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Post by tennjed on May 12, 2008 10:13:51 GMT -7
This is a nice problem to have especially for a noobie.
I'm strictly a home player and this will be my only amp for the foreseeable future.
I have an '08 Les Paul Standard with the chambered body and like 60s and 70s, country, country rock, Allmans, Creedence. Looking for a clean to mild overdrive tone.
Played the MAZ 18 with reverb and was ready to go with it. The first time I plugged into the MAZ it was like ... a shock to the system. It sounded so much better than anything I had heard.
Then I played the Rx Jr and got the same reaction all over again.
Logic says I should go with the versatility of the MAZ 18.
But my ears like the Rx Jr. It does seem to bring out the tone in the Les Paul.
What to do? Trust my ears? Or go with the logic?
HELP!
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Post by kruzty on May 12, 2008 11:15:37 GMT -7
I don't know if anyone would say the RxJr is less versatile than the Maz Jr. The only thing that gives it a bit of an edge is the Cut control.
However, with the RxJr I think you can get more usable tones at lower volumes than the Maz Jr. That may just be the speakers I'm using, but I really think the RxJr can get a lot more quiet and still sound good. Since you say this is for home use, it might be a consideration.
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Post by benttop (Steve) on May 12, 2008 11:44:11 GMT -7
I don't know if anyone would say the RxJr is less versatile than the Maz Jr. The only thing that gives it a bit of an edge is the Cut control. However, with the RxJr I think you can get more usable tones at lower volumes than the Maz Jr. That may just be the speakers I'm using, but I really think the RxJr can get a lot more quiet and still sound good. Since you say this is for home use, it might be a consideration. +1 - the master volume on the RX Jr and the way the preamp is voiced and its gain structure let you get to a lot more crunchy tones than the Maz at much lower volume. That and the OD switch make the RX Jr an ideal apartment amp in my view. Of course it doesn't hurt that it sounds amazing!
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Post by John on May 12, 2008 12:32:33 GMT -7
Since they're both master volumed 2xEL84 amps, I'd go with what ever sounded best for the style of music you'll be playing. You can't go wrong.
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Post by guitarstan on May 12, 2008 12:40:06 GMT -7
I have a Maz Sr and the RX Jr. I use the Jr way more than the Sr but most of my projects are in the studio at low to moderate volumes. Love the way they both sound. Hope that helps ;D .
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Post by benttop (Steve) on May 12, 2008 12:47:34 GMT -7
Well the way it seems to me is that the Maz Jr just loves to be wound up - the closer the master is to wide open, the happier that amp seems to be. It sounds pretty good in my basement, but it sounds phenomenal cranked up playing a live gig.
I don't get quite the opposite for the RX Jr, but the RX Jr sure can do a really nice low volume high gain sound. The master on the two amps works entirely different - or actually it's probably the preamp that works entirely different, but whatever the case, I find the RX Jr just really nice at low volumes, because you can still get to all the great tones it has in it. Then when you want to play out, grab a high efficiency speaker and she will run with the big dogs.
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Post by tennjed on May 13, 2008 8:58:45 GMT -7
Thank you for sharing your knowledge and experience.
You have answered my questions and much more.
You have helped me immensely.
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Post by kruzty on May 13, 2008 9:42:59 GMT -7
So, which one are you getting?! ;D
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Post by dock66 on May 13, 2008 10:23:08 GMT -7
Maz Jr,however you can't go wrong with either one. ;D.
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Post by bluzman on May 13, 2008 10:36:03 GMT -7
If you were more of a Fender player I'd say Maz Jr, but from what you describe what you're doing musically and your axe I think the RxJrS will be the bawls. The EF86 with OD on and even with the Master lowered has something unique going on. At least I'm digging it. Either way you will be very happy. Have fun deciding and know that whatever you decide it was the right choice!
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Post by tennjed on May 13, 2008 15:50:50 GMT -7
I just brought home the Rx Jr!!! ;D
It's a blonde.
Thanks again to you all for sharing your thoughts on my (now resolved) delimma!
;D
I can't stop smiling!
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Post by benttop (Steve) on May 13, 2008 16:07:13 GMT -7
I just brought home the Rx Jr!!! ;D It's a blonde. Thanks again to you all for sharing your thoughts on my (now resolved) delimma! ;D I can't stop smiling! Congratulations! What speakers are you planning to use? Just curious. You'll be grinning every time you plug in for quite a while...
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Post by tennjed on May 13, 2008 16:16:36 GMT -7
I got the matching blonde 1x12. ;D
... still grinning.
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Post by Rik on May 19, 2008 22:29:28 GMT -7
Congrats.
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Post by myles on May 20, 2008 10:12:43 GMT -7
Either one would have been superb ... no bad way to go here. One of those decisions in life where either path was a great one.
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Post by zane on Jun 5, 2008 16:48:30 GMT -7
I've never heard the RXjr... but I ordered one yesterday... now I just gotta wait 6 weeks ;^)
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Post by dixiechicken on Jun 6, 2008 4:35:23 GMT -7
This is not a dilemma - this is freedom of choice. ;D What the heck - buy both! Cheers: Dixiechicken!
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