The X-RAY is the long-awaited response to the demand of two different Legacy amps that were discontinued many years ago. It was conceived as an amalgamation of two amps country legend Brad Paisley helped popularize in the 2000s and 2010s, the Stang Ray and the DB4, both of which are still featured his live backline today. Over the years, a few modifications, tweaks, and design evolutions took place in both of these amps, those of which have all been included in this latest advancement. Powered by Dr. Z’s favorite NOS 6n14n power tubes, the X-RAY models the same chiming clean headroom of the original Stang Ray, showcasing an articulate, snappy, British Invasion inspired jangle that the Fab Four would have fallen in love with. Twisting the knob clockwise unleashes a rush of mid-forward saturation, the uncanny overdrive signature provided by the 5879 pentode preamp tube featured in the X-RAY and first introduced into the Z roster by the DB4. Combining the chewy, churning overdrive of the DB4 with the snap and sparkle of the Stang Ray was the goal; evolving the design to be flexible with today’s breed of player takes the X-RAY over the top. Both of its predecessors were non-master volume designs, AKA loud! The X-RAY delivers the same 30 Z-watts of its forebearers but its new post-phase inverter master volume adds welcome flexibility to the design, pleasing sound techs, housemates, and neighbors that may be a tad volume sensitive. Further, a front panel mounted half-power switch allows the player to alter the compression and dynamics of the power amp for a smoother, silkier feel at 15 watts. Finally, Dr. Z included a tube-driven FX loop to push the X-RAY’s signature voicing through the effects signal path of your choice, with no loss in high end, dynamics, or tone. The X-RAY is available in two configurations, head and 1×12 combo, the latter of which sports a striking quantum silver front valance and is loaded with a WGS Retro 30, a 75 watt speaker that has become an overwhelming favorite in the Z test room and was specifically stocked for this amp at the Doctor’s request. Dr. Z’s stalwarts are all present here: a custom welded, aircraft grade aluminum chassis is the skeletal structure, hand-selected, high quality components are the viscera, and all systems are sutured together in-house in Cleveland, OH by technicians with a quarter century of experience under the proverbial knife. As usual, Heyboer Transformers are the iron heart of the X-RAY and NOS mil-spec tubes breathe life into the lungs of the amp.
