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Post by remocity on Sept 19, 2007 15:05:02 GMT -7
Hey all, Recently acquired a brand spanking new Maz 38NR head. I'm looking for a little more clean headroom and was wondering what or how much effect the changing to a lower # on the power tubes would have. The amp currently has Groove Tubes #6 that it came with. Should I expect a big difference with #5's? What #'d tubes am I allowed to install in the amp? Just 5 & 6's? I am aware that I could change the V1 preamp tube to a 5751. I get close to where I need to be with my Suhr Classic TS with single coils and a hum in the bridge, and I'm way off with my humbucking models. I have tried to lower my eq settings and still need more clean headroom. Any input would be of great help. Thanks
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Post by remocity on Sept 19, 2007 15:19:17 GMT -7
PS. I do have the master volume pegged as well.
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Post by tonepolice on Sept 19, 2007 18:19:37 GMT -7
Have you tried the low gain input?That along with a 5751 will get you more headroom
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Post by remocity on Sept 19, 2007 18:48:24 GMT -7
Thanks for your response. Yes, I have tried the low gain and it is helpful. I guess I'll pick up some 5751's. Does anyone see a noticable difference between a #5 & a #6 GTel84?
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Post by Jim @94 Amps on Sept 19, 2007 19:13:05 GMT -7
A #5 is going to break up sooner than a #6, but I doubt that it is very noticeable.
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Post by remocity on Sept 19, 2007 19:31:33 GMT -7
Can you put a #7 or 8 in the maz? If so, is biasing advised or even possible if it's fixed bias?
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Post by stratosphere on Sept 19, 2007 22:02:25 GMT -7
A 7 or 8 will give you more clean and less distortion but just a little more. Whichever hardness number you use the amp is cathode biased and requires no bias adjustment. Try a matched quartet from from GT. the EL-84S is easy to find and widely recommended. The first 300 hours are absolutely tone heaven.
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Post by remocity on Sept 20, 2007 8:28:30 GMT -7
Thanks so much for your help! Much appreciated.
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Post by (8^D) on Sept 20, 2007 9:34:57 GMT -7
I'd stick with the same power tubes and change out the pre's as mentioned above - 5751 rather than 12AX7. That'll get you there.
Changing out the speaker to a more efficient model will help too...Ted Weber (Ask Ted Weber in the Experts section) can give you some great ideas/options.
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Post by remocity on Sept 20, 2007 17:25:01 GMT -7
Thank you ..............I think that's the way I'll go. Already have been experimenting with a g12h30/tone tubby ceramic combination which gave me more headroom than the previous G1265/greenback combo. Ted's speakers will be my next stop after I acquire some 5751's
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Post by remocity on Oct 7, 2007 17:53:29 GMT -7
OK.....not too much luck with increased clean headroom after changing rectifier tube, v1 pre-amp tubes and various speaker combinations in a 2x12.
Any suggestions for a similar sounding Z with more clean headroom? Thank you..........
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Post by Buzz Fretwear (Ignatius) on Oct 7, 2007 19:34:13 GMT -7
OK.....not too much luck with increased clean headroom after changing rectifier tube, v1 pre-amp tubes and various speaker combinations in a 2x12. Any suggestions for a similar sounding Z with more clean headroom? Thank you.......... An Eminence Tonker maybe?
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Post by Stylemaster on Oct 7, 2007 20:09:39 GMT -7
OK.....not too much luck with increased clean headroom after changing rectifier tube, v1 pre-amp tubes and various speaker combinations in a 2x12. Any suggestions for a similar sounding Z with more clean headroom? Thank you.......... What rectifier did you put in there? I also agree with going with a more efficient speaker. The Wizard is probably the loudest speaker Eminence makes with a sensitivity rating of 103 and it is based on the G12H30.
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Post by Stylemaster on Oct 7, 2007 20:11:05 GMT -7
...or you could just get a Twin Reverb
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Post by remocity on Oct 8, 2007 5:47:30 GMT -7
I bought an expensive NOS Valvo from KCA $120.00
I'm using speakers rated at 100db........Celestion gold & G12H30.
The twin reverb has never been a favorite for me with too much clean headroom. I was hoping to have that El84 sound with just a little more clean headroom. I may check into the Wizard and the Tonker. Thanks
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Post by (8^D) on Oct 8, 2007 6:24:36 GMT -7
One more suggestion list, try rolling the Master volume back to 12-2:00...should have about the same volume but the powertube clip will go away...should be about the point where the power tubes just start compressing/clipping.
Also, keep the Volume between 12-1:00. Have noticed the Pre-section (with a stock tube compliment) will start clipping after that point.
Might try settings like: B=10:00, M=11-1:00 (11 more Fender midrange, 1 more Marshall midrange), T=11-1:00, Cut = 9-10:00, Master 12:00, Volume 1:00.
Roll the volume on the guitar back a couple numbers like 7-8, and set the tone around 6-7.
If none of the above get you what you're after you might consider the RXES - has tons of clean headroom and the EL84 tone - very clean/percussive. Might also throw the Stangray in there as well.
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Post by remocity on Oct 8, 2007 8:16:59 GMT -7
Thanks for your input Dan.....'I'll definately try those settings.
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Post by Stylemaster on Oct 8, 2007 8:35:20 GMT -7
I bought an expensive NOS Valvo from KCA $120.00 I'm using speakers rated at 100db........Celestion gold & G12H30. The twin reverb has never been a favorite for me with too much clean headroom. I was hoping to have that El84 sound with just a little more clean headroom. I may check into the Wizard and the Tonker. Thanks That rectifier is supposed to be close to a Mullard so that's good. From what I know the Celestion Gold (and most alnico speakers) break up on the early side. I have a G12H30 and that breaks up later but still a little too soon for what you want. From what I read The Tonker & Wizard are so efficient that the MAZ doesn't break up soon enough for a lot of people. I would try one of those next.
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Post by remocity on Oct 8, 2007 9:23:10 GMT -7
I'll try that....thanks again.
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Post by guitarboy02451 on Oct 8, 2007 11:02:59 GMT -7
Here is another old trick that I forgot to mention. Plug into the Lo input, turn the master up all the way and use the Volume as the master.
2nd question that I don't think anyone has asked yet and that is what kind of guitar do you play? Double PUPS or single coil? Also, if you get the cleanest sound you like using the method I just mentioned, try adding a Xotic RC booster to that and see if that gets you close to what you're looking for.
You might also want to try the 5751 in the PI (V3) position, in addition to the V1. Keep the JJ in V2.
Let us know if this works for you...
pg
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Post by remocity on Oct 8, 2007 13:36:00 GMT -7
I'm using a Suhr Classic TS which is a Tele shaped guitar w/Strat electronics (SSH) and a 9.2k hum in the bridge. I have tried diming the master with the guitar plugged into the low input. I have not tried a clean boost in front after doing that though. Thought maybe it would be the same as plugging into the Hi input? I am going to try the 5751 in the V3 position. Felt like I lost a lot of feel with the 5751 in the V1 position. I will try these thing mentioned and report back. Thanks for all the help.
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Post by Jim @94 Amps on Dec 3, 2007 21:20:40 GMT -7
I probably wouldn't use less than a #5 or higher than a #7 otherwise your bias might be pretty outta whack. The amps are set up for the current specs of a #6.
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Post by billyguitar on Dec 4, 2007 12:23:57 GMT -7
I would try something with less gain than a 5751, perhaps a 12AY7 in V1 and a 5751 as the PI. Turn the master all the way up. Use the low input. Turn the volume up until it starts to break up. Turn your guitar down until it's as clean as you want. Electronically, that's all the clean you're going to get. The only way after that is with more efficient speakers.
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Post by fishman on Dec 4, 2007 16:46:08 GMT -7
I have a Tonker in mine and there is all the clean I could use... however with the MV I can get the break up as well...give it a try....just might do the trick...
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Post by wilhelm on Dec 10, 2007 6:34:07 GMT -7
I have a MazJrNR and had the same problem as I usually start with a clean sound and use pedals for crunch and solos. My amp came with 3 EH 12AX7´s in the preamp section. I changed the rectifier for a NOS, left the GT power tubes and put a NOS 5751 in V1 and two Brimar´s in V2 and V3 (I don´t know the description of these Brimar´s as my amp is in the practice room but if you want I will take a look which tubes these are). For the first months I used the high input changed after a while to the low input. Usually the master is wide open and I use the volume for dialing in the loudness I need. I have enough clean headroom this way. The amp breaks up very late (volume at 2 or 3 o´clock). Further I use a RC Booster. With this pedal I could increase the clean headroom level but I don´t need that. I play my head thru a 1-12 mojo tweed cab with a 12 TT alnico and I never could play my clean sound as loud as the amp is able to do it. Hope this helps.
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