jd151
New Member
Posts: 29
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Post by jd151 on Jan 1, 2012 5:07:34 GMT -7
Hi guys, need a bit of help deciding whether to let the maz 18 reverb go in favor of the EZG50. I find the Maz lacking on bottom end when I gig(1x12 combo) and I'm not that happy with the reverb.(too long, prefer subtle). 18 watts I need to crank for volume levels, giving a distorted breakup. This sounds good apart from when I need it clean. I did have the 38 watt senior at one time and found it too bright sounding as I couldn't turn up the master enough without using an attenuator.(this lost bottom end in the speaker). Ive been advised the EZG50 is the way to go as I mostly play clean and use pedals for the dirt.Dirt on dirt wasn't working with the Maz . Is it overkill a 50 watt amp replacing the 18 watt as I don't play big big places.(mostly bars, clubs function halls etc.) Will I get a nice bottom end at lower volume or will the amp feel lifeless unless its cranked. I also need to trade the Maz to fund the sale. I use Strats and Les Pauls and cover from 60s to Blues to rock music styles. I appreciate any comment as I cant try the amp before I buy it. JD
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Post by Jaguarguy (Mike) on Jan 1, 2012 6:30:31 GMT -7
The EZG DEFINITELY HAS a bottom end, even at lower volumes. Very clean yet distorts well with pedals. Hey Chilicat, maybe you can chip in since it really surprised you when you played it.
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Post by doctorice on Jan 1, 2012 9:26:58 GMT -7
Yes, EZG run clean as a pedal platform will give you ample low end and plenty of headroom. To get amp distortion it needs to be cranked up and is very loud; an Airbrake can be used to control the volume level.
The KT-45 also is loud and stays clean.
My EZG-50 is down currently, so I can't compare the KT-45 (side of my recently arrived 6545) to it. Mike (jaguarguy) may be able to help on this comparison.
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Post by jaymz guitarrez on Jan 1, 2012 10:12:04 GMT -7
hey jd151,
I did test a used ezg beside maz jr R before ordering a new EZG. EZG not arrived so experience is limited about one week.
To start, I love the maz jR for classic rock. Paired with 2 x 12 gold cab and a good single coil, awesome.
The EZG is a completely different amp. With the guitars you have listed, you will definitely enjoy the both the bottom of the EZG (absolutely rocks the Z best cab) and the complexity of the reverb (maz jR simply can not compete) at low volumes and/ or with attenuator.
However, the issue of 'rock music' may be a hurdle. I could never get the 'rock sound' that I sought from my Fender blues jr (way b4 Z experience), no matter what pedal$$$. The EZG (ie., black face like) is more similar to Fender blues jr than Maz jR (ie., Vox like). 'Ripping tone' at low volume will be a trick. Frankie Starr live clips on Youtube may inform the ears better than words. Look for "I got my eyes on you".
Hope you find your answers.
cheers, jg
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Post by Jaguarguy (Mike) on Jan 1, 2012 11:10:53 GMT -7
Here's a couple of videos that show what an EZG 50 can do
and one by our own Jason Hobbs
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Post by rjc1811 on Jan 1, 2012 13:55:07 GMT -7
I love my EZG. It sounds great quiet and even better as you crank it up. The only thing I would caution is the reverb is not subtle. It's the best reverb on an amp I've ever played but it's not subtle and is still a bit long when turned down. I love it but if you don't like reverb it may not be the one for you.
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jd151
New Member
Posts: 29
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Post by jd151 on Jan 1, 2012 17:39:54 GMT -7
Thanks for the replies guys. As for the Frankie Starr video on you tube its not possible to see what amp hes using? Awesome tone though. Im wondering what a Les paul sounds like through this amp. The only video I can find, the guy has P90s in the guitar.Just done a small gig with the Maz 18 tonight(v9, t11,m9,b9,cut8,mv cranked full) sounded nice with pedals. Covered all types of music. Its a worry that once the Maz goes will the EZG deliver the goods.
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Post by drzplayer on Jan 1, 2012 17:58:50 GMT -7
hey man, I own both maz 38 and ezg50 with 4x10 cab and if i had my choice of the 2 i would go with the EZG 50....but I love them both...I like the maz38 senior more for country chicken pickin stuff...you will need an attenuator though if you plan on using this in a small bar and you want the amp to naturally break up....the amp is very adaptable to different guitar...i just bought a Gibson SG standard...and it by far is the best guitar I've put thru this amp...it loves humbuckers! if you are using it and switching from fenders to gibsons...I use a Xotic RC booster to shape the sound and volume differences...I'm gonna post a demo of the ezg 50 with my gibson sg standard soon...if it will help you any...cheers!
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Post by Frankie Starr on Jan 1, 2012 18:04:11 GMT -7
Hi jd151 Almost any live video from the past 5 years is the EZG...I did do one with the MAZ 38 too. But I agree with the others who said it does have a huge sounding bass response, lot's of clean headroom, and does take to pedals very well. Sounds like it would work for you, the only complaint I have ever heard is that it is to loud and clean for some, but not for me. I would also consider staying away from an EZG combo due to the weight....Happy New year everyone !!
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Post by SuperSonic on Jan 1, 2012 19:15:26 GMT -7
My son has the combo and a 2x10 shorty. Glorious. Get a gruv gear cart and you can take it anywhere. It is a heavy mofo fo sho.
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jd151
New Member
Posts: 29
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Post by jd151 on Jan 1, 2012 19:47:34 GMT -7
Brilliant replies. Z forum is the best forum out there. Frankie Starr posting a reply so quickly,where would you get it. Ha ha. Now I know the EZG loves humbucker type guitars I'm gonna take a plunge. Tried some modern Fender amps a few years ago with a Les Paul and it just didn't suit(too boomy). Surely the Docs amp will blow them away. Happy New Year guys and Ill let you know how I get on.Fingers crossed. Its 3 oclock in the morning over here in Ireland and Im away to bed. Joe
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Post by jaymz guitarrez on Jan 2, 2012 9:51:38 GMT -7
Hey again, Great to hear you found helpful information. I was in similar place when trying to make same the decision. To clarify abit, I am definitely not suggesting you buy a Fender , only that the tubes, construct of the EZG amp is "Fendery" by design. My Gibson SG '61 RI with classic 57 HB's sounds amazing through the EZG (but also great through the 'green board' Blues Jr). Amazing as those set ups are, the sound is completely different than '54 Les Paul custom VOS with P90 bridge into Maz jR low input. My point was that if you are going with only one amp, the Maz jR will get you closer to the EZG sound than the EZG will get you to the Maz jR tone. Different tubes, different design. Frankie does a great job getting tone from his EZG but you may not want to give up your maz jR just yet, particularly if you have been disappointed with Fender in the past. Happy New Year, all . jg
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Post by fishman on Jan 2, 2012 13:23:30 GMT -7
had EZG and had KT-45, MAZ38NR and a few others, now have the Remedy...which is right on the money for what I do. either the 50 or the kt 45 will work for you...however, do not disccount the Remedy from this battle....with a 7025 V1 and some NOS powertubes the Remedy can cover fender for days...can also cover plexi and many many more sounds ....and it has plenty of headroom with single coils as well.....if you are in the market it is well worth your time to check out the remedy.....just sayin' YMMV
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Post by sutoman on Jan 5, 2012 9:29:47 GMT -7
The EZG-50 and Maz-18 with reverb are the two amps that I use. I started with the Maz...bottom end is NOT a problem - play through a Z-best and you'll have plenty of low end. I bought the EZG because the Maz could not get me a loud, clean twangy tone that I needed for some old school country songs. I use the EZG for gigs where I need that variety in larger rooms or stages (in small places I'll just use the maz with a 1x12, since it is a smaller rig. I still have some "hair" on the clean tone, but at the lower volumes it is suitable). The EZG needs pedals for overdrive, but it takes pedals really, really well. I play the EZG through the Z-best...love the tone I get with a Paisley drive and a tele. The reverb in the EZG is fantastic...very versatile and controllable. The Maz reverb is less "inspiring". Tough call if you can only have one. If you need loud and clean without sizzle, out of the two options you would have to go EZG. There may be a better choice for you in the Z family. These two are the only ones I am familiar with.
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Post by mtlrecords on Jan 14, 2012 8:35:22 GMT -7
Sounds like this guy needs a Z-Best to go with his MAZ or an EZG-50 and some pedals. If you are playing in a low volume situation, the EZG will never break up on its own. Also, it's got a pretty different sound and feel from the MAZ.
If you are attached to the MAZ 18 and are just wishing for more clean sound I would consider the either the Z-Best 2x12 or adding a 2nd MAZ 18 combo to your rig. Run them both at a lower, cleaner setting and bam- twice the volume!
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Post by Maddog on Jan 14, 2012 8:56:59 GMT -7
If you have the opportunity, you might consider auditioning the "new" Maz Sr. Doc made some substantial changes to it to make it more usuable at low volumes..... I totally LOVE the new Sr....where my Maz 18 failed (moderately loud cleans) the Sr covers perfectly with more color and fullness. And the new tweaks allow me to play it in small clubs w/o even using my BL.....Big Fan....
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Post by taterboy on Jan 31, 2012 21:04:36 GMT -7
mtlrecords, can you expand a little on your suggestion to just add a cab or another Maz18.....?
Im starting to hit some bigger venues with the 18 where Im looking for more headroom. Ive heard that a cab would "push twice as much air" but I dont have any experience if that would really bump it up over the drummer and vocals as much as just getting a larger amp designed for more headroom.
Thanks Taterboy
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Post by drzplayer on Feb 24, 2012 21:28:46 GMT -7
this amp sounds great with a les paul...you just have to turn down the bass....my favorite tone with a les paul is using a carl martin plexitone and straight into the ezg 50 head with a 4x10 cab.....you'd love it if you like the les paul into a plexi type amp sound....cheers!
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Post by mtlrecords on Mar 3, 2012 17:42:06 GMT -7
taterboy,
I haven't been on the forum in a bit. My apologies for not seeing your question. To further explain. Let's say your happily playing in a moderately loud rock band with your MAZ 18 and one day you realize you just aren't getting enough clean volume. You turn up to be louder but the MAZ 18 only gets more distorted as it gets louder= no good (although, obviously a cool tone too, perhaps for another situation).
So an obvious solution might be switching to a 2x12 cab (twice the speakers often helps make an apparently slightly distorted amp "feel" and sound fuller/louder/better. But my guess (having gone through this before) is that even a Z-Best 2x12 cab (incredible cab) will make your MAZ feel a bit louder and better (IMO) but not really get you what you need- more loud, more clean.
So you have other options, personally, if you like the sound of the MAZ 18 1x12 combo...buy a 2nd one. Run the 1st MAZ at edge of breakup/loud clean and when that gets overshadowed by the heavy handed drummer or super loud bassist or whatever, turn on your 2nd MAZ 18 (connected by a stereo device of some kind from your guitar) with the same "cleanish" settings and you just doubled your output. That really ought to do it...but of course it's always wise to try before you buy.
Hope that helps,
Cheers
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