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Post by nicholas on Jun 22, 2010 15:24:36 GMT -7
Hey Guys, gotta say great forum. I have had some excellent help here, athough it did start a slight addiction. Sorry for the long post. I dug deep in the Monza threads to no avail. I have a MAZ Jr. I love this thing. I am getting older ( so are you ) and my musical tastes have changed. I am a EVH clone, thats what I grew up on and thats what got us gigs when I was younger. But as everything else changes, so do I. I have gravitated to less complex amps. It seems the lack of abundant controls makes me play better. And flat out sounds better. I have owned latley several high end amps recently in my quest for tone in these changing times. I have since found a serious bonding with the MAZ. Although I have not had it for long, it is a eye opener for me. DR.Z offers so many amps it is really hard to pick my second Z. Hell it was hard to pick my first. But this is the Monza page. What is it all about? I have really awesome cleans and verb with the MAZ. Although it has some gain in it, the volume has to be pretty loud to really lay it on. Mostly I play at home, just jamming to CD's or recording tracks for our drummer. So volume is an issue, but the MAZ is fine as far as volume goes. With a brakelite set to half, I can dime everything if I needed to. With the drummer and bassist it had enough volume. Just enough. So my next soon to be amp will be another Z. But again I lean on your shoulders for the model. QUESTION: Will the MONZA be nice at home? Will it have more gain for my LP's at home volume? Will it be too much gain at band practice? Thank you guys so much for your help
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Post by Pete aka shouldb on Jun 22, 2010 18:34:36 GMT -7
The Monza is a little beast! Make no mistake, this thing doesn't take prisoners! You won't get those lovely chimey Maz cleans with a Monza!! However, what you will get is some serious dirt, and sustain to die for! Make sure you get a BL as well - this sucker is LOUD too! Personally, I have a Monza head and run it through my Maz18 combo's G12H30 speaker when I can - I like it best through that one. I also run it through the Red Fang 10" in my Carmen Ghia combo. It's still great there, but more fulfilling through the 12" IMHO. Choices are, again IMHO, for the small watt amps, either the Monza or the Carmen Ghia. The Monza is dirtier and more overdriven than the Ghia, if that's your taste. Others will no doubt have very different views, and I look forward to seeing them Cheers Pete ;D
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Post by mikeslub on Jun 22, 2010 18:51:35 GMT -7
The Monza is very loud and very dark to my ears. Definitely an acquired taste. As Pete says, you will definitely need a Brake Lite. I had to go with a slightly brighter and less "in your face" speaker (a Weber Blue pup) to make it more tolerable to my ears. You should also be ready to try different guitars and different amp settings until you find some combinations that work for you. Can you possibly try before you buy? Good luck with your decision.
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Post by doctorice on Jun 23, 2010 8:42:45 GMT -7
nicholas:
Set up your MAZ like this (numbers are o'clock style):
V max T 9:30 M max B 3:30 C 8:30 verb off
Lo input (but try Hi as well)
With my EC Strat with guitar volume in the 6-7 setting (out of 10) the MAZ crudely approximates my Monza (1x10) with V @ 10, Drive at 9 and Tone @ 11. Brake Lites on 3 for both, but still very loud at home, so be careful
Try this to see if the tone and grit are to your liking. If they are, then a Monza may make a lot of sense as a complement to a MAZ set clean with 'verb. My Monza settings are fairly "tame" and you can go from there into a zone that I don't think the MAZ will get to without pedals.
On the other hand, if you don't much like the results on your MAZ, the Monza may not be the ideal next Z for you.
Of course, if you can get to play one, that's the best test.
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Post by teleric on Jun 23, 2010 9:04:56 GMT -7
I'm going though the same analysis right now, and have pretty much set my mind on getting a Monza.
I've been looking for the perfect grab 'n go amp and after sitting down with a Monza head & 12" in the store (haven't played the 10" combo). I'm sold on the Monza - now I just gotta scrape up the mad money.
I've recently had a few gigs in smaller venues (crowds of 50-100) where the 6545 was overkill and the Maz 18 was still a bit too much. I was forced to do the gigs with my "noodling" amp, a Fender Super Champ XD (that I received in a gear trade). I actually like the Super Champ (since loading it with a 10" celestion gold - I've got more invested in the speaker than the amp), but it doesn't "breathe" like the Monza does.
I'm kind of focused on the 1X10 combo (staying with the grab n go thing), and have a decent stash of 10" speakers to try out with it (greenback, golds, 10" Vintage 30's) should the red fang not be to my liking.
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Post by The Bad Poodle Experience on Jun 23, 2010 9:21:52 GMT -7
brake lite, brake lite, brake lite. Without it, it will be too loud for home and probably practice (depending on how loud the band practices). Also, too loud for smaller (50-100 person) venues without the BL. But, it will get you some beautiful dirt and sustain.
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Post by Pete aka shouldb on Jun 23, 2010 9:48:54 GMT -7
I'm going though the same analysis right now, and have pretty much set my mind on getting a Monza. I've been looking for the perfect grab 'n go amp and after sitting down with a Monza head & 12" in the store (haven't played the 10" combo). I'm sold on the Monza - now I just gotta scrape up the mad money. I've recently had a few gigs in smaller venues (crowds of 50-100) where the 6545 was overkill and the Maz 18 was still a bit too much. I was forced to do the gigs with my "noodling" amp, a Fender Super Champ XD (that I received in a gear trade). I actually like the Super Champ (since loading it with a 10" celestion gold - I've got more invested in the speaker than the amp), but it doesn't "breathe" like the Monza does. I'm kind of focused on the 1X10 combo (staying with the grab n go thing), and have a decent stash of 10" speakers to try out with it (greenback, golds, 10" Vintage 30's) should the red fang not be to my liking. WARNING!!! Just a wee note of warning to all - don't think that because the Monza 1x10 is a nice cute little grab and go package that it's a cute little baby amp - it's flipping LOUD, easily as loud as the Maz (the MAz is 18W and Monza 20W). If it's a lower volume you want, maybe a Ghia and OD pedal might work better? But get a BL for absolute sure with a Monza and think of it as a Stepped MV. Just thought I'd mention it.............. ;D Enjoy! Pete ;D
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Post by doctorice on Jun 23, 2010 11:23:07 GMT -7
Agree with poodle and Pete on all counts.
I have gigged the Monza -- last time was in the hangar deck of an aircraft carrier -- and could not get it to clean up as much as I would have liked. I subsequently found that by moving the guitar volume lower than where I'd run it with the MAZ and notching the Brake Lite to less attenuation I could get very useable cleanish sound for blues / rock material. But I then have to click the BL to be able to push the guitar volume up and prod the little beast into its preferred zone.
I do love the 1x10 format and I've been pleased with the Red Fang.
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Post by teleric on Jun 23, 2010 11:38:18 GMT -7
yeah I recall it being loud from demoing one in the store. I'm hopeful that a BL will tame it where necessary (I am curious how the Monza combo sounds with a BL as I don't particularly like the airbrake with my 6545). My lust for the Monza, however is driven primarily by the size of the package. I don't currently own a suitable grab n go combo amp - mostly heads & cabs in my arsenal. The size/weight of the Monza is very appealing to me.
I'm still amazed at the output of most Z amps I play. For the rated watts, they're generally able to keep up with anything (My Maz jr keeps pace with a 100 watt JCM 800 at band practice). And I'll go to my grave doubting that the Stang Ray is a 30 watt amp.
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Post by doctorice on Jun 23, 2010 12:09:25 GMT -7
yeah I recall it being loud from demoing one in the store. I'm hopeful that a BL will tame it where necessary (I am curious how the Monza combo sounds with a BL as I don't particularly like the airbrake with my 6545). My lust for the Monza, however is driven primarily by the size of the package. I don't currently own a suitable grab n go combo amp - mostly heads & cabs in my arsenal. The size/weight of the Monza is very appealing to me. I'm still amazed at the output of most Z amps I play. For the rated watts, they're generally able to keep up with anything (My Maz jr keeps pace with a 100 watt JCM 800 at band practice). And I'll go to my grave doubting that the Stang Ray is a 30 watt amp. The Monza more than hangs with my bands. I have to use the BL even at gigs. I don't detect any degradation of the tone: it's really like the BL is a master volume. The 1x10 is just great for grab and go. Challenge is grab and go with Monza, Carmen Ghia or Z-28? (I checked with Brent and the head versions can be swapped into the combo box.)
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Post by toneexplorer on Jun 23, 2010 17:39:53 GMT -7
"SHOULD I BUY ONE?"..............
thats like asking the kid at the drive-through window if he thinks you should get fries with that!..... thats like asking the guy at 7-11 if you should come again!...... thats like asking the wife if you should turn down your new DR. Z MONZA that you just picked up!!!!!
Booooyaaaaa......of course you should buy one! EVERYONE SHOULD BUY ONE!!!!!!!!
Go down to your local geeeetar store and pick one up......there just GIVIN THEM AWAY!!!!!
Now the legal stuff: (actual price may vary, if you experience an erection lasting longer than 4 hrs seek immediate medical attention).
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Post by Pete aka shouldb on Jun 24, 2010 10:18:31 GMT -7
"SHOULD I BUY ONE?".............. thats like asking the kid at the drive-through window if he thinks you should get fries with that!..... thats like asking the guy at 7-11 if you should come again!...... thats like asking the wife if you should turn down your new DR. Z MONZA that you just picked up!!!!! Booooyaaaaa......of course you should buy one! EVERYONE SHOULD BUY ONE!!!!!!!! Go down to your local geeeetar store and pick one up......there just GIVIN THEM AWAY!!!!! Now the legal stuff: (actual price may vary, if you experience an erection lasting longer than 4 hrs seek immediate medical attention). HAHAHAHA! Have some karma for THAT post ;D Pete
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Post by Deleted on Jun 24, 2010 12:07:55 GMT -7
Definitely buy one, but don't expect the Swiss Army Knife experience you get with the MAZ. The Monza is unruly, rude and hard to control--I found myself swapping out tubes until I found a gain-flavor that sounded right, but since I replaced the stock 5AR4 rectifier with a GZ34 I'm a happy, happy camper. I'd disagree that the Monza's dark--I have a 112 that's bright, bright, bright--I generally keep the tone at about 9:00, and still have to roll off the tone knobs on my Strat. I also add a touch of reverb with a Spring Chicken to darkent things up even a bit more. Do read the threads about the MAZ/Monza combination--it's a two-amp match made in heaven. If you're going to invest in a Monza, might as well pop for a good ABY pedal while you're at it.
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Post by toneexplorer on Jun 24, 2010 20:09:59 GMT -7
Thanks Pete, Just having some fun!!!!!
Luvin my Monza & Ghia in S T E R E O.....
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Post by Pete aka shouldb on Jun 25, 2010 1:01:18 GMT -7
Thanks Pete, Just having some fun!!!!! Luvin my Monza & Ghia in S T E R E O..... Now THAT I have to try............ ;D
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