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Post by 1poorplayer on Jul 14, 2014 21:31:18 GMT -7
I've had this amp less than a year , and I didn't understand exactly how it was best to set the controls , and how to run pedals with it , ( until now )
I spent a few hours tonight , after a few bad tubes got changed , and finally discovered the secret of this little amp. The Master volume never really gets louder than 9 o'clock , it just saturates the power tubes more , when it's turned up higher. The volume ( preamp section ) sounds best at 9 o'clock , with the MV cranked ( unless you don't want the best dynamics and just want pure , heavily distorted grit and grunge ) and can be gradually increase as the MV is dropped , for volume reasons. Pretty wild. I'm going to try running it , for an upcoming gig , using a 2x12 EVH cab. I'd like to use a second 2x12 EVH Cab on top of the first , and stack a 50 watt 5150 on the maz 18 head , and use it as a slave for the maz18.
Maybe a wet/dry setup. Not sure yet. The 5150 50 watt would give me any additional volume I may want , and allow me to get the exact tone I'm after from the maz 18.
ANYONE out there use a setup like this already ?
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Post by Eddie on Jul 15, 2014 1:13:27 GMT -7
The amp tech guru here (Myles) recommends that players experiment with running the master wide open on any amp that has a master. I believe he says you need to "get the master out of the way" or something like that. I think he means that running the master wide open is the closest you can get to removing that master volume from the circuit altogether, and therefore you are getting the full range of the amp. That may not be exactly what he means, and maybe he can chime in if I am wrong, but I think that's the idea. Getting that master volume control out of the way will reveal more of the pure tone/signal of the amp.
On my MAZ, I actually like the soft compression I hear/feel when I run the master at nine or ten o'clock and bring the Volume up. But I do know what you are talking about with the master wide open, and that is a good sound, too. Maybe more clear. I have played mine live with both approaches.
It sounds like you are enjoying that new wide open master setup with your amp. That's very cool!
Eddie
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Post by scottc on Jul 15, 2014 5:57:08 GMT -7
I like the master set at 1:00 and the volume set between 1:00 and 3:00...Heaven for me!
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Post by BritInvasion on Jul 15, 2014 6:34:03 GMT -7
To me , my Maz sounded it's best when I had the MV at 2:00 - 2:30. Just fantastic!
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Post by digs57 on Jul 15, 2014 6:39:26 GMT -7
That's about were im landing this days...need volume so theres not a lot of choice to run it softer.
For my preference yes any were between 11-1 is ideal fo me
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Post by doctorice on Jul 15, 2014 6:43:17 GMT -7
I think of it as Volume controls the amount of gain contributed by the amp's front end, and Master controls the amount from the power tubes. I do like having the Master up past noon when possible. I also like Volume pretty high and then work guitar volume to go from clean to rough. Buddy Whittington is a master at this. (I'm still learning )
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Post by 1poorplayer on Jul 15, 2014 8:56:14 GMT -7
I'm digging the 3/4 to full MV sound. Problem is , in the past , I got my LEAD from a boost pedal in the effects loop , to kick the power amp up a notch in volume.
Now what ?
Any if you guys piggyback off a speaker lead to another amp for more volume , or as a wet/dry setup ?
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Post by JASON (aka jgleaton) on Jul 15, 2014 11:07:37 GMT -7
I'm digging the 3/4 to full MV sound. Problem is , in the past , I got my LEAD from a boost pedal in the effects loop , to kick the power amp up a notch in volume. Now what ? Any if you guys piggyback off a speaker lead to another amp for more volume , or as a wet/dry setup ? Can't do that with the Maz, (piggyback one of the Maz Speaker leads to another amp) you can only use ONE output and that should be to the correct speaker ohm for the Maz... you CAN use a speaker Y cable as some of us do here to add an extra speaker cab to a single Maz amp... and again, with the proper speaker ohm. You can also use an a/b y box to run BOTH amps at once through separate speakers, for a big ole sound like some of use like to do... This is what I love and would recommend. I like running a Maz with another different Z amp together but never get to cause; (a.) I don't hardly EVER play out anymore and (b.) when I rarely do get to play out all I hear is complaining from other band members how loud an 18 (or 12) watt amp is with a single speaker and the airbreak on 4 clicks!!! Not even worth it to me and sucks the joy right out... So, I hope you can crank yours... Both of em. and correct me if I'm wrong Doc, you can't jump the channels on these either; (BUT you CAN switch between the high and low inputs using a regular type switcher, and kind of acts as a boost when going from Low input to high input... but it does cause an audible "pop" when you do that while playing) and you can't do that piggyback thing, and may cause damage to the amp... Sorry, but hope that clears it up for you... Jason
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Post by Deleted on Jul 15, 2014 12:47:23 GMT -7
I had my MAZ 18's for over 10 years till I was finally in a situation where I could really open up the master. So lively! I think it had to do with the cabinet that I was using. Closed back 1 x12" w a Green in it. Really was wonderful. It was the rig that I got from John Peach last year for the Del-Lords tour. Rick Richards from the G. Satellites used it too. He was very skeptical when he saw the thing but a believer after using it.
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Post by Mark and his Maz on Jul 15, 2014 13:49:46 GMT -7
I'd like to be able to open up the mv but so far, have not had the opportunity....one of these days...
Typically have the mv and v set to about 11oclock. Any louder and the sound guys go nuts.
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Post by Deleted on Jul 15, 2014 13:53:03 GMT -7
I'm digging the 3/4 to full MV sound. Problem is , in the past , I got my LEAD from a boost pedal in the effects loop , to kick the power amp up a notch in volume. Now what ? Any if you guys piggyback off a speaker lead to another amp for more volume , or as a wet/dry setup ? Can't do that with the Maz, (piggyback one of the Maz Speaker leads to another amp) you can only use ONE output and that should be to the correct speaker ohm for the Maz... you CAN use a speaker Y cable as some of us do here to add an extra speaker cab to a single Maz amp... and again, with the proper speaker ohm. You can also use an a/b y box to run BOTH amps at once through separate speakers, for a big ole sound like some of use like to do... This is what I love and would recommend. I like running a Maz with another different Z amp together but never get to cause; (a.) I don't hardly EVER play out anymore and (b.) when I rarely do get to play out all I hear is complaining from other band members how loud an 18 (or 12) watt amp is with a single speaker and the airbreak on 4 clicks!!! Not even worth it to me and sucks the joy right out... So, I hope you can crank yours... Both of em. and correct me if I'm wrong Doc, you can't jump the channels on these either; (BUT you CAN switch between the high and low inputs using a regular type switcher, and kind of acts as a boost when going from Low input to high input... but it does cause an audible "pop" when you do that while playing) and you can't do that piggyback thing, and may cause damage to the amp... Sorry, but hope that clears it up for you... Jason Can't turn mine up either without gettin asked to turn back down...so I run most everything at 10...may plug in tonight though at home, just to see what I might be missing.
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Post by 1poorplayer on Jul 15, 2014 14:52:04 GMT -7
I'm digging the 3/4 to full MV sound. Problem is , in the past , I got my LEAD from a boost pedal in the effects loop , to kick the power amp up a notch in volume. Now what ? Any if you guys piggyback off a speaker lead to another amp for more volume , or as a wet/dry setup ? Can't do that with the Maz, (piggyback one of the Maz Speaker leads to another amp) you can only use ONE output and that should be to the correct speaker ohm for the Maz... you CAN use a speaker Y cable as some of us do here to add an extra speaker cab to a single Maz amp... and again, with the proper speaker ohm. You can also use an a/b y box to run BOTH amps at once through separate speakers, for a big ole sound like some of use like to do... This is what I love and would recommend. I like running a Maz with another different Z amp together but never get to cause; (a.) I don't hardly EVER play out anymore and (b.) when I rarely do get to play out all I hear is complaining from other band members how loud an 18 (or 12) watt amp is with a single speaker and the airbreak on 4 clicks!!! Not even worth it to me and sucks the joy right out... So, I hope you can crank yours... Both of em. and correct me if I'm wrong Doc, you can't jump the channels on these either; (BUT you CAN switch between the high and low inputs using a regular type switcher, and kind of acts as a boost when going from Low input to high input... but it does cause an audible "pop" when you do that while playing) and you can't do that piggyback thing, and may cause damage to the amp... Sorry, but hope that clears it up for you... Jason I'm actually talking about a situation where you run your speaker cable out of the maz ( or any amp ) to a box that allows you to send your signal to a speaker cab and to the input of another amp , allowing you to keep the same sound in both amps , where guys some time run effects in one amp , and none through the other.
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Post by doctorice on Jul 15, 2014 14:55:12 GMT -7
^^^
I believe you're talking about something Dave Baker has done in the past with a direct-in box. I remember he had a short video about it, and I posted in reply. Let me see if I can find it.
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Post by doctorice on Jul 15, 2014 15:00:50 GMT -7
Here
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Post by JASON (aka jgleaton) on Jul 15, 2014 15:13:49 GMT -7
I'm actually talking about a situation where you run your speaker cable out of the maz ( or any amp ) to a box that allows you to send your signal to a speaker cab and to the input of another amp , allowing you to keep the same sound in both amps , where guys some time run effects in one amp , and none through the other. Yes, now that would be ok... as long as you've got a piece of gear made for something like that, one that lets the Maz (or any amp) see the right load and then run a direct type out with that unit you should be ok. I personally would rather run two Maz, (or a Maz with an RX or M12)... to actually get a slightly different and bigger sound because they aren't exactly the same. But I see what you're trying to do, should work fine with the right box... It just seems like you are reamping the speaker signal (and not a line out type signal) and then wouldn't really get the same sound you would get when (and wouldn't get because) you are running it into the front of another amp?? I see Dave used a 44 Magnum to drive the second signal in that video so I guess it would probably have to be a real clean second amp to keep the sound as close as possible to the original maybe??
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Post by zpilot on Jul 15, 2014 15:21:41 GMT -7
I used to do that with a THD attenuator running off an ext. speaker jack. That was when I played outdoors a lot. Now, in the small rooms I usually play it is seldom that I can turn up ONE amp where I like it, much less two. I really liked running a Leslie with one amp and the the other amp dry. It sounded HUGE.
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Post by Deleted on Jul 15, 2014 16:09:57 GMT -7
It really smooths out when cranked.
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Post by Dan F"i"fe on Jul 15, 2014 16:16:43 GMT -7
Without. Meaning to sound disrespectful... Don't look at the controls but use your ears. The Docs tone controls are different then anything I've ever played thru. Ymmv
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Post by llew on Jul 20, 2014 15:16:19 GMT -7
I usually gig pub's with the master and volume between 12-1 but we played a large theatre last night that had a huge pa so everything was miced.I thought uh oh they're going to make me turn down but they didn't say anything so over the course of the soundcheck the master slowly crept up until it was on full! What a tone! Absolutely beautiful.
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Post by Deleted on Jul 25, 2014 18:16:18 GMT -7
I just gave this a try tonight...wow!!! Set the master full on, volume around 9...no brake lite...damn damn damn!! Super fine! Clicked on the Timmy for a little added punch...oh my!!! Thanks for enlightening me!!! Wow! Now if I can just get away with this at gigs , I'll be all set!
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Post by Joey Beverages on Jul 26, 2014 10:01:45 GMT -7
"Obvious guy" post-of-the-day .... Dr Z Amps are made to be played, so don't be shy about your volume ..... go ahead share all that sonic sweetness and tonefulness ...... cheers always, Joel
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Post by Deleted on Jul 27, 2014 15:51:30 GMT -7
Got to gig with the Master cranked and Volume at 9-10...mmm mmm mmm! By far the best it`s been to date!
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Post by ev3guitar on Aug 17, 2014 9:45:44 GMT -7
First gig last night with my new Maz head through the 1x12 z cabinet. Master on 12, volume at 3 o'clock. Paisley overdrive, Mesa Flux drive, and ego compressor. Stepped on an mxr micro amp for any Van Halen type showing off. Best tones I have ever had. Large venu outdoor festival but had to turn the amp facing across the stage so that the soundman could get me in the mix right. I can honestly say my life long tone chasing is over.
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Post by southmusic70 on Aug 22, 2014 10:31:33 GMT -7
Ev,
I hate to tell you, but you probably just got started.
An awful lot of us own more than one Z.
Welcome.
South
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Post by thunderstruck(formerly doc001) on Aug 22, 2014 12:29:07 GMT -7
I'm digging the 3/4 to full MV sound. Problem is , in the past , I got my LEAD from a boost pedal in the effects loop , to kick the power amp up a notch in volume. Now what ? Try using your guitar volume. As was already mentioned, you can control the amount of clean to crunch with the guitar volume. Crank the amp. Guitar volume on zero. Now turn the guitar volume up to 2 or 3. Perfect for quiet rhythm. Turn guitar up to 5, 7. Now you have crunch (if the amp is set right). 8, 9, and 10 are resverved for solo's (or heavy rhythm)
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Post by hubrex on Aug 24, 2014 17:53:41 GMT -7
For gigs, I've typically been setting my MAZ with the Vol higher than the Master Vol. Yesterday, I tried it with the MV maxed, Vol around 2:00, and used the guitar vol control for fine tuning. Results with my Strat were OK but not too different than what I had been getting previously.
With my Tele (P90 in neck position), though, the guitar really seemed to come alive on my hands. Did not step on my OD pedal once with the Tele. I really liked this a lot. FWIW I'm an old Fender amp guy - grew up playing through BF Super Reverbs - and this was perhaps the best tone I've ever dialed in.
YMMV, of course, but if you've not tried this with a MAZ Jr, you need to give it a shot. Especially if you have a guitar with fairly 'hot' pickups. Thick and chewy, with lots of girth, but not crazy distortion. I'm a believer...
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