Constructed for the Beatles to make use of as a bass amp on their mid-’60s U.S. stadium tour, the Vox AC80 proved unreliable. When nation music star Brad Paisley bought his palms on one many years later, he beloved its tone but additionally discovered it couldn’t sustain on tour. So, he requested pal (and longtime amp builder) Mike Zaite to create a brand new model. “Dr. Z” gladly accepted the problem and, after six years of refinement, launched the Z-80.

A single-channel/80-watt head, the Z-80 is powered by 4 cathode-biased EL34s in a singular design the place every tube is self-biasing; many cathode-biased amps with push/pull configuration use a shared resistor, however this one has a person bias resistor for every EL34. That tweak is integral to the amp’s sound and really feel. The preamp has two 12AX7s and a 12AU7, and the Z-80 provides controls for Mid and Grasp Quantity together with a Metro Zero Loss results loop and a stouter energy transformer. Its matching semi-open 2×12 cupboard homes a pair of Celestion Gold Alnico audio system.

With a Telecaster plugged in and the amp’s Quantity at 10 o’clock, Grasp Bass, Mid, and Treble all at 1 o’clock, the Z-80 delivered ultra-chimey clear tones with juicy harmonics and improbable string-to-string definition. Tones have been shiny, articulate, and snappy, however by no means harsh – excellent for rooster choosing. Each notice was wrapped in spherical, swirly harmonics; the impact was even more-pronounced with chords, the place particular person notes blended such that even dissonant chords sounded musical. With a Les Paul plugged in and the Grasp and Quantity at 3 o’clock, basic Vox crunch erupted from the two×12 with much more chime and compression that remained clear and articulate. The Alnico Celestions actually assist ship chime, however the Z-80 additionally sounded improbable plugged right into a 2×12 with Celestion’s ceramic-magnet G12T-75s, although it supplied barely much less chime, tighter backside, and extra total aggressiveness.

The magic of the Z-80 lies in its really feel and choosing dynamics; notes explode from the decide and bloom into maintain earlier than descending. Dynamics are an enormous a part of the enjoying expertise, and the Z-80 cleans up or will get soiled just by adjusting decide assault.
The Z-80 isn’t just a duplicate of the AC80, however a refined, reimagined design that captures the soul of the unique however takes its tone to a different stage.

This text initially appeared in VG’s Could 2024 subject. All copyrights are by the creator and Classic Guitar journal. Unauthorized replication or use is strictly prohibited.