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Post by dougguy on Dec 16, 2020 17:33:23 GMT -7
Hello to the forum, new Z owner here, playing for 50+yrs, all the usual Marshall, Fender, Peavey, Vox, Mesa, this is the first Dr. Z amp I have owned and actually was the first one I ever played. Craigslist deal, $1k immaculate condition, very happy with the amp overall except the Z speakers are a little peaky on the high end, especially with an ash bodied maple neck tele with Josefina hand wound blackguard pickups. Best Fender pickups I have EVER heard, and yes they are somewhat demanding of an amp, which prompted the search for something I didn't have before, found the Dr. Z to be a great match for not only the tele but a boatload of other guitars I have here.
I did swap in some vintage D110 JBLs, these are alnico and are really warm in the MAZ 18 Jr, and don't have that peaky high end despite the aluminum dust caps. They are not quite as loud as the Z speakers and I gave up a noticeable bit of bottom end so I may keep looking for other alnico speakers, any input?
As a footnote, I listened to the MKII comparisons and I think I like the sound of the original better, it's more squishy, and has seemingly a more complex character than the MKII even though the MKII is improved in notable ways over the original. Something in the tone just sounds more meaty and multi dimensional when driven and the MKII seems to lose that chewy dimensional sound.
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Post by premiumplus (Dave) on Dec 16, 2020 18:17:30 GMT -7
Welcome to the forum, you'll find us a friendly and welcoming crowd! I get a lot of use from my Maz 18NR, it's just so toneful and works in any situation. Love my Z amps. Mine is a 1x12 combo loaded with a G12H30 but the Celestion Gold 10" speakers sound great...
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Post by runninwiththerevil (Matthew) on Dec 16, 2020 19:07:15 GMT -7
Welcome Doug! That’s a good deal. We just had a Maz show up on FB for $1400. That’s steep. I got my mki the mkii treatment. Mine sounded great when I got it, and it’s still really good now. I was able to save shipping one way because I was heading to Cleveland for a concert. I don’t regret it, but I wonder if I could A/B which my ears would pick, pre or post mkii.
What I really wanted to say is that Dr Z amps really respond to different tubes. Keep the speakers and so some playing around with v1 and v2 preamp tubes. The other thing is poke around here for some ideas on the Cut control. I’ve found a few different suggestions on how to sail this amp in that I probably wouldn’t have thought to try that combination.
If you are generally happy with the tone you get with the Maz, it is almost certain you can dial out anything unpleasant.
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Post by j4gitr (John) on Dec 16, 2020 22:04:57 GMT -7
Welcome Doug, my first Z amp was an 03 or 04 2x10 combo as well. That was a special amp with some serious vibe. I get what you’re saying about the multi dimensional sound. It was a great one. To my regrets I traded it with cash for a new Z-Plus. I don’t regret the Z-Plus by any means, I just wish I had kept both. You’ll enjoy the people and community here. Congrats on your first, but not last Z, and once again welcome.
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