Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Sept 18, 2010 16:34:52 GMT -7
What I mean by the title: I had a Monza before and sold it with-out really giving it a chance. More based on posts than my own experience. I found another head so I bought it again. I have an Aracom as well as a Brake lite .. With either break If I crank the volume to about noon and the gain anywhere from noon to 3 it's awesome. Because the Aracom has more levels I was able to open the amp up more. Personally I don't think it needs it. It seems a bit to much saturation that cranked. My guitar volume at around 3/4 open was a pretty cool Johnny Be good tone. Although I notice playing the solo to Secret agent Man I had to turn the volume up slightly and bring the gain a hair down. There's alot of different tones from 3/4 down. In the same respect I was able to back my guitar volume off and get enough twang to do a few tones. More Keith Urban - You look good in my shirt lick. The lead to Star spangled banner sounds pretty cool also. As with all Z's the pick attack plays a big part in things. Even at low volume for cleans if I dug it you can hear easily still get hair. For smooth rhythm I doubt most in the audience would ever know. I don't find the amp to be to dark nor to bright. With the larger attenuator I can play a pretty nice distorted tone at bedroom volume. Although with the guitar volume down that low Chords at least seem to saturated. For what I was playing the tone seemed fine at noon. I think it is a slight misconception the gain knob increases volume a bunch. It sounds like it's going to but once I start playing it doesn't seem much louder just more saturated. I don't have a decent a/b so I was plugging in back and forth to try my Ray and Monza.. A cool combo. The over-all tone in the Monza goes well with the ray. I bought a head in the forum : The speakers I tried are gh30 and 2 x10's Both in Dr Z Cabs. My h30 isn't broken in so I can't make a fair comparison, but the amp sounded great in bought cabs. One last thing to mention. I have no Humbuckers. I used my Lentz HSL with whatever Scott uses in the bridge and I believe his own P-90 in the Neck. For those of you who want this for a Bedroom amp Well .. Make sure the windows are shut and your the only one home. However with some form of Break I think you can easily use this in the house at decent volumes. The last thing I'll say. It's every bit as loud as the Ray is. I briefly plugged into the Maz Jr for some gain. Just to here the difference. I'd have to say the Maz gain is more Lola or Back in the Ussr gain. The Monza is any loud rock N Roll you can think of. I know Johnny Be good is probably more of a Maz gain _ But it's more fun to play on the Monza. Not sure at this point it's a keeper. I have an SRZ coming. I know I'm going to have some fun with it. At least for awhile. I need some Head and Cab switches though.
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Sept 18, 2010 20:35:22 GMT -7
Great post - Especially the RAY / Monza & volume comments - thanks / tom
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Sept 19, 2010 6:43:33 GMT -7
Great post - Especially the RAY / Monza & volume comments - thanks / tom I played it again this morning along with the Ray. It's very obvious there are strong tone similarities in the Ray and Monza. It's obvious why Doc would put them together in a 2 channel amp. For anyone considering this I'd say the 2 would match up perfect both volume and tone wise. If I hear this already with the small amount of time I've spent. I am sure matching the 2 up will just get better. From a loudness standpoint is all of that and than some. Using a Brakelite is a must . At least for me. With single coil pickups the gain is not as obvious with out using an attenuator . From what I have read in the Air-brake and Brake lite posts. These are basically external MV's. Over time they have become more transparent. Otherwise none of us would be able to use these tube amps in smaller settings or in a 12 x12 room.
|
|
|
Post by nicholas on Sept 19, 2010 8:28:40 GMT -7
Good post. Lost of usable info. I just ordered a 1-12 Monza w BrakeLite. I went with the 12 for a coulpe reasons. One, I have lots of them if I want to try something other than the G12H30. Also most of the 'too loud' posts seemed to come from 1-10 combo owners. I'm sure this suckers loud either way. But that 102 Db redfang might be a little much. Also looking at that little 1-10 combo, the first impression of volume must be shocking. Have you tried any different tubes yet? I'll might try my extra tube set for my MAZ Jr. A 5v4 rec tube and Mullard el84's as I really like those in the MAZ. They seemed to calm it down some.
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Sept 19, 2010 9:34:19 GMT -7
Good post. Lost of usable info. I just ordered a 1-12 Monza w BrakeLite. I went with the 12 for a coulpe reasons. One, I have lots of them if I want to try something other than the G12H30. Also most of the 'too loud' posts seemed to come from 1-10 combo owners. I'm sure this suckers loud either way. But that 102 Db redfang might be a little much. Also looking at that little 1-10 combo, the first impression of volume must be shocking. Have you tried any different tubes yet? I'll might try my extra tube set for my MAZ Jr. A 5v4 rec tube and Mullard el84's as I really like those in the MAZ. They seemed to calm it down some. No I didn't try extra tubes. I had it cranking with the volume at about 3.00 and the gain at 1:00 . To be fair I was using the aracom Attenuator most of the time. I had it on the 4th setting. I did open my guitar volume all the way a few times, but 3/4 was perfect. Keep in mind I was playing in a 12X12 bedroom. When I built the house I sound proof the walls of that room. Eventually my larger room will be done. When I turn the volume down it cleaned up fairly easy. With the attenuator in the same spot my Monza at noon and my Ray at 6 were pretty close match. I have no doubt this amp would be very easy to manage in a small club. With attenuation of course. Probably even with out it. Keep in mind I have played this thing once. I would guess Humbuckers would yield different results in volume. As I mentioned when your turning the gain knob it gives you the impression of less volume or more. I would say it is more of a filling or emptying the room feeling. Without touching the volume I moved the gain back and forth and never touched my guitar controls. I'll try more stuff later ( Use my Brake lite only) and report back. I guess it's because I am used to Z's and the ray, But I was not at all surprised with the volume. It's loud but controllable. The gain has a ton of flavor. Although I could do Country Grit if I needed to. That's about the only thing this can't do in the gain department. I don't know much about speakers either. I would assume a smaller speaker would give the impression of being louder. That might just be it saturates faster. My Twisted tele CS pickups were the least receptive to gain. I really had to open it up to get any crunch. I have to with any amp. I am sure someone using Buckers would experience more volume more gain and darker tones. Myself personally. I don't find this amp to dark at all. I never got around to trying my blues with this amp. Honestly I don't think I'll even bother. I really liked what I heard with Doc's 2x10 cab. Choosing amps off the Internet is trial an error. What I thought I'd like from Doc and what I actually like have often been a surprise. Personally I've always considered myself to have a keen ear. Other than the Maximum settings (and even those for that matter) I don't hear any real difference in tone from attenuation. I am sure there must be some. I have a cat that loves when I play loud. When she first heard the Monza she booked. Once I clicked the Brake lite to 3 she came back. Now I know she hears better than I do. As for the human ear. It's hard for me to imagine someone thinks they hear a difference. I can see how guys are resistant to attenuators. I was myself until I read a post that mentioned a MV is really just attenuation. I relized my dislike was nothing more than a preconceived notions based on remarks I'd heard over the years. Missing out on some awesome amps not wanting to use one JMO
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Sept 19, 2010 10:31:14 GMT -7
Quick Update- Tried the Brake Lite real quick. Seems to be much less loss of volume with the breaklite on 3 than the Aracom at the same setting. However in a House you could still play this amp >> To be fair I do have a home with 6 inch walls / Well insulated. I asked my wife to go outside for a minute. She reluctantly did so. She said she could barely hear me. I was using the Brake-lite on 3 . Amp was gain at 1:00 and Volume at 11:00 . My guitar volume was about 1/2 . Tone at noon on the amp. It was definitely somewhat louder than with the larger attenuator. However there was more saturation at lower guitar volumes. I will try later but I would assume volume and gain could be slightly lower and still have plenty of gain.
My guess is with minor tweaks I can use the Brake-lite just as effectively.
|
|
|
Post by nicholas on Sept 20, 2010 15:47:13 GMT -7
Thanks, just what I wanted to hear. It'll be here this Wed. Looking very much foward to it. I'll give the brakelite a try. Seems to work on the MAZ pretty good, but it really does'nt need it the way I use it. The Monza may, from what poeple say. Truth be told I never worried about a 20 watt amp being too loud.... till I played a Z. I have a sound proof studio at home, as pretty much all my spare time is used in there. I do however worry about my hearing. Judgeing by your post I sould be fine, as I expected. I use humbuckers, and usually keep my bridge on 7-8.5 and roll the tone back a touch. Maybe tone wide open, volume closer to 6 w/ the Monza. I'll see soon enough. Off topic: My local Z dealer keeps telling me they will have a Monza and Remedy in soon. They dont have much inventory for Z's there. I stopped in last week to see if he got one yet. All he had was a Mazeriti GT. I said I want to give it a try. He said "OK, but be carefull, you blow out you ear drums in there I dont want to hear about it." It was funny watching him run out of the room before I turned it on, as if I was ready to light dynimite. He must have found out the hard way.
|
|
|
Post by cragginshred on Sept 21, 2010 20:27:30 GMT -7
I am thinking of getting the 1x12 combo and need input on the brakelite's function as well as if i am going to get the tones I am looking for- Allman bro's slide stuf to ZZ, Santana, Steve miller with some vol roll off of course. Am i looking at the right amp?
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Sept 22, 2010 8:17:40 GMT -7
I am thinking of getting the 1x12 combo and need input on the brakelite's function as well as if i am going to get the tones I am looking for- Allman bro's slide stuf to ZZ, Santana, Steve miller with some vol roll off of course. Am i looking at the right amp? Apparently you haven't heard the words Billy in a Box. The Monza is well suited for what you mention. Depending on where you are playing you'll want a Brake lite or Air Brake. If this is just for your own enjoyment where lugging equipment to a gig isn't an issue. I'd rather have an airbrake. Just for the versatility with attenuation. This little sucker is definitely loud in the confines of a Bedroom. That's a bit of an unfair statement. It's been said before: Tube amps of any size really aren't bedroom level amps. As I mentioned earlier my house and this particular room are very well insulated. However if I feel the need to practice and not bother the other people in the house I use headphones.
|
|
|
Post by toneexplorer on Oct 2, 2010 22:54:18 GMT -7
Hey Rickenbacker53, just curious, how do you use headphones with the Monza?
thanks
|
|
|
Post by hitoverdrive on Oct 3, 2010 6:28:37 GMT -7
Good post. Lost of usable info. I just ordered a 1-12 Monza w BrakeLite. I went with the 12 for a coulpe reasons. One, I have lots of them if I want to try something other than the G12H30. Also most of the 'too loud' posts seemed to come from 1-10 combo owners. I'm sure this suckers loud either way. But that 102 Db redfang might be a little much. Also looking at that little 1-10 combo, the first impression of volume must be shocking. Have you tried any different tubes yet? I'll might try my extra tube set for my MAZ Jr. A 5v4 rec tube and Mullard el84's as I really like those in the MAZ. They seemed to calm it down some. I have rolled a bunch of CP and NOS in the Monza both pre and power tubes and find small variations here and there. Right now I have a Lorenz in V1 and a GE in the PI with RFT EL84's in the power section. I like this combo alot but I also liked others too. I don't like JJ83S's in V1 of any of my amps. Always seem a bit dull or flat to my ears. Maybe it does better with SC guitars... I do like the LPS in the PI position though and also in my other amps as well. Thought a Mullard RI 12AX7 or a Tung Sol 12AX7 in V1 sounded nice too. JJ 84's sound fine. Had some TAD EL84's that sounded great but one ran too hot(burn marks)in a small amount of time and the power section started losing its umph! I recently tried a 5V4 in mine(Head version)and thought it thinned it out a bit and the sag didn't turn me on like I thought it might. I liked the 5AR4/GZ32 which seemed to have a thicker, rounder presence while playing especially while rolling off volume. Currently using a BEL NOS in the rectifier slot. Also tried a Mullard GZ32 but it didn't add anything to the BEL so I'll save it for later. I was using Humbuckers through all my tube rolling. Had the Monza going into a 112 with a Veteran 30 as well as a 412 loaded with GB's. Sounds awesome into the 412.
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Oct 3, 2010 7:30:08 GMT -7
Hey Rickenbacker53, just curious, how do you use headphones with the Monza? thanks Sorry ( I should have clarified that statement. ) My pedal board has a head phone jack .. All your hearing though is pedals. I probably should have left that comment out. I rarely do that. It's not fun to play that way. Also to further understand my statements. The Air Brake from DRZ attenuates 1.8 db per click . There are 4 settings - Aracom 150pro attenuates at 3db per click . There are 6 setting. I have been using the Aracom on level 3 which would still be 1.8 db more than an Airbrake on 4. However the Airbrake is adjustable. I'm not sure but I think the Brakelite is the same db setup as the Airbrake. You just can't adjust it nor does it have a bedroom level. I never us a bedroom level any way.
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Oct 3, 2010 7:33:18 GMT -7
Good post. Lost of usable info. I just ordered a 1-12 Monza w BrakeLite. I went with the 12 for a coulpe reasons. One, I have lots of them if I want to try something other than the G12H30. Also most of the 'too loud' posts seemed to come from 1-10 combo owners. I'm sure this suckers loud either way. But that 102 Db redfang might be a little much. Also looking at that little 1-10 combo, the first impression of volume must be shocking. Have you tried any different tubes yet? I'll might try my extra tube set for my MAZ Jr. A 5v4 rec tube and Mullard el84's as I really like those in the MAZ. They seemed to calm it down some. I have rolled a bunch of CP and NOS in the Monza both pre and power tubes and find small variations here and there. Right now I have a Lorenz in V1 and a GE in the PI with RFT EL84's in the power section. I like this combo alot but I also liked others too. I don't like JJ83S's in V1 of any of my amps. Always seem a bit dull or flat to my ears. Maybe it does better with SC guitars... I do like the LPS in the PI position though and also in my other amps as well. Thought a Mullard RI 12AX7 or a Tung Sol 12AX7 in V1 sounded nice too. JJ 84's sound fine. Had some TAD EL84's that sounded great but one ran too hot(burn marks)in a small amount of time and the power section started losing its umph! I recently tried a 5V4 in mine(Head version)and thought it thinned it out a bit and the sag didn't turn me on like I thought it might. I liked the 5AR4/GZ32 which seemed to have a thicker, rounder presence while playing especially while rolling off volume. Currently using a BEL NOS in the rectifier slot. Also tried a Mullard GZ32 but it didn't add anything to the BEL so I'll save it for later. I was using Humbuckers through all my tube rolling. Had the Monza going into a 112 with a Veteran 30 as well as a 412 loaded with GB's. Sounds awesome into the 412. Searching for a perfect tone that's already there. JMO
|
|
|
Post by hitoverdrive on Oct 3, 2010 7:38:14 GMT -7
I have rolled a bunch of CP and NOS in the Monza both pre and power tubes and find small variations here and there. Right now I have a Lorenz in V1 and a GE in the PI with RFT EL84's in the power section. I like this combo alot but I also liked others too. I don't like JJ83S's in V1 of any of my amps. Always seem a bit dull or flat to my ears. Maybe it does better with SC guitars... I do like the LPS in the PI position though and also in my other amps as well. Thought a Mullard RI 12AX7 or a Tung Sol 12AX7 in V1 sounded nice too. JJ 84's sound fine. Had some TAD EL84's that sounded great but one ran too hot(burn marks)in a small amount of time and the power section started losing its umph! I recently tried a 5V4 in mine(Head version)and thought it thinned it out a bit and the sag didn't turn me on like I thought it might. I liked the 5AR4/GZ32 which seemed to have a thicker, rounder presence while playing especially while rolling off volume. Currently using a BEL NOS in the rectifier slot. Also tried a Mullard GZ32 but it didn't add anything to the BEL so I'll save it for later. I was using Humbuckers through all my tube rolling. Had the Monza going into a 112 with a Veteran 30 as well as a 412 loaded with GB's. Sounds awesome into the 412. Searching for a perfect tone that's already there. JMO I always fine tune a bit with tube changes just to see. Not a necessity by any means and also shouldn't be taken as if the amp needed improvement. Its something I enjoy doing and Like I said it only made minor or subtle changes. I don't think anyone is going to notice live hehe.
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Oct 3, 2010 8:36:17 GMT -7
Searching for a perfect tone that's already there. JMO I always fine tune a bit with tube changes just to see. Not a necessity by any means and also shouldn't be taken as if the amp needed improvement. Its something I enjoy doing and Like I said it only made minor or subtle changes. I don't think anyone is going to notice live hehe. I figured it's sort of a hobby for you. Other than basic changes on tubes I wouldn't know where to begin with out some help. If I ever decide to mess around I'll look you up. For me it's a good thing the on off switch is marked ;D
|
|
|
Post by hitoverdrive on Oct 3, 2010 10:03:34 GMT -7
I always fine tune a bit with tube changes just to see. Not a necessity by any means and also shouldn't be taken as if the amp needed improvement. Its something I enjoy doing and Like I said it only made minor or subtle changes. I don't think anyone is going to notice live hehe. I figured it's sort of a hobby for you. Other than basic changes on tubes I wouldn't know where to begin with out some help. If I ever decide to mess around I'll look you up. For me it's a good thing the on off switch is marked ;D Speakers will make more of a diff anyways. The thing I really like to mess with is guitar roll off and amp volume/drive adjustments. There seems to be alot of nice midgain breakup spots in this amp. A smidgen here... smidgen there...volume up/drive down or volume down/drive up etc hehe. I run mine without attenuation too. I can and I just luv to play it like that. I do have an Airbrake but I find it works better on my other amps even though I got it for the Monza. I just love how raunchy it can get and thats what I use it for...Raunch & Roll!
|
|