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Post by iamneff on Dec 18, 2022 14:12:37 GMT -7
Hey all! I’m currently looking for a new combo for both gigging and studio use, and I think I’m finally ready to take the plunge with Dr Z! I have some fairly specific needs and would like some guidance. I am pretty into AC30s, but obviously those are unreliable, the good ones are expensive, and they’re heavy as hell. The trouble is every amp I find has a fatal flaw. Working on a budget with a hard $1650 cutoff, need a master volume, and an FX loop would be a really nice bonus but not a necessity.
-Maz 18 isn’t British enough for my taste, based on the one I played. Seemed to have that scooped mids and harsh top end that I hate about blackface amps. -Z Wreck Jr would be excellent, but they’re just barely out of range. -Stang Ray is awesome but with being out of production for over a decade so repair may be hard if needed, no master, plus they’re insanely heavy. -Prescriptions have no master -Z28 mkII sounds SO GOOD on YouTube but not being able to play one in person I can’t tell exactly how chimey they are.
Anything I’m missing? Would love some input!
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Post by Chilly Gibbons (Todd T.) on Dec 18, 2022 14:33:52 GMT -7
Carmen Ghia?
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Post by Ridgeback on Dec 18, 2022 14:37:11 GMT -7
Welcome to the forum. I wouldn't worry about repairs on the Ray (or any turret board amp) but I understand your other concerns about the Ray. I had a Maz 18 for many years and I don't remember scooped mids or harsh highs but we all hear things differently. Possibly an inappropriate speaker or old tubes? I'm sure you will get some helpful advice from others here. Good luck.
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Post by nurseratched on Jan 2, 2023 14:31:57 GMT -7
I have a Z-wreck jr and I would recommend it! I was able to find a used one locally for $1500 a few months ago, you might get lucky in your price range. I just got a z28 mk ii, it can do chime tones but if you want it to sound specifically like a vox you might be disappointed. I also doubt you will find any used ones for sale any time soon in your price range.
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Post by GuitarZ on Jan 2, 2023 14:44:31 GMT -7
What kind of music are you doing and what type of sound/style do you do?
For instance, I'm a blues rocker, like to drive the amp, & don't use pedals. I really didn't find my sound on the Maz Jr until I picked up an AirBrake and was able to get the master up around 3 o'clock and higher. It just fattened and rounded out my tone. (I hear the new master volume mod might negate my AirBrake need.) With my Ghia, I laugh because I only use it with the volume max'd when using my Strat.
All that gets me to my sound which is pretty crunchy. But, I wouldn't want to assume this gets you anywhere near your sound.
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Post by iamneff on Jan 3, 2023 9:00:19 GMT -7
What kind of music are you doing and what type of sound/style do you do? I'm a producer and mixer, so I do a little bit of everything but I expect this amp will see a lot of use on country, Americana, indie rock, and P&W. I play some country and classic rock live too. Mostly playing a Tele or a Les Paul. The Ghia is on my radar, especially if I can find a deal on a Brake Lite too. This may be a bit of a left turn, but the Jetta recently grabbed my attention, surprisingly chimey with a tele. I bet if I swap an Alnico Gold in there it would be pretty darn Vox-like. Anyone of you spend much time with one? I'm just going on youtube videos since I can't find one locally or any Kemper profiles of it.
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Post by frankie on Jan 3, 2023 9:36:22 GMT -7
What kind of music are you doing and what type of sound/style do you do? I'm a producer and mixer, so I do a little bit of everything but I expect this amp will see a lot of use on country, Americana, indie rock, and P&W. I play some country and classic rock live too. Mostly playing a Tele or a Les Paul. The Ghia is on my radar, especially if I can find a deal on a Brake Lite too. This may be a bit of a left turn, but the Jetta recently grabbed my attention, surprisingly chimey with a tele. I bet if I swap an Alnico Gold in there it would be pretty darn Vox-like. Anyone of you spend much time with one? I'm just going on youtube videos since I can't find one locally or any Kemper profiles of it. You should reconsider a MAZ 18 or 38 MK II version. If you previous sense of the amps were from the MK I, I can see where you think they are too scooped or bright, but the MK II is a supremely versatile amp, especially for all the genres you mentioned, and the voicing is different with a much wider range of control over the tone with the EQ updates. Further more, if you found the Jetta to be bright and chimey enough, you would have no problem getting that with a Z-28 MKII. The top end is more articulate than the Jetta, and it's a good mix of chime with touch of glass. The Jetta is more neutral by comparison.
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Post by iamneff on Jan 3, 2023 9:55:54 GMT -7
I think you're right on that, I watched the Peach Guitars demo of the Mk II Maz stuff this morning and was pretty surprised by how much more I liked them. I don't know the specs of the Maz 18 I played, but it was used in 2017 with some wear on it, and a reverb model. I'll look more closely at the Mk II NR. Thanks for the help Frankie.
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Post by frankie on Jan 3, 2023 10:13:44 GMT -7
I think you're right on that, I watched the Peach Guitars demo of the Mk II Maz stuff this morning and was pretty surprised by how much more I liked them. I don't know the specs of the Maz 18 I played, but it was used in 2017 with some wear on it, and a reverb model. I'll look more closely at the Mk II NR. Thanks for the help Frankie. Unless it was modded, a 2017 was likely a MK I model. It would have had a MKII sticker on the back if it was sent back and modded by us. The NRs will have a touch more gain available. The 38 NR is my personal favorite, it obviously has more headroom, so it's a bit more versatile for clean-cleans. The added advantage is the 1/2 power switch, and I dare say I like the 38 NR on 1/2 power more than a 18 NR, the added iron in the output transform gives a bit more fidelity.
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Post by nick0 on Jan 3, 2023 10:31:12 GMT -7
What kind of music are you doing and what type of sound/style do you do? I'm a producer and mixer, so I do a little bit of everything but I expect this amp will see a lot of use on country, Americana, indie rock, and P&W. I play some country and classic rock live too. Mostly playing a Tele or a Les Paul. The Ghia is on my radar, especially if I can find a deal on a Brake Lite too. This may be a bit of a left turn, but the Jetta recently grabbed my attention, surprisingly chimey with a tele. I bet if I swap an Alnico Gold in there it would be pretty darn Vox-like. Anyone of you spend much time with one? I'm just going on youtube videos since I can't find one locally or any Kemper profiles of it. I've got a Jetta combo that i put a Jensen Blackbird 40 Alnico in. Very nice sound. I also have a Maz18mkIINR combo with a Celestion Alnico Cream. Killer tones. More chime on tap. Get your hands on one. You will dig it.
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Post by iamneff on Jan 12, 2023 16:00:43 GMT -7
Well curiosity killed the cat, got a Jetta! I know it's not the chimiest, but it still has this clarity and strong midrange that I like. Can't wait for it to arrive!
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Post by nick0 on Jan 13, 2023 16:54:40 GMT -7
Congratulations. Dont be afraid to dime that tone control, turn the volume down low, and ride the master up high. You'll get the highs coming out really nice. What speaker are you planning to use?
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Post by Buzz Fretwear (Ignatius) on Jan 13, 2023 17:14:16 GMT -7
Well curiosity killed the cat, got a Jetta! I know it's not the chimiest, but it still has this clarity and strong midrange that I like. Can't wait for it to arrive! Congrats! I may not be far behind you...
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