I spent the last 45 minutes playing guitars through my Z-28 amp. It's a 6V6 based amp with an EF86 preamp. The characteristics it has as an amp are touch sensitive response and a very quick breakup if you crank the volume. It's spartan with regards to tone controls which from left to right are Volume, Bass, and Treble. These three knobs provide you with a plethora of tones depending on how you use them. Both of the tone knobs increase the gain when dialed past noon. The volume's pretty much how much gas you want on the sonic fire.
Like I mentioned I spent a bit playing different guitars through the amp. Maybe it's because I grew up playing a Strat but I like the snap and dynamic of single coils through this amp. I started out playing a humbucker equipped PRS and while the tones were definitely rock quality there wasn't that clean sparkle that single coils provide. I found an interesting setting that cleaned up the 'buckers nicely but for all means and purposes I had to chill my attack to keep the tone clean. If I were doing an all blues style of music this combination would rock. It'd also be good for most classic rock styles. For the dance and funk stuff though I prefer the sound of my ASAT Classic or Strats. They have that neatness and crispness I want to hear. Clarity may be the better word. Also, b/c the output of those two axes is different I think it keeps the EF86 from clipping as quickly as it does with the 'bucker equipped guitars. YMMV but for me it's all about the definition and I can't help but love the sounds I can get with a strat and my Dr. Z.
