|
Post by Stephen on Jun 30, 2013 16:19:50 GMT -7
I'm not sure I understand what this control does. Is it an attenuator; is Triode quieter than Pentode? Is it a tone control; Pentode is bright, Triode is dirty? The manual just says you can switch from one to the other.
I haven't been able to play mine out yet, so any advice you can give on this control will be appreciated.
|
|
|
Post by Jaguarguy (Mike) on Jun 30, 2013 16:26:50 GMT -7
Here's Doc's explanation:
In Pentode mode you get the sonic signature of the Maz 18. The chimey top end and sweet low end bloom are all there, but at a significantly lower volume. The pentode setting gives you plenty of dynamic range for clean country picking to grinding riff rock bliss. You can even take it a step beyond with the footswitchable EQ bypass function. This gives you a great gain boost for effortless leads that will sustain for days. The Maz 8 takes on a much different dialect in triode mode with more of a vintage feel and sound. In triode, the volume level drops back and the tone fattens up making you think you plugged into a lost gem from the 1950s. Kicking on the EQ bypass in triode mode will have you reaching for your slide in no time.
Hope this helps!
|
|
|
Post by Jaguarguy (Mike) on Jun 30, 2013 16:31:41 GMT -7
And here is Myles' explanation: A Pentode/Triode switch will change the way the output tubes are operated. A pentode has five elements but if you remove two of them from the circuit it then is a three element triode. In triode the amp will develop less power maybe about 25% less or so, and have a more classic output response. The grand low powered single ended hifi amps that use tubes such as the great 300B (which is a triode) are one place where this is still quite common. Think of triode=vintage and pentode=modern in another sense. This is a very cool feature and when the amp is pushed in triode mode you may find the tone in the pushed clean settings very fifties or late fourties in nature. Read more: ztalk.proboards.com/thread/11242?page=31#ixzz2XkH885KN
|
|
|
Post by muZician on Jun 30, 2013 22:43:06 GMT -7
pentodes and triodes are 2 different kind of vacuum tubes. triodes are mostly used in preamp sections (as 12AX7). pentodes as the EL84 are ideal for output stages. as explained above a pentode has 5 connections, 2 more than the triode. these 2 additional connections are used to better converge the cathode ray from the cathode to the plate in the tube, having more power and better dyamic response (better headroom). if you leave these 2 additional connections open you operate a pentode as a triode...loosing some power and some clarity. of course it sounds interesting for certain sounds (warmer and a little more mellow sound)
|
|
|
Post by doctorice on Jul 1, 2013 11:34:07 GMT -7
As Dr Z says, triode gives an "old school" feel. I like to use triode with the EQ bypass engaged. It's like going back to an earlier day with just a volume and tone knob, with Cut doing the tone duties. Of course, there's still the Volume and Master to work with for tone shaping.
|
|
|
Post by lawliet on Apr 27, 2014 18:36:26 GMT -7
Is there a noticeable difference between pentode and triode when it comes to sound levels?
|
|
|
Post by doctorice on Apr 28, 2014 3:46:51 GMT -7
^^^
Yes, it is very apparent that pentode is louder.
|
|
|
Post by pcns on Apr 28, 2014 4:42:33 GMT -7
Is there a noticeable difference between pentode and triode when it comes to sound levels? Pentode is punchier too. As I recall in Pentode you are running 8 watts, in triode mode its more like 2 1/2 watts. My favorite part of the Maz 8 is the switch. Its like having 2 amps in one Todd
|
|
|
Post by lawliet on Apr 28, 2014 7:07:24 GMT -7
Is there a noticeable difference between pentode and triode when it comes to sound levels? Pentode is punchier too. As I recall in Pentode you are running 8 watts, in triode mode its more like 2 1/2 watts. My favorite part of the Maz 8 is the switch. Its like having 2 amps in one Todd Thanks Todd, I didn't think there would be that much of a difference
|
|
|
Post by lawliet on Apr 28, 2014 7:09:45 GMT -7
^^^ Yes, it is very apparent that pentode is louder. Thanks doctorice, is the pentode so much louder that you have to put the maz 8 in triode to practice with or just to get earlier break up?
|
|
|
Post by doctorice on Apr 28, 2014 7:19:26 GMT -7
^^^
I'd say it's more about the feel of the amp and the tone, less about break up. Of course, at the same sound output level from the speaker, pentode will be cleaner due to the power difference, i.e., you can have volume and master lower than they would be in triode mode for the same SPL.
I have a Brake Lite in mine, so I choose triode or pentode for the sound rather than to control the overall level. The BL takes care of how much output volume is produced.
|
|
|
Post by micknelson on Sept 8, 2014 15:41:44 GMT -7
After spending a couple of months turning knobs and plugging in different guitars and pedals, I am coming to the conclusion that I like the triode setting better than pentode. I’ve been resisting this idea because I understand that the full Dr. Z MAZ tone is to be had on the pentode setting. But the triode sound is so sweet that it’s reeling me in and not letting me go. Although the triode tone does not sound as harmonically rich and detailed as pentode mode, it’s rounder and more syrupy. In triode, the breakup is earlier and the overdrive has a smoother character. At the moment, my favorite combination is playing a Casino (fully hollow maple laminate) through an Analogman Comprossor into the overdriven (volume at 3 o’clock) MAZ 8 set to triode mode. Is it just me, or has anyone else developed a preference for the triode setting?
|
|
|
Post by Dan F"i"fe on Sept 8, 2014 16:17:12 GMT -7
Pentode to me is the Maz sound, Triode is a different sound altogether. Both are great YMMV IMHO
|
|
|
Post by Easyrom on Sept 9, 2014 3:32:16 GMT -7
I've used the triode mode only for a while, then realized the pentode mode was magic. Now I really use both modes, cause, as it has been said, it's like having two (great) amps in one. And if you have several cabs to go with it (which I don't ), then you have so many options!
|
|