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Post by westcoast on Jun 7, 2009 12:08:27 GMT -7
Hello all... I've been seriously bitten by the Z bug... my local store has several models to choose from, and the other night I walked out with a Maz jr 212. While I absolutely love the sound of this amp, I'm realizing already that I will need a little more juice volume wise. They have given me the option of moving up to a Maz SR212, which I am seriously considering, but they also have an RXes 112 w/gold. Can someone explain the sonic differences to me? That Maz sr. is one HEAVY amp.... not sure that I want to lug that baby around.
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Post by benttop (Steve) on Jun 7, 2009 15:43:34 GMT -7
The Maz might be a bit more flexible, but the RXES has a few things the Maz doesn't have, like the overdose switch, and quite a lot more gain on tap. The cleans are similar in that they are gorgeous, but they are different. I love my Strat through the Maz Sr, but love my Tele through the RXES more. I also like humbuckers through the RXES more than the Maz, but there are plenty of guys playing humbuckers through the Maz and getting great tones. So it's a bit subjective. Without knowing a whole lot about your music and your instruments, that's about the most I could say. But there are a ton of clips in the sounds section of both amps - might be worth checking them for some examples. Oh, one thing - if you go with the RXES, get an Airbrake or Brake Lite - you'll need it to get to the high gain stuff if that's at all interesting to you.
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Post by westcoast on Jun 8, 2009 2:10:16 GMT -7
I guess I was a little vague... I am mostly a humbucker player, a Gibson ES 339 being my main guitar. A Tele is definitely in my future, (as well as in the past) and am more on the rock side of things when it comes to playing... I do love blues and country style guitar, but don't really do more than dabble in these styles. Also, I play a lap steel, and it is also HB equipped. Will the 112 be big enough for this amp? I did check out your sound clips by the way, and am thoroughly impressed with your playing and your tone! I was considering an airbrake regardless of what I decide on... these are sure loud amps. Thank you for your thoughts.
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Post by benttop (Steve) on Jun 8, 2009 5:46:34 GMT -7
You really can't go wrong with either amp. They are both amazing - just different. That 1x12 with Gold will hold its own with the RXES - I gigged a single 12" Gold with my RXES for a number of months and it never failed to impress me. I was running a dual-head setup with the RXES as my dirt amp and my Stingray as clean. I had two Golds in a THD cab wired stereo, so I just used an A/B switch to choose clean or dirt. Worked great!
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Post by dickenscpa on Jun 8, 2009 7:41:29 GMT -7
I think the RXES is pretty flexible. It's a pedal monster and the only amp where my delay pedal sounds good with it. Between the low/high input and overdose switch, I get many different tones out of it. Beautiful cleans and with a brakelite, wonderful crunch with clarity. The last couple of weeks I've been A/B'ing the RXES and Carmen Ghia for clean/crunch and a bit of stereo. Wonderful I tell you. I play all Teles live BTW.
One thing on the brakelite. The BL by itself will not make an RXES a bedroom amp. A BL and an inefficient speaker like the 94db one I bought helps tremendously, but it won't cut thru live. I've got a 2nd Z cab on the way from someone on here, but I put the Jensen C12Q in a cheapie cab for home use only.
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Post by westcoast on Jun 9, 2009 21:35:26 GMT -7
Thanks for the replies Gents.... I'm going on Thursday to play thru the RXES and see for myself. It's a tough choice to make between so many great amps... I guess this is why a lot of folks on here have 2 or more different models. The Canadian dollar is pretty strong right now, maybe I should pop over to Seattle! These things aint cheap!
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Post by benttop (Steve) on Jun 9, 2009 22:51:24 GMT -7
Thanks for the replies Gents.... I'm going on Thursday to play thru the RXES and see for myself. It's a tough choice to make between so many great amps... I guess this is why a lot of folks on here have 2 or more different models. The Canadian dollar is pretty strong right now, maybe I should pop over to Seattle! These things aint cheap! If you make it as far as Seattle, swing by my place and you can play all my amps. And if you haven't decided by early August, come down on the 9th for our mini- west coast Z-Fest. Many of the Doc's designs will be represented there.
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Post by westcoast on Jun 10, 2009 0:03:53 GMT -7
I appreciate the offer, and I may just have to come down for Z-fest! I really want to like this amp... I was thinking that the Maz Sr. 212 may just be too big a beast for me as well. If I ever needed more than the 112 I can always add a small cabinet later. Portability is major for me, and I'm thinking that reverb is not as important as first thought. I do wish they had a bigger selection there to choose from. From what I've heard thus far, it sounds like the amp for me.
Is Renton south of Seattle?
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Post by benttop (Steve) on Jun 10, 2009 5:37:42 GMT -7
I appreciate the offer, and I may just have to come down for Z-fest! I really want to like this amp... I was thinking that the Maz Sr. 212 may just be too big a beast for me as well. If I ever needed more than the 112 I can always add a small cabinet later. Portability is major for me, and I'm thinking that reverb is not as important as first thought. I do wish they had a bigger selection there to choose from. From what I've heard thus far, it sounds like the amp for me. Is Renton south of Seattle? Yes, about 20 minutes south of downtown. Of course if you're in Seattle, you'll definitely stop downtown, because that is where Emerald City Guitars resides, and they are the local Z dealership. And they always have at least a few amps, if not quite a few. Last time I was in there they didn't have an RXES though...
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Post by ecsong187 (Edwin) on Jun 11, 2009 20:36:04 GMT -7
Yea for some reason Emerald City Guitars doesn't stock any of the models I want to try. haha. The Mazerati GT, the Remedy, and they haven't had a RXES for a while. If I were you I'd stop by benttop's place. he pretty much is a guitar store. haha
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Post by benttop (Steve) on Jun 12, 2009 17:07:00 GMT -7
Yea for some reason Emerald City Guitars doesn't stock any of the models I want to try. haha. The Mazerati GT, the Remedy, and they haven't had a RXES for a while. If I were you I'd stop by benttop's place. he pretty much is a guitar store. haha Well they did have a Remedy coming in but I bought it before it got there. I have found that their web page can be a bit stale too - don't rely on that. Call them first.
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Post by ecsong187 (Edwin) on Jun 12, 2009 17:41:21 GMT -7
dang you Steve! haha. yea I guess I should call. pretty much their Z stock of amps on line never really changes. haha. And they never order Red ones!
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Post by benttop (Steve) on Jun 12, 2009 20:01:38 GMT -7
dang you Steve! haha. yea I guess I should call. pretty much their Z stock of amps on line never really changes. haha. And they never order Red ones! That was what was so bizarre - I walk in there to order a Red Remedy head, and he says, "Hmm... I think we have one of these on order." I just about died right there. So you never know - they could have an RXES on the way any time you ask.
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Post by ecsong187 (Edwin) on Jun 13, 2009 4:37:16 GMT -7
Yea I got my RXES off of CL from a guy in Oregon, but I'm really gassing for a remedy haha
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Post by westcoast on Jun 13, 2009 17:35:17 GMT -7
After much thought and playing and comparing, I decided (barely) that I would stick with the Maz SR for now. It just seems do do whatever I need it to. I can see an RX in my future though... among others. Thanks to all for your voices on this, I do appreciate it.
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Post by benttop (Steve) on Jun 13, 2009 22:25:10 GMT -7
You know you'll have one one of these days...
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Post by ormond on Aug 9, 2009 14:14:19 GMT -7
to Dickenscpa (or anyone else who knows) - you mention an inefficient 94db speaker for use with the Brakelite. I have the RX/ES Anniv. Editon with the large Air Brake - I do need to quiet it a little more. What brand of speaker is the 94db (is that the Jensen you mention) and where would I order one - and, did you also put it in the RX as well as in a different cabinet? I have not fiddled with the sliders on the inside of the ABrake yet.
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