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Post by Phil (aka Phil) on Aug 11, 2009 15:23:53 GMT -7
Well, where do I start? Physically, it's even bigger than the EZG-50! I didn't talk to Doc about that but I think it was to get more separation from the reverb tank for noise isolation. You can't really tell from the photo but the front panel is not covered in rough tolex like the EZG; it's a more satiny tolex that gives the amp a sophisticated appearance. Sophisticated. That's a word I'll come back to.... Here's another word: surprised. That's something I'm getting used to with the Doc and his amps even after all these years. In this case, my surprise came from the ultra smooth sounds this amp produces. Between the cool front panel, the totally killer font used for the writing (which reminds me of a 1930's or '40s jazz club marquee....I can't overstate how much I love this), the purple jewel light and the smooth sounds, I was quickly thinking I should be wearing a tux when playing It's a very classy amp. So what does the marriage of a MAZ front end and Remedy back end sound like? Sophisticated. I heard it at Z-Fest but playing it with my own rig is another thing entirely. I don't think there's a harsh sound in that amp. It's awesome on single coil bridge pickups; it sounds like you've got a blender pot in your guitar with some neck rolled in. The neck pickup sounds really **fat**. I'm on record as saying that the MAZ 38 sounds "sophisticated" while the JR sounds like a "snotty little brat". The JAZ is more sophisticated sounding with more lower mids in either the 20W or 40W setting. The attack has some of the Remedy feel but because of the reverb circuitry and the way the JAZ is tuned it's not quite as immediate or percussive. It's different from any previous Z amp. It's kind of like a Remedy, with a very slight bit of MAZ on top with a huge lower midrange. Anyone who feared that it might be too "hard" because of the SS rectifier will rejoice. The feel is perfect; just the right amount of initial compression and a nice smooth sustain while staying tight and incredibly balanced across the frequency spectrum. It kind of has the feel of a *huge* Carmen Ghia. And then there's the reverb....oh, boy. I'm a big reverb fan (although I love the feel of the NR amps) and this is one unbelievable, sophisticated reverb. It's totally different than the Fender "spring" type; it's sort of like the MAZ reverb, but it's quieter, fuller, deeper, more lush, more refined, and well, sophisticated. It sounds like the best analog version of the best pro digital reverb you've ever heard. That statement on the Z web page about the reverb being "dialed in to produce a very lush verb. You’ll find it has great depth compared with other single knob reverbs."- that ain't no lie folks. The trem is killer as well; very deep and no annoying ticking or throbbing when you're not playing. Also the JAZ is positively dead quiet. I think it's the quietest amp I've ever heard. You don't know it's on unless you look at the pilot light or play a note. It doesn't have the EZG-50's ultra low end but it doesn't have the slightly scooped mids and characteristic treble of a blackface Fender. Instead it's got the Remedy-like slightly leaner but ultra tight low end and that huge fat mid/lower mid thing. The overdrive is totally unique too- it's kind of like the MAZ 38, but because of the 6V6's it has this huge, fat, refined feel with a huge low midrange- not like the MAZ's EL84's upper-mid type breakup. It kind of reminds me of the Remedy but the MAZ preamp gives it a more Fendery character. Actually, the JAZ does kind of remind me of what would happen if you took my favorite blackface Fender (Twin Reverb), added the most lush non-spring sounding reverb ever, power tube trem, and then gave it the ability to overdrive like a super fat Deluxe Reverb at a manageable volume but retaining the thick four power tube tone, with Dr. Z's touches like the tight low end, great attack, and ultra smooth highs. That pretty much sums it up.
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Post by guitarstan on Aug 11, 2009 15:46:38 GMT -7
DAYUM Phil....your review was totally scrumptious ;D.
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Post by aaronblues on Aug 11, 2009 16:38:09 GMT -7
i can't wait for a video demo on this one.....Almost ordered one without hearing it or even reading a review (until now that is, thanks!!).
I think this is my first post here....Own a Maz18R, owned a Ghia, Mini head, have played Maz38, Rt66, Stangray. Can't keep with this company...I don't even want to try other amps, just Z's at this point. But every time i settle on my next one to pair with my Maz18, another one pops on the radar. Settled on Rt66, then the Remedy, now Jaz.....
cheers, great review....
aaron
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Post by bluzman on Aug 11, 2009 16:44:09 GMT -7
Great review... Hopefully I'll be able to play one this week also.
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Post by Jaguarguy (Mike) on Aug 11, 2009 17:08:07 GMT -7
Tell us how you really feel about the JAZ Phil! ;D
Another one to add to my "bucket list" of amps.
BTW - what number did you end up with??
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Post by Phil (aka Phil) on Aug 11, 2009 17:28:30 GMT -7
Tell us how you really feel about the JAZ Phil! ;D Another one to add to my "bucket list" of amps. BTW - what number did you end up with?? Number 11
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Post by benttop (Steve) on Aug 11, 2009 17:52:56 GMT -7
OK, knock that off right now Phil! Dang, you are just TRYING to sell me one of those. Ain't you heard I'm going to be out of work shortly? Dang!
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Post by Joey Beverages on Aug 11, 2009 18:21:19 GMT -7
Phil, Great review. As always, you've answered a bunch of questions before I've asked 'em - awesome. Thank you kindly ;D And, I'm guessing/hoping you'll be doing a few more follow-up posts as you get more play-time? Please? cheers always, eh Joel
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Post by Eddie on Aug 11, 2009 20:15:58 GMT -7
Phil,
Can't you give us any more details? :-)
Nice review! Eddie
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Post by dock66 on Aug 12, 2009 8:32:43 GMT -7
Great review as always Phil. What's your favorite cab with JAZ so far? GAS is getting worst for me.
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Post by Tom the Guitar Guy on Aug 12, 2009 8:40:07 GMT -7
Hey Phil,
Great review. How would you compare it to a Z28? Would it "take it's place" or are there differences that would compel someone to keep the Z28 as well?
thanks!
Tom
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Post by Phil (aka Phil) on Aug 12, 2009 8:48:43 GMT -7
dock- only tried it with the Z-Best so far. I use that cab 99% of the time.
Tom- Z28 and JAZ? TOTALLY different amps. You'd never guess they both shared 6V6's- although a lot of the JAZ sound is the JJ 6V6 with it's 6L6 leaning tendencies. The Z28 has a much brighter emphasis, and a leaner (but still fat) overall sound without the huge low mids of the JAZ, but has the kind of stacked harmonics and clarity that only an EF86 input, non reverb equipped amp can deliver. The Z28 has a more Marshally crunchy overdrive. I've equipped my Z28 with the JJ's and it's still not as fat and smooth as the JAZ...although not many amps are.
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Post by Tom the Guitar Guy on Aug 12, 2009 13:25:05 GMT -7
Cool, thanks Phil. I know with the Remedy's 6V6, the target was that Marshally Vibe, and it looked liked the JAZ was going more Fender. The Z28 is like a Deluxe on Steroids, but wasn't sure of the tonal overlap. Guess I won't be gettin rid of the Z28 to fund the GAS.
Thanks!
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Post by heynewguy (Ol’ Bill) on Aug 12, 2009 13:33:13 GMT -7
Thanks for the review Phil.
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Post by dock66 on Aug 12, 2009 13:42:08 GMT -7
Thanks Phil. I can't hardly wait.
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Post by JasonM on Aug 12, 2009 14:57:13 GMT -7
Great review! I have a blonde head coming next week probably, can't wait and this review makes the waiting worse.
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Post by astronome on Aug 12, 2009 20:00:38 GMT -7
hmmm ive been wanting to pick up a stangray for a long while now and this JAZ is starting to make me think otherwise. What do you guys think? which is the better candidate. I love the sound of crispy clean el84s but i also like the sound of 6v6 tubes when they start to break up....The bare bones quality of the Ray is what keeps me edging towards that, and i already have a zverb to pair with it.. And a z 410 as well which will probably mate really good with the JAZ.. damn i need to seel some stuff pronto. I have a gibson goldtone ga30RVS and a super reverb IM trying to sell someone please check those out so i can get me one of these! and RAY!!
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Post by groovergeorge on Aug 13, 2009 1:19:02 GMT -7
You've got me drooling Phil.
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Post by taswegian on Aug 13, 2009 3:11:53 GMT -7
aaaaahhhhhhhlllllllllllllllllaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaahlhhhhhhhhhhllllllllllll! ;D
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Post by DRZ on Aug 13, 2009 5:26:20 GMT -7
Thanks for the kind words and the excellent review Phil. Glad you liked it.
DR.Z
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Post by astronome on Aug 13, 2009 17:45:36 GMT -7
hey doc what speaker would you recommend for a 112 setup in a bob burt cab with the JAZ? I was thinking about maybe an eminence commonwealth or an emi wizard?
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Post by DRZ on Aug 13, 2009 18:17:28 GMT -7
hey doc what speaker would you recommend for a 112 setup in a bob burt cab with the JAZ? I was thinking about maybe an eminence commonwealth or an emi wizard? Sorry I'm not that familiar with all new Eminence 12" speakers, but I'm sure they will sound just fine with the JAZ. In the 1x12 combo's we have shipped I have used a Celestion G-12 H and liked what I heard. DR.Z
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Post by drew on Aug 13, 2009 18:33:49 GMT -7
Phil, You're a blessed man. Thank you for another great review. I can hear the huge sound of a Louisville slugger crashing this one over the wall for a grand slam.
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Post by bluzman on Aug 13, 2009 20:05:59 GMT -7
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Post by bluzman on Aug 14, 2009 12:03:17 GMT -7
------------------------------------------------ UPDATE!!
First off I wanna start by saying in early June we had an outdoor gig and I used the Remedy with the Z-Best. We were playing loud and the audience didn't want us to turn down, but the bass player told me he didn't have enough head room to keep up... so I turned down and said outloud... "I wish I had the tone stack of the Maz as I could dial in without having to turn the volume down." Well now I have that!!
Of course it's red and teh valance is a textured black with a Salt and Peppah cloth... I picked it up and played it for about an hour with a 335. Yowzah!! Great Verb and Trem... better than great!
The tone stack makes it different than the Remedy and to me it's more touch sensitive at the 1/2 power setting than the Remedy. I haven't opened it up yet. I really like the built-in swamp.
I have some Fenders with Rev and Trem, but this is more inspiring for sure. Like Phil said... FAT, Tight Lows, balanced mids and highs without the harsh. Did I say I like the included swamp? I have to still try it on full power and with a Tele.
Anyways Phil nailed it with his great review, so reiterating with my lack of vocabulary will just bore ya! Lissen at the Woody post in this Forum!!
This can anything and everything I'll ever need in an amp. The JAZ 20/40 is most definitely the granddaddy of all the Z-Amps I own.... of ALL the amps I own.
Thanks for another tone monster Z!!
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Post by benttop (Steve) on Aug 14, 2009 12:10:03 GMT -7
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Post by Phil (aka Phil) on Aug 14, 2009 12:41:18 GMT -7
Resistance is futile......
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Post by dock66 on Aug 15, 2009 8:21:33 GMT -7
Ya know these glorious reviews and video don't make it easier for GAS.
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Post by faze on Aug 15, 2009 23:36:36 GMT -7
Awesome review Phil. Your review on the Remedy sealed the deal for me on it. You were right on about it. The Jazz is quite an impressive amp as well.
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Post by benttop (Steve) on Aug 24, 2009 8:26:53 GMT -7
Hey Phil, do me a favor when you get a minute - stick a measuring stick up against that amp and give me some real dimensions. The Z web page says it's the same as the EZG, but I can see it's taller - for now my amp specs says it's the same, but it would be interesting to know how different it actually is, and what those numbers really are.
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