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Post by Rockerfeller on Jul 8, 2015 6:45:32 GMT -7
I am seriously looking at getting my first Dr. Z amp. I have seen them in action live on stage many times and I know they are 1) great amps and 2) louder than whatever watts the amp has. I have been looking at videos and reading all the reviews I can on them and I am not sure which one would fit my needs the best. I play live a lot, mostly telecasters into a clean amp and I use pedals to get my dirt. A lot of the Dr. Z amps seem to be able to get that great country chime and I am looking for that, but not just that. Angus Young’s Back in Black tone is the tone I hear in my head for crunch. So I would LOVE to find the DR. Z amp that can do the chimey country thing and get close to the Angus tone.
It is hard to figure out how much power I would need in a Dr. Z amp. Typically, a 30 watt class A amp will work for me in almost any situation. I want a head, not a combo amp as I use different cabinets based upon venue size and or inside/outside. Here are some of the amps I have been considering. I have played none of them:
Maz jr Remedy Antidote Stang Ray Therapy
Thanks for any direction you can give me!
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Post by pcns on Jul 8, 2015 7:21:39 GMT -7
Chime and crunch ... . . Maz 18 would fit the bill.
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Post by Jefferson on Jul 8, 2015 8:19:47 GMT -7
Definitely the NR version. And you ought to go head/cab with a blue for chime and perhaps a greenback for crunch.
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Post by John on Jul 8, 2015 8:58:34 GMT -7
I play live a lot, mostly telecasters into a clean amp and I use pedals to get my dirt. I would LOVE to find the DR. Z amp that can do the chimey country thing and get close to the Angus tone.
I have a Remedy and have had two Maz Jrs and two Stangrays. I feel the Maz is a little more friendly to single coils than humbuckers. The Remedy is friendly to both single and humbuckers. Maz= a little more chime (Voxy) Remedy= a little more muscle and punch (Marshall) Stangray= no crunch...incredible clean w slightly scooped mids All are great. But the Stangray is very different than the other two. You won't get anywhere near Angus territory with a Stangray. I gravitated towards the Remedy over the Maz, but I'm an old school 4 input Marshall type guy. (but my small el84 amp needs are filled by a Ghia) But for a first Z amp...you can't go wrong with either Maz or Remedy...but I'd give my nod to the Maz Jr. (Unless you really know you want a vintage Marshall tone of a Remedy) It also depends on what type of gigs you play the most. If you play mostly small stages and reasonable volume...yes, the Maz is an excellent choice...but don't ignore the Ghia. Don't be put off by it only having two knobs. The tone is in there. The Maz is a little more Voxy...the Ghia is a little more Marshally. A Ghia can really get you into Angus territory. If you play higher volume gigs, a Remedy may be better for you. And don't discount a Maz SENIOR! Especially if you want a loud and clean platform. I have a 1x10 Ghia combo and it's the perfect grab and go club amp. Small, light, excellent tone...can't think of anything better for that purpose. For larger gigs, I have my Remedy. (But that's not to say I haven't used my Remedy for smaller gigs...I have.)
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Post by Rockerfeller on Jul 8, 2015 9:06:29 GMT -7
Definitely the NR version. And you ought to go head/cab with a blue for chime and perhaps a greenback for crunch. Definitely on the head/cab. I don't have any combo amps any more. I think I am leaning towards the NR version on the Maz, though I haven't every played one. I have definitely been on stage with one and have heard how loud 18 Dr. Z "watts" can be.
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Post by Rockerfeller on Jul 8, 2015 9:14:01 GMT -7
I play live a lot, mostly telecasters into a clean amp and I use pedals to get my dirt. I would LOVE to find the DR. Z amp that can do the chimey country thing and get close to the Angus tone.
It also depends on what type of gigs you play the most. If you play mostly small stages and reasonable volume...yes, the Maz is an excellent choice...but don't ignore the Ghia. Don't be put off by it only having two knobs. The tone is in there. The Maz is a little more Voxy...the Ghia is a little more Marshally. A Ghia can really get you into Angus territory. If you play higher volume gigs, a Remedy may be better for you. And don't discount a Maz SENIOR! Especially if you want a loud and clean platform. I play an equal amount of small and larger venues as well as indoor/outdoor. I will be honest, I have kind of narrowed it down to either a Remedy or the Maz Jr. I like the fact that the Remedy has a 1/2 power switch that could tame the volume for smaller venue's, but could be run full power for outdoor gigs. That said, I think the Maz jr might be a more versatile amp for my situation and I always mic my cabinet at larger venues anyway. Do you think a Maz jr is less volume and/or head room than your typical 30watt class A amp?
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Jul 8, 2015 9:50:04 GMT -7
Maz Jr NR covers a whole lot of ground. From what you describe with the right speakers I can't imagine you running out of headroom especially with a Telecaster. It really does keep up with amps that are rated higher wattage-wise. The master volume is very useful also.
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Post by John on Jul 8, 2015 9:57:23 GMT -7
Not having played many 30 watt class A amps, I couldn't tell you if a Maz Jr has more/less headroom than a typical 30 watt class A amp...but I would think it would not. (I think the only one I've played is a stangray)
If you play larger gigs "and always mic"..that means probably a decent PA, and they could pump you through a monitor if you're amp isn't loud enough. So the jr wouldn't be struggling to keep up.
You are right about the 1/2 power switch of the Remedy...in addition to a master volume. It adds a layer of versatility.
But I find that both amps are very versatile. Perhaps you could think of it this way: The Remedy is the Doc's take on a Marshall plexi. Go to a store, try a 4 input Marshall 1987 model. (50 watts and no MV, it will be loud!) If that's not the tone that just grabs you, then get a Maz jr. They are both great amps, but they each have their areas where they shine. The remedy is not available in a combo, so if that's important to you, get a Maz. The remedy is probably another trip to the car.
Even though the Remedy is a 20/40 watt amp, it starts to overdrive rather early...as a Marshall plexi would. I think a Maz Jr could get louder cleans than a 1/2 power Remedy. (It's been years since I've had a Jr...so I can't quite remember)
Where, in general, are you located? Maybe there's a forum member near you?
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Post by Rockerfeller on Jul 8, 2015 10:25:20 GMT -7
Where, in general, are you located? Maybe there's a forum member near you? I am in Colorado. I am going to get a chance to play with a MV Remedy at a gig this weekend. I will have to hit up the Dr. Z dealer here to play the Maz Jr.
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Post by BritInvasion on Jul 8, 2015 10:41:03 GMT -7
18 NR gets my vote for what you're describing.
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Post by Rockerfeller on Jul 8, 2015 10:54:36 GMT -7
18 NR gets my vote for what you're describing. The Maz Jr NR is winning in the polls!
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Post by Maddog on Jul 8, 2015 10:57:48 GMT -7
Maz18. Either NR or verb
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Post by Mark (Basement Enthusiast) on Jul 9, 2015 11:06:28 GMT -7
I think MAZ 18 as well (NR version is prob'ly fine), but the Remedy would not be a bad choice either. Though, you said Telecasters, and I think the MAZ likes Fender/single-coil guitars whereas the Remedy likes Gibsons/humbucker guitars.
The newer versions with EQ bypass will allow you to be kinda clean-ish in "normal" mode, but then you can footswitch the EQ out of the circuit and you'll get full-on drive & distortion. Very cool feature.
One note, too--speaker selection is very important in (almost) all Doc's amps. I'd recommend the G12H-30 Anniversary speaker (or similar clone with large ceramic magnet) if you want to do hard rock and also use the amp as a clean pedal platform. More "vintage-style" AlNiCo-magnet speakers sound awesome with the MAZ too, but I find the G12H better suited for rock. [And if the G12H-30 is a little too bright for you, go for a Tone Tubby 40/40 ceramic.]
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Post by Rockerfeller on Jul 9, 2015 11:25:46 GMT -7
I think MAZ 18 as well (NR version is prob'ly fine), but the Remedy would not be a bad choice either. Though, you said Telecasters, and I think the MAZ likes Fender/single-coil guitars whereas the Remedy likes Gibsons/humbucker guitars. The newer versions with EQ bypass will allow you to be kinda clean-ish in "normal" mode, but then you can footswitch the EQ out of the circuit and you'll get full-on drive & distortion. Very cool feature. I saw a video demo comparison on youtube between a Remedy and a Princeton Reverb doing clean. I could not tell the difference. That video is what led me to really consider the Remedy. I know it sounds great when it rocks, but it sounds great in that video too.
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Post by Mark (Basement Enthusiast) on Jul 9, 2015 12:32:51 GMT -7
I saw a video demo comparison on youtube between a Remedy and a Princeton Reverb doing clean. I could not tell the difference. That video is what led me to really consider the Remedy. I know it sounds great when it rocks, but it sounds great in that video too. That's a very real capability of the Remedy. I was just playing mine yesterday.. the cleans can get very Fender-y if you back off your guitar's volume a little and don't push the amp's front end. Very easy to fool someone that you're playing a Deluxe or Princeton. It's cleans don't "jangle" like a Vox, but they can "sparkle" like a Fender. The MAZ on the other hand.. that thing will jangle all day long. ( Translations: IMO, "jangle" is a looser-feel sort of thing that you can almost hear chiming alongside itself. "Sparkle" is tighter in feel, and is more of a pure, singular clean tone. Yes, I'm totally making this stuff up, but how else does one describe a sound with words?)
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Post by Rockerfeller on Jul 10, 2015 6:49:55 GMT -7
Thanks for all the input. I am surprised that the Remedy only got one vote. I will be trying a Remedy out this Saturday at a gig, so I should get a feel for it. There are no Maz Jr. at the local dealer where I live, so I can't try one out, which is a bummer. At least I can try out the Remedy.
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Post by nmz on Jul 10, 2015 10:28:07 GMT -7
Remedy rocks man, it'll get AC/DC in spades. But chime and grind has Maz all over it.
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Post by Rockerfeller on Jul 12, 2015 4:42:44 GMT -7
Well, I ended up not using the Remedy this weekend. However, I did get to take it home with me for two weeks to mess around with it and then I get to use it at three outdoor festival gigs. I should be able to give it a good workout. I actually can't wait to crank it up and try it, but it is currently 5:45am on Sunday morning.
...What the heck, it is time for everyone in my house to wake up !
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Post by John on Jul 12, 2015 7:12:00 GMT -7
If at all possible, use a greenback or some clone/variant with the Remedy. Perfect match. (I use a creamback)
I know Mark said above that he likes the G12H. I really don't like that speaker...especially with the Remedy. But your ears will tell you what's best.
I was able to A/B/C the following with the Remedy:
1) Greenback 2) V30 3) G12H
Greenback= clearly the winner. Classic rock tones V30= Good, but definitely more of a metal tone when used with the Remedy...and louder than greenback G12H= Just didn't like it at all. It's scooped mids and bright high end just didn't do it for me.
Here's my favorite setting:
You've GOT to use a closed back cabinet with a greenback(s) (or clone)....and a humbucker guitar.
High volume= to taste..maybe around 2:00 Normal volume= OFF! Treble= never past noon (or a little below) mids= noon-2:00 bass= about 9-10:00
Because you're only using the bright channel, you have to keep the treble below noon. (otherwise things get brittle) If switching to single coils..turn the normal volume up until you hear some bass coming through and fill things out.
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Post by Rockerfeller on Jul 12, 2015 7:35:36 GMT -7
I was able to A/B/C the following with the Remedy: 1) Greenback 2) V30 3) G12H Greenback= clearly the winner. Classic rock tones V30= Good, but definitely more of a metal tone when used with the Remedy...and louder than greenback G12H= Just didn't like it at all. It's scooped mids and bright high end just didn't do it for me. Thanks for the advice. On hand, I have a G12h30, a g12H heritage 55 c/s, a Gold, a V30 and a greenback. I can put those into a Bogner cube, a Divided by 13 1x12 open back or an Avatar 2x12 open back cab. The divided by 13 cab is great and EASY to swap out speakers. I'm a Tele player almost exclusively these days and I like the open back sound mostly.
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Post by John on Jul 12, 2015 8:50:21 GMT -7
As much as I don't like the G12H...it's a good match for pairing with a V30. The scooped mids of the G12H are offset by the mid spike of the V30.
That gold in a 1x12 open back will also be great with teles.
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Post by Mark (Basement Enthusiast) on Jul 12, 2015 9:44:53 GMT -7
...G12H. I really don't like that speaker...especially with the Remedy... I hear ya John. I do like the G12H with the MAZ sometimes, when I want to go more rock, and that's what I was suggesting. But I agree re: the Remedy--it's pretty flat and somewhat scooped in the mids--might be too much lows & highs with the G12H. For the OP, out of your available speakers, with the Remedy: if it's open back, try the Gold; if it's closed back, try either the Greenback (at the 20 W setting, of course) or the Vintage 30.
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Post by Rockerfeller on Jul 14, 2015 6:09:54 GMT -7
Well, it is settled. I went with a MV Remedy. I also picked up a 1x12 Z cab used with a creamback. It really does sound great!
As soon as I can actually try out the Maz Jr. I will! Thanks for all your help guys.
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Post by John on Jul 14, 2015 6:36:54 GMT -7
Remedy with a 1x12 creamback....your search is over. I know it was for me. I'm not interested in other amps. I'm done.
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Post by Rockerfeller on Jul 15, 2015 7:20:47 GMT -7
I really am surprised by the Remedy and how great of a clean tone it has!
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jch
New Member
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Post by jch on Jul 23, 2015 20:04:07 GMT -7
Ok I am obviously new to the forum and I don't have a lot of experience with dr z amps but I do own a Remedy. Kinda like saying that I stayed motel 6 last night! Lol
I have had several vintage Marshals over the years and this is what I would say. Next to my former 1982 JCM 800 the remedy isn't close to that amp. However next to my old jubilee it's real close to that. I find I can get that joe bonamassa sound from my Remedy really easy, especially using the pedals that I do. (Wampler pinnacle used as a boost and a TS 808 tube screamer). The remedy is closer to the AC/DC sound than the JCM 800 but not the same as a original jtm45. I don't have the upgrades on my Dr Z yet but I am reading the comments to see if that is right for me or not. I will say that right after I got my Z the power tubes went out and I am waiting on the JJ's to show up now.
Its nice ice to get all the info from everyone here. I'm a little on overload with all the info and I'm still sifting through it.
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Post by John on Jul 24, 2015 4:52:21 GMT -7
Next to my former 1982 JCM 800 the remedy isn't close to that amp. However next to my old jubilee it's real close to that. I find I can get that joe bonamassa sound from my Remedy really easy, especially using the pedals that I do. (Wampler pinnacle used as a boost and a TS 808 tube screamer). The remedy is closer to the AC/DC sound than the JCM 800 but not the same as a original jtm45. I don't have the upgrades on my Dr Z yet but I am reading the comments to see if that is right for me or not. I will say that right after I got my Z the power tubes went out and I am waiting on the JJ's to show up now. Its nice ice to get all the info from everyone here. I'm a little on overload with all the info and I'm still sifting through it. The Remedy isn't supposed to be like a JCM800. That's a different sounding amp. (That would be more like the SRZ-65) In general, the Remedy should be closer to the 4 input Marshalls. The 'plexi' Marshall circuit of the late 60's was used as a template, and the Doc put his twist on it from there. And welcome to the Forum!!
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Post by Mark (Basement Enthusiast) on Aug 25, 2015 13:28:27 GMT -7
Post-Michigan-Z-Fest update here. During a shootout between the Antidote, Remedy, and Therapy (which hopefully will get detailed elsewhere, in a new thread) John had explained to us his approach to setting the EQ controls on the Remedy. It's the same as he had mentioned earlier here: Here's my favorite setting: You've GOT to use a closed back cabinet with a greenback(s) (or clone)....and a humbucker guitar. High volume= to taste..maybe around 2:00 Normal volume= OFF! Treble= never past noon (or a little below) mids= noon-2:00 bass= about 9-10:00 Because you're only using the bright channel, you have to keep the treble below noon. (otherwise things get brittle) If switching to single coils..turn the normal volume up until you hear some bass coming through and fill things out. All I can say is that he's definitely onto something good. The amp--which was mine, by the way, and I did have it up for sale--sounded awesome. So awesome, in fact, that I'm second-guessing myself on whether I should sell it or not. I guess it didn't hurt that it was going into a Z-Best cabinet, or that Paul was the one playing the guitar through it. Anyways, if you're checking different ways to set-up your Remedy, you'd be well-advised to follow John's advice. He knows "that" sound.
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Post by Rockerfeller on Mar 27, 2016 6:45:05 GMT -7
Well, this poll was created about 8 months ago. It looks like the winner is the Maz Jr and The Remedy comes in second place. I created the poll because I wasn't sure which Dr. Z amp I needed to get. It turns out that my other guitar player sold me his Remedy for a great price a week or two after I created the poll. (He plays a Therapy now).
So I got the second place amp, but I really, really love it and it does everything I need. It is the best sounding amp I have ever owned. I have since sold all my other amps and cabinets and I am now down to one Remedy and 2 Dr. Z convertible 1-12's with Creambacks in them. The only drawback is that I don't have a backup gigging amp. Maybe a Maz 38?
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Post by JSA61 on Mar 27, 2016 9:58:48 GMT -7
Well, this poll was created about 8 months ago. It looks like the winner is the Maz Jr and The Remedy comes in second place. I created the poll because I wasn't sure which Dr. Z amp I needed to get. It turns out that my other guitar player sold me his Remedy for a great price a week or two after I created the poll. (He plays a Therapy now). So I got the second place amp, but I really, really love it and it does everything I need. It is the best sounding amp I have ever owned. I have since sold all my other amps and cabinets and I am now down to one Remedy and 2 Dr. Z convertible 1-12's with Creambacks in them. The only drawback is that I don't have a backup gigging amp. Maybe a Maz 38? I bought a CG 1x10 combo as a backup for my Remedy as well as to have a nice grab n go amp. After I got it,I tried it at a small venue (we always mic).Since most of the places we play are smaller venues,the CG gets most of the gigs now. I got the Red Fang (50w) speaker in 1x10 combo and sometimes run the Remedy thru it.Sounds pretty pretty pretty good.
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