Dr. Z Stangray on a budget?

[nrvana8775]

Is there anything that sounds like this? I'm looking for the vox cleans, and I'm coming down down to the stangray or a hayseed.

[tele_jas]

I've got a Stangray...... No other "AC30" voiced amp that I've tried sounds like the Ray. The Ray is so much "more" sounding..... It's hard to explain.

Last year, I had a 60s AC30 sitting in my practice room (living room). It had the Vox Alnico speakers (celestion blues) and pretty fresh power tubes. I played that amp for a little while and thought to myself "man, this is what it's all about". I then plugged in to my Stangray and hit a chord............. The AC30 then sounded like an old FM radio through a boom-box in comparison to the Stangray sounding like a hi-fi CD being played on a 8pc home theatre system. The Ray is fuller, more low end (if you need it, it's there), smoother top end (but just as chimey), maybe a little less mids but still more than a Fender. It sounded like I just played a chord on a Grand piano (on the Ray). The Ray is my amp of amps, I will keep this thing until I go to the grave.

Since I've had the Ray, I've been looking for a backup or 2nd amp...... I've tried several other Dr. Z's, TopHats, Bad Cats, AC30's (HW series) and even a few Fenders..... Nothing has lasted more than a month, because they all sound like toys next to the Ray........

But recently, I picked up a Genz Benz Black Pearl (not expecting much) and was totally blown away!! While still not as nice as the Stangray, it has turned out to be my 2nd favorite amp I've ever owned.

I've never tried a Hayseed, but I'd love to, and this Black Pearl is not a Botique amp..... but DANG it sounds really good!

I've got a few clips at www.guitartest.moonfruit.com if you want to check 'em out?

Best thing is, you can pick one up for around $800 (give or take a some $$).

[8nthatK]

Vox AC30HH... has the '58 EF86 channel the StangRay was built to mimic, and the bad azz Top Boost channel which is a better clean anyway IMO.
I like the StangRay a lot, but if I had to choose between the two, the Vox stays. The Ray can't touch the natural OD sounds of the AC30HH when wound up, but you weren't asking 'bout that tone...
BUT, I will say I really dig Dr. Z's stuff, and the Ray is exceptional IMO. I really dug the one I had, but, I dunno, nothing sounds like a Vox I guess. Maybe the logo adds mojo...lol. After tweaking my Heritage edition I like it as much or more then my '64.

The Hayseed isn't nearly as cool (AC30) sounding as either IMO.

[mockoman]

How well does the StangRay take dirt pedals? OK?

[nrvana8775]

ttt

[tele_jas]

Originally Posted by mockoman

How well does the StangRay take dirt pedals? OK?

I think its a great pedal amp, it can make an already "scooped" pedal sound thin or too scooped... but throw a tubescreamer, OCD, BB preamp or similar pedal in front of it and it sounds great! You've already got a great clean to build upon, just add dirt as needed.

I will say that I do have to turn the treble down a little on my pedals when going from other amps to the Ray... That's the only thing I can think of that may turn someone off from the Ray.

[Treble booster]

The ray is a more perfect "pre top-boost" ac-30 with fuller tone and incredible reliability. It does have that grand piano tone associated with those amps, and won't distort like the top-boost ac-30s, even at blistering volumes. This amp was a callaboration between the good Doctor and Brad Paisley to replace his aging (and unreliable) pre top-boost ac-30. There is talk that Dr Z is working on "top-boost" version of the same amp, or a hybrid of the stangray/mazerati GT amps. His amps are magical in my opinion. Be warned though..... it seems that once a person purchases a Doctor Z, more will find their way into your collection.