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Dr. Z Z-Lux 112 1x12-inch 20/40-watt Tube Combo Amp

Name: Dr. Z Z-Lux 112 1x12-inch 20/40-watt Tube Combo Amp
Brand: Dr. Z
Rating: 5 (3 reviews)

20/40-watt 1-channel 1x12" Tube Combo Amplifier with Half/Full Switch, Separate Preamp Gain, 3-band EQ, Variable Boost, Tube-driven Tremolo, and Spring Reverb - Black

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Item ID: ZLux112

Dr. Z Z-Lux 112 1x12-inch 20/40-watt Tube Combo Amp

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Dr. Z Z-Lux 112 1x12-inch 20/40-watt Tube Combo Amp

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The Warm, Vintage Tone You've Been Searching For

No matter what you plug into it, the Dr. Z Z-Lux gives you the boutique-tinged sound of a handwired tube amp. And it's more versatile than you'd think. A Half/Full power switch takes the amp down from 40 watts to a studio-friendly 20, while a separate preamp Volume control makes it easy to dial in your desired amount of grit. Sculpt your tone to perfection with a 3-band EQ, then bathe it in luscious tube-driven tremolo and spring reverb. You also get a footswitchable boost that's sure to send your solos into singing overdrive. From sparkling clean to down-n-dirty, the Z-Lux delivers the warm, vintage tone you've been searching for.

Loaded with premium, top-shelf components

The Z-Lux is loaded with premium, top-shelf components. A combination of hand-rolled Jupiter, Mallory 150s, and classic Orange Drop capacitors was selected for each stage. Four 6V6 power tubes produce a juicy, well-rounded tone and smooth, rich distortion. Experience deep, pulsating swells, thanks to a tube-driven tremolo, while you drench your playing in lush, tube-driven spring reverb. The guitarists at Sweetwater know that quality components give you great tone, and the Z-Lux delivers the goods!

All the features you could want

With the Dr. Z Z-Lux, you'll never find yourself wanting for more features. Take the amp down from a stage-ready 40 watts to a studio-friendly 20 with a Half/Full power switch. Transform the Z-Lux into a snarling beast without cranking it to the max with a separate preamp gain control. Kick your solos into overdrive with a variable, footswitchable boost. You also get a 3-band EQ and Master Volume control, granting you complete command over your final sound.

American-voiced Eminence speaker

Thanks to its 12" Eminence Z-12 speaker, the Z-Lux achieves a truly vintage tone. This 50-watt American-voiced speaker was designed and built to complement the Z-Lux's vibrant tones. The result is tight and punchy, with undeniable warmth and richness and sparkling highs. On top of that, you'll love the dynamic character of the Z-12.

Dr. Z Z-Lux Tube Combo Amp Features:

20/40-watt 1-channel tube combo amplifier
Great tone from premium, top-shelf components
12" Eminence American-voiced speaker
Half/Full power switch takes the amp down from a stage-ready 40 watts to a studio-friendly 20
Separate preamp gain control makes dialing in your desired amount of grit easy
3-band EQ for sculpting your tone to perfection
Tube-driven tremolo yields deep, pulsating swells
Lush, tube-driven spring reverb
Footswitchable boost to send your solos into singing overdrive

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Tech Specs

Type: Tube
Number of Channels: Single
Output Power: 40W (20W half-power setting)
Speaker Size: 1 x 12" Custom Eminence Z12
Preamp Tubes: 4 x 12AX7, 1 x NOS 6201
Power Tubes: 4 x 6V6
Reverb: Tube-driven, Spring Reverb
Effects: Tremolo
EQ: 3-band EQ
Inputs: 1 x 1/4" (instrument)
Outputs: 3 x 1/4" (4/8/16 ohms, 8 ohm internal)
Footswitch I/O: 1 x 1/4" (boost), 2 x RCA (Reverb, Tremolo)
Footswitch Included: Yes, 1-button (boost), 2-button (effects on/off)
Bias Type: Cathode Biased
Construction Material: Italian Poplar with Black Tolex
Power Source: Standard IEC AC cable
Height: 19.25"
Width: 22.5"
Depth: 10.5"
Weight: 42 lbs.
Manufacturer Part Number: ZA38112

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Reviews

5.0

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I gave this amp a go after some truly bad luck with several of the same "big box" name brand amps. They just don't build em like they used to…or so I thought until I purchased this amp.

The build quality truly is incredible! Coming from a long history of deluxe and super reverbs this amp is right at home. I will add that this amp is quite different when trying to push with pedals. Some of my overdrives don't seem to pair well with this amp but those same pedals sound awesome with a deluxe reverb. Could just be an ear training thing too. I'm to used to what the deluxe sounds like and anything else sounds foreign… I imagine with time that may ho away?
For some context here is a list of pedals I've found to play well and some that I need to work with a bit more…

Sound great
-king of tone
-snouse black box
-all wah pedals so far
- jhs morning glory
-klon style pedals

Doesn't sound great or pair well to my ear
- modded analog man ts9
-jhs bonsai
- pretty much any of my mid heavy pedals

I will add that I have much more experimentation ahead of me with the bottom list!

The boost that comes with this amp is cool, but not for me.

The reverb on this amp is a hair better than even the vintage fenders I've played. The trem is miles better.

I gig this amp frequently, but can also play it at bedroom levels with no lack of tone.

So I didn't get the opportunity to play this amp in person prior to purchase. One of my main concerns was the noise floor from the front end/power section and the cooling fan in the rear. I'm thrilled to say that noise isn't an issue WHATSOEVER! This is the quietest deluxe reverb style amp I've ever played! As for the fan… the only way you can tell it is on is if you hold your hand over it and feel the wind blowing.

The amp comes stock with JJ's for the power section and they're APEX matched.

The amp has headroom for days but also breaks up nicely with just a spin of the volume knob. You still maintain full control of the output volume via the master volume.

I've run strats, a tele, SG and a les paul through it and while all sound wonderful, the true marriage in my opinion for this amp is single coil pups.

Cost may be an issue for some and I would usually agree, but this is a lifer! This amp won't leave my side! So the way I look at it…3000 bucks for an amp that will provide a lifetime of quality amplification. Sort of a no brainer!

While this is supposed to be based on the Fender Deluxe Reverb, Fender never made a Deluxe Reverb that sounds this good. It has the top end shimmer of a Deluxe Reverb but also has a much more in depth tonal palette since the Z Lux has a mid control that the Deluxe lacks. The Z Lux also has a Master control that I mostly keep pegged because i like clean sounds but if you turn the volume up and then add the master, you can add in some creamy breakup and then you still have that included booster pedal - steroid crunch.
The Reverb is the sweetest reverb I have ever heard and I once owned a 1964 Deluxe Reverb.Mounted vertically along the inside wall of the amp, it sounds like a separate $1000 reverb unit. The Tremelo also sounds great.
This amp is made of premium components and engineered to last a lifetime. It even has a cooling fan for the output tubes. I asked the technical folks at Dr. Z what happens if the fan broke - they said first of all that is highly unlikely due to the quality of the fan and if it did stop working, it would not hurt the amp. (the fan noise is only barely perceptible in a perfectly quiet room).
I've had this amp for just under two years and it just keeps sounding better.

...I have this bad boy. I've had for over a year. It's been on the road with me. It's seen many a mile. And, the tone never lets me down!! I have the Z-Lux head and Z-Best 2x12" cabinet. I also built me a 1x15" cab because i'm strange like that.

It switches from 40w to 20w. And let me tell you, this thing can get LOUD!! I have the Z Air Brake for small indoor gigs. It is so very controllable. Need a little overdrive? Add a little pickup volume. Need more? Hit it hard. You need clean tone? It's right there. It responds so well to your picking. It really likes humbuckers. But, it chimes out well on singles too.

TONE FOR DAYS!!! I'm a pedal junkie. My wife says i have a problem. But, with this beast, I have played so many gigs now not a single pedal. It's awesome! Don't get me wrong, it does take pedals well. Set it up for clean tones and use your feet. Set it up for some overdrive and hit with a booster and boom! Lots of control on the tone.

Tremolo is very good. My only drawback on it is no tap tempo. But, that's not for this amp. So, no knock there.

It is heavy. I purchased a good set of road cases to protect mine. It's too big of an investment not to add the hardware around it.

See also: Combo Amps, Dr. Z, Dr. Z Guitar Combo Amps