Much More Than A Country Amp! || Dr. Z Z-Wreck Jr. Review

Some people might think that the Z-Wreck Jr. by Dr. Z is 'just' a country amp, perfect for playing a telecaster through it. And even though it can do that without problem, it can do way more than that. Recently I traded my Maz 18 Mk II for this Z-Wreck Jr. but the question is: did I trade upwards? Let's discuss!
Here's where I got the Z-Wreck Jr. (and the Maz 18 before it):
www.haarguitar...

[@mtmusicgear]

Thank you for a clear and thoughtful review! I love Dr. Z amps and am determined to make the Z Wreck Jr. my next amp.

[@StevenAnthonyGuitar]

I've had it for about 8 months now, gigged and recorded with it a lot and I love it. In my opinion it's hard to go wrong with this amp, for its sound as well as build quality. Glad I could be of help in your decision-making! 🙂

[@frankenstein4106]

I bought the Z Wreck Jr shortly after it was released. It's a great amp that takes pedals well also. I can get spank out of it, and with a pedal or two thrown in, it can get really dirty. It's a loud amp for 15 watts! I run it through an Avatar 2x12 with Greenbacks.

[@StevenAnthonyGuitar]

Yeah it's great, I'm super happy with it since I got it! Should've gotten one way sooner.

[@youngtough00]

So it takes drive pedals fairly well? Been wanting one but always read that TW style amps typically don’t. I guess I’ve heard the same about Vox and use tons of dirt pedals with mine..

[@StevenAnthonyGuitar]

@@youngtough00 I have no problems at all running drives, boosts and fuzzes through mine. The amp takes it like a champ.

[@DorseyFaught]

I live about 35 minutes away from Dr Z. I’ve been to the shop a few times. I’ve played Z’s for 25 years, and they are amazing!!!

[@StevenAnthonyGuitar]

It's too bad not all their models are as easy to come by here, I really love their amps. This Z-Wreck Junior is a lifer for me, it's my do it all amp.

[@frankenspecies]

I'd say you won. For higher gain (than country), I'd say that amp does it's own thing, but isn't too far away from familiar territory to feel weird or anything.
Of course, I'm not in the room, so we may be hearing different things.
Congratulations!

[@StevenAnthonyGuitar]

I did a video comparing it to a Marshall Studio Vintage a few weeks ago, and they actually got pretty close. But it indeed still does its own thing, which I think is great.

[@SphennyMusic]

I own this amp. My big problem is not really being able to use delay and reverb because it gets loud and muddy. It’s a bummer because if I could figure out how to use an fx loop with it I would only use this amp. Alas, my amp search continues

[@StevenAnthonyGuitar]

As far as I'm concerned it's just a matter of setting your effects differently. I never use an effects loop, even on the amps that have one, but I can get my reverbs and delays working nonetheless. If you really need an effects loop, get someone to mod it for you, especially if that's your only issue with the amp.

[@marcador79]

You could also run it thru a Fryette Powerstation, and you get an FX loop!@@StevenAnthonyGuitar

[@StevenAnthonyGuitar]

@@marcador79 that would be the best option, but just for that purpose and considering the price a bit of an overkill in my opinion. I think the amp works perfectly with without an effects loop.

[@philipmarsh3522]

⁠@@StevenAnthonyGuitarA bit of a late reply lol, but I am 100% in your camp when it comes to an effects loop. In fact, when I had Dr Z build me an amp (a JAZ, which is the predecessor of the D-LUX) I asked them to not include an effects loop which was standard. They just suck the life out of the sound imho.

[@StevenAnthonyGuitar]

@@philipmarsh3522 I agree, and a lot of those great and classic guitar sounds were recorded without an effects loop. I use a Strymon Flint with the mix low and get great reverb in front of any amp.

[@SophiaRenee-t7o]

8622 Abernathy River

[@FLdb-wj4wc]

That hx effect sucks tone. Well it did when i had it. I have the maz 18 no reverb. Still love it.

[@StevenAnthonyGuitar]

I've had no problems so far with any tone suck on the Helix, and I'm pretty sensitive to that kind of stuff. Maybe you had a faulty unit or something in the effects loop of it? I had tone suck with the latter, but in that case it made the pedals in the loop sound and respond different. And the Maz 18 is a great amp as well, for sure!

[@jonoftheford]

Same. Probably something else in the chain. HX is solid and generally transparent unless using an effect with intentional eq and compression.

[@ZachariasAbbott-p2v]

Grover Coves

[@CharlesHowell-m8h]

Sidney Lodge

[@WalshKeith-c1f]

26038 Moriah Burgs

[@ВалерийПелипенко]

9828 Bins Fall

[@EzekielNelly-b2j]

Renner Squares

[@DelmaMadras]

13977 Deron Track

[@TheresaGuy-l7h]

Charley Square

[@HarrodIves]

6684 Margie Bridge

[@IsabelMorton-w5h]

Meredith Station

[@FeltonAlvis-c2d]

Goldner Loop