Dr. Z
34Also known as: Dr Z, Dr. Z Amps, Dr Z Amps, Dr. Z Amplification, Dr Z Amplification
UnclaimedFounded in 1988 by Mike Zaite outside Cleveland, Ohio, Dr. Z Amplification is a boutique guitar amplifier manufacturer known for hand-wired, tube-driven designs. Zaite, the son of a 1950s television repairman, grew up working with vacuum tubes and began modifying amplifiers as a teenager. He worked as a medical electronics technician — hence the "Dr." moniker — before turning to amp building fu...
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Founded in 1988 by Mike Zaite outside Cleveland, Ohio, Dr. Z Amplification is a boutique guitar amplifier manufacturer known for hand-wired, tube-driven designs. Zaite, the son of a 1950s television repairman, grew up working with vacuum tubes and began modifying amplifiers as a teenager. He worked as a medical electronics technician — hence the "Dr." moniker — before turning to amp building full-time after Joe Walsh adopted his SRZ-65 model for the 1994 Eagles World Tour.
The company's flagship Carmen Ghia is an 18-watt EL84-powered amp with minimalist controls (just tone and volume), prized for its articulate, dynamic clean tones. The lineup spans a range of wattages and voicings, from the Vox-inspired MAZ 18 to the higher-powered Z-80, the Trainwreck-influenced Z Wreck (developed with Brad Paisley), and the Premier Guitar award-winning Z-28 Mk. II. Dr. Z also produces speaker cabinets, the Reactive Reducer power attenuator, and effects pedals like the ZEQD-Pre boost/preamp.
Dr. Z amps have found a home on stages and in studios across genres. Joe Walsh and Brad Paisley are among the brand's most prominent long-time users, and the company's artist roster includes Billy Gibbons, Mark Knopfler, Ry Cooder, Foo Fighters, Death Cab for Cutie, The Decemberists, and over 180 other professional musicians.
Dr. Z has 142 products cataloged on Equipboard, including Combo Guitar Amplifiers, Guitar Amplifier Heads, and Guitar Amplifier Stacks. Their gear is featured by 36 artists, with the strongest followings in Rock, Folk, World, & Country, and Pop. Notable users include Brad Paisley, Joe Walsh, and Mark Lee. Most Dr. Z products sit firmly in the high-end, boutique range.
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