I appreciate these sit-down-talk-through's of his designs. He's such an innovative engineer! Not only that, but I called Dr. Z out of the blue yesterday to ask about a few amps and the doctor himself answered the phone and talked to me for 20 minutes. What a nice guy! I'm so impressed, and will be a Dr. Z man for years to come.
We have musicians that are living legends, in the amplification world we have a legend, Dr. Z, without a doubt the best ears in the business. Thanks again for another AMA.
I use a JAN 12at7 tube for my phase inverter in my Z28. That tube really captures all of the subtle details that are happening on the fret-board of my guitars. I use quite a few different flavor of pedals with my amp. The Z28 IS a great amp, all by itself as well. Cheers !
Keep 'em coming Doc! I managed to smash the red square jewel on my early Maz 18 NR head at a gig over the holiday. Someone picked up the busted bit from the stage a gave it to me. Took the chassis out, bit of Araldite on the busted plastic, back together good as new ! Gave me the opportunity to look inside, that's really tidy work Doc. Thx for the vids, Thx for the amps!!
I have that book and it is a great read!!! Also the author did a book on effects pedals that goes through the history right up to present day and has interviews with all the big boutique makers of today.
I'm thinking about purchasing one of these combos I absolutely love the sound of these amps. the only thing that concerns me. Using delays and Reverb pedals in front of the amp as opposed to have an effects loop.
The high voltage EF86 does not require an FX loop as it is able to take the input signals of you time base effects and amplify them without alteration because of it's increased headroom. See this video: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-Mv94OlxuB40.html
be cool if dr z done some reissues of older models like the z 28 with the new killer master volume and variable boost. That was a huge selling point for me buying my new maz 18
The Z28 is the only amp I’ve ever regretted parting with. I traded it for a 65 Amps Ventura because I needed a head and a cab instead of a combo at the time. I instantly knew I made a mistake as soon as I plugged into the Ventura. That was a depressing day. The Z28 took my pedals so well it was like they became part of the amp.
Read up on a RCA tube manual and start with a kit like a tweed amp. Dave Hunter's tube amp book is also a great resource with instructions on how to build a similar amp.
What would a solid state rectifier sound like in place of the tube? I just bought a used 1/10” z28 combo on Reverb and it has a solid state rectifier in it and a warehouse 16 ohm 75 watt G-10 C/S speaker. What do you think about the solid state rectifier and different speaker? I’m on vacation and will test this amp out when I get back. I’ve owned a 1/12” combo years ago that was all stock and always wanted to grab a 10” version.Thanks!
I like the 12" inch version of that speaker. Don't know much about the 10". A solid state rectifier will tighten the lows and bring out the highs, but it'll be very subtle.
Hi Dr. Z. I want to build an amp and I have no experience at it, or even soldering at all. What should I start with? Is there a good beginners kit you would recommend? I have one of your 1x12 cabs and it's great. I think I have had it for at least 10 years. I have never had one of your amps, but I have played them in stores and they are awesome. Please give me any advice you can. I want to build a clean low wattage amp, to start with. Thanks Doc, take care. :)
Classy guy. I am keeping my eyes open for a used (head) now. This really is my kind of sound/amp. I would love to play it through a 15” guitar speaker? Anyway, sorry I can’t just order one from Z?
Two ideas here for my Carvin Belair amp, a 5751 in the phase inverter position and maybe add a tube socket for valve rectification - although I wonder if tube rectification is all that great, and could I get away with a resistor mimicking it?
@@voxpathfinder15r We don't use any sort of sag circuit in our amps. I wouldn't know how effective they are in comparison to a tube rectifier. I will say a 5AR4 tube rectifier does not induce much sag. Saggier response you hear in a tube rectified amp is generally with 5U4 and 5Y3 rectifiers.
Thanks for the response, so no loss of headroom with a 5ar4 tube. I love your builds btw, when I am in the market for a new handwired build I will call you and tell you which circuits I like so you can tell me what is a good fit. I am having a hard time with all these newer generation products, I still can’t stand digital photography over real film
