Just picked up one of the first 20 from 2019 in new condition. It is a nice amp!! One really nice thing I would add about DrZs cab design is that because the chassis is mounted like it is vs how Fender did it is there’s absolutely zero cab buzzing from the back panel. It’s a rock solid design and a joy to play.
What a great video. I've been on the hunt for that classic Bandmaster sound for years. I had a Victoria and a Clarke Tyger and found them rather strident. I also built a kit one with an amp builder pal. Nothing really got me there. I got this one around a month ago from Sweetwater and this is *it*... it has *that* sound. Fantastic amp. Thanks for creating it, doc!!
Glad you're back, doc! Love these almost as much as your amps. Would love to see an AMA like this on the ezg 50- It's one of my favorite amps ever. Cheers
When I was fortunate enough to go for a tour of Z Amps and play through several amps (I used the gold top) the amps I played through were definitely 3D HD. It wasn’t like anything I’ve ever before in my 48 years of of playing. Mike is a genius of tone and a sweetheart of a guy to hang with.
Always been fascinated by the talk about the 'Who's Next' guitar tones and the use of that amp. It sounds like you have the bases covered. I wish I could afford one right now. I remember Matchless using that blue dye on the solder connections to see if it's been tampered with or worked on. It's built like a rock like that one also.
This amp is what I've been looking for. A nice full and clean sounding amp. An impedance mismatch can have beautiful results. If an electronics guy like Joe Walsh approves of this amp its gotta be good.
Lol I think Joe had a habit of being too good and giving away a lot of things that helped other artists. Gotta love him! Just gotta! He really is an amazing human being. Love and look up to him so much! Have seen his explanation about the amp when he was at sweet water.
The guts of that amp is immaculate. I love the sound and feel of the fender vibro king. I wonder if dr z sells a model that is like that amp or if he can build one like it. I also love that it is very compact cabinet for a 3 10 amp.
I remember plugging into a white tolex 3x10 Bandmaster many years ago while visiting Silver Strings in St. Louis. It sounded great! I wanted to buy the amp, but they wouldn't sell it. I'll have to find a Z Master to try...
The question I have is why didn't Pete Townshend didn't just let Joe borrow the amp so he could have had it spec'd it out so he didn't have to go through all that trouble? It's the least he could have done considering how pivotal that amp (and the Gretsch) proved to be in creating his 70s sounds.
Oh, judging by the amount of gain Pete Townshend was getting out of the Bandmaster makes me think he probably used a 12ax7 at the V1 rather than a 12ay7.
@@DrZAmplification I bet he does but he's just a jerk in general so I wouldn't be surprised, whose to say if they're even still friends? Joe Walsh seems like a pretty sunny guy to be around while Pete Townshend is pretty much the opposite in every respect. I glad Joe hooked up with you guys because he deserved to have his sound back without walking through the thorn-bushes trying to appeal to Pete's 'good side' which I doubt he ever had in the first place. Still love the Who, doesn't mean I have to like the guy.
There’s a less sensitive speaker complement in this amp as well as a smaller output transformer which will limit the perceived volume, per the design. The speakers in the z master are -96dB and also 10”. A MAZ 18 typically ships with a -100db 12” ceramic H30 which is over twice as sensitive as the Alnico 10” speakers in the Z Master. Buy if you have any doubts please send repairs@drzamps.com a clip. I would measure them both on a dB meter first though. You may be perceiving the 18 as louder because it’s voicing more heavily in the upper mids which is where human hearing is most sensitive.
It's 4 ohms mismatched to a 2.7 ohm load, the same as the original. It's the same transformer in the original, made by Triad, the original manufacturer, to the exact specifications of the original.
Dr, did you leave the choke in the original location. When I built a 5E7 from a kit (when I merely followed the plan- or internet tone tips in this case). Someone swore it was better to put the choke in the Bassman location. I think that unusual choke location is what gives it the certain sound to the Bandmaster. Kinda wish I had kept it in the original place in the circuit.
You do understand the Tweed Bandmaster is a true Triode output configuration , unlike the Bassmans Tetrode hook up, so the choke placement in the power supply circuit is different .
why not just Have joe go & take pic's of that original amp he gave to that guy named pete something.Take measurements & such & you should have a real good idea why that amp pete has sounds great.
Hi Robert, Peach Guitars in the UK will be getting an order of Z Masters in the coming month. We have discussed opening it to export dealers elsewhere depending on demand.