Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Aug 12, 2020 9:53:38 GMT -7
I bought my first MAZ 18 NR head in 2008 (a 20th anniversary head).
At times, I have chased different tones that led me away from the MAZ 18 NR, but I always come back.
I posted a few months ago about being a bit of a minimalist. I do not consider myself a great player so I struggle with having more than a couple of things around.
This summer I went wild trying a ton of amps side by side for a few months (Z-Wreck, Mazerati 30th anniversary, MAZ 38 NR, Ghia, DB4, Jetta, etc.). I wanted to get down to the bottom of all of the amps I've been wanting to try. Ultimately, my MAZ 18 NR beat them all out. Now I can appreciate that certain amps do certain things, and are not intended to do everything. But...for me, the MAZ 18 NR stands tall.
Admittedly, I've tried to stray several times!! I'd say this is my third MAZ 18 NR. Sometimes I fight the EQ of it. I always seem to make it work though...with speakers, tubes (6n14n's!!), guitar knobs, pedals, etc.
I haven't tried the Mkii, but I am content with what I've got. What really blew my doors off recently was using an old Vintage 30 with it. It sort of made the EQ easier to tweak for me.
I know most Z guys aren't monogamous with one amp, but I have sold or am selling everything but my old MAZ 18 NR. I sold off the MAZ 38 NR with some hesitancy. It's cleaner, and has more "room" for overdrive pedals to work. Because I play single coils and wanted some output tube compression, I stuck with the 18 watt instead. I'd say that over the last 12 years I've had a MAZ 18 NR with me 90% of that time.
Life is good.
|
|
|
Post by detuned on Aug 12, 2020 12:16:45 GMT -7
So, true confession from me: I loved (LOVED!) my Maz Jr NR 2X10 for many years, until one day I bought a Top Hat Super Deluxe, and suddenly my Maz had a harshness in the mids I couldn't dial out. Once I heard it, I couldn't unhear it.
Well, the Top Hat is long gone now. Flash forward to the last Z-Fest, and the Doc has Buddy demo a whole ton of amps. Now, I was really impressed with the Nova (still am!), but the one that surprised me the most was the Mk II Maz. Wow, what a sound. So sweet.
Now I'm looking at the Maz again, just trying to decide if I'd prefer a 38 for the headroom. The 18 never lacked for it, but you never know...
|
|
cmrharvey
Full Member
Greater Atlanta
Posts: 103
|
Post by cmrharvey on Aug 12, 2020 12:56:41 GMT -7
I updated my NR about a year or so ago, and it definitely makes the Maz more amazing than it was prior. Depending on your ear, the G12H anniversary works well with it, however as some have stated, depending on the tone you want, one can go wild swapping out speakers for "the" sound. If you can swing it, get the mods done to MK II specs, you will definitely enjoy it more. Good luck with your quest.
|
|
|
Post by lowbudget on Aug 12, 2020 13:40:16 GMT -7
I think you’re on the money fevzay.
I’m no expert on all the latest Z flavors but it’s always seemed to me that the Maz 18 will get into the ballpark with most of them. It’s kinda like home base to me. And while I have a MKII and like it, it’s never given me the urge to light my other three MKIs on fire.
|
|
|
Post by premiumplus (Dave) on Aug 12, 2020 16:04:06 GMT -7
Totally agree.
There's just something about the Maz 18NR. Mine was a version 1 when I got it but it's been converted. Both versions were great but I like V II better for the improved Master Volume. It's just able to cover so much sonic territory that I couldn't imagine not having one.
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Aug 12, 2020 17:50:00 GMT -7
You guys sure have nice things to say about the Mkii! I have no reason to doubt that they're great.
If I get tempted into a Mkii, then I'll just be adding a second amp rather than modifying mine. I love it too much to change it (or even go without it for a few weeks).
I figure one of each couldn't be bad to have. 😁
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Aug 12, 2020 17:56:02 GMT -7
Speakers...
I have mostly run an 2x12 open back with a Vintage 30 and Creamback G12H75. Sounds great, but I've been enjoying the V30 by itself even more.
It's been a few years since I've had a regular G12H30. I liked those okay, but I seem to hit a sweet spot for the EQ easier with the V30 than anything else. Diff'rent strokes for diff'rent folks. I used to play Blues and Gold's, but don't have any at the moment. Maybe I'll revisit speakers someday, but I'm super happy with my old, beat up V30.
I have owned and used all Celestion's extensively, but I do wonder what if anything I'm missing out on from Eminence, Weber, etc.
|
|
|
Post by runninwiththerevil (Matthew) on Aug 14, 2020 6:44:13 GMT -7
I too have tried a number of amps over the years. The first Z I ever played was a Maz 38. I don't know what it was, but I didn't care for that one at all. That experience kept me away from picking up an 18 for a while. But I did some Fenders, a Tone King, Mesa's, and a bunch of Z's. When none of those caught me I finally got a Maz 18. I did one more search and came back to a Ghia again and had the two for a while. The Ghia is probably my favorite at doing "one thing" really well, but as I went back and forth over a few months it was clear that the Maz was to stay.
I've said a couple times over the years that I am satisfied with my rig and done buying, trying, flipping, but I think this is it for me for a long while. I'm on the far side of our Craigslist area, won't buy anything bigger than a pedal from eBay, and Reverb is straying too far from her roots. Not many other good ways to try the sort of stuff I would like to hear (not Fenders or Boss) and be able to move it quick.
I did get the MKII done, and the only thing that I wish were different would be to have a studio light 112. Maybe some day I'll work that out.
|
|
|
Post by runninwiththerevil (Matthew) on Aug 14, 2020 12:57:45 GMT -7
You guys sure have nice things to say about the Mkii! I have no reason to doubt that they're great. If I get tempted into a Mkii, then I'll just be adding a second amp rather than modifying mine. I love it too much to change it (or even go without it for a few weeks). I figure one of each couldn't be bad to have. 😁 My pre-MKII was dialed in really nice and sounded great. I didn’t feel like the update was a huge difference. If your happy with your amp as is keep it that way.
|
|
|
Post by j4gitr (John) on Aug 14, 2020 15:57:26 GMT -7
I bought a Maz 18 2x10 combo in 04. That stayed with me until 2018 when I traded it in on a Z-plus. I could have traded my Antidote or my Ghia head. The combo left due to trade in dollars and weight. I have absolutely no complaints on my Z-Plus, but I still think I might go back and get a Maz. But I Also would like a Wreck jr., so there’s that. Add in the fact that there are no gigs and I have to ask myself why at this particular moment. My Maz combo had some serious mojo, so I wonder if a Maz jr NR head would live up to or surpass my memory of my first. They say you never forget your first.
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Aug 16, 2020 13:07:40 GMT -7
Decided that once I unload a few more things, I may be searching for a Mkii head. I like things in two's, so it'll be nice to have both options.
|
|
|
Post by digs57 on Aug 16, 2020 15:57:45 GMT -7
Have both and they are two slightly different amps to my ears...have had other z's but always returned for the maz 18...salesman said "don't be hard on yourself...wouldn't be surprised if its the only z youll own"...beside my ghia 110...
|
|
|
Post by kcmichael on Sept 16, 2020 8:55:19 GMT -7
I'm in the process of assessing what Dr. Z amp to purchase. I'll be looking at used ones. I can't find a used Mark II version, at least in my price point. There's many pre-Mark II versions available. Do you recommend the pre-Mark II versions? Also looking at used Prescription options, 18 watt and 45 watt. I'm in the EL 84 zone, having owned a Matchless Lightening 15 years ago ... what an amazing little and loud amp! I'd like to find something in this zone.
Will an older Maz 18 have enough clean headroom for small to medium size clubs ... the type of clean that has the chime pronounced? Or should I be looking at Maz 38 watt versions? Thanks for the guidance!
|
|
|
Post by digs57 on Sept 17, 2020 6:26:45 GMT -7
Its always had enough for even the loudest of situations at jams...If your using it in a band situation were everyones same page youll have more than enough juice...pre mod maz is a great amp...I would say that theres a little more headroom,ect. with pre mod maz...you find a clean well taken care of nr model that's a go....but new reverb model is worth the mod....fwiw.
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Sept 17, 2020 14:00:47 GMT -7
I'm in the process of assessing what Dr. Z amp to purchase. I'll be looking at used ones. I can't find a used Mark II version, at least in my price point. There's many pre-Mark II versions available. Do you recommend the pre-Mark II versions? Also looking at used Prescription options, 18 watt and 45 watt. I'm in the EL 84 zone, having owned a Matchless Lightening 15 years ago ... what an amazing little and loud amp! I'd like to find something in this zone. Will an older Maz 18 have enough clean headroom for small to medium size clubs ... the type of clean that has the chime pronounced? Or should I be looking at Maz 38 watt versions? Thanks for the guidance! Only one guys opinion!... I'd say it depends on two things. First, do you play single coils or Humbucker guitars primarily? If single coils, then you'd probably be happy with the 18w. If you mean really clean, then you might want the 38w for more articulation on the lower strings. Hard to explain, but I'd say for you to base it more on what you play rather than loudness because it won't be as different as you'd expect. A bonus of the 38w would be that has more space for overdrive pedals to shine with it's added headroom. With the 18w...the amp colors pedals sooner if that makes sense.
|
|
|
Post by zenfly49 on Oct 22, 2020 5:24:15 GMT -7
I bought a 2002 2x10 Reverb model in 2002 and since sold My 65 Delux Reverb, 67 Super Reverb (not RIs) and a Vibroking. My Maz 18 won't be for sale.
|
|