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Post by billyc on Nov 22, 2006 9:00:09 GMT -7
Hi All, I'm new to the board.
I am having intermittent trouble bringing the Maz 18R 210 out of standby with the 2-amp fuse blowing.
I have been waiting at least a minute or two for it to warm up.
Could it be something in the pedal chain (FullDrive2, Trem and Delay) in front of the amp?
Thanks in advance for your suggestions. ~billy
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Post by kruzty on Nov 22, 2006 9:19:55 GMT -7
Probably the rectifier tube is bad.
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Post by johnnyl on Nov 22, 2006 9:20:50 GMT -7
Could be a bad power tube or rectifier Billy. If you've got any spares lying around I'd give that a shot first. It wouldn't be anything in the pedal chain.
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Post by John on Nov 22, 2006 10:34:51 GMT -7
Johnnyl & Krutzy probably have it right.
You'll need both new power tubes and a recifier. I'd agree most likely it will be the rectifier tube
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Post by billyc on Nov 22, 2006 11:48:53 GMT -7
Thanks guys, I'll try replacing the rectifier first.
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Post by billyc on Nov 22, 2006 20:17:12 GMT -7
Speaking of rectifiers, can someone enlighten me about the benefits/detriments of a solid state rectifier?
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Post by John on Nov 23, 2006 5:23:28 GMT -7
I'll try to be quick as the coffee is brewing....
A solid state rec is highly efficient...meaning it can turn/convert wall electricity into usable amp electricity very fast. This has been known to give a rather aggressive tight response and feel.
A tube rec is slower to convert wall electricity into usable amp electricity and has been referred to as 'spongy' feeling. Even though this slower conversion rate is only milliseconds long (very, very short), so slow we guitar players can't hear the difference, but we can feel the difference. The 'feel' is spongy and warmer. It gives the amp a more responsive touch. Also, you can only feel this tube 'sag' when the amp is turned up loud. It doesn't effect the feel much at lower levels.
The only detriment I can think of, is if you don't like the feel of a ss rec.
Hope this helps. Coffee's done now...
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Post by billyc on Nov 23, 2006 7:43:13 GMT -7
Cool, thanks for the clarification!
So, it wouldn't necessarily be "sacrilege" to put this SS Rectifier I have in the Maz 18 until I can get a replacement 5AR4/GZ34? It's not going to blow anything?
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Post by John on Nov 23, 2006 8:12:43 GMT -7
You should be able to call KCA tubes and have one delivered in two days. Besides, you're in Takoma Park, MD? You should be able to call a music store in Baltimore (to verify they have one in stock) and drive up and get it.
I personally would wait until the new tube arrives. And remember, get some matching power tubes while your at it.
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Post by billyc on Nov 23, 2006 8:30:55 GMT -7
Good call. Obviously just eager to play it again. Thanks, and happy holidays....
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Post by iggs on Nov 23, 2006 9:23:56 GMT -7
Just got one of those mislabeled NOS Phillips/Sylvania 5AR4 rectifiers from KCA and it made a night/day difference in my Route 66 compared to the Sovtek and JJ new production rectifiers. If you think that's too much $$$ for a rectifier ... IT'S NOT! Not when you hear the difference, hearing what I hear now, I would get the Mullard one ... if I could afford to. Much tighter, immediate response, it really "opened" the amp up ... the amp actually sounds a bit "muddy" with the Sovtek or JJ recto when compared to the NOS one.
Sheesh ... when are they finally going to invent that time-travelling device so I can go back a few years and get some decent tubes!
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Post by rhythmeister on Nov 23, 2006 15:03:46 GMT -7
Cool, thanks for the clarification! So, it wouldn't necessarily be "sacrilege" to put this SS Rectifier I have in the Maz 18 until I can get a replacement 5AR4/GZ34? It's not going to blow anything? Dunno about blow anything, but I believe you need to rebias if going from tube rec to SS rec... Cheers, Blair
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Post by hdahs143 on Nov 23, 2006 23:24:08 GMT -7
The Maz 18 is a cathode biased amp, and has no provision for bias adjustment. In a typical fixed bias amp, if you change rectifier types, and along with that, voltage capabilities, then yes a rebias would be recommended.
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Post by rhythmeister on Nov 24, 2006 10:50:48 GMT -7
In a typical fixed bias amp, if you change rectifier types, and along with that, voltage capabilities, then yes a rebias would be recommended. Ahhhh, that's what I was thinking of. Thanks for clarifying that it is not required on the Maz 18. Cheers, Blair
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Post by Don on Nov 24, 2006 19:12:52 GMT -7
Hi All, I'm new to the board. I am having intermittent trouble bringing the Maz 18R 210 out of standby with the 2-amp fuse blowing. I have been waiting at least a minute or two for it to warm up. Could it be something in the pedal chain (FullDrive2, Trem and Delay) in front of the amp? Thanks in advance for your suggestions. ~billy Hey Billy, Before the fuse started blowing, did you happen to remove, or change any tubes? Specifically, the rectifier tube?
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Post by billyc on Nov 27, 2006 9:29:18 GMT -7
Before the fuse started blowing, did you happen to remove, or change any tubes? Specifically, the rectifier tube? No, I hadn't changed any tubes but upon examining the rectifier I found it was an NOS tube, looking pretty ancient. I snagged a 5AR4 out of my VHT and installed it in the Z last night. Will test tonight to see how it performs.
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Post by billyc on Nov 28, 2006 6:08:12 GMT -7
So far, so good with a replacement rectifier. I used the amp in rehearsal for a couple hours last night with no problems. Now I'll order a good quality 5AR4 for it.
Thanks to all for your help. ~bc
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