Members shepherdspy Posted April 10, 2006 Members Share Posted April 10, 2006 I'm thinking about ditching my Dr Z Z28 combo for a Vox AC30 CC2 combo. These days whenever I think about modding something or changing all the tubes, I figure I should just sell it. In other words if it doesn't float my boat stock, then it probably never will. I love the Z28 cleans but it has a dry crunch when turned up with little compression and has zero sag even with the tube rectifier. If I could afford a collection I would keep it but I pretty much can only have one nice amp at a time. It is not versatile enough for my only (real) amp. So I'm looking at the Vox reissues. I wish they were built bulletproof like the Dr Z's, but oh well. I thought about trading for another kind of Z, like the Mazerati, but it is a clean machine too. And as far as the Manta Ray and Maz Sr, those are a little out of my price range. I'd like to sell the Z28 and have enough money or almost enough to buy the new amp. I played one a long time ago and it sounded great. I would be getting the one with the wharfdales or whatever and not the blues. I guess I should tell you I don't hardly use pedals anymore except for fun. So just using an overdrive with the Z is out. And the ability to take pedals isn't a priority. I want dirt and crunch from the amp. Need opinions please! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members NoirAbattoir Posted April 10, 2006 Members Share Posted April 10, 2006 I love the overdrive of the dr. z. I say you're crazy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members utterhack Posted April 10, 2006 Members Share Posted April 10, 2006 I haven't heard the AC30CCs yet, but when I think of "dirt" and "crunch," Vox isn't exactly the first name that springs to mind. Bassman? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Teahead Posted April 10, 2006 Members Share Posted April 10, 2006 I own a Vox and I think you're pretty nuts too. Dirt & Crunch? Wrong amp man! But what the hell? You've played and like the AC30, so why not go for it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members shepherdspy Posted April 10, 2006 Author Members Share Posted April 10, 2006 I probably am wrong. I don't mean like Marshall crunch just a little compression. The El84's seem to have that over the 6V6's. The 84's have a lot more mids.I'm thinking radiohead to Rory Gallager range.I was playing my Pro Jr through an attenuator and liked it better than the Z28. That's what lead to all this craziness. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members ollenorin Posted April 10, 2006 Members Share Posted April 10, 2006 well if you get a powersoak or something you might get some compression and crunch out of yr ac-30.....well the cc2 i guess have mastervolume...i wouldnt buy it though....but thats just me Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members shepherdspy Posted April 10, 2006 Author Members Share Posted April 10, 2006 well I thought about a Valvetech, don't you have one of those, Olle? But I don't want to wait or spend the extra cash over the AC30CC. (I would have to wait most likely for another Dr Z too.) I need to play a CC again! Luckily it should be easy to find one around here to demo. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Teahead Posted April 10, 2006 Members Share Posted April 10, 2006 Originally posted by shepherdspy I probably am wrong. I don't mean like Marshall crunch just a little compression. The El84's seem to have that over the 6V6's. The 84's have a lot more mids. I'm thinking radiohead to Rory Gallager range. I was playing my Pro Jr through an attenuator and liked it better than the Z28. That's what lead to all this craziness. Well it sure sounds like you're needing some overdriven EL84 sounds. As Olle says, an attenuator is a must, unless the Master Volume does a good enough job? Having an old style AC30, I can't help you with that.I do have plenty of straight Vox clips in the pedal clips link of my sig, both the Top Boost & Normal Channels. Radiohead & REM etc are easily achieved, Rory Gallagher too, if you throw a Rangemaster between guitar & amp.I say you go to a store and try the CC2, if it floats your boat, then great! Plenty of folks are over the moon with these amps and even though they probably aren't as reliable, or as much value for money as the Z, if it sounds right, none of that matters much. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members shepherdspy Posted April 10, 2006 Author Members Share Posted April 10, 2006 Thanks, teahead. listening to some of your clips now! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members papa taco Posted April 10, 2006 Members Share Posted April 10, 2006 I sold my Z28 head in January. I'm awaiting my Valvetech Hayseed 15 1x12 combo with EF86 option.I just decided, for my taste, I prefer el84's over 6v6's.taco Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members papa taco Posted April 10, 2006 Members Share Posted April 10, 2006 Some hayseed soundclips are here:http://www.valvetechamps.com/reviews.htm Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members shepherdspy Posted April 10, 2006 Author Members Share Posted April 10, 2006 Originally posted by papa taco Some hayseed soundclips are here: http://www.valvetechamps.com/reviews.htm sounds great but I don't wanna wait. I could probably sell my Z and have a new Vox in two weeks if I really tried. Plus, I don't want to copy the great Taco. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members SeeMoore Posted April 10, 2006 Members Share Posted April 10, 2006 Originally posted by shepherdspy I'm thinking about ditching my Dr Z Z28 combo for a Vox AC30 CC2 combo. These days whenever I think about modding something or changing all the tubes, I figure I should just sell it. In other words if it doesn't float my boat stock, then it probably never will.I love the Z28 cleans but it has a dry crunch when turned up with little compression and has zero sag even with the tube rectifier. If I could afford a collection I would keep it but I pretty much can only have one nice amp at a time. It is not versatile enough for my only (real) amp. So I'm looking at the Vox reissues. I wish they were built bulletproof like the Dr Z's, but oh well. I thought about trading for another kind of Z, like the Mazerati, but it is a clean machine too. And as far as the Manta Ray and Maz Sr, those are a little out of my price range. I'd like to sell the Z28 and have enough money or almost enough to buy the new amp. I played one a long time ago and it sounded great. I would be getting the one with the wharfdales or whatever and not the blues.I guess I should tell you I don't hardly use pedals anymore except for fun. So just using an overdrive with the Z is out. And the ability to take pedals isn't a priority. I want dirt and crunch from the amp.Need opinions please! You may want to try a Barber Tone Press before you go sellin' that Z, it will make a difference, believe me. Read some reviews on those Vox's, they are very unreliable amps. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members MoreGuitars Posted April 11, 2006 Members Share Posted April 11, 2006 I have to admit AC-30's never really floated my boat, (more of a Marshall guy), but I did some recording this weekend and did a Ric and AC-30 sound in the stack, and it sounds great. Still don't think I would want an AC-30 for my "end all" amp, but I could see where they would be a nice. I'll keep my eyes out for one, and If I can get one at the right price, I'll probably do it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Chirpy_72 Posted April 11, 2006 Members Share Posted April 11, 2006 Dr Z has some amps that can get you close to Vox cleans + Dr Z crunch and sizzle. I know you said the Manta is a little out of your range, but look around for a used Prescription or Prescription ES. The ES is co designed by Brad Paisley ( a Vox lover ) and this amp ( with it's EF86 powered preamp ) can be very voxish at times, but also can get into some higher gain ( early Marshall ) territory when cranked. My Prescription ES + Dr Z Airbrake covers a lot of ground and at reasonable levels. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Elliott Damage Posted April 11, 2006 Members Share Posted April 11, 2006 most of Dr. Z's amps are EL-84 based, so you might be able to find what you want. I would look into another Z before I ever thought of a new Vox. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members shepherdspy Posted April 11, 2006 Author Members Share Posted April 11, 2006 Originally posted by SeeMoore You may want to try a Barber Tone Press before you go sellin' that Z, it will make a difference, believe me. Read some reviews on those Vox's, they are very unreliable amps. I've had a Tone Press for about a year and it is great with the Z. In fact all pedals sound great with it. But I don't want to rely on pedals. I want to rely on the old volume knob trick. The Z28 is so quick responding (almost stiff) with so little preamp gain - it exposes me. I need just a little compression and gain to hide behind. I'm definitely aware of the potential reliability issues - seems like if you put good tubes in there, they are ok. But it is a "cross your fingers" sort of thing.Chirpy_72: I have played the regular Prescription and didn't care for it. I understand the ES is very different. The clips of the ES sound great. But again I would probably have to wait to get one. Especially since the unfortunate passing of Z's head tech.I played the CC again but this one had Blues. From Page to Wilco to Petty, sounded great. But I'm too cheap to pay $600 more for Blues. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Jaymeister Posted April 11, 2006 Members Share Posted April 11, 2006 You might want to check these out...http://www.jmiamplification.com/h1.htm Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members shepherdspy Posted April 11, 2006 Author Members Share Posted April 11, 2006 sweet but my budget is going to be around $1000 those are going to be around what... three grand?! But I guess there really has been a need in the market for a dead nuts old Vox clone. Kind of like what Germino did for Marshalls and Victoria for Tweeds. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Wood Chuck Posted April 11, 2006 Members Share Posted April 11, 2006 i love my z! MAZ jr 1x12! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Fourth Floor Posted April 11, 2006 Members Share Posted April 11, 2006 You know Radiohead are using AC30s for cleans?I guess you just mean the slightly dirty, warm cleans...JMI voxes!! I've played several JMI Voxes and it is a beautiful thing. I don't want to use pedals with them. Although, one time I used one at a showcase and i'd set the AC30 perfectly, and some band before me buggered all the knobs and it was far too harsh. Worked perfectly with the keeley BD2. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members shepherdspy Posted April 11, 2006 Author Members Share Posted April 11, 2006 Yeah but the CC's definitely get some hair and crunch to them with the master volume. It's not brewtal gain but it is juicy and much more than my current amp. m/ I heard Paperback Writer yesterday and it just about killed me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Mistersuperfly Posted April 11, 2006 Members Share Posted April 11, 2006 Go with the Valvetech... it'll be worth the wait, I just got my VAC 50watter, and I LOVE it.LOVE it... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members shepherdspy Posted April 11, 2006 Author Members Share Posted April 11, 2006 Beauteeful amp! *quietly slips off to Gear Page Emporium* Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Chirpy_72 Posted April 11, 2006 Members Share Posted April 11, 2006 Originally posted by Mistersuperfly Go with the Valvetech... it'll be worth the wait, I just got my VAC 50watter, and I LOVE it. LOVE it... That's a sexy ampI'd hit it ! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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