Dr. Z

Options Available with this Amplifier

• Add a Pre-Installed Brake-Lite Attenuator at Checkout for an Additional $149.00  ($169.00 if purchased separately)

June 2011 Update

For 2011 this venerable amplifier has received a mid-year refresh with the new faceplate as featured in the photos for the Red and Tan 112 listing below, 4/8/16 Ohm speaker outputs, a detachable power cord and an improved version of the Tone Bypass option as standard....previously a $150.00 upcharge. Where initially the EQ Bypass feature offered an alternative, higher gain structure that was accompanied by a pretty substantial jump in volume, this feature has now been meaningfully refined and can actually be used as a seamless footswitchable boost.....making it a useable and useful feature for live applications.

A best selling amplifier since 2002........even better for 2011!

Fat Sound's Take

Please see our Comprehensive Review of this amp by clicking the highlighted link.

Features and Specifications

• Blond Tolex
• Tan Grille Cloth
• Power Output: 18 Watts
• Output Tubes: 2 - EL-84
• Preamp Tubes: 4 - 12AX7
• Rectifier: 1 - GZ34
• Celestion G12-H30, 8 Ohm Speaker
• 4/8/16 Ohm Speaker Outputs
• Controls: Volume, Treble, Mid, Bass, Cut, and Master Volume
• Series Effects Loop designed specifically for use with Reverb and Delay pedals
• Footswitchable Tone Bypass / Gain Boost

Fat Sound Award for Sonic Excellence!

Fat Sound's Take

The Flagship of Dr Z's Impressive Armada and One of Our All-Time Favorite Amplifiers.

For months before its release in late 2010 the new Dr Z Z-Wreck was surrounded by mystery, excitement and, what many would consider to potentially, or even easily, be hype. This may be the first time that we've claimed a product, that's been so long-awaited and so highly-anticipated, to actually have exceeded any "hype" we had read, heard or generated in our own minds.

In a very real sense, The Z-Wreck is an equal dose of final, posthumous gift to the world from Ken Fischer of Trainwreck Amp fame and the well-known, highly-regarded design and build genius of Mike Zaite of Dr Z Amplifiers.

When I plugged my trusty old Strat, the guitar I always use to begin developing my opinion of any amplifier, into the Z-Wreck for the first time, Mike Ayers, Fat Sound's shop manager and my right-hand man, had already been at it and had dialed the amp in for a pretty fair amount of gain.

The thought that almost immediately came to mind was 'this tone is like some kind of weird genetic experiment gone wonderfully right'. What do I mean by that? Well, in the gainier settings at which I started out trying the Z-Wreck for the first time it was like a Mad Scientist......or in this instance "Doctor".....had somehow genetically combined my modest guitarists' DNA with my 15 year old #1 Strat and a 1,000 pound Gorilla! My God! Such a thick, meaty punch-me-in-the-chest, flawlessly organic overdrive tone.

There's a heck of a lot more to this amp that will be gone over below, but that was my first experience, without ever turning a knob, with Dr Z's new Z-Wreck"

-Stu Carter, owner Fat Sound Guitars

This amp is not a channel switcher. It's not a bedroom or late night recording amp. It probably won't do absolutely everything that many player's need their amp collection to do. However, it does have the most remarkable range of simply awe-inspiring, serious air pushing tones we've ever heard from any amplifier with 4 knobs.......or even 7 for that matter. This is an amp that you build your collection around....with every other amp you might acquire being your icing-on-the-cake pieces.

On offer are the most shimmery, glassy, detailed cleans that actually are capable of outdoing or simply matching the shimmeriest settings of a classic Vox AC30. Moderate pushed, warmer cleans with complexity and sustain. Touch of Crunch cleaner side of Classic Rock. Medium Crunch Classic, Modern or Pop Rock. Subtle shades, all perfect, all right there. Finally you end up in the amp's highest, usable gain settings and that 1,000 pound Gorilla mentioned above reveals itself and you are playing the meatiest, girthiest boutique style overdrive, all with zero fatiguing frequencies, that you have ever heard in your most vivid and imaginative sonic dreams.

As almost an aside, the dynamics are what you'd expect and demand at this price point: extremely touch sensitive and utterly controllable via either pick attack, guitar volume knob, pickup selector or a combination of all three.

In our opinion this is Dr Z's Legacy Amp. One of the best amps we've ever played.....easily......and destined to be a landmark in the history of amplifier design.

Hype? You won't know until you play one. The above is simply how we at Fat Sound feel about the Z-Wreck. It's merely our opinion, but one on which we'd stake our reputation. The Z Wreck Head and Cab absolutely get's the Highest Recommendation we can possibly give any amplifier.

Controls

• Cut
• Bass
• Treble
• Volume
• Comfort/Speed Switch (Rear Panel Hi/Lo Transformer Voltage selector)

Features and Specifications

• Power Output: 30 Watts
• Output Tubes: 4 -7189 (EL84)
• Preamp: Tubes 3 -12AX7
• Rectifier: 5AR4
• Configurations: Head w/matching 2x12 open back cab (Celestion Blue/Gold standard)
• Colors: Quantum Silver tolex with matching hardwood fronts
• Brushed, Black Aluminum Faceplate with Laser Etched, original 'Hand-Written' Font.
• Dimensions & Weight Head: 20 5/8” Wx9 ½” Dx9 1/8” H 32 lbs. Cab 27 ½” Wx10”Dx21 ½” H 52 lbs.
• Head and cab covers with Z Wreck logo included

Fat Sound Award for Sonic and Design Excellence!!!

Free Shipping!!

Options Available - MAZ 8 Introductory Special - Pre-Installed Brake-Lite Attenuator as featured in photos above: +$100.00
(Normally a $149.00 option installed, $169.00 purchased separately)

From Dr Z Amplifiers

Based on the modern day classic Maz 18 platform, the Maz 8 is set to become the new standard in single ended class A amps. If you are tired of thinking of ways to win the volume wars with sound guys, club owners, and recording engineers the Maz 8 is the solution. The Maz 8 is a full featured 8 watt amp that will give you an incredible range of shimmering cleans to full on rock action at reasonable volume levels.

The Maz 8 gives you the true class A experience. The single EL84 output section can be run in Pentode or Triode mode. In Pentode mode you get the sonic signature of the Maz 18. The chimey top end and sweet low end bloom are all there, but at a significantly lower volume. The pentode setting gives you plenty of dynamic range for clean country picking to grinding riff rock bliss. You can even take it a step beyond with the footswitchable EQ bypass function. This gives you a great gain boost for effortless leads that will sustain for days. The Maz 8 takes on a much different dialect in triode mode with more of a vintage feel and sound. In triode, the volume level drops back and the tone fattens up making you think you plugged into a lost gem from the 1950s. Kicking on the EQ bypass in triode mode will have you reaching for your slide in no time.

The front panel features Volume, Treble, Middle, Bass, Reverb, Master, and the ever versatile cut control. Think of the cut control as a tone knob for the output section. The back panel features a 4, 8, and 16 ohm speaker out. An effects loop and EQ bypass are standard. The back panel also has the pentode/triode switch. The Maz 8 is available as a head, 2x10, and 1x12 combo. The 1x12 comes standard with a Celestion Blue speaker. You get a choice of our new smaller 1x12 Studio combo cab or the standard size 1x12. The 1x12 Studio cab makes for a great grab and go amp.

Features and Specifications

• Version - Full-Spec, "Studio" 112
• Speaker: 1 - 12" Celestion Alnico Blue
• Power Output: 8 Watts
• Output Tubes: 1 - EL84
• Preamp Tubes: 4 - 12AX7, 1-12AT7
• Rectifier: 1 - GZ34
• Controls: Volume, Treble, Mid, Bass, Cut, Reverb, Master Volume, Pentode/Triode switch
• Tolex: Blond (Black also in stock)
• Grille: Tan
• Dimensions: 1x12 Studio Combo: 19 ¼” W, 19 ½” H, 10 ½ ” D; 37 lbs 1x12

Owner Comment

Hello Stu,

I've had the MAZ 8 here for a few weeks; it's really an astounding amp. It's so great to be able to have the power section opened up on the amp. Honestly, even playing with the Yahoos I could never open up the master on my MAZ 18!

Doc's watts are big.

The Pentode/Triode switch works just like you would hope it would. The single ended thing makes the cut knob more interesting. It's almost like a "tight/open" knob. And with a Brake Lite it makes it the most useful home/home recording amp of Z's line up. That said, with the 12" Blue it never sounds like a small amp.

Best,

Eric "Roscoe" Ambel - guitarist, The Yahoos / lead guitarist, Steve Earle & The Dukes  / owner, Lakeside Lounge Records, Producer, etc.....etc.....etc....
New York, NY

Eric Roscoe Ambel . Com

Ships Fast and Free to any location within the Continental US!

Fat Sound's Take

While most guitarists have begrudgingly accepted the fact that when it comes to Killer 60's 'Plexi' tones the laws of physics work against us, Mike Zaite's Remedy is an excellent solution for getting in that Big Iron British ballpark at more manageable sound pressure levels. And, removing the 'Plexi' expectations from the equation, the Remedy is simply a killer rock-n-roll amp in its own right.

While the 6V6 is an American tube never found in 60's or 70's Marshall amplifiers, it is considered by many to be the best choice for creating Big Brit tones in lower wattage amplifiers. Hence Greg Germino's use of the 6V6 in his discontinued, but extremely popular, 25 watt Masonette. Doing duty in a Marshall style circuit, the low-mid girth of the small bottle, American 6V6 does a much more convincing job of delivering Classic Big Iron Marshall tones at reduced volume than the small bottle British EL84 tubes which generally tend to lean an amplifier's timbre more towards the Vox camp of higher compression and more upper-midrange-complex overdrive.

Anyway......while we could talk ancient history and the virtues of different power tubes for days, the bottom line is that Z's Remedy head is a fantastic sounding, decidedly British influenced amplifier that does an excellent job of delivering the most desirable Marshall tones from the cleaner JTM-45/100 of the mid 60's to the gainier JMP-50 tones of the late 60's either at a club friendly 40 watts or a somewhat more around-the-house, small club friendly 20 watts.

The Remedy's half power switch does an excellent job of further reducing headroom and bringing on the overdrive at slightly reduced volumes while maintaining the sound and feel of the amp's higher wattage mode. For actually lowering headroom with a minimal effect on the feel of the amplifier, Z's half power circuit design is more effective than a pentode/triode switch and retains the full power sound better than the old school method of simply removing two of the power tubes from the signal path.

The Remedy's dual 'Loudness' controls, labeled 'High' and 'Normal' are reminiscent of the 'Volume 1' or 'High Treble' and 'Volume 2' or 'Normal' controls on 60's era Marshalls. Most players found that jumpering the two channels on the early 'Lead' circuit Marshalls was essential in order to blend the overly shrill CH1 and the decidedly murky CH2 so that a pleasing balance was found. With the Remedy you have a design similar to the tried-and-true, 'internally jumpered' mod that was done to so many old Marshalls to eliminate the need of an external jumper cable. However, unlike internally jumpered Marshalls, the Remedy's dual volumes are each exceptional sounding when run independent of one another. Dr Z's design is actually more akin in its function to another traditional Marshall mod of removing the treble capacitor from the Channel 1 volume controls.

While The Remedy can achieve excellent tones via either of its dual volumes, most players will find their personal sweet spots by blending the High and Normal Loudness controls to create the right mix of gain in the low and high frequency ranges. Using both volume controls also creates earlier breakup for dialing in the lowest volume overdrive tones.

A great sounding, beautifully built, touch sensitive design inspired by the Big Iron Marshalls of the 60's as used by so many greats including Hendrix, Clapton, Page, Kossoff, Trower, Van Halen and Angus.....in a portable package that delivers a healthy does of The Plexi Goods at volume levels more suited to 21st Century clubs.

Features and Specifications

• Power Output: 40 Watts/20 Watts
• Output Tubes: 4 - 6V6
• Preamp Tubes: 3- 12AX7
• Rectifier: Solid State
• Controls: Volume High, Volume Low, Bass, Middle, Treble
• Rear Panel: Half Power switch, Accessory Power Outlet
• Speaker Outputs: 4, 8 and 16 Ohms
• Dimensions and Weight: 19” W, 9 3/4” H, 9 1/2” D; 33 lbs

Ships Fast and Free to any location within the Continental US!

A perfect, portable complement to the Dr Z Remedy and MAZ 18 NR Heads! You choose whether it's an open back or a closed back!

Features and Specifications

• Solid Birch Ply Construction
• Convertible Back Panel Construction
• Floating Baffle Design
• Celestion G12-H30 12" Speaker
• 8 Ohms
• Convertible Panel and hardware Included
• Black Tolex
• "Silver" (Salt and Pepper) Grille Cloth
• 19 ½" H, 22 ¾" W, 10 ¼" D. 38 lbs

A perfect, portable complement to the Dr Z Remedy and MAZ 18 NR Heads! You choose whether it's an open back or a closed back!

Features and Specifications

• Solid Birch Ply Construction
• Convertible Back Panel Construction
• Floating Baffle Design
• Celestion G12-H30 12" Speaker
• 8 Ohms
• Convertible Panel and hardware Included
• Black Tolex
• Tan Grille Cloth
• 19 ½" H, 22 ¾" W, 10 ¼" D. 38 lbs

Free Domestic Shipping!

Same great design and incredible ability to reduce volume without meaningful tonal degredation as the Brake-Lite, but with an enclosed back for use without mounting inside a combo or open-back cabinet.

From Dr Z

You asked for for it and we listened...Introducing the fully enclosed Brake Lite SA (Stand Alone.) Same guts as the combo mount Brake Lite, but able to be tossed in the gig bag for use with many different amps on the fly. The Brake Lite SA works with any tube amp up to 45 watts and can be used with 4, 8, or 16, ohm loads. The SA features 2 speaker outs that are wired in parallel. You can now run multiple cabs with ease.

The Brake Lite SA measures 6”x 5” x 3 1⁄4” and weighs in at 1 1⁄2 lbs. Four 1⁄2” feet give plenty of clearance for resting on top of your amp.

At the Zero setting the Brake Lite SA is fully by-passed.

Each click yields more attenuation:
1=2dB, 2=5dB, 3=8dB, and 4=11dB.

Always use speaker cable to connect the Brake Lite SA to your speaker.

When connecting a second cab you will be making a parallel load. Ex: a pair of 8 ohm cabs use the 4 ohm speaker out on your amp.

The Z Brake Lite Attenuator will be right at home mounted inside your combo amp. Perfect for dialing in your combo to its sweet spot while dialing back the volume level.
The Brake Lite works with any tube amp up to 45 watts and can be used with 4, 8, or 16, ohm loads. Very simple to install, the Brake Lite mounts with 2 screws and has a hardwired speaker cable to plug into the amp chassis. Plug the speaker into the Brake Lite and you are ready to go.

Please note: the Brake Lite is NOT a stand alone unit and needs to be mounted in a combo or inside an open-back extension cabinet for proper operation.

We sell an average of 10 of these per week and have a less than 1% return rate making it the most successful and loved Attenuator we have ever carried and we have carried almost all of them.

Simply put: It just works beautifully.

5 3/8" high x 5 1/2" wide x 1 3/4" deep (including attachment ears)

Customer Comments

"Hi Mike,

Just wanted to thank you for the help you gave me yesterday. The "Brake-Lite" is everything you said it was and more. The Ghia and the Mazerati both keep their tone even with the Brake-Lite @ 4. This is an amazing tool. ......Anyway thanks again for all your help in making my 1st 3.5hr trip to Fat Sound Guitars an awesome experience, I will definitely be back soon!

Best Regards,"

Jeremy B.
Maiden, NC

"Hey Stu,

Just wanted to say I received Dr Z's Brake Lite today...installed it in my Budda SD 30 1x12 combo (pre-Peavey)...freakin' WOW!!!  I have been using the Ultimate Attenuator and the difference is night and day.  The amp breaths again, opens up; and has that bark and chime again.  So glad I made the decision to purchase (with help from a review or two on your site) and extremely happy I made the purchase with FatSound.  The Brake Lite is here, installed, and ready to gig this weekend...thank you again!!!"

Jerel C.
Byhalia, MS

Free Shipping on all Dr Z Products!

The Z Wreck Head....now available to purchase without the matching 212 cabinet in Dr Z's standard Blond, Black and Red tolex colors and with Z's usual chrome corner protectors.

Fat Sound's Take

Dr Z Amplifiers' Flagship model, the Z Wreck, is now available to purchase as a head only and in all of Dr Z's standard tolex options. This allows players who already own a great speaker cab or two to experience the Z Wreck magic for a thousand dollars less than was previously possible when the Z Wreck could only be purchased as a matching Head/212 set.

While this is an important new option and will surely be exciting news for many players, we have to emphasize that we feel that purchasing the matching head and 212 cab is not only the best value, but is the best way to fully experience the 'True Voice' of this amazing amplifier.

Dr Z's matching 212 Wreck Cabinet is the perfect sonic complement to the Z Wreck and when purchasing the matching pair you not only get the 212 cabinet that was specifically designed to work with the Wreck, but also the beautiful Flame Maple Panels, exclusive Quantum Silver tolex, exclusive Grille Cloth and high-quality, padded, Studio Slips covers with Z Wreck logos for both pieces.

Since the standard Dr Z 212, open-back cab loaded with the recommended Celestion Alnico Blue and Celestion Alnico Gold sells for $1200.00 by itself, you not only save $200.00 when buying the matching head/cab rig, but get a ton of cosmetic upgrades for free.

Here's How It Breaks Down

Original Quantum Silver Head/Cab package:

• Matching Head and 212 Cab in Quantum Silver with Maple Panels and Studio Slips covers:
  $3699.00

Versus:

• Z Wreck Head in standard tolex: $2699.00
• Dr Z 212, Open-Back cabinet: $699.00
• Upgraded Celestion Blue: $239.00
• Upgraded Celestion Gold: $279.00
• Two Flame Maple Panels Upgrades: $498.00
• Studio Slips Covers: $160.00 (estimated) 
• Total for pieces purchased separately with upgrades to equal the Matching, Quantum Silver head/cab: $4574.00

The Quantum Silver rig not only looks gorgeous and sounds perfect, but saves you $875.00!

We see this as a no-brainer, but we also understand that $2699.00 may be in reach for some customers while $3699.00 is simply more than they want to spend. We also know that a high percentage of our customers already own multiple cabinets loaded with their favorite speakers.

So, we offer the Z Wreck Head without the matching cabinet in both Blond and Black tolex if you are so inclined to purchase the head only.

See full review of this amp in the listing for the full Quantum Silver rig in the next listing on this page.

Options Available with this Amplifier

• Add a Pre-Installed Brake-Lite Attenuator at Checkout for an Additional $149.00  ($169.00 if purchased separately)

June 2011 Update

For 2011 this venerable amplifier has received a mid-year refresh with the new faceplate as featured in the photos for the Red and Tan 112 listing Below, 4/8/16 Ohm speaker outputs, a detachable power cord and an improved version of the Tone Bypass option as standard....previously a $150.00 upcharge. Where initially the EQ Bypass feature offered an alternative, higher gain structure that was accompanied by a pretty substantial jump in volume, this feature has now been meaningfully refined and can actually be used as a seamless footswitchable boost.....making it a useable and useful feature for live applications.

A best selling amplifier since 2002........even better for 2011!

Fat Sound's Take

The Non-Reverb version of the MAZ 18 Junior was built at the request of Fat Sound Guitars and released as a new model in 2002.

The idea behind removing the reverb was that it would reduce signal restrictions within the amp's circuit thereby improving the openness, bass response, touch sensitivity and gain. The difference is relatively minor, but definitely noticeable and frankly, the MAZ 18 is so multi-dimensional and complex that for most applications reverb just isn't necessary. In a nutshell, the Non-Reverb variant of the MAZ 18 Junior sounds better overall and costs less. We believe so strongly in the NR version of the MAZ 18 that the Reverb model is actually only available via Fat Sound as a special order item.

When reverb *is* necessary or desired you have an FX loop that works beautifully with a wide range of reverb effect pedals as well as stand-alone units like the excellent Z Verb and Flickinger Spaghetti Western Reverb. So, when you want reverb (or delay) you can have it, but when you want the best tone possible you have that too.

The dynamic range of this amplifier which is addressable simply by changing attack or rolling back your guitar's volume a few notches without ever touching the amp's controls is a huge part of why it has been one of our best sellers since it was first launched as a Fat Sound exclusive model dubbed by early adapters as the 'Stu Don't Surf' model.

Even after nearly a decade we are still absolutely in love with the tones of this amp. While the MAZ 18 NR is a single channel amplifier, we've always said that it's actually a "dynamically addressable multi-channel amp".

While being a clean-sheet, original Dr Z design that is not based on any vintage circuit, if we are asked to use classic, well-known references to describe this amps' tones we'd say it can be dialed in for cleans that are reminiscent of some of the great brownface amps, slightly pushed with a throaty growl like some of the lower gain, mid-60's Marshalls and at the highest settings of its 'Volume' (Gain) control it reminds us of an early 70's Marshall JMP-50 on '10', but with a much greater ability to clean up through the use of dynamic techniques and at about 70% of a cranked JMP-50's volume. Also, while removing the treble capacitor from 60's and early-70's Marshalls is a traditional modification for players who want to tame their amp's top-end, it's always meant choosing between a darker, warmer and smoother sound or an edgier, more aggressive tone with higher perceived gain levels. The MAZ 18's 'Cut' control essentially allows the user to add or subtract this top-end gain and aggression in a manner that, rather than acting as an on/off switch, functions as subtle rheostat....adding warmth and roundness when adjusted counter-clockwise while increasing openness, top-end gain and aggression when turned clockwise. A wonderful feature that combined with the MAZ 18's excellent 'Volume' (Gain) and 'Master' controls allows for a ton of different tones, gain and volume levels as well as a much greater degree of user adjustability.

With the newly revised, footswitchable 'Tone Bypass' feature, the MAZ 18 is now also capable of reaching new heights of gain and overall presence; perfect for adding 'a bit more' when you find yourself needing to step out a bit in a live mix.

Easily among the most versatile and best sounding of the simple control layout, single-channel amplifiers we've heard.......even after a decade of up-and-comers that have done their best to surpass it.

Features and Specifications

• Black Tolex
• Tan Grille Cloth
• Power Output: 18 Watts
• Output Tubes: 2 - EL-84
• Preamp Tubes: 4 - 12AX7
• Rectifier: 1 - GZ34
• Celestion G12-H30, 8 Ohm Speaker
• 4/8/16 Ohm Speaker Outputs
• Controls: Volume, Treble, Mid, Bass, Cut, and Master Volume
• Series Effects Loop designed specifically for use with Reverb and Delay pedals
• Footswitchable Tone Bypass / Gain Boost

Fat Sound Award for Sonic Excellence!

Options Included in the Price of this Amplifier

• Pre-Installed Brake-Lite Attenuator ($149.00 versus $169.00 when purchased separately)

June 2011 Update

For 2011 this venerable amplifier has received a mid-year refresh with the new faceplate featured in this listing, 4/8/16 Ohm speaker outputs, a detachable power cord and an improved version of the Tone Bypass option as standard....previously a $150.00 upcharge. Where initially the EQ Bypass feature offered an alternative, higher gain structure that was accompanied by a pretty substantial jump in volume, this feature has now been meaningfully refined and can actually be used as a seamless footswitchable boost.....making it a useable and useful feature for live applications.

A best selling amplifier since 2002........even better for 2011!

Fat Sound's Take

Please see our Comprehensive Review of this amp by clicking the highlighted link.

Features and Specifications

• Red Tolex
• Tan Grille Cloth
• Power Output: 18 Watts
• Output Tubes: 2 - EL-84
• Preamp Tubes: 4 - 12AX7
• Rectifier: 1 - GZ34
• Celestion G12-H30, 8 Ohm Speaker
• 4/8/16 Ohm Speaker Outputs
• Controls: Volume, Treble, Mid, Bass, Cut, and Master Volume
• Series Effects Loop designed specifically for use with Reverb and Delay pedals
• Footswitchable Tone Bypass / Gain Boost

Fat Sound Award for Sonic Excellence!

2011 Update

For 2011 this venerable amplifier has received a mid-year refresh with the new faceplate featured in this listing, 4/8/16 Ohm speaker outputs, a detachable power cord and an improved version of the Tone Bypass option as standard....previously a $150.00 upcharge. Where initially the EQ Bypass feature offered an alternative, higher gain structure that was accompanied by a pretty substantial jump in volume, this feature has now been meaningfully refined and can actually be used as a seamless footswitchable boost.....making it a useable and useful feature for live applications.

A best selling amplifier since 2002........even better for 2011!

Fat Sound's Take

Please see our Comprehensive Review of this amp by clicking the highlighted link.

Features and Specifications

• Blond Tolex
• Power Output: 18 Watts
• Output Tubes: 2 - EL-84
• Preamp Tubes: 4 - 12AX7
• Rectifier: 1 - GZ34
• 4/8/16 Ohm Speaker Outputs
• Controls: Volume, Treble, Mid, Bass, Cut, and Master Volume
• Series Effects Loop designed specifically for use with Reverb and Delay pedals
• Footswitchable Tone Bypass / Gain Boost

Fat Sound Award for Sonic Excellence!

2011 Update

For 2011 this venerable amplifier has received a mid-year refresh with the new faceplate featured in this listing, 4/8/16 Ohm speaker outputs, a detachable power cord and an improved version of the Tone Bypass option as standard....previously a $150.00 upcharge. Where initially the EQ Bypass feature offered an alternative, higher gain structure that was accompanied by a pretty substantial jump in volume, this feature has now been meaningfully refined and can actually be used as a seamless footswitchable boost.....making it a useable and useful feature for live applications.

A best selling amplifier since 2002........even better for 2011!

Fat Sound's Take

Please see our Comprehensive Review of this amp by clicking the highlighted link.

Features and Specifications

• Black Tolex
• Tan Grille Cloth
• Power Output: 18 Watts
• Output Tubes: 2 - EL-84
• Preamp Tubes: 4 - 12AX7
• Rectifier: 1 - GZ34
• 4/8/16 Ohm Speaker Outputs
• Controls: Volume, Treble, Mid, Bass, Cut, and Master Volume
• Series Effects Loop designed specifically for use with Reverb and Delay pedals
• Footswitchable Tone Bypass / Gain Boost

Fat Sound Award for Sonic Excellence!

Fat Sound's Take

This 212 cab has been a reference cabinet for us for over a decade. It's a relatively compact and portable closed back, front-ported 2x12 with a very punchy sound on the warmer, tighter side of the 2x12 cab scale. Perfectly tuned via the front port which runs the entire length of one of the long sides and is hidden behind the grille cloth, the low-end frequency response is just right......not boomy or overly large, but rather very tight and focused.

Dr Z's choice of grille cloth material also creates excellent dispersion characteristics for a more omni-directional sound wave and more consistent sound as you move from on axis to off axis. This heavy cloth also aids in eliminating the high frequencies' tendencies to beam straight ahead thus reducing typical high-end fatigue that can occur when standing in front of a cabinet for extended periods of time....the folks in the front row will thank you!

The standard combination of one Celestion Vintage 30 and one Celestion G12-H30 is considered an industry standard. These two speakers work very well together. In the frequency areas where one is soft the other is strong creating a very nice balance. This also affords the ability to mic' different speakers for different live settings or for recording slightly different tones for multiple tracks.

Tuned specifically for Dr Z Amplifiers, but also works very well with almost any other amp where a closed back tone is desired.

Features and Specifications

• Two 12" Speakers - One Celestion Vintage 30 paired with one Celestion G12-H30
• 95 Watts Handling
• 8 Ohms
• Closed Back / Front Ported
• Blond Tolex
• Tan Grille Cloth
• Bone Piping
• Chrome Corner Protectors
• Feet on two sides for Horizontal or Vertical placement (please note that we stock the cab with Dr Z's standard, vertical 'Z' logo placement, but will gladly rotate this logo before shipping if you plan on using the cabinet primarily in a horizontal placement)

Fat Sound Award for Design and Sonic Excellence!

Includes Pre-Installed Brake-Lite Attenuator.......a $149.00 option.

From Dr Z's website

"The Z-28 is a 6V6 based amp. It utilizes the format of the Route 66, that is, a EF-86 pre- amp, a unique Volume, Bass, and Treble full drive tone stack, and a tube rectified power supply. The Z-28 is rated at approximately 22 watts, so it fits under the Route 66 and the KT-45. It has a more American type tone, which some have described as Brown Tolexed Deluxe. The sweet sparkle of the 6V6 is ever present, along with a smooth full distortion at a very useable volume level. I have maintained a very tight bottom end, something that has been lacking in some 6V6 designs. Electro-Harmonix 6V6 at a reasonable 375 Volt plate level, I was very impressed with this tube and knew I had to design an amp which used it."

Features

• Power Output: 22 Watts
• Output Tubes: 2 - 6V6EH
• Preamp Tubes:1-EF86, 1-5751/12AX7
• Rectifier: 1 - 5AR4
• Controls: Volume, Bass, Treble
• Colors: Black, Red, Blond
• Dimensions and Weight: 23" W, 20 1/8" H, 10" D; 47 lbs.
   

Beautifully designed stand-alone reverb unit with 6V6 power tube, 12AX7 preamp tube and 12AT7 reverb driver tube.

Dwell, Mix and Tone controls allow for near infinite tweaking of the amount, depth and shimmer of the effect.

Less "sproingy" than Fender's, Western Electrics, 50's Stand Alone unit and more reminiscent of an on-board blackface reverb design, but with more control.

One of the great things about buying a stand-alone unit such as the Z-Verb is the ability it gives you to add reverb to all of your non-reverb amplifiers when the necessity or desire arises ths heping to justify the expense.

If you need reverb occasionally or if you're a reverb junkie the Z-Verb should be given serious consideration!

Well done, as usual, Dr. Z!

The same reverb unit as the fantastic Z-Verb, but with a $200.00 upcharge for Z-Wreck cosmetics. The ultimate addition for anyone fortunate enough to own what is, quite possibly, Dr Z's most impressive amplifier to date.

Cosmetic upgrades includes the Z-Wreck's Silver tolex and Dark Stained, Flame Maple front valence. Faceplate and font are shared with the standard Z-Verb.

Beautifully designed stand-alone reverb unit with 6V6 power tube, 12AX7 preamp tube and 12AT7 reverb driver tube.

Dwell, Mix and Tone controls allow for near infinite tweaking of the amount, depth and shimmer of the effect.

Less "sproingy" than Fender's, Western Electrics, 50's Stand Alone unit and more reminiscent of an on-board blackface reverb design, but with more control.

One of the great things about buying a stand-alone unit such as the Z-Verb is the ability it gives you to add reverb to all of your non-reverb amplifiers when the necessity or desire arises thus helping to justify the expense.

If you need reverb occasionally or if you're a reverb junkie the Z-Verb should be given serious consideration!

Well done, as usual, Dr. Z!