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Post by jherman on Jan 23, 2006 10:43:14 GMT -7
I've had the jr for a while and just picked up a used ghia head. It sounds great through the maz's 2x10, but try as I might there isn't any tone ( clean or dirty) that the ghia makes that can't be replicated by the jr. It seems wasteful to have the maz sit idle when playing the ghia, my initial thoughts were I don't really need this and I should resell it. I'm open to any suggestions as far as settings, tubes, or speaker cabs that might set the two amps apart but right now I think they are too similar to keep both. Thanks for any ideas-Jim
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Post by G'OlPeachPhan on Jan 23, 2006 11:51:03 GMT -7
I found the tones to be quite different. I don't think either amp can do what the other one does, but it's more your opinion that counts... Certainly they can be dialed up to sound similar, but the Maz 18 can't do what I'd consider to be the Ghia's signature tones, and vice versa.
Honestly, while the Dr. Z signature tone is obviously found in both amps, I think they are about as different as two EL84 amps from the same manufacturer could be... different enough that I could see using them in an a/b dual amp rig... but again, it matters more the way you hear things.
Feature and circuit-design in mind, these two amps have quite a few differences....
TONALLY....
I'd consider the Ghia to have fat, full-bodied cleans, and a greasy raw overdrive sound all it's own.
I'd say the Maz 18 is a bit more articulate and crisp-sounding than the Ghia on the clean tones, has a bit more harmonic hair (complexity) around the notes, and is capable of more gain overall.
None of these words might mean much to any one else, but for the aforementioned characteristics, I'd prefer the Ghia in some contexts, and the Maz 18 in others...
If I had to pick one amp, the simplicity of the Ghia takes the cake for me every time, but others may disagree and that's why the Z lineup features so many different amps!~ ;D
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Post by guitarman1 on Jan 23, 2006 12:00:32 GMT -7
I've just done almost the same thing, but I had a Maz Sr. 38 1x12 reverb and then bought a used Ghia. Both amps do have similar sonic signatures. I find the Ghia to have more overall clarity, dynamics and sponginess. It also breaks up quicker than a Maz Jr. Check that your rectifier is in fact a GY3. Anything higher will make it stiffer and provide more headroom, making it closer to the Maz Jr.. I just tried a new JJ ECC803 in V1 and it sounds better than the JJ 12AX7 that was in there when I got it. I love the portability of my Ghia head & Avatar 1x12 cube. I'm getting too old to schlep around big amps anymore. Even my Maz 1x12 feels friggin' heavy at 2:00 AM. If I were in the same financial position as I was 20 years ago, I would keep the my Maz Sr. and sell the Ghia. I'd have a much harder time choosing between a Maz Jr. and the Ghia.
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