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Post by Deleted on Oct 5, 2015 10:20:38 GMT -7
First and foremost, let me tell you, I love my Maz 38 NR. When I purchased it, I didn't get to demo it side by side with an 18. I played the 18 first (a 2005 model), then about 3 weeks later, played a 38 and bought that (a 2004 model).
This weekend, I had the chance to plug into a brand new-ish 18 NR along side my 38 NR and was just completely floored by how much more I loved the 18 this time around. Have there been any substantial changes to the 18 NR over the last several years? I attenuate my Maz 38 and set it for slight break up and all of those tones were in the 18 and then some. The boost from the EQ bypass was just killer. I think I bought the Maz 38 expecting to need more clean headroom when the fact of the matter is I really don't need or use it.
I'm going to look to trade my 38 NR 2x10 for an 18 NR 2x10...
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Post by dergit (Markus) on Oct 5, 2015 11:15:08 GMT -7
The grass is always greener... I have that 18 NR 2x10 (230V in Germany, though) and sometimes think I need more clean headroom. Especially when using pedals and playing a rare solo live... and the volume boost just isn't there anymore. Don't do anything rash... take some time to let the dust settle and then make a decision.
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Post by digs57 on Oct 5, 2015 11:21:03 GMT -7
Some playing situations do lend themselve's to an irrational judgment and then the move prove's unwarranted...dergits got it right...if I think ineed more sumthin I use a audio creation;s boost to get just a little over the void.
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Post by Deleted on Oct 5, 2015 11:31:50 GMT -7
I should also mention that I have a Z Drive as well for additional boost. Sometimes I feel like I can never get enough boost...
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Post by Maddog on Oct 5, 2015 14:35:01 GMT -7
When you compared the 18 to your 38 recently, were you using identical speakers for the comparison? You might just need to change speakers. I've owned both 18 and 38 maz's and loved each.
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Post by Deleted on Oct 5, 2015 14:44:21 GMT -7
Yes sir, both are 2x10's with the Doc's specials in them. To be fair, the original Maz 18 I played was a 1x12 combo. I've really grown to love the 10's.
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Post by Maddog on Oct 5, 2015 14:55:13 GMT -7
Hmmmmm. To answer your question, Doc HAS made some changes since your 38 was made. Most of the changes really enhanced the Sr's tone at lower volume. Also, another thing to always check is the status of your EL 84's. They can un-noticeably lose tone over a period of months just a little at a time. Your amp may greatly benefit from a retube if your current set is aging. If your tubes are good, and all else is equal, you may indeed be a candidate for Maz 18 ownership. They're Docs most popular amp for a big reason. Good luck brother!
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Post by Deleted on Oct 5, 2015 15:09:08 GMT -7
I just completely retubed my Maz 38 with Mullard 12ax7's and JJ EL844's about a month ago. Those tubes will be coming with me if I trade the 38!!!
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Post by simpleton on Oct 5, 2015 15:39:33 GMT -7
I like the let the dust settle idea....sometimes I'm just looking for one thing to much and miss the ten things I like...feeling like you can never get enough boost would make me think more watts would allow for more boost room as opposed to hitting the lower ceiling of the 18.
That said we take this journey thinking we know what we want but over time we realize what we DONT want more and that helps us get to what we DO want. Just keep listening to your ears and try some settings to see if it helps...maybe a trade is in order and it seems that it would be fairly easy to find someone who wants more headroom.
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Post by John on Oct 5, 2015 15:50:20 GMT -7
Have both!
The Jr for the small gigs, the Sr for the big/louder gigs!
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Post by Deleted on Oct 5, 2015 15:53:36 GMT -7
Oh yes, I've already been perusing eBay looking at used Maz 18 heads, too. Why not have both??? I don't want to cut into my Monza fund, though!!!
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Post by Maddog on Oct 5, 2015 16:00:48 GMT -7
Monza. Now yer tawkin.' My greatest seller's remorse amp. Simpleton can surely make his Monza sing!
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Post by BritInvasion on Oct 5, 2015 17:03:01 GMT -7
As much as I like my Maz 8 , reading this has me missing my 18.
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Post by Deleted on Oct 5, 2015 17:59:11 GMT -7
I have to tell you, in 20 years of playing, I've always managed to escape amp GAS. Guitar GAS and pedal GAS, different story, but ever since I got my Maz and have been playing Z amps, I want them all. If I was able to print money, I'd have all three Maz's, a Monza and a Z Wreck, AT LEAST. I love the Doc's work...
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Post by simpleton on Oct 5, 2015 20:23:01 GMT -7
Oh yes, I've already been perusing eBay looking at used Maz 18 heads, too. Why not have both??? I don't want to cut into my Monza fund, though!!! Yep...MONZA. Goooooood.
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Post by simpleton on Oct 5, 2015 20:26:00 GMT -7
I have to tell you, in 20 years of playing, I've always managed to escape amp GAS. Guitar GAS and pedal GAS, different story, but ever since I got my Maz and have been playing Z amps, I want them all. If I was able to print money, I'd have all three Maz's, a Monza and a Z Wreck, AT LEAST. I love the Doc's work... True ... Z amps are a particular sickness...thus we need the Doctors cures.
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Post by dergit (Markus) on Oct 6, 2015 1:00:13 GMT -7
As much as I like my Maz 8 , reading this has me missing my 18. Haha, and here we have the other side of the coin. I keep thinking that 8 and 38 would be the perfect setup for home, small gigs, recording sessions on one hand and touring, festivals and bigger stages on the other. But, of course, I have the 18 so it's only natural I want the 8 and the 38, I suppose. Also, again, because I have the 18 2x10 combo, I keep thinking I should have gone for the 18 NR head and gotten a 1x10" cab for home and a 2x10" cab for the rehearsal room because I rarely lug the heavy combo home – where I can't properly use it anyways because I live in the centre of Munich. After I spend about 15-20 mins pondering these options and stalking eBay and various classifieds, I usually smack myself in the head and realise how much I love the 18 NR 2x10 at every rehearsal and every show. It's all good. (an 8 for home is in the future, though...)
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Post by purpletele on Oct 6, 2015 1:31:08 GMT -7
Have you guys looked at the Fryette Power Station? I have seen some great reviews and had some positive correspondence.
It solves the attenuator question for real home use, rather than buy a mini Z. I am a about sold on it.
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Post by Deleted on Oct 6, 2015 9:04:38 GMT -7
As much as I like my Maz 8 , reading this has me missing my 18. Also, again, because I have the 18 2x10 combo, I keep thinking I should have gone for the 18 NR head and gotten a 1x10" cab for home and a 2x10" cab for the rehearsal room because I rarely lug the heavy combo home – where I can't properly use it anyways because I live in the centre of Munich.
I hear you there. My neighbors are not a fan of the Saturday afternoon jam sessions at my place. I cut them a break and don't run in stereo, using only the Maz and an overdrive pedal. It's still way too loud even attenuated, though.
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Post by aufamily on Oct 6, 2015 10:35:08 GMT -7
Rivera Rock Crusher Recording... solved my attenuator/load box needs. Full volume to silent...with good tone. I'm sure the neighbors like it as much as I do!
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Post by Deleted on Oct 6, 2015 14:08:03 GMT -7
Rivera Rock Crusher Recording... solved my attenuator/load box needs. Full volume to silent...with good tone. I'm sure the neighbors like it as much as I do! Why spend $800 on an attenuator when you can put that towards another amp!?!?!
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Post by aufamily on Oct 6, 2015 18:31:25 GMT -7
LOL! Consider it an investment in hearing. (And on eBay it was only $400...so that really made the difference!)
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Post by Deleted on Oct 6, 2015 21:14:03 GMT -7
The grass is always greener... I have that 18 NR 2x10 (230V in Germany, though) and sometimes think I need more clean headroom. Especially when using pedals and playing a rare solo live... and the volume boost just isn't there anymore. Don't do anything rash... take some time to let the dust settle and then make a decision. I think cooler heads have prevailed here. I locked myself in my "home office" for a few hours tonight, just me, my Maz 38, my Z Drive and my Gretsch Power Jet. The SR is truly a beast and pairing it with a Z Drive makes it such a versatile tool of the trade. It can do Blackface, get AC30-ish, break into crunchy tones, etc. I play mostly guitars with hotter 'buckers (Powertron's, Burstbuckers, 496/500's, etc) and I can definitely see the whole headroom thing becoming an issue should I ever need it. Now, on to that Monza...
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Post by dergit (Markus) on Oct 7, 2015 5:45:47 GMT -7
Yeah, headroom is an issue with the 18 if you use humbuckers and pedals. I get around it by leaving volume at 9 o'clock, master at 11 o'clock and all the EQs below noon - but I do hit the ceiling during loud lead parts for sure. If there's one mod I'll ever do to my MAZ it'll be some sort of footswitchable volume boost for solos.
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Post by Deleted on Oct 7, 2015 7:15:06 GMT -7
Humbucker headroom you say? Low input on the amp. Treble bleed on the guitar.
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Post by Deleted on Oct 7, 2015 7:44:28 GMT -7
Humbucker headroom you say? Low input on the amp. Treble bleed on the guitar. Whenever I'm playing just the Maz, I use the low input exclusively. I find it sounds a bit smoother and fuller as well.
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Post by dergit (Markus) on Oct 7, 2015 8:37:11 GMT -7
Always Low Input.
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Post by simpleton on Oct 7, 2015 8:48:39 GMT -7
Monza has a very, very, very good master volume. I have used it with baby sleeping and still had a great time playing.
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Post by Deleted on Oct 7, 2015 8:50:04 GMT -7
I keep thinking back to the first bands I was in and the first amps I had (starting around '69) I don't think I ever heard anyone ask about "cleans" or "headroom" in an amp till after the internet.
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Post by simpleton on Oct 7, 2015 8:53:17 GMT -7
I keep thinking back to the first bands I was in and the first amps I had (starting around '69) I don't think I ever heard anyone ask about "cleans" or "headroom" in an amp till after the internet. Or for a low gain drive...and then wanting multiple low gain drives for stacking
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