• From: Massachusetts
  • Registered: 2008-10-27
  • Posts: 577

Topic: Dr. Z

hey all...

I have been looking at a couple of Dr. Z amps.  I love simple plug in and play amps.  Control saturation via guitar volume pots.  I have tested a couple of Z's...the Monza 1x10 and a Maz 18 jr head.  Does anyone here use any Dr Z amps...if so, what do you think of them?  How do you feel about them while using a Les Paul for blues and blues rock?


Barry

2009 Gibson Les Paul 1958 VOS (with black plastic)
2008 Gibson Les Paul Traditional Goldtop (with the cream plastic from the 58RI)
> Marshall Bluesbreaker 2 pedal >Boss sd-1> DD3 > Vox Ac15cc1

2 Reply by gsj (edited by gsj 2011-10-08 02:18:48)

  • gsj
  • gsj
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  • From: North Essex, England
  • Registered: 2006-09-21
  • Posts: 2,149

Re: Dr. Z

Yep, I've used a Maz 38 Senior NR head with a 1x12 for around 4 or 5 years (I found the 2x12 cab too heavy to carry but then I am getting on a bit big_smile ). Personally I think it's great although I do use a good boutique pedal in the front end to help a Strat to push the tubes a little. With humbuckers I find I don't need the pedal. The music I play is blues/rock/country based and it does the job well.

I think I recall Joe saying 'don't buy anything with a Z on it' some time ago but horses for courses.........depends what music you play and what you want it to do. I've had way too many amps over the years (Fender, Boogie, Marshall .....) but I honestly don't feel the need to swap this one out. I suppose all you can do is try it and decide if it's for you..

Geoff

never give up, never slow down
never grow old, never ever die young
  • Registered: 2008-08-24
  • Posts: 181

Re: Dr. Z

They're nice.  But, for the most part, I am not a fan of EL84 powered amps.  I think most of the Z's are, so...

  • From: North Carolina
  • Registered: 2008-10-26
  • Posts: 2,926

Re: Dr. Z

Well you know what they say about opinions.  Their just like butt holes everybodys got one and they all stink.  If your thinking about a Dr. Z I'd try it.  If I liked it I'd get it.  I love Joe but he lives in the 100 watts of EL-34 land most of the time british voicing.  I love a good Marshall grawl every now and then but 6L6 tubes to me (remember my opinion quote) can give you a lot more sounds and dynamics.

gsj wrote:

Yep, I've used a Maz 38 Senior NR head with a 1x12 for around 4 or 5 years (I found the 2x12 cab too heavy to carry but then I am getting on a bit big_smile ). Personally I think it's great although I do use a good boutique pedal in the front end to help a Strat to push the tubes a little. With humbuckers I find I don't need the pedal. The music I play is blues/rock/country based and it does the job well.

I think I recall Joe saying 'don't buy anything with a Z on it' some time ago but horses for courses.........depends what music you play and what you want it to do. I've had way too many amps over the years (Fender, Boogie, Marshall .....) but I honestly don't feel the need to swap this one out. I suppose all you can do is try it and decide if it's for you..

Geoff

AD3THREE's Website

  • Registered: 2009-10-10
  • Posts: 438

Re: Dr. Z

I had a Maz 18 Non Reverb head for awhile.  It was a nice amplifier.  But I don't seem to get along with EL 84 tubes either.  This amp was very tight, but it just would not open up and give you a

  • Registered: 2009-10-10
  • Posts: 438

Re: Dr. Z

I got cut off in mid- sentence! Supposed to say it would not open up and give you a big sound if you know what I mean.

  • Registered: 2011-06-23
  • Posts: 72

Re: Dr. Z

Ill I know is anyone who Ive seen Play the Z's they have tone for days.

For example I saw Micheal Lee Firkens play last night and all he had was a Z  and a tube screamer and he killed it.

Also Brad Paisley plays Z's and his tone is killer.

Both of these gents play much better and know way more about guitar then me so if its good for them Ill shut up and take them for their word.

Amps: Marshall JCM 800, Marshall 1987 X Plexi, Vox AC-30, Ceriaton ODS HRM, Fender Bassman
Guitars: Gibson Les Paul's(Standard, Classic, and Studio)Es 125 T, Fender Strats, Telies, Wasburn Idol Pro
FX's: BOSS TU-2, Ibanez TS-808, TS-9, Dunlap 535Q Cry Baby, Fulltone OCD, Full drive 2, Supa Trem, Rat, Whirlwind Phaser, MXR Micro Chorus, Digatech Whammy, Line 6 DL4, Holly grail 2,Wampler Ego,Pinical
  • Registered: 2011-12-10
  • Posts: 1

Re: Dr. Z

Hi, New member on this "newer" JB forum. 1st for disclosure, I am a Dr Z artist endorsed player. i would say a very close Jb Classic lead tone would be had with a Dimed route 66 with a drive pedal (tube screamer, fuzz face etc) with an echoplex or  Boss DD-3 (personal favorite) or a TC Electronics nova delay set up with the dynamic mode and style knob toward analog/ tube area. There is no FX loop on this amp, so the delay has to be setup with care. The TC 's dynamic setting is good for this since it "ducks" the signal while playing fast lines to prevent a messy echo signal.

I think this will do it vey well. The Rt66 is a very fat smooth early jtm 45 meets early 50 watt. all the balls tone and feel of these vintage amps but at a managable volume. a clear fav of mine I have used hundreds of times in session work, and on the road w/ Delbert McClinton/ Sass Jordan/BIlly Joe Shaver/Southern Allstars. Greg

P.s., I noticed a trainwreck in the JB/EC vid, when did joe get it, and what model? I have a Liverpool, and a Ken Fischer built Komet 60, so I am curious if itt's a real one or a clone ( many great clones out now)

9 Reply by ken (edited by ken 2011-12-10 07:49:06)

  • ken
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  • From: Orlando, FL
  • Registered: 2007-05-28
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Re: Dr. Z

voodoogreg wrote:

P.s., I noticed a trainwreck in the JB/EC vid, when did joe get it, and what model? I have a Liverpool, and a Ken Fischer built Komet 60, so I am curious if itt's a real one or a clone ( many great clones out now)

It's a real one. While Joe was touring through Texas, some collector friends lent him the amp to play (as well as some real bursts). I'm not sure if it's still in the rig or not, but I think Joe said that he was going to tour with it for awhile...
Just checked a youtube from a couple nights ago, and it's still in the rig...

  • jim m
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  • From: Okie City, OK
  • Registered: 2006-04-24
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Re: Dr. Z

ken wrote:
voodoogreg wrote:

P.s., I noticed a trainwreck in the JB/EC vid, when did joe get it, and what model? I have a Liverpool, and a Ken Fischer built Komet 60, so I am curious if itt's a real one or a clone ( many great clones out now)

It's a real one. While Joe was touring through Texas, some collector friends lent him the amp to play (as well as some real bursts). I'm not sure if it's still in the rig or not, but I think Joe said that he was going to tour with it for awhile...
Just checked a youtube from a couple nights ago, and it's still in the rig...

Yes the Trainwreck is on loan from a private collector. He still has it in his rig probably for the duration of this tour.  He also played in Houston and Austin a 58? Explorer Korina belonging to a collector on Young Man Blues and Just Got Paid. Not sure about any other bursts played other than his. The Skinner and Magellan.

jim m's Website

  • From: N.Wales, UK
  • Registered: 2009-03-06
  • Posts: 2,183

Re: Dr. Z

Gear overdose right here! I can dream...

  • sted
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  • Registered: 2011-03-20
  • Posts: 333

Re: Dr. Z

Check out the Z wrecks, those things are mind bogglingly good.

13 Reply by jclark42796 (edited by jclark42796 2011-12-11 10:13:48)

  • From: Fairfax, VA
  • Registered: 2009-09-11
  • Posts: 1,337

Re: Dr. Z

voodoogreg wrote:

P.s., I noticed a trainwreck in the JB/EC vid, when did joe get it, and what model? I have a Liverpool, and a Ken Fischer built Komet 60, so I am curious if itt's a real one or a clone ( many great clones out now)

Thread on Les Paul forum about the wreck
http://www.lespaulforum.com/forum/showt … p?t=178022


Charlie Daughtry:

Between the Trainwrecks and Marshalls, we had quite a bit of fun on Wednesday.
Last night(Thursday), we went to Joe's concert. Joe took Nicky with him, and my Trainwreck Liverpool(Cybele), that he will be using for the rest of the tour.

ES-335 #37
Pictures http://www.flickr.com/photos/jclark42796/sets/
More pictures https://picasaweb.google.com/114580443759038003888/
  • From: Was NY now FL/GA line
  • Registered: 2007-12-16
  • Posts: 2,857

Re: Dr. Z

sted wrote:

Check out the Z wrecks, those things are mind bogglingly good.


Wish you could get just the amp without having to buy the cabinet too.

  • rpic
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  • From: Sonoma, Ca.
  • Registered: 2006-08-16
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Re: Dr. Z

gsj wrote:

Yep, I've used a Maz 38 Senior NR head with a 1x12 for around 4 or 5 years (I found the 2x12 cab too heavy to carry but then I am getting on a bit big_smile ). Personally I think it's great although I do use a good boutique pedal in the front end to help a Strat to push the tubes a little. With humbuckers I find I don't need the pedal. The music I play is blues/rock/country based and it does the job well.

I think I recall Joe saying 'don't buy anything with a Z on it' some time ago but horses for courses.........depends what music you play and what you want it to do. I've had way too many amps over the years (Fender, Boogie, Marshall .....) but I honestly don't feel the need to swap this one out. I suppose all you can do is try it and decide if it's for you..

Geoff



Pretty sure it was a "C on it" not a "Z".....could be wrong though.

  • From: Latrobe PA
  • Registered: 2012-02-02
  • Posts: 96

Re: Dr. Z

I have a Dr Z Maz 18, and love it. Built like a tank, and can emulate Vox, Fender, and (to a lesser degree with pedals) Marshall.

I have a Brakelite attenuator for home use, allows you to really get the tubes glowing!

  • Registered: 2011-11-28
  • Posts: 1

Re: Dr. Z

Hello. Im new here so please be patient. Im responding to the DRZ thread . I have three Dr Z amps.and.they are AMAZING !!! THE MODELS range from pretop boost Vox to A Plexi clone. What I really like about the amps the most they dont have alot of BS on them. Fewer knobs= TONE! And while they dont really make 100 watt amps cause he builds real world amps for players who dont get to play  Arenas . However he does cater to big time players. Joe Walsh. Brad Paisley Joe Robinson   I would Love to See Joe Playing a. Z.   I think he would love them. Also Mike Zaite is real world guy he cares about the products and people using his amps. I love My Dr Z amps cause they are road worthy and deliver excellemt tone. Check em out if you are in the market for a great PTP amplifier

  • From: Massachusetts
  • Registered: 2008-10-27
  • Posts: 577

Re: Dr. Z

Muzacman02 wrote:

Hello. Im new here so please be patient. Im responding to the DRZ thread . I have three Dr Z amps.and.they are AMAZING !!! THE MODELS range from pretop boost Vox to A Plexi clone. What I really like about the amps the most they dont have alot of BS on them. Fewer knobs= TONE! And while they dont really make 100 watt amps cause he builds real world amps for players who dont get to play  Arenas . However he does cater to big time players. Joe Walsh. Brad Paisley Joe Robinson   I would Love to See Joe Playing a. Z.   I think he would love them. Also Mike Zaite is real world guy he cares about the products and people using his amps. I love My Dr Z amps cause they are road worthy and deliver excellemt tone. Check em out if you are in the market for a great PTP amplifier

What model is the plexi clone?

2009 Gibson Les Paul 1958 VOS (with black plastic)
2008 Gibson Les Paul Traditional Goldtop (with the cream plastic from the 58RI)
> Marshall Bluesbreaker 2 pedal >Boss sd-1> DD3 > Vox Ac15cc1