Opinions needed: Fender '67 Twin or Dr Z EZG-50 head

[Guitardave]

So I've got an oppt. to pick one or the other as a trade.....which would you choose.

Twin has original Altec's and is not a beauty queen but is a real "toneful" amp. Recently tuned up and all orginal caps, pre-amp tubes - a real good "workhorse" amp. Loud, heavy but sweet....

Dr Z seems to be a really interesting amp but means I need to lug a cab around with me. Love the idea of the pre/post volume - seems like you could get some of that Twin type breakup at a manageable gig volume.

Thoughts?

 

[Guitardave]

Hmm - not one response - kind of odd for this place! Any EZG-50 users who also have a Twin?

Oops - didn't see the poll results - looks like people are leaning towards the vintage Twin. Maybe a few of them can post the "why's"....

 

[frankiestarr]

I have both....A real BF Twin is considered by some the "HolyGrail". You can hear and feel the volume/wattage difference right off the bat. The EZG is Fender-ish, with thicker mids, great verb. Both great amps, I would base my choice on how much wattage and/or clean headroom you want. And that a side, you can't go wrong with the Z amp, built like tanks. Hope this helps

 

[Guitardave]

I have both....A real BF Twin is considered by some the "HolyGrail". You can hear and feel the volume/wattage difference right off the bat. The EZG is Fender-ish, with thicker mids, great verb. Both great amps, I would base my choice on how much wattage and/or clean headroom you want. And that a side, you can't go wrong with the Z amp, built like tanks. Hope this helps

Thanks - that's to the core of what I'm trying to decide. I know I'll love the tone of the Twin but it may never leave the house due to the weight/volume. The EZG looks like it might be more "useable" in more situations. I have a '95 Evil Twin that doesn't get much love anymore for the same reason. It's heavier than my Shiva and I hate to lug it around.

I've got an old Super Reverb that's really pretty amazing as well so my "vintage" Fender tone is pretty much covered.

 

[harry65]

i've played thru my buddy's ezg and it is awesome!!!!!!!! he put a warehouse et65 in it , super duper warm and responsive and fantastic verb , to be honest i'm not a twin guy , i need breakup at less ear bleeding volumes...........

 

[harry65]

just to add imo if ya want fender breakup at giggable volumes there is nothing sweeter than a blackface or blackfaced vibrolux , greatest amp i've ever owned , i use a z brakelite with mine set to either the 1st or 2nd notch(light attenuation) , works like a charm for hitting the sweet spot...........

 

[skhan007]

Man tough call. Based on tone alone, I would go with the vintage amp, keeping in mind there's a good chance it will go up in price over the years. Outside of that, the EZG is gig-worthy, has a master volume (huge plus for me playing at home), and as stated, is built like a tank. Since you're gigging, I would say Dr. Z.

 

[vanguard]

is the twin blackface? i have a blackface from '67 and it is my benchmark for what electric guitar should sound like: massive without being loud, somehow open and focused sounding simultaneously, perfect blend of sparkle and warmth, etc.

 

[Guitardave]

is the twin blackface? i have a blackface from '67 and it is my benchmark for what electric guitar should sound like: massive without being loud, somehow open and focused sounding simultaneously, perfect blend of sparkle and warmth, etc.

Yes, it's an original '67 Blackface with factory Altec's. I'd be the 3rd owner and it's been recently checked out and everything is working/sounding great.

I'm really torn as well - I know I'll love the Twin - I just wonder if I'll ever take it out of the house.

 

[autonomous]

Why not try a Vintage sound amp. Modern equip but with the same tones as the early BF fenders. Checkem out

 

[vanguard]

Yes, it's an original '67 Blackface with factory Altec's. I'd be the 3rd owner and it's been recently checked out and everything is working/sounding great.

I'm really torn as well - I know I'll love the Twin - I just wonder if I'll ever take it out of the house.

the good thing about the blackface twin is that, unlike other fender amps, it sounds just as awesome at 3 as it does at 7. also, a pair of low-efficiency speakers (like scumbacks) make it totally playable at home at 5-6 on the volume dial.

as long as you can handle the weight (which will also be improved with a pair of scumbacks), there's no reason not to take it out. my '67 was my sole amp when i did really heavy touring from '05-'09.

 

[Guitardave]

Why not try a Vintage sound amp. Modern equip but with the same tones as the early BF fenders. Checkem out

In this case it's a choice between trade offers...

 

[Johns62312]

I used a twin with electro voice sro speakers for years. Man I don't miss carryiny that thing around.

 

[Guitardave]

Well - hate to buck popular opinion on the Twin but I decided to get the Dr. Z. I know I would have loved the Twin but it probably would never have seen a gig...

The EZG-50 sounds great - played it thru and Egnater Tweaker 1x12 cab with Celestion Heritage. Sounds huge - lots of great blackface tone and plenty of volume to spare.

I'll miss the versatility of the Cornford Hurricane but the classic Fendery sounds are definitely more my thing and this might actually see some real playing time.

 

[Guitardave]

I have both....A real BF Twin is considered by some the "HolyGrail". You can hear and feel the volume/wattage difference right off the bat. The EZG is Fender-ish, with thicker mids, great verb. Both great amps, I would base my choice on how much wattage and/or clean headroom you want. And that a side, you can't go wrong with the Z amp, built like tanks. Hope this helps

Excellent description of the tone of the EZG. What speaker/cab are you playing it thru?

 

[skhan007]

Cool. Would love to hear some clips!!

 

[stratpaulguy86]

Yes, it's an original '67 Blackface with factory Altec's. I'd be the 3rd owner and it's been recently checked out and everything is working/sounding great.

I'm really torn as well - I know I'll love the Twin - I just wonder if I'll ever take it out of the house.

I own two '67 Twin Reverbs, so I guess you know where my vote went...

Just get a fold-up dolly to wheel it around for gigs, save your back, and enjoy all the magic sparkle of a Blackface Twin Reverb!

 

[Guitardave]

Just wired up my 2x12 Swanson cab with a pair of Celestion Centuries (series wired for a 16 ohm load) and hooked it up to the EZG. Holy **** batman...what a HUGE sound. Sweet, sweet, sweet chimy goodness even at conversation volumes. My wife has much better ears than I do and this got her vote as being a winner.

I can't wait to play this rig at a gig. The cab and head both are about 40 lbs. each so it's totally manageable for load in.

 

[smolder]

I have a couple of twins (3 actually) and a handful of Dr Z's, but none of them are the EZG, in fact I've never played or heard one. Had I zero twins, I'd lean that way... especially with the Altecs. I recently picked up a pair of 417 B's and they are amazing. A really nice shift from my JBL's.

Congrats on the choice. I've yet to play through a Z that wasn't pretty spectacular.

 

[Guitardave]

I have a couple of twins (3 actually) and a handful of Dr Z's, but none of them are the EZG, in fact I've never played or heard one. Had I zero twins, I'd lean that way... especially with the Altecs. I recently picked up a pair of 417 B's and they are amazing. A really nice shift from my JBL's.

Congrats on the choice. I've yet to play through a Z that wasn't pretty spectacular.

I've had '65 Twin Reissue and currently have a '95 Evil Twin but never an early original blackface.

Try an EZG if you get the chance. Like you I've had a few Z's (Maz38, Maz18 and Carmen Ghia) but the EZG is in another league. The guy I traded my Cornford with had a Carr Rambler next to the EZG and while it was similar - the EZG just had a much "bigger" sound field even though I was playing thru a small Egnater cab. The best example I can think of is with home stereos when you switch from a bookshelf to floor standing speakers. They both can sound great - but the bigger size just makes everything stand-out more clearly.

I'm looking forward to some a/b comparisons with my Shiva - very different animals but the Shiva also has that same sort of of larger feel to it.