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Post by warbeer on Feb 7, 2016 14:44:19 GMT -7
Howdy folks!
Looking for some suggestions on getting a more "rounded" sound out of my Maz 18NR. I run the amp with the cut either completely off...or with just a smidge. Cranking that Cut up sounds like a sheen of frozen glass breaking, to my ears. I've done some things with the eq and/or a clean/fat boost that have been descent...just wondering what tubes some of you guys mights suggest for helping out.
I choose the word "round" because if I say "warm" people usually think "more gain", which isn't what I'm asking for;)
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Post by digs57 on Feb 7, 2016 14:59:09 GMT -7
I don't know if I can recommend tubes so much...I stay pretty much with the stock...he/doc has switched over to jj/84's...I like the EH powers though...but they have been shotty for a spell...I haven't tried jj yet?...did tad's and that pushed the mid level a little too much for my liking,though they did have a little sumthin I liked...just felt the EH had more linear response.
I too run cut very little...never past 9:00 position...try running your mid a little higher...my trebles stays at about 10:00 position...if I need more punch that mid go's up to 10 also.
Will add that it might be a different speaker...I happen to like the celestion g12h..."my 2"
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Post by headshrinker (Marc) on Feb 7, 2016 15:23:30 GMT -7
If it has JJs in V1 try something else. Sovtecs are reliable with a lot less highs. JJs as power tubes have a lot of highs and upper mids also. If you have both there can be a lot of upper mids and highs. Though nothing wrong with running the cut off and the highs rolled back. If your ears like it, don't let your eyes cause trouble for them.
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Post by Mark (Basement Enthusiast) on Feb 7, 2016 17:02:52 GMT -7
Though nothing wrong with running the cut off and the highs rolled back. If your ears like it, don't let your eyes cause trouble for them. ^What he said--don't be afraid to put the knobs in what might seem odd or extreme positions. It's always best to use your ears and don't be bashful about where the knobs end up. Also--what kind of speaker are you using? In my experience, swapping speakers can affect the sound as much (or more) than a tube change.
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Post by wubberdubber on Feb 7, 2016 18:00:53 GMT -7
Yeah, like don't be afraid to have cut OFF. I've used a few different modern-production tubes in my MAZ and to me the EH's definitely have a more rounded tone than the JJ's or Tung-Sols.
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Post by warbeer on Feb 8, 2016 2:28:59 GMT -7
I'm usually running the amp into a Closed back 1x12 with a Celestion Creaback (65w)
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Post by dergit (Markus) on Feb 8, 2016 4:25:42 GMT -7
Try turning the treble down and the cut up a bit... gives me a very clear but less harsh sound.
Tube-wise: 5751s in v1 (and less so but still in v2) will clean the overdrive up a bit and make the amp sound a bit warmer. 6p14p power tubes have a similar effect but less pronounced.
Are the speakers broken in? My 2x10" combo used to sound quite harsh but lately, after a year of touring and rehearsing, I found myself turning up the cut a bit.
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Post by bloozeman on Feb 8, 2016 12:27:49 GMT -7
I'm usually running the amp into a Closed back 1x12 with a Celestion Creaback (65w) I prefer a open back cabinet instead of closed. to me it sounds more open and wide sounding and bigger
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Post by rckline on Feb 8, 2016 14:38:13 GMT -7
when I hear "more round", I think of Celestion Blues...
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Post by Mark (Basement Enthusiast) on Feb 8, 2016 15:13:57 GMT -7
I'm usually running the amp into a Closed back 1x12 with a Celestion Creaback (65w) I prefer a open back cabinet instead of closed. to me it sounds more open and wide sounding and bigger I, too, found quickly that a 1x12 in closed-back format sounded too "choked off" for my tastes (and of course, tastes may vary). I'm not sure what else to add, though, as I think the 65W Creamback should generally sound excellent all-around with the MAZ.
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Post by zpilot on Feb 8, 2016 23:54:29 GMT -7
I tend to go with a different tube when I am wanting to change how the amp breaks up. If I want to change the timbre of the amp I start thinking about a different speaker.
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Post by John on Feb 9, 2016 5:37:02 GMT -7
Perhaps you should try a G12-65 speaker? (or the MUCH cheaper clone version: WGS ET-65) It's probably going to have a much bigger impact on tone than a different tube. If that crispy high end is killing you, the G12-65 has a big dust cap in the center of the speaker. It's known for reducing that crispy brittle high end. wgs4.com/et65If you wish to keep the Creamback....I have to ask: Is it broken in? A 65 watt speaker won't flinch much when being hit with an 18 watt speaker. New speakers can sound very nasal and fizzy when not broken in. When I buy a new speaker, I wrap it in a sleeping bag and hook it up to my PA head and run bass/drum loops through it for 40 hours at high volume. It makes a BIG difference.
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Post by Mark (Basement Enthusiast) on Feb 9, 2016 7:43:46 GMT -7
I tend to go with a different tube when I am wanting to change how the amp breaks up. If I want to change the timbre of the amp I start thinking about a different speaker. This an excellent point, and a good practice. And it's the reason why I suggested a new speaker instead of new tubes, since the OP was asking for rounder (warmer) sound instead of more gain...
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Post by nmz on Feb 9, 2016 7:56:07 GMT -7
+1 on speakers
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Post by simpleton on Feb 9, 2016 18:46:53 GMT -7
I was thinking 5751's or speaker change. It took me quite awhile to get into the way Dr Z amps seem designed... As far as how they 'cut' in a mix....they are plenty bright and playing with the EQ in non traditional settings can help. My dad put a Canabis Rex in his MAZ and it was perfect for rounding and warming the tone. Speaker will do way more than tubes.
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Post by dgabbear on Feb 14, 2016 7:26:53 GMT -7
Perhaps a 5v4 rectifier may smooth things out for you a little. I have experimented with this seemed to take away some of the punch. You will experience a drop in head room and a more sag with 5v4. A new darker speaker may also help. Ultimately, if you are looking for a "round" tone I would go with a 6L6 based amp. I have never experienced a truly "round" tone with the EL84 amps I have owned.
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Post by dgabbear on Feb 14, 2016 7:28:45 GMT -7
Having owned my Maz for 10 years now I always wanted that more rounded tone you are speaking of. Cranking the master and using the volume as your "master volume" may help warm things up. The nr model you own is a bit more of an aggressive sounding amp too from what I understand
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Post by daveyk on Feb 14, 2016 19:34:32 GMT -7
To round things off a bit I would use a 5751 in V1 and then some pedal that accentuates just a little bit of tube rectifier sag but that's capable of acting like a clean boost. Like the Fairfield barbershop overdrive or a cleanish Marshall sounding pedal
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