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Post by The Fonz on Mar 14, 2019 7:25:40 GMT -7
So I'm sure you've seen me around here talking about how much I love this thing....and I do. But I also have my woes with it. It seems very finicky. Never sure which version of her is gonna show up. Sometimes she's a beast and sometimes she's just meh. I know that each venue sounds different, and that contributes. But sheesh.
Lately I've noticed that she sounds kind of flat, scratchy, dry, and lacks pizzazz. Sometimes if I'm standing a few feet in front of it, she sounds good, but this weekend I played huge hall and walked out to the end of the room (I have a Shure wireless that lets me roam). When I was out there it sounds completely different --- its not a good different though. It's like its not even the same amp. I also noticed that last week at rehearsal it sound pretty much the same about 10-15 away that is sounded at the gig from far away. It's actually bumming me out quit a bit. I have a lot of money and time and love invested in the amp/cabinet, and it's just not doing what I've always read it can do.
Jump forward to rehearsal last night. I decided I was going to experiment a bit to see if it was my guitars or the head. So instead of bringing the Monza head, I just brought the Dr Z 1-12 convertible cab and my backup "amp", the EHX Magnum 44 with the Timmy pedal in front of it. Holy ****. It made that cabinet sound amazing! The guitar had life in it again. It was bright and clear and singing (where the Monza it usually darker and muddier, even with the tone dimmed). It actually made me feel the solos i was playing (and made me play a little differently), which I'm just not getting most of the time with the Monza.
And all this makes me wonder: How do I know if my Monza sounds like it is supposed to sound? I can't ask anyone around here, because I'm like the only guy that has a Dr. Z. Who would i ask or bring it to that would know? I'm hoping maybe a change of tubes would get it more in line to what I expect. I replaced them on Sept 28, 2017 with the exact same specs that Dr Z recommends on his website. Everything I read says Monza is a gain monster, but its just not. And that bums me out. I don't need metal gain or even hard rock gain....just more of what she's not giving me. And because I don't know if she sounds like she is supposed to, I'm never going to know if I need to go a different route or get her fixed.
As a side note, when I play with the Maz 18 and the Timmy it just makes me smile. I want to smile again with the Monza (insert sad face)....
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Post by Chilly Gibbons (Todd T.) on Mar 14, 2019 7:30:52 GMT -7
Sounds like a very typical "needs new tubes" issue. EL84s just don't have legs like they used to and fail rather quickly. Luckily, they're cheap and available everywhere. Also look at replacing the AX7s and rectifier while you're at it. You'd be amazed at how new tubes bounce an amp right back to where it should be.
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Post by headshrinker (Marc) on Mar 14, 2019 8:21:32 GMT -7
+1 on new power tubes first. Probably try a new phase inverter too. Then have a spare 12AX7 and sub it for those one at a time and see if there is a difference. If not put the old one back and move to the next one. I'd do the try and see if it improves thing with the phase inverter too.
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Post by premiumplus (Dave) on Mar 14, 2019 8:52:17 GMT -7
Agree, it's tube time.
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Post by Jaguarguy (Mike) on Mar 14, 2019 9:14:24 GMT -7
Definitely tube time! 18 months with same tubes is really pushing it.
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Post by The Fonz on Mar 14, 2019 12:45:21 GMT -7
Thanks for all the quick input, guys! I'm really surprised by the need for new tubes so soon...Well soon compared to my Maz 18, which I've had for like 7 years with the same tubes (and it was used when I got it), and that thing still sounds so good! Maybe they are just different animals?
New tubes it is. Any tube suggestions if I want a little more snarl out of her than the stock ones (the ones Doc recommends)? When I put the replacement tubes in back in 9/2017, it still didn't have as much snarly girth as I would have like. Also, I'm pretty sure I read somewhere on the forum that one of our own sells tubes? Maybe I'll give him some business?
Appreciate all the Z brothership around these parts!!
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Post by Chilly Gibbons (Todd T.) on Mar 14, 2019 12:53:02 GMT -7
Look for the 6n14n Russian 84s. They’re tough as nails and have the punch you’re looking for. You can get them from Perry here on the forum. Now to your Maz, she needs a set too. Seven years? Wow!
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Post by The Fonz on Mar 14, 2019 13:08:49 GMT -7
Thanks, Todd. That sounds intriguing. I'm going to check that out. And lol on the seven year tubes. It never even occurred to me to change them. Guess I won't tell you that I have a Fender champ from the 70's or 80's with the original tubes in it....
Now off to search for the illusive perry (assuming that his username, I found 3)....
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Post by Chilly Gibbons (Todd T.) on Mar 14, 2019 13:13:22 GMT -7
I think it’s perryr or something like that
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Post by Chilly Gibbons (Todd T.) on Mar 14, 2019 13:13:58 GMT -7
Good guy, supplies Doc with some of his tubes
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Post by Maddog on Mar 14, 2019 13:36:52 GMT -7
Your Champ’s 5y3 and 6v6 tubes will easily last 10-20 times longer than EL84’s in most amps. The champ is pretty easy on its tubes whereas EL 84 Amps usually run full tilt most of the time. And yes, I agree .... tube time for the MONZA!
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Post by headshrinker (Marc) on Mar 14, 2019 14:18:56 GMT -7
For a little more snarl you might want to try this one Doc uses in the second position of the Therapy as your first 12AX7. Ruby 12AX7 AC5 HG+
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Post by The Fonz on Mar 15, 2019 7:18:27 GMT -7
Thank you guys, for all the tips. I've reached out to Perry and will be ordering some tubes, based on your input.
Looking forward to getting the MONZA back in shape!
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Post by pcns on Mar 15, 2019 8:40:41 GMT -7
EL84's are little bit like chewing gun. Lots if flavor at first but dont always last very long.
I recently went thru this with my Carmen Ghia. Just didn't have "it" when I was playing. Tube swap and the smile retuned.
I would suggest trying the Russian 6n tubes but thought I read that they didn't sound as good in the Monza but I cant remember where I read that.
I do love my Monza!!
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Post by The Fonz on Mar 15, 2019 8:58:50 GMT -7
EL84's are little bit like chewing gun. Lots if flavor at first but dont always last very long. I recently went thru this with my Carmen Ghia. Just didn't have "it" when I was playing. Tube swap and the smile retuned. I would suggest trying the Russian 6n tubes but thought I read that they didn't sound as good in the Monza but I cant remember where I read that. I do love my Monza!! Lol that's funny. Thanks for the input. Maybe I'll order two different sets and see what I like best
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Post by The Fonz on Mar 18, 2019 17:35:45 GMT -7
For a little more snarl you might want to try this one Doc uses in the second position of the Therapy as your first 12AX7. Ruby 12AX7 AC5 HG+ Interesting. I look up original tube kit for the Therapy at the tube store (https://www.thetubestore.com/product/1857) and it shows this as original for the V2 -- TAD 7025-S / 12AX7. That's not the same as what you are suggesting, is it (I realize this is a different brand, but is it the same thing as the Ruby)? BTW I ordered the 6n14n's from Perry.
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Post by headshrinker (Marc) on Mar 18, 2019 18:36:13 GMT -7
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Post by The Fonz on Mar 18, 2019 18:52:13 GMT -7
Thanks for the reply. Yeah I saw that prior to looking at the Tube Store, which is why I was puzzled that they would call it "original". Oh well. I'll just order a Ruby from somewhere else and get on with it
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Post by Rik on Mar 19, 2019 17:41:59 GMT -7
Get some of the good tubes
from Perry and be done with it.
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Post by The Fonz on Mar 19, 2019 18:13:41 GMT -7
Get some of the good tubes from Perry and be done with it. Thanks for the encouragement, Rik. I wanted to order everything from Perry, but he only carries the 6n14n. I did order them from him. Now I'm trying to locate the Ruby as was suggested above.
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Post by Rik on Mar 19, 2019 18:32:59 GMT -7
I put Perry’s in mine when i had it and loved it.
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Post by The Fonz on Mar 19, 2019 18:55:25 GMT -7
I put Perry’s in mine when i had it and loved it. When you had it? Curious why you don't have it any longer??
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Post by Jaguarguy (Mike) on Mar 19, 2019 19:26:57 GMT -7
Hey Fonz! I noticed that you have had the tubes in your Maz for 7 years!! At some point (soon) you might want to replace those tubes as well. I'm sure it's drifted over the years gradually and you might not have noticed. Might be pleasantly surprised at the change with new tubes.
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Post by The Fonz on Mar 19, 2019 23:33:01 GMT -7
Hey Fonz! I noticed that you have had the tubes in your Maz for 7 years!! At some point (soon) you might want to replace those tubes as well. I'm sure it's drifted over the years gradually and you might not have noticed. Might be pleasantly surprised at the change with new tubes. Thanks, Mike! I've been thinking about that. Wonder if I should take a discussion over to the Maz board on tube suggestions? Would be nice to have a little more umpffhh from the Maz without relying so much on the Timmy
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Post by Jaguarguy (Mike) on Mar 20, 2019 5:30:26 GMT -7
Hey Fonz! I noticed that you have had the tubes in your Maz for 7 years!! At some point (soon) you might want to replace those tubes as well. I'm sure it's drifted over the years gradually and you might not have noticed. Might be pleasantly surprised at the change with new tubes. Thanks, Mike! I've been thinking about that. Wonder if I should take a discussion over to the Maz board on tube suggestions? Would be nice to have a little more umpffhh from the Maz without relying so much on the Timmy As far as tube recommendations, I always check with Doc's recommended tube line-up first . Hard to beat the guy who builds the amp when it comes to tube choice.
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Post by premiumplus (Dave) on Mar 20, 2019 9:36:12 GMT -7
I haven't had my Monza out in months, and so I pulled it out today. It had old output tubes in it so I put in a nice pair of Perry's 6N14N tubes, and I remembered why I fell for this amp in the first place. Sounds so good with my Strat, and then I plugged in the Explorer. In your face R&R time! Gotta try the Firebird next, it is like getting a new amplifier. I usually don't let my tubes get old but a few months back I needed new tubes for my Maz 18NR and swapped them with the Monza. I played it for a few minutes and wondered what was wrong before I remembered swapping the tubes out. It's a great amp. You're going to love it when you get those new tubes in!
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Post by Rik on Mar 20, 2019 10:34:43 GMT -7
I put Perry’s in mine when i had it and loved it. When you had it? Curious why you don't have it any longer?? Made a huge mistake and traded it for a guitar
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Post by DRZ on Mar 22, 2019 6:23:33 GMT -7
Joe, the Monza should ROAR...... If the tube swap doesn't help email Don: repairs@drzamps.com We'll get you sussed out.
Z
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Post by The Fonz on Mar 22, 2019 7:53:48 GMT -7
Randy the Monza should ROAR...... If the tube swap doesn't help email Don: repairs@drzamps.com We'll get you sussed out. Z Thanks for the reply and assurance, Doc. Looking forward to a ROARING Monza. She definitely hasn't been roaring...more like meowing... Thanks, Joe
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Post by The Fonz on Mar 24, 2019 14:10:36 GMT -7
Tubes arrived in a nice little package from Perry (quick shipping too). Installed them yesterday. Sounds a little tougher. Will know better on Tuesday with the band. Looking forward to it. And separately, thought I'd post a little clip of the band last week at rehearsal using my 7 YEAR OLD tubes in the Maz 18jr with the Timmy, and the Keith Holland LP. I don't know, it still sounds good to me Maz 18jr with 7-year old tubes
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