Posted on 08/06/2011 3:59:35 PM PDT by Reaganite Republican
From Eric Clapton's 'Crossroads 2010' last year- it don't get any better than this...
Video/more at Reaganite Republican
Doc prices his amps at a very affordable level for what they are. One Saturday, he called me, and asked that I bring my ‘57 Strat to his shop. I sat there and played whilst he tweaked the prototype Maz Jr! He subbed in caps as I played. My total input was to say things like, “Doc, that second cap sounded better.” He did everything. We were both amazed at the sound of that prototype. I played 13th chords in dropped D tuning, which usually turn to mud. But abdo-lute clarity!
I headed to Florida the next day, but couldn’t get that amp’s sound outa my head! Called him a couple days later, and said that I had to have one. He knew I was a fan of the Celestion/Vox Blue speakers, so he built me a single 12” amp. Probably #2 or #3. Killer! Been in a bunch of studios in Cleveland and Columbus, most notably on Neil Zaza’s cd “Staring At The Sun.”
I just think it’s so cool that the Maz Jr was tweaked to my playing my ‘57, San Marino Blue Strat! Thanks Doc! I also have an early Prescription with two Blues, and a master volume. Probably the only one! Two Blues again. I told Mike that my cats were fleeing when I turned it on!
bflr
Look at my history, loser
“They were there with Skynyrd.”
Then you probably saw my good friend Steve Cerkvencic playing lead guitar. He’s been their go to guy for years!
They are coming to So. MD in a couple of weeks with Joan Jett. Can’t wait!
What are their characteristics? Do they sound like tube amps? Are they more like a Fender Twin Reverb, or a Marshall? Just curious. I have an old Ampeg tube amp that I love.
Great post!!
Thanks WB
Enjoy your weekend-
” I have an old Ampeg tube amp that I love.”
A good buddy just got the first model Jet amp. Badged to an Italian company! Rare as hen’s teeth! He’s sleeping with it tonight! Doc’s amps are all tubes.
Doc has so many models that characterization really is not possible. But he has been influenced by both Marshall, and Vox. But he improves on them! He uses the 12BH7 tube in very interesting ways. When I first met Doc, he was only selling to Rock guys. Met him when I was selling a Transonic to George Bradfute, who was playing with Web Wilder. I got onstage and played :Highlander Boogie” so Doc knew I wasn’t completely incompetent. At that time, I was using my ‘64 Vibroverb for both Tele and pedal steel. My best sound ever. But guys were starting to “eye” that amp, so I retired it. Saw his booth at the Cleveland Guitar Show, and played his lame Strat for a half hour. Took in the Blue Angel the next day, and played for an hour. I told him he had to get the Prescription down to Nashville. The rest is history!
Very cool. Thanks for the detailed response! Sounds like you’re a pretty accomplished musician. Nothing better than playing at the end of the day, and forgetting the scary state of the world.
I really owe Doc a lunch. Maybe this next week. His amps are the best, at extraordinarily reasonable prices. Find a dealer, and try them out!
Memorex
Love ZZ
TV Dinner!!
My son also ran into Billy in Nashville. Billy had about six drinks too many at that point. My son said hanging with him was one of the most fun things that has happened to him since he moved to Nashville.
“Saw them in concert in 76 at a bicentennial stadium extravaganza in Memphis”
I was at that show and you must have been doing some good dope. ZZ Topp was all show and no go. Skynyrd blew the crowd away. A week later in New Orleans at the Sugar Bowl ZZ Topp refused to let Skynyrd open, fired them from the tour and a riot ensued. No one played the second half of that concert. ZZ Topp hasn’t played a live song onstage since about 1979, it’s all prerecorded and lip-synched. Very good Vegas type act though
Saw ZZ Top in 1982 before they became all world. The came out wearing mechanic overalls. I was standing on the stage and could hear Billy singing & talking between songs. Sorry, but they was still rocking hard & live then.
Meant to say leaning on the stage, not standing on it lol. So much for proof-reading :)
Now is that a real 57 strat you have or a reissue?
I just checked that Maz Jr. out. That’s the kind of amp I like....pick up and go.
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