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Dr. Z Z-28 MK II 1 x 12-inch 30-watt Tube Combo Amp - Red

35-watt, 1-channel 1 x 12" Tube Combo Amplifier with EF86 Preamp, Dual-5881 Power Section, and Celestion Creamback Speaker - Red
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Item ID: Z28MkII
Dr. Z Z-28 MK II 1 x 12-inch 30-watt Tube Combo Amp - Red
Price:$2,799 and 00 cents
$467.00 suggested monthly payment§ with 6 month special financing‡

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Dr. Z Z-28 MK II 1 x 12-inch 30-watt Tube Combo Amp - Red
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Price:$2,799 and 00 cents
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A Z-Amp Legend Returns… Better Than Ever!

Boasting Dr. Z's fan-favorite EF86 preamp design, the Z-28 MK II is a high-voltage, high-fidelity, high-headroom tube combo amplifier that offers a three-dimensional, harmonic-laden sound with incredible dynamic touch and a mighty percussive response. You can coax so many different tones out of this amp. Whether you're aiming for crystal-clear clean tones or muscular overdrive, the Z-28 MK II will get you there. It also makes a superb pedal platform. Unlike the 6V6-loaded MK I model, the Z-28 MK II's 30-watt power section is fueled by dual 5881 tubes, allowing you to achieve either mid-'60s-style American tones or British Invasion-era drive, depending on how hard you push it. The Z-28 MK II also adds a post-phase-inverter master volume control to ensure character-filled sound at any decibel level. A redesigned chassis and cabinet, plus a British-flavored Celestion Creamback speaker, round out this killer combo's features. The Dr. Z Z-28 MK II offers a worthy update to a legendary Z-Amp design.

High-fidelity EF86 preamp

The Z-28 MK II's EF86 preamp delivers a sound unlike more common designs. Plug into this tube combo, and you'll experience a three-dimensional sound that's chock-full of harmonics, with incredible dynamic response and truckloads of percussive power. The Z-28 MK II's clean tones are clear and shimmering, and it makes a superb pedal platform. Whether you use overdrive, distortion, modulation, reverb, or delay, your effects will sound as though they're built right into the amp. Goose the Z-28 MK II's gain past noon, and you'll experience overdrive that's teeming with even-order harmonics — a hallmark of the EF86 design. The guitarists here at Sweetwater have found the Z-28 MK II to have unparalleled string-to-string clarity; it's almost like layering a distorted amp with a clean one.

30 watts of 5881-fueled muscle

Thanks to its 30-watt, 5881-loaded power section, you can push the Z-28 MK II much harder than its 6V6-equipped predecessor, whilst maintaining a clean sound. The Z-28 MK II's clean tones exhibit a similar character to classic American-style amplifiers. But when you crank this tube combo amp, you'll drive it into harmonic overload with a sound similar to the British amps of the Invasion era, but without the quirky artifacts inherent in those designs. Also different from the MK I model is the Z-28 MK II's post-phase-inverter master volume. It enables you to achieve a rich, powerful sound at any output level.

Loaded with a Celestion Creamback speaker

The Z-28 MK II boasts a redesigned chassis and cabinet inspired by Dr. Z's Z-Master. This resonant, lightweight cabinet replaces the Z-Master's 3-hole baffle with a compact, 1 x 12-inch design and a classic-voiced Celestion Creamback speaker. Creambacks are revered for their characteristic British tone, yielding warmth and a distinctive mid-forward growl, with enough low-end grunt and high-end sizzle to make your amp sing. Thanks to this British-flavored speaker, the Z-28 MK II delivers a harmonic-drenched sound that commands attention.

Dr. Z Z-28 MK II 30-watt Tube Combo Features:

  • EF86 preamp delivers a high-fidelity sound with outstanding dimensionality and dynamic response
  • Delivers everything from crystal-clear cleans to muscular overdrive
  • Clean tones makes a superb pedal platform; effects sound like they're built right into the amp
  • Dirty tones are chock-full of even-order harmonics — a hallmark of the EF86 design
  • Yields unparalleled string-to-string clarity; it's almost like layering a distorted amp with a clean one
  • 30-watt, 5881-loaded power section offers more clean headroom that the 6V6-equipped MK I model
  • Clean tones exhibit American-style cleans; a pushed power section delivers British Invasion-era dirt
  • Post-phase-inverter master volume enables a rich, powerful sound at any output level
  • Redesigned chassis and cabinet inspired by Dr. Z's Z-Master
  • 12-inch Celestion Creamback speaker delivers a characteristic British tone

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Tech Specs

  • Type: Tube
  • Number of Channels: Single channel
  • Output Power: 30W
  • Speaker Size: 1 x 12" Celestion Creamback
  • Preamp Tubes: 1 x EF-86, 1 x 12AX7
  • Power Tubes: 2 x 5881 (power), 1 x 5AR4 (rectifier)
  • EQ: 2-band EQ
  • Inputs: 1 x 1/4"
  • Outputs: 1 x 1/4" (8 ohm)
  • Bias Type: Cathode Biased
  • Construction Material: Red Tolex
  • Power Source: Standard IEC AC cable
  • Height: 21.5"
  • Width: 22"
  • Depth: 10.62"
  • Weight: 42 lbs.
  • Manufacturer Part Number: ZA48112

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Reviews

Best amp I have ever played through!
I have been playing guitar for 40 years. I have played in many bands and owned or played through some of the best amps made. I have owned a maz 18 also. So I am not new to Dr Z. This new Z28 is incredible. It will clean up and chime very fender ish, but also has the smoothest break up ive ever heard straight into an amp. Im using a modded epihone es 335. All I can say is that Clapton woman tone for days oozing from this amp. It plays rock and country well also. I can see a tele chicken picken this thing into tonal overload as well. If your worried about volume dont. The master volume works amazing. The amp is very playable with loades of responsive tone at bedroom levels. This is a versatile amp with a big warm creamy tone with tones of dynamic pick attack sensitivity. That can play on a big stage to small venue to your bedroom. Its inspiration waiting to be unleashed. If your thinking on it. Buy it! You wont regret it.
Music background: 40 years of chicken pickin and spreading the blues!
Dr Z masterpiece
Tone for days, pedalboard feels like it's integrated into the amp. Superb craftsmanship, so simple to dial in the sweet spot. Perfectly matched creamback, and enough headroom for any stage. Perfection.
Music background: Performing musician for over 40 years.
The Dr. Z Z 28 mkii is Everything You Could Hope For
Earlier this week I went down to Sweetwater to trade a few things in and buy the Z28mkii ! First of all,what a great place Sweetwater is! Everybody was so friendly and helpful! When I brought some equipment down to trade in,they were MORE than fair on the price they gave me for everything . You need to make the trip,I drove four hours and it was totally worth it! When I got back home,I unpacked the amp and plugged my favorite guitar into it. All I can say is WOW,I am still finding new sounds and tones with it! All great ! It can be clean or growl a fair amount,with sustain for days ! Anyways,you need to check it out !!
Music background: Been playing guitar since the late 60's,with a few years on the road.
Z28 MK2
I owned the original Dr.Z 28...loved it but, sold it to buy a microphone. Big mistake.

The new Z28 MK2. is a solid built amp. It sounds great. It is physically lighter than many of my amps from days gone by.

The red Rolex stands out on stage and the tone is second to none.

Thanks for making great products Dr.Z. Thanks to Ben Robinson of Sweetwater as well!
Music background: Record producer/ songwriter
Dr Z nails it!
This is my 4th Z amp. I had a Maz18 and Z28 that I sold and recently got a Carmen Ghia. These amps in general are a pedal platform so don't expect a tone of gain. What they do EXTREMELY well is make your pedals melt into the amp. This amp reminds me a little of a early 70's Bassman I had but it is so much better. The 4 knobs are much more versetile than would initially appear. They work as gain add/delete from noon back and forward. The amps cab is big and is very 3D sounding. My CG was sitting right next to it and I had to keep checking to make sure it was off. The master volume is also fantastic and works very well but there is definitely more gain on tap at higher volumes.
No effects loop and you will not miss it. Built like a tank too. Mine had a bad EF86 and I have a spare but I want to hear what the tube intended sounds like, still sounds great even with an older tube.
This is also fairly lightweight considering its size. MY old back appreciates that!

If you buy into the pedal format (it sounds great without too but LOUD) and the whole Z philosophy you will not be disappointed with this amp. If you think you are getting a Fender Deluxe or a Marshall loo elsewhere. This is its own thing and what a great thing it is!
Music background: Rock