Triplep
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Yesterday's gone , Tomorrow isn't here, BE in the NOW
Posts: 20
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Post by Triplep on Aug 13, 2009 16:20:51 GMT -7
Hello y'all,
IM a happy camper and new owner of maz 18 2x12 GH12's , shipped in 8 ohm position with mix of tubes the power tubes (sellers says new tubes in Jan 2009) Power tubes: Mesa el84's(green) branded and v1 12ax7lps (sovtek) v2 gt12at7(GT) v3 12ax7a (mesa) v4 12ax7lps(sovtek) v5 12ax7wb(sovtek). The rectifier is a GT 5AR4
Amp sounded better in 8 ohms(more harmonic content) than in 4 ohms . strat(vintage fralins) sounded a bit too glassy) the Hamer usa mahogany solidbody(p90's dimarzio) sounded dull in most settings.Overall bass response is not pronounced for either guitar , and got to push hard for power tube distortion. Some sounds inconsistencies (drops and lack of overtone ring) within different positions and string combinations.
Nevertheless, the amp's volume is still present, pretty loud and the amp cleans up nicely on guitar volume roll back. Any comment/feedback would be appreciated. Cheers and Thanks ,Triple P
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Post by Eddie on Aug 13, 2009 17:44:06 GMT -7
I'm not sure exactly what you are asking - but if you feel the amp is a little dull, you would do well to replace the power tubes with a matched set of EL84s.
I like JJ brand EL84s. They are affordable and sound good.
Also, your preamp tubes are out of order. That won't hurt anything, but the reverb driver (V3) should be a 12AT7.
Try this:
V1 = Mesa 12AX7A V2 = Sovtek 12AX7LPS V3 = GT12AT7 V4 = Sovtek 12AX7WB V5 = Sovtek 12AX7LPS
Some guys replace ALL the tubes in an amp when they buy used. Then, they set aside the old ones as spares.
Let us know how it shapes up with some new power tubes and a few swaps.
Peace, Eddie
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Triplep
New Member
Yesterday's gone , Tomorrow isn't here, BE in the NOW
Posts: 20
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Post by Triplep on Aug 13, 2009 17:54:55 GMT -7
Awesome reply , this is how it was loaded so i tried it as is and found irregularity in sound response and piercing the reverb is out of control too , you barely dial it in and its over kill . What i was asking is feedback on the fact that the tubes are mixed amongst themselves and that I dont know anything about the El84 greens. Also the amp was set at 8 ohms and sounded better than at 4 ohms. These speakers are 8 ohms a piece and are wired in parallel so it shpuld be set at 4 ohms but it doesnt sound as good as in the 8 ohm setting. I usually deal with Eurotubes kit for the Peavey Delta 30, Classic 50 combo amps.Thanks for the comments, well appreciated. I now understand why people are raving these amps , the quality build for the price is superb and is a great looking combo.Thanks EDDIE!! TP
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Post by Eddie on Aug 13, 2009 19:47:02 GMT -7
TP,
You are welcome! I'm a hack compared to most of the rest on this forum, so you may get better info from them.
I'd be careful with that ohm mismatch. If the amp wants to see an 8 ohm load and you only give it 4, you may have trouble. It's OK to go the other way (amp expecting 4 ohms and going into an 8 ohm speaker) but the way you're running it may be taxing the OP transformer.
Your tone problems are almost certainly due to the tubes.
Enjoy the amp! Eddie
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Triplep
New Member
Yesterday's gone , Tomorrow isn't here, BE in the NOW
Posts: 20
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Post by Triplep on Aug 13, 2009 20:43:28 GMT -7
Well the previous owner set up was @8 ohms but it ain't right if these speakers are factory wired in parallel .In this case the ohms setting should be 4 ohms . I believe it's based on how the speakers are wired and if the transformer is able to receive the ohms load of the particular wiring scheme. For example 2 x 8 ohms speakers wired in series, you add the load which works out in this case to 16 ohms( the maz 18 doesnt not have a 16 ohms selection) . If 2x 8 ohms are wired in parallel it works out 4 ohms and we need to select that for the transformer which is the case for this 2x12 combo. I don't know if you can damage a transformer by running an 8 ohms load into an 8 ohms transformer setting.....anyone?
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Post by Eddie on Aug 14, 2009 15:40:01 GMT -7
Oh - maybe I misunderstood. You're fine of course (and it's best) to match the ohm output to the speakers. 4 ohm out of the amp into 4 ohm load at the speakers.
Eddie
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Triplep
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Yesterday's gone , Tomorrow isn't here, BE in the NOW
Posts: 20
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Post by Triplep on Aug 15, 2009 9:18:42 GMT -7
Sorry Eddie but I meant to say in last reply that it cant be good running an 4 ohm speaker load into a 8 ohm transformer tap on this maz18 is it? Perhaps premature tube wear?
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Post by myles on Aug 27, 2009 10:27:38 GMT -7
Sorry Eddie but I meant to say in last reply that it cant be good running an 4 ohm speaker load into a 8 ohm transformer tap on this maz18 is it? Perhaps premature tube wear? Do not run a 4 ohm speaker off the 8 ohm output tap. Output transformer can fail.
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Triplep
New Member
Yesterday's gone , Tomorrow isn't here, BE in the NOW
Posts: 20
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Post by Triplep on Sept 1, 2009 3:22:14 GMT -7
thanks I figured that was not a good thing for an OT to endure
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