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Post by doctorice on Mar 28, 2010 16:13:29 GMT -7
Hey all: I was able to tackle my big comparison project at long last. Unfortunately, I couldn't get to the amp comparisons. Here's why. I decided the MAZ was the ideal baseline amp, but as we all know, it's very flexible. As a result I decided to conduct a fairly deep study of the tone bypass mod. I ended up with a report that's too long for a post. (And likely more than many of you care to know or read ) Armed with this I can now tackle the MAZ-Monza-Remedy analyses that several folks have asked about. However, before I do that, if some of you would be so kind as to take a look at this document and offer some feedback, I would appreciate it. mysite.verizon.net/vze1rwcu/sitebuildercontent/sitebuilderfiles/maz18_bypass_test.docIt's a Word document for now. I may convert to a PDF file later. I am responsible for any errors, naturally. Feel free to share with other Z fans, but I'd like to keep control over any reprinting or media dissemination.
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Post by benttop (Steve) on Mar 28, 2010 22:56:14 GMT -7
Nice report. I might have to haul my chassis out and send it back yet...
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Post by Andy 67 on Mar 29, 2010 0:37:56 GMT -7
Great report, now I'm starting to GAS for the mod... Oh, I'm lucky/unlucky, because I don't think it's available here in Spain... Thanks for the great job. Tons of tone, Andy
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Post by Eddie on Mar 29, 2010 1:18:52 GMT -7
Nicely done! Easy to understand and a careful tone taste test. I really want to get this mod done, but I keep holding out for some reason. Just I'm not sure if I want to do any messing. The amp sounds so good as is and I use a pedal for boost/ od. Still, I may have to send it in someday...
Thanks for all that work on the document. Eddie
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Post by Pete aka shouldb on Mar 29, 2010 4:25:44 GMT -7
Great stuff Mike, and THANK YOU! Sounds like there is a whole new world of possibilities in this mod, and as your gear is very similar to mine, it means a lot to me ;D
Getting the mod done is just a matter of waiting for Peach Guitars to be ready to do it for me, but it's really great to hear you Z experts giving it the once over!
Cheers
Pete ;D
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Post by doctorice on Mar 29, 2010 6:46:11 GMT -7
Nice report. I might have to haul my chassis out and send it back yet... Well worth it in my view, Steve. With the MAZ settings you've been favoring, it will provide some additional tone flexibility and guitar volume sensitivity. Go for it!
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Post by doctorice on Mar 29, 2010 6:48:57 GMT -7
Nicely done! Easy to understand and a careful tone taste test. I really want to get this mod done, but I keep holding out for some reason. Just I'm not sure if I want to do any messing. The amp sounds so good as is and I use a pedal for boost/ od. Still, I may have to send it in someday... Thanks for all that work on the document. Eddie Thanks, Eddie. The MAZ tone is completely unaltered by the mod as far as I can tell, until the bypass is engaged. The cost of the mod (+shipping) is roughly the equivalent of a high end pedal, and the result seems more "organic" if that makes sense.
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Post by doctorice on Mar 30, 2010 11:24:44 GMT -7
I had posted a link to my OP over in the Monza section, since this exercise was originally inspired by some questions on comparing the modded MAZ to the Monza. Well the good Doc himself replied over there and mentioned that a new Z website is coming soon, and it will have audio clips of the modded MAZ. Thought you all might like to know that
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Mar 30, 2010 17:34:14 GMT -7
Ok Mike, where's the sound clips dammit? Just kidding, very well done sir, great analysis
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Post by doctorice on Mar 30, 2010 19:02:34 GMT -7
Ok Mike, where's the sound clips dammit? Just kidding, very well done sir, great analysis One of these days... My son has the digital recorder at the moment. I'll have to pry it out of his hands. Of course, then I have to learn to use it. After that, I'll have to learn how to play something that won't embarrass me upon posting
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Post by Pete aka shouldb on Mar 31, 2010 14:13:33 GMT -7
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Post by scottc on Apr 2, 2010 9:24:13 GMT -7
Nice report - thanks!
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Post by markT on Jun 6, 2010 19:18:35 GMT -7
Thanks for the report! I just ordered mine. A blond Jr NR w/TSB head.....can't wait to play it....
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Post by Pete aka shouldb on Jun 7, 2010 5:12:26 GMT -7
Hi guys,
Just got my Maz back with the mod done, and I've got to say I don't like it. Now I guess this is to do with the way I have my Maz set up - V Maxed - which makes the Maz sound very bright and edgy. When the TSM is engaged, it changes the sound quite dramatically to MUCH darker, which doesn't sit well with the disengaged sound.
I'm going to rethink my settings and see if I can find a better use of this feature, but then to get the rich OD sound I'm after, I'll have to use a pedal again. Oh well, time to dig out the FX bag!
Cheers
Pete
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Post by doctorice on Jun 7, 2010 6:23:39 GMT -7
Pete,
Engage the TSM and play for a while, adjusting guitar and amp dials. Then switch the mod off. I find sometimes that TSM off sounds overly bright in this situation until my ears readjust.
Mess with the EC Strat controls too. I found that, surprisingly, bringing the midboost on can produce some interesting tones from the TSM.
Update when you can.
Best,
Mike
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Post by Pete aka shouldb on Jun 7, 2010 7:37:44 GMT -7
Cool ideas Mike - I guess I just haven't had time to play yet. I've been messing and gigging with the Ghia ;D
Cheers
Pete
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Post by doctorice on Jun 7, 2010 10:04:28 GMT -7
Cool ideas Mike - I guess I just haven't had time to play yet. I've been messing and gigging with the Ghia ;D Cheers Pete So you sent the old girlfriend to the spa, she comes back all nice and pretty and you're running around with another girl? Do I have that right? ;D Eager to hear more about the CG as another 1x10 package could be appealing indeed for small gigs that are not Monza volume approved.
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Post by Pete aka shouldb on Jun 7, 2010 13:23:01 GMT -7
Cool ideas Mike - I guess I just haven't had time to play yet. I've been messing and gigging with the Ghia ;D Cheers Pete So you sent the old girlfriend to the spa, she comes back all nice and pretty and you're running around with another girl? Do I have that right? ;D Eager to hear more about the CG as another 1x10 package could be appealing indeed for small gigs that are not Monza volume approved. Never thought I'd feel guilty about my Maz, but you've made it so Mike ;D I've posted some stuff on the CG forum and happy to give more details over there Pete ;D
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Post by doctorice on Jun 7, 2010 16:46:57 GMT -7
Never thought I'd feel guilty about my Maz, but you've made it so Mike ;D I've posted some stuff on the CG forum and happy to give more details over there Pete ;D Pete, I couldn't resist since I think you started the "she" bit. I'll click over to the CG section and take a look.
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Larry
New Member
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Post by Larry on Jun 26, 2010 7:26:04 GMT -7
Great review!
I am going to do the mod to my head today.
Just as soon as I finsh this pot of coffee and wake up enough not to burn my fingers doing the mod!
Can't wait to hear it.........
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Jul 13, 2010 5:18:44 GMT -7
Just got mine back yesterday. UPS delivered it to the studio. Ripped it open and popped it on top of the other MAZ 18 there. Same settings through the 2 x 12 Blue/G12H cab. Wow. That mod is a whole lot of wow.
Hope to mess with it more today.
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Post by tdarian on Jul 13, 2010 10:17:39 GMT -7
Kind of like having a whole different amp within the amp. I really need to spend some time with my MAZ in bypass mode...I've just been so thrilled with it in standard mode that I have yet to really take much time to explore the bypass.
But yes....WOW!
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