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Post by maverick on Mar 5, 2013 14:34:14 GMT -7
My Maz 38 Sr is a 20 year anniversary model. I mailed it off this week to Dr Z...
I was told by the previous owner that the EQ Bypass mod had been done to it (By the owner before him). Whether this means the mod was performed by the amp owner or Dr Z, I'm not sure. When I received the amp it had Groove Tubes in it, and still does to this day. Of course I know these aren't Doc spec tubes for this amp. I will have Dr Z replace those.
I've noticed in the past 6 months, a few times when I power on the amp, it's at half volume. I put it on standby, power off. Wait 10-15 sec and power back on and everything is great.
Being that I'm unsure who performed the mod, the tubes aren't the best and the volume issue, I felt it best to send it in for a good "look over".
Anyone else sent their amp in to Dr Z for similar reasons? I'm excited to get it back and see what difference there is.
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Post by Jaguarguy (Mike) on Mar 5, 2013 14:52:09 GMT -7
I've sent several amps into Dr. Z for once over - they've always come back good as new. Best money you can spend by sending to him directly.
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Post by doctorice on Mar 5, 2013 19:08:54 GMT -7
Anyone else sent their amp in to Dr Z for similar reasons? I'm excited to get it back and see what difference there is. Yes, if it's something that tube replacement or cleaning and tightening can't fix. The Z guys get everything working right. Truly as good as new when it comes back.
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Post by maverick on Apr 9, 2013 7:49:46 GMT -7
Reporting back in... I got my Maz back from the Doc last Friday. My oh my, what a difference. Turns out there were a few preamp tubes that were in the wrong positions?!? Must have been done by the previous owner because I've not touched those. My power tubes were GT's, so they swapped those out for the specs EHX EL84's. I also had them do the EQ Bypass Mod and I absolutely love what it offers. I had no idea what tone I was missing out on with the mis-positioned preamp tubes and change of power tubes. This amp really roars now. I've always desired to run the head a bit hotter but never did because it would get fizzy. I feel I've missed out on what this amp has to offer. The tubes really changed the game for me. Cleans are cleaner and all my dirt sounds better. Can't say enough how much this was worth the investment. Since getting it back, I switched back to my G12H30. Previously I had a WGS Invader 50W. I feel the lower wattage speaker matches this amp better now.
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Post by Jaguarguy (Mike) on Apr 9, 2013 10:43:21 GMT -7
I told you so . (The wife won't let me say that so I had to use it here )
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Deleted
Deleted Member
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Post by Deleted on Apr 9, 2013 17:17:33 GMT -7
Good to hear you are loving it.
My 38 roared w/out the bypass mod. Can't imagine what it would have been like with it.
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Post by maverick on Apr 11, 2013 5:12:21 GMT -7
Good to hear you are loving it. My 38 roared w/out the bypass mod. Can't imagine what it would have been like with it. Talk about new inspiration when playing it. I'm inspired to play more just to discover more from it.
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Post by maverick on Apr 11, 2013 5:13:35 GMT -7
I told you so . (The wife won't let me say that so I had to use it here ) Ha - nice!
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Post by thatstatuemoved on Apr 16, 2013 18:19:38 GMT -7
Very good move to send it to Doc. Their service is second to none and now you know everything is working like it should. Being you are a new member, there is a wealth of info here on the forum if you ever need it. Best folks in the world. Sure am glad I joined the Z nation.
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Post by maz38sc on Apr 19, 2013 16:55:07 GMT -7
Ugh...I have my RA Number from the doc and just love playing the thing so much I've been willingly "lazy" to pack it up. It's a 2x12 combo with a Celestion Gold and a G12H in her...but after reading this thread, I'm going to pack her up tonight to get the EQ Mod taken care of. I'll have to go without it for a little bit. damn!
...it was great to read the testimonials though, from those that have sent their amps into the Dr. Thanks all...I'll report back once I get her.
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Post by maverick on May 1, 2013 13:15:44 GMT -7
Very good move to send it to Doc. Their service is second to none and now you know everything is working like it should. Being you are a new member, there is a wealth of info here on the forum if you ever need it. Best folks in the world. Sure am glad I joined the Z nation. I thought so too - and I'm happy to be a member of the forum. Excellent knowledge here that has helped me.
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Post by maverick on May 1, 2013 13:17:58 GMT -7
Ugh...I have my RA Number from the doc and just love playing the thing so much I've been willingly "lazy" to pack it up. It's a 2x12 combo with a Celestion Gold and a G12H in her...but after reading this thread, I'm going to pack her up tonight to get the EQ Mod taken care of. I'll have to go without it for a little bit. damn! ...it was great to read the testimonials though, from those that have sent their amps into the Dr. Thanks all...I'll report back once I get her. You won't be disappointed! Please do report back with your notes on the modded amplifier as well as any settings you find that you like. I'm sure you will share the same giddy childlike feeling I had when I got it back...Sheer bliss.
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Post by maz38sc on May 15, 2013 19:31:04 GMT -7
Ugh...I have my RA Number from the doc and just love playing the thing so much I've been willingly "lazy" to pack it up. It's a 2x12 combo with a Celestion Gold and a G12H in her...but after reading this thread, I'm going to pack her up tonight to get the EQ Mod taken care of. I'll have to go without it for a little bit. damn! ...it was great to read the testimonials though, from those that have sent their amps into the Dr. Thanks all...I'll report back once I get her. You won't be disappointed! Please do report back with your notes on the modded amplifier as well as any settings you find that you like. I'm sure you will share the same giddy childlike feeling I had when I got it back...Sheer bliss. Well, right you were. I just got it back today and just ran it through its paces. Digging the EQ mod a bunch. Nice n' thick...actually seems to give a nice midrange punch, but maybe that's just the way my rig is setup, etc. It was killing me to be without the Maz but it was less than 3 weeks round trip....much faster than I thought! One cool thing is that on the work-order sheet I somewhat jokingly wrote that a blue jewel light would be sweet. Well, wouldn't you know it...they did the transplant after a couple emails back/forth and it looks awesome! I'll be a lifelong customer for sure. One question for others, though...there's a pretty noticeable volume increase when engaging the bypass...or is this also the way I have my amp set up? (in this case, with the volume dimed w/the Master set to the room's volume level). Do others suggest a different way to dial her in?
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Post by Eddie on May 15, 2013 23:21:58 GMT -7
Welcome, maverick! Glad you got it back in top shape. The MAZ amps are classic Z all the way.
And, maz38sc, the volume increase with the bypass is normal - no worries.
Best, Eddie
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Post by maz38sc on May 16, 2013 2:51:27 GMT -7
Welcome, maverick! Glad you got it back in top shape. The MAZ amps are classic Z all the way. And, maz38sc, the volume increase with the bypass is normal - no worries. Best, Eddie Awesome! Thanks very much for that....all good in the hood!
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Post by maverick on May 16, 2013 5:06:25 GMT -7
Welcome, maverick! Glad you got it back in top shape. The MAZ amps are classic Z all the way. And, maz38sc, the volume increase with the bypass is normal - no worries. Best, Eddie Thanks Eddie - it's been a great ride so far and don't see it ending. And yes maz38sc, the volume increase occurs on mine as well and from what I understand that is normal. I agree that it seems to add some midrange and bite. It seems the amp lets my guitar's natural tone cut through more since I got it back. Really can't say enough about Dr. Z work. Thanks for the encouragement and posts everyone!
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D Jones
New Member
"We're all just cork sniffers of the guitar and amp world"
Posts: 13
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Post by D Jones on Sept 28, 2013 14:43:37 GMT -7
Hey guys, I have a Maz 38 2x12 combo with the EQ bypass. What specific brand tubes in V!, V2,V3,V4 does anyone recommend most (in your experience) for that ellusive 'TONE' we're all searching for?!
Thanks,
D Jones
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Post by Jaguarguy (Mike) on Sept 28, 2013 16:57:35 GMT -7
Hey guys, I have a Maz 38 2x12 combo with the EQ bypass. What specific brand tubes in V!, V2,V3,V4 does anyone recommend most (in your experience) for that ellusive 'TONE' we're all searching for?! Thanks, D Jones Here's a link to the tube section on the Z website - Doc has a great ear so I usually like what he recommends. It's funny how many people substitute various tubes into Z amps but in the end revert back to what Doc put in initially. drzamps.com/tube_info.html
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D Jones
New Member
"We're all just cork sniffers of the guitar and amp world"
Posts: 13
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Post by D Jones on Sept 28, 2013 18:07:48 GMT -7
Thanks for the link, I haven't looked at that before. Everyone has their "magic" tube combo that made their amp really come to life. I currently have all 'tube amp doctor' 12ax7's in my v1-v4 not for any particular reason other than $20 a piece sounded good from my local shop. I have heard/read people swear by NOS tubes but haven't played with any in my Maz 38 to know any different. Funny how vintage amps still have original tubes from the 50's still in them but I seem to need a new one here and there every year.
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Post by zpilot on Sept 30, 2013 20:39:32 GMT -7
All of the preamp tubes in all of my amps are NOS. Other than that my Z amps are stock. OK, sometimes I play around with different speakers. I think if Doctor Z had a consistent supply of NOS tubes at a reasonable price they would use them but just like other manufacturers that isn't possible so he has tweaked his amps to sound as good as possible with what is available.
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Post by fishman on Oct 6, 2013 9:16:38 GMT -7
Few years ago I had some trouble with a Z-28....it was around midnight so I decided to send a note to the Z repair guys about the amp...I wrote down what symtoms etc and sent the email....about 2mins later I get an email back from Dr. Z himself....told me what he thought the problem could be, we made a couple jokes about burning the midnight oil and he says "Send it to me, I will make it right"....I did exactly that, and having had several Z amps, NO ONE has touched them except the Z guys.... To have the owner of the company answer my email in the middle of the night then offer to take care of it personally is unheard of....it speaks loudly of the level of commitment, customer service and just being a nice guy.....I was impressed then, and still am...thats just one of the reasons I have stayed with the Z brand this long...the only other amps that I have kept longer are my old BF fenders....its Z for me...
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