|
Post by dubber on Jul 18, 2010 15:03:57 GMT -7
I'm considering a Monza for use at home. Have been reading about how loud it is unattenuated. Just wondering, attenuated is it suitable for home use and does it still give good tone ... or would running the Monza with heavy attenuation pretty much 95% of the time defeat the purpose of this amp?
|
|
|
Post by pcns on Jul 18, 2010 15:18:26 GMT -7
this is a great sounding amp, I highly recomend it no matter what your use but it is loud, even fully attenuated its a bit loud. I like my attenuator set at 2 and my volume at about 10:30 to 11 o'clock with humbuckers and the amp smokes. I do enjoy the amp at lower volumes and with the volume on my guitar dialed back. It still has a lot of touch and nice sustain but way less gainy. If you are thinking home use, like play the amp while the kids are napping type home, I don't know, its 20 watts and it cranks . . . but the tone . . . . . . . . . tough call get one, you figure out how to use it Todd
|
|
|
Post by Pete aka shouldb on Jul 18, 2010 17:25:07 GMT -7
If you REALLY need to attenuate it, get two brake lites in series. I had to do that for a while when guests were staying. Okay, when cranked and the speaker moves some air, it sounds better (don't all good amps??), but the tone was still there even then!
This is a LOUD amp, but it can be tamed and retain its unique quality
Pete ;D
|
|
|
Post by prowler on Jul 18, 2010 20:46:51 GMT -7
In my opinion no tube amp is really bedroom friendly. Some have great master volumes but I'm always left somewhat let down when running my tube amps (Z or otherwise) at low "bedroom" volumes.
|
|
|
Post by dubber on Jul 19, 2010 4:22:24 GMT -7
Thanks for the replies. I think the reality is as prowler says above ... no tube amp is really meant to be played at low volumes ... The Carr Mercury might be the exception ... I think it might have to be an amp modeler for me
|
|
|
Post by pcns on Jul 19, 2010 5:11:58 GMT -7
Thanks for the replies. I think the reality is as prowler says above ... no tube amp is really meant to be played at low volumes ... The Carr Mercury might be the exception ... I think it might have to be an amp modeler for me If you need something quiet get a pod or something like that and then a real amp, like a Monza, for you get the chance to let 'er rip. Todd
|
|
|
Post by doctorice on Jul 19, 2010 7:35:33 GMT -7
The Monza is a monster. IMO there's no reason to have one if you'll only use it at bedroom levels. With a Brake Lite clicked down to 3 (almost max attenuation) with the Monza volume at 10 - 11 o'clock, you'll get 95 to 100 db sound pressure level a couple feet from the amp. That is loud for the home. The Vox AC4TV is a very nice little tube amp. Real simple controls: tone, volume and a switch to go from 4 watts to 1 watt to 1/4 watt (I think it's 1/4). On the 1 watt setting, you can max the volume and get crunchy; at 4 watts dial the volume back and it's clean. I like mine a lot, although it is no Z. If you are after a small Z, the Carmen Ghia or Z-28 also come in 1x10 packages. I've directly a/b tested the Z-28 and its volume is much more manageable than the Monza -- but it still needs the Brake Lite. Mike (doctorice)
|
|
|
Post by nicholas on Jul 19, 2010 18:06:29 GMT -7
I like this thread as I am planning on buying a monza head. I currently have a MAZ Jr. head and a Z 1-12 blue cab. I find the MAZ to work perfectly at home and at band practice. Yea... its pretty loud for 18 watts. But it is very useable. I absolutely love the MAZ for cleans and dirty cleans. In no way do I find it absurdly loud. I do sometimes use a brakelite down one or two clicks, but without it and the master and volume set to noon is not crazy loud for home, at least for me. A ts type pedal kicked on and its possibly the best dynamic gainy amp I have. It is truley a satisifing experience every time I plug in. At home, or practice. I have been using the MAZ for everything from BBKing to HumblePie. I use other amps ( ahem Soldano ) for more modern tones. Will the Monza'a volume scare me? I try to practice every day for 2 hours. So it has to be useable at home. Looking for an addition to the Z's. Not a trade or anything. Love the MAZ. Everyone has a different value for at home volume. If anyone has a MAZ Jr and set cut a 10:00, master noon, volume 1:30, all else around half. That is OK for home use for me. ( The only baby it may wake up is a 72' LP thats been sleeping for 7 years ) Will the Monza sound fat at those volume levels? Will it clean up with guitar volume? Thanks guys. Great forum. Awesome amps. As always thanks for the insight.
|
|
|
Post by doctorice on Jul 19, 2010 19:08:58 GMT -7
I like this thread as I am planning on buying a monza head. I currently have a MAZ Jr. head and a Z 1-12 blue cab. I find the MAZ to work perfectly at home and at band practice. Yea... its pretty loud for 18 watts. But it is very useable. I absolutely love the MAZ for cleans and dirty cleans. In no way do I find it absurdly loud. I do sometimes use a brakelite down one or two clicks, but without it and the master and volume set to noon is not crazy loud for home, at least for me. A ts type pedal kicked on and its possibly the best dynamic gainy amp I have. It is truley a satisifing experience every time I plug in. At home, or practice. I have been using the MAZ for everything from BBKing to HumblePie. I use other amps ( ahem Soldano ) for more modern tones. Will the Monza'a volume scare me? I try to practice every day for 2 hours. So it has to be useable at home. Looking for an addition to the Z's. Not a trade or anything. Love the MAZ. Everyone has a different value for at home volume. If anyone has a MAZ Jr and set cut a 10:00, master noon, volume 1:30, all else around half. That is OK for home use for me. ( The only baby it may wake up is a 72' LP thats been sleeping for 7 years ) Will the Monza sound fat at those volume levels? Will it clean up with guitar volume? Thanks guys. Great forum. Awesome amps. As always thanks for the insight. nicholas, With the MAZ set as you've described for a "baseline" comparison, I'd say, based on my experience with both, the Monza's volume will probably be manageable for you, especially with a Brake Lite.
|
|
|
Post by Pete aka shouldb on Jul 20, 2010 1:42:30 GMT -7
Yeah, I guess we should really define "home" and "bedroom" as too different things! Some guys here have basements and home studios (or no partner/kids trying to watch TV ) so their acceptable volumes can be quite high - I call that "home" volume. Others have families/close neighbours etc., so the volume needs to be contained in a single room - I call that "bedroom" volume. Monza, with BL, will do "home" volume okay. However, no way will it do "bedroom" IMHO ;D I think only the Mini Z will do that. These are pro-quality gigging/recording amps, and need to "breathe" a bit For true bedroom stuff, as Mike said, the Vox AC4TV , or a POD-like aberration, sorry, modeller Pete ;D
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Jul 20, 2010 8:48:01 GMT -7
The Monza also interacts in kind of odd/funky ways with the Brakelite set higher than 2: you can get some problematic overtones, especially with the volume knob cranked past 11:00 or so. Definitely an amp that wants to be LOUD.
|
|
|
Post by asattwanger on Jul 20, 2010 9:27:45 GMT -7
Ha the home volume issue finnaly came to a head here.
When I think of "home" use I think of a house. When I read "bedroom" I think of a bedroom in a house and being aware that other people are in the house with you. Then the is what I call "Condo" level.
Home - house: basicly as loud as you like to punish your ears Bedroom: loud enough to get a full tone aned barely audiable in the other rooms of the house Condo: where your neibors do not complain or hear you 90% of the time.
5 watt tube amps are not condo friendly. It has taken me a long time to nail sweet natural gain tones in a condo friendly living. A 5 watt tube amp is the perfect bedroom amp. It's loud but doesn't rattle everything in the house and people can still watch tv a couple rooms away. Anything more than that your getting into live drums level or smal gig level.
|
|
|
Post by asattwanger on Jul 20, 2010 13:36:24 GMT -7
Lunch break post are always weird.
|
|
|
Post by nicholas on Jul 20, 2010 16:08:06 GMT -7
Thanks guys, that info helps alot. Still checking some other Z's out but pretty sure the Monza will be next. It's pretty much Monza/Galaxie/Remedy. The latter two may be a little more than I need in terms of volume.
It's true, everyone has acceptible limits for home use. I have a soundproof studio at home. I am very glad I skipped some gear purchases to build it. Best gear money ever spent. That doesnt mean I want to ruin my hearing.
All tube amps are loud. I have a 1 watt and some 5 watt tube amps that through a 4-12 are rude. But yea, we should find a better way to identify "home" use. Cause I skipped that Monza due to hearing it's too loud.
If I lived in an apartment or condo that was sensitive to noise I would reccomend an isolation cab and run the mic into good studio monitors. Sounds just like a recording. Not pant flapping good but a better alternative than Line 6 or other amps built like cell phones.
Thanks guys, will most likley be ordering a Monza.... In red of course.
|
|
|
Post by asattwanger on Jul 20, 2010 17:47:34 GMT -7
I wish I lived in a house!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I don't really like playing that loud. 20 watt amps are generaly more than enough and when I had a 20 watt amp I needed 5 watt amps. Now I'm back to needing a 20-40 watter.
Good luck on your Monza. It can't be that loud.
|
|
|
Post by mtlrecords on Jul 20, 2010 18:56:40 GMT -7
Oh, it is that loud. I think there is some discrepancy on the rating for the Monza- I have seen that it has a peak volume of 30 watts- that is Dr. Z Stangray, Vox AC-30, Bruno U-30 territory.
And I have played it a few times through a 2x12 Z-best. No question, the Monza is roaring loud!
The only "bedroom" amps that sound good to me are the Swart AST-20 MK II (master volume = magic) and the Carr Mercury. The Mini-Z is just not my cup of coffee.
Another nice alternative to sub-5 watt amps is to get something like an Rx. Jr with a Brake Lite (15 watts, scaled down much less) or a 65 amps Lil' Elvis (12 watts with a BL too). Those give you a bit more of that "girth" of playing through a muscular tube amp, but with the options for clean headroom or tiny volume. And don't be afraid to use some pedals. In a "bedroom" or "condo" situation, pedals can save the day.
Best of luck!
|
|
|
Post by asattwanger on Jul 21, 2010 2:46:06 GMT -7
Yeah, I'd like to have a Swart AST-20 MKII head for a three Swart set up.
Yep, the Lizard Leg F.Dragon is the key to my home dirty sound and the Weber Micromass is the key to keeping it close to condo levels. Really just the difference between yelling and talking loud. I need to do another series of test with the Dragon. I really want to do one one a Remedy.
|
|
|
Post by hitoverdrive on Jul 21, 2010 8:05:04 GMT -7
This is no "bedroom" amp unless your bedroom is cavernous hehe. I won't play with words or meanings here. Love my Monza wherever I play it but it is no bedroom amp. You need a proper place to unleash this or send the family shopping when wanting to play it unattenuated. I won't use my Airbrake on it. I love its unbridled tone too much. At home I encourage the family to go elsewhere often. My other amps can play quietly at home or much more so.
|
|
|
Post by Pete aka shouldb on Jul 21, 2010 8:13:52 GMT -7
The "problem" with the Monza and its perceived volume is that is was launched in that cute little 1x10 Red Fang combo package. Folks can't help it, but it's then perceived as a loud "small" amp; or a loud "home" or loud "bedroom" amp. WRONG It's just plain LOUD! I don't care what you put it through, it's LOUD! Folk up here accept the Maz18 is a loud amp, but the Monza has a couple more horses corralled in there, and of course these are Z Watts we're talking about - gold plated, full fat, turbo charged Z Watts! So if you're used to 20W from any other off the shelf manufacturer, then you're in for a surprise when you hear this baby To get the full cookin' tubes effect, either a gig venue, or a sound proofed roof are needed. Without a BL, this ain't no "home", "condo" or "bedroom" amp in the same way a 24oz chargrilled T bone steak ain't no MacDonalds cheeseburger All IMHO of course ;D Pete ;D
|
|
|
Post by asattwanger on Jul 21, 2010 9:20:53 GMT -7
A dimed Remedy would be a house/bedroom amp if I lived in a house. Might not be all the time, but as long as it's after 12pm {noon} and before 9pm I don't really care if my neighbors hear it or not.
|
|
|
Post by doctorice on Jul 21, 2010 18:38:36 GMT -7
Without a BL, this ain't no "home", "condo" or "bedroom" amp in the same way a 24oz chargrilled T bone steak ain't no MacDonalds cheeseburger All IMHO of course ;D Pete ;D Well put. And it made me hungry ;D
|
|
|
Post by toneexplorer on Aug 24, 2010 16:26:23 GMT -7
I use my overdrive pedals when I need to play my Monza quietly......just kick on the OCD and crank up the gain and turn down the volume.......Bam!!!......I can play very quietly and still have fun.
Now its always different this way....as opposed to lettin the beast breath, but hey, it works for low volumes.
|
|
|
Post by hitoverdrive on Aug 24, 2010 21:08:48 GMT -7
I use my overdrive pedals when I need to play my Monza quietly......just kick on the OCD and crank up the gain and turn down the volume.......Bam!!!......I can play very quietly and still have fun. Now its always different this way....as opposed to lettin the beast breath, but hey, it works for low volumes. Good idea. It may not give up its best like this but it still is fun to play and the peeps at home aren't run'n for cover... I'll give this a try.
|
|
|
Post by toneexplorer on Aug 25, 2010 18:15:30 GMT -7
Yeah, believe it or not, I can get some pretty cool tones this way........its not at its best like you say, but it keeps me happy for hours on end when the family is in the next room watching mind-numbing TV
|
|
|
Post by bluzman on Aug 25, 2010 20:43:42 GMT -7
Back to the original poster... If you want a bedroom amp or home amp and will have it turned down low, I'd go for a Mini-Z or a Ghia with BL. The Ghia will be giggable in a 1x10... the Mini may too depending. The Monza sounds best when it's loud in my opinion.
|
|
|
Post by toneexplorer on Aug 25, 2010 21:50:25 GMT -7
Hey Bluzman, I totally agree, but I would rather have the option when the wife and kids leave, to K A R A N K! the Monza.......
Look at it this way, I can use the brakelite and a pedal to get it down to a whisper........, to me it sounds like the radio turned way down........of course my stereo sounds much better K A R A N K E D!.........
At least I have options this way.....
|
|
|
Post by pcns on Aug 27, 2010 5:35:15 GMT -7
I alway crack up when I see this thread title . . . Todd
|
|
|
Post by toneexplorer on Aug 30, 2010 16:13:51 GMT -7
I know!....it sounds naughty......what happens in the bedroom should stay in the bedroom..
|
|
|
Post by pcns on Aug 30, 2010 16:21:27 GMT -7
I know!....it sounds naughty......what happens in the bedroom should stay in the bedroom.. lol, not because of " that", because of the thought of a Monza being quiet lol
|
|
|
Post by toneexplorer on Aug 30, 2010 18:06:55 GMT -7
Ha ha......I knew what you meant just havin some fun.....
|
|