|
Post by jcshirke on Sept 30, 2006 3:34:11 GMT -7
Hi, I just played a Maz 38 Senior for the first time yesterday and was pretty blown away by it. It was a 1 x 12 combo with a regular G12H30 speaker in it, not the Heritage model--at least I'm pretty sure. Things are still a bit hazy because my head is still spinning. Has anyone tried one with the Celestion Heritage G12H30 in it? I'm seriously thinking this will be my next amp, and now I'm pondering speaker options as well as different configurations--combo vs. cab basically. I really loved the 1 x 12 config. with the regular G12H30 in it. It gave me incredible dirty rhythm tones as well as fat, punchy leads (I put a BJF Honeybee in front of it...Wow!). I know I'd be very happy with that combo, but I can't help but wonder about other speakers/cabs. Option anxiety, I know. Thanks, Jeff
|
|
|
Post by guitarstan on Sept 30, 2006 5:55:47 GMT -7
Jeff,
Get ready for a fantastic journey into the world of tone'age. I think you will find some very good advice here from fellow forumites. I cannot directly address the G12H30 speaker as I have never played thru one but many others here have and I am sure will follow up and continue this thread. I use something very similar the Weber Alnico Silver Bell, it's a little more expensive but allegedly has very similar tonal characteristics as the G12H30 and then some. Dave at AvatarSpeakers.com can give you a description of the differences between the two celestions. He will respond to your emails and is a great guy. Also Scott at South Valley Vintage Amps is knowledgeable and extensional with information.
Hope that helps and welcome to this great forum.
|
|
|
Post by guitarstan on Sept 30, 2006 6:02:59 GMT -7
Jeff...you might also want to review the "Speakers and Cabs" thread on this forum and search for the G12H30. I bet there is already some discussion of the Heritage model. Also the "Sounds" thread may have some demo clips with different amp head/speaker combinations. That is how I landed on Weber's and Tone Tubby's.
|
|
|
Post by jcshirke on Sept 30, 2006 15:11:25 GMT -7
I heard from Dr. Z himself today about the G12H speaker. Basically he said the Heritage version was too bright for the Maz. So if I get the 1 x 12 combo, I'll stick with the regular G12H30. It sounded killer, so I know I'd be very happy with it.
I spoke to another dealer today, though, and they recommended a 2 x 12 instead of the 1 x 12. Basically they said the 2 x 12 offered a wider sound, and the V30 + G12H30 was a very nice combination.
Any opinons one way or the other? I will also read the Speakes/Cabs thread for more info.
Thanks,
Jeff
p.s. I own a Tone King Meteor II and a Germino Lead 55, and I am looking for an amp that sits nicely in between these two on the tonal spectrum. I think the MAZ 38 is a perfect fit.
|
|
|
Post by paulgiz2 on Sept 30, 2006 19:56:05 GMT -7
Well, the MAZ 38 Sr is a very bright amp, so I would trust the good Doctor on this one.
I have a 2x12 combo with the V30+G12H30, and yes, it sounds HUGE, and the speaker combo works well giving very firm controlled bass (and lots of it) while giving very transparent, shimmery highs, without getting harsh. It can fill the largest room, mic's up well and even sounds good at reasonable volumes.
The problem with the 2x12 combo (at least for an old coot like me) is the weight. I love the amp for gigging, but it weighs at least 75lbs and is a big package. That tends to get real tired, real fast. In the road case it's all I can do to hoist it into my wagon or onto a stage.
All that weight comes from big transformers, solid chassis and the battleship constructed birch cab, so it has to be a heavyweight.
If I had it to do over again I would either get a head and 2x12 cab to split the weight, or even better a 1x12 combo and a 1x12 extension for those times I need (well more like want) a bigger sound. 1x12 combo for 3- or 4-piece outfit in a club, add the extension for bigger/louder venues and/or bigger band (horns add tons of stage volume).
P.
|
|
|
Post by jcshirke on Sept 30, 2006 20:56:23 GMT -7
I have a 2x12 combo with the V30+G12H30, and yes, it sounds HUGE, and the speaker combo works well giving very firm controlled bass (and lots of it) while giving very transparent, shimmery highs, without getting harsh. It can fill the largest room, mic's up well and even sounds good at reasonable volumes. The problem with the 2x12 combo (at least for an old coot like me) is the weight. I love the amp for gigging, but it weighs at least 75lbs and is a big package. If I had it to do over again I would either get a head and 2x12 cab to split the weight, P. P, Thanks. Yeah, I was concerned about the weight also. I may go with the head/cab. But then the question is *which* cab? Z Best? An Alnico + a ceramic speaker? Or v30 + G12H30? Decisions, decisions...but I do have time. Thanks a lot for the input. Jeff
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Oct 1, 2006 2:00:09 GMT -7
The Z-best cab sounds fantastic with the Maz38Sr, but if I may recommend one thing, I have a 2x12 combo with Weber 50 watt Alnico Bluedog/Silverbell speakers in there and it flat out rocks. If you do the head/cab route, maybe grab a Z 2x12 open back cab with the webers. I think they sound better in an open back cab. Talk to or email the Doc about the Webers, he recommended the Alnicos versions to me. I tried a stock Maz38Sr 2x12 combo and it was amazing which is what caused me to buy the Maz38Sr Non-reverb version. I personally prefer my setup but you can't go wrong with either one. The Webers are a perfect mix of solid bottom end and beautiful sparkly highs that are round and fat but can be aggressive if you want them too.
|
|
|
Post by guitarstan on Oct 1, 2006 6:32:15 GMT -7
I'm with aruntang...for a larger venue I use a 2 x 12 THD 1/4 open back with weber blue dog and silver bell alnico's. For smaller less demanding venues and for rehearsals I use a single 12 cab with Tone Tubby or weber. I have 6 single 12 cabs will all different speakers that I can mix and match but the webers and TT's are usually first pick. I don't know if I could live with just one 2 x 12 cab, just like I could not live with just one guitar, it's hard enough liven with just one women but somethings we don't have a choice.
|
|
|
Post by JASON (aka jgleaton) on Oct 1, 2006 13:28:20 GMT -7
The Z-best cab sounds fantastic with the Maz38Sr, but if I may recommend one thing, I have a 2x12 combo with Weber 50 watt Alnico Bluedog/Silverbell speakers in there and it flat out rocks. If you do the head/cab route, maybe grab a Z 2x12 open back cab with the webers. I think they sound better in an open back cab. Talk to or email the Doc about the Webers, he recommended the Alnicos versions to me. I tried a stock Maz38Sr 2x12 combo and it was amazing which is what caused me to buy the Maz38Sr Non-reverb version. I personally prefer my setup but you can't go wrong with either one. The Webers are a perfect mix of solid bottom end and beautiful sparkly highs that are round and fat but can be aggressive if you want them too. DITTO!!! MAZ 38 head w/ a 2x12 open back Z cab... great cab and not too heavy... splits the weight. my THD 2x12 cab with alnico webers is also a very nice cab with the Maz SR... Z-best closed back sounds great with the MAZ SR too.. is a little heavy and can be a little akward to carry but what a cab.... the 50 watt alnico weber blue/ silver in the Z open back cab is a wonderful experience with the MAZ SR... it CAN BE a very bright amp as mentioned, so the Alnico's soften that while still sounding sweet... BUT I also really like the G12H30 with BOTH the MAZ SR and JR... played an open back Z 2x12 cab with 2 G12H30's and that was very nice to with the MAZ amps... for a little less volume and a little earlier break-up the Alnico 30 watt weber bluedog is a great speaker with the MAZ SR or any DR Z... 2 of those in a z-cab is nice and not quite as loud/ much clean headroom as the 50 watt blue silver... although I love the 30 watt blue dog maybe the most... the all around best speaker combination so far for Different wattage ( higher or lower) Z amps TO ME ( YMMV) is the Alnico 50 watt weber Blue silver combo... I'm even thinking about getting another open back Z-cab with that very speaker combo in it for my RX ES/ MAZ SR..so I can run it with my Stingray ( with the same open back Z-cab but with 2x 30 watt weber alnico bluedogs... which BTW sounds wonderful with the MAZ SR too) ;D Jason
|
|
|
Post by jcshirke on Oct 2, 2006 10:59:57 GMT -7
Thanks to everyone for the extremely helpful replies. I've been talking to the Dr Z sales guys, too, and they said that a Celestion Blue + the G12H30 would be a great combination. So, I guess I am still a little confused. Even though the Celestion Blue is 15 w, when it's paired with the G12H30, doesn't that give me 45 w of speaker-age? So I shouldn't run into any problems, right? Z only sells Celestions, so unless I wanted to put in Webers (etc.) myself, I would need to choose Celestion models straight from the shop. Another option is the Celestion Gold + G12H30, which I have also inquired about. Again, thanks... Jeff
|
|
|
Post by (8^D) on Oct 6, 2006 10:28:20 GMT -7
212 combo weight isn't an issue unless you're flying the amp...then the head/cab makes a lot of sense. 212 Maz Sr weighs less than several other brand 212's I've owned in the past.
Speakers, the G12H/V30 combo is killer - full, balanced w/a touch of mid, and rocking - lots of crunch, great for rock/blues! The Weber Silver/Blue Alnico combo is amazing - compresses nicely, balanced, chimey - great full range with softer edge low/high end, great for everything I've played thru it (jazz, rock, country, blues, pop, etc). The G12H/Blue combo is nice too.
The G12H is a nice, flat speaker - by that I mean full-range w/out any noticable freq humps...sometimes they tend to develop a little harshness in the top end. The Blue is a bit darker, compresses more w/a softer all around character. The V30 has a noticable mid hump w/tight bass & highs. In general, ceramic speakers are punchier with tighter bass and brighter highs, and have more headroom - great for getting the most volume out of an amp in a live situation; Alnico speakers are more compressed w/softer bass and highs...top end has more 'chime' rather than bite.
|
|
|
Post by hdahs143 on Oct 7, 2006 6:05:36 GMT -7
Thanks to everyone for the extremely helpful replies. I've been talking to the Dr Z sales guys, too, and they said that a Celestion Blue + the G12H30 would be a great combination. So, I guess I am still a little confused. Even though the Celestion Blue is 15 w, when it's paired with the G12H30, doesn't that give me 45 w of speaker-age? So I shouldn't run into any problems, right? Z only sells Celestions, so unless I wanted to put in Webers (etc.) myself, I would need to choose Celestion models straight from the shop. Another option is the Celestion Gold + G12H30, which I have also inquired about. Again, thanks... Jeff Actually the Blue/G12H30 cab would give you a power handling capacity of 30watts. In a 2x12 cab the rating is twice the weakest speaker. I had this combo for a while, but exchanged the Blue for a Weber 30watt Alnico Blue Dog. It's a great pairing of speakers. The Celestion Blue was a bit too glassy/edgy for me. The Weber does the Blue "thing" well, but is stronger and smoother. If I'm not mistaken, the Doc can and does deal with Weber speakers. Call him up. Good Luck! Harold
|
|