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Post by msterling45 on Jun 9, 2015 22:46:48 GMT -7
I've got a Ghia, is the Rati just a louder Ghia? 2 knobs rule.
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Post by Jaguarguy (Mike) on Jun 10, 2015 1:28:00 GMT -7
The version 1 Rati is basically a large Ghia; version 2 a different circuit amp that Doc had help from Brad Paisley design-wise.
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Post by randalp3000 on Jun 10, 2015 9:08:31 GMT -7
Sorry to disagree with you Mike. I have compared my V2 with the Ghia schematic that's floating around and it was a match to the ghia. I think the big differance between the V1 and V2 is bigger transformers.
from the website of discontinued models
Note: Production of this amp was suspended in April 2006.
The first Mazerati was custom built for a customer who wanted a "higher powered Carmen Ghia." Brad Paisley with a pair of Mazeratis and a Maz 18 Junior With four EL-84s, the Mazerati was twice the power as the Ghia, and sounded very nice. It was good on its own. Then, Country Music star Brad Paisley requested a replacement for his aged Vintage Vox AC-30, and the evolution of the Mazerati began. The Evolution of the Mazerati.
Dr. Z says, "I had read in the Mullard Design Manual about a technique of using a split load cathode bias setup. Since Mullard is responsible for the best sounding EL-84's, I took their advice. All cathode biased amps generate the bias voltage from one resistor, so the average of the four tubes is summed together to form the bias voltage. The split load setup uses two larger valued resistors to split the set of outputs and generates a more accurate bias voltage. Now both halves of the output rise to a more balanced symmetry, giving a balanced tone with increased sustain. This setup also eliminates the need for perfectly matched "Quads" of EL-84s. The next step was to upgrade the power transformer by a factor of three. This increased the bandwidth of the amp, firmed up the low-end response, and gave the amp a perfect string to string balance with totally opened up the tone of the amp. After that, I increased the Global Negative Feedback for a touch more clean headroom. The Mazerati uses tru Global Feedback, which is injected into the first preamp tube.
Finally, I increased the power supply filtering to eliminate any hint of Ghost Notes, and to increase the dynamic response.
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Post by deltone on Jun 10, 2015 9:14:37 GMT -7
^^^^^ That's some great info there!
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Post by pcns on Jun 11, 2015 15:04:43 GMT -7
In either case, it's a great sounding amp. There is a fatness to the amp that is really cool while still keeping the chime of the EL-84's.
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Post by southmusic70 on Jun 11, 2015 18:13:43 GMT -7
It is absolutely superb with strats and teles.
Period.
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Post by jesslm02 on Sept 5, 2015 9:11:32 GMT -7
I love the Ghia and Tele combination, I bet the Mazerati would be even better.
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Post by Eric from Cheekago on Sept 5, 2015 10:32:51 GMT -7
This is my version one. Built in '00 the Z Best is from the same year. Demo of my Tele-Sonic. Starts off clean then I add some dirt.
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Post by bryan0418 on Sept 8, 2015 17:06:26 GMT -7
I have a V2 Mazerati. It's a great sounding amp with a Celestion Gold. It has some Ghia traits in it but it is much louder. I love the amp. 2 simple knobs and lots of power.
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Post by kc on Sept 19, 2015 7:20:28 GMT -7
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Post by jesslm02 on Oct 3, 2015 15:53:32 GMT -7
Guess I get to find out! I just purchased a 2x12 combo.
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Post by jesslm02 on Oct 10, 2015 23:09:24 GMT -7
The Mazerati sounds great! Definitely has hints of the Ghia but sonically is much bigger. Now if I could just get my hands on a V1 I could compare the two. Anyone want to let go of their V1?
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bartc
Junior Member
Posts: 59
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Post by bartc on Dec 28, 2015 22:26:34 GMT -7
I would also weigh in on the question "What does it sound like?" I can easily make mine sound like a very muscular Vox, but minus any weakness in tone. Depending on which speaker cabinets, and speakers I use it will also do really great AC/DC Malcolm rhythm. The two knobs on the amp are all you need on the amp. The guitar volume knob is super important to discovering the amp. The only dirt box I have ever used is a germanium Beano type pedal, or a fat boost to push the front end. If you know how to turn the guitar volume knob it is a very versatile amp, just like all the good Dr.'s two to three knob amps!
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