If I am not mistaken. the Z-Wreck is Z's take on the Trainwreck Rocket which was Ken's take on the AC30. I built a Rocket clone, and it was fantastic. It hurt when I sold it, but I needed to move some stuff. Enjoy the Z-Wreck. Awesome sounding amp for sure.
@@SteveSterlacci It was a hobby for about 10 years. Probably built and sold about 30 amps. Still have a Bassman and a few Princetons that I built. Tons of fun playing through an amp you built :)
Wow, great demo. I happened to listen through my ATC studio monitors, and having been working all day through two 6L6 amps (a Fender and a Mesa Boogie), I could really hear the tone from those EL84s in the Dr. Z. Sounded awesome. And your Les Paul sounded great, too. Congrats on your new addition!
Heck yeah. Great demo! I’m jonesing for one of these, but the junior with the master volume would make a lot more sense for me. Ever played the junior?
Given that the Derailed Ingrid is probably my favorite Helix model, I’m in love with what I heard. Simply killer sounding. I’d own one if not for the fact that I’d have to spend around another grand for a Fryette Powerstation (so that I could add an effects loop because I love delay…oh yeah, and to attenuate) I’d like to hear a side by side of Z Wreck/Derailed Ingrid, please and thank you.
Hey man, you should definetly get the fryette powerstation. Even if you've gotta sell off a guitar or amp, the powerstation is worth it. They're probably the best piece of gear someone can own. But, I kind of assume you already know that. Lol
I had a Dr Z amp that I sold off when Quilter sent me an amp. I had stopped using it because I could pretty much dial in the sound with the Quilter. This Z has such an amazing unique sound! You're definitely pulling killer tones from it! Very cool video! Ok here's a question, can you replicate the tone with your Helix?
@@SteveSterlacci Haha I'll hit you on Bookface and get you the contact info. At the time I had just recorded with some really BIG high profile artists & lucky to be on that hot streak. Haha
@@maxbauer1633 At the time it was their Tonw Block 200. It was (still is) an amazing pedal platform that's 200 watts of awesomeness. I could easily dial in an amazing Fender-ish tone to a very Marshall-ish tone. I never had seen anything so small create so many big sounds. The last one they sent me was their latest in the "innerblock series." I picked the Superblock UK. I'm kinda of wondering if I can dial in this particular Dr Z type of tone with it.
There's some serious mojo going on with this amp design. Why is it the most simple amp designs sound the best but cost the most, lol. Thanks for the great demo, I love your channel.
It is a good sounding amp but Dr Z’s 2 greatest circuits are The Fender Vibro King AND The Beast,The Fender Dual Professional 212 100watt.I have both,play in stereo with extension cabs.Heavenly. 2 Each his Tone
Definitely a nice piece of kit. All of the Z amps tend to be too glassy for me. It jumps out in a mix so I get the appeal but it gives me serious ear fatigue.
I felt that way about a lot of the videos out there (guess my video is no exception! Lol). It seems different in person, but I get what you're saying. I think it does a good job being bright without getting harsh
@@gregalon for me, here in the room, it seemed to be a good sweet spot considering how bright the tele usually is. With the LP, definitely had no brightness (towards end of the vid). Also, depending how long you watched, i dial down the cut as it goes
I have a Suhr Badger 35 and a Tone King Imperial and there’s something about that sizzle on the top and the transient response that would make the Z wreck work way better in a band mix. I can hear it through all your settings. I kinda feel like I may have missed the mark with my purchases.
I had a zwreck jr. I liked it but sold it to buy an es335. I would like to know why all Dr Z’s don’t sound like this. I owned Carmen Ghia’s, a maz 38 ands max 18. None compared.
I believe Fisher had quite a bit more to do with it than just the transformer - it was a Trainwreck Paisley lost in a flood that he needed replaced but Fisher was sadly unwell and asked Dr Z to the actual work. That's not to say Dr Z didn't have big imput.
@@drzamplification898 You'd know Dr Z! I'll find the clip for you if I can - it was a long time ago I watched it to be sure. Chinese whispers can lead to completely erroneous story's! One question, Dr Z, why is it that "using all the winding" on an output transformer, as you recommend on the ZWreck, makes such a difference? Should all amps be run at 16ohms if possible?
@@carnivaltym This surely isn't an easy question to answer in the contents of a you tube reply, but I'll try my best. The two major specifications of a tube output transformer are the Primary Input Impedance connected to the output tubes plates, and the Secondary or output Impedance connected to the speaker. Simply put a OT is wound to give a specific primary impedance to match the demand for the type of output tube used , every output tube has its unique impedance requirement for optimum bandwidth and max output in watts. This is calculated as a Turns Ratio of the primary windings to the Secondary windings. The secondary is wound for a specific speaker load and at it's end winding that determines the perfect reflected Primary Impedance for the tubes plates. This is calculated at the end of the secondary winding or for this example the 16 Ohm tap. The lower taps ( 8 ohm & 4 ohm ) are just a fraction of that winding and and do not match the tubes input impedance perfectly, like the end winding does. Sure the 4 & 8 ohm taps connected to the correct speaker load sound fine, but the end winding the 16 ohm is optimized for the perfect transfer of wattage and tone. There is much to designing the perfect output Transformer. Ken Fischer was the master at Output Transformer design. He graciously shared his in depth knowledge with me something I will be forever grateful for. DR.Z
This is nothing like a Trainwreck sound wise. Grew up 3 miles from Ken Fischer even though he’s gone, the family is still producing the amps. The newer ones eclipse this by a mile. Hate to be that guy, but the people who are demoing. These have probably never had a real Trainwreck in front of them. Do yourself a favor and contact Trainwreck. Believe me, I know I played the very first Train wreck that was ever made and dozens after. And own a few.
I appreciate your enthusiasm. No one calls it a train wreck copy. Ken literally designed the transformer with Z. It was a collaboration , not a copy of anything
I don't understand the cut knob. I get that it's used to cut treble (it's kinda in the name), but why not simply just roll the treble knob back if you want less treble?
I should've explained it better. I believe its after the preamp tone stack. So its like a "post" or overall tone shaper. Thats my non fancy explanation lol
Oh wow you are right - Ken Fisher did help Dr Z with the design. For some reason I thought Alan Phillips from Carol-Ann Amplification helped out. Was it a different amp that Alan helped on?
@@paulorr7471 Sorry not sure if I was clear there it was Ken Fisher of trainwreck amps, Brad Paisley and Mike from Dr z that did the Z-Wreck and Mike and Alan that did the Caz 45
Priced for pros. I'd love to try a good amp in a soundproof room where no one could hear me. Shy metal head ;-) Quiet simulation is not the same. Enjoyed video despite currently boycotting the letter S. (Also stopped being grateful to Russian sub commander who refused to launch nukes a week before I was born. Just kidding, I love that guy!🤟)
No offense but this thing is not in the league of a Trainwreck. It’s Fizzy and harsh. Grew up 3 miles from Ken Fischer who was in Colonia NJ. Met Ken in 1980 bought my 1st Wreck (liverpool 30) in the mid 80’s. I have 6 Trainwrecks. 3 Express amps, 2 Rockets one with tremolo and a Liverpool 30. I have 3 Dr. Z amps. They sit in the corner.
Well, any time you wanna loan those out to me, I'd be glad to experience them! Im in Westchester NY. I appreciate your opinion and comment. Thanks for checking out the video
I love all of your vids but this one makes me not want to buy this amp. Don't like the shrill high end and the amp sounds like it's collapsing on itself.
Probably an awesome amp but this demo it sounded like any other amp demo. Needs to be going through a speaker cab,played at 95+db with a bass and drummer. Then the sound will perform properly. But like every influencer playing in their bedroom,garage or studio going through an interface it's not a real demo.
Okay dean. I look forward to you putting your money where your mouth is and showing us all how its done on your channel. I'll surely subscribe and take notes ✍️👍🤝
@@SteveSterlacci I have no interest in doing any RU-vid videos. I just put my energy into where it counts, in front of an audience . That's how I like to hear amps or pedals. Just a shame that no one demo's anything in a real band situation.( JHS sometimes).
I am choosing to acknowledge Dr Z for his own logo and not associating or giving attention to anyone else. Z works too hard to have negativity attached to his logo.
I am choosing to acknowledge the guy who built a career for himself over the last 25 years using this logo. Not interested in any other use of the letter
I am choosing to acknowledge Dr Z for his own logo and not associating or giving attention to anyone else. Z works too hard to have negativity attached to his logo.
From Z's site, who also commented on this video that the information is correct.... So, they are Russian, and EL84. I don't quite understand the reality check... "Dr. Z has acquired a massive amount of NOS Russian 6n14n (EL84) tubes to use in the Z Wreck. "
