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Post by jrlloyd89 on Jun 15, 2010 8:42:22 GMT -7
Which one of these amps would have the most clean headroom?
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Post by asattwanger on Jun 15, 2010 9:15:15 GMT -7
I never played a CG, but the RxJr gets plenty loud while still being cleanish.
I would not go for a 2x EL-84 amp if I was after clean cleans.
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Post by needsumz's on Jun 15, 2010 9:58:34 GMT -7
RX Jr is definitely going to get your more cleans at louder volumes from my experience. My impression from others on the board is that if you are looking for loud, clean tones your best best would be either Maz SR or StangRay....in the EL84 models.
Barry
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Post by Deleted on Jun 15, 2010 10:19:55 GMT -7
Rx Jr = mucho more! I owned the Ghia (which is cool beyond measure) but went to another Z model for the sole purpose of more headroom. The Rx Jr is amazing and I get the clean I want at the volume I need.
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Post by DSauls89 on Jun 15, 2010 19:49:01 GMT -7
Ive been waiting for a cirtain dealer (out of state) to get my Z in and ship it to me. I wanted an RX jr 112 in red. They had one on the way already so i said what the hey, why wait on another one, just give me that one. it was suppose to be there in two weeks and then shipped to me. that was a month and a half ago. I've been ampless for that long. im starting to wonder if i should just get the head and run it through my 1960 marshall cab in stereo, but im pretty sure id regret it. i need portability and weight isn't the problem. its size vs. space. you guys thing its just the waiting going to my head? i need help to keep from jumping the gun guys. calm me down.
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Post by Deleted on Jun 16, 2010 4:37:04 GMT -7
Don't jump!
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Post by jordanbunte on Jun 16, 2010 5:23:37 GMT -7
I currently have both, and the guys above have it right.
1. The RX Jr is cleaner for sure, 2. Depending on how much headroom you need you may consider something else. The RX Jr gives me plenty though since I play smaller venues.
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Post by Pete aka shouldb on Jun 26, 2010 2:37:04 GMT -7
I currently have both, and the guys above have it right. 1. The RX Jr is cleaner for sure, 2. Depending on how much headroom you need you may consider something else. The RX Jr gives me plenty though since I play smaller venues. That's great info. What about tonal properties and overall output volume? How do they compare? Pete
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Post by jordanbunte on Jun 26, 2010 14:59:17 GMT -7
I currently have both, and the guys above have it right. 1. The RX Jr is cleaner for sure, 2. Depending on how much headroom you need you may consider something else. The RX Jr gives me plenty though since I play smaller venues. That's great info. What about tonal properties and overall output volume? How do they compare? Pete Thanks Pete! Tonally, for me, what stands out the most is that the MAZ is fatter. The MAZ can chime, but when the MV is pushed on the MAZ it gets fatter and fatter (which can be great). The RX Jr doesn't get thicker when the MV is pushed. The MV really doesn't change the tone at all on the RX Jr. I'd say that the midrange varies the most. Both have big bottom ends and nice shimmery highs, but I'd guess that the RX Jr cuts better in a live setting. Of course, the MAZ can be set to get similar tones if the MV is low and the Volume is set above noon; however, it's much easier with the RX. To me, the RX sounds better with humbuckers than the MAZ does. That's not a rule, but for what I play....the MAZ works best for single coils and the RX works best for humbuckers. NOW, I don't play country, but I suspect that many guys are getting excellent tele tones out of the RX. After all, BP did have his hand in the RX's design. For output...sheesh....I'd suggest that the MAZ is much louder. For one, the rectifier is much stouter in the MAZ. That alone has a big impact on the feel of the amp. The RX feels slightly spongier. The way I run the RX is pretty simple. I keep all of the tone controls between 10-12 o'clock and the preamp volume at 9-10 o'clock for a clean sound. Because the volume is so low on the RX (and the OD is off, almost always), the MV can pretty much set to full without busting my ear drums. In terms of a bedroom amp, the RX Jr is much friendlier for home use. I'm not saying that this would be true for everyone. Some people might set everything low on the MAZ vs the RX, so it may vary.....but for the most part I see the RX as a much better amp for small gigs due to it's excellent MV. Some people have discussed this already, but the MV on the RX is superior in design to the MAZ in terms of not altering the tone. I won't even try to cover the idea of one being better than the other. They each work wonderfully in their own way. Hope this helps some. I really do love both, and can't see either going anywhere. The MAZ and RX Jr are my only amps now. I've had a Z28, EZG-50 and a Carmen Ghia as well. Those were pushed aside by these two. I feel like I can cover all of the bases with these two amps, and like the tones I get at low volumes. The Carmen Ghia was really close to being a keeper, but it didn't do anything that I needed that I wasn't already getting from these other two. Also, I feel like it needed to be pushed to get the best tones. For some reason I feel like the Ghia lost a lot of it's complexity with the Air Brake. The MAZ works great with my Air Brake and the RX Jr doesn't need one due to its MV (which is like an attenuator). One last word....they sound incredible in stereo! Ya gotta have both to do that one! Whatcha waiting for Pete?
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Post by Pete aka shouldb on Jun 27, 2010 9:26:27 GMT -7
That's great info. What about tonal properties and overall output volume? How do they compare? Pete Thanks Pete! Tonally, for me, what stands out the most is that the MAZ is fatter. The MAZ can chime, but when the MV is pushed on the MAZ it gets fatter and fatter (which can be great). The RX Jr doesn't get thicker when the MV is pushed. The MV really doesn't change the tone at all on the RX Jr. I'd say that the midrange varies the most. Both have big bottom ends and nice shimmery highs, but I'd guess that the RX Jr cuts better in a live setting. Of course, the MAZ can be set to get similar tones if the MV is low and the Volume is set above noon; however, it's much easier with the RX. To me, the RX sounds better with humbuckers than the MAZ does. That's not a rule, but for what I play....the MAZ works best for single coils and the RX works best for humbuckers. NOW, I don't play country, but I suspect that many guys are getting excellent tele tones out of the RX. After all, BP did have his hand in the RX's design. For output...sheesh....I'd suggest that the MAZ is much louder. For one, the rectifier is much stouter in the MAZ. That alone has a big impact on the feel of the amp. The RX feels slightly spongier. The way I run the RX is pretty simple. I keep all of the tone controls between 10-12 o'clock and the preamp volume at 9-10 o'clock for a clean sound. Because the volume is so low on the RX (and the OD is off, almost always), the MV can pretty much set to full without busting my ear drums. In terms of a bedroom amp, the RX Jr is much friendlier for home use. I'm not saying that this would be true for everyone. Some people might set everything low on the MAZ vs the RX, so it may vary.....but for the most part I see the RX as a much better amp for small gigs due to it's excellent MV. Some people have discussed this already, but the MV on the RX is superior in design to the MAZ in terms of not altering the tone. I won't even try to cover the idea of one being better than the other. They each work wonderfully in their own way. Hope this helps some. I really do love both, and can't see either going anywhere. The MAZ and RX Jr are my only amps now. I've had a Z28, EZG-50 and a Carmen Ghia as well. Those were pushed aside by these two. I feel like I can cover all of the bases with these two amps, and like the tones I get at low volumes. The Carmen Ghia was really close to being a keeper, but it didn't do anything that I needed that I wasn't already getting from these other two. Also, I feel like it needed to be pushed to get the best tones. For some reason I feel like the Ghia lost a lot of it's complexity with the Air Brake. The MAZ works great with my Air Brake and the RX Jr doesn't need one due to its MV (which is like an attenuator). One last word....they sound incredible in stereo! Ya gotta have both to do that one! Whatcha waiting for Pete? Hey Jordan, That's GREAT input there, especially the bit about the Maz V being high - that's how I play mine, Maxed! What am I waiting for??? A think a Lotto win actually Having just bought a Ghia and a Monza, I'm broke!! ;D The conclusion I'm coming to is that, if I want one amp to do a great job at everything, then stick with my Maz18: if I want to switch amps to get specialists at each sound area, then I'm better off without the Maz. Example: big chimey beautiful cleans = StangRay/Z28/EZG50/RxJr; grunt and dirt = Remedy/Monza/RXES etc. Now got to figure out in my head the low W amps from high W amps. I think I'l encourage Brent to be a bit more explanatory on the website - there are just too many amps to just list. We need them broken down by High/Low watt; Clean/Dirty; EL84/6V6 etc. - sort of grouped. I also don't like all this "Vox sound/Fender sound/Marshall sound" definition - I wasn't lucky enough as a youngster to hear all these classics and know what they all mean. Where am I going with this and why? ?? ;D Pete ;D
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Post by jordanbunte on Jun 29, 2010 11:18:02 GMT -7
Glad some of that was good info.
It was nice of you to not mention that I compared the wrong amps. LOL. ;D
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Post by Pete aka shouldb on Jun 30, 2010 14:15:30 GMT -7
HAHA! Never like to state the obvious ;D I appreciate you views nonetheless right or wrong amps Cheers Pete
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Post by mangoman on Jul 5, 2010 7:52:33 GMT -7
I will add my two cents. I have owned two MAZ Jr's (one with 2x10's and one with a 12 G12H30), currently own a Z28 and have owned an RX Jr with a Blue. Now I just traded my LP for a StangRay. All I can say, for me, the fewer the knobs the better. I dont regret trading the MAZ jr's at all. Its a great, very versatile amp, but I just found all I did was tweak, and never get into a certain sweet spot and really just shut up and play. I love the Z28 for what it is....that nice throaty and meaty clean that can get some decent crunch and breakup when pushed. Its loud too. I now have a Stangray with my Z28 and I can honestly say I have not heard any better cleans. I mean, chimey, complex, still throaty, and definitely 3D in its presentation (in my small room).....trying also to stay away from the V0x/Fender/Marshall comparisons for you!! I have not really gotten into the OD's with it yet, but the Z28 definintely gets me in the AC/DC Rhythm tone when pushed.
For the RX Jr, I regret selling everyday. I traded it for my Z28 (Which I am happy for!!!) mostly because i did not wait long enough and break in the Cel Blue in the combo. I dismissed it after several outings due to just not what I was wanting. Now that I got the exact Cel Blue back in my hands (Thanks DAVE for breaking it in!!!!) I love that speaker. Have taken it to my local dealer in my cab and hooked up to an RX Jr and to quote Homer J Simpson, "D'OH!!!!"
I know I will own one again. The Stang Ray is just really loud, and I do like to play loud, but if it was at 20 watts, it would be perfect.
I would definitely say that if you picked up a RX Jr, you would not be disappointed. Plenty of tones in there, the MV is awesome, and the OD, just simply over the top. Clean to mean in an instant....although I never got it quite right for my rhythm tone, then step on the OD for my lead. too much boost......
Best of luck. I've never played a CG, but I would think the RX Jr would make you smile. ALOT.
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Post by Pete aka shouldb on Jul 5, 2010 8:33:55 GMT -7
Great info there! I like the "too much boost...." comment. Is there such a thing?? I'll try an RXJr when I'm next round at Peach just to hear the tone. As I said (somewhere!) the tonal jump between the Ghia and the Monza is just too great for my taste/need, so let's see how the RxJr sounds ;D Cheers Pete
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Post by DSauls89 on Jul 5, 2010 21:48:24 GMT -7
All I use on my Rx Jr. is a Carbon copy delay. thats it. nothing else. and its really slight almost sounds like reverb instead of a delay. and I run only teles and strats. Not much for humbuckers. I left those with my metal days lol. (not that they aren't good for other genres. I just love my twang and get all I need from my strat and tele.) But as far as headroom goes. I think your prolly better off with the Rx jr. I run my master wide open all the time and play around with the volume (except when i decide to bring it into my bedroom from the pool house). I tend to get better clean headroom in the Lo input b/c you can turn the volume up a bit more before it begins to break up and its super chimey with a little tweaking of the 3-way EQ (My main settings are HI input, no OD with TREBLE- NOON-ish, Mid- 1:00, Bass- 1:00 ) I usually only end up having to back off my bass at higher volumes. Now on the other hand, I do love the CG for its simplicity. It is easier to dial the tone you're lookin for quickly but as I said, I dont seem to find the same tweakable headroom before it breaks up. The RXJr, is perfect for me. It gives me more control over my tone than the CG but not so many knobs that im constantly tweaking. I can take The junior anywhere. and its loud enough to play over the boys but it has all these great lows and mids that you hear more so when playing alone that work so well to blend in with the rest of the band when I play together. its odd how it blends so easy and but also cuts through so powerfully. They should have called it The Paradox. I've never really heard that same aspect with the CG (Not that I don't love them for their own reasons.) They are just way different amps. The Jr. is really good with dynamics too. I really work my volume and tone on my guitar with this amp. and if you do it like that the OD really helps push it for the solos like its meant too. hope you found this helpful
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