zeno
Junior Member
Posts: 63
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Post by zeno on Jul 14, 2015 8:41:24 GMT -7
I've been researching Dr. Z amps & think I have narrowed down a possible purchase of the MAZ 18nr Jr. The closest Dr. Z dealer is 4 hours away so I haven't been able to try one out yet. However , "lurking", and reading through these threads the term "It's loud" keeps coming up and I see a lot of folks recommend the Air brake or some other type of attenuator. My question is...if most are trying to tame this and other Dr. Z amps, and.. they "sound best when cranked but it's too loud", are you getting your $'s worth & sacrificing great tone for the sake of a bit more headroom? It kind of seems like your buying a Mazaratti but can never drive over the speed limit?
Anyway, would the MAZ 18 jr be a good match for someone who can only afford one amp for gigging, band practice, & home practice?
Thank you
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Post by BritInvasion on Jul 14, 2015 8:53:29 GMT -7
Welcome to the forum. The Maz18 with or without reverb is pretty close to an ideal do-it-all amp IMHO. As far as loud goes , yes- it can be loud. But a lot depends on the kind of music your playing and where you're playing it (is your band loud , heavy handed drummer , play large venues / big crowds etc? ) It sounds great at lower volumes as well as cranked. If you are playing small venues and your band isn't over-the-top loud you might want to try out a Maz 8 while you're at it. It might suit your situation better if volume is a concern as you can hit the "sweet spot" at a lower sound pressure level
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Post by digs57 on Jul 14, 2015 8:58:24 GMT -7
The answer from me is yes!!!...absolutely (biased?)...I don't think an attenuator is necessary at first till you see yourself...if have to have that breakup tone all the time then ?...I love the clean tone of the maz....practice at home I can turn both volumes 10...not a problem.
I just don't need it dimed to appreciate the tone of maz...
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Post by detuned on Jul 14, 2015 9:11:04 GMT -7
I had a Maz Jr NR 2x10 combo for years, & NEVER had a problem being heard form the smallest club stage to outdoor venues. I like my cleans "squeaky", too. I don't think you'll have a problem. A lot depends on the efficiency of your speaker setup, so take some time to think about the number & type of speakers you'll need.
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zeno
Junior Member
Posts: 63
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Post by zeno on Jul 14, 2015 9:33:34 GMT -7
Wow! Thanks for the info. For reference, we play a little bit of everything from '90's grunge to some blues, to country twang. I use a Vox AC15 which covers a lot of ground and is plenty loud enough without being mike'd. However, there is not enough clean headroom before it starts to breakup (for larger venues). Also, sometimes the "icepickyness" with a Telecaster on the bridge pickup hittin' high notes is tough to tame. I briefly thought about a Vox AC 30 for more headroom but that's waaaaay too much amp for me. This is why I'm considering the MAZ 18. I have a Celestion Alnico Blue in the Vox which is a perfect match, but I'm thinkin' a Celestion Gold in a MAZ 18 to tighten up the bass?
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Post by digs57 on Jul 14, 2015 9:54:02 GMT -7
I would give the g12h a shot before radical change (Combo)...g12h has tight bottem you could bounce a dime I will add that the cleans are not fender pristine...has a touch of grit which give that amp it's character.
Maz is definitely dialable for ice pick.Lots of us been through that here,lot of info...(pickup height evaluation is always less costly alternative)
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Post by Russell B on Jul 14, 2015 10:11:29 GMT -7
Welcome!
I've never been in a gig where my Maz Jrs, (and Carmen Ghia and Monza) were not loud enough. Most of the time, they are too loud and I have to turn the Air Brake another click. Looking at your musical diversity, I think the Maz Jr would do you well. I like the Blue as well as the GH12-30 with the Maz. I'm sure the Gold is a great speaker as well.
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Post by BritInvasion on Jul 14, 2015 10:25:10 GMT -7
Wow! Thanks for the info. For reference, we play a little bit of everything from '90's grunge to some blues, to country twang. I use a Vox AC15 which covers a lot of ground and is plenty loud enough without being mike'd. However, there is not enough clean headroom before it starts to breakup (for larger venues). Also, sometimes the "icepickyness" with a Telecaster on the bridge pickup hittin' high notes is tough to tame. I briefly thought about a Vox AC 30 for more headroom but that's waaaaay too much amp for me. This is why I'm considering the MAZ 18. I have a Celestion Alnico Blue in the Vox which is a perfect match, but I'm thinkin' a Celestion Gold in a MAZ 18 to tighten up the bass? Reading this I would say that the Maz 18 is your amp. If you can try out both the reverb model as well as the NR. The reverb 18 gives just a tad more clean headroom- not a ton , just a little more than the NR. My view is that the NR has a bit of Fender tweed goin' on , while the reverb 18 has more of a Fender blackface flavor in the cleans. Both have plenty of Vox. Just my 2 cents.
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Post by Brian on Jul 15, 2015 7:21:43 GMT -7
The Maz 18 will do it all...small venue to large...clean to gritty...at just about any volume. Someone above said try it out by itself first before you buy an attenuator, I agree. You may decide you don't need one. I play what you do except for the 90's grunge...but you can accomplish that with a pedal and I do it with a Maz 18 nr studio combo. Highly recommend.
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Post by scottc on Jul 15, 2015 7:26:51 GMT -7
MAZ 18 would definitely do you right: They take pedals really well, so if you have a couple of different gain boxes (along with some others like a compressor for the country!), you could easily cover all of the styles you mention.
I recently fired up a JHS Angry Charlie through my MAZ (reverb) head into a 2x12 Marshall Artist cabinet...Amazing heavy rock tones!
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Post by j4gitr (John) on Jul 15, 2015 8:22:31 GMT -7
Answer to your question; absolutely without a doubt. No attenuators needed. I know I echo the sentiments of others before me. My preference 2x10, but YMMV. Better yet buy a head choose a convertible cab 12 or 2x10 and save for the opposite of what you initially pick. Then you have the best of both worlds; mix-match-combine. Have fun choosing. The real fun is just beginning.
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Post by hymns on Jul 15, 2015 15:19:01 GMT -7
I would try the Sea Blue EQ and if it doesn't work with the Vox I know it sounds good with the Maz 18
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Post by dergit (Markus) on Jul 16, 2015 0:18:35 GMT -7
The Brake Lite does not sacrifice tone. While attenuators aren't "needed", they're a fantastic tool with the MAZ because the Master volume is a huge part of the tone. It doesn't just dial back the volume, it hugely affects saturation, compression and distortion. The Brake Lite allows me to set my amp how I like it without compromise and then dial it down with virtually no effect on how it sounds. Having to use the Master to dial down the volume is *much* more of a sacrifice in tone than just clicking the Brake Lite back a step or two. The MAZ is probably the Dr.'s most versatile amp (I haven't tried the Therapy yet) but it's still a Z. And they're quite unique. I love all the characteristics that make them unique but they're not for everyone. If a "do-it-all-amp" is what you're after, the MAZ is probably the closest Z to that but it's not remotely a do-it-all-amp in the strict sense of the concept - compared to many other amps out there. Zs are special that way.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Jul 16, 2015 5:36:28 GMT -7
The Maz 18 "does it all" as well as any tube amp can.
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zeno
Junior Member
Posts: 63
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Post by zeno on Jul 16, 2015 8:56:14 GMT -7
The Brake Lite does not sacrifice tone. While attenuators aren't "needed", they're a fantastic tool with the MAZ because the Master volume is a huge part of the tone. It doesn't just dial back the volume, it hugely affects saturation, compression and distortion. The Brake Lite allows me to set my amp how I like it without compromise and then dial it down with virtually no effect on how it sounds. Having to use the Master to dial down the volume is *much* more of a sacrifice in tone than just clicking the Brake Lite back a step or two. The MAZ is probably the Dr.'s most versatile amp (I haven't tried the Therapy yet) but it's still a Z. And they're quite unique. I love all the characteristics that make them unique but they're not for everyone. If a "do-it-all-amp" is what you're after, the MAZ is probably the closest Z to that but it's not remotely a do-it-all-amp in the strict sense of the concept - compared to many other amps out there. Zs are special that way. That's a great description of the master volume functionality and a lightbulb just appeared above my head;) I didn't realize the effect of the master volume plays in the pre-amp. With other amplifiers (with gain control) the master volume just controls the "loudness" of the amp overall.So with the Brakelight I can dial down to "bedroom" levels for practicing instead of having to buy a little 4watt amp for home practice??? Anyway, based on the outpouring of love for the MAZ in this and other forums , YouTube Videos, etc. I ordered a MAZ combo without ever having played one! ..Should be here in a few days. Wish me luck!
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Post by Darasick on Jul 16, 2015 10:24:42 GMT -7
No luck needed, just 120V AC!
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Post by 195db on Jul 18, 2015 14:49:33 GMT -7
I don't think I've had mine a month yet & all I can is I'm sorry I didn't get one sooner. I haven't even really tried dialing it in or gigged w/ it yet. Just some rehearsals. I installed a brakelite as well. Keep it on 3 at the moment. Better to have & not need than... you know. Also everyone one warned me about the addiction & I'm already plotting for a Carmen Ghia.
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zeno
Junior Member
Posts: 63
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Post by zeno on Jul 21, 2015 7:09:52 GMT -7
O.K. , so the Maz 18nr arrived yesterday & my first impression is ....Yeah, it's good! However, my ears are still ringing today. I A/B'd it against my Vox AC15 for a bit & found the Maz definitely has more clean headroom than the Vox as well as being "punchier" . All the descriptions I have read on this forum are accurate as far as versatility and sound. I dialed in several of the suggested settings from the tone chart (listed somewhere in another thread), and was able to get an array of different tones just by tweaking , which leads to a pleasant dilemma..... Although I haven't spent enough time getting to know the Maz yet I want to gig with it tomorrow night in place of my AC15. Can anyone suggest some "neutral" settings where I can go from clean to mean & everything in-between using an overdrive pedal and guitar volume control? Also, wondering if those gigging are favoring "high" input or "low" input? Thanks, I'm playing a Les Paul R6 with P-90's
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Post by dergit (Markus) on Jul 21, 2015 7:40:00 GMT -7
Haha, I played an entire tour (14 concerts) within the first month of buying mine. You're not alone here. Take it, you won't regret it. I keep pretty much all the knobs just below noon. It depends on the guitar where exactly but usually Volume and Master end up at around 10-11 o'clock, Bass at 1, Mid at 12, Treble at 11, Cut at 11, Brake Lite on 2 for most venues and humbuckers into the Lo input. It eats pedals (Klon Klone, EP Booster and SP Comp) a lot better this way than if you set it up a bit hotter. If you want more clean headroom, try a 5751 in V1 (and possibly V2). It calms the MAZ down a bit and extends the usable range of the Volume knob for me and my guitars.
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Post by jesslm02 on Jul 21, 2015 10:41:56 GMT -7
My Maz 18 NR and Ghia both have more headroom than my Vox AC15 Handwired. The Maz has the most. I think the Maz is one of the most versatile tube amps out there even though it's a single channel amp. I'm a combo guy and usually go with a 1x12. Then I can throw in one roadcase and know it's protected. I get great cleans with it, but with pedals I can get any gained up tone I want. I've had to let a lot of my amps go, the Maz and Ghia are staying.
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Post by digs57 on Jul 21, 2015 13:17:08 GMT -7
I don't know if anybody uses tone knobs like I do...treble/9:30- mid/8:30 to off- bass/off and 8:00 on studio- cut/8:00...give's me just a flatter guitar tone...not so much toned?
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Post by dergit (Markus) on Jul 21, 2015 13:49:17 GMT -7
I do sometimes turn the EQ down a fair bit as well (all between 9 and 11) – cleans up the tone and tames it all. Especially with a good FOH, it'll make for a much more "hi fi" guitar sound.
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zeno
Junior Member
Posts: 63
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Post by zeno on Jul 22, 2015 17:20:03 GMT -7
After many hours of playing through the MAZ I hope someone can offer a suggestion. I made the mistake of using an ABY box & switching back & forth between the MAZ & my Vox AC15HW1X. The MAZ is new with a Celestial Alnico Gold & the Vox has a well broken in Alnico blue.
I know tone is subjective but when comparing both amps with as similar settings as I can figure, The Vox has by far a warmer tone at all volume levels while the MAZ sounds "boxier" & punchier. Could there be that much of a difference due to the gold not being broken in yet and the used Alnico Blue in the Vox?? Or , is an inherent difference between the amps?
Can anyone suggest some warm, fat, settings for the Maz?
Bottom line is that Iv'e tweaked the tone settings on the Maz for an hour & can't lose the stiff, boxy tone.
Would there be a big difference if I replaced the Gold with a blue? Tone chasing sucks , but once I find it I'm done.
Thanks
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Post by digs57 on Jul 22, 2015 18:02:45 GMT -7
Never had gold...but the g12h takes some workin in to start getting sweeter...im sure guys here w/experience with the gold will chime in...don't under estimate breakin (blah,blah)...fwiw...I was steered (dealer) away from gold because of the stiff feel.
Yeah tone chasing does suck...that maz will be plenty competition for your vox...once you've landed on it.
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Post by dergit (Markus) on Jul 23, 2015 1:08:48 GMT -7
Have you tried hooking the MAZ up to the Vox? Just place the combos back to back and pull and exchange the speaker plugs. This way you'll be sure it's the speaker and cabinet that's bothering you, not the amp.
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Post by jesslm02 on Jul 23, 2015 7:34:37 GMT -7
Yea the gold will be stiff. It needs a lot of high volume playing to break-in. It will sound better after that. However, you are still only pushing it with an 18 watt amp, and IMO, the gold likes to be pushed a lot more than that. If you have the cash to spare, I'd seriously consider the new Celestion Alnico Cream. It sounds and responds much more like the Blue than the Gold does, and actually sounds pretty great at any volume. I have one loaded up my AC15 Handwired and it sounds great. It also sounded great in the Ghia. MarkT here on the forum has had the Alnico cream in his Maz Jr for several months now and absolutely loves. It has became his favorite speaker.
So yes, you can put a Blue in the Maz and that will loosen it up a bit - and get looser with break-in. But the Cream sounds great out of the box and only gets better.
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zeno
Junior Member
Posts: 63
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Post by zeno on Jul 25, 2015 8:16:51 GMT -7
Yea the gold will be stiff. It needs a lot of high volume playing to break-in. It will sound better after that. However, you are still only pushing it with an 18 watt amp, and IMO, the gold likes to be pushed a lot more than that. If you have the cash to spare, I'd seriously consider the new Celestion Alnico Cream. It sounds and responds much more like the Blue than the Gold does, and actually sounds pretty great at any volume. I have one loaded up my AC15 Handwired and it sounds great. It also sounded great in the Ghia. MarkT here on the forum has had the Alnico cream in his Maz Jr for several months now and absolutely loves. It has became his favorite speaker. So yes, you can put a Blue in the Maz and that will loosen it up a bit - and get looser with break-in. But the Cream sounds great out of the box and only gets better. Took your advice & ordered a Celestion Cream.... Touted as a good compromise between the Gold (which is too stiff) , and a Blue (which has the "chime" but flubby bass at higher volumes. Still getting to know this amp., especially the relationship between volume & MV. Starting with Master @ noon, Vol to taste. Tried Vol up/ master to taste but it sounds much thinner that way. Anyway, thanks for all the suggestions.
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Post by JasonM on Jul 25, 2015 8:37:17 GMT -7
You made a good choice giving the Cream a try it sounds fantastic right out of the box with the MAZ. I have gone from Blue to Gold and now use the Cream and it fits the descriptions above. I loved my broken in Gold for years with the MAZ but I do prefer the Cream and I am glad I made the switch. As for volume with the MAZ I am like you and others and prefer the master up at or past noon if I am able to get away with the volume as it sounds much fuller getting those power tubes cooking.
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zeno
Junior Member
Posts: 63
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Post by zeno on Aug 2, 2015 7:51:59 GMT -7
You made a good choice giving the Cream a try it sounds fantastic right out of the box with the MAZ. I have gone from Blue to Gold and now use the Cream and it fits the descriptions above. I loved my broken in Gold for years with the MAZ but I do prefer the Cream and I am glad I made the switch. As for volume with the MAZ I am like you and others and prefer the master up at or past noon if I am able to get away with the volume as it sounds much fuller getting those power tubes cooking. I've had the Celestion Cream in for about a week now and it almost feels "pre-broken in" . Compared to the Gold it's not nearly as loud. I mean significantly. I gave it a work out yesterday at full volume (no Brake light) and the response and dynamic range is very consistent at all volume levels. At it's 90W rating it easily handles whatever the Maz can dish out. One thing I noticed is that whatever volume level or setting the bass is not as tight and pronounced as with the Gold, but not as "flubby" as with the Blue. Whether that's good or bad I don't know. Also, it doesn't have that harsh , mid-range , in -your-face tone the Gold had at higher volumes, but the Gold wasn't broken in yet either. There is a tiny bit less of that sparkly , swirleyness, that is evident with the blue, however I believe it is a good compramise between the two others. I'm curious to hear how it changes (if at all), after about 40 hours of playing through it.........
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Aug 3, 2015 5:56:26 GMT -7
OP, hope the speaker does the trick!
In short, I like Voxy sounds too. I dial my amp strangely, but I've AB'd it to AC30's and can get really close (however, the breakup characteristic is slightly different). Typically, I keep my Bass either off or under 9 o'clock. Middle is between 1-3 o'clock. Treble is always below 9-10 o'clock. Cut is always above 1-2 o'clock. I use a range of MV and Volume settings, but I tend to like edge of breakup tones with the Volume around 12 o'clock.
FYI I use two Avatar A25's in series with my MAZ 18 NR.
Don't give up on your tone search. It may take a while, but the MAZ is a keeper.
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