I've been going through some sonic changes in my music world, coming from a predominantly humbucker/Marshall setup for most of my musical life, to dabbling in the Brad Paisley world of sound...obviously that's why I'm here on the Dr. Z site.
I've been researching and posting on just about every amp web page there is and I have just about arrived at the point where I am getting ready to purchase a Dr. Z Maz 18 Jr. (NR) and a Z Best 2x12 cab.
BUT BEFORE I DO...I want to ask you Maz Jr. users this: Can I get good crunch overdrive sounds (I'm basically talking about late 70's to early 80's crunch...AC/DC, Foreigner, 38 Special, Skynard, etc...not the hair bands of the late 80's and early 90s, nor new metal)? I've got a Keely modded Boss BD-2 Blues Driver which will help, and a Seymour Duncan Twin Classic driver as well.
My main concern is the EL84 tubes as opposed to the the EL34's I've used up to this point. I'm currently using a Marshall DSL50 with matched JJ tubes through a Mojave 4x12 cab with Celestion G12H30 speakers. I'm concerned that the 84's will have a bit more "sag" in the sound...and I like biting crunch, not muddy sound.
Set me straight, encourage me, or point me in another direction...I'm looking for a lower-wattage, smaller rig (i.e. head and 2x12 cab) that I can get the best of both worlds (British/American) from...am I on the right path?
Post by JASON (aka jgleaton) on Jan 6, 2007 11:34:20 GMT -7
Clay,
Welcome to the forum,
From what you just described you are on the right track and I think after you really get to know the Maz Jr you will LOVE what she can do... and what your talking about through the Z-best will rock those tones your talking about...
but can be louder than you think, not your regular 18 watts... so you can gig that setup easily... and always add a 1x12 cab for little lower volume gig/ setup... OR even use that 4x12 cab and stand back... loud 18 watts... sounds great at lower volumes though and the Master works well so... the MAZ JR and Z-best may be all you ever need...
Don't sweat it... your on the right track and I think your in for a real treat...
The Jr will definately keep you happy in the "Marshall" tones. It can be a very aggressive amp if you want - and a very smooth one as well. I was doing some tracking last night and just going nuts - PRS into the JR w/a BB Pre was really getting me back to the 80's rock days...Judas Priest, AC/DC, Dokken, and if you want more 'hair', just roll the Cut up a bit and put on a nice sizzly edge (ala Soldano). With a light drive - either a FDII (BD2 as well) or the OCD- , it was Southern-fried Rock all the way - 38 Special, Allman Brothers, etc. Lovely with a slide as well.
Fun - went from that immediately to some clean country spank by switching to an ASAT (tele) and a clean boost.
Really love the Maz amps! Best "swiss-army" amps I've ever encountered.
I went from a Marshall (old 2204?)/Les Paul to a Maz Jr/Strat and I love it. The one difference is that my Les Paul is a P90 Gold Top and not a humbucker.
I would not say that my Maz ever emulates my Marshall. My Marshall has a certain rawness to it that the Maz doesn't get to. It also doesn't have as much overdrive as the Marshall. On the other hand, the Maz has a character that the Marshall doesn't get close to. It sounds more rock & roll to me if that makes sense.
I would also offer that unless you're going to run your Maz with the master up around 2 or 3 o'clock, you might think that it's weak compared to a Marshall. The preamp doesn't have as much gain as a Marshall. I'm not a loud player, so I picked up an Airbrake. Once the Airbrake got hooked up, the Maz really gave me a nice full crunch that I was never able to emulate with the Marshall.
I do like both amps, but I run the Maz about 80 to 90% of the time now.
West Chester, PA Maz Jr Combo & Ghia Head American Deluxe Strat, '68 Gold Top P90 Les Paul, & Martin HD-28V named Bear
Thanks for these responses, guys...I've had a sneaky suspicion that the Maz Jr. could fill the bill, but since there are no dealers around me that I try one out, I had to come to the experts!!!
Does the Z Airbrake work well, as compared to other attenuators on the market? I'd probably want one because I never run my Marshall above 3...ever, and I realize 18 watts is enough for just about any venue, but for me, low volume with mics - studio - or rehearsing at home is about all I need, so I probably only need about 4 of those 18 watts!!
Tell me about attenuators that really work...thanks!
Tell me about attenuators that really work...thanks!
FWIW, I've been gigging with a Jr 1-12 for the past 5 years and it is the first amp in 35+ years of rock/R&B/blues/country/Elvis Impersonator (a genre of its own)/disco/pit gigging (regularly and irregularly) that I've been truly happy with every time I plug in.
You don't mention actually auditioning the Maz Jr. At the risk of being patronizing, this stuff is so subjective... I wouldn't recommend a $2K purchase based on anything I read, even on this forum. Especially on this forum -- we're all fans. Your financial situation/attitude/whatever could be different than mine, though -- just wanted to mention it.
Now for the bad (subjective) news. I've never found an attenuator that didn't suck the life (dynamics and highs) out of the tone very quickly. I tried the Airbrake, the Hotcake, the long-ago Altair and hated them. They are necessary for gigs (better an ISO booth for recording) so I decided to go cheap and bought the Weber MiniMass for about $75. To my still-pretty-good ears, it sounded as good as the rest.
Back to the good news.
I just replaced my FDII, a longstanding presence on my board, with the Twin Tube Classic and, for my money, it is the perfect complement to the Maz Jr. It even returns a good part of the life lost to the attenuator.
That said, I cannot imagine you not being happy with the rig you're looking at.
Post by Ryan (shorty) on Jan 6, 2007 23:20:10 GMT -7
If you have a Keeley Blues Driver and a Jr, you'll be happy. I can get AC/DC and even Alice in Chains with that setup. That pedal/amp combo simply rocks.
By the nature of their use, original tone changes a bit. Regarding the most commonly referenced units on the board, I've used the Airbrake and have owned a couple of the Weber builds (Mass 100 and Mini Mass). All were 'transparent' and worked quite well. I like the Webers for the driver design (vs resistor), selectable ohms, and selectable treble boost (add back a little of the lost bite from the attenuation).
There are a couple mfg's that make some really high-end units (high dollar, high quality) but I can't speak to those.
If you're really wanting to incorporate an attenuator, I'd suggest you'd be quite happy with either the Airbrake or the Weber Mini-Mass in the bang-for-the-buck arena.
....sounds like I could probably get as good a result by just running the JR at a lower volume, rather than opening it up all the way, then throwing an attenuator in front of it, affecting the sound???
....sounds like I could probably get as good a result by just running the JR at a lower volume, rather than opening it up all the way, then throwing an attenuator in front of it, affecting the sound???
A different result. Sometimes as good; sometimes not.
If I don't have to use the attenuator, I don't. Most of the time, at gigs, I do have to use it -- looking for the best volume/tone tradeoff.
I haven't spent enough time with the Twin Tube to be certain (I'm slow about these things) but I suspect it will give me more attenuator-free time. And, as I said, it makes the attenuated amp sound and feel better.
I've read a lot of posts by people who love their attenuators. And people who hate some and like others. The only way to know how they work for you is to try them.
Post by JebusCrebus on Jan 7, 2007 10:27:25 GMT -7
crackpot said:
clay49 said:
Tell me about attenuators that really work...thanks!
FWIW, I've been gigging with a Jr 1-12 for the past 5 years and it is the first amp in 35+ years of rock/R&B/blues/country/Elvis Impersonator (a genre of its own)/disco/pit gigging (regularly and irregularly) that I've been truly happy with every time I plug in.
You don't mention actually auditioning the Maz Jr. At the risk of being patronizing, this stuff is so subjective... I wouldn't recommend a $2K purchase based on anything I read, even on this forum. Especially on this forum -- we're all fans. Your financial situation/attitude/whatever could be different than mine, though -- just wanted to mention it.
Now for the bad (subjective) news. I've never found an attenuator that didn't suck the life (dynamics and highs) out of the tone very quickly. I tried the Airbrake, the Hotcake, the long-ago Altair and hated them. They are necessary for gigs (better an ISO booth for recording) so I decided to go cheap and bought the Weber MiniMass for about $75. To my still-pretty-good ears, it sounded as good as the rest.
Back to the good news.
I just replaced my FDII, a longstanding presence on my board, with the Twin Tube Classic and, for my money, it is the perfect complement to the Maz Jr. It even returns a good part of the life lost to the attenuator.
That said, I cannot imagine you not being happy with the rig you're looking at.
Clay49,
I have to agree with Crackpot, on the try before you buy comment, this is a pretty big purchase (if you like the rest of us) and I spent a lot of time in research mode before I finally bought my Jr Head. All the praise from the form members cannot live up to checking one out in person, that's what sold me on the spot. Once I played one I knew I had to have it and it didn't take log to get it either.
I think the combination of the Jr and the Keely Modded BD will get the tones your looking for and then some (I can get great Angus tone with only a stock Boss (MIJ) Turbo OD in the signal path).
Don't get me wrong...I'd love to demo one, but there aren't any dealers around for me to try it out. I'm not opposed to making a purchase and then selling it, because it seems that these command top dollar on E-bay and elsewhere...as wasteful as it might sound, with the glowing reports from you guys who own them, it would be worth a "demo" that might cost me a few hundred dollars...I'm that serious about find an outstanding amp from which I can get a variety of sounds....
I had a Marshall DSL 50 before I traded in on the purchase of a Maz Jr 1x12. The Marshall was just way too loud before you got that good crunch, even with an Airbrake that I thought would help. I use a OCD or a MI Audio Crunchbox with Maz and it gets me close but not quite to that Marshall tone.I still have the Airbrake but have never found the need to use it at gigs. I still missed the actual Marshall tone so I bought a Marshall 1974 x 18watt to go along with Maz and now I have the best of both worlds. I sometimes run them with an A/B switch at gigs.....
Stratman...how's your 1974 Handwired Marshall working out? I've read terrible reviews about them having horrendous problems with them burning out...at least those who've posted on H-C...never seen that many negative comments for one product as I did for that particular amp...I was thinking about that as well untill I read the reviews...let me know how yours is holding up...thanks!
Okay, guys...thanks for your input. I'll be calling and purchasing the Maz Jr 18 NR head and Z Best cabinet this afternoon...I'll be back with my comments in a week or so...I appreciate the comments that were given...probably the best forum I've been a part of...very informative responses from people who know their gear and are willing to share their insights...I do appreciate it!
I've tried a bunch of o.d/distortion pedals in front of my jr/NR over the 4 years that I've had it. So far, I'm happiest with the Zvex Box of Rock. Closest to a Marshall like tone and it has a huge amount of umph and presence. Especially for such a small box. The clean boost on it is also really good and an added plus.
Thanks, Jaybee...I've not heard of the Zvex Box of Rock, but I'm game to snag one on Ebay and give it a try...I just got my Seymour Ducan Twin Classic in, and when my amp and cab arrive from St. Louis in a couple of days, I'm going to give it (and my Keely BD-2 Blues Driver) a test run with both my custom Les Paul Jr. (with a single Wolfetone Marshallhead humbuker @ 9K) and my USA G&L Classic ASAT "S"...I'm expecting great things.
I've also decided on the Weber MiniMass 25W...I've read nothing but great reviews about these being just as good as most that cost $300 and above...I'll report back in about that as well...
I've tried a bunch of o.d/distortion pedals in front of my jr/NR over the 4 years that I've had it. So far, I'm happiest with the Zvex Box of Rock. Closest to a Marshall like tone and it has a huge amount of umph and presence. Especially for such a small box. The clean boost on it is also really good and an added plus.
Here is a great demo video of the Box of Rock from the ZVex site (wait for the load)
I've tried a bunch of o.d/distortion pedals in front of my jr/NR over the 4 years that I've had it. So far, I'm happiest with the Zvex Box of Rock. Closest to a Marshall like tone and it has a huge amount of umph and presence. Especially for such a small box. The clean boost on it is also really good and an added plus.
Here is a great demo video of the Box of Rock from the ZVex site (wait for the load)
Thanks for posting the link - have heard about the pedal, but neither seen nor head the actual unit. That's a pretty hip pedal.
I pulled up the link and I can see the demo, but there is no sound coming through...possibly my computer (?), but I get lots of other multi-media links that work...
THE AMP ARRIVED TODAY...but I won't be able to unpack and demo until Thursday afternoon...I'll post afterwards and let you all know my thoughts.....
Well, my new Maz 18 Jr. arrived yesterday (along with the Z Best 2x12 cab), and I've just done my first session with the amp, and I must say I like what I hear!
It's going to take a while to tweak it to cover my marshall sounds, but I believe it is definitely doable with the right effects...my Keely modded Boss BD-2 was not too impressive, nor the Seymour Duncan Tube Classic that I just picked up (both of these with my humbucker LP Jr.)...but I'm going to try a couple of the other effects that were recommended earlier in the thread...the ZVEX Box of Rock and an Xotic AC Booster. I'm probably also going to pick up a 25W Weber MiniMass so I can open the amp up and get the full benefit of the tubes without peeling the paint off the walls.
By the way, can you guys recommend a good site to sell gear? I've got a good bit of great quality, mint condition gear that I need to sell, but I'm getting weary of paying E-bay 3-4%, then turning around and paying them again 3% in PayPal...any sites that you guys trust to sell gear where you don' t have to pay such high fees?
You didn't like the BD through the Jr? I think mine sounds great through it. In fact - I have 2 (one is my lead boost)! I plug into the high input, have the volume and cut at bout 10:30.
clay49 said:
By the way, can you guys recommend a good site to sell gear?
I wasn't aware that you could post "for sale" items on the forum - most forums have a moratorium on personal items for sale with the forum itself...I'm new here, and not sure of all the rules and regs at this point...any particular spot for my items, or do I just post it here in the forum?
JB
1 red Jazz 20/40 head
1 red Antidote head
1 red/blond Stingray head
1 black/blond Stingray head
1 black SRZ 65 head
2 LTD SRZ 65 heads
1 black 6545 head
2 black KT 45 heads
2 red LTD Ghia heads
1 black Ghia head
1 red Remedy head
1 red Maz GT head
1 black Mazerati head
2 sets of Silver ZWreck heads & cabs,1 Silver ZVerb
1 red Delta 88
1 black RX ES head
1 red Maz SR rev 2x12 red combo
1 z best cab 2x12 black
..more
After spending a little more time with the Maz 18 head, I'm not too sure I'm going to keep it...I dunno...possibly EL34 poisoning over the last 30 years??? I guess I love my Marshall sounds more than I do the clean tones. The overdrive sounds I'm dialing in just don't have the bite and zip that the EL34s give. I'm using a guitar with one Wolfetone Marshallhead humbucker...basically a hand-wound PAF with a little more heat (similar to a Gibson '57 Classic Plus).
The thing I love about my JCM 2000 DSL50 is simply the "Classic Gain" Channel...where you can play it decently clean with the gain backed off, or dial in a little gain to get that initial break up, and then add a BD-2 (mine is Keely modded)...but I'd rather have lower wattage, and quite frankly, a better wired amp (not the mass produced circuitry, etc, because as you guys know, point-to-point wiring does make a difference). I don't even use the Ultra Gain channel because it's a bit too much, to sappy. So basically, give me a 15 watt amp with EL34s that I can have a volume, gain, presence, bass, mids and treble.
I'm chasing a Fargen Mini Plex on Ebay right now, and a ZVEX Nano...just to give them a try.
Not sure what I'll do with this brand new head...I can send it back for an in-store credit toward another amp...but there are not too many EL34 options at this particular shop, short of 100W heads, which I DO NOT NEED....no coliseum venues in my immediate future!!!
I know most of you will think I'm crazy, because you have found the sounds you're looking for in the Maz 18, and don't get me wrong...this things is flawless - a real work of art and I really wish it had what I'm looking for...but it was worth the effort and $$ to audition.
I am going to keep the Z Best cab...it's fantastic!
Thanks again for all your help in this saga...if you have any other amp recommendations (I realize it might not be copacetic to list other brands here), I'll be glad to entertain them.
I'd suggest you spend a bit more time with the MAZ and Z best, the classic Marshall vibe IS in there. Give your ears a chance to neutralize for awhile.
Is it a NR? Get the mids above noon, say 2:00, treb and bass about noon, volume above noon also and master to taste, cut 10:00 to noon, Hi imput and you should start to get the Classic Marshall vibe ala Angus.
Also, the Gear Page is as good a place as any to list gear for free.
A Maz isn't exactly a Marshall but if you keep the master high around 3 and the volume around 3 you can get that vibe. Also try boosting your guitar signal with a booster like the Bad Bob or the like. You might need the Airbrake to bring volumes down but it will help. Also try using the low input on the Maz. As for chasing the tone... well that the name of the game. Good luck on your search.
Maz 38 NR Head, Maz 18 NR Head, Z28 Head,Carmen Ghia Head, Route 66, ZBest-Scumbacks, Ear Candy Cabs. Z 1x12 Cab with Weber 1230-55 Z 1x12 Celestion G12-65 Z 1x12 Cab Weber 1225 Z 2x10 Avatar 1x12 cabs, Celestion Gold, Scumnico. Strats, Gibson 335, Collings 290, G&L Bluesboy, Grosh Set Neck.
Great advice...thanks for the settings "recipes" as well...I will give it some more time. I'm going to pick up a Weber MiniMass 25 and see if I can open it up a bit more to let the amp breathe...
Keep sending those "Marshall recipes"...I really think this is a fine amp...so clean and no-nonsense...I really want it to work for me.
(I think my main problem is that I don't run it wide open, and never will in my playing venues, and I realize that these lower-wattage amps are designed to deliver the best tone at peak volumes...probably should have picked up that Fargen Bastage (4W EL34) that I was tracking on Ebay....or maybe a ZVEX NANO at a peak of .5watts!!!!)
Assuming the Jr. hasn't given you quite what you're looking for, and you're probably about to give up on it - it sounds to me like the amp you're really looking for is the Carr Mercury. I have both, and they're both fantastic amps, I'll never get rid of either one of them, but they're different animals. The Mercury sounds to me like what you are looking for. It has a single EL34, in Class A, is switchable to 8, 2, 0.5,or 0.1 watts. EL34 crunch out the wazoo. It can give you beautiful clean Fender Blackface sounds at the 8 watt setting, then starts crunching nicely at higher volumes. Want more crunch? Go to a lower watt setting and turn the volume up and you're there. Killer reverb as well. This is the most versatile amp on the planet, as long as you don't need the power. If you can't get the sound you want out of this thing, it can't be gotten. I see plenty of them available on eBay all the time. I love my Jr., but I love the Mercury just as much for a whole different set of sounds and it's versatility. Hopefully you have a dealer close by where you can check one out.
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