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Post by JoeyPapz on May 3, 2014 12:27:16 GMT -7
Hey all,
I've been using my Maz 18 NR with a Marshall 1960a 4x12, but I think its about time to get a solid cab that'll really do my Maz justice. I've been reading a lot of threads regarding speaker selection and cabs and have decided that I'm gonna get a 1x12 or stack 2 1x12s. a 4x12 Marshall is mad bulky and completely unnecessary I believe. So my main concern is the difference between cabs; is it worth spending extra money on the Dr. Z 1x12 convertible, or is an Avatar 1x12 convertible just as good? I called up Humbucker Music, but the guy I was talking to sounded pretty biased. I always thoughts cabs were pretty uniform and the speaker itself was the most important component.
I'd really appreciate some help in deciding what makes more sense and if anyone has speaker suggestions, that'd be cool too but not necessary.
Thanks!
Joe C.
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Post by nmz on May 3, 2014 12:33:56 GMT -7
Avatar makes great cabs and the Z cabs are built like tanks. I have one of each and the Z cab is a better build quality for sure. If money is not an option I would go Z plus it will match nicely.
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Post by Deleted on May 3, 2014 12:49:20 GMT -7
Both are fine--the Z-cab uses nicer hardware/components and is cleaner looking inside, and a better all-around build, as nmz says. In terms of sound they're very close. the Avatar is a bit smaller and lighter. I love a Celestion Gold in a 1x12 with the Maz 18; second choice would be a G12H30.
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Post by Deleted on May 3, 2014 13:51:59 GMT -7
The dimensions and construction of speaker cabinets make a significant difference. I compared my Z 2x12 with a Mesa 2x12 with the exact same speakers and the Z sounded way better. I had the Z 1x12 for a while and it is a great cab.
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Post by Deleted on May 3, 2014 14:06:55 GMT -7
The Avatar is physically deeper than the Z, the Z is taller than the Avatar. Internal space is probably very similar.
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Post by bloozeman on May 3, 2014 14:37:23 GMT -7
I just bought an avatar 2x12 cabinet and its an excellent cabinet. its not heavy at all and it was cheap, I paid for the cabinet and a slip cover and had it shipped and the total was $337. I though tit was a great price and Im more than happy with the avatar cab. as far as speaker suggestions, I have a weber silver bell in my 1x12 cabinet and a weber silver bell and weber blue dog combination in my 2x12 cabinet. I think they sound great
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Post by wubberdubber on May 3, 2014 15:29:41 GMT -7
I have a Z 1X12 convertible, and an Avatar 2X10 (which is the same dimensions as the Avatar 1X12), either of which I use with my Remedy. They both sound really good...the Avatar is lighter (weight), but it's closed-back and not convertible. I prefer the Z cab with the middle panel removed. I'd say, over-all, the Z seems more "solid" and sturdy, the convert. option makes it more versatile, and it sounds more focused because of the baffle design. The Avatar sounds a bit "looser", but still sounds good, just different, and although it's a simpler design, is still built well...and the price is great. Hope this helps.
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Post by JoeyPapz on May 4, 2014 13:41:05 GMT -7
I really appreciate the comments. I've literally been searching google for a straight-forward answer, but I've been back and forth so much. Obviously the Dr. Z is solid, but I'm strapped for cash and am probably going to get the Avatar to save a bit of money.
However, which may sound a bit contradictory, I'm thinking of getting 2 1x12 cabs and then mixing speakers to get a killer tone when I play larger gigs. As of right now, my mindset is asking Avatar to match my Maz (which is an older Maz 18 NR, so it is red but with the tan/black grillcloth above the knobs) and fill one with the Celestion gold for when I'm playing indoor gigs where I don't need both speakers to fill out the space. But for the second 1x12, I'm not exactly sure which speaker to match the gold with. I'll probably end up calling Avatar tomorrow when they open to ask for advice, but does anyone have any knowledge they can throw on me? EZGbiscuit said the G12H30 would be his second after a gold, but would a combination of the two be logical?
Thanks everyone for the help, gotta love the Dr. Z forums.
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Post by doctorice on May 4, 2014 14:00:02 GMT -7
I have an Avatar 1x12 with Creamback and the option to go open or closed back. One thing to be aware of is that to switch over you have to remove the entire back panel and then add or subtract the piece that closes the cab. (My cab is not very old, but it's always possible Avatar has changed this.) I'm happy with the cab, but if I were prone to switching a lot I'd definitely consider the Z as it seems less cumbersome to effect the change.
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Post by wubberdubber on May 4, 2014 17:18:51 GMT -7
My Avatar 2X10 came with a Gold and a Greenback. That's a great tone for solos, but I wanted something just a little cleaner and not quite as dark, so I swapped out the Greenback for a Vintage 10. Not sure what you're looking for, but the Gold will have rich midrange, a bit loose in the low end, and nice musical highs. For me, adding the Vintage 10 tightened the low end and added some presence. You're looking at mixing 12's in different cabs, but...same thing...what are you trying to achieve tone-wise?...and find a speaker that compliments/adds to what the Gold does. The G12H30 will have scooped mids, big low end, and bright high end. I don't know about "logical"..whatever works for you is the right thing. Warning: it may start you down the same slippery slope some of the rest of us have gone down with speaker-swapping...lol.
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Post by JoeyPapz on May 4, 2014 17:42:00 GMT -7
wubberdubber: I play in an indie rock band and me and the other guitarist switch off with leads and rhythm, so it's a mix of clean rhythms and distorted power chords in many situations. It isn't often that I'll be knocking out a classic rock solo, unless we're playing long bar gigs where we throw a lot of covers in.
Right now, I'm currently throwing my Maz through a Marshall 4x12 and the bass is really powerful, like way too powerful. I used to play through a Marshall JCM 2000 and changing to a Maz has really opened up my eyes, and my ears. I also play a sheraton so the hollow body doesn't help this bassy situation. Additionally, I really don't like how I can't hear myself on the small stages we play because the sound just goes right under me. I've read a lot about open back cabs solving this problem, so I'm definitely going to get the Avatar 1x12 cabs that have the open back and most likely gonna get the additional panel to close the back just for kicks (its only $15 so that's fine). So with the purchase of these new cabs I'm really looking for a few things... 1.) lose some of the heavy bass from my current set-up 2.) help myself hear my guitar on stage 3.) Lose some of the bulkiness of the 4x12 4.) Give me the option to just play through a single 1x12 to mic'd gigs and at home
And the whole speaker-swapping is definitely gonna happen in the future haha, getting the Maz was the beginning of my quest for the golden tone, and I've only started getting really into my gear, so I think so of my questions may be novice, but I'm slowly learning.
And in response to doctorice, I don't think I'll be switching from open to closed too often, so I think the Avatar is fine. Definitely going to get that panel though. How do you like your Avatar? A lot of others on this forum have Avatar cabs I believe, which is kind of the reason I'm leaning towards that company.
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Post by hubrex on May 4, 2014 18:39:58 GMT -7
Avatar makes fine cabinets. I've used one of their open-back 1x12's for a few years (Hellatone 60), first with my modded BF Bassman, then with the MAZ Jr. Sounded good with either amp. Then I acquired a Z 2x10 open-back shorty cab with a pair of the Doc's 10s. No contest; the 2x10 totally outdoes the 1x12 with the MAZ Jr. - at least for my ears it does. YMMV of course. One of these days, I'm gonna pair up the 2x10 AND the 1x12, just to hear what that sounds like Dennis
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Post by dewiecox on May 4, 2014 19:26:15 GMT -7
I'm using the Z 2x10 now, but I was rocking a couple Avatar cubes with 12h30 type(WGS Reaper 55) and a Celestion Blue for awhile with great results.
Check into Mojotone cabs, as well. I think that might be the directin I go, for my Remedy.
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Post by scottc on May 5, 2014 6:13:22 GMT -7
I have:
-1x12 Z convertible with G12H30 -2x12 Avatar with celestions -2x12 Z open with (oddly enough) Helletone 30 / 60 mix
All combinations are great and while certainly different sounding from each other, I could make due with any...So I guess my point is that you would be fine going either route. If cost is your biggest issue, you'll be happy with an Avatar.
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Post by Deleted on May 5, 2014 6:36:07 GMT -7
If you want an exact cosmetic match for your red Z head, Avatar's red tolex is close but not exact. J-Design cabs can do the exact match--and they make a very nice cab for about the same price as Avatar. For a second cab, you might also try a Celestion Blue--pretty dang glorious combined with the Gold.
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Post by yahtzee on May 5, 2014 10:08:37 GMT -7
currently using 2- z2/10 cabs with my maz....WOW!!.....nuff said
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Post by slickster63 on May 5, 2014 13:05:00 GMT -7
I've had both the Avatar cab and still have a Z 112.
They are both very nice. The Z will hold more value, plus it will match.
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Post by JoeyPapz on May 6, 2014 12:46:01 GMT -7
Just emailed Avatar and JDesign with some inquiries about their cabs. Still not 100% what I'm doing yet, still considering the Dr. Z cabs actually. I'll post here once I make a decision.
Thanks again to all for the help
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Post by Rik on May 7, 2014 6:24:44 GMT -7
Have had JD, Avatar, and Trutone all good. The Avatar 2X12 was my first and I wish I had never sold it. Great sound.
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Post by JoeyPapz on May 28, 2014 22:18:58 GMT -7
I ended up ordering two 1x12 J Design cabs. Both with the convertible option like the Dr. Z cabs and one with parallel jacks to run a cable from the head to a cab, then cab to cab. Got the G12H30 and V30 speakers in the cabs. Jeff from J Design is an amazing guy to work with and am stoked to get them within the next week.
I'll post pictures when I get everything up and running!
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Post by Brian on May 29, 2014 14:03:46 GMT -7
If you are using one speaker...use the G12H30, it was stock with the Maz 1-12 combo if I remember correctly. It is a great speaker with the Maz. I had a Maz 212 combo with the 2 speakers you chose in it, and it was an awesome sounding rig.
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Post by JoeyPapz on Jun 4, 2014 11:31:04 GMT -7
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Post by JoeyPapz on Jun 4, 2014 11:36:03 GMT -7
Got the cabs about 2 hours ago and have been jamming on them since. They sound great together and are also perfect aesthetic matches to my Z cab. Obviously, I'm just really stoked right now, but as the weeks progress I'll give updates on my opinions regarding the cabs. Also, they are actually lighter in weight than my head, which is pretty awesome as well.
I've tried open and closed back and plan on doing a lot more experimenting regarding panel removal and speaker selection, but this is all in due time. Thanks for all the advice from everybody... time to get back to my guitar
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Post by doctorice on Jun 5, 2014 7:56:30 GMT -7
Nice!
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Post by Seńor Verde on Mar 3, 2019 8:41:35 GMT -7
I have a Z 1x12 convertible and a variety of other cabinets. My Avatar 1x12 open back is kind of boomy in the lows. Seems like big cabinets or deeper cabinets seem boomy and there are frequency cancellations happening that I don't like The Z 1x12 is very neutral. I think it is worth it to spend the extra money and get the Z 1x12. That cabinet works great with any speaker or amp I run through it.
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Post by premiumplus (Dave) on Mar 3, 2019 18:56:34 GMT -7
I've got a couple of Avatar 2x12 open back cabs, and one Z 2x12 open back cab that came with my 30th Anniversary LE Mazerati. The Z cab is better sounding, better built, and the connectors are of better quality. I wish I could speak for the Avatar 1x12 because I've heard good things about them. But as far as 2x12's go, it's Z all the way for me. And I love my Z 1x12 convertible cab as well. Hope this helps a bit.
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