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Post by celestion101 on Jan 3, 2007 18:42:06 GMT -7
Hi Guys, I can rap about speakers until the cows come home, and I can get around an amp, but I'm no tech so your help is needed. I previously owned a Maz Sr. head (w/ verb) that was loud and clean with the volume at 9:00...I'm talking near gig volumes. I now have a Maz Sr. 2x12 NR that is not wanting to get very loud at all. I'm on my way to a gig and went to test the Z, and there is no way it will make it over the drums, so I know something is wrong. The quality is decent, but the volume is gone. I've swapped about a few tubes including the rectifier, but nothing yet. Perhaps time for a whole new set? Usually my tubes have always gone completely funky when it's replacement time. This is more like I'm running an Airbrake. Any thoughts? I'm bummed because I wanted to use the Z tonight!
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Post by billyguitar on Jan 3, 2007 19:16:31 GMT -7
I'd say it's probably the output tubes, if you've already ruled out a bad cord or pedal.
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Post by (8^D) on Jan 4, 2007 9:13:37 GMT -7
2nd Billyguitar. But, take a look at the rectifier tube as well...had an amp recently get really weak/quiet and a failing Rectifier was the culprit.
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Post by celestion101 on Jan 4, 2007 10:05:04 GMT -7
2nd Billyguitar. But, take a look at the rectifier tube as well...had an amp recently get really weak/quiet and a failing Rectifier was the culprit. I did change the rect tube already, but no go. I'll round up some power tubes this afternoon and give it a whirl. Thanks guys!
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Post by JChance on Jan 4, 2007 12:00:19 GMT -7
This is exactly what my MAZ amps do when it's time to change the power tubes. Start losing their punch, and it's more noticeable ina live situation. You'll play a certain room you've done a million times with the same settings, but for whatever reason you just don't quite have the headroom you've always had. And a nother factor is this- MAZ 38's in a head/cab format tend to be louder than the combos as a general rule. And I'm mainly talking about "bigger" cabs like the Z-Best, etc. I a/b'd my 2 12" combo with another MAZ 38 head & cab (with a single Weber California 15), and the head/cab was noticeably louder. I also used BW's 38/Z-Best on a show and was amazed at how much power it had in comparison to my combos.
Good luck!
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Post by Buzz Fretwear (Ignatius) on Jan 4, 2007 12:05:34 GMT -7
This is exactly what my MAZ amps do when it's time to change the power tubes. Start losing their punch, and it's more noticeable ina live situation. You'll play a certain room you've done a million times with the same settings, but for whatever reason you just don't quite have the headroom you've always had. I've experienced this exact thing on two occasions as well, and in both cases a fresh set of power tubes rectified (no pun intended) the situation. It also made me more aware that these Z el84 amps require tube changes more frequently than you might be accustomed to with other amps/designs. There are some threads on this board that discuss that topic further, including some input from Myles as I recall.
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Post by JChance on Jan 4, 2007 12:09:12 GMT -7
This is exactly what my MAZ amps do when it's time to change the power tubes. Start losing their punch, and it's more noticeable ina live situation. You'll play a certain room you've done a million times with the same settings, but for whatever reason you just don't quite have the headroom you've always had. I've experienced this exact thing on two occasions as well, and in both cases a fresh set of power tubes rectified (no pun intended) the situation. It also made me more aware that these Z el84 amps require tube changes more frequently than you might be accustomed to with other amps/designs. There are some threads on this board that discuss that topic further, including some input from Myles as I recall. Yep... Unfortunately, that's the drawback of the MAZ design. As a full-time player, I have to change my power tubes about twice a year in both my MAZ 18 and MAZ 38. And every time I do, the fresh tubes make me go "Ahhhhhhh!!!" the first time I plug in.
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Post by celestion101 on Jan 4, 2007 19:19:26 GMT -7
Hi Guys, It turned out to be a broken tube socket. It's been replaced now and we're back in the game! Thanks for the suggestions.
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Post by drew on Jan 8, 2007 10:35:37 GMT -7
I previously owned a Maz Sr. head (w/ verb) that was loud and clean with the volume at 9:00...I'm talking near gig volumes. Hey Rick, Your red maz sr is working wonderfully. I noticed that V1 and V2 are 5751's (they look like NOS GE tubes but I'm not sure). The Maz Sr page list 12AX7 in V1 and V2. Since the 12AX7s have more gain than the 5751s there is a noticeable difference. I tried GT12AX7Ms in V1 and V2 but like the way the 5751s emphasized the fender'ish qualities YMMV.
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