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Post by bigben55 on Aug 10, 2022 5:35:23 GMT -7
Hi. Ive owned Z's over the years, and plan on looking at a MAZ 18 today. It's a 2001 amp, a 2x10 combo with Z speakers. Within the past year, the previous owner sent it back to Cleveland and had Z do the MkII updates. He said it got the EQ/Voicing update, the master volume update, the reverb update, and all new tubes including the Russian power tubes. It's been years since I've played a MAZ,havent played a MkII, was always on the fence about them. I have a few questions....
-since it went back to Dr Z for updates, is it safe to assume Z repairs went thru it top to bottom? It's a 21yo amp; I don't want to pay for a cap job anytime soon
-does the new improved master volume negate the need for using an Airbrake/Brake Lite?
-with it having the Russian tubes in it(which I know last forever), are regular EL84s swappable? Who knows about the long term availability of those!
Thx
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Post by Chilly Gibbons (Todd T.) on Aug 10, 2022 13:48:38 GMT -7
Firstly, Don the repair manager, and possibly Doc himself would have gone through the amp and thoroughly inspected and tested it for any problems. Basically restoring it to new condition inside. The new master volume mod is truly outstanding and will negate the need for physical attenuation. You can loan your attenuator out and not worry about it. All EL84s and close variants will work without need for any mods.
In short, you will love it!!
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Post by Stephen on Aug 10, 2022 14:25:20 GMT -7
I don’t use an attenuator with mine.
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Post by premiumplus (Dave) on Aug 10, 2022 15:09:32 GMT -7
I agree. The MKII Master Volume is great, no attenuator needed. And as Todd said, no worries about the other stuff. This amp is ready to go. Play the snot out of it and have fun.
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Post by runninwiththerevil (Matthew) on Aug 10, 2022 19:56:20 GMT -7
I had the mkii done on my Maz18. After that I was able to grab a Maz38 that already had it done. Even with the extra power the Airbrake is unnecessary. You can get bedroom volume great tone without using an attenuation. My Brakelite never sounded as good as what i could dial in using the volume and master.
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Post by telejas on Aug 19, 2022 6:58:20 GMT -7
I think I may have responded to you on TGP??
I prefer the master volume on the Maz Mk.II to any amp I've had with our without an attenuator. It's really "that good"!
Tubes are swappable with EL84's
If they see anything obviously funky, while doing the mods, they'll call you or email you and ask if you want it repaired. I had requested a slight "go over" to address a "bright/brittle" sound..... Don checked a few things for me and tried a few different tube combinations and found the new power tubes took care of the issue (which it did). But I don't believe they'll do a full checkup just because you sent it in for an update?
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Post by rul8agn on Nov 13, 2022 11:14:03 GMT -7
I'm really interested in getting the MKII update, but I have never shipped an amp before. How do I even package it? I'm assuming FedEx or UPS for shipping, right? How much does shipping run for a 40-50lb amp?
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Post by Stephen on Nov 13, 2022 12:14:14 GMT -7
I'm really interested in getting the MKII update, but I have never shipped an amp before. How do I even package it? I'm assuming FedEx or UPS for shipping, right? How much does shipping run for a 40-50lb amp? When you get a RMA from Dr Z repairs, they send you instructions for removing the chassis, packaging it, and shipping.
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Post by purpletele on Nov 13, 2022 12:46:45 GMT -7
I'm really interested in getting the MKII update, but I have never shipped an amp before. How do I even package it? I'm assuming FedEx or UPS for shipping, right? How much does shipping run for a 40-50lb amp? Here is a photo of my Maz 38 MkII coming in from the Z Shop. Lots of bubble wrap around the tubes. Once wrapped up you can slip it in a box and stuff the box so the chassis doesn't move. I would use Fed Ex and ask them to put the wrapped chassis in a box.
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Post by runninwiththerevil (Matthew) on Nov 13, 2022 17:03:01 GMT -7
The other advice here about shipping is good advice. If you're close enough to drive schedule a drop off. I'm about 3.5 hours away and had tickets for a show. I went out early and got a tour of the shop and meet the Doc. It was great!
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Post by rul8agn on Nov 14, 2022 8:06:16 GMT -7
I really appreciate the replies! I didn't realize I would only have to ship the chassis, but that makes a ton of sense now that I think about it. I'll probably wait until after the holidays and get in touch with them.
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