ZT Lunchbox Alternatives

**Gabe** · 10-06-2012, 12:12 PM

So I've been using a lunchbox for a year or so and overall I've been fairly happy. It does what I bought it for - be loud enough to keep up with a loud band yet be small enough to easily take on public transport. However I've never really been happy with the sound, I like a flat frequency response and this does not give me that.

So I've started to look at alternatives. I really like the AER Compact 60, but I don't know if this would be loud enough for me, do any of you have any experience with one? Otherwise I've got my eye on the Mambo amps I've seen posted here lately.

The other option of course is something like an eq pedal and probably a reverb.

What would you guys recommend?

**RyanM** · 10-06-2012, 12:42 PM

Lunchbox Acoustic!

**Gabe** · 10-06-2012, 12:53 PM

I've been looking at the acoustic but I'm not sure if it would be loud enough, ideally I'm looking for something as loud if not louder than the original lunchbox.

**kris** · 10-06-2012, 12:53 PM

what kind of guitars you play?
AER Compact 60- not sure with louder drums.
I use Aer Compact XL.

**Gabe** · 10-06-2012, 12:56 PM

I'll be using my Eastman thinline hollow, JJ Electra solid body and Larrive L03R acoustic through the amp.

**kris** · 10-06-2012, 01:00 PM

Aer is good for acoustic guitars.
I prefer for semi-hollow and solid-body tube amps.
I play sometimes on my Ibanez As-200 with AER but sound is funny.
I think ZT Club will be OK.

**kris** · 10-06-2012, 01:05 PM

Originally Posted by Gabe

I'll be using my Eastman thinline hollow, JJ Electra solid body and Larrive L03R acoustic through the amp.

Nice colection!

**BigDaddyLoveHandles** · 10-06-2012, 01:07 PM

Acoustic Image head? It's light and very clean (transparent) but expensive. Their Clarus is less than 3.5lb and 500W @ 4Ohm.

**Keira Witherkay** · 10-06-2012, 01:09 PM

I have an acoustic lunchbox i use with my archtop and its loud enough for unmic'd drums in jazz setting ,

btw before deciding on my zt the agent loaned me both the original lb and acoustic one on trial before buying and yes the orig lb is louder by a bit , but tonally and feature wise the acoustic one is superior in tone and has reverb and 2 channels , take one to a gig its the only way to know if it'll work for you ,,

i love my acoustic lb

**mr. beaumont** · 10-06-2012, 01:11 PM

Quilter?

I'd try an EQ pedal with the lunchbox too.

The Lb acoustic has a better jazz tone, but it's not as loud.

**jorgemg1984** · 10-06-2012, 01:12 PM

Go with the Mambo, support your economy!

**Bill C** · 10-06-2012, 01:21 PM

Originally Posted by jorgemg1984

Go with the Mambo, support your economy!

The Mambo seems the obvious candidate to check out.

**henry b** · 10-06-2012, 01:42 PM

Try it with an ZT ext cab , much fuller sound and still plenty of volume .

**Jabberwocky** · 10-06-2012, 01:49 PM

This looks like a nice ZT Club:

.

**BigDaddyLoveHandles** · 10-06-2012, 02:02 PM

Originally Posted by Bill C

The Mambo seems the obvious candidate to check out.

Mambo and Acoustic Image are both class D amps: time for a comparo?

**Keira Witherkay** · 10-06-2012, 02:41 PM

I agree the mambo amps looks awesome but in a whole new price bracket than the budget range zt , so a bit unfair to compare them , but yes i too will be buying a mambo 8 with battery option when i'm next in uk

they definitely seem the answer for gigging musos wanting small but professional quality amp and that battery option is must for me in my travels

**Franz 1997** · 10-06-2012, 02:44 PM

Hate to say it, but Trefor Owen has ditched his ZT Club for the Mambo 10. Maybe he's selling it?

BDLH: I agree a AI - Mambo comparison would be very interesting. My first reaction from when I had an AI is that the Mambo is warmer & more dynamic, but has ''only'' 180W RMS. The other big difference would be about £600 ( $900/€750) here in the UK. AI's are very expensive here

**Gabe** · 10-06-2012, 03:42 PM

I think I may make do with the ZT for now and start saving for a mambo, the 8 looks like it would be perfect for what I need - the only kicker is having to raise £500+

**Gabe** · 10-06-2012, 03:55 PM

After some fiddling with controls today (Tone on amp at 0, Gain on amp full, Guitar volume on 6/7, tone on 6/7) I found a tone I like.

Check it:

**medblues** · 10-06-2012, 04:24 PM

Carvin BX Micro Bass head into small neo speaker cab of your choice. $280.00. 250 watts/4 ohm, 200 watts/8 ohm. Very flexible pre-amp.

**kris** · 10-06-2012, 04:26 PM

Nice sound,clean bass.

**jazzkatten** · 10-06-2012, 04:59 PM

I like the zt-tone, maybe I have to buy one

**Gabe** · 10-09-2012, 09:51 AM

So a quick update. I decided to go for a cheap preamp/eq to see if I could improve the tone of my ZT. I went for the Behringer ADI21 as its cheap and has good reviews. The preamp came today and I'll be honest, so far I'm very impressed. The tone with my Larrivee is very natural and is a good representation of it's acoustic sound, however with my Eastman is where it really shines - giving me a rich valve-like response. For £30 I'd definitely recommend it to anyone looking to fatten up the tone of their ZT.

**SamBooka** · 10-09-2012, 10:09 AM

Originally Posted by Gabe

So a quick update. I decided to go for a cheap preamp/eq to see if I could improve the tone of my ZT. I went for the Behringer ADI21 as its cheap and has good reviews. The preamp came today and I'll be honest, so far I'm very impressed. The tone with my Larrivee is very natural and is a good representation of it's acoustic sound, however with my Eastman is where it really shines - giving me a rich valve-like response. For £30 I'd definitely recommend it to anyone looking to fatten up the tone of their ZT.

Good to know.. you will have to do a sound clip of THAT too to A/B it