Oh my...

[Cranium]

I just went to a Dr.Z amps website and heard some clip..............I was left speechless, it sounded so good I almost fell off my chair, the little mini z 5 watt amp sounded like a half stack, its so pleasing I can't stop listening to the clips, although the 5 watt mini z is like $700 I would buy it any day if I had the money. Exept the little mini z, their cheapest amp is over $1000 which is kinda expensive, but it sounds so good I felt the pressure in my throat, kinda like when you feel really sad about something (remembers Freddie Mercury ).

Does anyone own one, I really want to hear it from one of you, also you guys got to hear this one http://www.drzamps.com/sounds/miniz/...Track%2013.mp3 its from the 5 watt one, reminds me of something I heard a long time ago, its so great.

[Bloozcat]

Don't own any, but I once got to play through a Maz Jr. They are great boutique amps. Warm, sweet tone that practically brings tears to your eyes when you play through one. Ultimate blues/classic rock toned amps.

It's because of that Maz Jr. that I love EL84 tone so much. 18 watt Marshalls and clones thereof have that same kind of warm sweet OD tone. Since I'm not quite ready to fork out $1000.00 + for an amp right now, I just get by with my EL84 loaded Vintage Club 30, VC 20, and my Epi Valve jr.

[Cranium]

Tears is exactly right but $1000+ is pretty steep so if I will plan to get a $600-700 amp I will either get a used one (If I actualy find a used one) or a mini z for around $700, Im not 100% sure of the price since its not the same in all the places. Is there any other company that makes low wattage amps that sound similar but maybe with a little lower prices?

[Nelskie]

Is there any other company that makes low wattage amps that sound similar but maybe with a little lower prices?

Well, I don't know if the tone is similar or not, but I do know that the Epiphone Valve Jr. is a low-watt, tube-powered dynamo that just begs to be hot-rodded. Yeah, maybe not in the same league as a Dr. Z, but at $139, there's plenty of sheepskins left over to push it in whatever direction you want, and probably leave you enough left over for a new guitar (or two!) Check out the Voodooman's killer Valve Jr. mod thread & clips in the amp section of the forum. You can call me a believer.

Choice #2 is the venerable Fender Champ, which if you can procure yourself a vintage-era model (check Ebay), there's tone galore to be had. I believe our FN brother 69SL has several posts in the amp section about his Champ, all of which are glowing. The Champ's cousin, the Blues Junior, is also very popular amongst the low-watt tube crowd.

Lastly, the Peavey Classic 20. Like its big brothers, the Classic 30 / 50 models, this little rocket has enough cahones to push brown, tweedy, vintage tones through a 4 x 12 cab. Add some juicy NOS tubes, a Tone Tubby or a Weber Alnico, and you're ready for action.

As you can see, there are a lot of neighborhoods to explore before you head on up to the big house on the hill. But if your heart's set on it, then all I can say is . . . bring your wallet. Good luck!

[Cranium]

Yea alot of Dr.z amps come with Weber speakers, maybe that will give me similar tone, also how much are good tubes, I never actualy had the pleasure of buying or replacing any.

[warren0728]

+1 on the valve jr and the peavey classic 20...i have both and they both are great....completely different from each other but both have great tone.

[Robert****]

Well, sorry for being blunt here, but this is my experience. If you have played a Dr.Z amp, the Valve Jr and Peavey Classic completely fade in comparison. The doctor's amps are pure heaven to play. They do cost quite a bit more though!

[Cranium]

Obviously its not even a fair comparison, the only thing I can do is buy a cheaper tube amp and replace the speaker and tubes to sound closer but it will never be the same, its too bad they took the mini z out of production, it was so nice and less pricy too comparing with other Dr.Z amps.

[warren0728]

Well, sorry for being blunt here, but this is my experience. If you have played a Dr.Z amp, the Valve Jr and Peavey Classic completely fade in comparison. The doctor's amps are pure heaven to play. They do cost quite a bit more though!

you could buy both of the "inferior amps" retube them and upgrade speakers and have two killer sounding amps with money left over for a new guitar.

Then put 20 people (not pro musicians although they might have trouble too) in a room and have someone play the same guitar setup through all 3 amps and see how many can pick the boutique amp...would be interesting...

ww

[Robert****]

You are right Warren, it might be hard to pick out the boutique amp. But as a player, I could tell in 1 second if I got to play them all. The Dr. Z amps feel different to play. They have dynamics and life like no other amp I've played. Just my personal experience, others may feel differently.

[warren0728]

i'm sure you are right.....my point was that i think we probably spend more time and money than necessary chasing tone that most people can't hear or recognize. That isn't necessarily a bad thing....but interesting to think about...

ww

[Robert****]

I know what you mean, but for me, it's the joy of playing the stuff that matters the most. If others don't think I have a great tone, too bad - if I like it, I'm happy.

So, with my current amps, I'm 90% where I wanna be. With a Dr. Z I might be 98% there, but I'd have to cough up a lot of dough. So right now, I'm staying where I am amp wise until I get some really good paying gigs that can buy me a Dr. Z! Some day I want to get one of those, just for my own satisfaction. Yes I know, after a while I'll be looking at something else - CAE, Bad Cat, Dumble..., etc! It's the mind of a guitar player, I just need to admit it. When GAS hits, wise decisions may just go out the window! haha

[warren0728]

i know what you mean....kinda like me buying a gibson les paul when i could have been ok with a cheaper guitar....and i don't even play out!! I just wanted a gibson!!

ww

[Cranium]

Robert do you know any amps very simillar to Dr.Z amps in quality and tone?

[Robert****]

No, not really. I am sure Bad Cat and other high end expensive ones would come close, but I haven't tried any of those.

[Mark]

Robert do you know any amps very simillar to Dr.Z amps in quality and tone?

There's Swart amps they make a little 5 watt amp along the lines of the Mini Z which has a bit more clean to it but can get the same growl. Plus it comes with a tone control and is a beautiful sounding and looking amph. It is a hundred more than the Mini Z but it is one amazing little amph, and I really would like to own one, and I would really lke to own one...oops did I say that twice. I recently got to play one and cant get the little fokker outta my head. Musictoyz even has em in stock.....hmmmmmmm

http://www.swartamps.com/

[Robert****]

I have heard some clips of the Swart amps. Fantastic amps, that's for sure. But these days, it seems there's a million small builders who create great amps. What they all seem to have in commons is a high price tag (and good tone I suppose).

[Mark]

Your right there Robert! I was thinking these things are way out there pricewise but after researching what the parts would cost then the labor to custom build one, cabinet, chassis and wiring the price point for a lot of these while high seems in line for a guy to be able to make a living building them. Anything of quality thats handmade these days is gonna cost ya......for those willing to pay the price of admission. Id love to get or build a little class A one of these days, I do love my Blues Deluxe great amph, great tones but I cant really crank it up much .....something about pictures falling off walls and them pesky neighbors. But Im very content with what it can do.

[duhvoodooman***]

...I do love my Blues Deluxe great amph, great tones but I cant really crank it up much .....something about pictures falling off walls and them pesky neighbors.

Maybe you want to consider the 50W version of one of THESE to solve that problem! Keep your overdriven tone without shaking the walls....