Dr. Z Z-Plus 112 Studio 1x12 inch 7/15-watt Tube Combo Amp

Name: Dr. Z Z-Plus 112 Studio 1x12 inch 7/15-watt Tube Combo Amp
Brand: Dr. Z
Rating: 5 (7 reviews)

7W/15W, 1-channel 1 x 12" All-tube Guitar Combo Amplifier

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Item ID: ZPlus112ST

Dr. Z Z-Plus 112 Studio 1x12 inch 7/15-watt Tube Combo Amp

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Dr. Z Z-Plus 112 Studio 1x12 inch 7/15-watt Tube Combo Amp

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A Great-sounding Combo with a Hi-fi Vibe

The Dr. Z Z-Plus delivers a one-of-a-kind clean tone that morphs into harmonic-laden grit if you push it. Crank its preamp Volume control if you need more dirt, sculpt your tone with its 3-band EQ, then dial in the perfect amount of chime with the Cut knob. Take it down to a studio-friendly seven watts via the Z-Plus's Half/Full power switch. There's also a lush-sounding reverb and footswitchable boost that's guaranteed to make your solos sing. This single-ended, Class A tube combo features Hi and Lo sensitivity inputs and a built-in effects loop. Dr. Z's Z-Plus is a great-sounding combo with a hi-fi vibe.

Designed in collaboration with Joe Walsh

The Dr. Z Z-Plus was originally commissioned by legendary guitarist Joe Walsh. Joe was searching for a small, single-ended American-sounding combo with a hi-fi vibe, and this amp fits that description. The Z-Plus is a parallel, single-ended Class A guitar amplifier, and thus, delivers a rich clean tone that evolves into a smooth overdrive that's chock-full of even-order harmonics. It's a sparkling, satisfying sound with the full range of second- and fourth-order harmonics and incredible clarity. Beyond that, two 6V6 power tubes in parallel give the Z-Plus more clean headroom than your typical Class A amplifier.

Loaded with premium, top-shelf components

The Z-Plus is loaded with premium, top-shelf components. Two 6V6 power tubes produce a juicy, well-rounded tone and smooth, rich distortion. A tube-driven spring reverb drenches your playing in euphoric ambience. Beyond that, this amp's output transformer is a special design, built with the highest grade M-6 stacked laminates, coupled with Dr. Z's custom all-aluminum chassis, and built like a tank to UL-60065 specifications. The guitarists at Sweetwater know that quality components give you great tone, and the Z-Plus delivers the goods!

All the features you could want

With the Dr. Z Z-Plus, you'll never find yourself wanting more features. Take the amp down from 15 watts to a studio-friendly seven watts with a Half/Full power switch. Transform the Z-Plus 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, Cut knob, and Master Volume control, granting you complete command over your final sound.

Dr. Z Z-Plus Features:

7W/15W, 1-channel 1 x 12-in. all-tube combo amplifier
Smaller studio-friendly enclosure
Great tone from premium, top-shelf components
Half/Full power switch takes the amp down from 15 watts to 7
Separate preamp gain control makes dialing in your desired amount of dirt easy
3-band EQ for sculpting your tone to perfection
Cut knob for dialing in the perfect amount of chime
Lush, tube-driven spring reverb
Hi and Lo sensitivity inputs to accommodate single-coil- and humbucker-equipped guitars
Built-in effects loop for your pedals and effects
Footswitchable boost to make your solos sing

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Tech Specs

Type: Tube
Number of Channels: Single
Output Power: 15W (7W half-power mode)
Speaker Size: 1 x 12" Custom Eminence Z12
Preamp Tubes: 4 x 12AX7, 1 x 12AT7
Power Tubes: 2 x 6V6 (power), 1 x 5AR4 (rectifier)
Reverb: Yes
EQ: 3-band EQ
Inputs: 2 x 1/4" (Hi/Lo)
Outputs: 3 x 1/4" (4/8/16 ohms, 8 ohm internal)
Effects Loop: Yes
Footswitch I/O: 1 x 1/4" (EQ bypass boost)
Footswitch Included: Yes, 1-button footswitch with variable level control
Bias Type: Cathode Biased
Features: Single-ended Class A power configuration
Power Source: Standard IEC AC cable
Height: 19.5"
Width: 19.25"
Depth: 10.5"
Weight: 38 lbs.
Manufacturer Part Number: ZA43112S-BLK/ZWR

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Reviews

4.9

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... that you'll need. At 15 watts it's got a great sound and strength to be milked through the PA. In smaller clubs it may even carry its own. 'Great practice amp.

I am extremely picky when it comes to amps. I have owned the Z-Plus for 2 years now and I am still blown away by how beautiful it sounds every single time I play it. This has replaced all other amps for me. It has replaced most of my pedal board. It's perfection. PERFECTION.

This is what you need to know:
This is the greatest Deluxe Reverb you have ever heard. It's the greatest tweed amp / cranked Champ you have ever heard. The Z-Plus amp runs Class A so there are all these additional harmonics to chords and notes that you won't find in ClassA/B amps running at similar wattage. Everything is so much broader and detailed sounding. Incredible is the best word for it.

Run this at full power with the boost off and the gain low and you have everything you ever wanted a clean Deluxe Reverb to be. Set the Cut (presence control) on full and use the three band EQ to cut some midrange and turn up the reverb. It blows Fender away. Or, crank up the gain, cut the treble, boost the mids and you can get some of the best driven American tones possible without needing a pedal to push the front end. But don't worry, it takes pedals extremely well too.

Next: switch it to half power, turn on the boost switch (this bypasses the 3 band EQ) and use the cut control like the tone control on a vintage Champ. Crank the gain and master and you have the best vintage amp breakup I have ever heard. And, it's into a 12 inch speaker so it's actually usable on a gig.

The boost foot switch also has a knob allowing you to blend it with the amp EQ controls. This allows you to make the boost mild or wild.

The reverb is delicious. It goes from the most subtle hint of reverb to full flood and it has a way of sitting perfectly in the mix. It responds dynamically to your playing nicely too. Crank up the reverb and you can go full Dick Dale overdriven surf too.

The effects loop is clean and doesn't dull the sound. The amp runs nearly silent even when cranked. It's so silent, you might leave it on by mistake. Seriously.

The Z-Plus can easily hit 100-108db for live playing when you turn up the master, but it still sounds fantastic at lower volumes including bedroom/apartment levels.

The low input is a 6db cut. I've found this great for hot humbuckers. Or add a ABY switch for simulated channel switching. The amp is so dynamic that toggling the inputs will take you from clean to breakup if you set the gain and master correctly. My single coil and humbucker guitars all sound fantastic in this amp. Each pickup position sounds that much more unique too. I attribute this to the additional harmonics in the Class A design.

This amp also sounds great with my baritone guitar for surf and spaghetti western tones. I've even used it with an acoustic. Turn the cut control all the way down with an acoustic and it works surprisingly well!

Lastly, this has been one of the easiest amps I have ever needed to record. A simple SM57 a few inches off the grill and slightly off the center of the cone has been foolproof at capturing how the amp sounds live in the studio. It's crazy how little post EQ I've needed to do when recording this.

Step one buy Z-plus
Step two buy alnico blue
Step three thank me later

After having a little time to play using the Z-Plus I find it as versatile as advertised. Great clarity with
plenty of headroom. The 6V6s provide a nice warm tone and work quite well with the Z12 Custom Eminence speakers. The reverb is pleasant and fills my playing area. The build quality is very impressive. I'll be using the Z-Plus at small gigs, as a practice amp and at the studio. Also have to mention the great customer service you get from Sweetwater and from Dr. Z

What a great amp. Special thanks too Andrew Fisher (sales) for his patience and help getting me this amp. Great build quality and beautiful tone. Dr. Z is making some great amps. I had considered the Z-Lux but I didn't need the power or tremolo... The NOVA was also on the table but I need reverb. I was looking for a hand wired, solid pine cab Fender type amp. This has everything I need and does what I need it to do. It has a typical EQ, master volume, reverb and a half power switch to go between 7 and 15 watts. The cut works great to add a bit extra brilliance and I like the high and low input options. I play telecasters with low wind pickups and this thing sounds glorious. If you crank the volume, have the master at about 3 o'clock and engage the included boost foot switch you can get some nice moderate OD tones. I will be looking for a pedal to give me a bit more but if you are in the market for a well built good looking amp, this may be the one.