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Post by ss "Shane" on Jan 3, 2017 19:49:35 GMT -7
1. Is the 8 loud enough for a band? 2. Does the 8 eat tubes too fast? 3. Is the tone as 3D as the 18? 4. Is the floor noise very noticeable?
Thanks again Z community!
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Post by zpilot on Jan 3, 2017 20:22:16 GMT -7
1. In my opinion no. It depends on if you have a hard hitting drummer, are you playing loud rock music, do you run everything through your monitors....that kind of stuff. It is loud enough for most worship team settings or very small clubs. Actually, it's perfect for that. Again, my opinion. However, I just bought a MAZ 8 and have paired it with a Fryette PS-2 and now I can play virtually anywhere. I truly could only have one amp now.
2. Pre-amp tubes...not any faster than any other amp. Power-amp tube...I don't know yet but who cares. There is only ONE to replace and they are cheap.
3. In pentode mode, I think so. It takes a little different EQ settings to get you there but it is close enough that I am selling my MAZ 18. Plus, it has the Triode mode which opens up a whole different tone pallet.
4. Mine is slightly noisier than my MAZ 18 but still no big deal. Nowhere near as noisy as my single coil pickups.
Sounds like you are on the fence about buying this amp. Don't be. It's a great amp and again, I recommend the Fryette PS-2 with it if you need to play louder. You could run it back through your monitors but I know that isn't always an option. Please read my review of the PS-2 on another thread.
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Post by "Z" Steve on Jan 3, 2017 20:30:49 GMT -7
My answers reflect my use of the 8 on Sundays at church as well as a few small venue gigs.
1. Is the 8 loud enough for a band? I think this is subjective. I've taken my 8 to a few backyard parties but I always take my Z28 head - just in case. In most of those settings I've had to plug the 28 into the 8's speaker cab, and that is using a gold, a Creamback, or a G12h. The 8 has worked great indoors in small venues.
2. Does the 8 eat tubes too fast?
I've had my 8 for over a year and I've only had one EL84 fail (a "preferred" 7189 from the Tube Store). But in using the amp almost every Sunday - sometimes for 3 services, as well as a few other outings, I've only changed out the power amp tube because that's what I choose (and when I do chose, I use the 6N14N tube from Perry!). The preamp section has been flawless. 3. Is the tone as 3D as the 18?
Yes, I think so. But, you will get more of that 3D sound in pentode mode (but there's nothing lacking in triode though - just not as loud)
4. Is the floor noise very noticeable?
I've had no issue with floor noise unless it was a failing EL84. In full disclosure though, I rarely use the EQ bypass mode so it's possible you may find some there.
I hope this helps in your decision.
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Post by purpletele on Jan 3, 2017 22:22:44 GMT -7
I concur with Z Steve and Zpilot
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Post by heynewguy (Ol’ Bill) on Jan 4, 2017 4:43:18 GMT -7
I concur with Z Steve and Zpilot Me three. i was told that my Maz 8 was too loud. With a drummer with a gigantic kit and a bass player with 480 watts.
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Post by pcns on Jan 4, 2017 4:55:16 GMT -7
I used my Maz 8 at Mini Z fest a few years back. Volume was. It a problem when I was the only guitar. When Brayks had his three amp monster running I could not keep up but nobody else could either lol I really loved the triode mode. It was like having two different amps in one package. I also agree with the other very well stated comments above. God bless, Todd
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Post by Stephen on Jan 4, 2017 6:22:04 GMT -7
Here's my two cents:
1. I've only played mine at Church and small clubs, but it has always been loud enough to compete.
2. I've never changed a tube in mine, except to try to quiet the reverb hum in my 2013 model.
3. I can't tell any difference between my 8 and my 18.
4. I bought a new one in 2013 and never could get the reverb hum quiet enough to suit me, but people tell me that I am unreasonably picky. I sold it last year and ordered a new one with the improved reverb circuit and I am very happy with it.
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Post by doctorice on Jan 4, 2017 6:29:32 GMT -7
Only bit I will add is that my 8 is quieter than my 18, which is an older (2002, I think) model.
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Post by Deleted on Jan 4, 2017 7:44:49 GMT -7
The MAZ 8 has worked just fine for me with a band on Singer Songwriter gigs. Not super slamming loud. If you want to play it live the G12H30 is the speaker I'd recommend 'cause it's super efficient. Also repeating myself but the amp is capable of so much variety of tone and control it makes a great 2nd amp in a 2 amp rig.
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Post by franky on Jan 4, 2017 8:27:35 GMT -7
1. I've owned mine for a few years, and I only had volume problems once when I had to keep up with a heavy-handed drummer and a Fender Bassman. I had to crank the master, so it wasn't clean, but it didn't need to be. 2. Everyone's covered this, but I'll just add that I use triode mode when I'm noodling, which is pretty easy on the EL84. 3. Yes. 4. With the reverb not too high, it's got a very low noise floor.
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Post by prspastor on Jan 9, 2017 6:44:05 GMT -7
I have to echo what has been said by everyone else. This is the most versatile amp that I probably have ever owned. The volume is more than adequate for me and I play in a church band setting. I don't mic the amp and I play on triode mode. If I ever found myself in a situation where I needed more volume, I've got a great Sennheiser mic for that for the FOH. 😉 Reverb is very nice. Low noise floor. Yep, I think that Pentode may be more 3D but I like the old fashioned tones of triode better. Also, mine is a 2016 model with the new features.
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Post by dergit (Markus) on Jan 11, 2017 6:00:49 GMT -7
Pentode is also a lot louder, so you still have that option if you ever need it.
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