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Post by Deleted on Sept 12, 2015 16:56:47 GMT -7
Happy Saturday, gear heads!
Let me start off by saying I find myself more inclined to overdriven Vox and Plexi tones these days. My current rig consists of a Mesa F50 and a Maz 38 run in stereo. The F50 is a typical Mesa Mark style circuit, so it's boomy and scooped in the mids. I dial that in for medium gain and then use the Maz dialed in for the highs and mids, with volume and master set slightly past break up where they are still very touch sensitive and responsive to picking intensity. If I need cleans, I switch over to the clean and shimmery channel one on the F50 and keep the Maz as is, maybe roll back on the guitar volume a tad.
Lately, I've been getting tired of lugging around two amps, so I've been trying to find an amp that would sit in between these two machines. I've tried all of the amps on my radar, except for a Monza. I can't find them anywhere in stock near me.
Here is a list of what I tried:
Ghia - Not my cup of tea. I don't like knob overkill, but I still like a TMBV style circuit. Remedy - I really liked this amp. Nice crunchy sound to it, but way too loud for what I need at this point. I found my Maz actually sounds very similar to a Remedy when I run a clean boost with the volume at 10pm and the master dimed. Therapy - Again, another great amp, very 3D and robust tone, however, since it is 6L6 based, it sounded very similar to my F50. Definitely better than the F50, but not enough to justify the purchase. Divided by 13 LDW17/39 - Astonishing amp, really. It's what I think Marshall envisioned the best JCM800 to sound like. Unfortunately, 39 watts is going to be way too much for my needs, even with the master. The 17 watt side was more tame-able, but lacked the magic the 39 watt side had. Divided by 13 BTR23 - I can't tell you how awesome this amp was. It was so close to the sound that I always hear in my head that I almost pulled the trigger then and there. The $2800 price tag was a bit scary, so before I lay down that cash, I want to investigate the Monza more.
20 watts is about all that I need and clean headroom is not all that important. A master volume is, however, as I would like to use this around the house, too. A single channel amp would suffice. I don't need bedroom volumes, surround sound home theater speaker level would be just fine in my house.
Monza owners, what are your thoughts? Is there another Z amp that maybe I should consider as well? I appreciate your input.
I should also add that I typically play Les Pauls, Duo Jets and Gibbie and Gretsch semi hollow, center block guitars...
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Post by helmi on Sept 14, 2015 16:26:35 GMT -7
all the Monza people must be on vacation.
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Post by Deleted on Sept 14, 2015 17:24:27 GMT -7
all the Monza people must be on vacation. Seriously, or I broke some sort of code by mentioning another amp manufacturer!!!
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Post by limenine on Sept 14, 2015 19:20:20 GMT -7
You mentioned you liked the Remedy, but it was too loud - Did you try the new Remedy, or was it an older one without MV?
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Post by Rik on Sept 14, 2015 21:02:10 GMT -7
I love the Monza. Best master volume I have ever used. The amp is not a one trick pony but does not do clean. I now live in a condo so I play it all the time as it sounds killer at even bedroom volumes. Turned up and it's heaven. I have the 1 X10 by the way
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Post by Deleted on Sept 14, 2015 21:32:24 GMT -7
You mentioned you liked the Remedy, but it was too loud - Did you try the new Remedy, or was it an older one without MV? It was an NMV Remedy, however, if it came down to the BTR23 or an MV Remedy, I would take the BTR23.
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Post by Deleted on Sept 14, 2015 21:37:13 GMT -7
I love the Monza. Best master volume I have ever used. The amp is not a one trick pony but does not do clean. I now live in a condo so I play it all the time as it sounds killer at even bedroom volumes. Turned up and it's heaven. I have the 1 X10 by the way That seems to be the consensus with the MV Monzas, but all of the demos I hear are people noodling on ZZ Top (not that there's anything wrong with that). I'm really vibing on Kyle Cook's and Noel Gallagher's tones from the late 90's/early 2000's, which is all just cranked Matchless, Vox and Marshall amps...
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Post by simpleton on Sept 15, 2015 3:01:28 GMT -7
Well, I don't think that the Monza is the amp to replace both of yours tone wise... As well you did mention liking a full tone stack so I wouldn't think Monza. As far as videos not sounding like ZZ check out the forum brothers stuff. ztalk.proboards.com/thread/68626/mark-knopfler-monzaMaybe the Monza is what you want but it sound like you want the /13 but for less money. I like had an SJT10/20 for around five years...the amp makers do seem to have different flavors...
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Post by pcns on Sept 15, 2015 3:09:37 GMT -7
The Remedy with master volume and the half power switch would help with your volume concern on the Remedy.
I loved the overdrive the Monza produces. I used to run a Z28 and a Monza together with an aby foots witch and they sounded killer as I could set up each amp for what it does best and go with it! Both were 1x10 combos.
I've heard people say the Monza is a one trick pony but never found that to be true myself. It could just be that playing it cranked always sounded soooo good that you don't ever do anything else with it lol
That said, I never thought of the Monza cleans as anything chimmy or sparkly (despite the el84's) but that could partially be because I was running a Red Fang (a rather dark speaker).
It does do ZZ Top crunch to perfection and with my higher output Humbuckers in my Parker I could get crazy sustain and gain. Never tried the amp with a lower output pups though. Would be interesting to hear one with my P90's and maybe a Celestian Gold or even a 10" Greenback. . . . .
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Post by Deleted on Sept 15, 2015 7:57:37 GMT -7
Thanks for all of the feedback, guys. I'm sure everyone that loves the Monza can attest that it has a certain allure to it and even though I haven't found one to play, I've already been captured. I'm a gain freak to boot!
If money weren't an option right now, I'd just buy both and be done with it. That being said, eventually, I will end up with the BTR23 and a Monza (or at least another Z Amp), I just want to figure out what will get me through adequately to that point!
It's not necessarily that I want the /13 for less money, it's just that you get so much bang for the buck with Doc's amps that they're extremely hard to overlook.
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Post by simpleton on Sept 15, 2015 17:49:10 GMT -7
Thanks for all of the feedback, guys. I'm sure everyone that loves the Monza can attest that it has a certain allure to it and even though I haven't found one to play, I've already been captured. I'm a gain freak to boot! If money weren't an option right now, I'd just buy both and be done with it. That being said, eventually, I will end up with the BTR23 and a Monza (or at least another Z Amp), I just want to figure out what will get me through adequately to that point! It's not necessarily that I want the /13 for less money, it's just that you get so much bang for the buck with Doc's amps that they're extremely hard to overlook. Just in case I missed it...if you are in the PDX,Oregon area you can try my MONZA
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Post by Deleted on Sept 15, 2015 19:06:28 GMT -7
Thanks for all of the feedback, guys. I'm sure everyone that loves the Monza can attest that it has a certain allure to it and even though I haven't found one to play, I've already been captured. I'm a gain freak to boot! If money weren't an option right now, I'd just buy both and be done with it. That being said, eventually, I will end up with the BTR23 and a Monza (or at least another Z Amp), I just want to figure out what will get me through adequately to that point! It's not necessarily that I want the /13 for less money, it's just that you get so much bang for the buck with Doc's amps that they're extremely hard to overlook. Just in case I missed it...if you are in the PDX,Oregon area you can try my MONZA Thanks, man! I'm actually in San Diego but I do travel quite a bit, so my travels may bring me there eventually. This board is full of awesome people.
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Post by simpleton on Sept 15, 2015 20:52:05 GMT -7
Just as for my personal Monza experience....I think the amp hits really hard coming out of the 1x10 with a Red Fang and it does clean well if your up loud enough to turn down to it. If that makes sense...it is a great compliment amp but I think the tone takes the stage when I've mixed it with my Ghia, Therapy or Victoria Victoriette. It is a real character of an amp and gives soloing a great pleasure and the feeling of a personal tone with no pedals. I prefer it as a straight shot with occasional fuzz.
It quickly became my favorite amp and even when I'm enjoying other amps more the Monza is always my favorite solo sound no pedal can come close for me. Also it became an action word ... As in MONZA-ING.
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Post by premiumplus (Dave) on Sept 16, 2015 2:48:44 GMT -7
Great thread about a great amp. If I only had a guitar and a cord, the Monza is what I would grab. Like Todd said, it doesn't clean up in a very "chimey" way, but it does respond well to guitar volume changes...it just works. It sounds great with single coils, and when you plug in a hot Les Paul, you better watch out. Time stops when I am playing my LP into the Monza...it's just such a huge, fat, beautiful tone that it's addictive. The only thing is, it's not fair to the guys that schlepped in a 50 watt Marshall and 4x12 when they look over and see that little tiny 1x10 combo roaring away. They just can't believe that such commanding tone is coming from a little combo. So much fun, serious fun! I'm keeping mine. Oh, and the master volume is really effective on the Monza. You can get way below your guitar's string noise and still have tone. Amazing.
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Post by Deleted on Sept 16, 2015 7:26:36 GMT -7
Oh, and the master volume is really effective on the Monza. You can get way below your guitar's string noise and still have tone. Amazing. I used to be one of those guys lugging around Mesa and Marshall stacks!!! Consider me fully converted... I think these last two posts have me more excited than I was when I posted the thread. I'm really not too worried about the clean and chime. I'm still going to keep my Maz and I have a Z Drive on the way for those gigs where I may need clean and some extra dirt. As a matter of fact, I'd happily trade all of the cleans in a new amp for that last sentence. I think I'm going to pull the trigger on the Monza. What's the worst that could happen?!?!?!
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Post by Stephen on Sept 16, 2015 12:35:41 GMT -7
I used to run a Z28 and a Monza together with an aby foots witch and they sounded killer as I could set up each amp for what it does best and go with it! Both were 1x10 combos. This is my current rig; Monza and Z-28. I always take two amps to a gig, in case one malfunctions. But, if I am going to a jam or practice, I always grab the Monza. I can go from clean to mean with just the guitar volume.
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Post by Deleted on Sept 16, 2015 14:00:46 GMT -7
I used to run a Z28 and a Monza together with an aby foots witch and they sounded killer as I could set up each amp for what it does best and go with it! Both were 1x10 combos. This is my current rig; Monza and Z-28. I always take two amps to a gig, in case one malfunctions. But, if I am going to a jam or practice, I always grab the Monza. I can go from clean to mean with just the guitar volume. That's music to my ears. I'm waiting to hear back on a studio gig. Once I get the greenlight, I'm getting myself a nice bright red Monza!!!
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Post by premiumplus (Dave) on Sept 16, 2015 14:22:01 GMT -7
Good job! Mine's red with salt and pepper grille cloth. You're going to love this amp.
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Post by simpleton on Sept 16, 2015 17:21:02 GMT -7
My combo is black...but it has a red jewel light
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Post by Deleted on Sept 16, 2015 21:35:25 GMT -7
What's the general consensus on the perfect speaker? I already have the 2x10 Specials for my Maz and was leaning towards a 12" for the Monza.
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Post by premiumplus (Dave) on Sept 17, 2015 5:28:02 GMT -7
I really like the 10" Red Fang that came stock in my combo. I've plugged in different speakers but I like the sound the combo makes the best. Part of that may be that I look at the thing and can't believe something so small sounds so huge, but it really works well with that speaker.
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Post by Stephen on Sept 17, 2015 8:18:34 GMT -7
+1 on the Red Fang. I've got that speaker in my Z-28 too.
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Post by simpleton on Sept 17, 2015 9:05:29 GMT -7
I agree with the Red Fang 10" ... But it's really the only combo I've had with the Monza. I've used a few cabs with different speakers though....
12" Celestion Gold in 1x12 cab...okay but not enough lows...is my memory...really I think it was just a little neutral in my feelings so not worth the cash maybe.
12" WGS Reaper (g12h copy) ... I loved this in a 2 speaker cab that had a 10" WGS g10c/s...seemed more gentle and warm sounding. Not as cutting but Celestions aren't known for warm...they cut. I loved the Reaper but used the
10" WGS G10c/s more. Due to the feeling that the 10" cuts in the mix a little more and thusly helped make the lead tones of the Monza zing a little more ...YMMV.
I love the 10" combo for a similar feeling as Dave up there...How can that much sound come from such a little box? Crazy I tell ya....crazy
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Post by Deleted on Sept 17, 2015 12:22:49 GMT -7
Lots of votes for the 10" Red Fang. I have to admit, I was never really a fan of 10's until I got my Maz 38 with the Doc's Specials. I have been able to find a good deal on a Monza with a 12" Creamback as well.
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Post by simpleton on Sept 17, 2015 15:30:01 GMT -7
Well I think a 12" combo would be sweet...the creamback is a lower decibel speaker and thusly will take a little edge off the Monza. In particular the Red Fang in either 12" or 10" just seems like a crazy powerful speaker....maybe twice as loud as the creamback. Creamback=97db Red fang=102.2 or 102.5 respectively ....3 decibels is the same as 50 to 100 watts...that is almost 6 db difference. But a good deal on the rig and buying a speaker if wanted gives you options
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Post by Rik on Sept 17, 2015 16:00:23 GMT -7
I have the 1X10 RF and love it. I did not like it with my creamback. Can't remember why at this time though
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Post by Deleted on Oct 20, 2015 7:46:50 GMT -7
Well, I went and did it. My Monza with the 1x12 Celestian G12H will be here on Monday. So pumped to add this bad boy to my rig!
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Post by jimmysmith on Oct 20, 2015 8:52:48 GMT -7
here i am, yes, again,, the best clean tones i got out of my monza,, using an old ev12L gain backed off,,works for me,,,its one of my keeper z's, i do an rx jr combo, a monza, and a mini z big box combo,,https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SHbsvWlsjRs
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Post by premiumplus (Dave) on Oct 20, 2015 9:08:19 GMT -7
Nice job, Jimmy! Dig your singing too. Great tone.
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Post by Deleted on Oct 21, 2015 14:20:52 GMT -7
Quit teasing me with Monza tones! The wait is already killing me...
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