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Post by noitpure on Jul 23, 2007 5:48:38 GMT -7
I've been reading these forums for well over a year, and I think I'm finally ready to purchase a Z. I've gone back and forth over the specs of just about all the amps Dr. Z offers and I think I've narrowed down the Maz SR as my target. I live 3 1/2 hours from a Z dearerhip and do intend on trying before I buy, but I'm curious from other Z owners about their real life experiences with the amps. I've tried stuff out in stores to realize sometimes they sound much different at home and with the band. So here goes...
I play in a band that is 70% covers. Mostly classic rock with a blues number or two thrown in. My singer is a huge Zep fan for reference. For my personal playing, I play my own music which is more laid back and clean sounding.
My original idea was to get the Maz Jr since I spend the majority of my playing time on my material. However, for band purposes I question whether the amp can keep up with my heavy handed drummer and my bass player who runs his 400 watt amp about mid-way most of the time. I know from experience my 15 watt amps can't keep up. That's why I was thinking Maz SR.
So I guess I'm asking is can the Maz SR pull off classic rock like Led Zeppelin with the help of pedals, but sound decent enough at lower volumes to be useful for my personal cleaner playing?
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Post by (8^D) on Jul 23, 2007 7:36:59 GMT -7
So I guess I'm asking is can the Maz SR pull off classic rock like Led Zeppelin with the help of pedals, but sound decent enough at lower volumes to be useful for my personal cleaner playing? Definitely. The Master Volume control is great for quieter playing. And, if that's not working for you, there's always the Z Airbrake or Weber Mass attenuators. The SR (like nearly all Z amps) takes drive/boost pedals very well. You'll be able to have a great clean tone bed and use stomps for a variety of drive flavors. Same goes for various guitar types/styles and pickups. The SR is definitely the first-call workhorse of the Z line - style chameleon and consistent tone monster.
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Post by JASON (aka jgleaton) on Jul 23, 2007 7:51:49 GMT -7
So I guess I'm asking is can the Maz SR pull off classic rock like Led Zeppelin with the help of pedals, but sound decent enough at lower volumes to be useful for my personal cleaner playing? Definitely. The Master Volume control is great for quieter playing. And, if that's not working for you, there's always the Z Airbrake or Weber Mass attenuators. The SR (like nearly all Z amps) takes drive/boost pedals very well. You'll be able to have a great clean tone bed and use stomps for a variety of drive flavors. Same goes for various guitar types/styles and pickups. The SR is definitely the first-call workhorse of the Z line - style chameleon and consistent tone monster. Ditto... what Dan said. It'll do it for sure. Play one if you can, but keep in mind I've found that Dr. Z's actually sound even BETTER when you get em with a band than demo-ing them in the store... I guess because they cut through so well in live playing situations. And I think your right to go with the Sr over the Jr if you've got a heavy hitting drummer/ loud Bass... Maz Sr would be My one go to amp.
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Post by noitpure on Jul 23, 2007 8:56:04 GMT -7
Thanks for the comments. I think I'm pretty much sold on the SR. I've been selling off a few pieces of gear the last couple of weeks. Once I sell my 5150 Combo, I'll be ready to order!!! Really looking forward to finally owning a Z! Thanks!
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Post by dock66 on Jul 23, 2007 10:14:31 GMT -7
You're going to love Maz Sr. Head and cab is the way to go IMO.
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Post by billyguitar on Jul 23, 2007 12:04:47 GMT -7
If you need it loud you should consider a Z Best 2x12 with it. (take care of your ears around those guys)
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Post by noitpure on Jul 23, 2007 14:58:51 GMT -7
If you need it loud you should consider a Z Best 2x12 with it. (take care of your ears around those guys) Thanks for the advice. Yeah, I had some trouble with ringing in my ears for days sometimes after practice. I ended up getting some pretty good earplugs and finally had a 'let's turn it down' lecture. Honestly there was one day I looked over at my bass players amp and it was set at 3:00 on volume. This is a 400 watt SWR head and it was practice!!! Anyway, I ended up getting a nice bonus from my boss today after I'd started this thread, so I sent out an email inquiring about ordering a Maz SR head, Red. No word back yet, but this bonus is making the amp much more of a reality.
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Post by (8^D) on Jul 23, 2007 17:24:07 GMT -7
Anyway, I ended up getting a nice bonus from my boss today after I'd started this thread, so I sent out an email inquiring about ordering a Maz SR head, Red. No word back yet, but this bonus is making the amp much more of a reality. That's cool! Hope it becomes a reality for you - great amps. Lots of tone and quality for the dollar.
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Post by stratosphere on Jul 23, 2007 22:35:43 GMT -7
The only thing I'd do differently with my MAZ SR is that I would have got the head rather than the combo for versatility, as you are. The thing about the MAZ is that it "cuts" through with a band. Not all amps can do this! Usually you find this out the hard way and by then it's too late. I can assure you that the MAZ SR passes this test.
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Post by noitpure on Jul 24, 2007 2:16:55 GMT -7
Thanks for all the responses. Sounds like the Maz 38 is exactly what I'm looking for. I haven't received a reply to my email about ordering one yet. I'll just call today sometime and get the ball rolling.
Thanks!
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Post by terlinguart on Jul 24, 2007 6:34:46 GMT -7
Hey Man, tell your boss I'm need'n an amp too.
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Post by fishman on Jul 25, 2007 17:53:36 GMT -7
MAZ 38+Tonker=LOUD thats when the MV comes into its own, and the low input...lol I have had a few Z's all good, MAZ is killer....it can just about do anything and then suprise you with a sound that you have never heard...its allmost uncanny I still stumble onto sounds by accident then I find myself saying...Hey thats the sound from........... Great amp -if I could only have one, I believe the 38 would be it....although....I really love my Z-28 too!....I am a 1-12 guy but I am thinking of asking Doc if he would sell me a empty head cab to switch to when I feel the need for a 2-12 or 4-12 or 2-10 or whatever..... Rest assured, you will not be dissappointed with this amp...however it does take some getting used to....give yourself time to get accustomed to the nuances of the amp....I still sometimes find myself saying "that eq config can;t sound the way it sounds but it does..." Enjoy....
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Post by bilbal on Jul 25, 2007 21:55:19 GMT -7
If you are looking for one of the best amps possibly ever built, then yes, the Sr is for you. ;D
bilbal
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Post by paulgiz2 on Jul 26, 2007 11:31:57 GMT -7
I've been gigging since the late sixties, playing a lot of the stuff you're playing now, but it was new then.
I've owned just about every major (and minor) amp there is. I still own 6 of them.
The MAZ 38 is by far the most versatile amp I've ever owned. It sounds great at lower volumes, and can fill the biggest stage and punish the most unruly rhythm section.
The amp is always spanky and "present"--it cuts through the densest mix like a machete.
The master volume is usable, especially when balanced with the Cut control. Sustain is effortless, and even the distortion sounds clear and defined.
You can't do better for your purposes.
P.
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Post by sparrowhawk (Bob) on Aug 13, 2007 13:27:22 GMT -7
You're gonna love it. I'm in a classic rock / blues / R&B / Motown cover band and the 38 is great for everything we play. Moves effortlessly from the Temptations My Girl to Stones' Tumbling Dice to Zep's I Should Have Quit You to The Rascals' Groovin' to SRV's Texas Flood to Clapton's Wonderful Tonight with nothing more than changes in pick attack, pickup selector, tone and volume knobs. (OK, once in a while I change guitars, too...) Use the OD pedal of your choice if you need more crunch. Easily cuts over the bass player's 400 watt rig.
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Post by jwr on Aug 13, 2007 15:20:38 GMT -7
All replies here are spot on. Once you get it you'll never look back. Other amps may come and go in your collection, but the Maz Sr will be a permanent resident.
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