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Post by snidelywhiplash on Mar 18, 2009 20:06:03 GMT -7
Maz 18: New - $1,699.00
Stangray: Used - $1,799.00 (Very little usage - basically as new)
So here's the question. I like loud clean. I also like distortion (Classic variety) & I really don't care if the dirt is on the Marshall or the Fender side of the spectrum as long as it sounds good. For the distortion, I do need to get bedroom volumes at times as well as cranked volumes on occaision. The clerk at the guitar shop I just came from was able to get terrific sounds at bedroom volumes with the Maz 18 and a Fulltone full-drive Mosfet boost pedal. Is the same thing workable with the Stangray ? I won't be able to able to play the Stang so I won't be able to compare.
There's only a $100.00 price differance. Any and all opinions are very welcome.
Thanks
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Post by benttop (Steve) on Mar 18, 2009 21:36:52 GMT -7
Both are world class amps. The Maz is more versatile, but the Stang has the best cleans of any amp around. I have both and I shudder when I think if I had to choose between them - it would be the hardest decision ever. So I have to say it depends a bit on the kinds of tones you want, and actually one logistical matter, the weight. That 2x12 combo configuration is pretty heavy. I know sound clips can't really tell the whole story, but I've done a bunch of clips with both of these amps, both straight in and with pedals. Check My Gear Page
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Post by Eddie on Mar 18, 2009 22:51:26 GMT -7
Tough call.
I own a MAZ Jr and I love it. I use pedals to get super rock tones at low volumes. At high volumes, the MAZ doesn't need much of anything but the guitar...
I'm sure that Steve is right about the MAZ being more versatile, but two twelves with the Stangray must sound amazing...
I probably haven't helped much, but please stop back and let us know which one you choose. Eddie
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Post by John on Mar 19, 2009 6:20:29 GMT -7
I have both amps.
The Maz is by far more versitile, and can duplicate many of the tones of the Stangray. The Maz can get you to Marshall to Vox to Fender...the Stangray is more of a one trick pony...but WHAT A TRICK IT IS!!! Absolutely glorious amp...but it's targeting a very specific sound.
The Stangray doesn't have a master volume, so getting that sweet spot could possibly be rather loud if you don't have an attenuator or appropriate speakers. The Stangray is designed to be a clean amp....so if you want distortion/overdrive....you'll have to get it from a pedal.
The Stangray will get louder cleans, no doubt about it.
You say you want 'Loud clean'...but that's the opposite of bedroom level distortion.
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Post by snidelywhiplash on Mar 19, 2009 6:54:40 GMT -7
You say you want 'Loud clean'...but that's the opposite of bedroom level distortion. Yeah I know, but clean at bedroom levels is always going to be a quiet clean sound, you don't have to worry so much about tone drop - I don't need attenuation - I just turn the amp down. When I say loud clean, I mean a rich, complex clean tone with all those lovely semi-tones and harmonics. With distortion I'm trying to maintain the same tone I can get at higher volumes at lower levels. I'm probably not describing this right, but to me, distortion at lower levels has always been more problematic. I can always practice clean at lower volumes without much thought. Lower level distortion requires more...thought ? Pedals ? Work ? This is turning out to take a lot more thinking than I expected. There are substantial arguments to be made for both amps, and your view makes a lot of sense.
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Post by John on Mar 19, 2009 7:03:15 GMT -7
I sent you a PM (look at the top of the screen.)
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Post by benttop (Steve) on Mar 19, 2009 10:44:55 GMT -7
When I say loud clean, I mean a rich, complex clean tone with all those lovely semi-tones and harmonics. The cleans the 'ray is capable of are the most complex, glorious, rich, harmonically layered cleans of any amp I've ever owned or played. If that sounds interesting to you, you really have to try the Stang Ray. With a new set of tubes, and Alnico Blues, nothing can touch it.
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Post by John on Mar 20, 2009 7:38:21 GMT -7
There ain't nothing like a ray!! There is no way any Maz can duplicate the ray, but it does come closer than many other amps. [/size][/font][/quote] With a 5751 in V1, the right amp settings..and the right speaker/cabinet....you'd be hard pressed to tell the difference. As I've said in other posts, it's slightly more compressed, and therefore doesn't quite have the string poping ability of the ray. I call it my Stangray Jr.
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