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Post by premiumplus (Dave) on Sept 28, 2014 15:45:14 GMT -7
Hi all, Brand new guy here, I'm Dave and I'm 62. Been playing guitar since 16, repairing and building amps and guitars for over 40 years. Retired EE, and still on the hunt for "That Tone". I heard Dave Baker's demo of the Maz 8 and there it was... "That Tone". I have a slew of amps, from a vintage '60 Tweed Princeton, a '67 Deluxe Reverb, a scratch built '57 Deluxe 5E3, Tweed '59 Bassman RI, a Pro Jr., a couple of SF Champs...Marshall Studio 15, Sovtek Mig 50H, Marshall 4x12, 4x10, a few Peaveys, and some others...and I just today sent a Marshall DSL40C back to the store. Guitars include an American Std. Strat with Fralins, a Les Paul Std. Premium Plus with Skatterbranes, a Gibson 335 with '57 Classics, a Les Paul Jr. and a Goldtop, both with P-90's. I get some very nice tones out of my equipment...but "That Tone" only comes once in a while, with a bunch of pedals and lots of knob twisting! The Maz 8 sounds like it gets a lot of love around here, and I'm very seriously considering getting one with the Brake Lite and the Celestion Blue upgrade. I really, really love the tones on that clip by Dave Baker. And the amp responds beautifully to different guitars. I want an amp that I can get great tone from at home, without blowing the roof loose, and yet be loud enough to grab-n-go to a blues open mic or a jam. I'm not currently in a band, and really what I want is an amp that I can plug any of my guitars into and get great tone without spending 20 minutes trying to get it right for the particular guitar that's currently plugged in...hope I'm making sense! It would be nice to go from the 335 to a P90 Goldtop to a Strat, with ease. Can you guys talk me out of buying one? Or actually, convince me that I can't live without it? Probably in Surf Green? :-)
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Post by Jaguarguy (Mike) on Sept 28, 2014 15:57:33 GMT -7
You're in the wrong place if you expect someone here about talking you out of buying a Z amp! Welcome to the Forum! Lot of good people here with great information. The Maz 8 is a great grab and go amp. The Blue sounds really good in it. You might look at the Studio version - people seem to really like it for grab and go.
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Post by premiumplus (Dave) on Sept 28, 2014 16:03:39 GMT -7
Thank you Mike, that's exactly the model I am wanting...the Studio version. I've noticed that the tone gets boxy in some other maker's amps with the smaller cabs. Can any of you confirm or deny that? The clip is with the studio version and it sounds meaty, big, and muscular for a smaller cab. Amazing.
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Post by Dan F"i"fe on Sept 28, 2014 16:14:38 GMT -7
Welcome, please have a listen to Joe Walsh's Analog Man CD. The Maz 8 is all over that album per reports.
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Post by premiumplus (Dave) on Sept 28, 2014 16:17:19 GMT -7
Really? I've got that CD, it's one of my favorites. Joe Walsh always has great, great tone... There's another example of "That Tone".
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Post by zed on Sept 28, 2014 16:46:29 GMT -7
Welcome to the forum Dave!
I have the Maz 8 in head form, running into a 2x12, so I can't help you on the combo.
I do love this amp though!
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Post by doctorice on Sept 28, 2014 17:55:06 GMT -7
Hi Dave and welcome. I have the MAZ 8 studio w /blue. Go for it. It is an amazing tone machine in a very portable package. Does not sound boxy to me, but it's not a 4x12 either. Thank goodness
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Post by Jaguarguy (Mike) on Sept 28, 2014 18:12:42 GMT -7
Really? I've got that CD, it's one of my favorites. Joe Walsh always has great, great tone... There's another example of "That Tone". Joe Walsh has played Zs for a number of years. Amps he's used include the Maz 38, the Super Z, Galaxie, among others. Also a Joe Walsh fan here!
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Post by djcakadave on Sept 28, 2014 19:22:59 GMT -7
Welcome Dave! I'm Dave too and also 62. If you can find a bad amp in the Z line up then you will be in a very very small minority! I've also been gasing for the Maz 8 studio. Let us all know what you end up with and how you like it? Be warned after you try one it is never enough
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Post by Stephen on Sept 28, 2014 19:25:04 GMT -7
I have Studio 8 with the G12H. I play it at church a lot and occasionally use it for a blues jam. I put a brake-lite in mine, too. I think you will like it.
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Post by digs57 on Sept 29, 2014 7:16:55 GMT -7
I think you have to have some trade offs...portability over big cab sound...ill take portability at my age.Fwiw I do have reg cab 18 too and yes it does sound sooo complete and full.
youll have to bump bass up,i think it will fit the bill just fine for your needs.
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Post by mpa93 on Sept 29, 2014 7:58:23 GMT -7
+1 on the Maz 8 Studio (or the Maz 18 studio)
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Post by Deleted on Sept 29, 2014 8:12:57 GMT -7
I've got the 8/blue/studio and I wouldn't call it boxy. I predict you'll like it.
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Post by BritInvasion on Sept 29, 2014 10:24:52 GMT -7
Hey , welcome to the forum. I'm in the 62 club too I have the Maz 8 Studio , and yes it's a magic tone machine. And very portable. And no , not the least bit boxy despite the size. Boxiness is one reason I don't own Blues Juniors anymore , so I know where you're coming from. The Maz 8 is also amazingly versatile , the pentode/triode switch provides a ton of tonal twists , even going from the hi/lo inputs changes the game. And then the tone-stack bypass... I could go on and on. Get one , you will not be disappointed.
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Post by premiumplus (Dave) on Sept 29, 2014 10:59:53 GMT -7
Ahhh, thanks guys! I just got off the phone placing my order with Chris at Humbucker Music and the Maz 8 in Surf Green, with the Brake Lite, is on it's way. I expect to take delivery in about 50 hours give or take...it's a 2 day journey from Georgia up to Swartz Creek Michigan via UPS. I can't wait. To the guys that own one, does it sound like the clips on the web?
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Post by BritInvasion on Sept 29, 2014 11:14:42 GMT -7
I can't wait. To the guys that own one, does it sound like the clips on the web? Yeah , except their playing is better than mine.
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Post by doctorice on Sept 30, 2014 6:38:36 GMT -7
I can't wait. To the guys that own one, does it sound like the clips on the web? One key aspect of the MAZ series is to spend time becoming familiar with how Volume and Master work together to shape tone. As you've probably read here, Master is not a "neutral master volume / attenuator." It's more akin to a volume control for the output tubes. You can control how much drive comes from both preamp and power amp with this arrangement. Another thing I find helpful is that if you want to use the EQ bypass for boost, i.e., kicking it in during a song, it helps to first set up the amp with the bypass engaged. Obviously the tone knobs don't have any effect, so you'll focus on V, Master and Cut. After getting the sound you want, disengage the bypass and use the tone knobs to refine the non-bypass sound. It takes some back and forth. Pentode/triode is also very cool.
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Post by jesslm02 on Sept 30, 2014 17:04:48 GMT -7
I can't wait. To the guys that own one, does it sound like the clips on the web? One key aspect of the MAZ series is to spend time becoming familiar with how Volume and Master work together to shape tone. As you've probably read here, Master is not a "neutral master volume / attenuator." It's more akin to a volume control for the output tubes. You can control how much drive comes from both preamp and power amp with this arrangement. Another thing I find helpful is that if you want to use the EQ bypass for boost, i.e., kicking it in during a song, it helps to first set up the amp with the bypass engaged. Obviously the tone knobs don't have any effect, so you'll focus on V, Master and Cut. After getting the sound you want, disengage the bypass and use the tone knobs to refine the non-bypass sound. It takes some back and forth. Pentode/triode is also very cool. +10,000 Sent from my Galaxy S4 using Proboards
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Post by Deleted on Sept 30, 2014 17:13:58 GMT -7
I did a thing a while back where I left all the knobs the same and switched between Pentode-Triode-EQ bypass on off. They are just audio clips but they really show the range of the amp. I predict you'll like your new rig! ericambel.com/gear/dr-z-maz-8-w-audio-clips/
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Post by BritInvasion on Sept 30, 2014 18:18:29 GMT -7
^^ Great stuff Eric , really cool !! Super demos!
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Post by premiumplus (Dave) on Oct 1, 2014 5:26:25 GMT -7
Very cool, thank you all. It's on the big brown truck for delivery today. Sometime after 3:00 EST. Woohoo!
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Post by zed on Oct 1, 2014 6:35:37 GMT -7
We need pics, or it's a Pignose!
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Post by Deleted on Oct 1, 2014 7:48:30 GMT -7
start with everything on Noon.
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Post by premiumplus (Dave) on Oct 1, 2014 10:52:26 GMT -7
Looks like I have to use Photobucket or some other web photo host, right? UPS isn't here yet but I've got the studio all cleaned up and ready for pictures of the unboxing of my new best ever amplifier...
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Post by Ridgeback on Oct 1, 2014 11:05:56 GMT -7
Welcome to the Forum and the slippery slope of Z amp ownership. I hope it's everything you were expecting. The surf green is cool.
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Post by premiumplus (Dave) on Oct 1, 2014 11:19:06 GMT -7
Trying to figure out how to link to photobucket...
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Post by premiumplus (Dave) on Oct 1, 2014 11:27:47 GMT -7
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Post by premiumplus (Dave) on Oct 1, 2014 11:50:42 GMT -7
What's wrong with this studio??? THE UPS TRUCK ISN'T HERE YET!!!!
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Post by jesslm02 on Oct 1, 2014 12:15:23 GMT -7
Nice Tweeds
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Post by premiumplus (Dave) on Oct 1, 2014 12:49:19 GMT -7
Thanks! The little one's an original 1960 Princeton, which I really love. Under it is a Deluxe 5E3 that I built (electronically) from scratch. Bought the cab from Mojo, and it's got a Celestion Blue in it. The Bassman is a 1990-ish reissue that I lacquered, and restored the circuitry to true 5F6A specs. The re-issues had some changes in the tonestack, the presence control, and the bias circuit. It's electronically all original now, and sounds very nice. Has Jensen alnico speakers in it that are really cool. I'm expecting delivery of my first Z amp any time now. UPS should be pulling into my driveway soon! More pics to come. GO UPS GO!!!
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