Dr Z. Amplifiers - The Delta 88
Last updated 02 APR 2008
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| Click on the photo on the left to hit the Amazon website where you can grab a copy of this great CD. |
| To hit the official Michael Burks website CLICK HERE |
8/30/04 - The latest on this amp.
The amp should have arrived on Friday 8/27 via UPS. Tracking the amp I saw the dreaded UPS words "rescheduled". This a nice way of saying your package is lost
or rerouted. UPS gave me some story about "weather delays", but looking at all my sailing and flying weather reporting showed this UPS excuse to be a bunch of
nonsense as usual. By the way, my previous UPS shipment was lost on a train someplace in the mid USA. The customer service at UPS is friendly but worthless. If
you have a problem you have to let it go through the system. The system runs the people at UPS ... the people have no control over the system.
So ... moving along ....
The amp arrived and was packed as per typical Dr. Z standards ... perfectly. I pulled the back and found the phase inverter to be a Sovtek 12AX7LPS which I wrote
a little about below I believe. I am always trying to catch the good Doctor on his phase inverter matching. He got me again. The LPS PI had 1.1 milliamps on each
side and transconductance that matched and was above an expected 1600 spec. I will leave this tube in the amp for a while as I expect to play the amp with Strats
and Les Paul or PRS humbucker guitars for a while.
The Svet/Sovtek EF86 will stay in the amp for a few days so I can get used to the tone. It will then be swapped out for one of Mike's (KCA NOS tubes -
www.kcanostubes.com - NOS EF86's. I have these in my Z-28, KT-45, Prescription "ES" and Victoria Sovereign. These NOS EF86's are also in Brad Paisley's RX-ES
amps.
I will toss up a few photos taken here in the office. Click on any of them for a larger image. I will try to get other photos up soon when the amp is hooked to a
speaker cab and is played.
The amp should have arrived on Friday 8/27 via UPS. Tracking the amp I saw the dreaded UPS words "rescheduled". This a nice way of saying your package is lost
or rerouted. UPS gave me some story about "weather delays", but looking at all my sailing and flying weather reporting showed this UPS excuse to be a bunch of
nonsense as usual. By the way, my previous UPS shipment was lost on a train someplace in the mid USA. The customer service at UPS is friendly but worthless. If
you have a problem you have to let it go through the system. The system runs the people at UPS ... the people have no control over the system.
So ... moving along ....
The amp arrived and was packed as per typical Dr. Z standards ... perfectly. I pulled the back and found the phase inverter to be a Sovtek 12AX7LPS which I wrote
a little about below I believe. I am always trying to catch the good Doctor on his phase inverter matching. He got me again. The LPS PI had 1.1 milliamps on each
side and transconductance that matched and was above an expected 1600 spec. I will leave this tube in the amp for a while as I expect to play the amp with Strats
and Les Paul or PRS humbucker guitars for a while.
The Svet/Sovtek EF86 will stay in the amp for a few days so I can get used to the tone. It will then be swapped out for one of Mike's (KCA NOS tubes -
www.kcanostubes.com - NOS EF86's. I have these in my Z-28, KT-45, Prescription "ES" and Victoria Sovereign. These NOS EF86's are also in Brad Paisley's RX-ES
amps.
I will toss up a few photos taken here in the office. Click on any of them for a larger image. I will try to get other photos up soon when the amp is hooked to a
speaker cab and is played.
The output transformer in this amp is a monster.
September 8 2004 - Output tests were performed on this amp. The amp had a factory bias set at about 28 milliamps. This was intentional and some folks may think
this seems VERY cold. In playing the amp biased at about 30%+ idle dissipation it may be thought that the amp would not develop full output or that it would sound
grainy. This turned out NOT to be the case. The amp is very smooth and very playable at all levels. Clean power (but with a lot of full dynamics and not the least
sterile) was measured at a bit over 40 watts. Full output with a set of #5 GT-KT88SV output tubes was measured at a bit over 100 watts. With a set of #6's in the amp
and biased at maybe 60% ID I would not be surprised if the amp exceeded 120 watts easily. The dissipation chart is here for those interested. Due to the very
efficient output transformer design and overall design, biasing the amp at 30% to 40% seemed to yield amazing results. At this bias point the output tubes should last
at least a half a decade!
The amp loved any pedal stuck in it's front end.
30% 40% 50% 60% 70%
26 35 43 52 61 milliamps at idle
this seems VERY cold. In playing the amp biased at about 30%+ idle dissipation it may be thought that the amp would not develop full output or that it would sound
grainy. This turned out NOT to be the case. The amp is very smooth and very playable at all levels. Clean power (but with a lot of full dynamics and not the least
sterile) was measured at a bit over 40 watts. Full output with a set of #5 GT-KT88SV output tubes was measured at a bit over 100 watts. With a set of #6's in the amp
and biased at maybe 60% ID I would not be surprised if the amp exceeded 120 watts easily. The dissipation chart is here for those interested. Due to the very
efficient output transformer design and overall design, biasing the amp at 30% to 40% seemed to yield amazing results. At this bias point the output tubes should last
at least a half a decade!
The amp loved any pedal stuck in it's front end.
30% 40% 50% 60% 70%
26 35 43 52 61 milliamps at idle
This amp shares the same front end with a few slight changes as the Z-28, Route 66 and KT-45 amps from the good doctor. This is another new amp from the
design board of Dr. Z. There are a few things to note here. This amplifier has a VERY efficient output transformer. You do NOT bias this amp as you might normally
bias a class A/B amp. The KT88 output tubes are very easily driven and have a very wide range. Keeping the bias at a mere 28 milliamps per tube even at plate
voltages approaching 500 plate volts with it's solid state rectifier will still yield about 100 watts out of this amp. The amp will sound and play great at ALL levels with
no trace of grain or harsh tone. Use it with a single 12 " cab (with a pretty strong speaker) in small gigs or with big cabs in larger venues, it covers it all. This amp is
a very strong and versitile amp. Listen to Michael Burks (killer hard blues player) to get an idea of what these amps can do. At the 28 mA bias the tubes will last for
years. I think five to ten years you not surprise me at all. V1 - EF86, V2 - Phase Inverter, and a duet of KT88SV output tubes in a #5 rating.
Dr. Z has a few personal preferences. He likes the KT88SV #5's biased at 28mA and the #6's biased at 30mA. This may seems a bit "backasswards" but I have
learned to just follow the good Doctors suggestions so many times that I don't think about it for as many hours any more (just a few). On the phase inverter, Dr. Z
likes the 12AX7LPS with Les Pauls and Strats. He says there is a clarity, sparkle and definition he likes. With a Tele he likes the 12AX7M for more low end and a
warmer quality that compliments the Tele's thinner sound in some cases.
This amp is currently being used by Michael Burks (Alligator Records). Mike's last setup was a three amp rig, using a Dumble, Dr. Z Delta 88, and a Dr. Z MAZ Sr.
Mike's latest setup will be two Dr. Z Delta 88 amps and one Dr. Z MAZ SR. The Dumble amps are great, but are just too valuable to drag around on tours as I was told
from Dr. Tim, Michael Burks manager.
The Delta 88 is something of an "up growth" of the Route 66 and KT-45. Maybe more of a Route 66, as it shares the same transformer design (Ultra linear) from the
Route 66.
The amp is rated at a conservative 88 watts. On the bench this amp showed 30 volts into an 8 ohm load. This boils down to 112.5 watts from a duet of KT-88 output
tubes.
This amp has the great Dr. Z EF86 front end, which makes it one of the most pedal friendly amp front ends ever designed. A solid state rectifier keeps the amp tight
and strong.
With a nice output that seems to hit 120 watts, this amp is pretty simple and light considering it's output level. No photos yet, but think of the Route 66 or KT-45 and
you will get the picture. This amp will bury a lot of those "big" amps out there. The KT-88 output section was a master of tone in the Park 75 and Marshall Major.
Think SRV, Deep Purple, and others. I will have photos in a week or two.
Though this amp is not yet in full production, orders will be taken from folks interested. You can contact me at my Groove Tubes email address
techsupport@groovetubes.com or my Guitar Amplifier Blueprinting address myles@guitaramplifierblueprinting.com and I will forward your interest on to Dr. Z. You
can also contact the good Doctor directly at drz@drzamps.com if you want to hit the good Doctor directly.
This amp is something of a monster. If you play with a pedal rig, think of this as one of the ultimate channel switchers (using your pedal board to switch tones and
gain structures). This is a lot of build quality, a lot of versatility, and a lot of watts for the dollar. Hand built PTP wired as all Z amps, this is just one more bargain
from the good Doctor. This amp is not just a clean player's amp, use those tone controls and get a wide range of crunch to blues to clean and more.
The retail on the Delta 88 is $1599.00
design board of Dr. Z. There are a few things to note here. This amplifier has a VERY efficient output transformer. You do NOT bias this amp as you might normally
bias a class A/B amp. The KT88 output tubes are very easily driven and have a very wide range. Keeping the bias at a mere 28 milliamps per tube even at plate
voltages approaching 500 plate volts with it's solid state rectifier will still yield about 100 watts out of this amp. The amp will sound and play great at ALL levels with
no trace of grain or harsh tone. Use it with a single 12 " cab (with a pretty strong speaker) in small gigs or with big cabs in larger venues, it covers it all. This amp is
a very strong and versitile amp. Listen to Michael Burks (killer hard blues player) to get an idea of what these amps can do. At the 28 mA bias the tubes will last for
years. I think five to ten years you not surprise me at all. V1 - EF86, V2 - Phase Inverter, and a duet of KT88SV output tubes in a #5 rating.
Dr. Z has a few personal preferences. He likes the KT88SV #5's biased at 28mA and the #6's biased at 30mA. This may seems a bit "backasswards" but I have
learned to just follow the good Doctors suggestions so many times that I don't think about it for as many hours any more (just a few). On the phase inverter, Dr. Z
likes the 12AX7LPS with Les Pauls and Strats. He says there is a clarity, sparkle and definition he likes. With a Tele he likes the 12AX7M for more low end and a
warmer quality that compliments the Tele's thinner sound in some cases.
This amp is currently being used by Michael Burks (Alligator Records). Mike's last setup was a three amp rig, using a Dumble, Dr. Z Delta 88, and a Dr. Z MAZ Sr.
Mike's latest setup will be two Dr. Z Delta 88 amps and one Dr. Z MAZ SR. The Dumble amps are great, but are just too valuable to drag around on tours as I was told
from Dr. Tim, Michael Burks manager.
The Delta 88 is something of an "up growth" of the Route 66 and KT-45. Maybe more of a Route 66, as it shares the same transformer design (Ultra linear) from the
Route 66.
The amp is rated at a conservative 88 watts. On the bench this amp showed 30 volts into an 8 ohm load. This boils down to 112.5 watts from a duet of KT-88 output
tubes.
This amp has the great Dr. Z EF86 front end, which makes it one of the most pedal friendly amp front ends ever designed. A solid state rectifier keeps the amp tight
and strong.
With a nice output that seems to hit 120 watts, this amp is pretty simple and light considering it's output level. No photos yet, but think of the Route 66 or KT-45 and
you will get the picture. This amp will bury a lot of those "big" amps out there. The KT-88 output section was a master of tone in the Park 75 and Marshall Major.
Think SRV, Deep Purple, and others. I will have photos in a week or two.
Though this amp is not yet in full production, orders will be taken from folks interested. You can contact me at my Groove Tubes email address
techsupport@groovetubes.com or my Guitar Amplifier Blueprinting address myles@guitaramplifierblueprinting.com and I will forward your interest on to Dr. Z. You
can also contact the good Doctor directly at drz@drzamps.com if you want to hit the good Doctor directly.
This amp is something of a monster. If you play with a pedal rig, think of this as one of the ultimate channel switchers (using your pedal board to switch tones and
gain structures). This is a lot of build quality, a lot of versatility, and a lot of watts for the dollar. Hand built PTP wired as all Z amps, this is just one more bargain
from the good Doctor. This amp is not just a clean player's amp, use those tone controls and get a wide range of crunch to blues to clean and more.
The retail on the Delta 88 is $1599.00
From Michael Burks Manager over on the PRS Gear Forum:
I was just told about this thread this morning by Dr Z, so I thought I would chime in about the Delta 88.
I am Michael Burks manager, and also deal with the equipment on the road and in the studio. The Delta 88 is the brainchild of Michael, myself and Dr Z. We needed
an amp to provide not only the headroom for Michael's style of playing but to also get the type of gain provided by the Dumble overdrive specials that Michael has
been using for the last couple years.
If anything the Delta 88 is a very high power and very high gain when played at the volumes Michael uses on stage. We have had the original prototype on the road for
several months now using the head with a Z best cab loaded with Celestion G12 H 100's This set-up along with the Maz 38 also loaded with The G12 H 100's provides
a punishing tone that reminds one of the Band of Gypsy's.
This amp is all about delivering fluid notes without sounding too muddy or mushy. Something necessary for Michael because of his attack. So don't think this is just
a clean amp by any means.
I was just told about this thread this morning by Dr Z, so I thought I would chime in about the Delta 88.
I am Michael Burks manager, and also deal with the equipment on the road and in the studio. The Delta 88 is the brainchild of Michael, myself and Dr Z. We needed
an amp to provide not only the headroom for Michael's style of playing but to also get the type of gain provided by the Dumble overdrive specials that Michael has
been using for the last couple years.
If anything the Delta 88 is a very high power and very high gain when played at the volumes Michael uses on stage. We have had the original prototype on the road for
several months now using the head with a Z best cab loaded with Celestion G12 H 100's This set-up along with the Maz 38 also loaded with The G12 H 100's provides
a punishing tone that reminds one of the Band of Gypsy's.
This amp is all about delivering fluid notes without sounding too muddy or mushy. Something necessary for Michael because of his attack. So don't think this is just
a clean amp by any means.
From Perry over on the PRS Forum ..... (by the way, Perry is also a killer player)
I am not sure how many people here are familiar with Michael Burks, but let me tell you.. this guy is a Powerhouse! We are talking Albert King with a mix of Jimi.
Michael sings and plays in a way that sounds more like Albert than anyone I have heard, I am serious here. I hear he also loves Jimi. Michael will be headlining a
Blues Fest in my home town (Kennewick, Wa) this May (Untapped), and I can't wait to see him!
Michael plays a Flying V, with EMG's, which he plugs into 2 Delta 88 heads on top of Celestion G12H100 loaded ZBests. He puts a 2x12 Maz Sr with H100's between
the Delta 88 stacks, and has another H100 loaded ZBest under the MAZ Sr! Now that is some horse power!
I am not sure how many people here are familiar with Michael Burks, but let me tell you.. this guy is a Powerhouse! We are talking Albert King with a mix of Jimi.
Michael sings and plays in a way that sounds more like Albert than anyone I have heard, I am serious here. I hear he also loves Jimi. Michael will be headlining a
Blues Fest in my home town (Kennewick, Wa) this May (Untapped), and I can't wait to see him!
Michael plays a Flying V, with EMG's, which he plugs into 2 Delta 88 heads on top of Celestion G12H100 loaded ZBests. He puts a 2x12 Maz Sr with H100's between
the Delta 88 stacks, and has another H100 loaded ZBest under the MAZ Sr! Now that is some horse power!
From Dr. Tim again from the PRS Forum .... This is Michael's manager:
I should say that the Dumble tones that Michael uses are different than the run of the mill Dumble. The big guy tuned the amps specifically for Michael's attack. That
amp can be heard on the Alligator release "I smell Smoke" The Delta 88's were specifically tuned to sound similar. Less fuzz from preamp distortion, more power
amp distortion. Which is very different from the Dumble approach. Just different approaches to the same end. The Band of Gypsy's analogy is more about the fluid
low end, which Michael prefers. Most times the eq's are set with low and mids full up and highs rather low. Hope that clarifies things.
I should say that the Dumble tones that Michael uses are different than the run of the mill Dumble. The big guy tuned the amps specifically for Michael's attack. That
amp can be heard on the Alligator release "I smell Smoke" The Delta 88's were specifically tuned to sound similar. Less fuzz from preamp distortion, more power
amp distortion. Which is very different from the Dumble approach. Just different approaches to the same end. The Band of Gypsy's analogy is more about the fluid
low end, which Michael prefers. Most times the eq's are set with low and mids full up and highs rather low. Hope that clarifies things.
Like a freight train rolling through the night, guitarist/vocalist Michael Burks plows through the blues
with relentless power and a full head of steam. Combining his remarkable talent with an intense
dedication to his craft, Michael has earned well-deserved national recognition and become one of
the blues world"s fastest rising blues stars. Although he was a W.C. Handy Award nominee for
Best New Artist 2000, Michael is a seasoned veteran in every sense. His first gig came at the age
of six, when, during a family trip to southern Arkansas, the fledgling Burks took the stage with his
cousin"s band and thrilled an unsuspecting audience. Today, each live performance is a
testament to Michael"s thirty-plus years of playing the blues. His hard-driving fretwork and
captivating showmanship have ignited a legion of fans, as audiences from coast to coast can"t help
but jump on the Michael Burks train.
The unstoppable, heartfelt intensity that Michael brings to the stage lies at the very core of his
appeal. Loyal, dedicated fans around the country already know and appreciate the sweat and
hard work he puts forth each night. Multiple performances at premier festivals such as Springing
the Blues in Jacksonville Beach, FL and The King Biscuit Festival in Helena, AR continue to add
even more fuel to the fervid, word of mouth upwelling that has steadily developed around the
budding star. By partnering with Alligator Records, Michael Burks is indeed rolling along the main
line. The combination of his deep, soul infused music with the established experience of Alligator
will finally bring Michael Burks the attention he has always deserved. Look both ways before you
cross the tracks, because the Michael Burks train is barreling down at full speed.
with relentless power and a full head of steam. Combining his remarkable talent with an intense
dedication to his craft, Michael has earned well-deserved national recognition and become one of
the blues world"s fastest rising blues stars. Although he was a W.C. Handy Award nominee for
Best New Artist 2000, Michael is a seasoned veteran in every sense. His first gig came at the age
of six, when, during a family trip to southern Arkansas, the fledgling Burks took the stage with his
cousin"s band and thrilled an unsuspecting audience. Today, each live performance is a
testament to Michael"s thirty-plus years of playing the blues. His hard-driving fretwork and
captivating showmanship have ignited a legion of fans, as audiences from coast to coast can"t help
but jump on the Michael Burks train.
The unstoppable, heartfelt intensity that Michael brings to the stage lies at the very core of his
appeal. Loyal, dedicated fans around the country already know and appreciate the sweat and
hard work he puts forth each night. Multiple performances at premier festivals such as Springing
the Blues in Jacksonville Beach, FL and The King Biscuit Festival in Helena, AR continue to add
even more fuel to the fervid, word of mouth upwelling that has steadily developed around the
budding star. By partnering with Alligator Records, Michael Burks is indeed rolling along the main
line. The combination of his deep, soul infused music with the established experience of Alligator
will finally bring Michael Burks the attention he has always deserved. Look both ways before you
cross the tracks, because the Michael Burks train is barreling down at full speed.
A quick side comment from me....
Alexander Dumble has also built amps for Michael.
It's one thing to buy a used Dumble, but to have one built for you by Mr. Dumble says a lot in
my book. Alexander Dumble wiil not build an amp for somebody that is not a great player, no
matter how much they are willing to spend.
You may have your own feelings on Mr. Dumble, but from my point of view, he is a real
master of the amplifier craft and has very discriminating taste from my humble viewpoint.
Alexander Dumble has also built amps for Michael.
It's one thing to buy a used Dumble, but to have one built for you by Mr. Dumble says a lot in
my book. Alexander Dumble wiil not build an amp for somebody that is not a great player, no
matter how much they are willing to spend.
You may have your own feelings on Mr. Dumble, but from my point of view, he is a real
master of the amplifier craft and has very discriminating taste from my humble viewpoint.
Two of Michael's earlier record covers shown
above. Check out the official Michael Burks website
for much more info and some great photos.
above. Check out the official Michael Burks website
for much more info and some great photos.
Over on the PRS gear forum, somebody was asking about Michael's rig. This was the response from Dr. Tim on this:
Michael uses several different guitars. My favorite cut from the album is "Time I Came in From the Rain" Michael used a historic Les Paul with stock
burstbucker pickups on that track.
The current guitars Michael is touring with are:
Early 80's The "V" with custom wound EMG 85's and SPC control
Early 80's The "V" with Peter Florance Voodoo 59's
(2) Historic Korina 58 V's with Peter Florance Voodoo 59's
Historic 58 Les Paul with stock burst buckers
Historic 59 Les Paul with stock burst buckers (music machine stinger)
(2) 90's Fender Stratocaster with Custom Michael Burks model EMG's
Custom Shop 63' Telecaster With Peter Florance Voodoo Pickups.
Most guitars were refretted by Rene' Martinez with Jumbo wire.
The pedal board currently has:
Klon cenataur
Custom Made Teese "Wheels of Fire" Wah pedal
Boss Delay and Tuner
Everything is connected with Canare' wire into a Rene Martinez Splitter box.
Michael uses several different guitars. My favorite cut from the album is "Time I Came in From the Rain" Michael used a historic Les Paul with stock
burstbucker pickups on that track.
The current guitars Michael is touring with are:
Early 80's The "V" with custom wound EMG 85's and SPC control
Early 80's The "V" with Peter Florance Voodoo 59's
(2) Historic Korina 58 V's with Peter Florance Voodoo 59's
Historic 58 Les Paul with stock burst buckers
Historic 59 Les Paul with stock burst buckers (music machine stinger)
(2) 90's Fender Stratocaster with Custom Michael Burks model EMG's
Custom Shop 63' Telecaster With Peter Florance Voodoo Pickups.
Most guitars were refretted by Rene' Martinez with Jumbo wire.
The pedal board currently has:
Klon cenataur
Custom Made Teese "Wheels of Fire" Wah pedal
Boss Delay and Tuner
Everything is connected with Canare' wire into a Rene Martinez Splitter box.
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Click on the photo at the left for a larger
picture of Michael and his Z rig. Those are
the Delta 88's, although the new panels were
not done so they still carry the KT-45 panels.
This picture is interesting as Michael makes
the amps look pretty small! If I stand next to
a Z-Best cab with a head on it, it actually
looks pretty big!
picture of Michael and his Z rig. Those are
the Delta 88's, although the new panels were
not done so they still carry the KT-45 panels.
This picture is interesting as Michael makes
the amps look pretty small! If I stand next to
a Z-Best cab with a head on it, it actually
looks pretty big!
| To hit the official Michael Burks website CLICK HERE |
| One of Michael Burk's rigs. He is now also using a Dr. Z SRZ-65 |
| Michael Burks - Iron Man. This is the name many know him by and also the title of his April 2008 CD. Click on any of the photos to the left and pick up a copy. You will be happy that you did if you like hard electric blues played by a master. |