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Post by goldenrod on Jun 6, 2016 20:51:26 GMT -7
New to the forum and really to DR Z amps in general. Always played Fenders and wanted to give Z a try. Searched for this problem on gear pages already but was wondering what was normal with the Maz 38 NR or not..
The Maz I am referring to is the most recent one. I picked it up used 6 months ago but it was made in the Fall of 2015...so basically new. When I got the amp I had it re-tubed and looked over by a local amp tech to make sure it was in good working order since it was rattled in shipping a little bit. It's a great great sounding amp as you all know, but recently started to notice a white noise/hiss coming from the amp even when nothing is plugged in. Also noticed even with both Master/Volume all the way off there is a slight hum.
Found when I turn the Cut all the way down it lessens the white noise, but with everything set to noon there is a noticable hiss/white noise. I wanted to dime the Master and then just use the Volume knob to control my output but the hiss is way too noticeable when mixed in my home studio. Is this noise normal since its such a high wattage amp? I thought it was my pedalboard at first but it wasn't. I already tried different tubes and plug locations in the house.
It was working fine and only left my house once to gig with since buying it a few months ago. Just trying to narrow down the issues and see if I'm being overly OCD about my gear or not. Thanks!
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Post by "Z" Steve on Jun 6, 2016 21:26:12 GMT -7
When you did the tube change out, did you do them one at a time? Did one tube replacement make a noticeable change or was the hiss always present during any change? The 38 was my 1st Z amp, but the only extra noise I heard was the fan - and it wasn't bothersome while playing. Welcome to the forum and let us know what you find out!
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Post by goldenrod on Jun 6, 2016 21:59:03 GMT -7
Thanks for the reply!
I actually didn't notice a difference at all. this is something that started out of the blue. when it was re-tubed every tube in the amp was changed but i had the amp tech use the dr z recommended tubes. this one doesn't have a fan in it.
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Post by Jaguarguy (Mike) on Jun 7, 2016 5:59:50 GMT -7
Changing the tube doesn't mean you've got good tubes - many new tubes are a crap shoot these days. The quality is so poor that it could be one of the new tubes.
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Post by daveyk on Jun 9, 2016 22:21:59 GMT -7
Similar thing happened to me. Changed power tubes, sounded great, then all of a sudden a bunch of static white noise. Noticed one of the power tubes was red plating. Had the tube replaced then the noise got worse. So I ended up replacing the rectifier and solved the problem. My 38 NR is back sounding quiet again. Just like jaguarguy said, new tubes don't always mean they'll work how they're supposed to. Make sure to get new tubes from a reputable dealer who will warrant them, who tests them and who will replace them if they fail. I've had a good experience going through eurotubes. When one the el84's in my 38 red plated, I contacted eurotubes and they immediately sent me a new el84 with the same specs as the other 3 well working el84's free of charge. They warrant all tubes for a full 6 months from purchase date. Anyhow, it could most definitely be a tube problem. Good luck
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Post by daveyk on Jun 9, 2016 22:23:53 GMT -7
Changing the tube doesn't mean you've got good tubes - many new tubes are a crap shoot these days. The quality is so poor that it could be one of the new tubes. So disappointingly true.
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Post by zdogma on Jun 11, 2016 13:54:00 GMT -7
Yeah, new EL84's are a crapshoot for sure. I just threw out a bunch of JJ's, about 1 in 5 seems to go bad on me. I have the NOS russian 7189's and so far they are first rate, expensive but excellent.
I have virtually no hiss or hum at idle, mine is a 2013 model (the new cosmetics/circuit)
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