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Post by myles on Jan 20, 2006 12:09:11 GMT -7
Myles, What do you recommend doing for "breaking in" a brand new amp? My Maz should be in with the next month or so. I've been told that it is important to let the amp sit on standby for an extended period of time. Any ideas? I do not break in amps. I play them as normal from day one. |
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Post by myles on Jan 20, 2006 12:14:04 GMT -7
myles what are your favorite speakers with the mazerati and ghia ? and do you prefer open back or closed back?thanks jason Jason, That is one of the hardest questions to answer of just about any question! Some amps are easy ... how many times do you see an open back 2x12 with Jensens with a Marshall plexi? Not too common. BUT ... the Carmen Ghia is a tough nut when it comes to speaker selection. The Ghia loves anything and everything. You cannot get a bad tone from a CG. It's power is low enough that you can use the classic low power speakers such as the Vox silver buldogs and blues. On the other side of the coin plug a Carmen Ghia into a closed back 4x12 Marshall cab and listen to that. Amazing ... better than the MARSHALL! If you record it you will be even more blown away, especially if you use a great large diaphram studio mic. I use just about every cab with my Ghia. |
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Post by myles on Jan 20, 2006 12:16:03 GMT -7
I posted this elsewhere but I will stick it here too .... I have an article posted at carlverheyen.com/phpBB/viewtopic.php?p=216#216That may be of interest to some. This is regarding the phase inverter that is much more important to your distortion tone as you may have realized. |
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Post by taswegian on Jan 20, 2006 19:37:55 GMT -7
Myles, where can I get me one or two of these GT 12ax7m
SAG-AX7-MPI for my PI position?
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Post by hdahs143 on Jan 22, 2006 21:03:29 GMT -7
Great article on PI's. I've read all the other info on your website, but this went into much greater detail. But it left me with some questions I hope you can answer. 1. Does "gain" equate to distortion/overdrive? In other words, does a spec 12AX7 typically generate a more distorted/overdriven sound than say a spec 5751? 2.Does current equate to output? In other words, would a spec 12AT7 be louder than a spec 12AX7? 3. In layman's terms, what is transconductance, and what is it's part in the amp's sound? 4. In general, what are you going for when you use a 5751 in the PI spot as opposed to a 12AX7? My MAZ 38 has 5751's in V1, V2, and V5. I just like the sound of these. But after reading this article, I reinstalled the OE 12AX7LPS in V5. The amp's response was definitely punchier and springier. But it was also dirtier using the same amp and pedal settings. I assume from what I've read this was to be expected. Anyway, thanks for your time and expertise, and helping all who are interested to become better "soundsmiths"  Harold |
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Post by myles on Jan 23, 2006 10:55:19 GMT -7
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Post by myles on Jan 23, 2006 10:58:41 GMT -7
Great article on PI's. I've read all the other info on your website, but this went into much greater detail. But it left me with some questions I hope you can answer. 1. Does "gain" equate to distortion/overdrive? In other words, does a spec 12AX7 typically generate a more distorted/overdriven sound than say a spec 5751? 2.Does current equate to output? In other words, would a spec 12AT7 be louder than a spec 12AX7? 3. In layman's terms, what is transconductance, and what is it's part in the amp's sound? 4. In general, what are you going for when you use a 5751 in the PI spot as opposed to a 12AX7? My MAZ 38 has 5751's in V1, V2, and V5. I just like the sound of these. But after reading this article, I reinstalled the OE 12AX7LPS in V5. The amp's response was definitely punchier and springier. But it was also dirtier using the same amp and pedal settings. I assume from what I've read this was to be expected. Anyway, thanks for your time and expertise, and helping all who are interested to become better "soundsmiths" Harold Harold, All of these things interact in a very complex way. Basically a more gainy tube will yield more "gain" and distort quicker at a given amp setting. Current output is more like torque and gain is more like horsepower in gas engines. Current is what one needs when trying to drive electrons through masses of wire and components. A great example of amps that just lie dead with tubes that do not have proper current are the Marshall DSL/TSL and Mesa Recto amps. |
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Post by kccheers on Jan 24, 2006 12:06:57 GMT -7
Myles, I have a quick question about speaker cabs...
I have a RX Es head. It has speaker outs for 4, 8, and 16ohms. I have a 2x12 cab with greenbacks and are wired at 8 ohms.
I want to run a second 2x12 cab with it. Do I get another 8 ohm cab and run them both into the amp's 4 ohm in with a "Y" cable?
Otherwise, what would my options be?
Thanx in advance, sam from KC
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Post by myles on Jan 26, 2006 10:46:45 GMT -7
Myles, I have a quick question about speaker cabs... I have a RX Es head. It has speaker outs for 4, 8, and 16ohms. I have a 2x12 cab with greenbacks and are wired at 8 ohms. I want to run a second 2x12 cab with it. Do I get another 8 ohm cab and run them both into the amp's 4 ohm in with a "Y" cable? Otherwise, what would my options be? Thanx in advance, sam from KC The easy way to do this is with a simple Y adaptor and then just use the 4 ohm jack in the RxES. |
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Post by kccheers on Jan 26, 2006 14:11:29 GMT -7
Outstanding!
I just ordered my second 2x12 open back cab today from Mass Street Music, this one with the Weber silver/blue combination.
I will be the first on my block to have a Z Stack!
Cheers from KC
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Post by bigdaddyweed on Jan 30, 2006 6:04:38 GMT -7
I'm planning on purchasing a Dr. Z head sometime between now and March 1st. I have the field narrowed down to a Carmen Ghia, Maz 18, and a Z 28. Could you tell me what the output options, (4,8,16 ohm) are for each one? I searched the Dr.Z web page and couldn't find anything in the specs for each model, and I'm 2 1/2 hours from the closest dealer.
Thanks................Weedman
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Post by guitarman1 on Jan 30, 2006 9:04:15 GMT -7
Hello Myles. What range of rectifier tubes can be safely used in a Maz Sr. & also in a Carmen Ghia?
Thanks in advance.
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Post by Curt on Jan 30, 2006 9:42:10 GMT -7
I'm planning on purchasing a Dr. Z head sometime between now and March 1st. I have the field narrowed down to a Carmen Ghia, Maz 18, and a Z 28. Could you tell me what the output options, (4,8,16 ohm) are for each one? I searched the Dr.Z web page and couldn't find anything in the specs for each model, and I'm 2 1/2 hours from the closest dealer. Thanks................Weedman Current models of each of these heads will have a 4, 8 and 16 ohm output jack. The early Ghia's have only one output but due to the XFMR you can feed it any of these loads as well. Curt |
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Post by raja on Jan 30, 2006 11:37:00 GMT -7
Hi Myles, What is your take on Kevin O'Connor of London Power. I ran across his site and found his amp designs interesting. Have you ever played though one? www.londonpower.com |
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Post by myles on Jan 30, 2006 11:45:02 GMT -7
I'm planning on purchasing a Dr. Z head sometime between now and March 1st. I have the field narrowed down to a Carmen Ghia, Maz 18, and a Z 28. Could you tell me what the output options, (4,8,16 ohm) are for each one? I searched the Dr.Z web page and couldn't find anything in the specs for each model, and I'm 2 1/2 hours from the closest dealer. Thanks................Weedman Carmen Ghia - 4 and 8 ohms unless it is a very old one. Z-28 - 4,8,16 ohms. Maz Jr - At least 4,8 I do not have a Jr so maybe somebody else here will chime in. |
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Post by myles on Jan 30, 2006 11:47:07 GMT -7
Hello Myles. What range of rectifier tubes can be safely used in a Maz Sr. & also in a Carmen Ghia? Thanks in advance. In the Carmen Ghia I only like the 5Y3. You can use a GZ34/5AR4 but the voltages are then too high for my taste, the amp looses a lot of it's cool bloom as the GZ34 has a very fast rise time, then amp also sounds harsh to me and the output tubes will wear more quickly. In the MAZ Sr I prefer the stock rectifier but you can drop to a 5V4 and it sounds pretty cool too. |
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Post by myles on Jan 30, 2006 11:48:24 GMT -7
Hi Myles, What is your take on Kevin O'Connor of London Power. I ran across his site and found his amp designs interesting. Have you ever played though one? www.londonpower.comI have not played one of Kevin's amps and have not been inside of any either. |
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redgl
Junior Member
Posts: 62
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Post by redgl on Feb 6, 2006 18:05:34 GMT -7
Myles:
I recently acquired an 18 watt Marshall Clone head and I'd like to switch back and forth between it and my MAZ Sr. (Combo), but I don't want to lug a speaker cab around. Can I plug the Marshall clone into one of the speaker jacks on the MAZ Sr. and A/B switch between the two? I think I may have read somewhere that this can only be done with a stereo cabinet otherwise you run the risk of blowing the output transformer.
What would be the easiest (and lightest) way for me to A/B these two amps?
Thanks.
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Post by myles on Feb 7, 2006 10:28:15 GMT -7
Myles: I recently acquired an 18 watt Marshall Clone head and I'd like to switch back and forth between it and my MAZ Sr. (Combo), but I don't want to lug a speaker cab around. Can I plug the Marshall clone into one of the speaker jacks on the MAZ Sr. and A/B switch between the two? I think I may have read somewhere that this can only be done with a stereo cabinet otherwise you run the risk of blowing the output transformer. What would be the easiest (and lightest) way for me to A/B these two amps? Thanks. The technology for this existed in high end hi-fi stores decades ago. When somebody wanted to compare a lot of amps with one speaker setup they had a way to switch the amps while keeping a proper load on them to keep from damaging them. In the guitar amp bizz folks have made custom units to do this. Using a stereo cab is not a good solution at times as there can be a lot of hum as the two amps may or may not share a common ground. Fortunately, there are some cool folks at Radial Engineering that make THE device:   This does just what you want and it not all that pricy, compact, easy to use, and reliable. www.tonebone.com/tbone-headbone-vt.htm is the page on their site on this unit. They make a lot of other cool stuff including a device that will let you use multiple speaker cabs with a single head, sort of the other side of the coin. Your MAZ / Marshall setup would be a nice match. These amps are different and having both at your hands would be great. One of the best rigs I ever heard was a Z-28, Carmen Ghia, and cab with one of these. Your MAZ can provide some great clean and crunch tones and the smaller Marshall could overlap in the crunch and hard overdriven tones at rational levels. This would be a very cool setup. |
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redgl
Junior Member
Posts: 62
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Post by redgl on Feb 7, 2006 12:43:18 GMT -7
Thank You so much!
This is going to sound awesome. I can't wait!
You have karma coming once I can figure out how to send it.
Thanks again!
Dave
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Post by myles on Feb 7, 2006 12:52:41 GMT -7
Thank You so much! This is going to sound awesome. I can't wait! You have karma coming once I can figure out how to send it. Thanks again! Dave Dave, I just sent you a karma point Just click on the word exalt or smite - exhalt is good ... smite is bad. This will be a great sounding rig to say the least. |
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redgl
Junior Member
Posts: 62
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Post by redgl on Feb 7, 2006 14:14:13 GMT -7
Now you have two more.
Bless you kind amp man.
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Post by myles on Feb 7, 2006 18:05:23 GMT -7
Now you have two more. Bless you kind amp man. Well thank you very much |
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Post by sicktone on Feb 7, 2006 21:41:24 GMT -7
I was able to borrow both a Radial Head Switcher and the Cab Switcher. They do make excellent products. I'm curious as to what kind of cabinet was used in the Z-28/Ghia rig mentioned above? I'm torn between my Eminence Governor/Private Jack & my G12H30/Celestion Blue. I've also thought of just springing for a Z 2/4x10 for the Z-28 and switching from my Radial JX-2.
Thoughts?
Thanks for all you do here Myles!
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Post by myles on Feb 8, 2006 11:24:40 GMT -7
I was able to borrow both a Radial Head Switcher and the Cab Switcher. They do make excellent products. I'm curious as to what kind of cabinet was used in the Z-28/Ghia rig mentioned above? I'm torn between my Eminence Governor/Private Jack & my G12H30/Celestion Blue. I've also thought of just springing for a Z 2/4x10 for the Z-28 and switching from my Radial JX-2. Thoughts? Thanks for all you do here Myles! I use the Carmen Ghia / Z-28 rig in a few ways ... Mostly with a stock Z-Best cab (H30 / V30) but also with an open back GT 1x15 cab with an Emenance Legend 15 in it. I also have used an open back 4x10 tweed cab with four Jensen re-issue P-10Rs and on the Z-28 side I can cop Bassman tones with that side. |
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redgl
Junior Member
Posts: 62
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Post by redgl on Feb 11, 2006 19:07:01 GMT -7
I got the Tonebone head switcher today and noticed the instructions state you can't run a delay through an effects loop while using it. I've been using a DD3 through my effects loop since I got my MAZ Sr. The delay sounded muddy when I ran it through the amp's preamp so I've always used the effects loop where it sounded great. I don't suppose you would know of a way in which I could still use the DD3 through the effects loop while using the head switcher?
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Post by guitarboy02451 on Feb 12, 2006 9:20:39 GMT -7
Myles,
We often through the term "Hi-Gain Amp" around. My JCM900 is a Hi-Gain... What exactly is a "Hi-Gain"?
pg
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Post by myles on Feb 12, 2006 11:54:29 GMT -7
Hello Myles. What range of rectifier tubes can be safely used in a Maz Sr. & also in a Carmen Ghia? Thanks in advance. Safely ... really anything in either amp but the stock GZ34/5AR4 in the MAZ Sr will work the best, a 5Y3 really does not supply the proper current that the amp requires. I do not like the 5U4 as they are sort of halfway between the other two and are more prone to physical issues that are not shared by the other two. In the Carmen Ghia I think the GZ34 is too harsh and tight. The plate voltage are too high for my taste, you loose the magic touch aspects of the amp and tube life is shorter. I think there is nothing to be gained at all at a lot to be lost. |
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Post by myles on Feb 12, 2006 11:57:01 GMT -7
I got the Tonebone head switcher today and noticed the instructions state you can't run a delay through an effects loop while using it. I've been using a DD3 through my effects loop since I got my MAZ Sr. The delay sounded muddy when I ran it through the amp's preamp so I've always used the effects loop where it sounded great. I don't suppose you would know of a way in which I could still use the DD3 through the effects loop while using the head switcher? I would contact the folks that make the switcher as I was not aware of this and do not see why this would be a case actually. I'd want to know why they have this caviate. |
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Post by myles on Feb 12, 2006 11:58:15 GMT -7
Myles, We often through the term "Hi-Gain Amp" around. My JCM900 is a Hi-Gain... What exactly is a "Hi-Gain"? pg Hi gain is relative .... What is a "fast" car? |
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