casey
New Member
Posts: 20
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Post by casey on Sept 1, 2005 15:45:56 GMT -7
My MAZ 18 Head (which I've only had since the end of April) has started making this really bad "ocean waves" like sound, hiss, popping, and crackling. I've switched out the preamp tubes one at a time and that didn't help in the least. I don't have an extra set of 84's with me to check the power tubes. Anyone have any ideas on what may be causing this? The noise is worsened when I turn up any of the following knobs...Master, Treble, Cut, Middle.....the other control seem to have little or no effect on the intensity of the noises. The odd thing is that when the noises happen, like crackling, what I am playing it not interruped. Meaning, the notes I am playing don't get crackley...strange. Anyone have this happen to their MAZ 18 head? Helpo Helpo Helpo!!!!
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Post by taswegian on Sept 1, 2005 16:32:04 GMT -7
Sounds like classic power tube problem. My old power amp in rack used to do the same thing every few years. By the way, I live on the Southern Ocean and It's sound is just part of my life. I love it......just not on a Dr Z amp!
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Post by hdahs143 on Sept 8, 2005 10:24:20 GMT -7
Almost definitely a power tube going bad. My Maz sr was making the same sounds. Get a pair of GTEL-84S in a #6 rating and put 'em in. You'll be happy again!!
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Post by donnie on Sept 16, 2005 7:23:47 GMT -7
I signed up for this board specifically to address this thread. I had the same EXACT problems with my Maz Jr. 2-10" Reverb amp. I replaced every tube except for the rectifier tube, thinking that I had heard somewhere that the rectifier tubes usually last a good long time. I still had this problem after the tube swap, so I sent Dr. Z an e-mail describing the problem and asking his opinion. His response was simply, "Yeah, could be the rectifier." Umm...OK. I replaced the rectifier and the problem was still there - now with an entirely new set of tubes. I'm an electronics tech, so I'm not frightened to pull the chassis and start poking around - very respectful of the dangers, but not frightened! Long story short, here's what I found: There was a definate response when I lightly tapped the Reverb and Volume knobs - a popping noise, actually along with the 'roaring ocean' sound. The fix turned out to be very simple - the nut holding those particular pots to the chassis was just a wee bit loose, hence causing a slight loss to ground. [even though there is a ground buss soldered to the backs of all the pots??] Anyway - you don't even need to pull the chassis. Just lightly tap the knobs on the front of the chassis. If you hear a 'pop' when you tap on a knob, remove the knob and snug up that nut holding the pot to the chassis. This worked for my Maz - I'm back to 'noise free' rockin' now!
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casey
New Member
Posts: 20
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Post by casey on Sept 17, 2005 4:12:00 GMT -7
I will most definately do that today. I'm playing a Harrah's casino gig tonight so HOPEFULLY I can get the damn thing to shut up and return to it's normal state of mind!!!! If that doesn't work, it time to swap out power tubes.....because I checked everything else that I know how to check. Thanks!
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Post by DRZ on Sept 17, 2005 13:54:56 GMT -7
Casey, make sure the four bolts that hold the chassis to the cab are VERY tight. This makes contact with the RF shield in the upper cab, if the bolts aren't tight you can get static.
DR.Z
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casey
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Posts: 20
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Post by casey on Sept 18, 2005 1:01:41 GMT -7
Thanks Dr....the bolts are tightened are far as they can humanly get and it didn't help.
I also checked what you mentioned, Donnie, and it didn't do the trick on mine.
I have a new set of power tubes coming next week, so HOPEFULLY that will resolve the issue. She was making some noise on stage tonight!!! I had to put it on standby while our lead singer talked between songs so all the racket didn't come through the PA. I can't wait to return her back to normal. I'm also gonna try the Svetlana 12AX7's in V1 and V2 like the Dr suggested, but want to resolve the noise problem before I so swapping out other stuff.
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casey
New Member
Posts: 20
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Post by casey on Sept 22, 2005 23:14:00 GMT -7
Well...here is the latest update....I retube the ENTIRE amp...turned it on...OCEAN AND POPPING STILL THERE!!!! I've tightened everything, checked everything....it has to be some sort of oscillation.....this is so frustrating... I guess I'll take her back to Fat Sound....here I come Stu!!
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Post by DRZ on Sept 23, 2005 4:14:37 GMT -7
Well...here is the latest update....I retube the ENTIRE amp...turned it on...OCEAN AND POPPING STILL THERE!!!! I've tightened everything, checked everything....it has to be some sort of oscillation.....this is so frustrating... I guess I'll take her back to Fat Sound....here I come Stu!! Well I'll be interested in seeing that one . That is a new one on me, I just hope it's not the reverb tub loose and sitting on the power tranny, could couple and oscilate I guess. DR.Z
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casey
New Member
Posts: 20
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Post by casey on Sept 23, 2005 8:19:37 GMT -7
Dr Z...
Can you think of anything else for me to examine? I totally respect amps and their ability to shock the ever living *$ out of you....so I don't go poking and prodding....But if you can think of ANYTHING that I could try before taking it to Fat Sound to send back please let me know....I'm willing to try anything. The funny part is that is still sounds awesome...it just has all that noise in it....I agree with you I will be interested to see what it is. Thanks!!!
-Casey
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casey
New Member
Posts: 20
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Post by casey on Oct 16, 2005 16:34:09 GMT -7
UPDATE....
In addition to the ocean type sounds.....it's doing a thing now where it won't always come off of standby when flipped on. AND....about 1 or 2 times per set it will, in the middle of playing start making this horrible low buzz....sounds like a big ground hum. I have to turn the amp off......until is decides to go away. Getting pretty frusturated.
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Post by guitarboy02451 on Oct 18, 2005 5:39:31 GMT -7
Casey, keep us posted. I'm interested to hear how you make out.
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Post by donnie on Oct 19, 2005 5:40:02 GMT -7
I think you're at the point of boxing it up and sending it to Cleveland to let Dr. Z take a look at it. It's a PIA, I know, but based on past experience he'll get right on it and have it back to you.
Best of luck.
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casey
New Member
Posts: 20
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Post by casey on Oct 19, 2005 9:03:07 GMT -7
Yeh...I'm dropping it back off on Friday at Fat Sound Guitars and they are sending it off for me. Hopefully it won't be gone too long. I'll let y'all know what I find out.
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gstan
Full Member
What, me worry?
Posts: 180
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Post by gstan on Jan 16, 2006 9:56:26 GMT -7
I've been having the same problem with my 2x10 combo. What was the problem?
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