Dr. Z Amplification
(216) 475-1444
drz@drzamps.com
  

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Mini-Z
"A fun specialty amp; sort of like an overdrive pedal with a speaker attached..." --Dr. Z
General Info

Note: Production of this amp was suspended in April 2006.

The Mini-Z is Dr. Z's first single-ended amp, a low powered, high-gain amp with a serious "smile factor." Still louder than most want in a "bedroom amp," the Mini-Z is built to give you power tube distortion in a compact low-wattage amp. The Mini-Z features point to point wiring, Dr. Z's proprietary caps, all new tranny set, a Weber 8" speaker, tuned cab, tilt back leg, with high quality tubes and components and a sound that'll bring you back for more.

Clean headroom? Well, this amp wasn't built to give you much of that, but cleaner tones can be achieved by rolling back the guitar volume. But, if you're like the rest of us, that'll last about 30 seconds and then you'll have the guitar on 10 and be wailing away again...


built-in tilt handle on bottom of amp

 

The breakup begins lightly at around 9 o'clock on the dial, and the sound gets fatter and fatter with more gain as you turn up the volume. Want a nice & crunchy rhythm tone? It's at about 10-11 o'clock. Want a nice, sustaining tone for leads? It's at high-noon. Want ZZ-top? It's at about 2-3 o'clock. Want over the top saturation? Crank it all the way up. The amp gets both louder AND more distorted as you turn it up, so it's "quite a ride." Most will find a happy setting between 12 and 2 o'clock and control the volume and tone with their guitar.

The power cord is a detachable 3-prong cord. 8 ohm speaker plugs into a 1/4" jack so it's easy to plug in a speaker cable to power a different speaker.

Specifications

Power Output: 5 watts
Output Tube: 1 - EL84
Preamp Tube: 1 - GT-12AX7M
Controls: Volume.
Configurations: 1-8 Combo
Colors: Black.
Dimensions and Weight: 13 1/2" W, 13 1/2" H, 9" D; 22 lbs

 
Comments from Dr. Z

"Interesting year. Released my highest powered amp (Delta 88) and lowest powered amp (Mini-Z) within a couple months of each other. Contrary to rumors on the internet, my next amp will have more features than merely an on/off switch <laughing>..."

 
Reviews and Comments

Check out the following comments taken from Harmony Central reviews:

--It's very loud for it's size, much louder than small vintage amps (more)

--The tone is thick and complex even at low volumes (more)

 
Sound Clips

 

 

 

 

drzamps.com
June 2009

What's New:
New Forum for
Dr. Z Amps. Your place to discuss all things Dr. Z!
Click here to visit the forum.

New for 2009, the JAZ 20/40.

Now Available to Order: The EZG-50 is here!!!

Guitar Buyer Magazine tours the Z factory

New Review from Guitar Buyer Magazine of the Carmen Ghia, Maz18 NR, and Route66.

New For 2007: The Mazerati GT , Tons of touch dynamics and LOUD!

New For 2007: The Mini Z Head with built-in attenuator. Start at 5watt and attenuate down to High Gain tones at whisper levels.

Z-GEAR Hats and Shirts are available now!

Guitar Player magazine reviews the Airbrake in the May 2004 issue. Read the review here.

Guitar Player magazine reviews the Mazerati and Z-28 in the March 2004 issue. Read the review here.

Guitar Magazine (UK) reviewed the Z28 in May 2004. Read the review here.

Our Japanese Dealer, Prosound Communications, has added a video interview with Dean Parks to their web site. The Reality Web Video part 2 includes a segment where Dean demonstrates his Carmen Ghia. Check it out!

Other Cool Stuff:
Willcutt Guitars has a new "Dr. Z factory tour on their website...click here to take the tour!

Amp Covers:
Check out www.studioslips.com

Need a compact amp stand?
Check out www.standback.net