|
Post by mustachio on Aug 12, 2014 5:11:55 GMT -7
So, this is my second dive into the M12. I just purchased a combo from Humbucker Music and it should arrive this Thursday.
I have a Victoria Chicago-Lux (exact recreation of 1959 Fender Tremolux. Basically, Harvard plus Tremolo) with "10 Eminence Legend. Great Speaker. Great amp! Awesome with a Tele, takes pedals well, chunky 6V6 sound, very quiet, I digress...So, I needed that Hi-Fi Dr. Z sound.
I've numerous Maz 18's, Z28, Carmen Ghia, and tried an M12 combo about a year or so ago. That's when I discovered the Celestion Blue with the M12. I don't need super tight low end (that's what a bass player is for), but I missed the chime of the EL84s and always use dirt pedals to get my overdrive. Sweet Honey OD for Humbuckers and P-90s, JHS Superbolt for Tele OD tones.
I seem to recall that the Maz 18 and M12 were similar in volume if the M12 had the Blue.
I think this will compliment my Victoria well and might use a Startouch ABY pedal for great overall tone. I think Mike Campbell has a similar set up with a Vox and early tweed.
I realize that that low stage volume is the way to go. All you need is a decent PA and sound-guy you can trust and the rest is up to you.
Anyways, I'll report back later. Really excited.
|
|
|
Post by simpleton on Aug 12, 2014 14:34:27 GMT -7
Cool. Can't wait for your second time around opinion on the M12. I love my 10'" Legends, they really sound great with my Ghia. I just got a 12" Legend and it is A LOT brighter....but it's working great with my Monza. If you had a rig that sounded like Mike Campbell I think you'd be doing 'okay'
|
|
|
Post by mustachio on Aug 12, 2014 15:10:17 GMT -7
Thanks, simpleton! I've been missing the Alnico sound. Although, I love the ceramic Legend, I just need a Celestion Blue around. It's kind of like having a single coil Tele and a humbucker equipped Les Paul. Different tools to paint with.
|
|
|
Post by Jaguarguy (Mike) on Aug 12, 2014 16:11:15 GMT -7
At the mini-ZFest Mark was able to coax Fender Deluxe Reverb tones out of the M12 - only they sounded thicker and more 3D than the Fender.
|
|
|
Post by mustachio on Aug 16, 2014 6:47:41 GMT -7
Holy smokes! I got a good one. I forgot how much I love the Celestion Blue Alnico speaker. I've had couple of Victoria Amps after I sold my Ghia 10" combo w/ Red Fang and Maz 18 Jr. I've had the Victoria Chicago-Lux (Vibrolux 5F11 make) and Ivy League (Harvard 5F10). I did like the Eminence Legend speakers. They had nice OD, and took pedals incredibly, but their circuits were a little too dark for humbuckers and P-90s for my tastes. However, my Tele sounded awesome. But, had to pump up the gain way too high on my OD pedals to push the 10". But, I suspect the Legends would be much more forgiving if I had had the amps longer.
The M12 keeps up with the volume that I need, and the 'low' setting is great. I put an old Brake-Lite in there for even more tonal options. I do prefer the simpler tone-stack compared to the Maz.
I had flirtatious with /13 and Morgan, plus the aforementioned Victoria amps. The reason being the last two Dr. Z's I had purchased were suffering from little nuances that irked me. Then, I realized, it was my wireless Line6 that was causing a winding down signal loss. And I unfairly misdiagnosed issues. But, the guys at Dr. Z customer service were gracious and humored me. Sorry guys.
However, the good news is this: I prefer OD pedals and love the M12. I realized after my 3rd Maz and Carmen Ghia that those amps have their own distinct overdriven sound and compression. But, the M12 less so. I prefer an OD pedal on all the time, depending on the pickups, and an EP boost type pedal for solos. So, the M12 is here to stay. Plus, my wife said to me last night, if I buy anything guitar related in the next year, she's divorcing me--true story.
Thanks to the Dr. Z folks who build great, affordable amps--damn them, as well, for making amps hard to choose from!!! And thanks to all on this forum! You guys are the best.
|
|
|
Post by jazzsnds on Aug 16, 2014 12:25:45 GMT -7
I've had the Victoria Chicago-Lux (Vibrolux 5F11 make. This is what I've got now but need to sell before I can purchase the m12, so said the the other half.
|
|
|
Post by mustachio on Aug 16, 2014 13:12:02 GMT -7
I am seriously thinking of keeping the Victoria and running an ABY configuration. But, it's either sell the Victoria or sell my Custom Shop SG Special. Decisions, decisions.
|
|
|
Post by simpleton on Aug 16, 2014 19:20:15 GMT -7
I am seriously thinking of keeping the Victoria and running an ABY configuration. But, it's either sell the Victoria or sell my Custom Shop SG Special. Decisions, decisions. I'm an amp man myself and would sell the guitar. Which it looks like you are. When I had my /13 SJT10/20, while it was a great sounding amp with the band and any live stuff, it sucked at home because it was only loud and louder. Plus it picked up radio signals all the time and had a lot of noise at idle, due to the souped up style of the amp I'm sure. Anyhow when I got my Ghia, not only was it nearly dead quiet at idle it also did not pick up radio AND it cost me $1200 less than the /13 While it was hard to move on after a good 5 plus year stint and many live shows and a few albums....I never felt better about an amp as I have with the Ghia. My wife is the exact opposite of yours, she's a total enabler and never says no. Which consequentially makes me use self control...which doesn't always work, but I can never blame her for my choices and that tends to make me more involved in the denial of buying. But I've been on a spree lately too and am gonna divorce myself if I don't stop M12 is a temptress ... kinda like an 80's librarian. Enjoy it when the glasses come off and the hair whips around bro.
|
|
|
Post by mustachio on Aug 16, 2014 22:38:49 GMT -7
Well. I've been given a pass on the SG. I'm a spoiled husband too, however I get so carried away.
But, I sold the Victoria and some other stuff. So, I'm financially even with the M12. I think the Dr. Z product line is the best and most affordable of all the smaller vendors. But, now Supro has put their hat in the ring when I'm at my most vulnerable.
Anyways, I'm totally satisfied with the M12 combo. I'm a convert to the quiet stage sound and let the PA do the heavy lifting. Celestion Blue with EL84s are a great combo and the M12s Hi/Low makes it so versatile with all pickups and guitar types. I think it's a better sounding amp than the Maz 18 and way simpler to dial in, especially with the brake-Lite. Plus, if you compare side by side the Maz and the M12 (with an efficient speaker) their volume level is almost the same with the Maz winning by a c-hair.
I'm retired from buying, but I don't think my Guitar And Amp Acquisition Syndrome, aka GAAAS will ever be cured.
|
|
|
Post by simpleton on Aug 16, 2014 23:22:09 GMT -7
When I had my /by 13 I usually only used the 10 watt setting and it was plenty loud. The guys around here said that decibel wise a speaker change to a higher decibel rated speaker can get you more loudness if needed then a few watts on an amp. The only Victoria that I wanted bad was the Trem de la Trem, it made me feel like I was in a smoky bar. But I agree that Dr Z amps are the most affordable and I think even the most unique circuits available. Not a lot of copy cat stuff with Z.
Thank goodness on the pass, but don't let the Supro Amps get you to hot and bothered just plug in the Z and keep switching guitars.
Have Fun
|
|
|
Post by mustachio on Aug 17, 2014 2:25:08 GMT -7
Ha! Will do!
|
|