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Post by mudman on Aug 16, 2018 18:20:17 GMT -7
Well I fell for another Maz Jr. A 2012 NR this time Came loaded with a philips 5ar4, 7189 russian tubes, creamback g12m 65 wtt speaker, and a brand new variable boost pedal. It was a tough decision maz nr vs the mini, but in the end I could cop the tone of the mini with the Jr, and a bunch of others. Definitely more versatile. This nr is way quieter than the reverb version I previously owned. Like dead quiet. I don’t know if it’s just the lack of verb or what, but I’ll take it. Really like it with the boost kicked on halfway. More harmonics but not as loud or dark as full up. Seems like when one of Doc’s creations enters, another leaves. Still have my eye on a db4 or wreck someday. I tried out a carmen ghia too. Older model, not sure the year. It was nice, but I found the jr more flexible. I noticed they were all in the same ballpark. I also tried out the marshall origin 20. No comparison. The marshall had a fizz and compression that couldn’t be dialed out compared to the Z trio.
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Post by Jaguarguy (Mike) on Aug 16, 2018 18:51:10 GMT -7
I agree with you - no comparison between the Maz and the Origin.
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Post by mudman on Aug 17, 2018 6:37:45 GMT -7
I agree with you - no comparison between the Maz and the Origin. And I don’t mean it as a slight to the Origin! It was a great sounding amp and is very well priced. The Maz should sound better given the price difference, haha. Just for what I had available in trade value, the Maz was the better choice. It’s got an amazing clarity that many amps don’t. I will say I’ll miss the “set it and forget it” nature of the mini Z. Plug in and enjoy, lol. But the jr. just ticked the buttons better for me.
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Post by digs57 on Aug 19, 2018 7:28:34 GMT -7
You made right choice...
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Post by mudman on Aug 19, 2018 12:52:58 GMT -7
I hope so! Haha. It sure looks and sounds sharp. It was a hard decision between the mini and the NR, but the versatility and the simplicity of a combo vs head and cab sold it on me.
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Post by mudman on Aug 22, 2018 13:58:31 GMT -7
A few more thoughts on the NR as I’ve cranked it a few times now and played with my lp and tele.
Doc’s amps just have an amazing clarity to them. Not strident like a hifi system, but you feel like you’re getting the full response from your instrument and pedals.
The NR is also a snarling beast compared to the ‘verb version I used to own. I love it hahahaha. It can grunt if you need it to but also cleans up well. My favorite od sound seems to be with the boost set about halfway up.
Definitely dirtier with my 58 ri lp vs the avri tele, to be expected. But the jazz tones with the tele neck pickup are beautiful.
Still honeymoon period but I love this amp. Just wish I could afford to own all of Doc’s creations at the same time...
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Post by mudman on Aug 22, 2018 14:13:15 GMT -7
Oh and I love the creamback with this amp. Tames the high end a bit. I don’t think I’m going back to a blue.
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Post by purpletele on Aug 23, 2018 12:50:48 GMT -7
Oh and I love the creamback with this amp. Tames the high end a bit. I don’t think I’m going back to a blue. If you have the opportunity you should try a Cream Alnico. It really gives it a British Grind and has a bit of jangle to the cleans. Can't go wrong with the creamback though.
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Post by mudman on Aug 26, 2018 10:51:52 GMT -7
I'm enjoying the NR with all of my electrics. I tried the fx loop today though, and it definitely needs a buffer before it doesn't it? I couldn't believe how much it darkened the tone of the amp. I was using my strat with the EJ pickups in it, and usually that bridge cuts through like a hot knife and butter. I'm definitely getting more and more tempted to send the amp in for the Mk II works from the good doctor.
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Post by mudman on Aug 30, 2018 17:25:38 GMT -7
Well some more fun with the maz. Popped a matched set of mullards in there. I was surprised at the clarity versus the tube store 7189 russian guys. Me likey. I know class a can eat tubes and long run it would cost $$ to keep real mullards in there, but I’m going to enjoy them while they last
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Post by Sean on Aug 31, 2018 11:13:44 GMT -7
I think Z should make an amp called the "Good Cause" because no spouse could argue if the money spent was for a good cause, right?
Congrats - awesome amp there.
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Post by Maddog on Aug 31, 2018 11:27:34 GMT -7
I think Z should make an amp called the "Good Cause" because no spouse could argue if the money spent was for a good cause, right? Congrats - awesome amp there. Brilliant!!!!!
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Post by Maddog on Aug 31, 2018 11:30:15 GMT -7
"............ long run it would cost $$ to keep real mullards in there, but I’m going to enjoy them while they last Amen brother! Life is unpredictable! Always eat yer dessert first!
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Post by mudman on Sept 9, 2018 20:50:33 GMT -7
You know it’s fun to have different amps kicking around. I got to AB the Maz against my ‘73 Princeton Reverb today (obligatory photo) It’s been recapped and currently has a ‘67 Jensen Vibranto 10” speaker; a c10r with a fiberglass voicecoil for 40 watts of power handling. Basically Jensen’s answer for their lifetime warranty. You blew a speaker, the beefed up Vibranto is what they gave ya. It’s a fun amp and super vintage sound with the old jensen. Bass sounds like a fuzz pedal is on with a les paul unless you almost turn it off. And yet it’s got a sound that you can play all day. Cleans up well, lush reverb and with the bias tremolo dimed you’re in surf country. It’s night and day in tone to the Maz. Where the PR is rounded and fuzzy, the Maz is crisp and almost piano like in its note definition. The Maz also can get real loud in a hurry if needed. Where the PR’s OD is thick, the Maz cuts, though it can cut and get thick with the boost engaged. I could play both happily for the rest of my days, but realistically the Maz is so much more refined and tweakable. Doc really has designed a modern classic with the Maz. It hangs with any amp out there.
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Post by mickey on Sept 9, 2018 23:53:33 GMT -7
That crisp and piano like definition is what does it for me. No flubbing out or fuzziness with a Maz, it retains clarity even on the edge of break up.
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Post by mudman on Sept 11, 2018 19:50:19 GMT -7
Went digging through the tube stash today. Found my mullard! Got it in V1 now. Looking forward to test driving in the morning. Also found a ge 5151 and popped that in v1 of my princeton. See how everything sounds once my wife heads to her meeting. The dishwasher deliveryman might be in for some noise though
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Post by mudman on Sept 12, 2018 9:16:25 GMT -7
Rolled the tubes this morning. Mullard 12ax7 was too much of a brute in the Maz. The 5751 seems like a great fit for the Princeton. Less gain, but less mushy. It’s a bit mechanically noisy, so I threw a eurotubes dampener on it. Not a peep from it now.
Tried a couple more tubes in the Maz. RCA in V1, much more balanced and defined than the mullard. V2 got a ge 7025. Just want to find a sovtek lps for v3 now. Still loving the mullard el84’s.
Side note my power light died! Stopping in the shop today anyway, so bringing the Maz along. Hope the bulb is blown and nothing else. Still plays great.
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