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Post by benluke on Jun 23, 2015 13:24:25 GMT -7
It always seems to me that the British contributions tend to stiff a thread straight away so I hope you take me seriously and help me out with a little personal dilemma about where to go next with the Z family.
I have owned four Z's and presently own two Maz 8 Combos - one Blue equipped and one G12 and an older Maz 18 2x10. I was very excited by the Z Lux because as an Americana style player this seemed like the vital addition to the Arsenal. The EZG50 is too big and too loud for the venues I play and to be honest though the guys on here are frothing I have been underwhlemed by the demos of the Z Lux by comparison with the EL84 equipped Z'S although I can see that the specs make it a great addition to the range.
I love the Maz 8 because it achieves a real sweet spot at manageable volume, takes pedals well and fills a small room with gorgeous chimey, sparkling harmonic overtones. I also think the 18 is one of the great amps in bigger venues.
And yet I lust after the Z Wreck because it is, well top of the range. But I think attenuators sort of defeat the object so what does it do for a bar room player like me that my Maz 18 or a pair of 8's don't do? Given what I own already is the Z Wreck just more of the same? What do I get for my extra £900 or $1500 on the Maz or $700 more than the Z Lux that would sell the proposition to my good lady? Or should I just lie down in a dark room and wait for the angst to pass.........? People are starving in the world and I am old enough to know better.
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Post by Eddie on Jun 23, 2015 20:56:43 GMT -7
I have a MAZ Jr. with Reverb. I've had it for 9 years and it has been my main amp - often in that time my only amp - and I have used it with several cabs, mostly a strat, and a few pedals. I play all styles.
I have used a Z Wreck on stage with a band one time (cranked), and I have been in the room when one was being played (at GuitarRiot in Cleveland).
Needless to say, I am much more familiar with the MAZ than I am with the Z Wreck.
To my ears, the MAZ is more tame than the Wreck. The Z Wreck probably has twice the harmonic content of any MAZ I have heard. I also think the Wreck has more of a "lo-fi" tone than the MAZ. And I mean that in the best possible way. The Wreck just seems like it is more alive.
None of that means that the MAZ isn't a great amp. I think it is! The MAZ is probably more versatile, even if it doesn't have all of the "magic" that the Wreck has. The hype over the Z Wreck is not hype at all, in my opinion. I think it really is that cool.
If you have three MAZ models, even though you have a variety of speakers between them, you must have some overlap. If I was in your shoes, I might sell one of the MAZ8 amps and put that toward a Z Wreck.
I would not, however, add a Z Lux to a MAZ. I'd rather just use the MAZ and add a nice tremolo pedal.
All subjective stuff, for sure. And maybe you are onto something by realizing you might simply have some restlessness that will pass. You have three great amps and it sounds like you are happy with them. Sometimes better is the enemy of good!
Best, Eddie
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Post by telejas on Jun 23, 2015 21:16:02 GMT -7
I've had almost every EL84 Z has made and most will cross-over on each others tone, but all pretty much maintain their own tone too. That being said, the Maz series is one of the most versatile amps that Z makes. It can go from Fender-ish warmth to AC30 chime and even some Marshall grit when cranked. The Z-Wreck is all hot-rodded AC30... It's meaner, more harmonic, has a great clean but lower head room, it's really loud when pushed.. Which is where the Maz's master volume comes in really handy *an attenuator is a must with the Z-Wreck. To my ears, the Maz series is a bit thicker in the lower mid-range whereas the Wreck has a higher focused mid-range and more chime. I know this isn't the Maz amp I'm about to refer to, but I've always thought about the Z-wreck like this when compared to the Stangray: Stangray = A nicely aged, smooth fine wine Z-Wreck = An old barrel Tennessee Whiskey, with a lot of kick I'd say the Maz would be like a good, expensive bottle of Vodka. And this is coming from someone that hasn't had a drink in 22 years - Wow, as of today! Oops, I was off a month It's 22 years in July.
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Post by dergit (Markus) on Jul 2, 2015 2:35:58 GMT -7
But I think attenuators sort of defeat the object You haven't tried one, have you? Not to derail the discussion but check this out.
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