Dr.Z on the way!!!! (Z-28)

[E-Rock]

So I ordered my first Z amp. A Z-28. I can't wait.
So while I wait for it to get here, does anyone here have any thoughts, comments, etc, on this amp. I've heard that people like to swap out the preamp tube (ef-86?).

 

[Laroosco!]

Check here.

http://drzamplifiers.proboards41.com/index.cgi?board=z28

 

[E-Rock]

Cool, thanks!!
Anyone else who uses one of these bad boys, I've to hear your input!

 

[arniez]

I've had one for about 3 years and think they sound great out of the box. I have tried swapping the PI 5751 with an ax7 and preferred the stock 5751. I picked an NOS Amperex ef86, which is probably a Mullard and swapped out the Russian tube. It sounds different, not necessarily better, to my ears. That one is still in, too lazy to bother and no real reason to do so. I have several guitars and by the time I try them all with each tube change I never reach a unanimous verdict. It's a great amp and you should love it. Personally I think it's probably 99% to it's best tone out of the box, I won't be making myself crazy for the 1% more:Spank
ArnieZ

 

[brandie_witch]

cool! a lot of times i'll run my zvex super duper in front of it for both a tad shimmery sound & some extra push.

congratsies

 

[riffmeister]

Cool, thanks!!
Anyone else who uses one of these bad boys, I've to hear your input!

three words:

TURN IT UP!!!!

 

[big mike]

Greatest freaking amp on earth. Period!

When the stock tube goes microphonic change it out for a Dario EF86 from KCA and you're good to go.:BEER :RoCkIn

 

[Telecaster]

Congrats ! Great amp. I'm sure you will like it as much as I do.

 

[E-Rock]

Cool, thanks for the input y'all. Yeah, I'm stoked. At practice last night I just kept thinking, "I wonder what the z28 will sound like?"
Big Mike, I have heard that the stock ef86 does that. Thanks for the tip.
Maybe I'll just order one now, so I have it.
How many of you guys play with a Hotplate or Airbrake or something like that? I don't think I will need one. I'm thinking I should be able to get it up to that point on the verge of breakup, without being TOO loud.
That is the point I like to live most of the time, using pedals to go over the top for leads.
Man, It sucks waiting......

 

[The Whiz]

Congratulations. I love mine. One of the cool things about the Z28 is there is long transition on the volume knob (and the tone knobs) between clean and crunch. And it's those in between tones that really make it a beauty. Enjoy the warmth and bottom end.

+1 on the super duper for pushing it into a shimmery crunch.

taco

 

[The Whiz]

ps. what configuration did you get? I have a head and run it into a 2x12 cab with alnico weber blues. Sometimes I'm tempted to try out a 2x10 or 4x10 dr z cab too.

 

[E-Rock]

I ordered the head. I have an Avatar 2x12 I play thru most of the time.
I have a Marshall 4x12 "TV" cab that I was hoping to try with it, but the cab is 16 ohms, and I just realised the z28 only has 4 and 8 ohm taps.
I also have a 1x12 with a Blue, maybe for recording at lower levels.

 

[The Whiz]

I ordered the head. I have an Avatar 2x12 I play thru most of the time.
I have a Marshall 4x12 "TV" cab that I was hoping to try with it, but the cab is 16 ohms, and I just realised the z28 only has 4 and 8 ohm taps.
I also have a 1x12 with a Blue, maybe for recording at lower levels.

You will be fine running from the Z28 8 ohm out into the 16 ohm Marshall cab. That sort of mismatch is fine for most amps. I've never had problems running my z28 into 16 ohm load. The TV cab has the greenbacks in it right? That would sound awesome I'm betting.

taco

 

[Madison]

You will be fine running from the Z28 8 ohm out into the 16 ohm Marshall cab.

That's the way I understand it too. The Z trannies are pretty stout, in fact the early Ghias only had one tap and Z once told me to plug into whatever w/o fear...which is just what I did.

The 28's a good choice. Knobs at 3:00, through a boost pedal and 4x12, oh my!

 

[E-Rock]

Sweet! I'll give it a try. I've been running my old Bassman head (4ohms)
into my Avatar (8 ohms) and it's been working great. I guess if the Fender is OK, the Z can probably take it.
Thanks for all the input y'all! I'll have to post some clips when I get it.