Probably the best tube amp I have ever played...
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- Опубліковано 15 чер 2024
- Probably the best tube amp I have ever played...
Today we are looking at the Z Wreck from Dr.Z amps. This EL84 beast has been super impressive and I have been loving using it. It's so responsive that I spent the whole video using the volume and cut knobs instead of demo'ing the bass and treble knobs 😅
More info
drzamps.com/product/z-wreck/
www.photosavings.com/
00:00 Intro- Why I bought it
00:26 History of the Z Wreck
1:45 Specs
2:41 Signal Chain
3:54 Clean Setting
5:05 1/3 Volume
6:29 1/2 Volume
9:57 3/4 Volume
11:42 DIMED
14:10 Comfort/Speed
15:40 Les Paul
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Beautifully detailed demo! Really shows off the characteristics and moods of the amp in various settings. BRAVO!
Thanks for checking it out!
Great and accurate amps history presentation, as well as excellent playing .
Superb video Steve, thanks .
Thank you Mike! Coming from the legend himself, that means a lot. Would love collaborate some time !
Great playin' Steve. Thanks for the Demo.
Thank you Z! Its an honor to play your creation
Wow, great demo. I happened to listen through my ATC studio monitors, and having been working all day through two 6L6 amps (a Fender and a Mesa Boogie), I could really hear the tone from those EL84s in the Dr. Z. Sounded awesome. And your Les Paul sounded great, too. Congrats on your new addition!
Thank you SS!
Excellent demo Steve. 👌 think I'll save up for a Z Wreck now! Totally my style.
Thanks Barry! I think everyone needs one!
Great amp Steve! Thanks for this video.
Thanks for checking it out!
Heck yeah. Great demo! I’m jonesing for one of these, but the junior with the master volume would make a lot more sense for me. Ever played the junior?
Holy sh/T ! When you plugged in that Les Paul! Suddenly it doesn’t seem so expensive😎
Thanks for the demo.
Thanks for checking it out!! Such a great amp
@@SteveSterlacci if you fall out of love with it, I’ll buy it from you.
If I am not mistaken. the Z-Wreck is Z's take on the Trainwreck Rocket which was Ken's take on the AC30. I built a Rocket clone, and it was fantastic. It hurt when I sold it, but I needed to move some stuff. Enjoy the Z-Wreck. Awesome sounding amp for sure.
Thanks Steve! I didnt know you built amps!
@@SteveSterlacci It was a hobby for about 10 years. Probably built and sold about 30 amps. Still have a Bassman and a few Princetons that I built. Tons of fun playing through an amp you built :)
Sounds awesome, love to hear with a strat.
Thanks Scott!
Amazing , you're achieving a sound that some players need a pedal board to get . The warm sound of valves doing what they're meant to .
Great job
Given that the Derailed Ingrid is probably my favorite Helix model, I’m in love with what I heard. Simply killer sounding. I’d own one if not for the fact that I’d have to spend around another grand for a Fryette Powerstation (so that I could add an effects loop because I love delay…oh yeah, and to attenuate)
I’d like to hear a side by side of Z Wreck/Derailed Ingrid, please and thank you.
Hey man, you should definetly get the fryette powerstation. Even if you've gotta sell off a guitar or amp, the powerstation is worth it. They're probably the best piece of gear someone can own. But, I kind of assume you already know that. Lol
I want a Fryette too!!!
Wow very kool amp bro ace
Thanks rocko!
I had a Dr Z amp that I sold off when Quilter sent me an amp. I had stopped using it because I could pretty much dial in the sound with the Quilter.
This Z has such an amazing unique sound! You're definitely pulling killer tones from it! Very cool video!
Ok here's a question, can you replicate the tone with your Helix?
I wonder if ill do the same if they send me one! Hook it up 🤣🤣🤣. Thanks for checking it out!
@@SteveSterlacci Haha I'll hit you on Bookface and get you the contact info. At the time I had just recorded with some really BIG high profile artists & lucky to be on that hot streak. Haha
Nice!
which quilter model?
@@maxbauer1633 At the time it was their Tonw Block 200. It was (still is) an amazing pedal platform that's 200 watts of awesomeness. I could easily dial in an amazing Fender-ish tone to a very Marshall-ish tone. I never had seen anything so small create so many big sounds.
The last one they sent me was their latest in the "innerblock series." I picked the Superblock UK. I'm kinda of wondering if I can dial in this particular Dr Z type of tone with it.
Great demo. What speaker cabinets/mics did you use with the CaptorX?
The 63 bassman pack! Thanks for checking it out
There's some serious mojo going on with this amp design. Why is it the most simple amp designs sound the best but cost the most, lol. Thanks for the great demo, I love your channel.
There def is something extra about this amp! Thanks for watching and for the kind words
sounds amazing !!"
Thanks bro!
Which ir you use ? You should demo it with high and low gain cabs lol and diff guitars
A fav Dr Z amp
For sure!
Please you got to put out some captures for quad cortex, quad cortex I lacking z wrecks.
Eventually, yes!
It is a good sounding amp but Dr Z’s 2 greatest circuits are The Fender Vibro King AND The Beast,The Fender Dual Professional 212 100watt.I have both,play in stereo with extension cabs.Heavenly. 2 Each his Tone
Have you compared it to the "Derailed Ingrid" in the HX gear?
Not yet. I do believe they are different topologies. But may be worth exploring!
The sound is more round and smooth on 'comfort', which I'm guessing is just a switch for going between tube and non-tube rectified.
Not sure off the top of my head!
@@SteveSterlacci If the rec tube is glowing only on that setting, you'll know.
Wait till you plug in a wizard 🧙♂️, bout to get a wreck quantum rig tho very excited
Would love to try one
Beautiful sounding amp and guitars although not the cleanest clean sound. lol Great demo
Absolutely not known for its cleans! Lol thanks !
Definitely a nice piece of kit. All of the Z amps tend to be too glassy for me. It jumps out in a mix so I get the appeal but it gives me serious ear fatigue.
I felt that way about a lot of the videos out there (guess my video is no exception! Lol). It seems different in person, but I get what you're saying. I think it does a good job being bright without getting harsh
@@SteveSterlacci That's the sweet spot though, right? Pleasantly, musically bright. I think a lot of it is in the speaker.
@@gregalon for me, here in the room, it seemed to be a good sweet spot considering how bright the tele usually is. With the LP, definitely had no brightness (towards end of the vid). Also, depending how long you watched, i dial down the cut as it goes
I had a zwreck jr. I liked it but sold it to buy an es335. I would like to know why all Dr Z’s don’t sound like this. I owned Carmen Ghia’s, a maz 38 ands max 18. None compared.
its a great circuit!
After everything you've said in the comments and video about this, what made you sell it?
I haven't yet! I just needed some money at the time of posting. Glad it hasnt sold actually
I have a Suhr Badger 35 and a Tone King Imperial and there’s something about that sizzle on the top and the transient response that would make the Z wreck work way better in a band mix. I can hear it through all your settings. I kinda feel like I may have missed the mark with my purchases.
I don't understand the cut knob. I get that it's used to cut treble (it's kinda in the name), but why not simply just roll the treble knob back if you want less treble?
I should've explained it better. I believe its after the preamp tone stack. So its like a "post" or overall tone shaper. Thats my non fancy explanation lol
Please, iam like a 5 year her , it’s hard waiting for you to capture this on brad settings. Quad cortex deserves a quality captures of the z wreck
I will soon! Want it to be perfect and find the perfect cabinet
Have you listened to the audio by playing it back on YT? I tried it with both quality in ear blue tooth and my studio monitors. The tone is well.....not what I expected. I listened to several Brad Paisley tracks and left more confused than ever. Curious as to your thoughts about audio thru the video while watching it on UA-cam??
Just cause he uses it doesnt mean I am looking to sound like him. Was just going through all the levels of gain from the volume knob. If i do a paisley cover or something, I am sure i can get it closer with effort
@@SteveSterlacci NO....It just sounded very schrill and thin to me. The Les Paul was better, but not great. I mention the original artist because I was trying to get a reference. Please understand that I am not being critical of you..... I think you are fantastic player (even though you betrayed Line 6 by associating with the arch enemy known as FLubal) and have phenomenal talent. It just didn't sound like a useable tone (tele playing) to me. But I have very little experience with country music. I just want a verification that it was suppossed to sound this way and that YT had not compressed or altered it, making it sound different than what you are hearing in the room. Again. great playing, just not a tone that I am accustomed to hearing from you. Sounded schrill, thin and harsh to me.
@@benburnett8109 well, it sounds the same as recorded and intended. So I suppose it is how its supposed to be. Its okay if its not for you! Maybe I will make a better version in Helix
Oh wow you are right - Ken Fisher did help Dr Z with the design. For some reason I thought Alan Phillips from Carol-Ann Amplification helped out. Was it a different amp that Alan helped on?
That was the Caz 45 he helped out on, yet another amazing amp
@@paulorr7471 Sorry not sure if I was clear there it was Ken Fisher of trainwreck amps, Brad Paisley and Mike from Dr z that did the Z-Wreck and Mike and Alan that did the Caz 45
Is this amp true or false bypass? Asking for a friend
Depends if you get a matching buffer
I believe Fisher had quite a bit more to do with it than just the transformer - it was a Trainwreck Paisley lost in a flood that he needed replaced but Fisher was sadly unwell and asked Dr Z to the actual work. That's not to say Dr Z didn't have big imput.
I took the story off the Z website. Says they sent some notes back and forth but I figure the transformer is just one of the most important pieces!
Not sure were you heard that story , but sadly it isn't true. Steve has it right.
@@drzamplification898 You'd know Dr Z! I'll find the clip for you if I can - it was a long time ago I watched it to be sure. Chinese whispers can lead to completely erroneous story's!
One question, Dr Z, why is it that "using all the winding" on an output transformer, as you recommend on the ZWreck, makes such a difference? Should all amps be run at 16ohms if possible?
@@carnivaltym This surely isn't an easy question to answer in the contents of a you tube reply, but I'll try my best.
The two major specifications of a tube output transformer are the Primary Input Impedance connected to the output tubes plates, and the Secondary or output Impedance connected to the speaker. Simply put a OT is wound to give a specific primary impedance to match the demand for the type of output tube used , every output tube has its unique impedance requirement for optimum bandwidth and max output in watts. This is calculated as a Turns Ratio of the primary windings to the Secondary windings. The secondary is wound for a specific speaker load and at it's end winding that determines the perfect reflected Primary Impedance for the tubes plates. This is calculated at the end of the secondary winding or for this example the 16 Ohm tap. The lower taps ( 8 ohm & 4 ohm ) are just a fraction of that winding and and do not match the tubes input impedance perfectly, like the end winding does. Sure the 4 & 8 ohm taps connected to the correct speaker load sound fine, but the end winding the 16 ohm is optimized for the perfect transfer of wattage and tone.
There is much to designing the perfect output Transformer. Ken Fischer was the master at Output Transformer design. He graciously shared his in depth knowledge with me something I will be forever grateful for.
DR.Z
@@drzamplification898 Thanks so much Dr Z! You are surely the master of the perfect explanation 🙏!
Came for the playing, stayed for the shirt.
Thank you thank you!
nice but build a trainwreck express and a ken fischer air brake attenuator its the real deal
Build one for me
I’ll take that tele
That thing has great break up
Yeah man!
i never agree with mildly crunch still considered as clean. i can have my opinion...
Your opinion is always welcome ! Def a preference thing
Priced for pros. I'd love to try a good amp in a soundproof room where no one could hear me. Shy metal head ;-) Quiet simulation is not the same. Enjoyed video despite currently boycotting the letter S. (Also stopped being grateful to Russian sub commander who refused to launch nukes a week before I was born. Just kidding, I love that guy!🤟)
Definitely not cheap! Quiet simulation is the future!
I love all of your vids but this one makes me not want to buy this amp. Don't like the shrill high end and the amp sounds like it's collapsing on itself.
A lot of that comes from mic placement. Would probably sound more full and less shrill if he placed the mic a bit more to the side.
Hey Tim. Its definitely a very specific sound. But thats the tele through EL84 thing. Its okay if its not for you! Can't all be winners
It's a nice amp for sure, but way way way too thin for me. It's so quacky it hurts my ears.
Its a tele through EL84s. Definitely a specific sound
No offense but this thing is not in the league of a Trainwreck. It’s Fizzy and harsh. Grew up 3 miles from Ken Fischer who was in Colonia NJ. Met Ken in 1980 bought my 1st Wreck (liverpool 30) in the mid 80’s. I have 6 Trainwrecks. 3 Express amps, 2 Rockets one with tremolo and a Liverpool 30. I have 3 Dr. Z amps. They sit in the corner.
Well, any time you wanna loan those out to me, I'd be glad to experience them! Im in Westchester NY. I appreciate your opinion and comment. Thanks for checking out the video
‘ Z WRECK ’???? I have a feeling this might not sell too well in Ukraine!! ;)
Let's try to focus on the amp builder and his 25 plus years in the business instead of the other guy claiming Z
@@SteveSterlacci Sorry!! Just me and my stupid jokes!! I'll keep my big mouth shut ! ;). The amp sounds really good btw!!
Probably an awesome amp but this demo it sounded like any other amp demo. Needs to be going through a speaker cab,played at 95+db with a bass and drummer. Then the sound will perform properly. But like every influencer playing in their bedroom,garage or studio going through an interface it's not a real demo.
Okay dean. I look forward to you putting your money where your mouth is and showing us all how its done on your channel. I'll surely subscribe and take notes ✍️👍🤝
@@SteveSterlacci I have no interest in doing any UA-cam videos. I just put my energy into where it counts, in front of an audience . That's how I like to hear amps or pedals. Just a shame that no one demo's anything in a real band situation.( JHS sometimes).
@2202dean ok 👌
What Z amp is best for country/ classic rock. Clean and dirty
Oh, that Z now brings some bad memories… 🤦🏻 damned Putin.
I am choosing to acknowledge Dr Z for his own logo and not associating or giving attention to anyone else. Z works too hard to have negativity attached to his logo.
What a stupid comment!🤮
Given the misuse of the Z in Ukraine by the Russian invaders the logo Z is unfortunate
I am choosing to acknowledge Dr Z for his own logo and not associating or giving attention to anyone else. Z works too hard to have negativity attached to his logo.
I follow that war religiously. I never even considered an association. It's Dr. Z, not Putin Z.
Will be the favourite of the Russian troops… 🙃
I am choosing to acknowledge the guy who built a career for himself over the last 25 years using this logo. Not interested in any other use of the letter
except "Z" is problematic nowadays because you know....
Ah, i didnt even think of that. I would suggest people associate this symbol with this mans brand and not the other one
Reality check. Those a russian national tubes son. Not what you're claiming
What did I claim?
You said EL84s they are not the same. Incompatible unless you rewire
From Z's site, who also commented on this video that the information is correct....
So, they are Russian, and EL84. I don't quite understand the reality check...
"Dr. Z has acquired a massive amount of NOS Russian 6n14n (EL84) tubes to use in the Z Wreck. "
Best amp after a matchless DC 30
Coincidentally, traded mine for a DC 30!!! 😅🤣
What are you thoughts between the 2?
@okaytastic6691 the wreck sounds absolutely amazing at what it does. The matchless sounds amazing for everything. Both are amazing picks
That price tag ain’t the best tho😂
Big tone big price!