ZT Amplifiers Club - Comprehensive Evaluation

[Tom Karol]

As noted above, I tested the Lunchbox and then the Club; I bought the Club (an early model, for what that's worth - apparently they changed the frequency response and gain structure somewhere around serial number 1600). I only use it with my tele clone (HD V+ pickups). For jazz with a laminated thinline hollowbody I always use my Henriksen JazzAmp 112.

Your findings are interesting, but contrary to my subjective impressions. I found the Lunchbox to have amazing volume for its size but very uppermidrangey in sound. The Club, on the other hand, has too much lower midrange to my ears, but ...

At moderate to high volumes, I always put the Club up on an upside-down plastic milk crate; this seems to smooth out the response and open up the spread. Without a processor my settings are reverb 6, treble 8, bass 2, volume 2, and gain 8 (backing off the guitar's volume and/or tone as required). With a processor (VOX ToneLab ST) at full performance levels, my settings are reverb 0, treble 6, bass 4, volume 3, gain 5.

I do sometimes use it with my 'jazz' guitar at home at low levels (no milk crate). The sound seems dryer and less 3 dimensional than the Henriksen, but it's still very evenly balanced to my ears (the only measurement equipment I own). Settings for this application are reverb 5, treble 6, bass 4, volume 1, gain 5.

One last thing, I don't know how loud it can go and stay clean, but I do know that would be louder than I ever plan to play at this point.

Works for me!

[AlsoRan]

I have read this amp discussed along with the ZT lunchbox. I thought I would post this link for those considering the ZT Club.

Here are the specs (it runs around $550.00):
Features

• EFX Loop
• Plate Style Reverb
• Variable Headphone/DI Output
• Custom Ultra-High Performance 12" Speaker, Switchable
• External Speaker Output (8ohms min.)
• Aux Input on 1/8" Stereo Jack
• Voltage switch 115V/230V

System Design:

• 200W Class A/B Power Amplifier
• Ultra-low latency circuit for player responsiveness
• Pure analog front-end, with diode overdrive capability
• Proprietary dynamic tone shaping
• Vintage modeled tone stack
• Class A/B output stage with unregulated linear supply
• Sealed-box speaker tuning

[Uncle Meat]

I tried out the Club the other day, and honestly, I was really disappointed. I read a lot of good things, but the way the low mids were made it seem muddy and awkard at any setting. The attack also seemed really harsh. I bought my Fender Jazzmaster Ultralight and my Blackheart 112 cab for around $550, and it's in another league altogether. The sound is really full, clear, and the attack is much softer, like a tube amp. The drive channel is terrible, but I don't need it.

[jorgemg1984]

Without ever trying one I never listened clips for the Club that I said "wow"... Pierrot (forum member) once made some clips with that amp and it was much better than other clips I had heard before but still not ideal for me.

About the JMUL is just aewsome, specially with the stock cab because the stock cab is so light and sounds quite good. I had the Henriksen (stock) and the JMUL (stock) combos at the same time and there was really no contest: the JMUL wins hands down! Much effective EQ, much better reverb, much lighter and a softer / more balanced sound (and as stated above a more soft attack closer to tube amps).

Unfortunatelly they are hard to find, I was lucky... and I have done some mods to it and it's even better than stock and it sounds incredible with my other 1x12 and 2x12 cabs. The Henriksen needs at least a reverb pedal, an EQ pedal and a guitar speaker (not the stock bass one) to sound good. With all that it can be an excellent (but expensive) amo. I wish I had my EV cab back then to make an A / B comparison with the same speaker.

[Tom Karol]

I own a ZT Club and a Henriksen JazzAmp 112 and am very happy with both.

First, the Club:

It's a good but not great amp. It is amazingly powerful for its size and weight. I generally use it for rock with a Tele and a Carl Martin Quattro. The Quattro for some reason makes it sound smoother and quieter even with no effects engaged; maybe it's the Quattro's buffered output.

In my opinion, you must get it off the floor for it to sound good. Directly on the floor it sounds muddy in the lower midrange - not a good thing - but up on an upside-down milk crate the sound opens up nicely. It also doesn't sound good at low volumes. Maybe that has something to do with the speaker's response characteristics - I don't know.

The one thing that's really annoying is that the handle is prone to coming off. Every few months I have to open it up and tighten the handle mounting screws from the inside!

Now, the Henriksen:

It sounds like a Polytone ... only better: punchier, less midrange-centric. You'll either like that or you won't. I find the 1st 4 bands of EQ very useful; the 10K knob is useless unless you're using a piezo-equipped acoustic/electric and the add-on tweeter. I use it exclusively for jazz with semi-hollow and fully-hollow laminated archtops. I tip mine up on a little AmpWedge thingy to even out the extreme bottom end. It would be interesting to try it with a different speaker, but I doubt I ever will.

Both amps have pretty bad reverb, but I only use a hint of it - just enough so that you can hear it's not there if you turn it off - so it's OK, if not optimal.

And FWIW, I tried to find a JMUL to try when Fender was still making them. I couldn't find a single one anywhere in the greater Boston area!

[mr. beaumont]

You've definitely got to get the Club off the floor to cut some mud.

[Rainer]

Hi Guys

I know this thread is quite old, but since I've been looking for some info on the ZT Club, I thought I might as well share with you some additional stuff.

A Video that convinced me of buying this Solid State Amp is by Matt Otten and gives some help to decide, if this one might work for you as well

Matt, if you are here as well: Thank you!

I was looking for a suitable Bag for the ZT Club and found by coincidence this one: Rockbag RB 23002B Combo Road Bag
That fits perfect with a little extra space on top + side bags. Got it here: Rockbag RB 23002B Combo Road Bag - Thomann UK

Somethin' about the company:
I was in contact with ZT via Facebook and found them very helpful.
They mentioned the custom shop and I just found tec. info & pictures of the new Jazz Amp there.



I'm quite curious what it will sound like and o.c. the price.

Greez, Rainer

[cosmic gumbo]

I thought the zt club was a failure, and that's partly why those guys and their products faded into the sunset.

[Rainer]

I can only state, that I'm happy with it.
Finding the sweet spot always takes me some time with a new amp, but after that: Great sounding portable Amp!

[Greco]

I just purchased this and wondered if anyone is still using one and has any suggestions re: idiosyncracies, settings, etc. I did see the very old thread re: the evaluations of this amp by several forum members.

They are not easy to find in the area of Canada that I live in. Ironically, our local jazz club owns one.

The amp is in excellent condition. The change of grille cloth is obvious and the handle has been changed/repaired.

Thanks in advance for your comments and/or suggestions.

Please understand that I am not a skilled player. So far, it sounds great to me and is a nice alternate choice to my DV Mark Little Jazz.

[GuitarJay]

Wow, you have two sweet jazz amps!

Another not very skilled player in Ontario would be me.

[Greco]

Thanks for the response. I was beginning to give up hope.

Fair to say that "I have more gear than skill"...LOL
However, I do enjoy all aspects and have fun.

Have you seen many of the jazz guitarists from Toronto?
(e.g., Ted Quinlan, Lorne Lofsky, Margaret Stowe, Trevor Giancola)

[GuitarJay]

More gear than skill is me too! :-)

I've seen Ted a couple times, including with Tony Monaco at the Rex. Also, I've seen Ben Bishop with his organ trio and Nathan Hiltz, both great players.

I haven't heard the others in person. I'm more part of the blues scene around town, but I love organ trios and soul jazz.

[mr. beaumont]

I participated, many years ago, in an initial trial run on the club.

I loved it. Should have bought it, but I already had a Polytone...they ain't $300 anymore...ah, hindsight.

Enjoy it!

[yebdox]

I have one, hardly ever play it. Don’t really like the tone stack, but it does sound appreciably better to my ears with an EQ pedal going into the effects loop. Reverb is pretty lackluster as well, but it has more headroom than the Roland Cube 80s, which makes it more useful. I pretty much stick with 40 to 50 watt tube amps these days, but would like to try a henriksen or quilter sometime, or maybe one of the new solid state Twins. I will get around to putting it up for sale at some point, as it just isn’t to my taste, but it’s an interesting little beastie. Have fun with it!

[Hammertone]

When I gigged with Reg Schwager in Toronto, he used a ZT Lunchbox - tiny thing, but it did the job in a small room. IIRC, the current Club has a 12" speaker and tons of power. Is yours the same, or some earlier, smaller version? Does it have a speaker out?

[Greco]

When I gigged with Reg Schwager in Toronto, he used a ZT Lunchbox - tiny thing, but it did the job in a small room. IIRC, the current Club has a 12" speaker and tons of power. Is yours the same, or some earlier, smaller version? Does it have a speaker out?

My ZT Club is one of the originals. ~200 watts with a 12" speaker. There is an abundance of information in the thread linked above. Yes, it does have a "speaker out" and a headphones jack.

"The Jazz Room"(our local jazz venue in Waterloo) has the same (original model) ZT Club used during some of the monthly jazz jams for anyone that wishes to drop in. I go to listen, chat and admire the skills of the musicians.

Reg Schwager played at The Jazz Room in the early spring (IIRC) but I was unable to attend that evening. I'm extremely impressed to hear that you gigged with him!

[Two5one]

I had the original ZT Club. At first I was impressed by the small form factor and powerful warm sound. After a while I missed the brightness of a Fender amp and got me a Roland Cube 80XL. For me the Cube 80 is so much better, the tone stack let you form the sound in any direction. Reverb and Delay is really good and you can plug in keyboards, baritone guitar, steel guitar and everything sounds fine. It's a keeper.
I sold my ZT Club to a jazz guitarist who loves it so much that he wanted to buy a secound one. To each his own.

[Epifan]

All things considered for this amp but the appearance on this thing looks well industrial…it’s seems more fitting to be at a construction site as a space heater….I think if they classy up the amp the sales would do better..really a lunchbox ? Ack….

[Doctor Jeff]

I have thought about one over the years, most recently the Junior for battery powered playing.

I think the Fishman Artist and Roland MicroCube have me covered for playing out of the house.

It would have been better if they were more widely available to try in stores. A few boutique stores like Willie’s used to carry them, don’t think I’ve ever seen them in GC though.

As an aside, anyone hear from Randy C these days? He used to be quite a contributor, and quite opinionated as I recall. He referred to some health issues on more than one occasion...

[Epifan]

I’m a newbie here so I’m not familiar with him. Sorrry !