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Topic: Dr. Z Surgical Steel Amp |
Daniel Morris
From:
Westlake, Ohio, USA
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Posted 20 Jan 2016 11:11 am |
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I just tried out the prototype for the new Dr. Z Surgical Steel tube amp.
This thing is:
A) LOUD
B) Clear at low volume
C) Punchy
I don't play lead guitar, but I'm well aware of Dr. Z amps. Plus, his factory is nearby.
I'll defer to John Billings' post in Electronics for details, but I am very struck by just how clean, clear and present this amp sounds. Something like 92W, a 15" pedal steel speaker from Eminence (at NAMM as I write), and a very simple front. Bass, treble and volume. No reverb or effects loop. I was concerned the mids might be missing, but I was very happy with what the amp had. It's also quite surprising to hear how well this thing performs at bedroom volume. Still has a very good bass response, and stays clear at that level. I was also surprised by how my dirt pedals sound through this amp - noticeably different than through my Milkman amps. The good Doc said that he opts for his own ideas, rather than cloning or just updating something else. I was able to get the amp to go into break-up, but it's really loud at that point.
Dr. Z will be moving this into production soon, and I hope to update this thread when he does. I also hope to A/B the speaker in a smaller cab as well as the 4X10 cab I tried today. Doc feels the larger one (very little weight added) is clearer, but I couldn't compare directly. Next time. Also, I plan to try my large effects board for noise level.
The Surgical Steel is another contender in the expanding realm of fine tube amps designed for pedal steel.
_________________
1979 MSA U12 Pedal Steel
1982 Kline U12 Pedal steel
2019 Sierra U12 Pedal Steel
2011 Bear Creek MK Weissenborn
Milkman 40W Mini amp w/Telonics 15" speaker.
Dr. Z Surgical Steel w/TT 15" speaker.
Frenzel MB-50 head.
Spaceman, Empress, Eventide, Pigtronix. |
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Patrick Huey
From:
Nacogdoches, Texas, USA
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Posted 22 Jan 2016 8:15 am
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What's the price range?
_________________
Pre RP Mullen D10 8/7, Zum 3/4, Carter S-10 3/4, previous Cougar SD-10 3/4 & GFI S-10 3/4, Fender Steel King, 2 Peavey Session 500's, Peavey Nashville 400, Boss DD-3, Profex-II, Hilton Digital Sustain, '88 Les Paul Custom,Epiphone MBIBG J-45, Fender Strat & Tele's, Takamine acoustics, Marshall amps, Boss effects, Ibanez Tube Screamer, and it all started with an old cranky worn out Kay acoustic you could slide a Mack truck between the strings and fretboard on!! |
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Daniel Morris
From:
Westlake, Ohio, USA
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Posted 22 Jan 2016 9:03 am
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Please don't hold me or Dr. Z to it, but I believe this is supposed to go for about $2300, head and cab.
_________________
1979 MSA U12 Pedal Steel
1982 Kline U12 Pedal steel
2019 Sierra U12 Pedal Steel
2011 Bear Creek MK Weissenborn
Milkman 40W Mini amp w/Telonics 15" speaker.
Dr. Z Surgical Steel w/TT 15" speaker.
Frenzel MB-50 head.
Spaceman, Empress, Eventide, Pigtronix. |
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Patrick Huey
From:
Nacogdoches, Texas, USA
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Posted 22 Jan 2016 9:16 am
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Thank you, Daniel!
_________________
Pre RP Mullen D10 8/7, Zum 3/4, Carter S-10 3/4, previous Cougar SD-10 3/4 & GFI S-10 3/4, Fender Steel King, 2 Peavey Session 500's, Peavey Nashville 400, Boss DD-3, Profex-II, Hilton Digital Sustain, '88 Les Paul Custom,Epiphone MBIBG J-45, Fender Strat & Tele's, Takamine acoustics, Marshall amps, Boss effects, Ibanez Tube Screamer, and it all started with an old cranky worn out Kay acoustic you could slide a Mack truck between the strings and fretboard on!! |
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Jason Dunkle
From:
Pennsylvania, USA
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Posted 27 Jan 2016 10:03 am
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| Will it be available in any color tolex? |
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Daniel Morris
From:
Westlake, Ohio, USA
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Posted 27 Jan 2016 11:57 am
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I was told it will be available in black, red or blonde. I don't think he's offering the whole range of Tolex colors - so far - but you could certainly ask Dr. Z: http://drzamps.com/
_________________
1979 MSA U12 Pedal Steel
1982 Kline U12 Pedal steel
2019 Sierra U12 Pedal Steel
2011 Bear Creek MK Weissenborn
Milkman 40W Mini amp w/Telonics 15" speaker.
Dr. Z Surgical Steel w/TT 15" speaker.
Frenzel MB-50 head.
Spaceman, Empress, Eventide, Pigtronix. |
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Tony Prior
From:
Charlotte NC
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Posted 28 Jan 2016 1:22 am
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from the limited information it's a dual KT88 power tube design. Split head and cab...KT88's , if the circuit is designed for them they are superior to 6L6's, but watch out for that HI DCV it can get up to near 600V !
Years back Marshall had a 200 watt amp ( Major) it used KT88's.
This will be very interesting once they get out on the street.
_________________
Emmons L-II , Fender Telecasters, B-Benders , Eastman Mandolin ,
Pro Tools 12 on WIN 7 !
jobless- but not homeless- now retired 9 years
CURRENT MUSIC TRACKS AT > https://tprior2241.wixsite.com/website |
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Daniel Morris
From:
Westlake, Ohio, USA
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Posted 10 Feb 2016 1:02 pm
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I had another go round with the Dr. Z Surgical Steel amp. I tried it through 2 cabs - one a bit smaller than the other. I agreed with Doc that the bigger one is a bit fuller sounding.
NOW.... for the big news that some folks were waiting to hear: I also tried the SS head with a newly installed Mids control. Yep, the good Doc decided it might as well be an option.
My take is that the amp sounded very good without it, but this control adds even more to a well-rounded tone.
Setting it a noon is about the same as the head with only treble and bass, so this can be scooped further if desired. One advantage mentioned is that this control can also help dial in a room better. I didn't feel the Mids was as dramatic as the Mids and Shift on a Peavey 400, but it's just enough.
There was a EZG 50, which I tried out through the Eminence steel speaker. As it wasn't designed for pedal steel, it started breaking up earlier than the Surgical Steel. It did, however, have a nice tone and killer reverb. Still, the SS just came out on top.
I will also be trying this amp out live over the weekend, and will post again.
_________________
1979 MSA U12 Pedal Steel
1982 Kline U12 Pedal steel
2019 Sierra U12 Pedal Steel
2011 Bear Creek MK Weissenborn
Milkman 40W Mini amp w/Telonics 15" speaker.
Dr. Z Surgical Steel w/TT 15" speaker.
Frenzel MB-50 head.
Spaceman, Empress, Eventide, Pigtronix. |
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James Quackenbush
From:
Pomona, New York, USA
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Posted 10 Feb 2016 4:37 pm
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Daniel ,
Thanks for the update on the SS amp ....If you get a chance , see if you can plug the head into one of Mikes ZBest 2-12 cabs ....They are some GREAT sounding cabinets and I think they would sound FABULOUS with this head ....Thanks for your time ....Jim |
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Tom Gorr
From:
Three Hills, Alberta
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Posted 10 Feb 2016 7:32 pm
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| Youtube demo? |
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John Billings
From:
Ohio, USA
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Posted 15 Feb 2016 9:06 pm
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It's Doc's preamps! They are unique and amazing. The EF86 can handle the big output of steel pups, and they feed the right strength signal to the KT88s. Typical Doc Z! Really tuned well to steel guitar. Been bugging him for 25 years, and finally! It's different, and it's perfect!
_________________
Dr. Z Surgical Steel amp, amazing!
"74 Bud S-10 3&6
'73 Bud S-10 3&5(under construction)
'63 Fingertip S-10, at James awaiting 6 knees
'57 Strat, LP Blue
'91 Tele with 60's Maple neck
Dozen more guitars!
Dozens of amps, but SF Quad reverb, Rick Johnson cabs. JBL 15, '64 Vibroverb for at home.
'52 and '56 Pro Amps |
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Daniel Morris
From:
Westlake, Ohio, USA
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Posted 17 Feb 2016 10:19 am
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Sorry, Tom, as far as I know, there was only one short video posted (cell phone quality), and I'm not playing much in it.
Dr. Z is mulling over the possibility of adding an effects loop now. He also mentioned the possibility of doing a short "promo" type of video. If so, it will be linked to this site.
_________________
1979 MSA U12 Pedal Steel
1982 Kline U12 Pedal steel
2019 Sierra U12 Pedal Steel
2011 Bear Creek MK Weissenborn
Milkman 40W Mini amp w/Telonics 15" speaker.
Dr. Z Surgical Steel w/TT 15" speaker.
Frenzel MB-50 head.
Spaceman, Empress, Eventide, Pigtronix. |
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Mike Daly
From:
Tennessee
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Posted 21 Feb 2016 2:26 pm
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I currently have one of Dr.Z's prototypes as well. No mids, simple circuitry.. I agree with Dan's evaluation.. Seemingly a very aggressive steel amp, even tone thru the whole sonic spectrum, plenty of headroom. I am running it with a cab with a 15" Eminence speaker...
A very good sounding amp. Looking foward to recording with it this week.. |
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Daniel Morris
From:
Westlake, Ohio, USA
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Posted 4 Mar 2016 1:11 pm
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Mike, I posted to your own Dr. Z thread - the amp now comes with a tube-driven buffered effects loop.
Just great! No loss of anything.
_________________
1979 MSA U12 Pedal Steel
1982 Kline U12 Pedal steel
2019 Sierra U12 Pedal Steel
2011 Bear Creek MK Weissenborn
Milkman 40W Mini amp w/Telonics 15" speaker.
Dr. Z Surgical Steel w/TT 15" speaker.
Frenzel MB-50 head.
Spaceman, Empress, Eventide, Pigtronix. |
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