|
Post by daveyk on May 13, 2015 21:00:37 GMT -7
I've had my Maz 38 NR going on 3 years now. Basically I didn't know a ton about Dr. Z amps when I was looking for an amp to replace my Fender DRRI which I didn't bond with. I wanted something sort of Fendery and sort of Vox-ish as well, but with more low end than a Vox. My first priority was an amp with not just a beautiful clean tone, but that accentuated the notes in an interesting way when played clean. To me, Fender cleans are really great and I'd describe them as pretty, but the Maz 38 clean tone really turned my head. I wanted a good amount of clean headroom, but also nice mild overdrive when pushed. I really needed an amp that could excel in many situations. I bought the 38 without ever playing one. I had only heard clips, but was willing to take the gamble and I'm sure glad I did.
Why did you guys buy the 38? What do you love most about it?
|
|
|
Post by "Z" Steve on May 13, 2015 21:20:11 GMT -7
Back in January of '08 I had a one time opportunity to buy any guitar and amp I wanted. I had read about Z in Tonequest and also read some nice comments from Mike Fuller re the Rt 66 so I went to a local "Booteek" store down in So Cal here and played what they had in stock - a lone Maz38 1x12 combo. I also played some Fuch's and Mojave's but when I went back to the Z it just sounded great. A simple amp with a tone of headroom and "hair" if you need it. That is what I went home with and kept for years until my back went out. I had been seduced by the hype of the Maz 18 and sold my 38 for the 18 NR head. #1, it wasn't hype, but #2 it certainly didn't have the headroom the 38 puts out.
All that to say, 1) pedal friendly, 2) headroom, 3) simple to maintain or modify just by swapping out different tubes or the speaker. And the reverb sounded great!
And then there's THIS guy. 38, a Zbest, and tone sausages.
|
|
|
Post by tmakky103 on May 13, 2015 22:42:01 GMT -7
Just purchased a 38 with verb. Tried a regular 38 (old version) and a therapy. Headroom, clean tone, POWER, and then verb, eq bypass, detachable cord whatever. Great amp. No brainer. Different wattages for different setups. I needed more versatility and the last thing I want to worry about is not enough power.
|
|
|
Post by mickey on May 14, 2015 0:54:05 GMT -7
I've had my Maz 38 NR going on 3 years now. Basically I didn't know a ton about Dr. Z amps when I was looking for an amp to replace my Fender DRRI which I didn't bond with. I wanted something sort of Fendery and sort of Vox-ish as well, but with more low end than a Vox. My first priority was an amp with not just a beautiful clean tone, but that accentuated the notes in an interesting way when played clean. To me, Fender cleans are really great and I'd describe them as pretty, but the Maz 38 clean tone really turned my head. I wanted a good amount of clean headroom, but also nice mild overdrive when pushed. I really needed an amp that could excel in many situations. I bought the 38 without ever playing one. I had only heard clips, but was willing to take the gamble and I'm sure glad I did. Why did you guys buy the 38? What do you love most about it?Pretty much what you've said. Great cleans but with more character than a clean Fender amp, and it does that just-breaking-up thing better than any Fender I've ever tried. It sounds good on its own or with pedals, and has reverb, a must for me. I have the head and 1x12 cab with a Gold. It's my goto amp, and I only wish I'd discovered it years before I did.
|
|
|
Post by Mostrummer on May 20, 2015 13:06:19 GMT -7
Pretty much everything that has already been said, plus the looks! I found the one in my avatar on consignment and compared to the MAZ18s on hand it sounded like a much fuller amp. Plus the oxblood grill cloth and wood make me smile every time. To be fair the MAZ18 was a 2x10 combo.
|
|
|
Post by twili (Carlos) on Jun 27, 2015 17:22:31 GMT -7
I first started out with a Maz 18 combo. The band I'm in is fairly loud and I found that I'd sometimes need a louder clean tone during shows. Enter the Maz 38 SR NR head with a Z Best. Sounds AMAZING though my Gibson LP Jr double cut. I get a nice "barely breaking up" tone at around 1 o' clock on the volume, with the MV at around 10 or 11 o clock. Then use an Earthquaker Devices Palisades to take it into overdrive. Excellent amp!
|
|
|
Post by daveyk on Jun 27, 2015 21:52:24 GMT -7
I first started out with a Maz 18 combo. The band I'm in is fairly loud and I found that I'd sometimes need a louder clean tone during shows. Enter the Maz 38 SR NR head with a Z Best. Sounds AMAZING though my Gibson LP Jr double cut. I get a nice "barely breaking up" tone at around 1 o' clock on the volume, with the MV at around 10 or 11 o clock. Then use an Earthquaker Devices Palisades to take it into overdrive. Excellent amp! Nice! I love p90's with this amp! The eqd palisades seems really great!
|
|
|
Post by jasper on Jun 28, 2015 6:15:57 GMT -7
I have the 38 'verb head... Playing through 2x12 Golds closed cab. For me it was to do with more headroom for that clean sound with my Tele. But my 335 loves it too. If I need to control the volume I can use my z air brake in smaller venues.
|
|
|
Post by harry on Jun 30, 2015 14:37:37 GMT -7
It is a "Wee Smasher" of an amp...
|
|
|
Post by JASON (aka jgleaton) on Jun 30, 2015 21:15:54 GMT -7
I posted this in reply to a post in the lounge and I think it would be applicable here... ztalk.proboards.com/post/757648/threadbottom line... Maz 38 Sr reverb head= my favorite amp of all time.
|
|
|
Post by mrdownchild on Jul 3, 2015 11:01:05 GMT -7
I bought a MAZ 38 Senior with reverb because of Buddy Whittington. Plain and simple. I saw him at a blues festival years ago and he was playing a strat plugged directly into this strange looking "Zenith" amp. As soon as I heard the combination, I said, "Well, there it is...that's the sound I want." After the show he was kind and humble enough to take me onstage and give me an overview of the amp. I've liked the 38 Senior and Buddy ever since. Both are getting better with age too!
|
|
|
Post by simpleton on Jul 6, 2015 0:22:10 GMT -7
And then there's THIS guy. 38, a Zbest, and tone sausages.
...tone sausages.... LoL
|
|
|
Post by thatstatuemoved on Jul 11, 2015 15:21:42 GMT -7
For me it was the clean tones and the headroom the 38 has. Love this amp--it is my go to amp. I put a 38 chassis in a studio combo cab and it is my number 1. I have had a maz 18 and really liked it, but it was limited in headroom so I opted for the 38 and have never looked back. I like the looks of the amp and the weight friendly package of the studio combo. Great sounds, looks, easy to maintain--cannot go wrong here.
|
|
|
Post by mickey on Jul 11, 2015 23:04:14 GMT -7
I should add to my post above, and say that I don't need an amp with switching channels or too many knobs. I just need a simple amp which sounds good, and the 38 more than fits the bill. I've also realised that the way I use my pedals they sound better with my 38 than with my other amps.
Thatstatuemoved, that studio combo sounds like a really good idea; food for thought!
|
|
|
Post by southmusic70 on Jul 12, 2015 14:42:01 GMT -7
Guys,
Although I have, in order of acquisition, a Z28 combo w/ CGold, Rati v2 head, KT45, CG Anni 25 and Therapy, if there is any Z amp that I would add, I think it would probably be a Maz38 in a studio combo. I get calls to play varying styles at varying volumes, clean arch top jobs all the way to rock with a Tele and effects, and everything you guys say is that this is the one to have when you need that kind of versatility.
It probably won't be long.
South
|
|
|
Post by ianrossiter on Sept 14, 2015 14:22:52 GMT -7
Actually, IT chose Me!! My old bandmate was a tone hound and well heeled. He was using a STAR combo and had got what ended up being my MAZ in a trade. I was using a VS Pony at the time and he lent me the MAZ. Needless to say,I fell in love. I bought it from him and that was that.
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Sept 16, 2015 7:49:55 GMT -7
I went back and forth over the Maz 18 and 38 for a while. I ultimately chose the 38 for the headroom as I already have another amp that does the dirt. I tossed a set of EL844's and a Brake Lite in it and have no regrets. You get yourself a solid OD pedal and you have a two channel amp that's tough to beat.
|
|
|
Post by dergit (Markus) on Sept 21, 2015 5:20:43 GMT -7
Clean headroom, I imagine. I sometimes would like my 18 to have a bit more, especially with pedals.
|
|
|
Post by tele81 on Feb 16, 2017 13:04:54 GMT -7
I've got the 38 and the 18. The 38 for when I want punchy and focused through my Zbest. The 18 for when I want a little sweet chime.
|
|
|
Post by daveyk on Feb 17, 2017 16:26:35 GMT -7
I've got the 38 and the 18. The 38 for when I want punchy and focused through my Zbest. The 18 for when I want a little sweet chime. Do you find they provide about the same volume? I read in another thread a while ago, if you plug your 38 into the "low" input, that it would match the volume of an 18 plugged into the "high" input.
|
|
|
Post by nickpostp on Mar 14, 2017 9:23:38 GMT -7
I am finally the proud owner of a Maz 38 with reverb. I borrowed a buddy's 18 and loved it then just a week or two later a friend from college put up his 38 for sale for a GREAT price. It's currently on its way to The Dr Z shop for the boost and reverb switching mods! Can't wait to get it home!
|
|
|
Post by daveyk on Mar 15, 2017 11:47:53 GMT -7
I am finally the proud owner of a Maz 38 with reverb. I borrowed a buddy's 18 and loved it then just a week or two later a friend from college put up his 38 for sale for a GREAT price. It's currently on its way to The Dr Z shop for the boost and reverb switching mods! Can't wait to get it home! Congrats on the new amp! Let us know your thoughts on it when you get it back from the Doc! My 38 NR has been my one and only going on 5 years now! It's quite the beast! And welcome to the forum!!!
|
|
|
Post by zpilot on Mar 20, 2017 3:27:49 GMT -7
A MAZ Sr was my first Z amp which I bought in 2003. I had never heard one. I read an interview with Mike in Tone Quest Report and I liked a lot of what he believes about amp design and building. In that article I also learned that Buddy Whittington was playing a Sr and I liked his tone. I had a little spare cash so I made the plunge. No regrets but eventually I decided a Sr was just too much amp for my needs.
|
|
|
Post by fishman on Oct 30, 2017 21:48:30 GMT -7
I bought every z amp unheard. No dealers here. That said from what I read with the right speakers it can do anything. Acoustic, electric, pedal steel,bass, fiddle etc. It can too. Indestructible. Plus I had been chasing the tone dog for decades and figured what have I got to loose? Humbuckermusic, prefect to deal with. Took me a year to learn how to play it and really know the amp but its just an amazing amp.plus has saved me thousands, the tone hunt is over.
|
|
|
Post by thatstatuemoved on Sept 20, 2019 13:28:09 GMT -7
Update: I've had a maz 38 for many years. Got the Mk11 update and now basically have a maz 18 and a 38 in one amp. Awesome!!
|
|
|
Post by daveyk on Oct 17, 2019 14:18:46 GMT -7
Update: I've had a maz 38 for many years. Got the Mk11 update and now basically have a maz 18 and a 38 in one amp. Awesome!! Nice! I'm planning on getting the mkII update soon! Did the mkII update take away anything you liked about the amp? what are your thoughts so far?
|
|
|
Post by mickey on Oct 17, 2019 22:50:28 GMT -7
Well, I still have my Maz 38 and it still sounds great. However, for a few years now I've gone to a Maz 18 which I bought maybe 3 years ago. Haven't planned on getting the updates done as the two amps sound great as they are, and anyway I guess it's more difficult to get the mods done in the UK.
|
|
|
Post by thatstatuemoved on Oct 18, 2019 7:29:57 GMT -7
The update did not take anything away I like about the 38, but added a bunch of things I like. The 38 seems to sound better at lower volumes due to the update, the volume sweep is a lot more linear, and I now have an 18 and 38 in one amp. Glad I got the update done.
|
|
|
Post by daveyk on Nov 11, 2019 9:38:53 GMT -7
The update did not take anything away I like about the 38, but added a bunch of things I like. The 38 seems to sound better at lower volumes due to the update, the volume sweep is a lot more linear, and I now have an 18 and 38 in one amp. Glad I got the update done. Good to hear! I really want to get the mkII update done. This is my only amp I own at the moment. I've been thinking about getting a lower powered amp for home use, even though the brake lite helps a ton for home use, it seems like with the mkII update you'd be able to use it at home a lot easier and control stage volume/breakup easier as well.
|
|
|
Post by thatstatuemoved on Nov 11, 2019 12:46:59 GMT -7
daveyk--you could get the update and I think you would be very happy. You could use the lo input on your 38 for home use. This cuts volume down quite a bit. With the update you would basically have a 18 and 38 in one package and for home and use the half power switch and lo input. Just a thought.
|
|