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Post by premiumplus (Dave) on Nov 12, 2015 17:48:23 GMT -7
I've been reading about the Fryette Power Station and it sounds like it would be an incredible pairing with my Maz 8. It might be the answer to the Maz 8 not having quite enough power. Do any of you good Z brothers have any experience with the Power Station?
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Post by purpletele on Nov 12, 2015 18:44:37 GMT -7
Dave, I have had my Power Station for about a month now. I am thoroughly impressed! Super high quality like the Dr. Z products, great customer support. As far as the performance is concerned it works as advertised, you should be able to take the Maz 8 and run it through the PS and generate an enormous output. I have a super modded Blues Junior with an extension cabinet and low watt Tone Tubbies, classis Fender smooth deep sparkly tone. I ran it through the PS and about fell over from amazement. I had a super rich tone with volume capacity to fill a super large venue. I have barley scratched the surface, but it is up there with Dr. Z amps, Cream Alnico's, film containers with top shelf product, etc. My primary use is to be able to play at a low volume with the amps cranking around 3-4. I do not have a PPIMV on any of my amps so it is perfect for that. My next amp will most likely be a Therapy with a MV, but until then this is a wonderful tool. The price is quite reasonable when you see and feel this amp. It is loaded with two 6L6's and a 12 ax7. I think it cost a bit over $600. Considering I just dropped $100 on 5157 tube, 6 5157 tubes does not equal the Power Station. Highly recommended!
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Post by dergit (Markus) on Nov 13, 2015 2:16:52 GMT -7
$100 for a 5751? It better have some fairy dust in it! The Fryette Power Station seems to be a very impressive product but I don't have first hand experience. It was in the running, however, when I faced the opposite decision: I loved my 18 on stage and in the rehearsal room but there was no way of using it at home even with the Brake Lite on 4. I can't really imagine running out of power with the MAZ 8 in Pentode mode (it's still a loud amp!) but if that's what's happening, then the 18NR would probably make you very happy, I imagine. Now, whether you get a second amp or make your MAZ 8 work both jobs is up to you but here's why I decided on the first option, getting both, 8 and 18: - I can leave the 18 in the rehearsal room / tour van and always have the 8 at home for practice and recording
- I don't have to carry the 30kg 2x10" 18 NR anywhere... I live in an inner city flat without a lift so this is crucial to me
- Dual amp options for recording... think of that dirty MAZ 8 in triode mode matched with a clean-ish MAZ 18... jeeeeez!
- Backup, should one of the two ever go up in smokes a few days before a tour
- I have the 8 studio combo as a quick grab and go (it's 17kg!) amp for those rare gigs that aren't with my main band where I'd have to drive to the rehearsal room and get my MAZ
Bottom line... spending 1750€ on a MAZ 8 combo (and 250€ on a used Air Brake) somehow seemed more sensible than spending almost half that (800€... oh, European prices, how I loathe thee...) on a tool to make my 18 work at home - where it wouldn't be most of the time, because I'd still be too lazy to carry it home in the first place. Your case might be entirely different... you might not be playing out that often, have the head version where a larger cab in the rehearsal room or on stage might be a viable option as well, have the amp at home most of the time anyways etc... as always, many ways lead to Rome...
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Post by dergit (Markus) on Nov 13, 2015 2:20:57 GMT -7
... having read your signature: If headroom for stomp boxes is what you're running out of, that happens with the 18 as well unless you set it cleaner than you'd probably like (and hint: turn down the mids a bit). I found the relative sweet spots for me on 18 and 8 but the 8 doesn't eat pedals nearly as well as the 18!
To be honest, my solution for your case would be: Let the Mini Z go unless you really like it (which I just don't), make the MAZ 8 your practice/home amp and get an 18 (or even a 38) for those situations that require power and headroom for pedals. It'll roughly run you the same cost as getting the Fryette, I guess?
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Post by premiumplus (Dave) on Nov 13, 2015 2:54:17 GMT -7
I have barley scratched the surface, but it is up there with Dr. Z amps, Cream Alnico's, film containers with top shelf product, etc. That's FUNNY, Purp! Guys, that's the thing that really makes the Fryette attractive, it works both as a volume boost and as an attenuator. Without the tone loss that (perceived or not, I hear it) a stand alone attenuator suffers from. Good stuff, anyone else have some experience with these devices? They really sound like a must have for any rig that has to travel from home to stage.
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Post by premiumplus (Dave) on Nov 13, 2015 2:59:03 GMT -7
To be honest, my solution for your case would be: Let the Mini Z go unless you really like it (which I just don't), make the MAZ 8 your practice/home amp and get an 18 (or even a 38) for those situations that require power and headroom for pedals. It'll roughly run you the same cost as getting the Fryette, I guess? I like your solution, Dergit...the Mini doesn't get a lot of love because I have the Maz 8 and a CG "Wanna B Z" that I built from a Hammond AO-35. The Mini is a great little amp but I really don't need it with the others in house.
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Deleted
Deleted Member
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Post by Deleted on Nov 13, 2015 8:15:37 GMT -7
Dergit's idea is spot on. Money from selling the Mini Z + money from the Fryette = Maz 18. Especially since you have the almighty Monza!!!
I'm going the other way, Maz 38 to Maz 18. The 18 is just too attractive of a package.
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Post by purpletele on Nov 13, 2015 9:36:35 GMT -7
$100 for a 5751? It better have some fairy dust in it! The Fryette Power Station seems to be a very impressive product but I don't have first hand experience. It was in the running, however, when I faced the opposite decision: I loved my 18 on stage and in the rehearsal room but there was no way of using it at home even with the Brake Lite on 4. I can't really imagine running out of power with the MAZ 8 in Pentode mode (it's still a loud amp!) but if that's what's happening, then the 18NR would probably make you very happy, I imagine. Now, whether you get a second amp or make your MAZ 8 work both jobs is up to you but here's why I decided on the first option, getting both, 8 and 18: - I can leave the 18 in the rehearsal room / tour van and always have the 8 at home for practice and recording
- I don't have to carry the 30kg 2x10" 18 NR anywhere... I live in an inner city flat without a lift so this is crucial to me
- Dual amp options for recording... think of that dirty MAZ 8 in triode mode matched with a clean-ish MAZ 18... jeeeeez!
- Backup, should one of the two ever go up in smokes a few days before a tour
- I have the 8 studio combo as a quick grab and go (it's 17kg!) amp for those rare gigs that aren't with my main band where I'd have to drive to the rehearsal room and get my MAZ
Bottom line... spending 1750€ on a MAZ 8 combo (and 250€ on a used Air Brake) somehow seemed more sensible than spending almost half that (800€... oh, European prices, how I loathe thee...) on a tool to make my 18 work at home - where it wouldn't be most of the time, because I'd still be too lazy to carry it home in the first place. Your case might be entirely different... you might not be playing out that often, have the head version where a larger cab in the rehearsal room or on stage might be a viable option as well, have the amp at home most of the time anyways etc... as always, many ways lead to Rome... I am regretting the purchase of the NOS 5751. I did pay $95 and I honestly do not hear any substantial improvement. I looked at two shops on line and they were both about the same.
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Post by dergit (Markus) on Nov 13, 2015 10:05:11 GMT -7
There are many different 5751s... I have a few very affordable Philips NOS ones (about 20$ a piece) and there are also current production ones by EH and JJ, I think.
I do have a Mullard Reissue ECC83 in V1 of my MAZ 8 and I really like it... though I probably wouldn't pay the 70ish bucks they appear to be charging for it.
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garfy
New Member
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Post by garfy on Nov 13, 2015 14:51:34 GMT -7
Hi there, newish to the forum, I picked up a Maz 8 studio today and I'm thinking of adding a 5751in V1 to tame her down a bit.... Blue and brake lite fitted.
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Post by dergit (Markus) on Nov 13, 2015 16:48:39 GMT -7
It'll dampen treble a bit and reduce gain but won't change the amp completely.
Is the poweramp tube a 6p14p or a EL84?
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garfy
New Member
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Post by garfy on Nov 14, 2015 10:50:32 GMT -7
It's an EL84, maybe a change to a Philips 6p14p would help. Watford valves are fairly close to me.. Of course I could also think about changing the blue to get the edge of break up at max headroom. I had a maz18 reverb, but a couple of months ago work issues meant I had to let her go. That's all past now and couldn't resist this beautiful blonde maz8 studio (probably suits my needs at the moment better anyway).
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Post by digs57 on Nov 15, 2015 8:08:39 GMT -7
Yeah paying for the nos stuff is a gamble...if your a gigging/musician and can afford retubes of nos?...if it fails...ouch.
Get a 18...done
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Post by purpletele on Nov 16, 2015 20:21:48 GMT -7
Hi there, newish to the forum, I picked up a Maz 8 studio today and I'm thinking of adding a 5751in V1 to tame her down a bit.... Blue and brake lite fitted. I have a fantastic RCA NOS triple Mica 5751 for $98 bucks. Apparently they are cheaper across the pond.
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garfy
New Member
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Post by garfy on Nov 29, 2015 11:11:59 GMT -7
Digs57...I'm going to use JJ's for V1 and get a matched pair of EL84s so I have a spare. Purpletele...thanks for the offer and your right they are a little cheaper over here. After a fair bit of knob turning and mode switching I've managed to come up with so many great sounds but I think I prefer the triode position for that vintage feel. Not sure the blue can give me the cleans at band volumes though so maybe a Maz 18 2x10 may be on the cards Anyone using the Maz 2x12?
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