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Post by camtrav on Dec 19, 2022 18:01:59 GMT -7
So, I bought a used 2015 MAZ 18 on Reverb. The seller said it was a workhorse, veteran of many gigs. He also said the reverb wasn't working and he’d never bothered to check why since he ran the amp dry. He also said it had been retubed. I rolled the dice.
So when it arrived, it sounded OK, but it didn’t jump out at me. so, I went to work. I:
Re-tubed the amp (not that I didn’t trust him, but I didn’t trust him). Cleaned the pots and tube sockets New tank New tank cables New speaker (Eminence V128)
I warmed it up and did my thing. Wow. It was like a blanket was lifted off. Beautiful, chimey tone, I’m a fan of the Arizona Sound (gin blossoms, sidewinders), clean and chimey but with some growl in the mix. And that’s with no pedals. It’s simply a beautiful sounding amplifier. I love it.
However, the reverb issue persists. You can hear the springs if you slap the amp, and when the reverb knob is off there is no noise. But if you turn it up, almost instantly you get static and that kind of Morse Code noise. This happens everywhere in the house.
Can anyone think of something I may have missed? I have a broadcast background and am pretty comfortable working on an amp. Thanks in advance for any advice.
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Post by purpletele on Dec 19, 2022 18:49:41 GMT -7
Sounds like you hit all of the high points,
Tubes Tank Reverb cables Clean the sockets
I would chopstick the circuit and look for a solder joint that might be cracked. It seems the only other thing would be a bad component in that circuit, but a cracked solder joint seems more likely.
Let us know what you find
BV
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Post by camtrav on Dec 19, 2022 19:43:02 GMT -7
Sounds like you hit all of the high points, Tubes Tank Reverb cables Clean the sockets I would chopstick the circuit and look for a solder joint that might be cracked. It seems the only other thing would be a bad component in that circuit, but a cracked solder joint seems more likely. Let us know what you find BV Yeah, I eyeballed the circuits when I had the head unit out, but you are likely on the right track. Gotta do another check.
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Post by Ridgeback on Dec 19, 2022 20:53:51 GMT -7
Doesn't sound like a pot thing but you didn't mention cleaning\tightening that. A pot that isn't tight to the chassis can do weird things. Good luck
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Post by camtrav on Dec 19, 2022 22:00:57 GMT -7
Doesn't sound like a pot thing but you didn't mention cleaning\tightening that. A pot that isn't tight to the chassis can do weird things. Good luck Actually, I did mention that. Thanks.
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Post by Ridgeback on Dec 20, 2022 6:36:26 GMT -7
OOPS. I hope you get it figured out.
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Post by GuitarZ on Dec 20, 2022 12:33:18 GMT -7
Good story! And, it's a bit of inspiration for me to pop my Maz 18 on the workbench in the new year.
Mine's lost of bit of gain and seems to have the proverbial blanket covering it. It's overdue for a tube socket and pot cleaning. I'll take it step by step. Once the cleaning's done, I can then swap some tubes. I miss that old glorious sound.
Good luck on the reverb side.
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