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Post by pgun63 on Sept 10, 2008 16:06:16 GMT -7
I'm a newbie to the forum and I'm fired up to purchase my first Z. Through research on the web (testimonials and sound clips) I'm convinced these are the best amps out there. I play some classic rock (mild distortion), Tom Petty stuff (Fender Clean) and lately I've been learning some blues - all through a USA Strat and Tele. I don't have an authorized dealer nearby, so I've been looking at some used CG's and Maz jr's on the web. I'd appreciate any advice from the experts regarding the tonal differences between these two fine rigs. Thanks pgun63
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Post by Lefty on Sept 11, 2008 7:03:44 GMT -7
The Maz Jr. is the "Swiss-Army-Knife" of Z amps. It'll get you into Fenderish/Voxish/Marshallish territory. I would highly recommend it as your first Z. With it's full section of tone controls it's hard not to find your sound. The Ghia is a great amp to have but I wouldn't pick it as my "only" or first Z. It has more of a specialized/unique tone, and it does it very well, whereas the Maz Jr can dabble in shades of the other amps voicing without losing it's own.
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Post by detuned on Sept 11, 2008 10:19:23 GMT -7
What he said. :-)
If you already know that a Ghia's "it" for you, go for it - but if you're sampling, start with the Maz.
It's a reverse-modeling amp: amy sound you want, one at a time.
Good luck!
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Post by pgun63 on Sept 11, 2008 18:12:29 GMT -7
Lefty and Detuned- Thanks for the advise. Based on your comments, the maz Jr. sounds like a perfect fit. One follow up question - does the non reverb model provide benefits over it's counterpart in terms of headroom or gain or other characteristics ?
Thanks once again for the knowledge.
pgun63
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Post by benttop (Steve) on Sept 11, 2008 19:38:55 GMT -7
+1 for the Maz Jr. It's a tremendously cool amp.
The NR has a bit more gain than the reverb model. I love mine.
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Post by sae2111 on Sept 12, 2008 8:34:12 GMT -7
I was in your shoes about two years ago. Based on the suggestions of several people, I was all set to buy a Maz Jr. I went to Willcutts in Lexington and ended up walking out with a Ghia. The amp just felt great. I'll sacrifice a little flexibility for tone and feel like the Ghia any day. (And the tone knob on a CG is quite something. The tones from this amp are not limited. By comparison, the Maz offers more possibilites, but the Ghia is far from a one trick pony). Where are you located? I would suggest sucking it up and making a road trip to a dealer so you can play a few before you buy. You might also look for local Z owners - they might be willing to let you drop by and play around a bit. Don't stress too much about which amp you get. They're all great.
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reky
Full Member
Posts: 122
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Post by reky on Sept 12, 2008 12:01:52 GMT -7
Two months ago I was in the same situation. I had a chance to try them both but when I went back to the dealer to decide, the Maz Jr was sold, so I took the Carmen Ghia. The Ghia sounded better to me from the first time I heard it, but I thought it had not enough controls on the panel. I could still change it for a Maz Jr when it would arrive, but after owning it for two months now I don't even think about replacing it! It's a very versatile amp, especially if you own a few different guitars and cabs. It reflects very well the character of each guitar and/or speaker. My band-mates also love it!!
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Post by jameshis on Sept 12, 2008 18:03:03 GMT -7
+1 Reky,
I own the Ghia, and that is NOT because it was my only choice ... For that matter, I looked other amps besides Z (Fargen, /13, to name a few). I am NOW a big Z fan. (I want one of those hats that are always sold out!!!!)
The volume and tone combination is so versatile, the combinations seem limitless, not counting the drastic affect different speaker have with the tone, volume combo. Clean, Blues (sweet point with dynamics), using your guitar to control tone, volume, distortion etc .... strong Zstortion. Then add pedals ... off you go .. even into Metal world ..... if you want.
I'm not saying that the Maz Jr would not do the same, I really don't know, we all tend to love he amp we own ... but no regrets with this amp, and I am so spoiled with the single knob. I used to tweak and tweak in live venues trying to find the sound that was in my head.... With this amp, I find the sound, then .... when playing live, tweak it just a little more clockwise, because I like how mids cut when playing live. So many of my other amps sound boxy when mids are up. ( With this amp, there is so much harmonic content in the mids.
My only complaint is how loud it is .... wow, it can make the ears bleed and ring for days, if you aren't careful.
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Post by anacephalic on Sept 29, 2008 8:20:51 GMT -7
i've been looking for a grab and go amp and had the maz and the Ghia on the horizon as options. Finally the local dealer has a new maz NR 1x12 combo and the owners Ghia, head and 1x12 Z cab, setting on the floor.
I get all excited, find a nice 335 and plug into the ghia expecting sonic nirvana. I don't know if it was old tubes, wrong speaker, or what but i hated it. Yes, them be heresey words but as much as i tweaked it i couldn't find a sound i liked and man is that little sucker loud. Maybe it needs to be opened up on a stage to reveal itself. I don't know. Not at all what i expected.
As to the Maz NR. Flat out killer little amp. I couldn't find a tone i couldn't live with and with a little tweaking there were tones amundo that i loved. What suprised me was the the tonal similarity of the Maz with my RX. If I didn't own the RX i'd have bought the maz right there. If you want a somewhat reasonably portable amp that is unbeatable for the money anywhere buy the maz.
If you want the most 3-d, back breaking, kooler than you ever deserved amp go find an original Rx 2x12 combo. Every time i go out amp hunting i come home to the Rx and realize what a great amp it is.
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Post by fishman on Oct 5, 2008 19:39:58 GMT -7
You are talking about the wrong amp here, you need a Z28.....It will do just what you want it to, Tom Petty, Blues, Classic Rock, and as a bonus...Fender stuff, Voxy stuff-not its long suit but it can approach it....really killer Marshall stuff, early, not toxic gain stuff and tons inbetween. seems to be just about right power wise as well, however I would like a half power option... All kidding aside, you are not talking about the wrong amps here, just that there are lots of great Z;s to choose from....as was advised, make a trip to the dealer and play some... I don;t think you can get a bad one, just different ones.... In the pocket you are lookin at there are lots...18, 28, KG, RXjr, even the MAZ 38 will make you a Killer all round amp, and it has a MV that really works so you can tone it way down and it still sounds killer....lots of choices.... good Luck!
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Post by sae2111 on Oct 5, 2008 21:25:12 GMT -7
It's too bad that you left with a bad impression of the Ghia. I would almost guess that something was wrong with the amp or the cabinet. It might not be for everybody, but I'm hard pressed to believe that you would have left with such a bad impression if everything was working properly.
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Post by real oldster on Oct 6, 2008 1:45:56 GMT -7
I'm a long-time Ghia owner. My only problem with the amp is that it's so Dang LOUD!
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