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Post by benttop (Steve) on Jan 20, 2006 15:25:28 GMT -7
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Post by benttop (Steve) on Jan 22, 2006 23:16:14 GMT -7
Only 11 hours and 44 minutes till the store opens... ACK!
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Post by bluzsteel on Jan 23, 2006 8:41:11 GMT -7
Hve fun with it , call in sick today
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Post by benttop (Steve) on Jan 23, 2006 12:28:02 GMT -7
Well I have it! No calling in sick - I'm laid off for now (!!!) so I have plenty of time to fiddle here. That's the good part of being unemployed... I set up the amp in my studio and did an initial shakeout. Not sure I'm going to get along with those speakers though. The amp sounds VERY mid-heavy no matter how I dial it in, but switching to the THD 2x12 that all goes away. On the other hand, those mids might be nice on stage - ever noticed nothing sounds the same in the context of a blaring bass player and pounding drummer? In the meantime, I think I'll instrument some mics on this pooch and see if I can collect some sound clips. Dang that thing is LOUD! Perfect!
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Post by bluzsteel on Jan 23, 2006 13:37:27 GMT -7
what did it come with, 2 celestions ?
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Post by Buzz Fretwear (Ignatius) on Jan 23, 2006 14:36:00 GMT -7
I really didn't like the V30 in mine, gave it a pretty unpleasing upper midrange peak.
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Post by benttop (Steve) on Jan 23, 2006 15:13:26 GMT -7
Yeah, two Celestions. V30 on one, I couldn't see what the other was, but it looks identical (need my flashlight!) Actually, it sounds pretty good until I do an A/B with the Flexi. Then I notice the mid peak. But if I don't do that, I don't notice it. Wild... As I said, that mid peak may turn out to be a godsend on stage - those mids tend to cut through the mix better than anything else. After all, on the bottom I'm competing with the bass player and on the top I'm competing with the piano and vocals, not to mention cymbals. That mid peak just might give me wood on the stage... update: I just checked - they are both V30's. Interesting. I thought mismatched sets were being put in the combos, but these seem to be identical. Anyway, I have never left anything the way I got it in the past - I'll try this live and then maybe I'll know which way I want to go...
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Post by JChance on Jan 23, 2006 16:30:31 GMT -7
Hmmm... I figured it would have come with the vererable V30 and G12H30 set. That might be all you need to get it straightened out, with the V30 giving the upper mid presence and the G12 giving more low mids. Glad you got the amp, and congrats!
JC
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Post by Curt on Jan 23, 2006 18:33:12 GMT -7
Well I have it! No calling in sick - I'm laid off for now (!!!) so I have plenty of time to fiddle here. That's the good part of being unemployed... I set up the amp in my studio and did an initial shakeout. Not sure I'm going to get along with those speakers though. The amp sounds VERY mid-heavy no matter how I dial it in, but switching to the THD 2x12 that all goes away. On the other hand, those mids might be nice on stage - ever noticed nothing sounds the same in the context of a blaring bass player and pounding drummer? In the meantime, I think I'll instrument some mics on this pooch and see if I can collect some sound clips. Dang that thing is LOUD! Perfect! Amen...TOOO many times I had "My sound" at home or practice..then come gig time is "What the he#@.....
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Post by bluzsteel on Jan 23, 2006 19:56:05 GMT -7
Well I have it! No calling in sick - I'm laid off for now (!!!) so I have plenty of time to fiddle here. That's the good part of being unemployed... I set up the amp in my studio and did an initial shakeout. Not sure I'm going to get along with those speakers though. The amp sounds VERY mid-heavy no matter how I dial it in, but switching to the THD 2x12 that all goes away. On the other hand, those mids might be nice on stage - ever noticed nothing sounds the same in the context of a blaring bass player and pounding drummer? In the meantime, I think I'll instrument some mics on this pooch and see if I can collect some sound clips. Dang that thing is LOUD! Perfect! Amen...TOOO many times I had "My sound" at home or practice..then come gig time is "What the he#@..... I didnt like Celestions at all , to compressed , ended up with 2 Eminence speakers
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Post by benttop (Steve) on Jan 23, 2006 22:13:21 GMT -7
The THD cab I tried has two Eminence THD designs in it. I may try to duplicate that if I can't get along with these Celestions.
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Post by bluzsteel on Jan 24, 2006 6:45:33 GMT -7
Tonkers and Swamps
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Post by Bill on Jan 24, 2006 7:07:20 GMT -7
Don't know bluz , I spent some time A/B'ing a Tonker, Vintage 30 and Weber Blue Dog last night. The Weber has some hard pounding mileage on it now and is becoming one of the best sounding speakers I've owned. Had a guy come up between songs Saturday night and said, "dude, what is that pedal you're using, sounds killer". I said "well the only pedal I've used tonight is the TU 2" It's all right there in the 1x12 box man! I think I kicked in the Zendrive maybe once all night. There's something about the Bluedog in the bigger size 1x2 with more open space in the back...whatever the case, I'm riding this wave as long as I can. Here's a pic of the rig taken Saturday night with my son sitting in on "Pride & Joy":
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Post by JASON (aka jgleaton) on Jan 24, 2006 7:11:21 GMT -7
Hi, Bentop Congrats on the new Mazerati..... " but switching to the THD 2x12 that all goes away" Ditto....I primarily use my Z-BEST and a THD cab ( LUV that cab for its size and light weight) but I've now got my THD loaded with Weber ceramic Blue dog/ Silver bell speakers....changing speakers made a HUGE difference from the celestions...smoothed out the highs and the mids are still there but it's not harsh at all...great speakers probably get equally good results from the tonker/ swamp thang.....think I might try them in a cab next just to see what the difference would be? The celestions do sound good in the Z-best though... before I switched speakers in the THD I could only use the Maz 38 with the Z-Best...now I can use either... would definitely suggest swappin speakers....wish I still had my Maz 18 2X12 combo...thats what I should've done and I bet I'd still have it!! Hey, bluzsteel aren't those Emi's you suggest rated pretty high 150 watts or something....would seem they would be good in a Z 1X12 I've got... which one would you go with if you got just one (tonker or swamp thang) whats the difference in sound between the 2?? Jason
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Post by JASON (aka jgleaton) on Jan 24, 2006 7:18:02 GMT -7
HEY MADISON....
"and Weber Blue Dog last night. The Weber has some hard pounding mileage on it now "
are your webers ceramic or alnico? cause I gotta couple of blue dog alnico's too and I might try one of them in MY Z- 1X12? mine are 30 watters what are yours? BTW I love your pedal board...how DID you get all of those pedals on there in such a small space?? ;D
seriously though, someone should start a thread for everyone to post pics of their pedal boards... what yall think??
Jason
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Post by bluzsteel on Jan 24, 2006 7:23:56 GMT -7
Don't know bluz , I spent some time A/B'ing a Tonker, Vintage 30 and Weber Blue Dog last night. The Weber has some hard pounding mileage on it now and is becoming one of the best sounding speakers I've owned. Had a guy come up between songs Saturday night and said, "dude, what is that pedal you're using, sounds killer". I said "well the only pedal I've used tonight is the TU 2" It's all right there in the 1x12 box man! I think I kicked in the Zendrive maybe once all night. There's something about the Bluedog in the bigger size 1x2 with more open space in the back...whatever the case, I'm riding this wave as long as I can. Here's a pic of the rig taken Saturday night with my son sitting in on "Pride & Joy": Are yours Alnico or ceramic?, I didnt like the Alnicos ....to compressed
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Post by bluzsteel on Jan 24, 2006 7:25:27 GMT -7
Hi, Bentop Congrats on the new Mazerati..... " but switching to the THD 2x12 that all goes away" Ditto....I primarily use my Z-BEST and a THD cab ( LUV that cab for its size and light weight) but I've now got my THD loaded with Weber ceramic Blue dog/ Silver bell speakers....changing speakers made a HUGE difference from the celestions...smoothed out the highs and the mids are still there but it's not harsh at all...great speakers probably get equally good results from the tonker/ swamp thang.....think I might try them in a cab next just to see what the difference would be? The celestions do sound good in the Z-best though... before I switched speakers in the THD I could only use the Maz 38 with the Z-Best...now I can use either... would definitely suggest swappin speakers....wish I still had my Maz 18 2X12 combo...thats what I should've done and I bet I'd still have it!! Hey, bluzsteel aren't those Emi's you suggest rated pretty high 150 watts or something....would seem they would be good in a Z 1X12 I've got... which one would you go with if you got just one (tonker or swamp thang) whats the difference in sound between the 2?? Jason yes they are 150 watts, I have one in my 112 ex cab ..it kills , made a beliver out of Bw when he took mine out the other night , they say the Swamp has a little more low end.................I cant tell much difference from the two , I put the Tonker in my Red Combo cause the frames red!!!
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Post by JASON (aka jgleaton) on Jan 24, 2006 7:44:55 GMT -7
Madison, the 2 extras I got are alnico's and I really didn't care for them either...I have the ceramic's in my 2X12 and I love em.... tried a few different ones and I've always wanted to try the ALNICO's...just not my style..... BTW I started a POST A PIC OF YOUR PEDAL BOARD on the general forum...I'd really like to see what every ones using....
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Post by benttop (Steve) on Jan 24, 2006 8:37:38 GMT -7
I've just been over on the Weber speaker pages looking at and listening to a variety of speakers there. I really like Jason's clip of the Ceramic Blue Dog there. But to buy those speakers, you have to tell Ted how much doping you want. Like I know! Anyone have any wisdom on that?
Also, since that speaker comes with a 40 oz magnet regardless which power rating you choose, would there be any reason to choose anything less than the maximum power available? In other words, do the lower power ratings sound appreciably different? If I have to haul around a 40 oz magnet anyway, I think I may as well have the 50 watt rating. Opinions?
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Post by JChance on Jan 24, 2006 9:00:33 GMT -7
The way I understand it from Ted's explanation- You want more doping if you are playing at high volumes with more gain/distortion. This reduces cone-cry. The difference between the 15, 30, and 50 watt versions of the Blue Dog or Silver Bell, is that the higher the wattage rating, the smoother the speaker will sound...but *not* really get any louder. Ted describes the 15 watters as "agressive" and "dynamic, vibey." I went with 30 watt versions for mine, with light doping. However, I've found that, since I've had the amp for about 6 months now with heavy gigging, I'm running the amp louder than I originally thought I would when I bought it. With the 30 watter's and light doping, I've found that the speakers are a little *too* agressive at higher volumes- meaning that Tele's and Strats can get to the borderline of harshness. When I'm running the amp at loud performance volumes, I'm finding that I have to run the "cut" way down to make up for the speakers... Like at about 8 o'clock. I've decided I'm going to send them back to Ted to recone them to 50 watt versions, with slightly more doping. Just would like to have them "hold up" a little better and sound a little tighter & smooth, since it's seems like I'm always having to compete on stage with loud-a$$ steel, fiddle, acoustic, piano, whatever.... Since the Mazerati has some nice "chime" going on, you'd be fine with getting a higher wattage speaker and not lose clarity. If you go with the Webers, I'd recommend 50 watt *CERAMIC* Silver or Blues, with light doping. But if you think you'll be playing the amp really loud a lot (like at least 1 or 2 o'oclock on the volume), then some more doping would be good. I agree with Dave (Bluzsteel) that the Weber alnico versions are quite compressed...Almost muffled. The ceramic Webers are my faves. You could of course also check out the Emi's suggested earlier. The Tonker is supposed to be pretty dark & bold. If you go with the Eminence speakers, you can also order them at great prices from Weber. Ted and Eminence have a good relationship, and he sells their speakers at discount prices. Just add one to your cart, and the discounted price will appear. Jayson
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Post by JASON (aka jgleaton) on Jan 24, 2006 9:05:38 GMT -7
Bentop, Mr Weber suggested Light dope...thats what I got in a 50 watter...the difference between the 50 watt/ vs 30 watt is the 50 will have more clean headroom...the 30's will break up a little sooner....depends on what your after....(ditto.....WHAT jayson just SAID) I'd personally go with the 50 WATT....ILOVE MINE...and JCHANCE is the one who turned me onto these...(Jayson I will continue to thank you for this until you tell me to shut up... ;D) I think you'll love em.... I'd like to try a tonker in my 1X12 now.... Jason PS lefty moved the post a pic of your board to the EFFECTS SECTION....Well I guess I have to say... duh...thats probably where I should've put it in the first place... Thanks lefty for keepin it REAL....Word
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Post by Bill on Jan 24, 2006 9:18:34 GMT -7
Interesting, 3 votes against alnico...all from players I respect and who know their stuff. I agree about the compression, but I don't hear the muffled tone. It's actually quite bright & chimey, maybe it's the RxES. I NEVER use a compressor with the Bluedog, but sometimes will use one with a ceramic speaker. Mine's the 50w version btw.
In any regard, the ceramic Bluedog is definitely on my radar screen, maybe this week... it's just that I'm honeymooning with the alnico right now ;D
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Post by JASON (aka jgleaton) on Jan 24, 2006 9:32:06 GMT -7
Madison, you might be right about "it's the RX ES".... the RX has always been an in your face very percussive amp ( I know mine is, thats what I like about it) and maybe the ALNICO's balance that out a bit since the ceramic tend to be a little on the quick attack side? might be onto something (hey it's what BP uses!)....I didn't know Ted could turn/ "recone" a 30watt into a 50 watt...Maybe thats what I need to try with my 30 watt alnico's (both BLUE DOGS) for my RX?? Be worth a try... FWIW I like the ALNICO Blues's just not nearly as much as the CERAMIC Blues and I might like the Silver better than the blue....think it might just be your set-up + personal preference.
Jason
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Post by benttop (Steve) on Jan 24, 2006 10:23:52 GMT -7
The way I understand it from Ted's explanation- You want more doping if you are playing at high volumes with more gain/distortion. This reduces cone-cry. The difference between the 15, 30, and 50 watt versions of the Blue Dog or Silver Bell, is that the higher the wattage rating, the smoother the speaker will sound...but *not* really get any louder. Ted describes the 15 watters as "agressive" and "dynamic, vibey." I went with 30 watt versions for mine, with light doping. However, I've found that, since I've had the amp for about 6 months now with heavy gigging, I'm running the amp louder than I originally thought I would when I bought it. With the 30 watter's and light doping, I've found that the speakers are a little *too* agressive at higher volumes- meaning that Tele's and Strats can get to the borderline of harshness. When I'm running the amp at loud performance volumes, I'm finding that I have to run the "cut" way down to make up for the speakers... Like at about 8 o'clock. I've decided I'm going to send them back to Ted to recone them to 50 watt versions, with slightly more doping. Just would like to have them "hold up" a little better and sound a little tighter & smooth, since it's seems like I'm always having to compete on stage with loud-a$$ steel, fiddle, acoustic, piano, whatever.... Since the Mazerati has some nice "chime" going on, you'd be fine with getting a higher wattage speaker and not lose clarity. If you go with the Webers, I'd recommend 50 watt *CERAMIC* Silver or Blues, with light doping. But if you think you'll be playing the amp really loud a lot (like at least 1 or 2 o'oclock on the volume), then some more doping would be good. I agree with Dave (Bluzsteel) that the Weber alnico versions are quite compressed...Almost muffled. The ceramic Webers are my faves. You could of course also check out the Emi's suggested earlier. The Tonker is supposed to be pretty dark & bold. If you go with the Eminence speakers, you can also order them at great prices from Weber. Ted and Eminence have a good relationship, and he sells their speakers at discount prices. Just add one to your cart, and the discounted price will appear. Jayson Thanks, that helps a lot. I've always preferred the ceramics over Alnico anyway, and besides they are quite a bit cheaper too. I will be playing quite loud (at least I've been playing the Flexi-50 wide open with the Hot Plate set to -4db - that seems about where the Mazerati sits volume wise) so I'll give that some consideration on the doping issue. Before I pull the trigger though, I'm going to gig this thing with the Celestions and see if it isn't already "there" on the stage. It may be that I don't need to make any changes. That said, I sure did like the sound clips you provided of the ceramic Blue Dog - that is just about exactly the tone I am after.
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Post by Buzz Fretwear (Ignatius) on Jan 24, 2006 14:04:44 GMT -7
I'm watching this thread with a lot of interest. I have a Tonker coming in sometime this week for my Mazerati 1x12 combo, but I came very close to ordering a ceramic Blue Dog. I'll let y'all know how the Tonker sounds, although I won't get a chance to gig it for about a week and a half.
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Post by billyguitar on Jan 24, 2006 14:57:38 GMT -7
I'm personally happy enough with my Tone Tubby alnico 12" that I don't have a desire to change it out, but I'm beginning to think I'm not the only guy that thinks our amps should come with something besides Celestions. Z did great with his 10", hopefully someday he'll get around to a custom 12".
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Post by benttop (Steve) on Jan 24, 2006 15:08:54 GMT -7
Celestions always seem to me to be a one trick pony - a nice trick for rock solos, but if you're playing in a cover band and need a nice shimmering clean for say a Jimi Hendrix type Little Wing intro, they have always seemed to be a bit mid heavy for that. Keeping this on topic to this forum (this is the Mazerati forum after all) it seems the Mazerati may be susceptible to the same issues. Again, that is not to say that I won't like it when I get out there, but I really want to use the Mazerati for some of my cleaner work, and the Flexi for my heavier solos, so there it is. After looking over the Weber stuff for a while, I just decided to hell with it, and ordered a pair of ceramic Blue Dogs, light doping at 50 Watts. I'm off this weekend, so it could be they'll get here before my next gig - that would be cool. Otherwise I'll gig the Celestions and see how that goes. Oh yeah, I save four pounds by switching to the Blue Dogs... at 52 I can dig any savings in that area I can get...
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Post by Buzz Fretwear (Ignatius) on Jan 24, 2006 15:42:36 GMT -7
Steve, let us know how you like those Blue Dogs after you try 'em.
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Post by benttop (Steve) on Jan 25, 2006 12:00:06 GMT -7
Well if you can excuse the sloppy playing, you can hear my Mazerati at the following link: www.gear.strayca.com/audio/MazeratiGrosh001.mp3. This is a 4.6 Megabyte .mp3 file. Recording setup was a single Rode NT1 about five feet away and off axis. There is a lot of buzz when I announce the pickup selection because those bits were about 40 db down, and I jacked them up. I should have run a separate mic for that, but I didn't. Just after I saved this the whole recording setup went inop, so rather than redo this to capture the "better" playing I decided to post it as is... Oh by the way, this is my new Grosh Tele on this clip.. Forgot to add the setup info: Tele > Pedal Board (true bypass) > Mazerati > Airbrake (-8db) > V30's > Rode NT1 (5 ft off axis) > Alesis Studio 32 > Echo Layla > Sound Forge 5.0.
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Post by bukowski on Jan 25, 2006 13:11:11 GMT -7
Well if you can excuse the sloppy playing, you can hear my Mazerati at the following link: www.gear.strayca.com/audio/MazeratiGrosh001.mp3. This is a 4.6 Megabyte .mp3 file. Recording setup was a single Rode NT1 about five feet away and off axis. There is a lot of buzz when I announce the pickup selection because those bits were about 40 db down, and I jacked them up. I should have run a separate mic for that, but I didn't. Just after I saved this the whole recording setup went inop, so rather than redo this to capture the "better" playing I decided to post it as is... Oh by the way, this is my new Grosh Tele on this clip.. nice playin whats the volume at on that clip ?and what speaker?
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