This took a bit to get to know (I’ve had my Zmaster for 2months now), to my ear Vol 1 is the ‘Normal’ channel and Vol 2 is the ‘Bright’ channel. Vol 1 uses a slightly smaller coupling cap then Vol 2, and Vol 2 has a bright cap. No Y cables or jumpers, no loss in signal due to splitting or jumping, a sonic improvement for certain when you want to mix the channels. I’m glad he chose not to use the 4 input, but rather a single input that feeds both channels. The controls are Vol 1, Vol 2, Treble, Bass, Presence. I use my Dr Z 1x12 combo cover which is about an inch short, but works fine. The Zmaster 10’s are Dr Z custom Alnico’s that both sound great and weigh nothing so the amp is very light weight, significantly lighter than my Zwreck 1x12. I love these cabs, they are light, resonant and fill the room nicely. The cab is similar to the Zwreck combo with the vented top. The Zmaster is basically the same size as the Dr Z 1x12 or 2x10 light combo amps, exact same footprint though 1” taller. To me, the Zmaster is inbetween, it can get those chunkier tones with that meaty top, but I can also dial in a tighter, more present ‘Bassman’ tone that rings like a bell and sparkles like Buddy Guy Chess era sound, at a friendlier level. The Bandmaster design has less headroom then a Bassman and a different character in general, it’s a chunkier, dirtier tone, with less presence and punch. The Zmaster is not a Bassman, though its in the ballpark. But even if you do find a great sounding Bassman, they are a handful in small clubs, too much for me and I’ve not had luck attenuating them. I’ve played 2 original 59 Bassmans both had an immediately identifiable ‘ring’ in their sound, an elusive quality for the repros. I’ve had tweeds Fender Re-Issue I bought the year they first came out, original 5E3, and 5f6a clones by Kendrick, Victoria(s), Grammatico and a Victoria 35310. As both a Blues Guitarist and hard core Z amp user, how could I not get a Zmaster? For the last 5 years I have been content with my Pair of Zwreck Combo’s, love my sound and truly was not on the hunt for anything fresh or different… then comes the Zmaster, a Dr Z spin on the 3x10 Tweed Bandmaster, custom tuned for Joe Walsh.

Fender bandmaster 3x10