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You know, it occurs to me that I've seen virtually nothing here about Dr. Z amps. They're some of the best sounding amps that I've ever played through, and yet I never see them mentioned here. Have any of you guys played through them? If so, what did you think?

They don't get mentioned often enough. The only thing is they've got so many different tube configurations, that you're better off finding a dealer who has several to try out.
I just like the fact that they're no-nonsense tone machines with a few knobs on the front. You know where the money went when you realize how much fatter your tone is than production line amps. They aren't cheap, but they're priced far below the majority of boutique amps, and their tone is usually superior.

Thanks, Jonesy. I wonder how many guys even know that they exist.

I had the chance to play through a quot;one-offquot; custom amp that they made for a pedal steel player. It was intended to be played clean and was loaded with 6V6's. When you cranked this thing, it was absolutely a slice of tone heaven.

While we're on the topic of cool amps that you've never heard of, I can't recall anyone mentioning Egnator, either. Carr has some cool stuff that is overlooked, too.

You don't really see much from ANY quot;boutiquequot; makers here. Bruno, Fuchs, Two Rock, etc etc

Yeah, I was jonesing for a Carmen Ghia for the LONGEST time!!!:drool:

Bada$$ amps amp; yeah, they're expensive, but you see them used for a decent price all the time on The Gear Page.

heard great things about his amps, but I hear the cabs, esp. his 2x10, are FANTASTIC !

These amps are beyond the range of most forum members.

I love Bruno amps and agree that Dr_Z has sweet-tone, but it was not a tone that I was looking for and I tried several of their amps for the money they are asking.

Dr. Z is one of the guys I based my business model on. His prices are still way better than just about every other boutique guy.

I've played some of his amps I've loved, some I didn't care for, but that's the same with any maker.

He uses an ultra linear power supply in the Rt 66 and Z 28. At first I loved the Rt66, but after a few weeks of blowing my ears off andhaving almost no quot;reasonablequot; volume settings (went from a whisper to a roar and nothing in between seemingly), I sold it off.

Great bang for the buck. I agree with Larry though, most people here can't afford the prices of boutique stuff.

I haven't really dug any of the Dr. Z stuff I've played. I think it's great for classic vintage single coil tones from strats or teles, but that's not really my thing. They felt very brittle, cold, and tight with my hands, but I've heard guys get awesome tones out of them.

It's funny this thread has emerged. It is my sole purpose in life today to take the old B Bender out to my Dr. Z dealer and try them all out today!!! I'll let yall know what I think!!

I gots a Z28. I likes it.
Not sooo chimey like a Blackface, but overdrives better than a blackface.

I've always found the concept of an amp with 3 or less knobs to be intriguing... but at the same time I'm not sure it would be worth it unless you played clean, or with a minimal amount of gain. It's also interesting that you really need to crank the amps before you get anything resembling distortion. The soundclips I listened to were alright. I guess I'm just a high-gain guy

some day i want an amp with an on/off switch and thats it.

i like some of the z stuff, loved the rt66 but like scott said, its LOUD. good for outdoors not so much for small clubs.

guys i know have a bunch of two rock, fargen, blockhead, egnator, victoria, old matchless, bad cat, mojave, carr, and dr z stuff. we went to a gig and there was like $20k in amps in the back of the suv. craziness. all the amps from the builders about that ive tried have something great about them even if they arent my style. ex. the carr mercury is a cool little amp for sure, its a great recording/low volume amp but at 8w its a little small for any stage use without a mic on it and youll need a monitor to hear it over the drums.

i really love brunos stuff and since i get to hang out with him every once in a while, i like em even more. he really has a magic touch and a great ear.


Originally Posted by jeremysome day i want an amp with an on/off switch and thats it.Epiphone makes something like that, tho it does have 1 volume knob. I bet some people would STILL have trouble dialing it in.

i dont think i could play an epiphone amp
and the one i tried, you had to hold the standbye switch up to make it work. as soon as you let go, the amp turned off.


Originally Posted by jeremyi dont think i could play an epiphone amp
and the one i tried, you had to hold the standbye switch up to make it work. as soon as you let go, the amp turned off.

I need one of these for my next door neighbor's kid...

i have had a few z's now and i love them all. I currently own a rt 66 and just like everyone has said, i is extremely loud. I really love the tone though, cranked or quiet. very full sounding all the time. I would love to have a another z, one that isn't quite so loud like a z28 or something.

Great amps, great tone


Originally Posted by twoheadedboyI haven't really dug any of the Dr. Z stuff I've played. I think it's great for classic vintage single coil tones from strats or teles, but that's not really my thing. They felt very brittle, cold, and tight with my hands, but I've heard guys get awesome tones out of them.

The Dr. does make some bright amps, but you also have to remember that his tone stacks are much different than most of them out there, their interactions are almost magic.

I've got a hellaciously LOUD Maz Jr 2X10. I goose the front end to get low volume OD/Dist. I adore the amp and everytime I think maybe I should get something with more gain or something I get a chance to really open it up and I'm hooked all over again.

As far as people affording it I think that's not true. How many threads do we see about someone looking for a half stack? Most people won't even give amps with lower wattage ratings a second glance regardless of how great they sound, or how loud they really are.

Luke