Gonzo
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Posts: 6
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Z-noob
Mar 5, 2020 21:36:11 GMT -7
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Post by Gonzo on Mar 5, 2020 21:36:11 GMT -7
Howdy y’all
I’m a middle aged Dad who used to gig (weekend warrior classic rock and blues stuff) but it seems my gigging days may be over for awhile, and I’m fine with that. Now I’m looking to buy my first high quality amplifier for use at home (mostly). Spent years playing a Peavey Classic 50, then a 50w Marshall Vintage Modern. But I’m ready for an amp that takes my breath away. Only so many guitar pickin’ days left on this planet, after all. A buddy of mine piqued my Z-interest by offering to sell me his 2008 Anniversary badged Maz38, but I kinda think it’ll be a bit much for the office, even w the attenuation.
I was almost sold on the Jetta, price being a huge attractor. And the simplicity, wow! That alone made me want it. And the availability.
But listening to the Zwreck Jr clips has me convinced it’s tone is more my thing. I play rootsy rock, blues, veer into country-tinged stuff lately.
Question: If you already had a 212 greeenback cab, would you order the head or the combo (for open back sound and portability)? I have been lugging heads and cabs to gigs so long. the ease of a combo is so inviting to me.
Also, no effects loop, has anyone run time-based effects into the front of this when it’s dirty? That usually produced a bad result on any other amp I’ve had. .
Thanks for reading, and any advice is appreciated! Great community y’all have here. Been reading non-stop for the past couple days haha. Driving myself nuts trying to decide. (maybe I should make my buddy *loan* me his Maz38 just to try it in the house and see lollllll)
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Gonzo
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Posts: 6
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Z-noob
Mar 5, 2020 21:55:14 GMT -7
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Post by Gonzo on Mar 5, 2020 21:55:14 GMT -7
Forgot to mention, I play a Strat, Tele (lots of chicken pickin’) and Les Paul (occasionally). Sorry so long winded, geez. Boring
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Z-noob
Mar 5, 2020 22:05:09 GMT -7
Post by purpletele on Mar 5, 2020 22:05:09 GMT -7
Forgot to mention, I play a Strat, Tele (lots of chicken pickin’) and Les Paul (occasionally). Sorry so long winded, geez. Boring I would borrow the Maz for starters. You might be interested in the Z-Plus. Much different than the Z-Wreck Jr, but it has Great Tone and works very well with a pedal board. I have an upgraded Maz 38, it's a different beast with a MV. Much more versatile with the MV.
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Gonzo
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Z-noob
Mar 5, 2020 22:55:12 GMT -7
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Post by Gonzo on Mar 5, 2020 22:55:12 GMT -7
Thanks, PurpleTele. I think I’ll give the 38 a shot-his also has a MV, and I’ll look into the Z-plus as well.
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Gonzo
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Posts: 6
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Z-noob
Mar 5, 2020 23:21:55 GMT -7
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Post by Gonzo on Mar 5, 2020 23:21:55 GMT -7
Oops, I think the Z-plus is actually more what I was looking for. More classic Fender type of circuit and tubes. I was looking for a vintage Deluxe Reverb before I caught the Z-itch. Demos I heard have the glassy compressed squash in the high end when getting pushed that seems so magical. Single ended! Dr. Z is a wizard. Ok, I’ll move to the appropriate area of the board now Thanks PurpleTele!
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Post by John on Mar 6, 2020 4:09:50 GMT -7
Don't overlook the Ghia.....don't ever overlook the Ghia....
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Z-noob
Mar 6, 2020 5:49:05 GMT -7
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Gonzo likes this
Post by DeanG on Mar 6, 2020 5:49:05 GMT -7
Z-Lux made me sell the Maz 38, a very hard choice. Just could not keep both.
Z-Plus is so rich in harmonics, since it has Single Ended power section. There is a Studio combo version too.
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Gonzo
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Z-noob
Mar 6, 2020 6:35:22 GMT -7
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Post by Gonzo on Mar 6, 2020 6:35:22 GMT -7
My head is about to explode with trying to decide on just one of these. I can see how some of you end up with multiple models. But I’m definitely leaning toward the Z-Plus. 7/15 watts is perfect, too. Thanks for the replies, y’all!
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Post by purpletele on Mar 6, 2020 7:32:13 GMT -7
Thanks, PurpleTele. I think I’ll give the 38 a shot-his also has a MV, and I’ll look into the Z-plus as well. The Man has a MV on the original design, but I believe that MV drove the Tone Stack. Approximately 3 years ago Z started upgrading the Maz Series with a PPIMV and changes to the Reverb Circuit. So in summary the old MV works different than the new PPIMV. The older style Maz 38 is a serious stage performance amp, the newer style is now a killer bedroom amp as well.
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Z-noob
Mar 6, 2020 8:06:13 GMT -7
Post by John on Mar 6, 2020 8:06:13 GMT -7
My head is about to explode with trying to decide on just one of these. I can see how some of you end up with multiple models. But I’m definitely leaning toward the Z-Plus. 7/15 watts is perfect, too. Thanks for the replies, y’all!
If you play at home....how important is volume (or the lack of) to you? Are you able to crank up a low wattage amp? Or do you have to keep the volume really low because of family and/or neighbors? Will you be looking to play with a band? (even if it's just a basement or garage?)
If you really need to keep the volume down, I would suggest the Cure, Wreck Jr, Maz Jr. or the Z-Plus. Because they all have master volumes.
As much as I love the Ghia, it doesn't have a MV and would require an attenuator.
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Gonzo
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Z-noob
Mar 6, 2020 8:33:49 GMT -7
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Post by Gonzo on Mar 6, 2020 8:33:49 GMT -7
Thanks John, yeah-I don’t need to be whisper quiet, but my buddy’s Maz38 is probably too much, as might be the Ghia. I need that middle ground-5-20 watts and a MV, I think. Actually I just watched a Maz Jr clip and I loved that tone even more than the Zplus, which sounded just a bit too hi-fi in comparison. My head is spinning lol.
Sorry y’all, when I started this thread, it really was about the Z-Wreck Jr. Sorry it’s veered completely away from that. But I appreciate all the replies.
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