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Post by dcarver on Nov 8, 2016 13:43:13 GMT -7
I noticed when I got the MAZ 8, the tube chart lists a 12AT7 in the V3 (reverb driver) position. My amp came with a 12AU7 in V3 , which is listed as the stock tube on DR.Z's tube info page.
Just wondering what the difference is. Anybody got any input on what effect a 12AT7 has on the reverb ?
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Post by zpilot on Nov 9, 2016 4:27:36 GMT -7
Was your amp new or used? A 12AU7 will have less gain than a 12AT7. However of those two a 12AT7 will be capable of more current which is why it is normally used as a driver for reverb tanks and power amp tubes. As you pointed out the "tube info" on Doc's website currently spec's a 12AU7. I would speculate that they are trying to damp down the "springiness" in the reverb and make the control knob usable over more of it's range. But then that is nothing more than a guess on my part based on past experiences with spring reverbs.
Your post caught my interest because I have a new MAZ 8 coming in the next few days. Other than changing a few tubes to NOS ones I will probably leave my amp stock. I've come to respect Doc's choices in tube types.
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Post by dcarver on Nov 9, 2016 11:31:31 GMT -7
Hi ZP , thanks for the reply. I got the amp new from Humbucker last August. I really like the reverb with the 12AU7, but I have a NOS 12AT7 that I was thinking about trying. I'm somewhere between "if it ain't broke....", and curiosity getting the better of me.
I noticed on the tube info page DR.Z specs a 12AT7 for the reverb driver in the MAZ 18. I would imagine the MAZ 18 has a pretty similar, if not the same reverb circuit as the MAZ 8. I guess the only way to really know how it sounds is to try it. You're right though. I'm sure the DR. put a 12AU7 in there for good reason.
I think you're going to love the MAZ 8. It's amazingly versatile. What speaker did you get?
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Post by zpilot on Nov 9, 2016 15:39:58 GMT -7
Hi ZP , thanks for the reply. I got the amp new from Humbucker last August. I really like the reverb with the 12AU7, but I have a NOS 12AT7 that I was thinking about trying. I'm somewhere between "if it ain't broke....", and curiosity getting the better of me. I noticed on the tube info page DR.Z specs a 12AT7 for the reverb driver in the MAZ 18. I would imagine the MAZ 18 has a pretty similar, if not the same reverb circuit as the MAZ 8. I guess the only way to really know how it sounds is to try it. You're right though. I'm sure the DR. put a 12AU7 in there for good reason. I think you're going to love the MAZ 8. It's amazingly versatile. What speaker did you get? I ordered it with the Z-12 because I don't have one. I have a spare C-Gold and H-30 that I can install if I need. I just wanted to give the Z-12 a listen because everyone seems to love it.
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Post by purpletele on Nov 9, 2016 15:42:10 GMT -7
Z-12 rocks that box
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Post by dcarver on Nov 9, 2016 20:33:47 GMT -7
I've been thinking about trying some NOS tubes, but I have zero experience in this stuff.
Does a NOS tube in V1 have the largest effect on the overall tone ?
What about V2 ? Is it worth putting NOS tubes in both V1 & V2, or does V2 not really effect the tone that much ?
Then there's the output tube driver (V5). How does V5 effect the overall tone of the amp ?
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Post by premiumplus (Dave) on Nov 10, 2016 7:22:49 GMT -7
I'm a verified tube juggler but I've found that Doc's suggestions are usually the best.
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Post by "Z" Steve on Nov 10, 2016 7:36:27 GMT -7
I'm a verified tube juggler but I've found that Doc's suggestions are usually the best. I'm with Dave on this. The only thing I won't do is buy expensive NOS power tubes (just reliable current production one(s)), and I will try different NOS preamp tubes in V1.
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Post by dcarver on Dec 20, 2016 12:14:06 GMT -7
Curiosity got the best of me and I tried an "on-sale" ANOS Mullard 12AT7 in the reverb driver position. Wow ! Big difference. The stock EH 12AU7 was good, but above 12:00 it got pretty springy. It started to get a bit harsh, it kinda sounded like the 12AU7 was getting pushed a little too hard.
The Mullard 12AT7 sounded great. Instead of getting springy above 12:00, it stayed really smooth all the way to 5:00. It sounded like playing in a big empty cathedral. Good reverb through the entire range of the knob. The one downside was it started to get a bit of a hum at 3::00 or 4:00, might be why it was cheap.
So I took it out and put in a Tung-Sol 12AU7. The Tung-Sol sounds pretty good. Not harsh at high settings, and pretty quiet. Both the 12AU7 and 12AT7 work well. You can really shape the quality of reverb in the Maz 8 by trying different tubes in v3.
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Post by premiumplus (Dave) on Jan 12, 2017 18:18:16 GMT -7
It's amazing the difference a reverb driver tube makes in the whole amp response, not just with reverb, either. Even with the reverb off, you'll hear a difference in tone.
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Post by dcarver on Jan 13, 2017 1:02:08 GMT -7
Thanks for the tip Dave, I'll check that out. I still have the Tung-Sol 12AU7 in V3, but I'm getting the itch to try another driver.
I've been trying a bunch of different combinations of preamp tubes lately. Currently running a ANOS Mullard 12AX7 in V1 and a new production Mullard in V2. I really like the way the amp sounds with this set up. Excellent cleans, plenty of head room and it breaks up really nice when I hit it with the Gain Changer. That said, I still think plugging straight into the amp and pushing it into overdrive with the foot switch yields some of the best dirt.
The Maz 8 is such a cool little amp.
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