|
Post by Jacques Belanger on Apr 6, 2010 5:10:46 GMT -7
Hey everyone, I just got a SECOND Mazarati last week and I'm kinda stumped. Something is very different about the newest one....but.......They're both from 2003.
Here’s what i’ve got...... 2x10 Combo - S/N - N 9108 Head + 2x12 Z-Best Cab - N 9134 or 9135 (The last number was stamped twice. The 4 and 5 are stamped one on top of the other. It looks like someone made a mistake and there wasn`t any Liquid Paper handy... lol))
Anyways...to my question. My 2x10 combo is so insanely loud it`s not funny. And stays clean until around 1:00... But when i turn up the head past 9:00...i don`t get any more volume...just dirtier..and it`s not as loud as the 2x10 combo
I`ve been reading all over the forum and from what i can gather...i think that the head is a version 1 while the combo is a version 2.
But that doesn’t make any sense because the serial number of the head is AFTER the combo!?!?!?
Everyone says that the transformers are different.... but are there any identifying things i could use to tell visually which amp is which version? Is one transformer physically larger than the other? Part numbers? Etc....
Or....maybe... is there a serial number database that someone (hopefully) could cross-reference and help me out.
And finally.....would it be possible for someone to post some pictures of a comparison of the different models... I could do it, I’d take the pictures etc and do all the work...but i don’t even know what i’m looking for so i’m not sure how much help i could be.
Thanks a bunch..
Jacques
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Apr 6, 2010 13:30:53 GMT -7
Congrats on the new addition ;D Both of your amps are version 2. Mazeratis made after September 11, 2001 are version two. I have a Version 1 head and it breaks up early around 10 o clock. It does increase in volume after 12 o clock but after three there is little change. It's loud, like kill small animals loud! It has a smooth breakup that can be cleaned up nicely by backing off the guitar volume. Perhaps try another cab or change the tubes. How old are the tubes? I had to change some of mine when she first arrived. I added a new 12ax7 and I put a ECC81 in place of the 5751. I also replaced the 5AR4 with a GZ34 which cleaned the headroom up and reduced hiss and hum greatly (The hiss and hum was from old tubes). The EL84s I kept the same.
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Apr 6, 2010 13:38:37 GMT -7
Here is another photo...
|
|
|
Post by DRZ on Apr 6, 2010 14:10:43 GMT -7
Yes my freinds that is a VER. 1 Mazerati.
I would need to order OT's to make Ver 1's again, but with all the interest I may just do that next year.
Hey recordfable how about a nice Gut shot of the inside of that amp. I love the gold panels.......
Z
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Apr 6, 2010 17:00:04 GMT -7
No problem, and ya the gold is beautiful. There is copper inlay work on the back as well which is beyond cool. The insides are simple, clean and rugged great workmanship. The wife and I both were able to take time off and we'll be at Z Fest 2010 and I'm bringing Shirley with me. (I named my Mazerati Shirley, Big Shirl for short. ;D) Thanks Doc.
|
|
|
Post by benttop (Steve) on Apr 6, 2010 18:43:40 GMT -7
that right there is better than sex... well, nearly.
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Apr 6, 2010 19:07:10 GMT -7
that right there is better than sex... well, nearly. That's how I felt at first glance. Not one bit of corrosion it looked brand new. From an amp built in 2000 it's truly remarkable.
|
|
|
Post by Jacques Belanger on Apr 7, 2010 7:39:04 GMT -7
Thanks a lot for all the replies.....and the photos. Now i've got another question.... I read in another post... drzamplifiers.proboards.com/index.cgi?board=Mazerati&action=display&thread=26621that the V1 had an ECC83S Tube as #1.....and V2 had a 12ax7..... mine has an ECC83S. and i talked to the guy that i bought it from...and he said he never changed the tubes..... and finally......(i know i ask a lot of questions)....If my new one is really a V2....why would it sound/react so differently than my other one. could something be wrong with it? If so....what should i check? You guys all know way more than i do about this stuff (i just build/fix guitars....not amps). And thanks for all your help. jacques
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Apr 7, 2010 9:42:55 GMT -7
No worries glad to help. I'm kinda new to Zs myself. There is tons of info on the Z website, that's where I picked up good Intel. I would take her in and have the volume pot checked out. The Mazerati is self biasing... All you need to do is make sure the EL84s are a closely matched quad. I like the Mazerati because it has a simple design and is easy to service.
|
|
|
Post by Tom the Guitar Guy on Apr 21, 2010 8:29:28 GMT -7
Sounds like your tubes are going out. If he's never changed the tubes and played it alot, (more than the combo was played), it may be time for some fresh ones.
|
|