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Post by bigben55 on Mar 11, 2019 14:11:13 GMT -7
I'll be looking used. Is the difference between the 18 and the 38 merely the amount of available clean headroom? Does the older MV NOT do a good enough job taking it(I realize the new MkII MV is better). I read lots of folks using the Brake Lite with both the older 18s and 38s. Why? I use one with my Z28, but it has no MV. Steer me the right way. I know I can have the MkII upgrades done(and eventually will) giving a 38 the 1/2 power switch among other things. Does that basically MAKE the 38 a Maz 18? Or are there still other differences?
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Post by mikefleming on Mar 28, 2019 6:27:51 GMT -7
I have both. What are you looking for? My goal in going from 18 to 38 was more clean headroom, including fuller lows, on stage. Depending on your band(s), and your need for cleans, keep that in mind. If you mostly play dirty though, 18 gets you there faster without the Brakelite.
I use a Brake Lite in both btw. Mine are both older with the older MV, and I never really liked using the master for dirt tones. It's a very different sound from actually cranking the amp. But also, I really think the cleans are also best when the amp is pretty opened up; so I tend to use the Brake Lite to dial in my clean tone. In fact, I probably adjust volume with the Brake Lite twice as much as I ever use either volume knob; mostly they just stay in the sweet spot.
Additionally - I play 1x12 combos. If you are thinking 2x12, either combo or cab, that is very different. I have a 2x12 combo cab that makes each chassis sound way bigger. I also have a 2x10 combo cab but I don't think it's a lot different from the 1x12. And if you're doing head/cab, many of the cabs sound bigger than their combo counterpart to me.
Regarding the newer amps, including the new MV and half power switch, I can't say, sorry. But, I can at least say the 38 would meet a goal of loud cleans better, and also, the old MV may not satisfy you if crunch tones are your goal.
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Post by thatstatuemoved on May 3, 2019 18:22:56 GMT -7
I have had both the 18 and the 38 and still have the 38. I recently had the Mk11 upgrade. For my use, the 38 fit my needs better than the 18. I like a lot of clean headroom and use pedals for distortion etc. The 38 seems to me to be more robust and bigger sounding. The 18 is a fine amp. With my upgrade, I now can flip the power switch and essentially have an 18, or flick the switch to full power and you have the 38. I would rather have more clean headroom available and not use it rather than run out of clean headroom id I had to choose between the 18 or 38. YMMV. I have never used a brake lite on either amp. To answer your question, yes the 38 has more clean headroom, but to my ears the 38 sounds fuller, has better bass response.
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