Rewiew by Chordstriker (Harmony Central)

"I use an LP Standard with Seymour Duncan's, a 59 and a Jeff Beck, and a PRS Custom 24 w/ vintage pick ups. the PRS sounds the best with the single coil, parrallel pick ups. Warm sound that stays clean until you really get cooking, and then it hits you like a ton of bricks, just the way it should. It has the ability to reflect the mood and emotion you want to play, unlike other 'monotone' amps. This amp is the amp that can help motivate your sound. Noticed it worked the best in Blues/Rock/Jam stuff, but it does great in Jazz, too. It depends on how you play it, really. No amp is gonna sound good if you can't play:) I like to keep the bass low because generally the individual notes pop out more, this amp has good low end anyhow, but I still prefer more of a midrange and treble sound. the amp can do just about anything you want to do, provided you figure out how to do it. I've played super reverb's, twin reverbs, vox, hot rod deluxe, deville, mesa boogie nomad, none have been as straight forward and infectious as the Dr's. Mind you, the price tag is pretty stiff, but you'll get the $3,000 dollar tone other companies sell in half and full stacks. Plus, these are the loudest 38 watt amps I've ever heard. A+! They still sound even when loud until you REALLY crank on them, which is what I like to work up to, then when it breaks up it sounds like it's supposed to. Which it is. If you like drive get the tubescreamer ts9 or 808, the harmonics will make you cry, laugh, then call Dr. Z and say thank you. Not a whole lot is needed in front of this amp. It comes ready to play off of the shelf (if you can find one in a store---good luck----) or out of the box.

I used to gig with a second amp. especially when playing fenders...but I haven't had a problem in 2 years. The tubes got a little washy, but 84's are easy to find. New tubes, great sound. Personally I don't care if it's pine, plywood or plastic, this amp sounds good and it's made like a german beer-wench's bra. (that's pretty sturdy). This amp gives me the vintage tone, smooth jazz warmth, hard rock core, and individuality that I couldn't find elsewhere with taking out a 2nd mortgage. Haven't had a problem but I hear Dr. Z is very good about stuff. I guess never having had to talk to him is a good thing...

General Comments

I've been playing for 15 years, 10 seriously, and I used to use a few effects through various amps. TS9, Crybaby, line6 modulation modeler, digital delay, hush. but now I usually got with just the TS9, sometimes some delay. This amp made the rest of my gear useless or...well...not important. Let's not forget why we have amps. They are the foundation for good tone, not an ergonomic wonder. The amp is heavy, but most stuff in this biz that's good is heavy. if you can't carry it yourself, get a few of the beautiful ladies in the front row to carry it for you. After playing this thing for awhile, they'll be there."