DR80
The Dr. Z Z-80 is Mike’s “legacy” amp and a project 6 years in the making. His goal was to transform the uber-rare Vox AC80 into a tour-ready resurrected rock-n-roll machine. And he succeeded! This particular amp was hand built by the Doc himself and offers a unique contribution to the classic British chime tone we know and love.
The Dr. Z Z-80 is Mike's "legacy" amp and is the result of 6 years of fine tuning and perfecting the coveted and uber-rare Vox AC80 circuit. The Doc and Brad Paisley worked together on getting this amp to sound just like the original while also ensuring it was road ready. The Z-80 isn’t just a higher powered version of a vintage AC30, however, rather it stands on its own sonic territory, offering a more focused low end, tighter breakup, and crystal clear highs. This amp sounds great with single coils and humbuckers. To top is off, this particular amp head was built and signed by the Doctor himself. Prepare for chime city!
*Extended Training with TONEX V2
TONEX V2
QUAD CORTEX
The Dr. Z Z-80 is Mike's "legacy" amp and is the result of 6 years of fine tuning and perfecting the coveted and uber-rare Vox AC80 circuit. The Doc and Brad Paisley worked together on getting this amp to sound just like the original while also ensuring it was road ready. The Z-80 isn’t just a higher powered version of a vintage AC30, however, rather it stands on its own sonic territory, offering a more focused low end, tighter breakup, and crystal clear highs. This amp sounds great with single coils and humbuckers. To top is off, this particular amp head was built and signed by the Doctor himself. Prepare for chime city!
The Dr. Z Z-80 is Mike's "legacy" amp and is the result of 6 years of fine tuning and perfecting the coveted and uber-rare Vox AC80 circuit. The Doc and Brad Paisley worked together on getting this amp to sound just like the original while also ensuring it was road ready. The Z-80 isn’t just a higher powered version of a vintage AC30, however, rather it stands on its own sonic territory, offering a more focused low end, tighter breakup, and crystal clear highs. This amp sounds great with single coils and humbuckers. To top is off, this particular amp head was built and signed by the Doctor himself. Prepare for chime city!
NAM
CAPTURES
66 captures for humbuckers and single coils with 4 different speakers.
Extended Training for ToneX V2
Head Captures & IRs Included
MICS & PREAMP
Each capture was miced with a vintage U.S.A. made Shure 545D through an API Preamp & EQ.
CABINETS
Bad Cat Era 2X12 (SC75)
Vox AC30/6TB Combo (G12M & M75)
Zilla Studio Pro 2X12 (GLD)
SPEAKERS
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Humbucker
TS DR80 HB GLD - 0
TS DR80 HB GLD - 1
TS DR80 HB GLD - 2
TS DR80 HB GLD - 3
TS DR80 HB GLD - 4
TS DR80 HB GLD - 5
Single Coil
TS DR80 SC GLD - 0
TS DR80 SC GLD - 1
TS DR80 SC GLD - 2
TS DR80 SC GLD - 3
TS DR80 SC GLD - 4
TS DR80 SC GLD - 5
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Humbucker
TS DR80 HB GB - 0
TS DR80 HB GB - 1
TS DR80 HB GB - 2
TS DR80 HB GB - 3
TS DR80 HB GB - 4
TS DR80 HB GB - 5
Single Coil
TS DR80 SC GB - 0
TS DR80 SC GB - 1
TS DR80 SC GB - 2
TS DR80 SC GB - 3
TS DR80 SC GB - 4
TS DR80 SC GB - 5
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Humbucker
TS DR80 HB SC75 - 0
TS DR80 HB SC75 - 1
TS DR80 HB SC75 - 2
TS DR80 HB SC75 - 3
TS DR80 HB SC75 - 4
TS DR80 HB SC75 - 5
Single Coil
TS DR80 SC SC75 - 0
TS DR80 SC SC75 - 1
TS DR80 SC SC75 - 2
TS DR80 SC SC75 - 3
TS DR80 SC SC75 - 4
TS DR80 SC SC75 - 5
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Humbucker
TS DR80 HB M75 - 0
TS DR80 HB M75 - 1
TS DR80 HB M75 - 2
TS DR80 HB M75 - 3
TS DR80 HB M75 - 4
TS DR80 HB M75 - 5
Single Coil
TS DR80 SC M75 - 0
TS DR80 SC M75 - 1
TS DR80 SC M75 - 2
TS DR80 SC M75 - 3
TS DR80 SC M75 - 4
TS DR80 SC M75 - 5
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No compromise head captures.
Captured with the matching cabs connected at full volume for the best tone possible.
IRs and Cab Captures (for QC) included.
HB WM - HEAD (Slightly Warmer)
Amp settings used with GLD speaker
TS DR80 HB WM - 0 HEAD
TS DR80 HB WM - 1 HEAD
TS DR80 HB WM - 2 HEAD
TS DR80 HB WM - 3 HEAD
TS DR80 HB WM - 4 HEAD
TS DR80 HB WM - 5 HEAD
HB BR - HEAD (Slightly Brighter)
Amp settings used with GB, M75, and SC75 speakers
TS DR80 HB BR - 0 HEAD
TS DR80 HB BR - 1 HEAD
TS DR80 HB BR - 2 HEAD
TS DR80 HB BR - 3 HEAD
TS DR80 HB BR - 4 HEAD
TS DR80 HB BR - 5 HEAD
SC - HEAD
The same amp settings were used for all speakers.
TS DR80 SC - 0 HEAD
TS DR80 SC - 1 HEAD
TS DR80 SC - 2 HEAD
TS DR80 SC - 3 HEAD
TS DR80 SC - 4 HEAD
TS DR80 SC - 5 HEAD
David Le | @thatasianguitarguy
There’s an unfamiliarity when you go out of your way and make the decision to buy a capture from any company.
The one thing I can say about Tone Shepherd is that his captures are meticulously captured, and these DR80 captures are no exception.
While I have no personal experience with the Dr. Z Z-80 itself, what I’ve read and heard absolutely translates to what I experience with these captures. The EL34 characteristics are not lost at all on all variants of the captures. They have the sweet mids and chime with a very responsive and firm low end. It doesn’t get loose, and the tone remains extremely true across all gain ranges while also having a very quick transient response that I am familiar with when I’ve used amps over that 30 watt range.
This capture is extremely versatile, but also something that spits out what you put in. It’s very honest. Because of the higher wattage of this capture, I’ve found that the reverb bloom has a bit more headroom and the reaction of wet effects and modulation with this capture seem to have a more hi-fi characteristic while still allowing things to not feel inflated incorrectly.
I can’t recommend the DR80 enough, and think it’s a phenomenal capture pack for the player who is playing a set that may have a wide range of genre’s they have to cover, or need something that is extremely punchy with that iconic British flavor.
Hear it
DR80 HB GB - 3
TCAT S AC - 3
Artist: Jake Packett
Guitar: Gretsch White Falcon
Rig: Analog Board with ToneX
DR80 HB GLD - 1
CHIME BEN3 - 0
Artist: Devan Bumstead
Guitar: Jennings Voyager with Crema/Grinder
Rig: Analog Board with ToneX
DR80 SC SC75 - 1
REV SC GLD - 3
Artist: Devan Bumstead
Guitar: Strat with DiMarzio Area
Rig: QC Signature SC Preset
DR80 HB SC75 - 1
REV RAVE G12H75 - 2.5
Artist: Ryan Plumley (North Point)
Guitar: Les Paul with Humbuckers
Rig: Analog Board with ToneX
DR80 HB SC75 - 3
DR80 HB M75 - 3
Artist: Cameron Rambo
Guitar: Portlander (Fralin Pure/Modern)
Rig: Analog Board with ToneX
DR80 HB M75 - 1
TCAT S AC - 2
Artist: Justin LaFramboise
Guitar: Rivtolta Combinata
Rig: Analog Board with ToneX
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"This is simply amazing. Truly remarkable tone. I have this paired with the TS Clubman for my stereo TONEX One’s. I’ve swapped captures quite a bit over time and I’ve never received as many compliments as I have since dialing in this DR80/Clubman setup. This man is meticulous about his captures and the passion and effort he puts into making them are obvious when you hear it."
Jason N.
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"Amazing tones, I’ve tried quite a number of different captures from different artists but the Tone Shepherd ones just sound the best to my ears. Feel alive/3D as opposed to a 2D flat capture."
Mark A.
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"The DR80 tone pack is amazing. Full stop. I have other tone packs from better known sources and they just don’t measure up. Outstanding work on this."
Michael A.
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"Used this on Sunday and felt and sounded so good!! It reacted so well to pedals and picking dynamics. A really lovely sounding pack definitely recommend."
James J.
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"Devan’s captures are incredible. I heard a lot of hype around the Z80 so I figured I would try it out and they are AMAZING. Incredible dynamics. Devan really does a great job and I can’t wait to try out more in the future"
Noah H.
The Dr. Z Z-80 is Mike's "legacy" amp and is the result of 6 years of fine tuning and perfecting the coveted and uber-rare Vox AC80 circuit. The Doc and Brad Paisley worked together on getting this amp to sound just like the original while also ensuring it was road ready. The Z-80 isn’t just a higher powered version of a vintage AC30, however, rather it stands on its own sonic territory, offering a more focused low end, tighter breakup, and crystal clear highs. This amp sounds great with single coils and humbuckers. To top is off, this particular amp head was built and signed by the Doctor himself. Prepare for chime city!
*Extended Training with TONEX V2
TONEX
The Dr. Z Z-80 is Mike's "legacy" amp and is the result of 6 years of fine tuning and perfecting the coveted and uber-rare Vox AC80 circuit. The Doc and Brad Paisley worked together on getting this amp to sound just like the original while also ensuring it was road ready. The Z-80 isn’t just a higher powered version of a vintage AC30, however, rather it stands on its own sonic territory, offering a more focused low end, tighter breakup, and crystal clear highs. This amp sounds great with single coils and humbuckers. To top is off, this particular amp head was built and signed by the Doctor himself. Prepare for chime city!
QUAD CORTEX
NAM
The Dr. Z Z-80 is Mike's "legacy" amp and is the result of 6 years of fine tuning and perfecting the coveted and uber-rare Vox AC80 circuit. The Doc and Brad Paisley worked together on getting this amp to sound just like the original while also ensuring it was road ready. The Z-80 isn’t just a higher powered version of a vintage AC30, however, rather it stands on its own sonic territory, offering a more focused low end, tighter breakup, and crystal clear highs. This amp sounds great with single coils and humbuckers. To top is off, this particular amp head was built and signed by the Doctor himself. Prepare for chime city!
The Dr. Z Z-80 is Mike's "legacy" amp and is the result of 6 years of fine tuning and perfecting the coveted and uber-rare Vox AC80 circuit. The Doc and Brad Paisley worked together on getting this amp to sound just like the original while also ensuring it was road ready. The Z-80 isn’t just a higher powered version of a vintage AC30, however, rather it stands on its own sonic territory, offering a more focused low end, tighter breakup, and crystal clear highs. This amp sounds great with single coils and humbuckers. To top is off, this particular amp head was built and signed by the Doctor himself. Prepare for chime city!
*Extended Training with TONEX V2
This 2005 Bad Cat Tone Cat is a very rare amp from the glory days of Bad Cat. The Tone Cat is not just a 2 channel amplifier, it is actually two completely separate amps in one chassis! The “Clean” side is the same as the 12AX7 channel on a Black Cat (think DC30) and the “Gain” side is the dirty side of a Hot Cat, which offers complex driven and crunchy lead tones. The two sides can also be mixed together and the order can be swapped as well. There are tones galore in this amp and it will have me exploring it for a long time to come!
This particular amp has the “M.S.” inscription on the inside making it a Mark Sampson era Bad Cat. This amp absolutely sings and is sure to scratch that Bad Cat / Matchless itch. It’s “THE” sound!
The uber rare Elliott Revenuer is one of two amp offerings from the famed guitar builder, Andy Elliott. Like Andy’s guitars, his amps are handcrafted and uniquely tuned to put the expression back in the players hands. This amp will make you honest! The Revenuer has a preamp section similar to a Tweed Deluxe paired with a Marshall-esque power section. It truly is a unique amp and has a tone that will undoubtedly bring a freshness to your collection!
*Extended Training with TONEX V2
The Matchless Clubman delivers a punchy, harmonically rich British voice—tight low end, chimey yet muscular mids, and a smooth, articulate breakup that stays clear even when pushed. There’s a weight and authority to every note that feels alive under your fingers. The low end is focused without ever getting flubby, the mids are rich and forward with that unmistakable Matchless character, and the top end carries a clarity that cuts without harshness. It’s bold, articulate, and incredibly touch-sensitive—clean up with your volume knob or dig in and it pushes into a smooth, harmonically complex breakup that never loses clarity.
43 Captures (V1 and V2 captures included)
Extended Training
Head Captures and IRs
3 Different Speakers
API 3122V Preamp & Neve 8803 EQ
Miced with a Shure 545SD
This particular Fender Prosonic was made in 1997 and has all original parts. The 60W Prosonic with two 10” Custom Shop Celestion speakers was designed by tone legend Bruce Zinky and has some similar features as a Mesa / BOOGIE amp. This amp can go from sparkling Fender cleans all the way to classic hark rock grind. It’s a much different flavor than a traditional scooped blackface many are familiar with. It has a lot more mids and a really warm saturation. Some say this may be one of the best Fender amps ever made. But we’ll let the captures do the talking!
This particular AC30 is a 90’s Korg Era AC30/6TB with 2X12 Celestion “6402” stamped Greenbacks. These particular speakers are the holy grail of Greenbacks and compliment this amp spectacularly. But this is no off-the-shelf AC30 either—it’s been heavily modified by Don “Toneman” Butler, a Los Angeles area legend. Don equipped this amp with a Mercury Magnetics Axiom transformer and choke, replaced all the signal path components, changed the filtering to JMI specs, upgraded various components and more. This amp is the tone I’ve been chasing in my head for years and the TONEX has finally given me a way to capture it in a pedalboard friendly package!
This preset pack includes captures of all 6 of my current overdrives on my analog board at my preferred settings. Instantly transport the “Shepherd Sound “to your board through the power of TONEX! Use these drive captures on the TONEX ONE or with the Big Box TONEX pedal with use of MIDI and then pair them with my AC30 or Prosonic captures and you’ve got a ready-to-go rig.
My Bass Rig for TONEX preset pack is a set of captures of my bass pedalboard we use on stage and in the studio. For best results, I recommend using a bass with Lollar Jazz Bass pickups or similar vintage style pickups.
The Dr. Z Z-80 is Mike's "legacy" amp and is the result of 6 years of fine tuning and perfecting the coveted and uber-rare Vox AC80 circuit. The Doc and Brad Paisley worked together on getting this amp to sound just like the original while also ensuring it was road ready. The Z-80 isn’t just a higher powered version of a vintage AC30, however, rather it stands on its own sonic territory, offering a more focused low end, tighter breakup, and crystal clear highs. This amp sounds great with single coils and humbuckers. To top is off, this particular amp head was built and signed by the Doctor himself. Prepare for chime city!
*This capture pack is for QUAD CORTEX. Please Follow Me in the Cortex Cloud app (TheToneShepherd) and make sure you fill out the form asking for your User Name upon checkout. Please allow 2-3 days for me to transfer your products but it’s likely it’ll be much faster!
This 2005 Bad Cat Tone Cat is a very rare amp from the glory days of Bad Cat. The Tone Cat is not just a 2 channel amplifier, it is actually two completely separate amps in one chassis! The “Clean” side is the same as the 12AX7 channel on a Black Cat (think DC30) and the “Gain” side is the dirty side of a Hot Cat, which offers complex driven and crunchy lead tones. The two sides can also be mixed together and the order can be swapped as well. There are tones galore in this amp and it will have me exploring it for a long time to come!
This particular amp has the “M.S.” inscription on the inside making it a Mark Sampson era Bad Cat. This amp absolutely sings and is sure to scratch that Bad Cat / Matchless itch. It’s “THE” sound!
*This capture pack is for QUAD CORTEX. Please Follow Me in the Cortex Cloud app (TheToneShepherd) and make sure you fill out the form asking for your User Name upon checkout. Please allow 2-3 days for me to transfer your products but it’s likely it’ll be much faster!
This particular AC30 is a 90’s Korg Era AC30 6TB with an original Celestion Greenback and a new Fane Ascension F25 speaker. This amp has been heavily modded by Don “Toneman” Butler, a Los Angeles area legend. Don equipped this amp with a Mercury Magnetics Axiom transformer and choke, replaced all the signal path components, changed the filtering to JMI specs, upgraded various components and more. This amp is the tone I’ve been chasing in my head for years and the Quad Cortex has finally given me a way to capture it in a pedalboard friendly package!
*This capture pack is for QUAD CORTEX. Please Follow Me in the Cortex Cloud app (TheToneShepherd) and make sure you fill out the form asking for your User Name upon checkout. Please allow 2-3 days for me to transfer your products but it’s likely it’ll be much faster!
This particular Fender Prosonic was made in 1997 and has all original parts. The 60W Prosonic with two 10” custom Celestion speakers was designed by tone legend Bruce Zinky and has some similar features as a Mesa / BOOGIE amp. This amp can go from classic sparkling Fender cleans all the way to classic hard rock grind. Some say this may be one of the best Fender amps ever made. But we’ll let the captures do the talking!
*This capture pack is for QUAD CORTEX. Please Follow Me in the Cortex Cloud app (TheToneShepherd) and make sure you fill out the form asking for your User Name upon checkout. Please allow 2-3 days for me to transfer your products but it’s likely it’ll be much faster!
The Matchless Clubman delivers a punchy, harmonically rich British voice—tight low end, chimey yet muscular mids, and a smooth, articulate breakup that stays clear even when pushed. There’s a weight and authority to every note that feels alive under your fingers. The low end is focused without ever getting flubby, the mids are rich and forward with that unmistakable Matchless character, and the top end carries a clarity that cuts without harshness. It’s bold, articulate, and incredibly touch-sensitive—clean up with your volume knob or dig in and it pushes into a smooth, harmonically complex breakup that never loses clarity.
43 Captures (V1 and V2 captures included)
Head Captures and IRs
3 Different Speakers
API 3122V Preamp & Neve 8803 EQ
Miced with a Shure 545SD
The uber rare Elliott Revenuer is one of two amp offerings from the famed guitar builder, Andy Elliott. Like Andy’s guitars, his amps are handcrafted and uniquely tuned to put the expression back in the players hands. This amp will make you honest! The Revenuer has a preamp section similar to a Tweed Deluxe paired with a Marshall-esque power section. It truly is a unique amp and has a tone that will undoubtedly bring a freshness to your collection!
This is a collection of my favorite drives at my favorite gain and tone settings for each peal. Though these were dialed in around my AC30 and Prosonic amps from my Signature Rig Preset, these drives can no doubt fit a wide variety of amps and styles.
*This capture pack is for QUAD CORTEX. Please Follow Me in the Cortex Cloud app (TheToneShepherd) and make sure you fill out the form asking for your User Name upon checkout. Please allow 2-3 days for me to transfer your products but it’s likely it’ll be much faster!