Dr Z new Z-80 amp

[SpiderWars]

Not a high gainer, at its core it seems like an AC30 without tremolo but with 4x cathode-biased EL34s. But it has plate resistors on the power tubes and a 12AU7 phase inverter. Quite a bit different.

Didn’t Blackmore prefer his AC30 but used the Marshall just for the volume? I guess by that time the heat/fire issue of those early Vox AC80 amps was known.

I’d like to hear someone try and get more distortion. Paisley’s tone is legendary but I want to hear it try to hang with a cranked Super Lead.

 

[lespaul6]

I bet brad will sound great through this.. I don't like post phase masters.. did vox use that type master?

 

[midnightlaundry]

Seen that vid. Not a metal machine, but I'm sure if has a ton of rich character and sensitivity..
I searched for sound clips, but I'm tired of the same old faggoty demos with the same stale blues licks..

 

[Nigel]

Cathode bias = high idle dissipation = less crossover distortion + more even/less odd order harmonics + enhanced touch response.

This is why everyone loves EVH/Cameron tone: AB grid bias at cathode biased levels.

 

[SpiderWars]

I bet brad will sound great through this.. I don't like post phase masters.. did vox use that type master?

Not that I know of but there is big difference between a post-PI master in a fixed-bias amp with NFB vs a cathode-biased amp with no NFB like the Vox AC30 and original AC80.

Basically, the issues encountered with fixed-bias amps with NFB don’t exist with a cathode-biased amp with no NFB. They work great there.