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Post by joesnewmatch on Mar 20, 2006 13:51:59 GMT -7
I've ordered a Mini-Z thorugh my dealer, who is awaiting a new shipment from the Dr. In the meantime, I am going through my obligatory freak out period, second guessing myself -- not about the quality of the Mini-Z, but in comparison to the Maz, Jr.
I have a 5 watt Victoria 518 Champ clone, which I love, and wanted a similarly small amp with an EL-84 to get that voxy sound for home use. I just sold my Top Hat 2x12, which was way way too much for my home use. 2x12 pushes a LOT of boutique air, even with a usable master volume.
I'm just wondering how good the Maz Jr.'s master volume is and whether or not I'll be jonesing for a Maz. Jr (regular or NR) after the honeymoon wears off -- or if I've really and truly found what I'm looking for in the Mini?
I know, I know, get both, lol. Aside from that solution, can anyone give me some first hand advice? Assuming I never gig out, is the Maz Jr., master volume or not, too loud for practical home use with a wife, two dogs and a cat? Thanks in advance!
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Post by kruzty on Mar 20, 2006 14:13:46 GMT -7
I think the master has to be up a little for the Maz Jr to get its better tones. And it's a little more than bedroom level, in my opinion
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Post by joesnewmatch on Mar 20, 2006 14:22:50 GMT -7
Thank you for an honest opinion!
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Post by pedalcr8z on Mar 20, 2006 14:34:19 GMT -7
I've owned both very recently along with a Vic 5112 12" version of your Vic...........the Mini is certainly similar to the Vic you already have....the Maz jr is remarkably similar to a 59"Fender Bassman RI LTD in both sound and volume. Go with the Maz IF you want an awesome amount of clean headroom and with a prodigious grand piano like bottom end wallop.....make no mistake it is a LOUD amplifier ....DON'T expect it to give you the natural distortion that you are acoustomed to with the Vic at at the same volume level without a pedal. I found the Mini to be biased slightly more towards humbuckers versus the Vic. The Vic will also have far more clean volume than the Mini if that is what you are going for. I chose the Carmen Ghia combo over the Maz Jr as I already had a Bassman which is like a Maz on steroids. I also preferred the Ghia's natural overdrive especially with it's 12" driver as I am not a fan of anybody's 8" driver while breaking up as I feel they are too thin so I also look at the Ghia as a Mini on bigtime steroids. Hopefully I have not added to your confusion!
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Post by joesnewmatch on Mar 20, 2006 14:58:00 GMT -7
hifivic -- your response was very helpful. I like your take and approach to gear. I'm on the wait list for an Eric Johnson too. I've been throught tons and tons of gear over the years, but I've beent trying to narrowed it all down to one good Strat, a great Tele ('52 RI with good karma), a Les Paul with P-90s, and a few pedals. I bet your 12" Victoria is a great amp. The standard 518 Vicky is fantastic for home use doing your best solo bluesman imitation, though it would fart out on you at a real gig without a good mic and PA. I'm eager to try a Swart one of these days, but in the meantime, I think that the Dr. Z gain will be a perfect compliment to the setup, to give me the drive and brit-tone I love. If it's as gainy as I am hoping, I will probably get an A/B or A/B/Y to use with the Vicky and pretend I have a miniature Hot Cat 15.
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Post by James on Mar 20, 2006 17:10:46 GMT -7
joesnewmatch,
beauty 'bout the "Z" stuff is its tremendous resale value..........if the mini does not fit your needs........you'll have no problem finding it a new home and maybe only lose a few $ on it..........gas money......or G.A.S. money depending on how you look at it......
BTW..........That EJ strat has some nice mojo....for a production axe. What finish did you get? Candy Apple had me jonesing for a while.........
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Post by pedalcr8z on Mar 20, 2006 18:49:13 GMT -7
..........got the sunburst...........it goes well with my blonde Ghia and '59 Bassman RI LTD's laquer tweed........schweet!
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Post by real oldster on Mar 20, 2006 19:06:27 GMT -7
hifivic, I have no choice but to give you karma for repeated use of an adjective beyond the reach of the typical guitar player : prodigious. But try not to overdo it and come off sounding like a keyboard player.
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Post by joesnewmatch on Mar 20, 2006 20:40:12 GMT -7
19jmm68, I ordered the 2 tone burst. The red EJ's are really slick -- but I don't play well enough to wear one of those flashy models -- even at home with the dogs. I tell you what, when I started, I would have puked before I thought a burst style or Tele was for me. Hah! In the Strat department I currently have a 50th Anniversary Strat and a good one at that, but based on my '52 RI Tele, I think Nitro is the way to go. When I finally decided I liked Strats, I wanted a super light weight '57 RI, but never could find a decent one. The 50th fit the bill -- until I played an EJ. Love the Nitro vibe, light weight, and size of the fretwire. Can't wait to plug the EJ into the Mini! The Mini will probably be here in about a week, but the EJ, it could take 1-3 months. GRRRRR
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Post by billyguitar on Mar 21, 2006 11:23:20 GMT -7
The '52 reissue necks are nitro but the finish on the body is so thick it makes me think it's something else.
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Post by propellr on Mar 21, 2006 12:41:43 GMT -7
I have a feeling that you'll want to be in a room to yourself with the door closed playing through a Maz Jr. if you want it to stand on edge. It's going to get loud, but with the master volume low, you'll get some grind at manageable volumes. Sure, if you want to access the clean(ish) tones of the Maz, you won't peel the paint off the walls, but you'll want to crank it some to see what it will do. Guys who post here seem to enjoy the Jr. way up! If you're into playing leads and doing riff work and stuff like that, you'll get your money's worth out of the Mini, but the Junior will give you more overall versatility.
I'd be tickled to have a Mini, personally. I wouldn't rush to get the Maz Jr. I think you're gonna love it!
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