Dr Z owners, lend me your expertise.

[Probos]

Ok,..I've played through two Dr Z amps in my life,..a Rt 66 and yesterday a Perscription ES, and I must say each time I was floored at how pure and complex the tone is. I used a 61 RI SG through the Perscription into a Z-Best 2x12 (V30/GB mix) and tried a BB preamp by Xotic Effects into it,....seriously, I was blown away. All the amps I own are high gain monsters, but I also love great, spanky cleans and vintage overdrive ala Jimi, Zep, Black Crowes, Pearl Jam, etc. So,.....I want a Dr Z, just have to figure out which one is for me. The setup would be to set the amp for a great clean tone and use pedals for overdrive. Out of the descriptions I think the KT-45 would be the one for me,.....I'm going over to a friends place this week to play through his, so we'll see. Any knowledge you have to pass on regarding Dr Z amps please share.

Bill

 

[m1911]

Sounds like a KT-45 would fit the bill....but don't overlook the 6545.
Why not have the KT-45 with the built in flexibility of switching to an extra channel with more gain? For playing rock, I can't think of a better choice.
Mark

 

[Probos]

Originally posted by m1911
Sounds like a KT-45 would fit the bill....but don't overlook the 6545.
Why not have the KT-45 with the built in flexibility of switching to an extra channel with more gain? For playing rock, I can't think of a better choice.
Mark

I looked at that amp too and I'm sure it's smokin. But I want to own a single channel amp for once in my life,...it's always been channel switchers for me. Thanks for the reply.

 

[kaseri]

It comes down to what your ears tell you. My ears can't stand the sound of pedal overdrive so I went with a 6545. If you like the sound of pedal drive then go with the KT-45. The KT-45 takes pedals very well.

You may also want to check out the Z Amps forum.

http://drzamplifiers.proboards41.com/

 

[Bx3]

The setup would be to set the amp for a great clean tone and use pedals for overdrive.

Although several Z's will give the above, you may want to try out a Maz Sr. Of all the Z's I've tried the Sr wins on clean.

 

[Laroosco!]

The Mazerati is the single best clean Z I've tried.

Killed my Maz Sr.

I haven't tried a KT45 yet tho.

 

[riffmeister]

Originally posted by Probos
.....The setup would be to set the amp for a great clean tone and use pedals for overdrive. Out of the descriptions I think the KT-45 would be the one for me.....

KT45 is a good one for this. Ditto the Z28 if you want a little crunch and a bit lower volume. I've owned them both.

 

[Probos]

Originally posted by riffmeister
KT45 is a good one for this. Ditto the Z28 if you want a little crunch and a bit lower volume. I've owned them both.

The Z28 was another one I'm interested in,....not as loud as the KT-45? The Ghia is the other one that interests me a bunch,.....

 

[riffmeister]

Originally posted by Probos
The Z28 was another one I'm interested in,....not as loud as the KT-45? The Ghia is the other one that interests me a bunch,.....

order of clean volume:

KT45 > Z28 > Ghia


how loud a clean do you need? If you are playing in a loud 2 guitar rock band, probably you'd need a KT45

 

[Probos]

Originally posted by riffmeister
order of clean volume:

KT45 > Z28 > Ghia


how loud a clean do you need? If you are playing in a loud 2 guitar rock band, probably you'd need a KT45

Well,...I would more than likely be two guitars. Here's the thing,...my clean doesn't have to be completely clean, a bit of dirt doesn't bother me. If all it takes is rolling back the vol knob a touch to completely clean it up that's fine. Would the Z28 do that well and then slam it with a good pedal to take it over the top?

 

[TTrahan]

When I heard the Z28 at the Michigan Tone Fest, clean didn't even come to my mind at all. It was more of a crunch amp, IMO, in the tweed vein. I didn't get a chance to hear it with single coils though..

The Sr. does a sweet clean, as does the Rt. 66 (from what I gathered from playing it in a guitar store). I personally would go for the 66, I gotta get one of those.

 

[Bx3]

The Mazerati is the single best clean Z I've tried. Killed my Maz Sr.

Wow, I need to try the Mazerati. Too bad these amps are so far and few between. I've only been able to demo 1 of the 4 I've owned.

 

[riffmeister]

Originally posted by Probos
Well,...I would more than likely be two guitars. Here's the thing,...my clean doesn't have to be completely clean, a bit of dirt doesn't bother me. If all it takes is rolling back the vol knob a touch to completely clean it up that's fine. Would the Z28 do that well and then slam it with a good pedal to take it over the top?

that would be the ticket with the Z28.

another great amp in the same vein is the TopHat Super Deluxe (30W 2x6L6 in a portable 2x12 combo format). I'm currently using one and love it. Kind of a Voxy Tweedy clean with some dirt around the edges.......roll back on the guitar's volume control for nice cleans, kick in an OD for more gain.......this amp is "best in class" for this playing style, in my book.

I used a KT45 in my 2-guitar-bass-drums rock band for a while. very nice amp! but even with a greenback cab (inefficient), 5V4 rectifier (less headroom) and humbucker guitar, I usually had to use a bit of attenuation (Dr. Z Airbrake......good stuff!) to get the right volume-to-crunch ratio for the band's overall volume.

 

[Probos]

Thanks for all the replies and advice fella's,....I'm sure whatever I end up with I'll love.

 

[Laroosco!]

Actually I have tried a KT45. It was thye 45 side of a 6545.

I probably forgot all about it because the Mazerati sounded so much better IMO.

The cleans in the Mazeraati rivaled my old Matchless Clubmaan and that is not easy to do. And when it is cranked up it sounds amazing too!!!

 

[GuitarBrent]

There are so many great Z amps here to choose from. A great loud clean amp with pedals for overdrive...I'd go with a Maz Sr, Mazerati, KT 45, or Delta 88. The Delta is supposed to be a bigger and cleaner sounding Rt 66. My Rt 66 takes pedals like a champ, but it breaks up pretty early on. I like the cleans on my Maz Jr better.

 

[Laroosco!]

The Delta 88 reminds me more of a high wattage Z28.

It has a nice bright top end like the Z28 that the 66 doesn't have.

 

[Probos]

I've heard cool things about the Delta 88 too,....damn, come to think of it I've never heard one bad thing about a Z amp.

 

[Jimmydeez]

I have been playing th 6545 for about a month and I am in love. I haven't plugged into my Black Cat since.

The 45 side is awsome for 70's rock. It is very Pete Towsend sounding to me. With some pedals I can do some Pink Floyd tones.

On the 65 side get some mid sounding preamp tubes and crank the mids and you will get some great crunch tones. The 65 side paired with my Hot Cake is the best lead tone I have ever had.

The 6545 is the easiest channels switcher to dial in I have played.

 

[kaseri]

Indeed. The 6545 is exactly what I am looking for in an amp at this point in my playing.