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Post by iand1821 on Nov 28, 2010 22:00:40 GMT -7
Hello Fellow Z talkers,
I have been heavily browsing this forum for the past few weeks and have thoroughly enjoyed listing to clips, watching vids, and learning about the Good Doc's guitar amplifying creations.
I think I found a pretty sweet deal on a version 2 Mazerati 2x12 with English Greenbacks in it, and sent the owner a downpayment to hold it for me while I sell my ac30 cc head, Mesa 1x12 cab, and Red Fang speaker (that I JUST ordered to throw in the Mesa cab) to raise the rest of the funds to acquire this glorious tone machine.
Anyway, just wanted to say I am stoked to join the Z owners club!
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Post by Martanthegreat on Nov 29, 2010 9:38:27 GMT -7
Welcome friend, What a great amp to start with. One of the only Z's Ive sold I will buy again. Only next time I will buy a version 1 due to the need for breakup at lower volumes. it will not let you down.
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Post by Deleted on Nov 29, 2010 9:38:28 GMT -7
iand1821, your ears will thank you. Welcome to the club and give us some pics when you finally pick her up. I own a version one and it's my main rig for life. Built like a tank, simple and gnarly.
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Post by Merks on Nov 29, 2010 17:05:15 GMT -7
I saw that one on Ebay.... a blonde V2 with 2 greenbacks for 1100! Sweeeeeeeet deal my friend. Welcome aboard!
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Post by iand1821 on Dec 9, 2010 14:43:52 GMT -7
Alright, so tonight the Rati is getting delivered! The UPS guy always comes by my apartment at the same time so I think I'm going to meet him outside (save him a trip UP the stairs to my apt and me a trip down!) and throw (gently place) my new beauty in my car and head straight to my office to open her up!
I think I got a smokin deal - the seller had the Rati listed on ebay for $1,050 plus $75 for shipping and I offered $950 plus shipping and he agreed!
I will take some pics and post some Rati-porn when I get home and review what I hope will be my last amp! (or maybe first of a few Z's)
Ian
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Post by rcrecelius on Dec 9, 2010 16:50:11 GMT -7
Yeah...most likely the first of many...seems to be the trend around here anyway Enjoy!
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Post by Deleted on Dec 9, 2010 21:29:47 GMT -7
Alright, so tonight the Rati is getting delivered! The UPS guy always comes by my apartment at the same time so I think I'm going to meet him outside (save him a trip UP the stairs to my apt and me a trip down!) and throw (gently place) my new beauty in my car and head straight to my office to open her up! I think I got a smokin deal - the seller had the Rati listed on ebay for $1,050 plus $75 for shipping and I offered $950 plus shipping and he agreed! I will take some pics and post some Rati-porn when I get home and review what I hope will be my last amp! (or maybe first of a few Z's) Ian
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Post by iand1821 on Dec 10, 2010 18:52:03 GMT -7
so far I've only had a chance to play at EXTREMELY low volume in my apt, but even when barely on this thing sounds clear, articulate, and lets the character of my guitar (either tele or strat) shine through. I can't wait until tonight when I get cook those power tubes at my office! Here's my beauty:
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Post by Deleted on Dec 11, 2010 8:21:23 GMT -7
so far I've only had a chance to play at EXTREMELY low volume in my apt, but even when barely on this thing sounds clear, articulate, and lets the character of my guitar (either tele or strat) shine through. I can't wait until tonight when I get cook those power tubes at my office! Here's my beauty: Wait it get's better Try two 5751s the heavens will open up. Great lookin' amp enjoy.
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Post by iand1821 on Dec 11, 2010 13:10:39 GMT -7
Last night I had my first opportunity to crank my new Mazerati, played with a tele with Lollar's.
I think the first word that comes to mind to describe this amp is aggressive. There seems to be very little "sag" or "spongy-ness" - or for lack of a better way to describe what I heard, the amp feels pretty stiff. The feel and tone is quite different from the AC30cc I just sold to help pay for this amp, and I'm not sure I like it so far, but I want to give this amp some time to grow on me.
Something else I noticed is that the midrange really seems to leap out - the lows are nice and strong, but the highs seem to take a backseat to the burst of midrange this thing puts out (even after adjusting the tone. I think I remember hearing that Greenbacks are pretty midrangey speakers, and this thing has a pair of them in it.
How would those of you with V2's describe this amp? Has anyone else had Greenbacks in this one, and experimented with other speakers? I think a swap for a different speaker configuration is in my future.
therecordfable - what's the benefit of putting a two 5751's in? I currently have an ECC83 n v1.
Ian
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Post by rcrecelius on Dec 11, 2010 13:43:57 GMT -7
I have a v2 Mazerati and I dont find it stiff at all...very forgiving with its natural sag/compression...of course ya gotta get the volume up past noon to really get into that territory....
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Post by Deleted on Dec 11, 2010 14:43:18 GMT -7
Last night I had my first opportunity to crank my new Mazerati, played with a tele with Lollar's. I think the first word that comes to mind to describe this amp is aggressive. There seems to be very little "sag" or "spongy-ness" - or for lack of a better way to describe what I heard, the amp feels pretty stiff. The feel and tone is quite different from the AC30cc I just sold to help pay for this amp, and I'm not sure I like it so far, but I want to give this amp some time to grow on me. Something else I noticed is that the midrange really seems to leap out - the lows are nice and strong, but the highs seem to take a backseat to the burst of midrange this thing puts out (even after adjusting the tone. I think I remember hearing that Greenbacks are pretty midrangey speakers, and this thing has a pair of them in it. How would those of you with V2's describe this amp? Has anyone else had Greenbacks in this one, and experimented with other speakers? I think a swap for a different speaker configuration is in my future. therecordfable - what's the benefit of putting a two 5751's in? I currently have an ECC83 n v1. Ian More clean headroom and tighter response. How old are the tubes in her now? I have a version one so I might bow out here. I also have a head played through a Z Best 212. I hope you give it more time I was impressed from the start. I'm in the process of making another Video to showcase the V1.
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Post by iand1821 on Dec 11, 2010 15:20:46 GMT -7
rcrecelius - I tried adjusting the volume all over the place - even had it around 3 o clock at one point. It seemed like anything past 1 o clock gave me insta feedback. What speakers do you run with your V2?
These are the tubes currently in it, and the previous owner said they were the ones in it when he bought it two years ago.
1x JJ ECC83 1x GE 5751 - USA 4x JJ EL84 1x Ruby 5AR4C
Any suggestions for taming this thing to get a little more sag?
I'm about to go play my strat through it and see give it another listen.
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Post by Deleted on Dec 11, 2010 19:21:44 GMT -7
rcrecelius - I tried adjusting the volume all over the place - even had it around 3 o clock at one point. It seemed like anything past 1 o clock gave me insta feedback. What speakers do you run with your V2? These are the tubes currently in it, and the previous owner said they were the ones in it when he bought it two years ago. 1x JJ ECC83 1x GE 5751 - USA 4x JJ EL84 1x Ruby 5AR4C Any suggestions for taming this thing to get a little more sag? I'm about to go play my strat through it and see give it another listen. Depending on use I would highly recommend a tube change, it could be a bum rectifier. I can have mine up full and not get feedback unless I'm playing a hollow body of course.
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Post by Deleted on Dec 12, 2010 9:14:45 GMT -7
I have a version 2 with Celestion Blues. I too found that it grew on me over time. The guy I bought it from let me have it for about a month to play at gigs and decide if I wanted it. After a couple of weeks I decided I probably wouldn't want it but still wasn't 100% completely sure. At first I told the seller I wouldn't be buying it but because he lived a couple hours away he said just keep it for the month. After the month I decided to keep it as I though it would be an adequate backup for my Stangray head and cab. I would end up bringing my Mazerati to some gigs and after about a couple of months I started bringing it to every gig. I liked how well it sounded with my pedals. After about 6 months of never using my Stangray. I waited till I got my Crook as that was the true test. I wanted to see which amp the Crook sounded better with. And that ended up being the Mazerati. I like an amp that is clean and I get my overdrive from the pedals. The Crook pups were hotter and with the stangray I ended up having less clean room than the Mazerati.
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Post by iand1821 on Dec 12, 2010 12:22:05 GMT -7
thanks for the input fellas.
I think I will try swapping some tubes, beginning with the rectifier.
any suggestions?
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Post by Deleted on Dec 12, 2010 12:32:52 GMT -7
Sovtek 5AR4
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Post by Deleted on Dec 13, 2010 8:30:46 GMT -7
I have an NOS Mullard in mine with another NOS (can't remember the name) both of which I picked up from KCA NOS. I chose to go with NOS for the rectifiers simply for reliability. Alot of people swear there is an improvement in tone with NOS recs but I don't really hear it.
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Post by Deleted on Dec 13, 2010 10:43:27 GMT -7
I have an NOS Mullard in mine with another NOS (can't remember the name) both of which I picked up from KCA NOS. I chose to go with NOS for the rectifiers simply for reliability. Alot of people swear there is an improvement in tone with NOS recs but I don't really hear it. I had a JJ GZ34 that didn't last very long but so far so good with the Sovtek. If this on craps out I'm going NOS for sure.
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Post by Deleted on Dec 13, 2010 13:45:09 GMT -7
I have an NOS Mullard in mine with another NOS (can't remember the name) both of which I picked up from KCA NOS. I chose to go with NOS for the rectifiers simply for reliability. Alot of people swear there is an improvement in tone with NOS recs but I don't really hear it. I had a JJ GZ34 that didn't last very long but so far so good with the Sovtek. If this on craps out I'm going NOS for sure. I've been told those current production rectifiers can last anywhere from 5 minutes to 2 years. I have a JJ and a sovtek as well. They came in amps that I've bought and I've never used either one more than a month or 2. I'll keep them though. You never know when you'll need them in a pinch.
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Post by iand1821 on Dec 13, 2010 18:42:58 GMT -7
Update:
I spent a few hours the last couple nights with the new Rati and my strat, and I think I think I really do enjoy this amp.
I played with the volume right around the 12 o clock point, and got the edge of breakup cleans I was hoping for.
I'm really impressed with the tightness of the low end on this baby.
I don't think Greenbacks are the right speakers though, for the tone I ultimately want. Weber blues/Red fangs are in my future, hopefully to add a little more sparkle to the top end, tame the midrange, and compress a little differently.
Overall this is a great amp and I'm glad I got it!
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Post by Rich (fbb90) on Dec 13, 2010 18:51:46 GMT -7
Update: I spent a few hours the last couple nights with the new Rati and my strat, and I think I think I really do enjoy this amp. I played with the volume right around the 12 o clock point, and got the edge of breakup cleans I was hoping for. I'm really impressed with the tightness of the low end on this baby. I don't think Greenbacks are the right speakers though, for the tone I ultimately want. Weber blues/Red fangs are in my future, hopefully to add a little more sparkle to the top end, tame the midrange, and compress a little differently. Overall this is a great amp and I'm glad I got it! My favorite speakers w/ my Mazerati are a pair of Weber AlNiCo Silver 10"s or a Celestion 12" Gold. AlNiCo speakers really shine w/ the Mazerati. I'm glad to hear you're enjoying the amp!
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Post by Deleted on Dec 14, 2010 9:01:41 GMT -7
Update: I spent a few hours the last couple nights with the new Rati and my strat, and I think I think I really do enjoy this amp. I played with the volume right around the 12 o clock point, and got the edge of breakup cleans I was hoping for. I'm really impressed with the tightness of the low end on this baby. I don't think Greenbacks are the right speakers though, for the tone I ultimately want. Weber blues/Red fangs are in my future, hopefully to add a little more sparkle to the top end, tame the midrange, and compress a little differently. Overall this is a great amp and I'm glad I got it! Try a Z Best cab.
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Post by iand1821 on Dec 14, 2010 11:10:24 GMT -7
I have a combo version.
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Post by Deleted on Dec 14, 2010 12:43:07 GMT -7
Der my bad . Is there a speaker out on the combos? I hope you find the right combination of speakers. I'm sure she will grow on ya.
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Post by rcrecelius on Dec 14, 2010 12:54:12 GMT -7
Sorry I forgot to check back in on this thread but it sounds like you are making some progress. I run my 2/12 combo with a Celestion Gold and a Weber Ceramic Blue...its a good sound for me.
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Post by rogdent on Dec 15, 2010 8:12:41 GMT -7
When I bought my 03 mazerati head I tried it out through a z best. From the first chord I played I knew that this was the amp for me. I couldn't spend the extra money at the time to get the z best, & the color didn't match anyway, but I just love the sound of it. I now run it through the Z 2-10 cab and I think I like the sound even more.
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Post by Deleted on Dec 15, 2010 8:29:15 GMT -7
When I bought my 03 mazerati head I tried it out through a z best. From the first chord I played I knew that this was the amp for me. I couldn't spend the extra money at the time to get the z best, & the color didn't match anyway, but I just love the sound of it. I now run it through the Z 2-10 cab and I think I like the sound even more. There is something just right about the Z Best.
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Post by Fiestared69 on Dec 15, 2010 16:04:46 GMT -7
Love The Mazerati's !!!! I own and gig 2 of them and 04 and 06 , can't get rid of them !! The only amp that tempts me is the Z Wreck !! The Mazerati is a workin' musicians amp ,..... "It does it all and does it well"
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Post by Jacques Belanger on Dec 16, 2010 8:12:52 GMT -7
yup.....I've got a v2 Mazarati 2x10 combo and it's my perfect amp. i traded a v2 Mazarati head for a Z-28 head ....and while i "like" the z-28......i really wish i kept the Mazerati. only gear trade i regret....
jacques
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