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Post by James on Jan 20, 2006 7:38:14 GMT -7
I really miss the verb on my Route 66 and the Holy Grail just isn't cuttin' it for me......plus I have G.A.S......which I recently learned the meaning of........BAD G.A.S.!
The only redeeming feature of my G.A.S. is that I am regularly gigging and all purchases are all that more justifiable!
My new band "Freshwater drum" is playing covers from the 60's to now in the metro Detroit Area.....wilson pickett ( God rest his soul), SRV, Beatles, Bad Company, Alice Cooper, Who , Buffet, Elvis, Johnny Rivers.......i.e a whole lotta of different guitar tones needed.....FUN!!!
So I am thinking a Maz sr 38 w verb as a "head" to go with the R66 and my z best 2x12. I also own the Airbrake..and I also use an OCD (drive never above 9 oclock) for a little boost and the keely comp.......Got the guitars covered......strat, les pauls, 335
I have gone through all of the sound bytes of all the Dr's different "offspring" and have concluded that the Sr would be the one for me to order next..............
So knowing what my set up is and what tones I am looking to cover, could anyone chime in with their recommendations?
Thanks in advance........its really awesome to have a forum where I can ask these questions and people will take the time to give sincere answers.............
James
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Post by bluzsteel on Jan 20, 2006 7:42:04 GMT -7
Maz 38 is so versatile. I promise you could cover any tone , especially with a few pedals
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Post by rcrecelius on Jan 20, 2006 8:08:21 GMT -7
I'll second that! The Maz is a great amp, very versatile.
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Post by James on Jan 20, 2006 8:20:29 GMT -7
........Of all the sound clips on the site......I am more interested in the clean tones and ..........so for example, with a nice strat,can I get the maz 38 to do an SRV "Lenny tone" or a "Riviera Paradise" tone?
Its obvious thats its got the balls end of the spectrum covered!
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Post by bluzsteel on Jan 20, 2006 8:46:30 GMT -7
I did my last Cd using the Maz 38 quite a bit, the important thing was changing out the Celestion for a Tonker here are some clips www.cdbaby.com/cd/millsap2
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Post by Jim Fairbairn on Jan 20, 2006 8:51:13 GMT -7
I live in Dearborn and have a Maz 38 NR head and several different cabs. You're welcome to come over test drive the Maz and anything else I have. ( More Z stuff among others)
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Post by jwr on Jan 20, 2006 9:09:46 GMT -7
It's nice to see some of my Michigan brothers here at the forum. I grew up about 30 minutes outside Ann Arbor. I just picked up a MAZ 38 w/reverb last night. Head with 2x10 cab. I love it, you can't really make a mistake with a SR. It has more tones in it than any other amp I own. I tested this amp a lot, over a period of about 2 months before I ordered one. It doesn't have a bad sound in it.
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Post by Jim Fairbairn on Jan 20, 2006 10:21:04 GMT -7
I just played in Ann Arbor on Saturday, a place called Enzo's at 94 and State. I used my Z28 and Z 1x12. As usual, it sounded good.
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Post by James on Jan 20, 2006 10:51:50 GMT -7
Hey Jim,
Please tell me when you are playing at Enzo's next...............I will definitely come and check it out!
5 minutes from my house........
I really want as many opportunities to see/hear Z's in action.......other than my own......
great!!
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Post by Jim Fairbairn on Jan 20, 2006 11:10:34 GMT -7
My next Enzo' date is Feb 2nd. The hotel across the street from Enzo's will be housing one of the Super Bowl teams so they can use the U of M practice facility. Enzo's is ofter referred to by the hotel as a good place to eat, so the owner of Enzo's hope's to capitilize on that and have music Wednesday thru Saturday. Hopefully it turns into a good week for the owner. I'll be using my Ghia that time. The band is called the Blues Rollers. Hope to see ya there and feel free to introduce yourself.
Jim
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Post by James on Jan 20, 2006 12:23:21 GMT -7
will do for sure!
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Post by JASON (aka jgleaton) on Jan 20, 2006 22:42:03 GMT -7
Hi James,
"with a nice strat,can I get the maz 38 to do an SRV "Lenny tone" or a "Riviera Paradise" tone?"
THOSE CLEAN SOUNDS DRIPPING WITH TONE ARE ABSOLUTLEY IN THAT AMP AND MUCH, MUCH, MORE!!!!
BTW, the MAZ 38 KILLS with the stock Z-best....and take some of the other guy's advise...TRY SOME DIFFERENT SPEAKERS with it...this can be HUGE in crafting YOUR sound....Like bluesteel said ALOT of guy's are liking the tonker or swamp thang and I 'm LOVING the ceramic weber BLUE/ SILVER in my 2X12 open back... and my stock z-best is great also.....(I just don't think you can make a z-best sound bad and it seems to make every amp sound better IMHO)
the right speaker and TUBES can make the MAZ 38 really sound great....and it is EVERY bit as versatile as every one has said..... GREAT amp and my Maz 38 head has been my MAIN one ever since I got it....one of the best purchases i've made.... t
Think you'll really get a great response using both the Maz 38 and your Rt 66....some great tone covered there...I similarly use my Maz 38 and RX w/ airbreak...
Jason
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Post by James on Jan 21, 2006 7:11:42 GMT -7
Thanks Jason,
That is helpful advice. Do you think its a no brainer to go with the 38 since I have an airbrake vs going with the Jr ?
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Post by JASON (aka jgleaton) on Jan 21, 2006 10:38:47 GMT -7
James, I have had both the Maz 18 (NR 2X12) and now my Maz 38 head, I really REALLY liked my Maz 18 NR and might get another one but the 38 would still be my main amp.... thinkin I might get another 18 NR head for practice and real small gigs/ recording ( so I don't wear out the 38 and less tubes to replace in the 18 NR + I think I could go back with a maz 18 knowing what I know now about the 38 settings, tubes and SPEAKER combinations and get some even better results w/ the Maz 18 than I did before...in hindsight I think alot of the short commings I found in the 18 had alot to do with the speakers I was using ).... BUT I'd still probably use the 38 on gigs even small ones, very versatile volume wise... ....these amps just have a slight learning curve...I'm still learning mine, you gotta play around with them and find all the different great sounds that are already in em.... The 38 just has way more headroom than the 18 and it will suprise you at how good it sounds at lower volumes....you probably won't NEED the airbreak with the 38 ( although you could use it and would work very well) BUT you might even use the airbeak on the 66 instead and be able to really MATCH the volume of both amps real well...maybe get a little MORE hair out of the 66 at lower volumes w/ airbreak then use the master on the 38 to really dial in the overall volume.... This is the kind of thing I've been working on with my amps and boy I've LOVED the overall sound and CONTROL over it I have, LOVE the tweeds but NO control of the overall volume and ya gotta crank em to get the goods, ya know.....sorry, I'm ramblin again Hey, the Maz 18 is a GREAT amp but it's JMHO that if your gonna get ONE amp to go with what you got, with what you mentioned YOUR looking for, I'd go with the MAZ 38..... it took me forever but I found my 38 head w/ reverb in black with wheat front to match my cabs! sweeeeeet!!!!! ;D
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Post by James on Jan 21, 2006 10:57:21 GMT -7
Hey Jason,
Some Karma for ya.....cuz I appreciate all the thoughtful "rambling" on.... I have a gig tonight.......nothing major.........a little club........but I am gonna stop in at Moter City Guitar on the way there and place an order for a MAz 38 head w verb......in Blond to match my z best. They also have a red maz sr 1x12 that I wanna play through to get a feel for this amp........
Anyone know the avg turnaround time on an order ? I don't see any of these amps for sale online.......probably since everyone wants one eh! I actually would prefer an order that might take until spring so I can recover from the anxiety of buying another $1500 amp and also to save up some gig money........
Anyway........life looks good right now with dreams of a new amp on the horizon........
Thanks to all who helped me here..........great forum!
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Post by billyguitar on Jan 21, 2006 15:49:33 GMT -7
I've had tons of amps over the years and the Maz 38 really satisfies me. I don't even lust after other Zs!
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Post by propellr on Jan 21, 2006 21:49:50 GMT -7
Turnaround will vary, depending on how many open orders Z has at any given time. I ordered mine in the mad rush before Christmaz and got mine inside of 12 weeks. Was told to expect 8-10 weeks, but sometimes turnaround has been in as little as 4-6 weeks for some forum members. Talk to the guys at your dealer's to get a feel for their orders of late-- and be sure to check out Z's special design killer 2x10s if they have some in stock.
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Post by sparrowhawk (Bob) on Jan 22, 2006 15:31:51 GMT -7
>>wilson pickett ( God rest his soul), SRV, Beatles, Bad Company, Alice Cooper, Who , Buffet, Elvis, Johnny Rivers.......i.e a whole lotta of different guitar tones needed.....FUN!!!
Dude, you're reading my mind! I'm in a classic rock cover band, we do SRV, Beatles, Stones, Byrds, Wilson Pickett, BB, Eric, Temptations, Who, a surf medly (pipeline, walk don't run, wipe out), etc. So far my 38 w/reverb has them covered tone wise. I'm using a Strat and Tele along with TS-808 reissue for some grind and a tc electronics chorus for shome shimmer. I've only had the amp 5 weeks, and our first gig since getting the amp is this Saturday. I'll let you know how it holds up in a big room, in a gig situation.
>>"with a nice strat,can I get the maz 38 to do an SRV "Lenny tone" or a "Riviera Paradise" tone?"
Lenny was the FIRST song I played (on my 50th Anniversary AM Series Strat) when the amp was deliverd to my house (it was shipped from CA). Let's just say the tone was awesome. My wife was there when I played it and she noted how the chords just oozed warmth.
I don't think you can go wrong with a Sr. 38....
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Post by James on Jan 23, 2006 7:40:26 GMT -7
Dude, you're reading my mind! I'm in a classic rock cover band, we do SRV, Beatles, Stones, Byrds, Wilson Pickett, BB, Eric, Temptations, Who, a surf medly (pipeline, walk don't run, wipe out), etc....................
Its like we are in the same band......weird! We also do the surf medly. ( Not as good as Junior Brown's...., but gettin there!)
Let me/us know how the 38 fares next weekend......
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Post by James on Jan 23, 2006 7:42:23 GMT -7
Dude, you're reading my mind! I'm in a classic rock cover band, we do SRV, Beatles, Stones, Byrds, Wilson Pickett, BB, Eric, Temptations, Who, a surf medly (pipeline, walk don't run, wipe out), etc....................
Its like we are in the same band......weird! We also do the surf medly. ( Not as good as Junior Brown's...., but gettin there!)
Let me/us know how the 38 fares next weekend......
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Post by James on Jan 23, 2006 8:43:21 GMT -7
So I chickened out..couldn't decide what to order.....went to the store and played both sr and jr w verb in a 1x12 configuration....for about 2 hrs. ( thats all they had) First of all, I am partial to the 2x12 cabinet sound.....probably should have hauled my zbest in there......there was also a holy grail lying around and when I plugged that in to compare it with the internal reverb, I kinda like the HG better......which put me in a quandry as to reverb vs non reverb....jr,sr? Anyhow.......just wanted to be honest.......since I said I was gonna pull the trigger last weekend with an order............... leaning towards the NR senior head right now........thinking for live playing I don't really need the "verb" ...........just mostly for home and I can get that through a pedal.......
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Post by blackstrat on Jan 23, 2006 13:23:06 GMT -7
I recently bought a maz 38 NR (2-12's) and love it. I'm still trying to get a hold of the different sounds and settings because the bass/treble/cut etc doesn't act like it does on other amps. The amp is still noticably bright for me but I'm working on tempering that with my guitar tone knobs as well. However, with a Holy Grail I was able to get a beatiful creamy tone on Lenny at a gig last week, the heavier-than-usual (for me) reverb made all the difference in the world.
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Post by JASON (aka jgleaton) on Jan 23, 2006 15:00:17 GMT -7
Blackstrat, check out the early part (1st couple of pages or so) of the questions for BW thread thats now in the ask the experts section of this forum.....It talks and shows BW's setting on his MAZ 38 and others talk about this.... and alot of others of us use a similar setting....be a place to start for ya.... check out this thread for my comments about this setting... drzamplifiers.proboards41.com/index.cgi?board=Maz38&action=display&thread=1134627653+ since then I've found you don't you don't have to dime the MASTER either...you can roll it back to suit the size room or volume you want to be....works I PLUG INTO THE LOW INPUT.....this might really help with the headroom and the high's you're having problems with!!! also I changed speakers to the WEBER ceramic BLUE / SILVER combo and WOW!!! NOT HARSH... sweeeet.... might have to dig a little but these settings have been talked about alot in different threads on the Maz 38 thread......And you right on the money....these amps tone controls DO NOT REACT THE SAME WAY MOST AMPS WE'RE USED TO, REACT AT ALL....sometimes what you think looks wrong is actually right??? Highs might almost be off...or cut around 9:00 etc... Jason
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Post by billyguitar on Jan 23, 2006 16:13:53 GMT -7
The cut is really important to tame the highs. Don't be afraid to turn it way down and then slowly work it up 'til you get the shimmer you want. It seems the lower the master the more you have to use the cut also. There's been some talk about the Line 6 Verbzilla (I think that's the name). If you don't mind messing with a pedal thru the effects loop this may be the best value for a good reverb sound. I have trouble getting a reverb sound that I like from my Maz Sr w/reverb. The reverb is dark sounding and seems to have too much dwell. There've been some other posts about changing tanks and maybe tubes but I haven't gone there yet. I just set it so I can bareley hear it and leave it alone. I've definitely heard better reverbs. Sorry Doc (please don't take offense) but I think it could be developed some more. Fenders seem to be perfect. I think if I was ordering a new amp I'd leave off the reverb and go outboard with it.
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Post by blackstrat on Jan 24, 2006 7:36:04 GMT -7
Thanks for the heads up JGleaton and Billy - this is just what I'm looking for. I can't wait to get home and experiment some more! Even though I have an Airbrake, I'm still concerned about the volume and weight of this thing for gigging. I have a friend who is thinking of selling his Maz 18 - would that be a good compliment to my 38, or should I look at another Z? The only problem with the Z's are their unavailabilty in actually trying them out and comparing 'em.
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Post by James on Jan 28, 2006 19:08:57 GMT -7
Well I just took the Plunge............orderd a maz 38 head , blondie with a tan grill.............special thanks to everyone who helped me decide...I had many posts regarding this decision.......I kinda cannot believe I did it...........sort of in shock......
peace
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Post by JASON (aka jgleaton) on Jan 28, 2006 21:49:42 GMT -7
congrats 19jmm68...I love mine....did you decide to go with or without verb? I Like that Blond w/ tan...gonna look cool! Blackstrat, do you want something similar to the 38 or different? My 38 has reverb but i'm thinkin of getting an 18 NR... for practice/ grab n go smaller version of the 38...so if your looking for somthing like that, the Maz 18 would be a fit for you.... but if you want something really different sounding to compliment the 38; you've got some work ahead of ya cause there's alot of Z's that you could pair with it for a different sound...I like the RX with my Maz...just depends on what you're after. Jason
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Post by James on Jan 28, 2006 22:08:19 GMT -7
I finally decided to go without the verb................just love the tone of these amps straight up! I have a holy Grail if I really miss the verb............ Wonder how long she'll take? ? Probably a lot of "person" hrs as of late focused on building all those new stingrays! Hope not too long.
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Post by sparrowhawk (Bob) on Jan 29, 2006 10:54:37 GMT -7
19jmm - I used my new 38 for the first time on a gig last night. I'm still buzzin' over it. I have never played an amp that "felt" so good. I think you're gonna dig it!
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Post by James on Jan 29, 2006 14:36:30 GMT -7
Hey S'Hawk,
Was wondering how it went...so glad to hear yout tone had you all stoked!
I have only been waiting 24 hrs since I ordered the new maz 38........already dying...............
Running any special pedals with your amp?
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