New Maz Jr. Studio Combo-my hat is off to the Doc!
Apr 14, 2015 17:22:35 GMT -7
BritInvasion, nmz, and 1 more like this
Post by lowbudget on Apr 14, 2015 17:22:35 GMT -7
First a little background, and I'll try not to bore too much. As some of you might know, I ordered a new Z-Lux from Humbucker last week; I guess it was their first firm order. And I'm really excited about it! In the meantime I got to thinking about which Z was the total opposite of the Z-Lux, in terms of simplicity, weight, signal path, features, knobs, etc. Of course it would have to be the Ghia. And I have two of those, one being a 25th Ann. with the MV. But lately since I've switched over to just humbuckers and P90s it seems that my Ghias have been a little dark. And when I get the tone right, they seem to thin out just a tad-especially with my 10" Red Fang. Could be my imagination, it's not a big deal-and my ears are old. So I've been putting in some time on my Maz Jr. Reverb head through a Tonker, and I've been loving it. Tone is big, bold and bright just like I love it. And really in your face with that Tonker.
So I got to thinking. Since the way I run my Maz Jr. is with all three tone knobs dimed and the master dimed, if I had an NR combo I'd really only have two knobs to mess with-Volume and Cut. Plus, the knob layout for the combo is much like the Z-Lux so there'd be less to think about. But the weight was a factor, and I couldn't get a read on the actual NR Sudio Combo weight. The Z website shows 45 pounds, Humbucker's website shows 42 pounds. But I took a leap of faith and ordered one from Humbucker yesterday and it just got here today. So when I pulled it out of the box today, I though to myself that there's no way this thing weighs 42 pounds, much less 45. I popped it on my trusty digital postal scales and it weighed 38.45 pounds! Yes, 38.45 pounds. Heck, a 1x10 Ghia combo with a RF weighs 38 pounds! I couldn't believe it. Plus, the form factor of the Studio Combo cab is just so downright cool, And I love the slight slant to the baffle.
I can't believe I ever remotely thought about an independent cab maker when this has a genuine Z cab (which we all know are indestructible) and only weighs 38 lbs. with a 12" G12-H30! Those of you who have one already know this, but my hat is off to the Doc for such a brilliant design. And oh yeah, it sounds to me just like a Maz. I sense no loss of anything.
It's black with salt-n-pepper grille, so I didn't post pics but you guys know what it looks like. It's the new Bluesmobile for sure!
So I got to thinking. Since the way I run my Maz Jr. is with all three tone knobs dimed and the master dimed, if I had an NR combo I'd really only have two knobs to mess with-Volume and Cut. Plus, the knob layout for the combo is much like the Z-Lux so there'd be less to think about. But the weight was a factor, and I couldn't get a read on the actual NR Sudio Combo weight. The Z website shows 45 pounds, Humbucker's website shows 42 pounds. But I took a leap of faith and ordered one from Humbucker yesterday and it just got here today. So when I pulled it out of the box today, I though to myself that there's no way this thing weighs 42 pounds, much less 45. I popped it on my trusty digital postal scales and it weighed 38.45 pounds! Yes, 38.45 pounds. Heck, a 1x10 Ghia combo with a RF weighs 38 pounds! I couldn't believe it. Plus, the form factor of the Studio Combo cab is just so downright cool, And I love the slight slant to the baffle.
I can't believe I ever remotely thought about an independent cab maker when this has a genuine Z cab (which we all know are indestructible) and only weighs 38 lbs. with a 12" G12-H30! Those of you who have one already know this, but my hat is off to the Doc for such a brilliant design. And oh yeah, it sounds to me just like a Maz. I sense no loss of anything.
It's black with salt-n-pepper grille, so I didn't post pics but you guys know what it looks like. It's the new Bluesmobile for sure!