|
Post by daydream on Jun 4, 2012 16:13:18 GMT -7
I know this issue has been spoken too times, but I'm lost and I need you help. My MAZ head sounds very good, but the greenback in my 1x12 convertible cab sometime becomes harsh, too "in your face".
I'm thinking go for the gold, but it's expensive and I'm afraid the gold would be edgy with my tele.
Would fit better a WGS Reaper or a ET-65?
I play indie-rock, 70% clean to crunch,30% grit with OCD and Big Muff. My guitar is a NAsh Tele'63.
Thanks In advance
|
|
|
Post by fevzay on Jun 4, 2012 16:25:42 GMT -7
I'll play.
First off, the Gold would give you more bottom end than a Greenback ever will. The highs will be similar, but the Gold should be a little bit sweeter on top. If your Greenback hasn't broken in all the way just give it some time. It'll soften up over time, and lose any harshness.
For my money, I found more of a bang for the buck experimenting with different tubes in V1 and power tubes. If you're running JJ's throughout, then they are a very high mid / harsh sounding tube (both ECC83's and EL84's). It could also just be time to replace your power tubes. Things get thinner and thinner sounding when the power tubes go out.
So...the speaker is a great start, but I'd give tubes some thought as well. If you can, check out an ANOS (only a little more than new production tubes) 12AX7 and possibly some Electro-Harmonix EL84's. That'd knock out any harshness you're hearing. If nothing else, then you'd have extra tubes (which you should anyway).
Hope that atleast kickstarts the thread for you!
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Jun 4, 2012 18:11:48 GMT -7
I tried the G12H30 the Blue then the Gold and it was a done deal. I love the Gold with the Maz jr. Nr. I also play the clean to crunch tones you describe and use a big muff flavored Fuzz. Basically the Black Arts Pharaoh and all I can say is the Gold is the best speaker I have tried with the Maz it has great bottom end and a very pristine tone to it. It has a similar tone in the highs but its much sweeter sounding then the greenback. I was experimenting when I put my Gold from my 1/12 cab into my MAZ jR combo and was so impressed with it I left it in my combo and ended up buying another gold for my 1/12 cab. I would honestly say yes its the ultimate speaker for the maz. Some like the blue but I personally found the bass mushy the Gold ended my speaker search for the maz.
|
|
|
Post by iluvpunz on Jun 4, 2012 18:21:44 GMT -7
I love the Gold and have one that I use sometimes with my Maz Jr NR. It is a very efficient, loud speaker and sounds great. Because it is so efficient there are times I have to bring the Brake Lite down too far and I don't care for the tones with the Brake Lite lower than 2 clicks. I've been using an Austin Speaker Works KTS-60 for the last year and I really like it. It's a little bit lower in efficency with tight full bottom and all of the tones and harmonics are there. If you play smaller rooms you might consider the KTS-60. It's a great all around speaker and works very well for clean and overdriven tones.
|
|
|
Post by benttop (Steve) on Jun 4, 2012 18:50:12 GMT -7
The Gold rules.
|
|
|
Post by nigel (Rick) on Jun 4, 2012 19:15:18 GMT -7
I'm new to the maz but not new to tube amps. I recently bought a used maz jr. And liked it from the start but it seamed a little harsh up top to me. I figured either tubes or speakers. Tubes are cheaper, So I bought both, :-) The amp was used so power tubes were questionable. After searching this forum I put in some "Preferred Select??" Russian tubes from the tube store.com. This helped, as New good tubes always help. But, for me ( and my wifey who has non-damaged ears), the Celestion Gold was quite a WOW-factor.
|
|
|
Post by daydream on Jun 5, 2012 1:53:25 GMT -7
Thanks for your answers!!! After been reading a long, I ordered a pair of TAD EL84-str that seems to tame a little the harshness of the maz. The KCANOS shipping costs to Spain are a little expensive, so I'l try alternatives in Europe, do you know anything?
I gor for the speaker right now because a sold a lot of gear and I have a extra cash I can spend in it. I'm looking fullness, harmonic richness, well rounded and FAT sound....
|
|
|
Post by nigel (Rick) on Jun 5, 2012 6:28:17 GMT -7
Daydream, I ALSO bought a set of the TAD EL-84s but not installed them yet. Let us know what you think of them. Good luck with the speaker hunt. To me the Gold is HUGE! I'm a newbie. This forum is the best. Super nice people who are willing to share their knowledge & experience.
|
|
|
Post by Andy 67 on Jun 6, 2012 16:04:27 GMT -7
The Gold rules. Amen!
|
|
|
Post by 1juicy1 on Jun 6, 2012 22:06:31 GMT -7
ET-65!! I've tried 'em all and this my all time fav even over the Blue and Gold. You can check out my detailed speaker reviews if ya want.
|
|
|
Post by daydream on Jun 7, 2012 1:37:13 GMT -7
ET-65!! I've tried 'em all and this my all time fav even over the Blue and Gold. You can check out my detailed speaker reviews if ya want. I've read carefully your experience, but I'm afraid th et-65 would be too bassy and undefined whit the gain up. I play Indie-Rock, so I need clean-to-crunch nice tones, but great grit with pedals too (od's and fuzzes). And everything in a 1x12 with a singles fitted tele!!! Do you think the ET-65 is my speaker?
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Jun 9, 2012 9:03:49 GMT -7
I have three 1x12 cabs, one each with a Blue, a Gold and a G12H30. The MAZ 18 sounds great through all of them (and it's HUGE through both the Blue and Gold). All of the Celestions I've tried are a bit harsh on top until broken in--that can take somewhere between ten and twenty hours of playing time, depending. We play a mix of classic rock, dirty blues and rockabilly-esque stuff, and for me the Blue shades the Gold just a tad because of its glorious upper mids. You do have to watch the Blue a bit to keep the bass from getting farty, though. For your purposes, I'd actually recommend the G12H30--reasonably round top, good tight bass, sweet breakup, a bit scooped in the lower mids. The Gold is glorious, though--you'll love it!
|
|
|
Post by cheycaster on Jun 9, 2012 9:51:17 GMT -7
On a tight Budget? The G12H30 or the WGS Reaper is stellar and wworks great with a Toob-Screamer type OD. the Gold I just got is is still in the first 10 hours of use and sounds great but it's gotta be broken in I can tell. I love the G12H30 70 th anniversary with my 01 MAZ jr,.
|
|
|
Post by daydream on Jun 9, 2012 15:47:29 GMT -7
I've been talking with the WGS people, and they recomend the Blackhawk 50W. They said is their version of the Gold, but just a LITTLE rounded in the highs. What do you think about it?
|
|
|
Post by benttop (Steve) on Jun 9, 2012 15:56:03 GMT -7
I've never played that one. I've played a few others that claimed to be "just like the Gold" but they were nothing like it. Not sure why it sounds the way it does, but they definitely have the magic sauce in that one.
|
|
|
Post by 1juicy1 on Jun 9, 2012 20:44:45 GMT -7
"so I need clean-to-crunch nice tones, but great grit with pedals too (od's and fuzzes)"
That's exactly what I was after. The most important part of my tone is a killer tight OD/distortion(Warren Haynes, ect) All of the alnicos I tried were too loose and flubby for my tastes. The ET-65 also sounds beautiful for cleans on my tele and strat with my guitar volume rolled back. I never found it too bassy, just right on all tonal spectrums. Good luck with your search and keep us posted!
|
|
|
Post by daydream on Jun 10, 2012 11:15:50 GMT -7
"so I need clean-to-crunch nice tones, but great grit with pedals too (od's and fuzzes)" That's exactly what I was after. The most important part of my tone is a killer tight OD/distortion(Warren Haynes, ect) All of the alnicos I tried were too loose and flubby for my tastes. The ET-65 also sounds beautiful for cleans on my tele and strat with my guitar volume rolled back. I never found it too bassy, just right on all tonal spectrums. Good luck with your search and keep us posted! I'm really confused. I read a lot of people telling the Gold is the greatest speaker for the MAZ. but The videos and audio demos I've heard show me a bright tone, maybe too bright for me and my gear. Now I can go for the gold, but I don't now if it is for me...and is expensive. I'm still thinking about it. All advices are wellcome.
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Jun 10, 2012 17:03:19 GMT -7
It is the best speaker for the Maz. I would not say its a bright speaker at all. The Blue sounds flubby and loose in the bass but not the Gold! The Gold has a fat warm bass and tone. It also has a nice rich midrange. Heck you don't even really need pedals with the Gold maybe just a light overdrive or boost. The Gold is the best speaker I have tried with the Maz I really can't imagine anything better. The Gold has a lush warm pristine tone too it and it even gets better as time goes by. Nothing but high praise for the Gold. It ended my speaker search and helped me get rid of some of the overpriced high end pedals I was wasting my money on. No need for them now I just downsized my board and my tone has never been better.
|
|
|
Post by singlecoiler on Jun 11, 2012 17:37:27 GMT -7
I think a weber blue dog rated at 30 watts or 50 watts does not have that flabby farted out bottom that the celestion blue can have. The blue dog is a great speaker for the Maz. That said, I am even more happy with the celestion gold. Huge bottom and sweet on top. I got my Maz used, sounded spikey especially with a tele. The fix for me was TAD EL84's and a RFT 12AX7. Throw a weber blue dog or celestion gold into the formula and it's the best tone I have ever had. There is no BEST speaker, but the gold works for me.
|
|
|
Post by nigel (Rick) on Jun 11, 2012 19:47:09 GMT -7
The Gold wins most all the speaker shoot outs. It transformed my Maz 18.
|
|
|
Post by daydream on Jun 12, 2012 1:25:24 GMT -7
Well, the gold seems to be the winner... I'll tell you my impressions soon... Thanks for everything
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Jun 21, 2012 22:09:40 GMT -7
I just did a gig at a huge Church in L.A. this week and that Gold in that little Maz 18 Jr Studio Combo just blew my mind. Wow what a great sound! I just plugged straight in no effects! I did use the EQ bypass switch for lead tone. I was playing with a loud drummer as well as a keyboard player bass player and a guy on the hammond b3 and I had the maz cranked volume full and the master at about 4 oclock The tone was just wonderful. At first I was thinking I wish I brought my Remedy then after I cranked up that volume and master that amp cut through the mix and I was very happy with the tone and also the volume I was getting. That studio is the perfect grab and go. I am very happy with it.
|
|
|
Post by daydream on Jun 22, 2012 0:10:53 GMT -7
Great feedback revrand!!! I ordered a Gold last week. It's suoposed to arrive today....
|
|
|
Post by markT on Jun 23, 2012 10:00:01 GMT -7
Simple answer......YES! That's my opinion any way. The Blue is magical, but like Steve said, The Gold rules! I have had a Eric Johnson Signature AlNiCo in mine for about 6 months or so. It sounds great. But I put the Gold back in it today and all I can say is WoW!~ The EJ1250 is a little smoother....more refined. But the Gold just all around sounds better. Clearer and more lowend THuMp! I had my Maz and my Wreck side by side today and let me tell you....the little maz almost keeps up with the Wreck...up to a certain volume. I have a gig coming up at a rodeo and the band leader says it get's pretty dusty in there. (It's an inside livestock arena in Clemson, SC) I really want to play the Wreck, but not if it's gonna get bombed with bull dust! I'll probably take the Jr NR and be happy. Gonna be miked anyway... Maz Jr w/ Gold RuLeS!!
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Jun 24, 2012 18:05:19 GMT -7
Simple answer......YES! That's my opinion any way. The Blue is magical, but like Steve said, The Gold rules! I have had a Eric Johnson Signature AlNiCo in mine for about 6 months or so. It sounds great. But I put the Gold back in it today and all I can say is WoW!~ The EJ1250 is a little smoother....more refined. But the Gold just all around sounds better. Clearer and more lowend THuMp! I had my Maz and my Wreck side by side today and let me tell you....the little maz almost keeps up with the Wreck...up to a certain volume. I have a gig coming up at a rodeo and the band leader says it get's pretty dusty in there. (It's an inside livestock arena in Clemson, SC) I really want to play the Wreck, but not if it's gonna get bombed with bull dust! I'll probably take the Jr NR and be happy. Gonna be miked anyway... Maz Jr w/ Gold RuLeS!! Thats right Mark! The Maz JR with the Gold rules! Hands down its the best combination I have tried. ;D Its almost like that speaker was made for the Maz!
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Jun 24, 2012 18:10:39 GMT -7
Great feedback revrand!!! I ordered a Gold last week. It's suoposed to arrive today.... Give it some time to break in it only gets better! Mine sounded awesome from the get go. However I noticed it has even gotten better. When I put the Gold in my Maz I honestly felt like I bought a new amp. I originally had the G12H30 and I really dug that speaker. Get ready to have a huge smile on your face and some serious practice time! The good news is you will want to play more and more and your chops will continue to get better! Enjoy my friend...
|
|
|
Post by mpa93 on Jun 24, 2012 18:21:05 GMT -7
G.A.S. got the better of me and I ordered a Gold. It is arriving tomorrow! I am going to put it in my brand new 1x12 cab. Can't wait!!!! Report to follow.....
|
|
|
Post by markT on Jun 24, 2012 18:43:41 GMT -7
G.A.S. got the better of me and I ordered a Gold. It is arriving tomorrow! I am going to put it in my brand new 1x12 cab. Can't wait!!!! Report to follow..... Glowing reviews to follow~ ;D Congrats....you won't be sorry!
|
|
|
Post by daydream on Jun 25, 2012 5:55:44 GMT -7
Well, I've received the gold yesterday, and this morning I've fitted it in my cab. It's like night & day. Full bass, present mids and clear highs, but NO ICE-PICKING at all!!! Out of box this beast sounds great, If it'll get better.... The MAZ seems another amp, a still better amp!!
Thanks for advices my friends!!!
|
|
|
Post by "Z" Steve on Jun 25, 2012 12:45:57 GMT -7
Don't ya just love a happy ending! ;D The Gold is quite a bit of coin but worth every penny - ask my 3 Z's
|
|