Erik
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Posts: 195
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Post by Erik on Jun 29, 2021 8:39:33 GMT -7
Hi all -- I haven't been on here in a long time. I bought a Maz 18NR head and 1 by 12 cab from Humbucker Music back in 2012 and have been using it ever since. I've always loved it, especially it's complex, harmonic clean tones. I run my Maz loud and clean with just a tiny bit of hair to make it complex and then use boost and overdrive pedals for more (I also always have a Wampler reverb pedal on). I usually have the Master on noon - 2 o-clock and the volume on about 9 o-clock. I have a NOS JAN 5751 in V1 and a NOS JAN AT7 in the phase inverter to give me a little more headroom. My question is this--is it worth sending my head to Dr. Z to have it upgraded to the MKII specs? I am mainly interested in the updated master volume--would this allow me to get at the good complex clean tones at a lower volume (I am not interested in getting overdriven tones out of the amp at lower volumes, just the sweet spot clean tones)? I've always felt that in order to get the goods out of the Maz the Master volume needs to at least be on noon, anything below that and I hear a loss of brilliance, fatness, and complexity in the sounds. For those that have upgraded from the MKI to the MKII Maz18, are you happy that you did? Do you like the EQ changes?
Thanks!
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Post by lowbudget on Jun 29, 2021 19:40:56 GMT -7
I have both and I would say that if you’re happy with your amp the way it is, don’t send it in. If you have a problem that you think the MKII update might solve send it on in. Sometimes one amp just sounds better than another regardless of the version.
If you’re looking for complex cleans, turn your master way up then use the volume to get the level you want. I’m not looking for OD tones either so I just keep my MKI master dimed and turn up the channel volume as much as I can stand it. It sounds spectacular. Run this way I can’t tell a whole lot of difference.
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Post by adam on Jun 30, 2021 4:18:38 GMT -7
Not sure if this really helps or not, but on my 18nrmk2, I'm pretty enamored using a umbucker guitar with the low input, master way high, and just bring up the volume a little (below 9pm). Switching to single coils, bring up the volume a little more (again master just pretty much wide open).
That's not your slightly pushed sound, and it's a different amp too, but it's a super complex and beautiful clean tone with some cool tube compression going on.
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Post by runninwiththerevil (Matthew) on Jun 30, 2021 7:19:08 GMT -7
When I got my Maz 18 it was probably from about the same period yours is. It also had some upgraded tubes in the preamp. I loved it and it sounded amazing. I had already decided when I got the deal on it that I would get the mkii done. It certainly didn't hurt anything, but it also didn't make it super-duper amazing. I would agree with with lowbudget, if you like it as is leave it for now. It is getting to be almost 10 years old. At some point you'll want it serviced and checked, at that point an over all check up is included with the upgrade so have it done then.
The 18 would have been an amp that I never let go until I wanted to house it in a smaller cab. I got a Maz 38 Studio with the Mkii already done. I decided to leave both amps as is and keep the 38.
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Post by j4gitr (John) on Jun 30, 2021 10:09:10 GMT -7
I had an ‘04 2x10 Maz 18 I bought new which had some serious mojo. I did trade it on a Z-Plus in 2018. A big factor in that trade was its weight and its trade value. I had finally reached the point where I was tired of lugging it up and down stairs. Wonderful amp, superb sounding. I’m not unhappy with my Z-Plus by any means, but I would not have sent that one in for the upgrade because it just sounded so good. So I concur with those that have said if you love it as is, don’t change it. If your curious buy a used machII. Sell the one you don’t like or enjoy both for what they offer.
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Post by ksquared on Jun 30, 2021 11:47:31 GMT -7
I've always felt that in order to get the goods out of the Maz the Master volume needs to at least be on noon, anything below that and I hear a loss of brilliance, fatness, and complexity in the sounds. For those that have upgraded from the MKI to the MKII Maz18, are you happy that you did? Do you like the EQ changes? Thanks!
I believe that this is the main "issue" that the MKII mods change. Instead of having a sweet spot (which is at the point of possibly being too loud for some), there is a more linear MV taper that people may find easier to control at different volume levels.
I did the update and yes, I like it a bit better. The EQ changes are subtle, but it's easier to dial out any unwelcome brightness, particularly if you can't crank the MV. With MKI, I agree that the MV needs to be at noon or higher, and much higher than say 2pm adds more compression and grind but not much more volume. It was (and is) glorious, just really loud for an 18w amp.
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Post by GuitarZ on Jun 30, 2021 12:57:40 GMT -7
If you're looking to get your tone at a lower volume, have you tried an attenuator? Yes. They can impact tone. But, it was liking getting a whole brand new amp when I finally sprung for an AirBrake after playing my Maz Jr for about a year. Just a thought.
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Erik
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Posts: 195
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Post by Erik on Jul 1, 2021 7:45:25 GMT -7
Thanks guys. I have an Airbrake but I was never happy with it other than on the first setting (the least possible attenuation), probably because I mostly play with a big, bold clean sound and not a lot of overdrive. The best means to control volume that I found is twofold--switching to a less efficient speaker (greenback and now a G12-65) combined with switching out the 12AX7s in the preamp for a 5751 in v1 and a At7 in v3 (this also increased headroom and smoothed out of the sound a little). It sounds like from what I am hearing here that it isn't worth the cash to have my head upgraded to the MKII. I wouldn't want to buy a new head because I don't want a black tolex head (I am really bummed that Dr. Z did away with his colored tolex options, I have to believe that is hurting his sales a little). My head is surf green and I have a blonde cabinet.
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Post by DRZ on Jul 1, 2021 9:09:04 GMT -7
I wouldn't want to buy a new head because I don't want a black tolex head (I am really bummed that Dr. Z did away with his colored tolex options, I have to believe that is hurting his sales a little). My head is surf green and I have a blonde cabinet. You couldn't be more wrong. Z
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Erik
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Posts: 195
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Post by Erik on Jul 2, 2021 12:10:17 GMT -7
Apologies Dr. Z! I'm glad I am wrong in this regard. I am just personally bummed about the tolex because I like color, but clearly I am in the minority.
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Post by adam on Jul 2, 2021 15:34:54 GMT -7
I am just personally bummed about the tolex because I like color, but clearly I am in the minority. I like the colors too. Have one red one and in person, it really looks cool. I get it. The blue stuff looks really cool too. I really like the black stuff too, it's classy. Your comments about controlling output with speaker choice and what not, totally agree. My couple 4x12's with v30s are so loud and in your face, they are a problem. Regarding the attenuator, I swear I blast into that thing and don't hear a difference wherever I set the attenuation. Some guy did a video volume matching all the different settings and I couldn't hear any difference in those either. If you really wanted to test that, I think you'd need to take the speaker/cab out of the equation and use and ir or something. There's so much going on in the room, the speaker distortion/movement, the cab resonance at different volumes, how volume lights up (or not) different frequencies in the room, the Flutcher Munsen effect, etc,, it's just impossible to be objective hearing it in the room. What I really like is that the first position is just bypass, so you can leave it in and a/b from that without having to physically take the unit out of the circuit. And I think the 18 and your playing on the cleanish side comes into play too. I'd say the maz has some level of compression which the more you attenuate, the more that factors in from to what you are hearing. I like what you are saying all around though, it all makes sense to me.
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Post by premiumplus (Dave) on Jul 2, 2021 16:55:12 GMT -7
I am just personally bummed about the tolex because I like color, but clearly I am in the minority. I like the colors too. Have one red one and in person, it really looks cool. I get it. The blue stuff looks really cool too. I really like the black stuff too, it's classy. Your comments about controlling output with speaker choice and what not, totally agree. My couple 4x12's with v30s are so loud and in your face, they are a problem. Regarding the attenuator, I swear I blast into that thing and don't hear a difference wherever I set the attenuation. Some guy did a video volume matching all the different settings and I couldn't hear any difference in those either. If you really wanted to test that, I think you'd need to take the speaker/cab out of the equation and use and ir or something. There's so much going on in the room, the speaker distortion/movement, the cab resonance at different volumes, how volume lights up (or not) different frequencies in the room, the Flutcher Munsen effect, etc,, it's just impossible to be objective hearing it in the room. What I really like is that the first position is just bypass, so you can leave it in and a/b from that without having to physically take the unit out of the circuit. And I think the 18 and your playing on the cleanish side comes into play too. I'd say the maz has some level of compression which the more you attenuate, the more that factors in from to what you are hearing. I like what you are saying all around though, it all makes sense to me. What a great point, Adam. The room and speaker/cab interaction is so dynamic and influential in the sound we perceive that changes in volume make huge differences in *tone*. The Fletcher/Munson curve, etc...all of this plays in. I've recently done some experimentation with time delays in low frequency speaker placement in a given room, and it is mind blowing how much simply moving a subwoofer ONE FOOT from its previous position will affect the frequency response measured elsewhere in the room. Acoustics is a very complex subject and our ears play tricks on us more than we'd like to believe.
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Post by larryz on Jul 9, 2021 15:05:55 GMT -7
For what it is worth, I am the original owner of a Maz18NR 1x12 (g12h30) from 2010. I sent it in for the MKII MV update 1bout 19 months ago and really, really love it. I'm discovering many zones of tone with the amp across the Volume, EQ, Cut that were too loud for me before. I play in the living room and am now able to enjoy variety of sounds at manageable volumes. For me, it is like having a new amp all over again. Completely worth it.
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Post by telejas on Jul 9, 2021 16:27:05 GMT -7
I've had a few Mk.1's over the years (18's and 38's).
Sent my last one in, almost 2 years ago now, for the Mk.II update/upgrade and couldn't be more happy!
It's still a Maz 18 at it's core, but just a few subtle changes that make a really great bigger picture.
I could probably dial in my Mk.II to sound very similar to the Mk.1.....But, not the other way.
The Mk.II has just as GREAT of a complex clean tone, but can get a little warmer....Almost more "Fender-y" in the low's, while keeping firmly in the "Vox" camp on the top-end, but still all in the Z-camp. It also feels, and sounds, more natural when I crank the master volume down (or up), it's more equal across the board. I much prefer the Maz's MV to the power scaling on my Morgan AC20.
The mids haven't decreased, but they may have moved down on the EQ scale, just a tad.... The Mk.1 takes dirt pedals GREAT, but the MK.II seems to take it up a notch with dirt pedals.
Over-all, I feel it was the best thing I've done for my Maz 18 and I don't think you'd be unhappy about sending it in for the update.
FWIW: I've had almost every EL84 offering from Dr. Z, except the Z-Wreck JR...the Maz 18 Mk.II is my absolute favorite, I didn't feel that way about the Mk.1.
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Post by premiumplus (Dave) on Jul 9, 2021 16:34:16 GMT -7
I always say the mod takes a great amp and makes it legendary.
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Erik
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Posts: 195
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Post by Erik on Jul 30, 2021 8:38:12 GMT -7
Thanks guys -- I've decided to go ahead and get the upgrade for my birthday in August! I'll be bummed to not have my amp for 5-6 weeks and shipping is going to cost a fortune but it really sounds worth it to me and I am ready for a change. I really appreciate everyone's comments.
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Post by feifongwong on Jul 30, 2021 10:03:57 GMT -7
I had my 18MKI (with reverb) for over a decade and after the upgrade, the amp went from an amp that was frustrating to play due to having to play crazy loud, to an amp that is joyous without compromise in volume or tone or weak reverb.
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Post by fuggle on Jul 30, 2021 13:49:46 GMT -7
I had my Maz 18 NR upgraded in 2019. I am so glad I did. It is much more useable and no need for an air brake to tame it. One of the all time best amps you will ever have and I have played mine for 2 people gigs to 2000 people festivals and it has never let me down. Most versatile amp out there.
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Erik
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Posts: 195
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Post by Erik on Aug 12, 2021 21:39:32 GMT -7
Well, I did it! My amp was received at the Dr. Z factory today for the MKII upgrade. I'll report back after I get it back. Dr. Z's customer service has been excellent. So excited!
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Post by mcdyasz on Aug 19, 2021 7:46:34 GMT -7
That was a lot quicker than 5 to 6 weeks-
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Erik
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Posts: 195
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Post by Erik on Sept 21, 2021 12:26:00 GMT -7
Just got off the phone with Don (repair dep.t) at Dr. Z -- My Maz 18 NR has been updated to the Mk II and will be mailed out tomorrow! So excited! Once I've had a chance to play with it I will provide my thoughts on the update. Interesting side note--Don said he really liked the sound of my NOS pre-amp tube choices (NOS JAN-Philips 5751 in V1 and a NOS JAN GE AT7 in V3). He said that he normally thinks NOS tubes are overrated and that often current production tubes sound better in Dr. Z amps, but in this case he was surprised and didn't change any of my tubes (which he said is rare, he usually needs to update tubes to get the mojo). He recommended that I experiment with current production tubes when I get the amp back to see if I still prefer the NOS tubes. By the way, I have NOS 6N14N (K variant) power tubes in my Maz.
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Post by davebo on Sept 27, 2021 22:31:51 GMT -7
Looking forward to reading your impressions after the update. I’m considering sending in my 2013 Maz 8 / Alnico Blue for the master volume update. I already added the variable boost pedal.
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Erik
Full Member
Posts: 195
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Post by Erik on Dec 3, 2021 14:09:01 GMT -7
Hi guys/gals--Sorry it took so long for me to update on the Mk II modification to my 2012 Maz 18NR head. I needed some time to play with the amp and I've been pretty busy lately. In short, I am glad I had the updates done. It's simply a better sounding amp. It's not a night and day difference, more subtle but definitely noticeable. For me, the most apparent and beneficial changes are threefold: (1) a more pleasing, smoother sound (as others have said, appears to be the result of a reduction in the upper mids, similar to going from a Celestion Vintage 30 to a Greenback or G12-65), (2) greater headroom/clarity (I've noticed this especially when using a wah pedal at volume with a clean base tone, in the past if I dug in too hard the wah would cause the amp to breakup somewhat, now it is much cleaner), and (3) a more usable and better sounding master volume (I have found myself actually enjoying playing with the master below 11am or noon, it retains brilliance at lower volumes whereas in the past I felt that any setting below noon really compromised the tonal character of the sound). The adjustable boost pedal is definitely far better than the original on/off boost design (which I never liked much), but I still prefer to use my RC Booster for a slight volume boost because it doesn't change the EQ--that said, I have the variable boost on my board and am still determining how to best integrate it into my rig. Overall, the amp just sounds more pleasing to the ear and has a more usable/versatile volume range, which is a big benefit for me as I play at home almost 100% these days (no time for a band at the moment). With the MKII update, variable boost pedal, and shipping, I spent about $400. It was worth it. It was also enjoyable to work with Don, Dr. Z's repair/update tech, who is a great guy and very responsive. I made sure to let Dr. Z know how great Don was.
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Post by Chilly Gibbons (Todd T.) on Dec 3, 2021 16:13:39 GMT -7
Glad you are enjoying the upgrade. I’m really glad I decided to do it for the reasons you’ve stated, especially the MV.
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Post by davebo on Dec 5, 2021 23:58:00 GMT -7
I’m looking forward to getting my updated Maz 8 back from the Z Mothership around Dec. 14! Hi guys/gals--Sorry it took so long for me to update on the Mk II modification to my 2012 Maz 18NR head. I needed some time to play with the amp and I've been pretty busy lately. In short, I am glad I had the updates done. It's simply a better sounding amp. It's not a night and day difference, more subtle but definitely noticeable. For me, the most apparent and beneficial changes are threefold: (1) a more pleasing, smoother sound (as others have said, appears to be the result of a reduction in the upper mids, similar to going from a Celestion Vintage 30 to a Greenback or G12-65), (2) greater headroom/clarity (I've noticed this especially when using a wah pedal at volume with a clean base tone, in the past if I dug in too hard the wah would cause the amp to breakup somewhat, now it is much cleaner), and (3) a more usable and better sounding master volume (I have found myself actually enjoying playing with the master below 11am or noon, it retains brilliance at lower volumes whereas in the past I felt that any setting below noon really compromised the tonal character of the sound). The adjustable boost pedal is definitely far better than the original on/off boost design (which I never liked much), but I still prefer to use my RC Booster for a slight volume boost because it doesn't change the EQ--that said, I have the variable boost on my board and am still determining how to best integrate it into my rig. Overall, the amp just sounds more pleasing to the ear and has a more usable/versatile volume range, which is a big benefit for me as I play at home almost 100% these days (no time for a band at the moment). With the MKII update, variable boost pedal, and shipping, I spent about $400. It was worth it. It was also enjoyable to work with Don, Dr. Z's repair/update tech, who is a great guy and very responsive. I made sure to let Dr. Z know how great Don was.
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