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.
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
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!!
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.
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...
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.
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.
Crazy Joe drives people in directions they never imagined before being Walshed. He is a character. :-)
I was also brain Walshed
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.
we try to make sure all of our amps and cabs leave the shop buzz, rattle, and vibration free.
The only amp I’ve played that haunts me. There really is some kind of magic in this.
I have been drooling over Dr Z amps for a long time, the Z Wreck especially. But man, this thing sounds good, too!
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
Me too.
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!!
Excellent, I'm glad you approved. It seems to pass the test for a lot of folks, thanks for being part of the family!
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.
Thanks for the compliments Craig
The inside of Doc's amps are pure art. I bet Phil already has one of the first few SNs, lol!
Z your attention to the details that matter is why I buy your amps. I have not heard one of these in person hence why I don’t own one. Someday soon!
Great job, Doc! Looks like another stellar Z amp for sure!!!
These videos are always so interesting and entertaining. Thank you!
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.
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.
A killer amp, for sure. Good to see you back with the AMA's. What else you got cooking up in that shop, Doc?!?!
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.
There’s a 3x10 on reverb by Z that’s pretty affordable. If you search “ Joe Walsh” dr z it’ll show up. A pre curser to this I think
This looks amazing... I miss these too!
Imagine having a mate like Dr z to build, modify it collaborate with on amps.
Ordered mine today> first Z and first non vintage amp
Awesome. You are going to love it. It'll still stay true to that vintage tone.
@@DrZAmplification Stoked DRZ> I thnk i have the bug now>about to grab a Maz Jr> #yin/yang
@@johnoconnor4984 a great choice in terms of versatility
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...
I think you will like it. Very close in vibe.
Can’t wait to get it!
Thanks Z!
I think I "need" one too! 😍
I owned Dr Z -"Z-28" Head. Great amp ! Wonder why he stopped producing the Z-28 ?
We still make it to special order
@@DrZAmplification Thanks for the reply ! Love the videos. Dr. Z is the man !
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.
I’d like to get one
Fair to say this is for preforming. The z plus is for home and recording?
Absolutely
@@DrZAmplification thanks!
If I could I would!
Holy crap doc!!!!! This thing sounds incredible!!!
I’ll trade u my maz 18 combo toward one? Please?
Enthusiastic thumbs up for the Tone Geyser @11:57
Excuse me... Tone Geyser (patent pending)
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.
Hard to say if he even has it still!
@@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.
If Dr. Z made sorry amps, his great spiel would still sell them.
I just purchased this amp and am confused on the volume. My Maz 18 can get LOUD. This amp does not. Maybe I need a tube replacement?
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.
love the tee shirt..Zfest...once a year the lunatics run wild...hahahahhaha
Is the secondary on this output transformer the original 4 ohm mismatch or is it 2.7?
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.
Would you guys say this is the closest thing to a tweed bassman? Because there isn’t really good bassman reissues now.
Yes this would be pretty close to the sound, only with less headroom than the Bassman.
I will own one of these muthas!
I just left you a message about something I heard Joe Walsh say about you on another video.
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 .
@@mikezaite1335 Thanks for the explanation.
Okay I am getting one> lol
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.
sucks that its in the US only!
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.
Dr Z Amplification that’s awesome news !
The badge on the front spoils the look of the amp, should go round the back!