bill
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Post by bill on May 4, 2015 12:31:46 GMT -7
I have a Maz 18nr head hooked up to an avatar closed back 2x12 with greenbacks. This combo sounds fantastic at lower to mid levels however seems to get really loose and mushy when cranked with a band. The volume also seems to be lacking. Never had an issue like this with my Deluxe Reverb Reissue and am having a little bit of buyers remorse in going for the Maz. I also had the chance to play a cab with v30's and this just sounded harsh and loud. Should I try higher sensitivity speakers? Open back cab? I don't want to give up on it just yet. I'm trying to avoid spending too much money. I'm tempted to just buy another DRRI or a 4x10 Deville and be done with it. Am I crazy? Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!
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Post by Jaguarguy (Mike) on May 4, 2015 12:33:17 GMT -7
Mine certainly isn't loose and mushy when cranked!
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bill
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Post by bill on May 4, 2015 12:39:41 GMT -7
Mike what speakers do you use? I'm also thinking of installing a new set of tubes just to rule anything out. Thanks
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Post by greenblues58 on May 4, 2015 12:50:19 GMT -7
+ 1 on output tubes and something definitely amiss somewhere. I have a greenback in my 18NR combo and one of the new silver face 68 Custom Deluxe Reverbs and there is no comparison in the volume. The Maz is one hell of a loud amp. I usually run mine with the bass only on about 9 o clock with cut at about 2 o clock defintely no mush even with humbuckers and the addition of a closed-back extension cab with a heritage low res G12H in.
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bill
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Post by bill on May 4, 2015 12:56:14 GMT -7
Greenblues thank you for the helpful info. I'm going to order a new set today and see what happens. Do you recommend a certain brand? Looks like the JJ's are the stock choice
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Post by greenblues58 on May 4, 2015 13:04:42 GMT -7
Mine is currently sporting a set of NOS Phillips branded sovteks but have had good results with EHX which is what DR Z currently installs as stock from the factory.
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Post by benttop (Steve) on May 4, 2015 13:20:22 GMT -7
You can perceive a doubling of power (3db increase) simply by switching to a more efficient speaker. I always loved the Alnico Golds with my Maz, but YMMV.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on May 4, 2015 13:25:10 GMT -7
The EH tubes are very good also. EL 84's do get tired eventually. I bet a new set will turn your head around.
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Post by Ridgeback on May 4, 2015 14:48:48 GMT -7
I've had both amps, currently on my second DRRI. Loose is not a term I would associate with the Maz 18. I think either there is something not quite right with your Maz or you should give a different speaker a try. Good luck.
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Post by lowbudget on May 4, 2015 14:58:03 GMT -7
Yeah, I can't imagine any healthy Maz Jr. being described as "loose and mushy" under any circumstances. You've gotten some good advice here on the tubes, and sounds like you're already on top of that. I'll bet that cures the problem.
But the Greenbacks would be the next suspect. They're pretty inefficient speakers as I'm sure you know. My Jr. with reverb runs through a single Emi Tonker, which is a very efficient speaker, and my NR runs through the stock G12H30-not as efficient as the Tonker but still up there. The best way to describe them both is very much in your face. No shrinking violets here!
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bill
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Post by bill on May 4, 2015 15:18:23 GMT -7
Thanks dudes, I'm going to try new tubes and then new speakers if that doesn't do the trick. I'll keep y'all posted
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Post by Jaguarguy (Mike) on May 4, 2015 16:36:10 GMT -7
I've used a Z-best as well as a G12-65
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Post by bloozeman on May 4, 2015 17:52:45 GMT -7
The Maz is 10 times the amp a deluxe reverb could ever be. Somethings not right with your maz. Try a new tube swap, different speakers. I have a maz that I run with either a weber silver bell or texas heats and it sounds incredible. my favorite amp Ive ever owned and is capable of playing any size venue you could ever dream of. Selling the Maz for a deluxe reverb is like selling a BMW and picking up a Ford Pinto.
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Post by Ridgeback on May 5, 2015 8:11:20 GMT -7
I respectfully disagree with the with the "10x the amp" statement above (different strokes for different folks) but I agree that the Maz sounds great with a Silver Bell. My favorite speaker with that amp was a 50 watt ceramic SB.
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Post by daveyk on May 5, 2015 20:26:35 GMT -7
I went from a DRRI to my Maz 38 because my DRRI was as farty as they come. I needed something firm with beautiful cleans and overdriven tones. I couldn't be happier to get rid of my DRRI when I started playing my 38. Now i know there are differences in the 18 and 38, but from what I understand, the 18 is not loose. Definitely do the tubes and a more efficient speaker.
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Post by wubberdubber on May 5, 2015 20:41:19 GMT -7
"Loose and mushy when cranked" sounds like a good description of Greenbacks being over-driven to me. They're also not known for their volume, and in fact some use them for exactly that. A more efficient speaker set-up will make a world of difference with the MAZ...any amp, really. I have both amps, and running the MAZ OR the DRRI thru my Avatar 2X10 with a Greenback and Gold sounds wayyy different than the combo speaker that's installed in the MAZ(WGS ET-65), or the Del.Rev.(mine's converted to a 2X10 baffle w/P10R's). Totally agree with above comments that a speaker swap can be a dramatic difference.
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Post by TBox on May 6, 2015 2:54:59 GMT -7
I agree that a pair of Dr Z tens would work best with the Maz 18. I owned a two ten combo for years and it held its own in any band situation. My best sound with the Maz 18 was running a 112" extension cab hooked to the tens with a Y-cable from the speaker out. Great sound!
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Post by zpilot on May 6, 2015 4:15:31 GMT -7
A Deluxe Reverb definitively has its place for certain classic tones so I'm not going to knock it. It's long been a standard in most good studios. The reissues come really close to a real vintage one if you have good tubes and a proper speaker. But I would still rather have my MAZ. I think you need to try a G12H30 which is what the Dr. chose to mate with that amp. The dude has really good ears. Of course my first choice would be an Alnico Gold but they are a little pricey. Another thought would be a JAZ which is my current favorite amp. They are like a DR on steroids and you can always use the 20 watt setting if volume is an issue. I think when the new Z-LUX starts shipping you will see a few of them on the BST.
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bill
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Post by bill on May 6, 2015 23:17:01 GMT -7
I actually pulled the trigger on a 4x10 z cab. From what I've read on this forum, I should have no trouble with headroom. I replaced the tubes whiched seemed to help a little bit still found I was overloading the speakers a bit. I found a really good price so it was too hard to pass up. Anyone use one of these cabs with a Maz 18 NR?
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Post by bloozeman on May 7, 2015 5:33:31 GMT -7
I had a 4x10 Z cab and got rid of it. I couldnt bond with it at all. I tried it with a Maz jr, and EZG and I didnt care for the voicing of it at all, to middy and muddy for my tastes, I also swapped in some alnico celestion golds to try to like it, I still couldnt so I sold it off. I just prefer the sound of a 12" speaker over a 10"
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bill
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Post by bill on May 7, 2015 14:56:54 GMT -7
I used to own a Super Reverb which I loved so I'm excited to have that 4x10 configuration. I got a great deal on it so I could always resell without loosing my arse. I'm also the only guitar player in my group so more speakers is a definite plus. Any other experiences?
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on May 7, 2015 15:03:10 GMT -7
Did you get some new power tubes yet?
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bill
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Post by bill on May 7, 2015 17:01:16 GMT -7
Yup seemed to help a little but I think the greenies were having trouble keeping up at high volumes
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Post by daveyk on May 7, 2015 18:49:30 GMT -7
Does the Z 4x10 cab come loaded with z speakers? If so what are they designed after?
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bill
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Post by bill on May 7, 2015 20:28:46 GMT -7
Yup it's got the Z speakers in it. Should be delivered tomorrow. I'll report back with the results
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bill
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Post by bill on May 22, 2015 6:17:54 GMT -7
Update: After playing on the Dr Z 4x10 I immediately realized that my problem lies in the efficiency of the Greenback (which is why some people love it). The Maz now was louder than I would ever need it to be. However, for me this is not such a good thing. I was looking for some kind of middle ground. I needed enough volume and headroom without peeling the paint of the walls. I have to say I wasn't crazy about the Z 4x10, although I didn't give it much of a chance. I just knew it was too loud nevermind the tonality of the cab which seemed very mid rangy. After speaker break in I'm sure this would be a great cab for many. I ended up selling the Dr Z 4x10 along with my 2x12 Avatar with the Greenbacks and bought a Dr Z 1x12 convertible with a Creamback G12M-65. I have to say, it seems like this speaker was made for this amp. It's everything I liked about the Greenback but the low end doesn't flub out when pushed. It also seems like there's more headroom on account of the higher wattage. The volume seems to be very close (efficiency is rated similarly) but because the speaker holds together better when you push it, the perceived volume seems louder to me. Anyway, I am completely happy with my setup now and would highly recommend the Creamback for the Maz. I appreciate everyone's advice.
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Post by daveyk on May 22, 2015 10:23:08 GMT -7
Also, If you're not wanting to peal the paint off the walls with a higher efficient speaker, make sure to get a brake lite if you don't already have one. It's a tool all z amp owners should have in my opinion. I'm hearing great things about the Creamback though with this amp!
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Post by bnads on Jun 2, 2015 17:40:52 GMT -7
If you think a DRRI is the tone you need, I suggest looking for a good condition Silverface and getting it bf'd. I made that move - sold a great maz 18 head and 210 z cab in favor or the simplicity of carrying only a small combo - regretted it right up to the day I sold it and got another Maz. A Maz 18 sounds the best with a Gold over any other speaker I've tried, although the wgs Reaper hp was impressive in it too.
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Post by bnads on Jun 2, 2015 17:51:30 GMT -7
Delete
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