The Steel Guitar Forum

Here is a prototype of the new Dr.Z Surgical Steel Amp. 85-90 watts of power with EF-86 preamp tubes and KT-88 power tubes. Plenty of clean, clear headroom running thru an Eminence EPS-15C. This amp may not be for every steel player, but if you looking for an aggressive, clean, tube sound you might want to give this a try. This model has volume, bass, and treble controls. Other heads include a mid control as well. You have to use outboard gear for your reverb and such. His approach is to design an amp with as little circuitry as possible as to present the true sound of your guitar, much like the Little Walter Amps. Mike Zaite has been in the amp business for almost 30 years and I know many guitar players that love their Dr.Z amps. This amp is an excellent alternative for the steel player looking for a little extra drive in their sound.

How much? $

Looks bulky for club work. I like a one piece combo amp like the Quilter.

Boy look at all that Dr. Z awesomeness......if only

I use this one great sounding amp for a steel 12" speaker

Kevin,
It's not really bulky.

Everything you need to know, except no mention of the Surgical Steel amp.
Must be a new model...
http://drzamps.com
http://www.humbuckermusic.com

Barry,
It's still in the prototype stage. When it's finalized, Doc will add it to his site.
JB

Thanks, John.

The Dr.Z at work...

Looks good Mike!

Again;

If Mike can keep this head with volume, bass, mid, treble in the front , and an effects loop and variable ohm outputs on the back, for right around $1500 or so , and under $2k for a combo , I'm in !!..... EF86 on the front end reminds me of his RT 66, and add KT88's for power tubes , this amp should kick some serious butt !!...... Mike is a wonderful builder and I have loved every amp I have gotten of his .... A special thanks to Mike in advance for thinking of us steel players ....Much appreciated ...Sincerely, Jim

If I had this amp and Mike had a feather in his backside wed both be tickled ! I have admired his amps' sound for years !

Tried out the Surgical Steel yet again (Dr. Z's shop isn't far from me).
First he added a mids control.
Now there's tube-driven buffered effects loop.

I ran 8 pedals in the loop, and used 2 - 16' cables to connect. Virtually no tone, gain or volume loss! Very nice addition, and something I think a fair number of us like to have. (Reverb won't be added).

I'm told this is nearing production, and I'm seriously considering one of these. Volume is huge, tone is beefy, punchy, full.

Does anyone know if a prototype will be available for try out at the Dallas show?

Yes, Dr. Z says that there will be one of these at the Dallas Steel Show. I think it will be at the Eminence booth, as it's their speaker in the cab Z is using.

Correct Dan
At the Eminence display.

Just ran into these demos of the surgical steel, uploaded on Youtube today. Playing by Randle Currie.

Demo 1
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SS8N_wY55M0


Demo 2
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ezcvrxoR2Rc

Got to visit the good Doc today and try out his new steel amp. I already play a Dr. Z EZG50 amp which works pretty well for steel but this new one really blows it away! Big sound, full, rich and much better highs (less thin and shrill). Tried a couple ways to set up my f/x chain...kinda confused as to what works best but found using the f/x insert channel, the f/x were quieter, so I guess they liked being used like that instead of direct in...
I'll have to sell my EZG before I get this amp but I'll get more sustain, bigger sound, cleaner, and PTL, 10 lbs lighter!! Foto is the doc and the naked chassis, my all black Kline and the f/x mess I use...

Gerry!
That's great! Glad you like the amp. It is a killer. Effects work very well with the EF 86 tube. Wish I'd known you were going, I woulda dropped in to see/hear you. Nice pic of Doc too!
John

Ha. John...not much to hear when I'm playing alone...I'm more of a sideman noodler...but the company was impressive and the product sounded great, I'll even be able to carry it in these elder years.; now I'll need to sell my EZG 50 to get some of the cash for this new one. We are lucky to have so many quality products for our relatively small base of players...American and hand built! A labor of love for many, I think.

Love that big Iron!

Best JW