Dr. Z or Handwired Vox ... Advice Needed

[rickc007]

Need Advice, I'm new to the Vox thing and tone
Just discovered Brad Paisley and his tone, so I got to diggin

Have been sampling the Dr. Z amps, the Prescription and Stangray
but now read about the new handwired Vox

Kind of thought the Z would be more reliable than the Vox
But a hand wired Vox sounds really interesting, the new
one seems to have a few more features than a Z
and has the EF86 preamp that everyone seems to rave about

so, steer me in the right direction, seems like I can get a Vox
combo with a Blue for less than a Z head

thanks

[Jarvis]

seems like I can get a Vox
combo with a Blue for less than a Z head

I think you just answered your own question!

[Taller]

Yeah, but with the Z, should anything go wrong, the guy who built it will fix it.
They do call him the "good" Dr., you know.

[BIGGERSTAFF]

Which Vox Handwired combo with Celestion Blues, costs less than a Dr Z head?

[agentcooper2001]

i don't think the new custom classic vox amps are handwired. Vox had a handwired amp a few years back but they're usually at least $2500 used.

[Luke Duke]

Which Vox Handwired combo with Celestion Blues, costs less than a Dr Z head?

I'm wondering the same thing.....

[dock66]

With luck that I have with Z amps,I would definitely give two thumbs up.

[Luke Duke]

i don't think the new custom classic vox amps are handwired. Vox had a handwired amp a few years back but they're usually at least $2500 used.

+1

I figure he's thinking the new CCs are the HWs.

Thing is, to me, comparing a new Made in China Vox and a Dr. Z is like comparing a Mazerati :D......and a gremlin!

Luke

[JamminJoe]

He is probably referring to this:

http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/AC15H1TV/

Looks interesting. I wonder if it gets as loud as a maz jr.

[rickc007]

Which Vox Handwired combo with Celestion Blues, costs less than a Dr Z head?


This one, at the link below $1399 street, can probably haggle lower
Prescription head is 1549
Stangray head is 1699

http://www.voxamps.co.uk/heritagecollection/ac15h1tv.asp

[rickc007]

And below is the head only version for $999

http://www.guitarcenter.com/shop/product/Vox-Heritage-Collection-AC15HTVH-15W-Tube-Guitar-Amp-Head?full_sku=483042%2e002

[Luke Duke]

I'm really skeptical about those prices honestly. After the original handwired series sold for 1K more I'd suspect either:

(A) These use Cheap components
(B) These are Made in China


Heck maybe both?

If that doesn't bother you go with what you want....I just have severe issues with paying what Vox/Marshall is asking for amps that are built in China.

That said I'll still wage dollars to dimes the Z will be a better investment.

Luke

[Pentode]

I'm really skeptical about those prices honestly. After the original handwired series sold for 1K more I'd suspect either:

(A) These us Cheap components
(B) These are Made in China


Heck maybe both?

If that doesn't bother you go with what you want....I just have severe issues with paying what Vox/Marshall is asking for amps that are built in China.

That said I'll still wage dollars to dimes the Z will be a better investment.

Luke

They are handwired, made in China.

[Luke Duke]

They are handwired, made in China.
DOH! You caught my terrible typing skills! :jo

Thanks for clearing it up.:)

Luke

[silencer eleven]

I own a stang ray and had a custom classic with blues, CC is way gone, stangray stays. If your looking for country tone get the Stangray. The CC sounds good, but isn't really in the same playing field as the Stangray. Stangray just outclasses the amp in most every way I can think of. If that makes sense.

[mcgriff420]

Based solely on reliability I would definitely go Dr.Z

(Though I am an admitted Z addict)

handwired in China just doesn't sound right to me,

Z's el84 amps have shades of vox in them but are wider ranging sound-wise.

BTW the Stangray has the ef86 your looking for.

[jay42]

http://www.trinityamps.com/

...and no, I'm not affiliated with them...it's just an alternative. A T15 with an ef-86 input could be easily done.

[BIGGERSTAFF]

This one, at the link below $1399 street, can probably haggle lower
Prescription head is 1549
Stangray head is 1699

http://www.voxamps.co.uk/heritagecollection/ac15h1tv.asp


In any event, you're comparing a 15w amp to bigger amps, so it's not really an apples to apples comparison, though I'm sure they're nice amps for the money.

[lanesmat]

Wait till August and try out the AC15H1TV;
Then try out some Dr. Z amps;
Both handwired (if that's important to you);
Handwired in China(?) - I dunno. Can Chinese people use a solder iron?

Let your ears make the decision.

Good luck,
Scott L.

[Strat]

WHile I use the AC15ccx alot there is something in the high end that really bothers me, a certain harsh/metallic edge of tone that may well respond to better tubes but I'm lazy that way. I was waiting for the HW to show up for a demo. Trying a Savage Rohr 15 which is quite an earful and voxy but dark dark dark ! Probably will move it soon. ( takers ?) I should give the Z's a closer look.

[farlowhigh]

echoplex,
not to hijack the thread, but ballpark price on the Rohr 15?

[marscottm]

+1 on the AC15/30CC bright cap removal

[farlowhigh]

Sorry! I meant to address the question to Strat...the Savage Rohr 15 is what I am curious about and you quoted Strat's comment about it...

[JamminJoe]

I find nothing wrong with my AC30cc1's tone - although I do want to hear it with a Celestion gold. On the other hand, my MAZ JR had something in the high-end i could not dial out without the sound becoming flat. Also couldn't change the speaker since it was glued to the cab. However, I would still like to try out a carmen ghia - the build quality on the MAZ was super. I'm not sure why the DR Z posters have to bash the CC line - its tone is leagues above its price. I'll definitely try out the AC15HW head in august. It would be nice to compare this against a ghia.

[Luke Duke]

I find nothing wrong with my AC30cc1's tone - although I do want to hear it with a Celestion gold. On the other hand, my MAZ JR had something in the high-end i could not dial out without the sound becoming flat. Also couldn't change the speaker since it was glued to the cab. However, I would still like to try out a carmen ghia - the build quality on the MAZ was super. I'm not sure why the DR Z posters have to bash the CC line - its tone is leagues above its price. I'll definitely try out the AC15HW head in august. It would be nice to compare this against a ghia.

I don't mean to have anyone think I'm bashing, I just take issue with every manufacturer moving facilities to China and keeping prices the same. That said there are quite a few guys who've had problems with CCs, so that's something I was also thinking about. I know nothing of the handwired other than the contents of this thread.

:cool:

Luke

[blackba]

I don't mean to have anyone think I'm bashing, I just take issue with every manufacturer moving facilities to China and keeping prices the same. That said there are quite a few guys who've had problems with CCs, so that's something I was also thinking about. I know nothing of the handwired other than the contents of this thread.

:cool:

Luke

The AC30CC's are less than the UK built AC30TBX's, so some of the cost savings did get passed on to the customers.

Vox made the classic mistake, they changed manufacturing locations and designs at the same time. That almost always spells problems.....

[jumpnblues]

Comparing the AC-30 with any of the Dr.Zs is sort of an apples to oranges comparison, even though some Dr.Zs have Vox-like characteristics. They're both outstanding amps. I've owned five Dr.Zs myself and wish I could have kept them all. They're just superb amps. I've not owned an AC-30 but I'm gettin' the itch to have one in the stable. Perhaps a really good AC-30 or Valvetech Hayseed 30. :dude:dude:AOK:AOK

Tom

[JamminJoe]

I should also add that there was a lot to love about the MAZ Jr's tone - it was a muscular fender tone with girth and glass. If not for the treble spike which was unpleasant to my ears and increased with the amp's gain, i would have been very very happy. I really thought a different speaker would have fixed this for me, but the stock 12H30 was stuck solid to the amp - probably installed when the cab paint had not dried.

[Powerpopfan]

Comparing the AC-30 with any of the Dr.Zs is sort of an apples to oranges comparison, even though some Dr.Zs have Vox-like characteristics. They're both outstanding amps. I've owned five Dr.Zs myself and wish I could have kept them all. They're just superb amps. I've not owned an AC-30 but I'm gettin' the itch to have one in the stable. Perhaps a really good AC-30 or Valvetech Hayseed 30. :dude:dude:AOK:AOK

Tom
+1 on the Hayseed. Reasonably priced, American, handwired and an incredible chimey vox sound. Plus you get the ef-86 option for a whole 'nother range of sounds.

[jumpnblues]

I didn't notice the treble spike in my MAZ 18 Jr. but it was a 2x10" reverb combo. And, Mike Zaite makes great 10" speakers. That amp simply had no bad sounds. As I said above...wish I had it back. :(:cool:

Tom

[mtmartin71]

+1 on the Hayseed. Reasonably priced, American, handwired and an incredible chimey vox sound. Plus you get the ef-86 option for a whole 'nother range of sounds.

Wow...I looked these amps up and was very impressed on the price. Heck, the new Vox discussed in this thread is the same price with half the headroom/power yet made in China! Of course, a 4-month turnaround is the downside. Kind of like Bill Lawrence pickups to some degree. Low prices but you have to a wait a long time to get 'em.

Matt

[ford]

I waited 4 and a half months on my Hayseed 30 head, and it was well worth the wait! I've played it right next to an AC30cc and it sounds better to me, although the AC30cc is a good sounding amp.

My hayseed head was 1075 with the ef86 option, plus 50 bucks for the rally stripes.:D

rock

bford

[allynmey]

I played the Vox in the Marshall room after hours at the NJ Ampshow. The thing really surprised me! It sounded fantastic. I was with George from Metro amps and Rob from Keeler designs and we all were surprised at the sound! I don't know about the construction or reliability since they are a new product but, the sound was there.

Allynmey

[Powerpopfan]

Wow...I looked these amps up and was very impressed on the price. Heck, the new Vox discussed in this thread is the same price with half the headroom/power yet made in China! Of course, a 4-month turnaround is the downside. Kind of like Bill Lawrence pickups to some degree. Low prices but you have to a wait a long time to get 'em.

Matt

The way I look at it is, what's 4 months for a lifetime of happiness with no regrets? :) It always surprises me to learn that people pass this beauty over because of the wait... The Chinese vox's and 90's versions both sound great to my ears, but the hayseed is special.

[tele_jas]

Need Advice, I'm new to the Vox thing and tone
Just discovered Brad Paisley and his tone, so I got to diggin

Have been sampling the Dr. Z amps, the Prescription and Stangray
but now read about the new handwired Vox

Kind of thought the Z would be more reliable than the Vox
But a hand wired Vox sounds really interesting, the new
one seems to have a few more features than a Z
and has the EF86 preamp that everyone seems to rave about

so, steer me in the right direction, seems like I can get a Vox
combo with a Blue for less than a Z head

thanks

I've been on a tone quest and Brad's tone was kind of the center point for that tone quest... In my search for a tone I liked and that was close to Brad's, here's what I'ver owned in the last year:
1) Vox AC30cc (1x12) with weber alnico blue
2) Vox AC30 1990 Korg Reissue with 2 alnico blues
3) TopHat King Royale 2x12 with alnico silver bell and blue
4) Dr. Z Prescription ES w/ Z Cab and Alnico silver bell and blue
5) Dr. Z Stang Ray and an Avatar with a Red Fang and silver bell (but I use the Z cab with this amp).

Out of all of these amps, the StangRay is the best (and closest to Brads tone)...... Actually, it's the best amp I've ever owned - PERIOD!

It's only got 3 knobs [Volume, Tone & Cut], but those 3 knobs are more versatile than most other amps I've played with a full EQ. The tone knob can make it sound as thin as an AM radio in a 1973 Ford, or crank up the tone knob and it is as thick as a Dual Rectifer...... but clean! Use the cut to tame the highs and you can dial in any tone from any AC30 and even a tad darker to get in to Fender territory. Run the Stangray around 4 on the volume and get a nice, slight break up (may need attenuation if you can't play loud).

I've got clips of the AC30cc, RXES and TopHat at my site: www.guitartest.moonfruit.com (http://www.guitartest.moonfruit.com) if you want to hear those amp... I should have some of the Stangray soon.

Save your money and get a Stang Ray!

[bilbal]

I presently have a Dr. Z Maz38Sr head. I sold my Dr. Z route 66 last weekend and I am presently in the middle of trading my Dr. Z Galaxie for another Maz38Sr head. Hands down, the Maz38Sr is the best amplifier I have ever owned and I have owned "them all". Obviously this is the truth given the fact that I have another one (identical) on the way. Try one out. You want versatility? Grab a Maz series, you will not be disappointed.

bilbal

[TJN]

There is one big difference between Dr Z and Vox... and that would be the Vox tone is famous and easily identified... The Dr Z is not famous for a certain sound and it is not easily recognized. Until you have played a handwired Vox, you have no idea how good an amp it really is... Even if it is make on the moon, by little green men. Making guitar amps is so old school electronics wise. They aren't that complicated and using a turret board instead of a printed circuit board makes a huge amount of difference in my eyes. China is producing guitars that are better than 99% of any guitar brand in America between the years 1970 to 1995. Today's off the shelf no name is a very playable guitar. China has come a very long way to educate the workforce in good assembly habits.. Almost everything is manufacturered in China... Are you afraid of buying an Apple product. They are pretty much all made in china. Catch my drift?

TJ

[mcdes]

Wow, a thread revival after what..... 4 years!

[rickc007]

Really !
I'm the originator of the thread

I actually have an Rx Jr with a Blue, and a Stangray with a Gold

Almost bought a Heritage "Hand Windired" in Mahogany
couldn't get past the cheapness myself
Got some good tones out of it

[HumbuckerMusic]

I see you made the wise choices!

[Madison]

China is producing guitars that are better than 99% of any guitar brand in America between the years 1970 to 1995.


Which Chinese guitars are you referring to?

[Steve73]

Wow, a thread revival after what..... 4 years!

Yeah, and it is a different handwired Vox to compare the Dr.Z to also!

[rickc007]

Yeah, and it is a different handwired Vox to compare the Dr.Z to also!

I just tried the latest one.
Wasn't bad, I knew it had a Hot on the Top Boost,
and I want to dial in some Rory Gallagher tone.
It was close, but for what I wanted it to do, I had
to like dime everything, still wanted just a tad more

Actually like the cleans on the Heritage Hand wired a little better,
With the EF-86, and 12ax7, thought you could play around
a little more with this amps cleans

[Chas]

IMO Dr Z makes some of the best stuff out there. I wish I could get this...

http://www.drzamps.com/Images/Amps/Main_Photo/remedy.jpg

Yeah a Plexi with 4-6v6...where do I sign up??

[Stratobuc]

I got an AC30H2 for just over a grand when Cream City Music was closing them out. Only thing I changed was the stock tubes. Get nothing but glowing compliments from fellow pickers on the tone - it is SWeeeeeeeeeT !