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Post by Tommy Boy on Apr 8, 2006 20:20:00 GMT -7
I need a recommendation for a Doctor Z amp. I feel comfortable spending between $1,000 and $3000. I play mostly rock (not metal) and some pop. I guess I would like my first amp to be one that I can use as the core of all my current and future playing. It will be used >90% of the time in my basement and perhaps some day in a smaller club. Any suggestions for a combo that would work? Someone recommended a Maz 18 Jr. Why not the 38 Sr? Also, there are several speaker configurations (1 x 10, 2 x 12, etc.) any reason to choose one over the other? Thanks in advance for you help.
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Deleted
Deleted Member
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Post by Deleted on Apr 8, 2006 21:47:31 GMT -7
Hi Tgm, according to the requirements you list the Maz18jr is a sure fire winner. The Maz38sr is a very powerful amp and would be overkill if you are going to be doing 90% percent of your playing in a basement and occasionally gigging in a small club. A few other amps to check out would be the Z-28 and the Carmen Ghia. As far as speaker configurations are concerned that is a tough one. It is really up to personal preference. If you are not sure I would try out the Z amp you are interested in in as many configurations as you can to see which jives with you. Another option would be buying a head so that you can add what ever speaker configuration you like. That you way you can use a number of different cabs and tailor your sound for the gig at hand. Hope this helps and good luck. You can't go wrong with any of the Z amps listed.
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Post by John on Apr 9, 2006 7:08:46 GMT -7
aruntang pretty much said it all. But I'll add-repeat a few things.
If you are mostly going to be playing in the basement, then possibly some small clubs, the MAZ Sr. would be overkill. WAY too much power. You wouldn't be able to crank the amp up to get those power tubes working. (This will add tone, touch, feel)
The MAZ Jr. will be more tone versitile than a Carmen Gia. (but still a great amp) The Z-28 would also be a good choice...a bit more "American' sounding than the EL84 based MAZ/Gia amps.
The 6545 could possibly be a choice, but then again, it too would be considered a LOUD amp. Not basement material. However the "65" side of the amp (two channel amp) will get you into Marshall sounding territory...if that's what you're looking for. However, it doesn't come in a combo.
As aruntang said, and from what you wrote...the MAZ Jr. would be your best bet. If you're worried about volume (thinking the Jr. is under powered) get the 2x12 combo...it will provide a little extra volume.
I have the 2x12 Maz Jr. and I play small, unmiced gigs with it. Yes, I'm running the amp about as loud as it can go, but it holds it's own. My bandmates don't want me to use my 60 watt Marshall TSL601 anymore. They want me to use the 18 watt MAZ Jr. They said it has a clearer and had a more defined sound.
Good luck and feel free to ask more questions.
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Post by benttop (Steve) on Apr 9, 2006 7:39:26 GMT -7
Another option if you find the amp you want and it is somewhat more powerful than you need, is to get an Airbrake and attenuate the output of the amp. This is how I do it. I have a couple of very powerful amps here, and I use an attenuator on them to get the volume down without having to give up that natural power tube breakup. That way a 6545 can be as soft or as loud as you need it.
On speakers, there are a few considerations. One is do you want closed back or open back? Makes a huge difference. The Z-Best is a closed back ported cab - for that reason it sounds HUGE out front, but it's going to be a lot more directional. The 2x12 open back isn't going to have all of the bass response of the Z-Best, but has sound coming out both sides so it fills the stage better. Then you have the choice between the 12's and the 10's - and if you decide on tens, you have 2x10 and 4x10. Every one of these choices sounds different, so it is very hard for anyone to make any absolute suggestions. I will say, if you end up getting a combo, The Doc has his own speakers in the 2x10 combos and I haven't seen anyone say they didn't like them and replaced them with something else. Not so with the 12's, - there seems to be a lot of swapping going on, and I think that is because the 12's that are available have a WIDE variety of possible tones. YMMV!
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Post by Tommy Boy on Apr 9, 2006 10:22:21 GMT -7
Wow, thanks everyone. It looks like the 18jr with the 2x12 set up seems to be the winner (although there seems to be a lot of other options that would work as well). Thanks again.
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Post by billyguitar on Apr 9, 2006 14:39:48 GMT -7
One guy on here swapped out his Z 10s for Tone Tubbies. He's the only one I've heard of changing them. I'm getting a 2-10 box with my 'Ray head. I don't expect I'll change them but I think I'll get some Beam Blockers. I like those things a lot!
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Post by benttop (Steve) on Apr 10, 2006 5:30:29 GMT -7
One guy on here swapped out his Z 10s for Tone Tubbies. He's the only one I've heard of changing them. I'm getting a 2-10 box with my 'Ray head. I don't expect I'll change them but I think I'll get some Beam Blockers. I like those things a lot! Yeah, I'm fixing to buy six more here - four for my 4x10 and two for my second THD 2x12. Then everything here will be beam blocked!
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Post by Curt on Apr 10, 2006 6:52:20 GMT -7
TGM,
I'll steer you toward a MAZ Jr NR 2x10 combo for your requirements, a 2x12 combo is a heavy mutha and the Z 2x10 combos are awesome amps, the Jr is a very versatile amp.
Best of luck, Curt
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Post by Tommy Boy on Apr 10, 2006 12:16:13 GMT -7
Curt/All,
Thanks again.
Why would one go for a non-reverb verses reverb model? I was under the impression (apparently the wrong one) that if one buys the reverb model, that the reverb functionality could be turned off to give the non-reverb sound.
Curt - I like the suggestion of the 2 x 10 18jr as I will be doing >95% of my playing in the basement and the 2 x 12 may be a little overkill. Does this jive?
Thanks,
Tom
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Post by Lefty on Apr 10, 2006 12:20:27 GMT -7
Curt/All, Thanks again. Why would one go for a non-reverb verses reverb model? I was under the impression (apparently the wrong one) that if one buys the reverb model, that the reverb functionality could be turned off to give the non-reverb sound. Thanks, Tom No there is a difference with the NR and R versions. The NR just has more grunt. And even with the verb all the way down it's still in the circuit.
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wilzgt
Full Member
I plumb for Z-Tone !
Posts: 151
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Post by wilzgt on Apr 26, 2006 11:16:54 GMT -7
If you are looking for a British rock sound, then a Carmen Ghia or a Mazerati is great. For a Fendery sound, the Maz series are good.
I can get sound cool rock sound with my Mazarati, Maxon OD808, and HAO Rust Booster. Even though my amp is 35 watts, I can play quiet with tons of distortion if I want. I've found that my wattage is good for playing out and that I can hang with the drummers as well.
As you might have heard, all Z amps are great so try them all out if you can. You can't go wrong with Z tone!
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