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Post by The Fonz on May 12, 2019 17:27:33 GMT -7
So lately I've been loving the MONZA much more after installing the Russian Tubes. Totally digging it with with my Keith Holland Strat-Style (H-S-S). However, I'm struggling to get a tone in the bridge pickup that isn't too muffled/dark, of my Keith Holland LP-Style guitar (with Lollar Imperials). Even with the tone all the way up it still doesn't sound right. Now when I play this guitar with my Maz 18 (yes, the one with the 7-year old tubes) and the Timmy, it does not have the muffled/dark issue. When I play through the MAZ it's thick as hell and clear and enjoyable, but no so much with the MONZA.
And so I'm wondering if anyone has experience this with the MONZA using a LP. And I'm wondering if there is a solution for this, like maybe an EQ pedal or something, that doesn't change the actual tone of the MONZA. It seems that since the MONZA only has a tone control (unlike the MAZ with has an "EQ" section), I'm not able to dial it in more like I can in the MAZ? I've tried some boost pedals to try and achieve this, but wasn't totally happy with it.
Help a Z brother out???
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lee
New Member
Posts: 13
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Post by lee on May 13, 2019 9:24:07 GMT -7
What are your settings? Mine can sound like you’re describing with my LP, especially if I run the tone knob too low or drive knob too high on the amp. Backing off the drive on my amp helps to brighten it up a bit. I’ve also found the amp is pretty sensitive to what tube is in the first preamp slot. I have some that sound great with a LP and not so good with a strat, as well as vice versa.
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Post by premiumplus (Dave) on May 13, 2019 16:22:46 GMT -7
I find that if I run the drive too high the Monza runs out of treble with humbuckers. So I back off on the drive and run the volume a little higher. That seems to open the highs up. The Monza's controls are ALL really interactive. Set it with your ears, not your eyes.
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Post by The Fonz on May 13, 2019 17:06:12 GMT -7
I find that if I run the drive too high the Monza runs out of treble with humbuckers. So I back off on the drive and run the volume a little higher. That seems to open the highs up. The Monza's controls are ALL really interactive. Set it with your ears, not your eyes. Thanks, Dave and Lee. I actually never really thought about this. It never occurred to me that drive/gain would do this to a LP/Humbucker (although I have a humbucker on the Strat and it doesn't have this issue). I usually run the tone knob around 3 o'clock and the volume/gain usually around noon (maybe a little less, but basically there). I tend to keep them the same throughout the night, but sometimes lower it a bit for the LP. Another thing that I forgot to mention is that is really only seems to have this dark/muffle issue on the low strings, and doesn't seem to lack treble on the higher strings....
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lee
New Member
Posts: 13
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Post by lee on May 13, 2019 17:14:27 GMT -7
One thing that I did with mine was to swap a 12at7 for the driver tube. This gave a little more dynamic range and opened the tone up a bit. Still plenty of gain on tap if you need it, but you gain a little bit more useful range out of the volume knob.
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Post by Chilly Gibbons (Todd T.) on May 13, 2019 17:56:29 GMT -7
I play my Monza with humbuckers using down-tuned LPs and SGs and seem to have plenty of highs without maxing the tone knob. I keep the drive knob cranked up high for girth, using the vol and master for loads of gain. I’m using the full size 1x12 combo (lite) with a UK Greenback. But, I’m not playing out with a band so that may be it. Still can’t get over the seven year old EL84s. What brand are they again?
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Post by The Fonz on May 13, 2019 21:41:13 GMT -7
I play my Monza with humbuckers using down-tuned LPs and SGs and seem to have plenty of highs without maxing the tone knob. I keep the drive knob cranked up high for girth, using the vol and master for loads of gain. I’m using the full size 1x12 combo (lite) with a UK Greenback. But, I’m not playing out with a band so that may be it. Still can’t get over the seven year old EL84s. What brand are they again? Haha. I'm not sure what tubes are in the Maz 18, as they were in there when I got the amp. Hell, they might even be the originals. And damn they still sound good!
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Post by The Fonz on May 13, 2019 21:43:08 GMT -7
One thing that I did with mine was to swap a 12at7 for the driver tube. This gave a little more dynamic range and opened the tone up a bit. Still plenty of gain on tap if you need it, but you gain a little bit more useful range out of the volume knob. Hmmm. I'm still getting used to how the different tubes affect things. I'm happy with how it sounds with the Strat, and want to be cognizant of how things I change could affect the the tone of the amp with the Strat.
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Post by The Fonz on Jun 2, 2019 9:42:14 GMT -7
UPDATE: 6/2/19 So I took the MONZA to rehearsal last week and tried out the different suggestions with the amp to get the LP to not sound dark/muffled in the bridge (mostly on the low strings). While I was able to brighten it up a bit by lowering the drive/gain, it affected the overall tone, and not in a good way to me. It just doesn't have the grit I want want if I back down the volume/drive settings. To me it makes the amp less lively and uninspired. Jump forward to yesterday. So I had a big outdoor gig at The Cherry Festival in San Leandro yesterday, 6/1/19 (multiple bands, Plus Sweet Sensation and The Jets). As I wasn't sure if we were going to be able to use our own amps (they had a backline), I decided to just bring my Maz 18 NR to the gig in case we were able to use them. The Maz is a Combo and is easier to transport and set up (due to time constraints and such). Anyway, I was able to use it...and let me tell you. From the moment I plugged it in, turned it on, stepped on the Timmy, hit the first chord...well, it's exactly what I looking for but just cant get from the Monza. In fact I literally heard myself saying "that's it, I'm not F'ing with the Monza any more. This is exactly what I've been wanting". The chords rang out nicely, hearing all the notes. Cleaned up with the volume, and was tough as hell when I wanted it to be. We play such a variety for materials, that I never felt limited by what the Maz could do. I just haven't had that with the Monza. Oh and let me remind you that the tubes in the Maz are OVER 7 YEARS OLD! Funny thing is I have been using my Maz at the rehearsal studio for quite a while now (don't want to drag the Monza there each time), and the guys have been saying how good the tone sounds, especially with the LP (technically its a Keith Holland Custom LP style). I felt the same way, but every time a gig came around I would always use the Monza. I guess I had this loyalty thing to it because I have so much money and time invested in it (plus it looks badass, and no one has one out here, and I searched over a year for it). I really wanted an amp that I didn't have to use a pedal with to get the gain/drive, and so I longed for the Monza. And here it is that I put all this time and money into the KH Custom, and really never played it because I hated the way it sounded on the Monza. I did not hate it yesterday. In fact I fell in love with the KH LP and the Maz. And so the decision was made in those first moments of the gig that I'm kind of giving up on the Monza and going back to the Maz. This time I'm looking for a red Mk II (to match my red Dr Z Convertible 12). Thought I'd put that out there in case any of my Z brother have one that they want to part with, or maybe even trade.... Thank you everyone that gave input/insight/encouragement! The (Happier) Fonz!
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