jbro
Full Member
Posts: 123
|
Post by jbro on Sept 21, 2006 10:26:36 GMT -7
I'm posting this in both the Mazerati and Ghia forums - hopefully someone can help me out!
I'm loving my (2004) Mazerati - especially when I'm able to crank it and plug straight in.. it's probably the most responsive, dynamic amp I've had the pleasure to play. However, when it's cranked to the point of breakup (around 3:00 on the volume knob with my strat) it's incredibly loud, and I'm really only able to get it there with the agressive blues act I play with. I find that for my other projects, and in the studio, it barely goes over 10:00-11:00 most of the time. It still sounds great, but I feel like I'm missing out on the best part of the amp in these scenarios.
So I've been thinking about picking up a Ghia for my quieter gigs and studio sessions, hoping it will offer me a little less clean headroom and overall volume, with a sound/feel similar to my Mazerati. Unfortunately I don't have a dealer around, so I can't go play one. I'm hoping some of you have had a good amount of experience with both of these amps and can compare the feel, headroom, and overall volume of the two? Is the Ghia still loud/punchy enough to hang with a moderately loud band? Would I be better off with an attenuator or a very low rated set of output tubes for my Mazerati?
|
|
|
Post by foxx on Sept 21, 2006 17:16:51 GMT -7
There are enough differences in the Rati and the Ghia to make them different amps. I guess that the Ghia would break up earlier and have more gain. Get the attenuator if you want the Mazerati sound. If you want more gain with less volume, AND you like the Ghia as a second, but somewhat different amp, then you should get some Ghia jbro.
There are lots of sound samples of the ghia on this forum, look for them and you will have a good idea of the tone.
|
|
jbro
Full Member
Posts: 123
|
Post by jbro on Sept 21, 2006 22:45:34 GMT -7
Thanks foxx.. I've heard enough of the Ghia to know that I like how it sounds, I'm just trying to get a realistic comparison of the overall volume and headroom between the Ghia and the Mazerati (what I have to compare it to). Anyone have first hand experience with both? This would be a lot easier if I could just walk to the store and play one
|
|
|
Post by bukowski on Sept 22, 2006 18:07:08 GMT -7
I'm posting this in both the Mazerati and Ghia forums - hopefully someone can help me out! I'm loving my (2004) Mazerati - especially when I'm able to crank it and plug straight in.. it's probably the most responsive, dynamic amp I've had the pleasure to play. However, when it's cranked to the point of breakup (around 3:00 on the volume knob with my strat) it's incredibly loud, and I'm really only able to get it there with the agressive blues act I play with. I find that for my other projects, and in the studio, it barely goes over 10:00-11:00 most of the time. It still sounds great, but I feel like I'm missing out on the best part of the amp in these scenarios. So I've been thinking about picking up a Ghia for my quieter gigs and studio sessions, hoping it will offer me a little less clean headroom and overall volume, with a sound/feel similar to my Mazerati. Unfortunately I don't have a dealer around, so I can't go play one. I'm hoping some of you have had a good amount of experience with both of these amps and can compare the feel, headroom, and overall volume of the two? Is the Ghia still loud/punchy enough to hang with a moderately loud band? Would I be better off with an attenuator or a very low rated set of output tubes for my Mazerati? I had a mazerati first ,then got a ghia for that very reason needed to keep the volume down but also wanted to lower the headroom ,the rati has gorgous cleans but if you want dirt the ghia gives up the goods sooner but is still plenty loud to hang with a band for me there is enough difference between them to warrant keeping them both dont be fooled by the rating of the ghia its a loud 18 watts gets dirty just past 3-4 on volume I love my ghia!
|
|
wilzgt
Full Member
I plumb for Z-Tone !
Posts: 151
|
Post by wilzgt on Sept 26, 2006 8:46:19 GMT -7
I used to own a CG. I now have the Mazerati. For me, the Carmen Ghia at times couldn't cut through a jam situation due to the other jammers playing their 40 watt amps too loud. I did love the sound of the CG and felt I even liked the break up a little more because it sounded more rock n roll to me. The break up is sooner on the CG, but you'll be surprised how loud it'll be at the same time. I suspect you'd like the CG, but if you are in a loud band, the CG will be challenged and elevating the speakers may not help too much.
The Mazerati is a cleaner amp even at loud volume. I too play a strat and sometimes want more dirt on the signal. I use my overdrive pedal (maxon od808) as a volume boost and what it does is give the amp tone more attitude and punch.
You may want an attenuator or simply get a smaller amp like a CG. I use a Victoria 20112 for my lower volume needs when playing out. The nice thing about having another amp is you'll have some more tone options. There are several possibilities for you to pursue. Good luck!
|
|
|
Post by Don on Oct 18, 2006 19:59:41 GMT -7
I've found that my Ghias easily hand in there with the other amps. And don't forget, if you find that sweet spot, and it's not loud enough, mic it to bring it up in the mix.
|
|
neil
Junior Member
Posts: 56
|
Post by neil on Oct 19, 2006 1:51:31 GMT -7
I've been trying different cabs with my mazerati recently, and found that the amount of headroom can vary quite considerably depending on what speakers you use. I found a 2x10 broke up at about 9 o'clock, but a 1x15 breaks up about 12 o'clock. I'm not sure if this is speaker break up or if it's because the smaller speakers are driving the mazerati harder somehow. So, it might well be that you'd get more clean headroom out of a ghia by using bigger speakers.
|
|