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: th-cam.com/video/Mv94OlxuB40/w-d-xo.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
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. :)
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.
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.
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.
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
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?
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.
Thanks, Doc! One of the greatest amps ever!!!! -Maddog!
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.
So ready for the MKII! a Z28 2x10 was my first introduction to Z amps 15 years ago...
There will be a good possibility that this will be a popular option...
@@DrZAmplification I think I'll be going for that Red 1x12 you're teasing over there! ;-)
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: th-cam.com/video/Mv94OlxuB40/w-d-xo.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
Fantastic! Thanks again Doctor Z. Love my Z-28!
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. :)
Would you do a video talking about the RX/RXjr? That’s always been a fascinating amp to me and one of my favorite Z’s. Thanks for the information Doc!
He did this one already, here you go: th-cam.com/video/swrWRgklKGI/w-d-xo.html
Not a huge fan or anything but mad respect for starting from where you did. Any tips for someone trying to make it as an amp builder?
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.
@@DrZAmplification im passed the tweed amps but good advice for sure, ill check out dave hunters book though thanks :)
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.
Well lucky for you we are working on an MK II version.
@@DrZAmplification any ETA on that?
@@robertshamansky1912 tentatively late 2020, early 2021
@@DrZAmplification can I order an original Z28?
@@robertshamansky1912 since we are in the process of introducing the new Z28 MKII, direct orders for the original are suspended.
My main amp! Love it.
I have this amp...such quality!!
The front of my brain just sparked
Why did they discontinue this great 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.
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?
There are circuits to mimic sag, yes.
Do you think they do a good job, or not very close compared to a valve rectifier? And do you worry about headroom when using them in your builds?
@@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
@@voxpathfinder15r No problem, send an email to media@drzamps.com when you would like to discuss a new amp and we will gladly work with you!
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?
Unfortunately we don't make 15" cabinets!
@@DrZAmplification All good. Love what you do!
Why was it discontinued?
Low sales at the time, but the resurgence of interest in it might have made us reconsider...