Post by Brian on Nov 7, 2011 9:33:51 GMT -7
Let me start this by saying I normally use my Maz 18 NR 212, with the Brakelite set on 2, for my gigging purposes. Very rarely do I have to turn up or move the Brakelite to 1. I Usually run the volume at around 11, and the MV between 11 and 12 (o'clock).
I got a call on Friday night from a buddy (in another band) about a bar west of Houston that had their band cancel. We were off, so I call the place and booked the gig. Never been to this place before, and I haven't played the Maz 8 other than in my living room for about 45 minutes. (just got it last Wed). I took my Maz 18 out of the anvil case and put the Maz 8 in it's spot...saying to myself, we're gonna see what this baby's got. Playing in my living room, I was very impressed, with both the tone and volume.
We showed up to the venue...sports bar, seat roughly 300 people. Quite a few people there (LSU/Alabama game) We were on a stage in one corner of the room. We set up, did sound check, got everything together and kicked off our show.
I am lead vocal, rhythm (acoustic) guitar player in my band (cover country/southern rock). I do however venture out and play my tele for about 20 or 25 songs per night.
Now for what you've all been waiting for. I found myself on most of the songs wishing I had brought my 18. I couldn't quite turn it up loud enough for my liking (stage volume wise). If I could have gotten everyone else to bring their stage volume down a little, probably would have been perfect. But we were playing to a rowdy, fun loving crowd, who wanted more volume. To hear it well, I had to stand right in front of it. I had it on the floor, tilted back with my StandBack amp stand. It did however cut through the mix very well. We mic everything and run sound from stage. I just had to put some of the Maz 8 in my ear monitor and I was fine. When I went out front, I could hear it fine...but I wanted a little more UMPH on stage and couldn't quite get there.
I had my pedal board in front of the amp. When I kicked on a clean boost or overdrive, I felt like it overdrove the preamp side and I couldn't get more volume out of it. I just felt like I wanted a Little more stage volume and couldn't quite get there. That said, I'm not sure that's what this thing was designed to do (big loud stage).
I do want to try to run some of the stuff in the effects loop and see how that works. Just didn't get a chance to Saturday night. The sound however, coming from the amp was awesome.
So IMO, if you want to use it at a decent size gig or outside, mic it, let er rip, and put it in your monitor mix. Otherwise, bring your big amp.
On another note, my band has a standing house gig every Sunday afternoon at a little bar close to where I live (150 people max), and I ran my Maz 8 there yesterday...guitar-tuner-amp. This thing shines in that type of setting. Same band, just a little more laid back atmosphere. I wanted to try the amp like the demo I saw, without the pedal board pushing the pre-amp side.
I had enough stage volume for the smaller venue. I actually played with all the knobs, went from pentode to triode mode back and forth throughout the gig, played a couple of different guitars, and found the amp very easy to dial in. It really can go from clean to dirty, with the guitar knob and eq bypass switch.
Let me close by saying I was very happy with the Maz 8. You just may have to mic it in loud live settings. All in all, it's a great sounding, versatile amp. You just need a guitar and a tuner (and maybe a mic) and you are ready to go!
I got a call on Friday night from a buddy (in another band) about a bar west of Houston that had their band cancel. We were off, so I call the place and booked the gig. Never been to this place before, and I haven't played the Maz 8 other than in my living room for about 45 minutes. (just got it last Wed). I took my Maz 18 out of the anvil case and put the Maz 8 in it's spot...saying to myself, we're gonna see what this baby's got. Playing in my living room, I was very impressed, with both the tone and volume.
We showed up to the venue...sports bar, seat roughly 300 people. Quite a few people there (LSU/Alabama game) We were on a stage in one corner of the room. We set up, did sound check, got everything together and kicked off our show.
I am lead vocal, rhythm (acoustic) guitar player in my band (cover country/southern rock). I do however venture out and play my tele for about 20 or 25 songs per night.
Now for what you've all been waiting for. I found myself on most of the songs wishing I had brought my 18. I couldn't quite turn it up loud enough for my liking (stage volume wise). If I could have gotten everyone else to bring their stage volume down a little, probably would have been perfect. But we were playing to a rowdy, fun loving crowd, who wanted more volume. To hear it well, I had to stand right in front of it. I had it on the floor, tilted back with my StandBack amp stand. It did however cut through the mix very well. We mic everything and run sound from stage. I just had to put some of the Maz 8 in my ear monitor and I was fine. When I went out front, I could hear it fine...but I wanted a little more UMPH on stage and couldn't quite get there.
I had my pedal board in front of the amp. When I kicked on a clean boost or overdrive, I felt like it overdrove the preamp side and I couldn't get more volume out of it. I just felt like I wanted a Little more stage volume and couldn't quite get there. That said, I'm not sure that's what this thing was designed to do (big loud stage).
I do want to try to run some of the stuff in the effects loop and see how that works. Just didn't get a chance to Saturday night. The sound however, coming from the amp was awesome.
So IMO, if you want to use it at a decent size gig or outside, mic it, let er rip, and put it in your monitor mix. Otherwise, bring your big amp.
On another note, my band has a standing house gig every Sunday afternoon at a little bar close to where I live (150 people max), and I ran my Maz 8 there yesterday...guitar-tuner-amp. This thing shines in that type of setting. Same band, just a little more laid back atmosphere. I wanted to try the amp like the demo I saw, without the pedal board pushing the pre-amp side.
I had enough stage volume for the smaller venue. I actually played with all the knobs, went from pentode to triode mode back and forth throughout the gig, played a couple of different guitars, and found the amp very easy to dial in. It really can go from clean to dirty, with the guitar knob and eq bypass switch.
Let me close by saying I was very happy with the Maz 8. You just may have to mic it in loud live settings. All in all, it's a great sounding, versatile amp. You just need a guitar and a tuner (and maybe a mic) and you are ready to go!