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Post by johnnada on Sept 14, 2021 14:34:59 GMT -7
Hi guys,
After I got unlucky with a Therapy head I bought, that turned out to be 6 years old and not working properly, I got lucky today when another dealer got in a Maz 18Jr MKII today. I went for it, just paid for it, hope to receive it before the weekend.
It is a reverb model. I've read that some people prefer(ed) the non-reverb because it has more gain, but I'm not sure that's the same with the MKII. On friday I played an EZG 50 and loved the reverb, so I have faith in this Maz's reverb. It will also make the amp extra versatile.
Next to that I'm going to have a cab made by Zilla cabs from the UK, a vertical 2x12" with a back I can use open or closed. I want to mix speakers and I know the usual choice would be a V30 with a G12H30 Anniversary. I'm thinking of loading it with a M Greenback and a 55hz H Greenback at 16ohms. Because I love Greenbacks and I always wanted to try the 55hz H, but I like them better mixed with a M. Will that work and keep the versatility of the amp intact? I mainly play around edge of breakup, classic/southern/roots rock and some country/Americana stuff. I use single coils, P90's and mostly humbuckers. I live in the mids, don't like booming bass or harsh high. I guess that's why I've been playing Greenbacks for the past few years.
Any other experiences are welcome as well, a head start is always nice. Really looking forward to playing it!
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Post by Ridgeback on Sept 14, 2021 15:43:50 GMT -7
Congratulations on your new Z. The Maz is a great amp. I had a NR 1x12 combo for many years, it was my first Z. My only advice is to mess with the controls using you ears and not your eyes. It is such a flexible amp, you may find your favorite tones using some pretty off the wall knob settings.
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Post by johnnada on Sept 14, 2021 16:07:23 GMT -7
Congratulations on your new Z. The Maz is a great amp. I had a NR 1x12 combo for many years, it was my first Z. My only advice is to mess with the controls using you ears and not your eyes. It is such a flexible amp, you may find your favorite tones using some pretty off the wall knob settings. Thanks! I got used to that since playing Marshalls. I've gotten the best sounds out of unusual settings. As far as my experience goes with Dr Z amps the controls are way more intuitive than plexis.
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Post by adam on Sept 14, 2021 18:03:44 GMT -7
Best of luck to you on this. I don't know exactly what that one sounds like, but a little less gain on a MAZ18 doesn't sound like a terribly idea in any way. Ditto on the EZG reverb, sublime. Only advise I'd say is flip the knobs all over the place and you'll find a ton of great tones.
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Post by runninwiththerevil (Matthew) on Sept 14, 2021 18:12:11 GMT -7
My Maz 18 was a NR and I got the mkii done. I really thought that was my forever amp and my only issue was the size/weight. I got a Maz 38 reverb with the mkii in a studio 112 thinking I was going to swap the chassis and keep the 18 in the studio combo. What actually happened is that I really liked the extra headroom with the 38, and maybe even more of the reason, the onboard reverb was amazing. My Mesa and Fender amps never had a reverb I wanted to use, I kept them at 0 and used a pedal. To each their own, but if you use reverb at all I think you'll be very happy you have this version.
Speakers: 1) if you have the ability to do some swapping and trying different ones that is both fun and interesting. I get that is a lot easy to do in a 112, but maybe you have another 112 or some friends with other cabs. See what you think of different things. 2) Take Doc's suggestions seriously. What I mean by that is see what he tends to put in his combo with the Maz 18 reverbs and at least give it a try. I tried a bunch of stuff with my 18 and did ultimately switch to an alnico, but it was really hard to beat the G12H Anniversary that came in it. Likewise, I was not impressed when I saw the 38 was coming with a Lead 80 and thought for sure that was a swap from a previous owner. I found some other 38 studios and they also had those speakers, and I've not tried anything that beats it. Doc does a lot of testing and knows what his amps like.
I went through a lot of amps, and even some Z's. Really like most of the Z's and wasn't all that interested in the Maz. So glad I tried it, my 38 Studio will never go anywhere (crap, when I've posted similar in the past I've had the amp listed in a month). Enjoy the 18, I bet you love it.
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Post by j4gitr (John) on Sept 15, 2021 5:57:22 GMT -7
I had a Maz18 MK1 with reverb. It was a 2x10 combo. Great amp and the only reason it isn’t with me is the weight began to be too much. I had it from 04 -2018. I traded it in on a Z-Plus. Maz is Such a versatile amp. I can’t imagine you feeling like you need the NR version for more gain, but YMMV, and that’s why they make pedals. As for speakers, you may want to consider one of Doc’s 2x10 cabinet with his Z-10’s. IMO there’s a match made in heaven. Congratulations on your acquisition. Enjoy the journey, it’s a great one.
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cmrharvey
Full Member
Greater Atlanta
Posts: 103
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Post by cmrharvey on Sept 15, 2021 7:01:37 GMT -7
I have the MKII NR head, paired with a 1x12 using the G12H anniversary. Had it since 2011, (updated in 2018 or so)built like a tank, just replace tubes and clean sockets now and then with deoxit cleaner. I play mostly clean with pedals for boost. I use the loop for my effects pedals - DD500 and Big Sky reverb, the clean boost and OD go in front. Speaker wise, have tried Celestion Gold, V30, while both nice and clear, became spikey on some songs and patches. The Z-12 speaker worked well, and is more american voiced. Then tried a G12H and it had more rounded presence and that is what my ears like. You will find "that sound" once you get to turn it up a bit and try different pick up types and speaker types. Cuts through the mix very well as well. Have fun in your journey!
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Post by johnnada on Sept 15, 2021 11:22:57 GMT -7
Thanks guys! After some checking I'm going with a G12M Greenback combined with the G12H30 70th Anniversary. I think that will really work for me. I'll report back once the cab has been built and delivered. The head should be coming in tomorrow or the day after.
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Post by headshrinker (Marc) on Sept 15, 2021 11:31:07 GMT -7
If you are having the cab built, they should be able to wire it with two input jacks, so that you can use both speakers together for 4 ohms, assuming they are 8 ohm speakers, by going into one jack, and using it as a 112 for either speaker by going into either of the jacks with a dummy plug in the other, for 8 ohms each. This will also allow you to run two different amps in stereo into each speaker. Marshall had some cabs out wired like that. As long as they have the proper jacks to do it, actually only one is fancy, it's an easy wire, if they know their speaker wiring.
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Post by johnnada on Sept 16, 2021 15:48:59 GMT -7
The Maz 18 Jr head came in today. Man, what can I say. Way better than I expected in every way. Everything on 12 and it just sounds great. Way better cleans than I expected as well. Totally inspiring and it has just the kind of reverb I love. This amp was exactly what I was looking for, more so than I imagined.
Also a shout out to the great service at Dr. Z. At first the reverb wasn't working, nothing happened when I turned it up. I e-mailed their support, who replied very quickly and helped me find out the V4 tube was bad. I swapped it with one from another amp and it worked, so a quick and easy fix. Since the amp went from the U.S. to the Netherlands and then to me, it's not strange that this can happen and no issue. The worksmanship looks great.
Nothing but compliments, really. I'm recording this weekend and I think the Maz will be the MVP.
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