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Post by tubedude on Jun 6, 2019 10:37:41 GMT -7
Hi All,
Bought my Maz 38 Sr brand new from Lauzon Music in Ottawa in 2002. Use it mostly for clean to semi-dirty Strat tones. One of the EL84 tubes are always running hot. I have changed the affected tube with the same Groove Tube EL84, it's still glowing bright. I tried replacement of 4 matched GT EL84's but the problems remain.
Also, I have never ever gotten the real overdriven sound from this amp - not that I need to but when fooling around I seem to only get half the overdriven sound when looking at YouTube videos.
I see on DrZ website that the tubes are now the JJ EL84. Did DrZ use the GrooveTubes EL84 before?
Then I read on other forums about pin 1 and 2 on the EL84 and the importance of the tubes.
So before I try the JJ EL84, is there something else I should be aware of?
Thank you for you help :-)
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Post by KeithA on Jun 6, 2019 10:59:17 GMT -7
Wecome to the forum Lauzon is currently my dealer too (I actually have a new amp enroute from them now. Great shop). In the past Doc did use certain Groove Tubes. However, these are simply rebranded tubes from the major factories so the tubes are basically the same as the name-brand manufacturers. Since it seems like your problem (if it is, in fact a problem that is causing reduced performance) seems to be staying in the same socket when you cycled through the three (3) sets of tubes, it would be odd if it in a tube issue as it would be unlikely that all three tubes installed in that socket have the same issue. The one other thing you could do is move the suspect tube to another socket to see if the glowing red follows the tube. However, I suspect it won't based on you tryiing 2 new tubes in there with the same results. You could pull the chassis and look in the vicinity of the socket (well, the whole board, actually) to see if any component looks damaged (burnt, etc). It could be a problem with the socket as well. If nothing looks out of place and you suspect the amp may not sound as it should, a quick trip to a tech may be worth it. A trip to the Z factory would benefit the 16 year old amp as well but I know getting stuff into the US and back can be troublesome without paying fees/dues/taxes. You could also email drzrepairs@gmail.com to ask the shop if they've seen this before.
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Post by tubedude on Jun 6, 2019 11:40:49 GMT -7
Hi KeithA,
I was actually thinking of visiting DrZ in Cleveland. From Toronto, it is only 5 hours, but I'm driving from Shania town, so I have to add another 8 hours. Planning to do all the checks and upgrades next year. My Maz 38 Sr has a serial number P5631, will it qualify for all upgrades ?
Tnx Roald
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Post by KeithA on Jun 6, 2019 12:04:50 GMT -7
Hi KeithA, I was actually thinking of visiting DrZ in Cleveland. From Toronto, it is only 5 hours, but I'm driving from Shania town, so I have to add another 8 hours. Planning to do all the checks and upgrades next year. My Maz 38 Sr has a serial number P5631, will it qualify for all upgrades ? Tnx Roald Driving will be easier I'm in Newfoundland, so i don't have that option. Here's the link to the mod availability page. Have a look to see what category your amp fits in: drzamps.com/support/mods-and-services/You could also send an email to the repairs address previously noted to find out straight from the horse's mouth.
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Post by tubedude on Jun 6, 2019 12:39:15 GMT -7
Thank you - how do I show pictures regarding problem issues?
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Post by KeithA on Jun 6, 2019 13:05:08 GMT -7
Thank you - how do I show pictures regarding problem issues? The pictures have to be hosted on a 3rd party photo-hosting site and linked in here. If you don't have a hosting account and want a few pictures loaded into this thread you can email them to me at ampguy66@gmail.com and I can post them for you.
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Post by premiumplus (Dave) on Jun 6, 2019 16:13:47 GMT -7
Keith's right.
If you've changed tubes and the problem stays in the SAME SOCKET, you've probably got an issue with the amp. If you open it up I bet you'll find a burned resistor on that socket. If you know how to solder well, it's a quick fix. If not, call Z repairs. And welcome to Z-Talk, the best people on the internet are here and it's a great place. Lots of knowledge and good friends you haven't met yet.
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