Woodman; that's good enough for me. :)
A 5E3? I considered one before settling on Dr. Z's 18 watt Carmen Ghia. I admit I've never even seen a 5E3 before, but played a used Ghia once and was hooked! Try a Carmen Ghia sometime; I won't part with mine.

Eggman

Mazerati 2-10 right here

I've got a Carmen Ghia 1 x 12" combo.

The previous owner replaced the speaker with a Celestion G12 Alnico Blue.

I love my Z.

Here it is with my new CV.

http://www.davidwalterdesign.com/Guitar%20Pictures/cvtwhite.JPG

Here's mine - Maz 18 2X10
The red ones sound better... :-)

http://homepage.mac.com/dainis/DaMaz.jpg

Nice lookin Maz detuned....red is my next one for sure

I finally bought my first Dr Z a couple months ago (used amp but you would never know it as it is flawless) and really enjoy playing the amp. I only play at home for enjoyment so the outstanding master volume on the RxJr is a great bonus to fantastic tone.

The blonde with black front panel is very classy indeed. 2-12 cabinet has Celestion Alnico Blues.

My buddy jumped in with both feet in just a month with both an EZG and Remedy. I think that I created a monster!

Bought a Mini Z head earlier in the year , but sold it quickly after it lacked any type of cleans. I bought a Z-28 head and never looked back. Lots of clean headroom and starts to breakup nicely as you tweak the treble and bass knobs. I run it through a Mojotone 2x12 cab with a Celestion Blue and a Hellatone 60.... man, do those speakers sound great together...

Chalk me up for a 2 x 12 Maz 38 Sr w/ Reverb. SWEET lil

Howdy,

Brittwin: You make the Z28 sound like a ton of fun! The fact that it runs on 6V6s alone makes it special. Keep us informed about your Z28.

Eggman

i'm now officially a member as of two hours ago! Maz 18 nr head.
loving it.
really damn loud tho. i'll have to get an attenuator for her soon...

Finally got off my lazy tail and took a pic. My babies.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v447/DickensCPA/DrZ001.jpg

Finally got off my lazy tail and took a pic. My babies.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v447/DickensCPA/DrZ001.jpg

you win.

haha

i LOVE the z's...my friend...not so much. his carmen ghia has been at my house for three or four months (he has a bad cat that he loves). i run it thru two 1x12's, one with a celestion greenback and one with a vintage 30...WOW! recorded an album with it, and use it on the road...here it is in the background stacked on the red avatar cab...

you win.

haha

'Preciate the love. I noticed from your pic above you have a CV. Did you do the white pickguard or is it a different model? In my pic, the Tele on the right is a CV also. The one on the left (black) is an MIM. That stock bridge pup on the CV thru a Carmen Ghia is so beautiful.

The bigger 1X12 cab is a convertable and it has an 8 ohm G12H30 in it. The smaller 1X12 cab on bottom has a 16 ohm G12H30 in it. What speaker you running your Ghia on?

ETA: Get a Brake Lite, set your volume and tone both between 1 and 2 o'clock and adjust the Brake Lite to the room. No pedals needed.

I have a 6545 that I've never really bonded with. Also have an Air Brake and used to have an old-style 1x12" Z cab.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v328/wildricechris/6545/IMG_5496.jpg

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1pfbZi7pyjA
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WiIoMUEfxfw
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VZo2Xca4Uag
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=reNwiqam1R8
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e4XbGdJ5ric
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UqCz8SjBjvU
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Met7ov3g7vE
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A6h4_OzLg2g
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H8Lxp7HorNs

i have a maz jr. 2x12" loaded with weber blue alnico and weber silver bell alnico and a z28 with the same speaker collection....
awesome tone and punch.
twangs the hell out ...

zoppotrump
:O)

Here is My Dr Z rig. Stangray Head, 2X12 Open back with Celestion Blues and Zverb.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3048/3424599510_9fbc2bce3a.jpg

Here is My Dr Z rig. Stangray Head, 2X12 Open back with Celestion Blues and Zverb.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3048/3424599510_9fbc2bce3a.jpg

Me likey that stand you have there. Is that homemade or store bought? If homemade, you did a fabulous job. I'd like to pick one of those up myself.

Me likey that stand you have there. Is that homemade or store bought? If homemade, you did a fabulous job. I'd like to pick one of those up myself.

Its a store bought amp stand. I took the plastic end caps out of the top and bought a couple of black steel shelve brackets from home depot. I stuck them in the end of the square steel tubes and used black duc tape to hold them in. The Stangray head goes on the first shelf where a small combo is meant to go. On the home made shelf I put the Z verb. The cabinet leans against the bottom slightly pointing up and I hold it there with a short bunji cord clipped to the handle and anchored to the stand. It works perfectly for gigging.
The drummer in my band is a welder and I'm going to get him to weld a proper second shelf so I don't have to use those brackets from home depot.

I traded a guitar for a Carmen Ghia head.
It's a great little amp!

Count me in too - Stang Ray head with either a 2x12 or a 1x12 cab depending on the gig. My 1x12 has a Celestion Gold in it and it makes for a great sounding rig.

(not a great pic but you can see it back there with an Air Brake on top)

http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d113/ignatius_1961/VividatJilliansAlbanyNewYork14.jpg

Prior to the Stang Ray I had a Maz Jr combo, Mazerati combo, Maz Sr combo, and a Maz Jr head at different points in time.

Here is my MAZ18 Jr. Question, when did he stop using chicken head knobs? I have had this amp about 8 years or so... Has the original celestion 10s in it

http://members.cox.net/showam1//My%20Babies8.JPG

I was ampless for a year, really really taking my time and sparing no expense. I wanted the perfect amp (for me).

After trying and returning amps, repeat trips to stores for hours of jamming through other amps...I ordered a MAZ 18 Jr. NR from an out of atate dealer with a good rep & a return policy.

best move I ever made. Paired with a Celestion Vintage 30 loaded Lopoline open back 1x12 cabinet, this amp jangles, crunches and screams. It loves pedals, it loves not having pedals...it's just the ultimate amp.

I have a Maz 38 with reverb and put an celestion alinco gold in and it made a wonderful amp even better. way loud though. but nothing a badcat leash can't fix.

I have a Maz 38 with reverb and put an celestion alinco gold in and it made a wonderful amp even better. way loud though. but nothing a badcat leash can't fix.

LOL. First thing I said after plugging in the first time was "next purchase: Dr. Z Airbrake attenuator!"

I bought a Prescription Jr. About a year ago. My decision was mostly based on all the Paisley Hype. There is no doubt the Z is an excellent quality amp but it certainly is it's own animal. Maybe a Stangray might be the ticket. I purchased a Princeton Reverb about 4 months ago and I haven't turned on the Z since. I'm thinking I might be a Fender Man.

The Z might be on the chopping block soon, it's in pristine condition.

Going on close to 10 years now with the Carmen Ghia. It is the 2x10 combo.

Sold the Maz JR a while back. Both are quality amps. Did I mention they are a loud 18 watts.

Here's a recent Carmen Ghia discovery! We were playing around with some acoustic amps....a California Blonde and a Peavey. Just for grins I plugged into the CG....volume at 9 am...tone at 3pm.......wow. Unbelievable. Check it out!!

Did my first gig last night with my new MAZ 38 SR NR and 2-10 Z Best cab. This thing is killer! I bought the 38 because I needed a litle more than I was getting from the MAZ 18 but this my be too much. I can see an Airbrake in my future.

Where can you get Dr. Z amps? And are they expensive?

Where can you get Dr. Z amps? And are they expensive?

For what you get they are very reasonably priced in my opinion. They won't cost what a Matchless cost.

There are a number of dealers that carry them both in house and on line. I've had great dealings with the following:

Willcutt Guitars - Lexington KY
Fat Sound Guitars - Cary, NC
Black Creek Guitars - New Paltz, NY

I've owned Dr. Z Mazerati, MAZ 18 Jr (both reverb and non reverb) Carmen Ghia, Z-28and Maz 38 NR .

All have been outstanding amps,

RxES 2x12 (Silver/Blue)
Carmen Ghia 2x10
Mazerati Head
Z-28 2x10

I have had several Z's. My current is MAZ Jr. NR head with 210 cab....BLONDE!!

Here it is sitting on top of my Avatar cab (not hooked up)..

http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e153/larrykwilliams/Picture136.jpg

Not a good pic, I know....

Sounds good though!

I love this thing. As close to a perfect amp as I've ever come. Loves my PRS Dragons, and that's saying a lot, cuz those pickups are pretty "neutral" sounding. This amp makes them scream and snap. The half-pint reverb tank... well, I aint floored by it. But, as a great tele player once said... "Turn it up loud enough, and it dont NEED reverb."

seems to be the MAZ series is the most well represented.
Add my MAZ 18 nr Head to the list..

RX/ES - and an Air Brake!

I've had my Z Prescription for a couple of years now, like it a lot! Mine's been modded to add a master volume in the back of the amp, works real nice, it can take the volume way down without changing the tone too much.
I recently bought a Z 2x12 openback cab for it.

I've had my Z Prescription for a couple of years now, like it a lot! Mine's been modded to add a master volume in the back of the amp, works real nice, it can take the volume way down without changing the tone too much.
I recently bought a Z 2x12 openback cab for it.

Would love more info on the MV for the RXES. If I could do that, I could leave the Brake Lite on the Ghia permanently.

Would love more info on the MV for the RXES. If I could do that, I could leave the Brake Lite on the Ghia permanently.

I'm sorry but I don't have much info to give you, the previous owner had a tech do it. He removed the footswitchable boost and made it into a MV.
It's an original Prescription by the way, not and RXES.
http://www.drzamps.com/prescription.html

Get ready for the "Z" Monza sometime around XMAS - baby amp with a killer sound! Gonna sell quite well! Next on my list.

The best tube amp I've owned - Dr. Z Carmen Ghia, Black w/Tan Grille.

http://inlinethumb16.webshots.com/32655/2513490170104688689S600x600Q85.jpg (http://entertainment.webshots.com/photo/2513490170104688689JfVupo)

KT45 over here...VERY LOUD!!!! Loads of massive headroom....
Takes pedals well....
http://i27.tinypic.com/28sv4lx.jpg

I like my matchless amps..and my ac30 more...But still a great amp that I cant seem to get rid of...
I need to sell this rig..a purple marshall412...and an orange rockerverb half stack...
But the G.A.S. keeps them here...:)

I added a Galaxie 112 combo to my lineup last week!

I started with a Prescription Jr and Z 2x10 and currently in love with my Blond Maz Jr NR 2x10 combo. I LOVE this amp!

I'm the proud new owner of a Dr Z MAZ 38 SR in Blonde!!! As far as I know ,it's stock and I'm absolutely in love with it!!! It's so good,it's scary!!!

Congrats Ian, you can't go wrong with Z's. Any pics??

Gotta love the harmonic overtones....they are lush, like a giant orchestra.

I've had two - a Carmen Ghia and a Z-28... sold both to fund other projects and regretted it ever since. Especially that Z-28. Man, that thing had some mojo...

If anyone knows where I can score a Red Z-28 with tan grille cloth, let me know...

No pic's yet. I'll get some this weekend, we're doing a Casino gig in Camrose ,Alberta. We have 3 nights so I'm sure to get a few.

I've had two - a Carmen Ghia and a Z-28... sold both to fund other projects and regretted it ever since. Especially that Z-28. Man, that thing had some mojo...

If anyone knows where I can score a Red Z-28 with tan grille cloth, let me know...

here are my two beloved Z's... man I miss them

http://i263.photobucket.com/albums/ii143/drummerdarko/IMG00151.jpg

Drummerdarko, sweet grille on the Z-28!!

Oh, here's another love of mine. Best girl I have ever ridden - absolutely no complaints - pure bliss.

http://inlinethumb11.webshots.com/7882/2360715900104688689S600x600Q85.jpg (http://good-times.webshots.com/photo/2360715900104688689XTLimo)

I've got an 04 Ghia head that I use with a Mesa 2 d 12 cab...both blonde.
Its great for smaller room gigs or when we have all the amps mic'd.

Hey All
keep going back to the Dr z site and fantasizing-actually made a call to a music store to inquire--my question -between the maz 18 and the Z28--are there great differences in sound-Im kinda getting the impression the jr =vox where the 28 maybe= fender??
is the 22 watts of the Z28 uber loud compared to 18 of Jr-on the Dr z soundclips I seem to like the z28 but they are 2 very different types of clips--am I just rambling on now.. maybe
Thanks if this makes any sense and you can help
cheers

that's a fair description, although a MAZ doesn't really sound like a vox and a Z28 doesn't really sound like a fender. Z's just have their own feel, their own sound. The Z28 does get really loud, but it gets dirty at a very usable volume. You don't have to crank it to get a very smooth growl. If I had 1400 right now, I'd buy a 4x10 Z28 combo right now.

Maz 38, Z-28 and a Z Best 2x12 cab. Don't use the 38 or Z best much unless I'm playing outside. Got a 2x10 cab I use with the Z-28. Very versatile amp - all depending on where those "tone" control knobs are set.