Back to navigation


The Embodiment of Dr. Z's Tonal Legacy





This article was


Written By





Our Product Research Team





Get to know them!





The Dr. Z X-Ray combines the British Invasion-inspired chime of the company's Stang Ray with the chewy, churning overdrive of the DB4. This mighty 30-watt combo amplifier really roars to life when you crank it up, but unlike its forebears, a post-phase inverter Master control enables you to achieve rafter-shaking tones at club-friendly output levels. The X-Ray also includes a front-panel half-power attenuator switch that alters the compression and dynamics of its power amp for a cranked-up feel at a modest ? yet muscular ? 15 watts. Like all of Dr. Z's offerings, the X-Ray is built from top-of-the-line components, including Heyboer transformers, NOS mil-spec tubes, and an aircraft-grade aluminum chassis. The X-Ray effectively captures the boutique-flavored sound of Brad Paisley's backline ? a tone aficionado couldn't ask for more.





Related Videos: X-Ray 30/15-watt 1 x 12-inch Tube Combo Amp





NOW PLAYING:


Bones of the Stang Ray, Heart of the DB4? The NEW X-RAY!





Dr. Z X-RAY Official Play-through w/ Tyler Tomlinson (of Morgan Wallen)





Interview with Dr. Z





Dr. Z Amps Overview with Brad Paisley





Dr. Z Guitar Amplifiers ? How They're Made





Tube Amp vs Solid State -?What's the Difference?


A tale of two amps





The X-Ray is a boutique-flavored synthesis of two legacy Dr. Z amplifiers: the Stang Ray and the DB4. Both of these celebrated amplifiers were popularized by country six-string legend Brad Paisley, and both continue to be a part of his live backline today. The X-Ray contains a 6n14n-fueled power section, imbuing it with a distinctive British Invasion-inspired jangle that recalls the EL84-equipped Stang Ray. Crank the X-Ray's Volume knob, however, and its 5879 pentode-loaded preamp churns out a saturated, mid-forward grind reminiscent of the DB4. Combining Stang Ray chime with DB4 dirt gives the X-Ray a versatile sound that excels in myriad musical situations.





Streamlined feature set





Dialing in the Dr. Z X-Ray is a painless endeavor, thanks to its streamlined feature set. Gain-staging is handled by a Volume knob and a post-phase inverter Master control. Simple Cut and Tone knobs offer straightforward tone-shaping. The X-Ray's front-panel half-power attenuator switch gives you cranked-up feel and performance at manageable volume levels. You also get a tube-driven effects loop that pipes the X-Ray's signature tone straight through your pedalboard.





Built with topflight components





The X-Ray was cooked up with top-of-the-line ingredients. Its power section is fueled by 6n14n tubes, and it boasts a 5879-loaded preamp section, all NOS and up to military specs. Heyboer transformers form the heart of the X-Ray. And everything is packed into an aircraft-grade aluminum chassis by Dr. Z's master technicians in Cleveland, Ohio. There's a reason why so many of us here at Sweetwater gig with Dr. Z amps: high-quality components equal amazing tone!





Dr. Z X-Ray Tube Combo Amp Features:


A boutique-flavored synthesis of Dr. Z's legacy Stang Ray and DB4 amplifiers


WGS Retro 30 speaker is bright and articulate with a tight bottom end


6n14n-fueled power section yields a distinctive British Invasion-inspired jangle


5879 pentode-loaded preamp churns out a saturated, mid-forward grind when you crank it


Post-phase inverter Master control enables rafter-shaking tones at club-friendly output levels


Simple Cut and Tone knobs offer straightforward tone-shaping


Front-panel half-power attenuator switch scales down to a modest ? yet muscular ? 15 watts


Tube-driven effects loop pipes the amp's signature tone straight through your pedalboard


Includes Heyboer transformers, NOS mil-spec tubes, and an aircraft-grade aluminum chassis