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Post by micahmo32 on Feb 24, 2015 15:10:06 GMT -7
Just recently picked up an older model Mini Z w/ the 8 inch speaker and no attenuator.
I need to show some love for the cleans on this thing! The drive is obviously great, but it doesn't get a lot of praise for its clean tones. Granted, they don't make it very far up the volume knob, but they're pretty rich and stunning. Especially for an amp the size of a microwave.
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Post by limenine on Feb 24, 2015 15:17:52 GMT -7
I agree!
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Post by Stephen on Feb 24, 2015 17:27:58 GMT -7
Me too. I don't really like playing acoustic guitar, so I take my Mini to a lot of open mic nights.
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Post by supernaut on Feb 24, 2015 19:23:57 GMT -7
CONGRATS on your Mini Z!
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Post by Eddie on Feb 24, 2015 19:42:44 GMT -7
Yes! Warm and surprisingly rich tones at low volumes on the mini. Years ago I recorded this with a strat, an SM57, and a Mini Z (which Phil now owns.) app.box.com/shared/8bn572dqunBest, Eddie
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Post by micahmo32 on Feb 26, 2015 0:45:01 GMT -7
Great track! That's a sick jazz tone.
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Post by j4gitr (John) on Feb 26, 2015 3:26:52 GMT -7
^^Yea, that track speaks volumes for the mini's cleans.
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Post by dergit (Markus) on Jul 21, 2015 6:55:49 GMT -7
Great mp3, Eddie... how quiet is the Mini clean like that with the attenuator at home? I can't use my MAZ 18 with the Brake Lite on 4 in my inner city flat (which isn't terrible, I wouldn't be carrying it down and up four flights of stairs every week...) but I'd love to practice with a proper amp at home... Anyone have a comparison? Going back and forth between a Maz 8 with Brake Lite and, the obviously much cheaper option, a Mini Z combo.
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Post by twili (Carlos) on Jul 21, 2015 10:42:08 GMT -7
Great mp3, Eddie... how quiet is the Mini clean like that with the attenuator at home? I can't use my MAZ 18 with the Brake Lite on 4 in my inner city flat (which isn't terrible, I wouldn't be carrying it down and up four flights of stairs every week...) but I'd love to practice with a proper amp at home... Anyone have a comparison? Going back and forth between a Maz 8 with Brake Lite and, the obviously much cheaper option, a Mini Z combo. I have the same question. Would love to know as well!
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Post by limenine on Jul 21, 2015 15:29:34 GMT -7
I actually use a swart night light with mine at home because it can attenuate a good bit more than the onboard unit (as would a Z air brake). For strictly cleans, the mini's unit would probably do the trick though.
Along the same lines - you may well be able to tame the Maz 18 to acceptable levels with an Air Brake... Just a thought.
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Post by dergit (Markus) on Jul 22, 2015 1:29:02 GMT -7
Thanks.
Using the MAZ 18 at home isn't really an option because we rehearse and play out at least once every week and I live on the 4th floor. I need a quiet practice and recording amp for home. So Mini-Z combo (approx. 1.200€) or MAZ 8 Studio combo with Brake Lite (approx. 2.100€, 2.200 with the Air Brake) seem like the sanest options. MAZ 8 would be good because it'd be very similar to the amp I use in my band but Mini Z would obviously save me a bunch of cash and it seems like it'd be "close enough" to how I use my MAZ 18 (pretty much everything just below noon with Volume and Master set for slight breakup if I hit the strings hard).
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Post by twili (Carlos) on Jul 22, 2015 19:39:47 GMT -7
Thanks. Using the MAZ 18 at home isn't really an option because we rehearse and play out at least once every week and I live on the 4th floor. I need a quiet practice and recording amp for home. So Mini-Z combo (approx. 1.200€) or MAZ 8 Studio combo with Brake Lite (approx. 2.100€, 2.200 with the Air Brake) seem like the sanest options. MAZ 8 would be good because it'd be very similar to the amp I use in my band but Mini Z would obviously save me a bunch of cash and it seems like it'd be "close enough" to how I use my MAZ 18 (pretty much everything just below noon with Volume and Master set for slight breakup if I hit the strings hard). Not to mention the Mini-Z would be very portable! I live on the 3rd floor. Thinking about getting one myself as a practice amp.
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Post by dergit (Markus) on Jul 23, 2015 0:50:16 GMT -7
Well, the MAZ 8 Studio wouldn't be that different: 16,8kg / 49cm * 49cm * 26cm (MAZ 8) 14kg / 44cm * 43cm * 25cm (Mini Z) (sorry about the use of the metric system here... ) It really boils down to: 1. Tone... The MAZ 8 would be more versatile and closer to my MAZ 18 which makes it a better amp to practice and design presets on my strymon pedals with under "real" conditions that would translate well to the rehearsal room and the stage. The Mini, however, would add a different flavour to my arsenal which might come in handy recording some day... and, judging from some of the samples, it's not *that* different so it'd be "useless" for this purpose. 2. Volume... although I guess the MAZ 8 with an Air Brake could be run as quietly as the Mini Z with the built-in Brake Lite. 3. Price... the MAZ 8 setup would cost me almost double of what the Mini Z would cost me. I guess whichever I run across a good deal for first will move in?
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Post by premiumplus (Dave) on Jul 27, 2015 5:06:32 GMT -7
I'm blessed to have them both, and I think you might be better off with the Maz-8 with the Brake Lite. The reason is that for late night playing when you have to keep it really quiet, the Maz-8 will give you a lot more tonal options. As you already know, it's got a great EQ like it's bigger brother. That, plus the Master Volume and Brake Lite combination will give you big options controlling your levels. The Mini-Z has an amazing amount of tone variation with just the volume control and your guitar's controls. You can get anything from great jazz to ZZ Top territory, but the volume isn't as controllable as the Maz-8 with a Brake Lite would be. It's twice the money, but it really is an amazing amplifier. You've got a tough decision, hope this helps!
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