Dr. Z Amps

For all your tube amp doctor needs, Midwood Guitar Studio is proud to offer Dr. Z amps. As the son of a 1950s television repairman, Michael Zaite grew up surrounded by vacuum tubes. As a teen, he was a drummer in garage bands, and performed modifications on his bandmate’s amps. He went on to pursue a career in electronics, focusing on medical equipment (thus the “Dr.” moniker). Though the technology of his day was largely transistor-based, Zaite still harbored a more-than-sentimental attachment to tubes, especially in a musical context. In the late 80s, he began repairing and modifying amplifiers for blues musicians in the Cleveland area, and before long, he developed his own prototype out of a former Hammond organ reverb amp. Through a mutual friendship, Zaite conveyed one of his amps to Joe Walsh of The Eagles around 1990. It’s clear, articulate, Vox-inspired tone won him over and it became his go-to touring amp. Dr. Z was in business!

 

It is a combination of simplicity and originality that makes Dr. Z so special. For example, the first amp to bear his name, the Carmen Gia, is an 18-watt, EL-84 masterpiece with nothing but a tone and volume knob. A broad dynamic range is hidden within these simple controls. The louder it gets, the more each note blooms. It retains complexity while cutting beautifully through a mix. What more do you need?

 

Inspired by the success of the Carmen Gia, Dr. Z gradually expanded his company into a dedicated team of amp-smiths building 14 different models. They also boast a back catalogue of designs that they occasionally resurrect upon request. Each builder specializes in certain models to increase efficiency and keep costs low. They are still located in Maple Heights, Ohio.

 

No stranger to artist endorsement and collaboration, Dr. Z Amplification also makes an amp designed for Brad Paisley that he conceived of with the late founder of Trainwreck amps, Ken Fischer. Upon Fischer’s death, he shelved the “Z-Wreck” as a production unit, but the 2010 Nashville flood destroyed the original, and the good doctor was obliged to build another one for Mr. Paisley. At that point, he decided to start building them for the public as well. Two of the Z-Wreck’s most desirable features are a comfort/speed voltage tap switch and rare NOS 6n14n power tubes, which are long-lasting, sweet, and articulate drop-ins for EL-84s.

 

The Z Amp Z-Wreck Jr. Head and Combo amps have quickly become our best-selling tube amps at Midwood Guitar Studio. Powered by EL-84 tubes the Wreck Jr. provides plenty of power and punch for a fifteen-watt tube amplifier. The amp is very transparent and is capable of clean tones as well as overdrive with the dialing of the Master Volume Control.

 

Midwood is beyond proud to join the Dr. Z Amplifier family of dealers. A long history of listening, learning, and creating has resulted in a line that stands distinguished among its peers. These are the amps that offered reliability and sparkling clean headroom in an era when established artists were just beginning to embrace “boutique” over “vintage”. These are amps that draw from tube-amp history while still being uniquely themselves. Our shared values and insatiable appetites for tonal invention make Dr. Z and Midwood a perfectly matched pair. Stop by and play one today!

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  • Dr. Z Maz 18 Jr. MKII 1x12LT w/ Reverb - Black/Oxblood Dr. Z Maz 18 Jr. MKII 1x12LT w/ Reverb - Black/Oxblood Dr. Z Maz 18 Jr. MKII 1x12LT w/ Reverb - Black/Oxblood Dr. Z Maz 18 Jr. MKII 1x12LT w/ Reverb - Black/Oxblood Dr. Z Maz 18 Jr. MKII 1x12LT w/ Reverb - Black/Oxblood

    Dr. Z Amps

    Dr. Z Maz 18 Jr. MKII 1x12LT w/ Reverb - Black/Oxblood

    Dr. Z Maz 18 Jr. MKII 1x12LT w/ Reverb - Black/Oxblood Midwood Guitar Studio is a proud dealer of Dr. Z Amps! From Dr. Z: Originally designed as a “grab-and-go” studio and small club amp, the MAZ 18 has made its way to some of the largest...

    $2,699.00
  • Dr. Z Z-28 MK.II Dr. Z Z-28 MK.II Dr. Z Z-28 MK.II Dr. Z Z-28 MK.II Dr. Z Z-28 MK.II

    Dr. Z Amps

    Dr. Z Z-28 MK.II 1x12 Combo - Red/Salt 'N Pepper

    Dr. Z Z-28 MK.II 1x12 Combo - Red/Salt 'N Pepper Brand new from our friends at Dr. Z, the return of the Z-28! Don't miss out! From Dr. Z: Among all the Legacy Amps that Z-Fanatics have clamored to make a return to the regular roster, the Z-28...

    $2,049.00
  • Dr. Z Carmen Ghia 1x12LT Combo - Black/Oxblood Dr. Z Carmen Ghia 1x12LT Combo - Black/Oxblood Dr. Z Carmen Ghia 1x12LT Combo - Black/Oxblood Dr. Z Carmen Ghia 1x12LT Combo - Black/Oxblood Dr. Z Carmen Ghia 1x12LT Combo - Black/Oxblood

    Dr. Z Amps

    Dr. Z Carmen Ghia 1x12LT Combo - Black/Oxblood

    Dr. Z Carmen Ghia 1x12LT Combo - Black/Oxblood Here we have the mighty Carmen Ghia from Dr. Z!  This one is in a 1x12LT configuration and is wrapped in a black tolex with an oxblood grill cloth.  Personally, this is my favorite amp that Dr. Z...

    $1,999.00
  • Dr. Z Z Wreck Jr. 15w Tube Amp Head - Blackout Dr. Z Z Wreck Jr. 15w Tube Amp Head - Blackout Dr. Z Z Wreck Jr. 15w Tube Amp Head - Blackout Dr. Z Z Wreck Jr. 15w Tube Amp Head - Blackout Dr. Z Z Wreck Jr. 15w Tube Amp Head - Blackout

    Dr. Z Amps

    Dr. Z Z Wreck Jr. 15w Tube Amp Head - Blackout

    Dr. Z Z Wreck Jr. 15w Tube Amp Head - Blackout *In stock now! Don't miss out! We're huge fans of the original Z-Wreck and couldn't be more excited that they're now offering a 15w version!  It's portable, has a highly useable master volume and all...

    $2,299.00
  • Dr. Z CAZ-45 Amp Head Dr. Z CAZ-45 Amp Head Dr. Z CAZ-45 Amp Head Dr. Z CAZ-45 Amp Head Dr. Z CAZ-45 Amp Head

    Dr. Z Amps

    Dr. Z CAZ-45 Amp Head

    Dr. Z CAZ-45 Amp Head  *In stock now! The newest amp from Dr. Z and their first even collaboration with the amazing Carol-Ann.  These never last long so don't miss out! From Dr. Z: The CAZ-45 is the first true, modern-voiced high gain...

    $2,799.00
  • Dr. Z Z-PLUS 1x12 Studio Combo - Black/Z-Wreck Dr. Z Z-PLUS 1x12 Studio Combo - Black/Z-Wreck Dr. Z Z-PLUS 1x12 Studio Combo - Black/Z-Wreck Dr. Z Z-PLUS 1x12 Studio Combo - Black/Z-Wreck Dr. Z Z-PLUS 1x12 Studio Combo - Black/Z-Wreck

    Dr. Z Amps

    Dr. Z Z-PLUS 1x12 Studio Combo - Black/Z-Wreck

    Dr. Z Z-PLUS 1x12 Studio Combo - Black/Z-Wreck This Dr. Z Z-PLUS 1x12 is quite the versatile combo amp!  Get bright and clear clean tones or gorgeous harmonic overdrive when you crank it. I know what you're thinking - How could an amp designed for...

    $2,399.00
  • Dr. Z Maz 18 Jr. MKII NR Head - Black Dr. Z Maz 18 Jr. MKII NR Head - Black Dr. Z Maz 18 Jr. MKII NR Head - Black Dr. Z Maz 18 Jr. MKII NR Head - Black Dr. Z Maz 18 Jr. MKII NR Head - Black

    Dr. Z Amps

    Dr. Z Maz 18 Jr. MKII NR Head - Black

    Dr. Z Maz 18 Jr. MKII NR Head - Black Midwood Guitar Studio is a proud dealer of Dr. Z Amps! From Dr. Z: Originally designed as a “grab-and-go” studio and small club amp, the MAZ 18 has made its way to some of the largest stages in the...

    $2,149.00
  • Dr. Z 1x12 Cabinet - Black/ Salt & Pepper Dr. Z 1x12 Cabinet - Black/ Salt & Pepper Dr. Z 1x12 Cabinet - Black/ Salt & Pepper Dr. Z 1x12 Cabinet - Black/ Salt & Pepper Dr. Z 1x12 Cabinet - Black/ Salt & Pepper

    Dr. Z Amps

    Dr. Z 1x12 Cabinet - Black/ Salt & Pepper

    Dr. Z 1x12 Cabinet - Black/ Salt & Pepper A perfect fit under or next to Dr. Z's 1×12 or 2×10 combos and an excellent match for any of their heads. The Dr. Z 1×12 cab is like getting 2 speaker cabs for the price of one. We offer a...

    $799.00
  • Dr. Z Brake-Lite Install 45-Watt Attenuator

    Dr. Z Amps

    Dr. Z Brake-Lite Install 45-Watt Attenuator

    Dr. Z Brake-Lite Install 45-Watt Attenuator From Dr. Z The new Z Brake Lite Attenuator will be right at home mounted inside your combo amp. Like the Airbrake, there is no sacrifice in tone. Perfect for dialing in your combo to it’s sweet spot...

    $399.00
  • Dr. Z Brake-Lite Stand Alone Attenuator Dr. Z Brake-Lite Stand Alone Attenuator Dr. Z Brake-Lite Stand Alone Attenuator Dr. Z Brake-Lite Stand Alone Attenuator Dr. Z Brake-Lite Stand Alone Attenuator

    Dr. Z Amps

    Dr. Z Brake-Lite Stand Alone Attenuator

    Dr. Z Brake-Lite Stand Alone Attenuator From Dr. Z: You asked for for it and we listened…Introducing the fully enclosed Brake Lite SA (Stand Alone.) Same guts as the combo mount Brake Lite, but able to be tossed in the gig bag for use with many...

    $399.00
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