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Post by Dan F"i"fe on Apr 20, 2012 9:53:12 GMT -7
I read something posted by Myles
"Turn your master volume all the way up. Always. Get it out of the circuit. Learn to play using your touch and the volume control on the guitar for dynamics. Use the volume, not the master, on the amp for level."
Doing this made the Maz 8 really come alive (well to me anyway). Anyone else play it this way?
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Post by doctorice on Apr 20, 2012 12:31:50 GMT -7
Sometimes. Do the same on the MAZ 18.
But I'm not sure if Myles's view holds for the MAZ series. I don't mean to put words into his mouth -- and I know he'll clarify -- but I wonder if he was referring to amps with "true" master volumes, e.g., some of the Mesa Boogies. I've always understood the Master on the MAZ to be more like a gain control for the power tubes, and Volume a gain control for the preamp. Using both allows us to dial in a desired blend of preamp vs. power amp tube distortion. For example, Buddy Whittington's MAZ settings, which he discusses on the DR Z DVD, have the volume up quite high and master set wherever it feels right for the room. And Buddy sure knows how to work his guitar knobs!
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Post by kcraig on Apr 21, 2012 8:20:13 GMT -7
I agree on the Maz 8 MV adding more gain. I haven't really played it with the MV wide open. About 1:00 it seemed to begin to get real dirty/gainy. That wasn't in a bad way but I didn't push it any higher then as i liked the tone. I'm gonna try it wide open and see what I hear. I use a BB pre and EP Boost so I don't turn my pickups (HB) very high (SC a bit higher) most of the time except for lead work. Step on the EQ footswitch and "Forget about it"! I am using Pentode/High input. You got me curious about it so I gotta try it! Thats the thing with this M8, there seems to no end to the different options/settings you can try. I'm really enjoying mine. Happy Jammin' Kim
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Post by doctorice on Apr 21, 2012 9:52:51 GMT -7
I agree on the Maz 8 MV adding more gain. I haven't really played it with the MV wide open. About 1:00 it seemed to begin to get real dirty/gainy. That wasn't in a bad way but I didn't push it any higher then as i liked the tone. Eric (roscoenyc) mentioned that the single-ended design of the MAZ 8 pushes the power tube differently than in the dual and quad EL84 designs. Hence, different tonal result.
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Post by Dan F"i"fe on Apr 22, 2012 15:22:33 GMT -7
Interesting, can anyone elaborate a little on the difference between them?
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Post by jesslm02 on Apr 23, 2012 9:39:51 GMT -7
I am assuming that the M8 is biased as a class A, while the others (maz 18 and 38) are class AB push-pull.
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Deleted
Deleted Member
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Post by Deleted on Apr 23, 2012 14:21:23 GMT -7
I believe the Maz 38 and 18 are cathode biased class A amps. Someone will correct me if I am wrong.
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Post by Maddog on Apr 23, 2012 14:30:57 GMT -7
"Turn your master volume all the way up. Always. Get it out of the circuit....."
Well, this totally goes against Doc's recent (and Brilliant) Monza MV mod and model. Why would you add an MV if you're just gonna take it out of the circuit? I think Doctorice is correct, those words were prob meant for other type of MV's.....
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Post by smolder on Apr 23, 2012 20:48:47 GMT -7
Honestly... I can't tell much difference turning one volume down vs the other... but I've really only been able to play through the 8 or three or four hours. I really need to spend more time with it.
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Post by doctorice on Apr 24, 2012 4:32:07 GMT -7
smolder: review Dave Baker's demo video posted on the Z web site. There are quick shots of the settings prior to each short clip of Dave playing various guitars. He gets some pretty different results, imo.
For me, Volume and Master below 1 (o'clock) stay pretty clean. Moving Volume up from there creates more noticeable preamp tube OD.
Also play with the Cut control and the Treble knob to feel out some additional variation in V vs M.
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Post by Dan F"i"fe on Apr 24, 2012 7:59:15 GMT -7
Hey Lee, Not so fast - this is from the Monza description... ;D
"The addition of the master really lets you get the most from the amp. Plus, when you turn the master all the way up it is completely out of the circuit. The Monza is a gain and sustain monster. "
I wondering if the Maz series MV is also post PI?
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Post by jesslm02 on Apr 24, 2012 9:17:13 GMT -7
^^^ I did some research and they do not have a post PI master. The volume is after the V1 and the master is directly after the tone stack before the PI or reverb driver depending on NR or Reverb model. The M8 couldn't have that anyways because it doesn't have a phase inverter (only one tube, no need for it). I haven't seen a schematic or gut shot of the 8 but I'd say it's probably identical to the others as far as volume, eq and master layout. The Cut control had to be done differently because of the single ended design.
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