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Post by JASON (aka jgleaton) on Jun 28, 2012 17:26:12 GMT -7
Jus saying...
So far, I think what every body has said is pretty much right on the money... and summed it up well. So much so I had a good idea about what to expect and was not disappointed.
What I did not expect or could have known to expect was how it feels. It just feels and plays really good with a touch sensitivity that kinda reminded me of the comfort setting of the wreck.
So I just feel it leans a little closer to the wreck than the ray. It's pretty "Lively".
IMHO I'm not sure you could get any closer to how a wreck "feels" and what it does, in a 2 EL84 amp. Of course if anybody could prove that statement wrong it would be Doc.
With a 1x12 Celestion Gold and the treble n Bass cranked above 1:00 with the high toggle it drives pretty good even with single coils. Maybe not quite the amount of drive that the Wreck has, but it's got some natural drive
The touch sensitivity is THERE. The treble and bass are really sensitive and extremely usable.
I was worried about not having a cut control... NO NEED for a cut.
The amp is voiced perfectly.
With a 1 x12 and pedals, if you can gig with a Maz 18 then you should be able to easily gig with this...
I'll have to airbreak it to get to the sweet spot I want..
BTW airbreak works well with it also...
Pedals are obviously great, Wampler Faux Reverb works GREAT right in the front...
BB, landgraff OD, Luxury Drive Gristle king, Flying Dragon, Keely Modded Tube screamer... all sounded good.
One thing I noticed about pedals, I like stacking a boost with another boost (which worked fine) but I also like a drive set lower more like a boost and run it with a boost... I like the BB and the luxury Drive this way or the Flying dragon into the Luxury drive. If I set the amp with a some natural sizzle / hair... I actually prefered NOT to stack pedals like I usually do... just let one pedal do it's thang and worked wonderful.
If i wanted to stack em I'd adjust the treble / drive back a bit so then i could stack em like I do with the Maz 18... easy.
Sounded good with EVERY speaker I tried (all single 12") Gold, Weber Silver bell ceramic and Alnico, Grey wolf ceramic, Tone tubby Alnico...
And every Guitar I tried sounded good, and very much had it's own identity as much as the speakers and pedals did...
This may be a great amp to use as a base line with any equipment you want to a/b.
is it a mini Z wreck... not exactly,
But it may actually be better than what a "mini" wreck would TRY to be not having the 4 el84"s.
and
I personally feel it may be pretty darn close with a Gold / Blue to what I felt and I liked about the COMFORT setting on the wreck set just at the edge of breakup. Extremely FUN touch sensitivity.
As good as it sounds straight in... I'll be a using it with pedals.
I like it.
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Post by bluzman on Jun 28, 2012 18:01:54 GMT -7
Thanks Jason! I have one on order and appreciate your feedback as I know how you can play!
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Post by Sean on Jun 28, 2012 18:23:47 GMT -7
M12 into a Z-Wreck cab? hmm.
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Post by jesslm02 on Jun 28, 2012 19:23:28 GMT -7
If you happen to have a 5v4 rectifier laying you should pop it in there and see what it's like. It's interesting to say the least. Not saying I would leave mine that way, but I might use it often. It's still really nice with the 5y3, which is how Doc designed it after all.
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Post by fevzay on Jun 28, 2012 19:29:22 GMT -7
Cool review, Jason. On paper, I wouldn't have guessed it'd be similar to the Wreck. It's great to hear that it can muster some of the Z-Wreck's inspiration. Can't wait to try one....I already have a 2x12 cab with a Blue/Gold in it.
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Post by Jason Cornelius on Jun 28, 2012 19:41:21 GMT -7
I did not need to read this.
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Post by JASON (aka jgleaton) on Jun 28, 2012 21:59:57 GMT -7
Thanks Jason! I have one on order and appreciate your feedback as I know how you can play! I don't know about the Playin thing Paul but this is a sweet amp and exactly what (I DIDN'T even know I wanted) to pair and use with the Maz 18... and would also pair well with the RX JR... close enough not to have to change pedal settings and DIFFERENT enough to blend well n offer a different flavor. I tell ya the treble and bass have such noticeable changes above noon it's got some BIG lively sound in it... if you can find YOUR sweet spot... the spot where it's lively enough, but not so much that it overwhelms the pedals set up the way your using them... it's very very NICE. For me it's got plenty of chime with the Gold or Weber Silvers and it's really smooth with the Alnico Tubby. "Thought" I wanted a super low volume amp... but that's why I got the Airbreak so this amp really is perfect. I liked the Volume up around 1:00 too, so she was barking... not exactly a low volume amp at that point, but very manageable and will be easy to blend with a Maz 18 or RX JR. I usually really prefer a bit of reverb with an amp, I noticed with this one in it's sweet spot I didn't really miss not having it... only other amp I felt that way about was while I was playing the Z wreck. Ghia with a blue is a close third (honorable mention Phil's Monza straight in with the volume rolled off some, lots of sustain). Also I use the Low input for headroom in every other Z amp that has one, but I prefer the high toggle on this one all the way... go figure. If you get a chance, you should take a ride on the M12!
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Post by Joey Beverages on Jun 29, 2012 5:26:01 GMT -7
Jason, As always, a thorough and enjoyable commentary. Just so I'm hearin' ya a lil' bit better .... maybe a coupla extra words regards to Stratocaster straight-in (pushing the vol, treb and bass a lil' bit to the right) ..... with a lil' compare/contrast between the hi/low switch usage? I am indeed intrigued as to the M-12 and where it'll fit-in with a Ghia and Z-28 and a couple of cabs - 112 V30 and Z 210s. Looking forward to your future posts. much appreciated and cheers always, Joel
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Post by Deleted on Jun 29, 2012 5:45:31 GMT -7
Great info Jason. Thanks much!
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Post by Jefferson on Jun 29, 2012 8:59:27 GMT -7
thanks Jason. really looking forward to mine arriving soon! gonna use it with a port city 1x12 cab and will experiment with speakers, then make my report to the gang.
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Post by KeithA on Jun 29, 2012 16:37:48 GMT -7
Now I want one Keith
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Post by Dustin on Jun 29, 2012 16:39:18 GMT -7
Would pair well with an Rx Jr, huh? Hmm....
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Post by JASON (aka jgleaton) on Jun 30, 2012 11:27:27 GMT -7
Just so I'm hearin' ya a lil' bit better .... maybe a coupla extra words regards to Stratocaster straight-in (pushing the vol, treb and bass a lil' bit to the right) ..... with a lil' compare/contrast between the hi/low switch usage? I am indeed intrigued as to the M-12 and where it'll fit-in with a Ghia and Z-28 and a couple of cabs - 112 V30 and Z 210s. OK... one last note as I start figuring this thing out and I’ll shut up… Practiced with the blues band last night... LOUD drummer and bass player with his loud head 4x10 rig... Unfortunately Shannon couldn't make it last minute, and I was going to play the M12 while he was on his Ghia, then let him play the M12 while I played the Maz 18... So instead I ran the M12 through a 1x12 Z cab with a 50 watt ceramic silver and the Maz18 through the little studio 1x12 cab with an Alnico Tubby... I put the Airbreak on the Maz 3 clicks with Volume @ 2:00 and Master around 10:00... I tried to my best to quickly match the volume with the M12 and ended up with the M12's Volume around 10:00-10:30... Bass around 11:00 and Treble around 1:00... High toggle position. The M12 at that level was actually maybe just a bit louder than the Maz set up on the fly at the levels described w/ the airbreak 3 clicks, but then while we were playing I switched back and forth and couldn't really tell too much of a difference volume wise... so I just set it and left it. The M12 hung right in there with the loud volume levels unmiked... and it really cuts through the mix very well... Clean straight in with the strat it was hanging in there, with the luxury drive it was some extra chime with authority...With the BB it was just as sweet as with the Maz when switching back n forth... With my a/b ONLY switch I could definitely tell which amp I was playing I just wish I had my switcher with me that could turn em both on at the same time... must look into that. Mainly used the strat... that position between the neck and middle pickups really REALLY stood out to me... definitely reminded me of the goodness of that position clean with a KT 45... The Tele sounded just as good to me.... but I stayed in that neck/middle strat position most of the time cause I dind't want to stop playing it... Think it would pair well with any of the lower wattage Z's... as a cleaner amp or just a different flavor... especially used with a different speaker than the other lower wattage Z... Speakers do make a big difference with this amp and can help you dial in what you want out of it. Green back would maybe drop the volume some as did the Silver bells which I really liked... more efficient speakers like the Blue or a C gold, maybe even a tonker or a Z best would obviously help it hang in there even better in louder situations... love it with the Alnico Tubby, brought out some of the Maz in it. As a note for Joel… the Low toggle position really drops the volume level and may be very useful for even lower volume playing, or to get more head room out of REALLY high output pick ups... So far I prefer to use the High toggle position and just roll back a bit on the Volume, treble and/ or bass slightly for a little hotter pickup. I used some pretty hot P90's with the high position and all i did was just roll the treble back a bit to get more headroom and keep the volume up there but keep that “edge of hair” equal. Guy's it's kinda really it's own thing, and it's a GOOD thing... I can hear some rayish -wreck, kinda some maz-ishness and KT cleans... but mostly it's THE M12... really cool amp and for the price... wow. It's Louder than you'd think, but I can see if you use an unmiked master volume wide cranked maz 18, or really cranked louder wattage Z with no airbreak... then the M12 prolly wouldn't keep up with it. But if you use a Maz 18 at levels Like I usually do unmiked and don't get the Master too much past 12 and with the volume also up around 1:00-2:00 and no airbreak, it might just hang in there with the right speaker cause it cuts through pretty well. Just my first observations with MY gear the way I like it... gotta play with the Low input some now and see how I use that... and also try to run it at the same time with the Maz Jr and Rx Jr which might just be the way I might run it... together with another low wattage amp. Always liked two amps at a time. Might need to put my Tonker back in a cab to try... and an ABY switch. and Borrow Shannon's Lester...
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Post by DRZ on Jun 30, 2012 11:40:03 GMT -7
Great insightful reviews Jason. I'm very glad you dig it. Thanks for posting.
DR.Z
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Post by Deleted on Jun 30, 2012 12:06:30 GMT -7
Fantastic amp Doc, Thank You. tom
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Post by mazmaster on Jun 30, 2012 18:47:27 GMT -7
Just so I'm hearin' ya a lil' bit better .... maybe a coupla extra words regards to Stratocaster straight-in (pushing the vol, treb and bass a lil' bit to the right) ..... with a lil' compare/contrast between the hi/low switch usage? I am indeed intrigued as to the M-12 and where it'll fit-in with a Ghia and Z-28 and a couple of cabs - 112 V30 and Z 210s. OK... one last note as I start figuring this thing out and I’ll shut up… Practiced with the blues band last night... LOUD drummer and bass player with his loud head 4x10 rig... Unfortunately Shannon couldn't make it last minute, and I was going to play the M12 while he was on his Ghia, then let him play the M12 while I played the Maz 18... So instead I ran the M12 through a 1x12 Z cab with a 50 watt ceramic silver and the Maz18 through the little studio 1x12 cab with an Alnico Tubby... I put the Airbreak on the Maz 3 clicks with Volume @ 2:00 and Master around 10:00... I tried to my best to quickly match the volume with the M12 and ended up with the M12's Volume around 10:00-10:30... Bass around 11:00 and Treble around 1:00... High toggle position. The M12 at that level was actually maybe just a bit louder than the Maz set up on the fly at the levels described w/ the airbreak 3 clicks, but then while we were playing I switched back and forth and couldn't really tell too much of a difference volume wise... so I just set it and left it. The M12 hung right in there with the loud volume levels unmiked... and it really cuts through the mix very well... Clean straight in with the strat it was hanging in there, with the luxury drive it was some extra chime with authority...With the BB it was just as sweet as with the Maz when switching back n forth... With my a/b ONLY switch I could definitely tell which amp I was playing I just wish I had my switcher with me that could turn em both on at the same time... must look into that. Mainly used the strat... that position between the neck and middle pickups really REALLY stood out to me... definitely reminded me of the goodness of that position clean with a KT 45... The Tele sounded just as good to me.... but I stayed in that neck/middle strat position most of the time cause I dind't want to stop playing it... Think it would pair well with any of the lower wattage Z's... as a cleaner amp or just a different flavor... especially used with a different speaker than the other lower wattage Z... Speakers do make a big difference with this amp and can help you dial in what you want out of it. Green back would maybe drop the volume some as did the Silver bells which I really liked... more efficient speakers like the Blue or a C gold, maybe even a tonker or a Z best would obviously help it hang in there even better in louder situations... love it with the Alnico Tubby, brought out some of the Maz in it. As a note for Joel… the Low toggle position really drops the volume level and may be very useful for even lower volume playing, or to get more head room out of REALLY high output pick ups... So far I prefer to use the High toggle position and just roll back a bit on the Volume, treble and/ or bass slightly for a little hotter pickup. I used some pretty hot P90's with the high position and all i did was just roll the treble back a bit to get more headroom and keep the volume up there but keep that “edge of hair” equal. Guy's it's kinda really it's own thing, and it's a GOOD thing... I can hear some rayish -wreck, kinda some maz-ishness and KT cleans... but mostly it's THE M12... really cool amp and for the price... wow. It's Louder than you'd think, but I can see if you use an unmiked master volume wide cranked maz 18, or really cranked louder wattage Z with no airbreak... then the M12 prolly wouldn't keep up with it. But if you use a Maz 18 at levels Like I usually do unmiked and don't get the Master too much past 12 and with the volume also up around 1:00-2:00 and no airbreak, it might just hang in there with the right speaker cause it cuts through pretty well. Just my first observations with MY gear the way I like it... gotta play with the Low input some now and see how I use that... and also try to run it at the same time with the Maz Jr and Rx Jr which might just be the way I might run it... together with another low wattage amp. Always liked two amps at a time. Might need to put my Tonker back in a cab to try... and an ABY switch. and Borrow Shannon's Lester... Great review. Love my M12 and agree the original TT Alnico is killer with this amp. Another brutally cool speaker with this gem is the WGS Blackhawk HP. Yes, it's a 100W speak, but OMG, how sweet it sounds with this amp. Using a couple BBs st different gain levels and an original Jetter GSR (for higher gain bridge HB tones) and they truly do just melt into this amp! Doc, you nailed it!
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Post by Joey Beverages on Jul 3, 2012 5:49:26 GMT -7
Jason, Much appreicated and cheers always. cheers always, Joel
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Post by jesslm02 on Jul 3, 2012 6:02:01 GMT -7
I'd like to know if you try the tonker how it worked out.
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Post by Buzz Fretwear (Ignatius) on Jul 3, 2012 7:34:59 GMT -7
I'd like to know if you try the tonker how it worked out. Incredibly loud speaker, something like 103dB. I bet the M12 would sound HUGE with it.
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Post by Phil (aka Phil) on Jul 5, 2012 13:42:40 GMT -7
Wow, I really missed those huge Jason posts. This is just like old times!
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Post by pcns on Jul 6, 2012 18:09:50 GMT -7
Nice review Jason, glat to hear you are digging the amp. I haven't had much time with it, a few minutes at the shop and then a few minutes at mini Zfest.
I am also glad to see the long post again, we've missed you around here!
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Post by mfirst on Jul 10, 2012 3:56:18 GMT -7
Wow, I really missed those huge Jason posts. This is just like old times! agreed! Jason, it's always good to see your descriptions and reviews.
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Post by jammers5 on Jul 12, 2012 9:07:08 GMT -7
There are times and places my Z Wreck just won't work due to how loud it is unattenuated, so i am considering this amp in a head version for such times. I'll just run it thru the Z Wreck cab.....too bad the M12 isn't available in silver!
J5
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Post by Sean on Jul 12, 2012 10:43:57 GMT -7
I have been so close to just gettin' a Maz18 at some point, but honestly was a bit turned off by the knobs. There is a reason my fav amps are all simple buggers...3 knobs (4 with master) on the monza and z28. M12 is lookin' nice.
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Post by JASON (aka jgleaton) on Jul 12, 2012 12:34:39 GMT -7
Just in case anyone wants to run this at the same time with another low wattage Z amp...
I ran the M12 with the Maz 18 Reverb both on and with the RX Jr both on at the same time Cranked for a while the other day... big tone and sound.
sounded and blended nicely with both these amps running together...
and FYI
It seems to be IN phase with the Maz Jr Reverb (and if I remember correctly would make it in phase with the Ghia too)...
It seems to be OUT of phase with the RX Jr... (and possibly make it out of phase with the Maz Jr NR too.... out of phase meaning if you want to run both these amps on at the same time you would need a reversed speaker cable for one of the amps OR an ABY switcher with a phase reverse on it.)
(post modified to add that I used a Maz Reverb that was IN phase... and that the Maz NR may also be out of phase with the M12)
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Post by headshrinker (Marc) on Jul 12, 2012 12:51:15 GMT -7
Jason: Was it a Maz 18 R or NR as they are out of phase with each other?
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Post by JASON (aka jgleaton) on Jul 12, 2012 15:12:20 GMT -7
Jason: Was it a Maz 18 R or NR as they are out of phase with each other? Right you are Marc, so FYI... It was IN phase with my Maz 18 REVERB... so you can prolly add the Maz 18 NR to the RX Jr as being out of phase with the M12...
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Post by Curt on Jul 12, 2012 19:50:23 GMT -7
Wow, I really missed those huge Jason posts. This is just like old times! amen to the old dayz.
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Post by dock66 on Jul 13, 2012 11:46:01 GMT -7
Excellent review Jason. Love to own one.
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Post by Deleted on Jul 13, 2012 21:25:20 GMT -7
Thanks for the FYI on the phase issue Jason.
tom
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