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Post by mazmaster on Jan 11, 2006 12:18:17 GMT -7
And, unlike what some have said about the Cut knob, I max it out! But, I do run the Treble around 10:00. Maxing out the Cut knob, running Mid around 1:30 and Volume around noon is the key to getting amazing tones with dirt pedals upfront, while also keeping the clean tones round and warm without too much breakup. Control brightness strictly with the Treble knob and your pedal's tone controls. I just tried these settings into a Bob Burt 1x12 loaded with a Naylor SD50 (basically, a C12N). Freaking killer, especially with a Zendrive in front of it. Thanks very much! Cool! One other thing I forgot to mention is that with those Maz 18 settings, you still need sufficient output level from the pedal to help OD the amp and blend the amp and pedal distortion. It's amazing how the tone, all of a sudden, BLOOMS into this huge, open, sustaining sound when the pedal output level reaches that magic threshold. The only problem I've had recently is too much of a difference between my lead level and the straight clean tone out of the amp. This happened at a casino gig last week where I had to turn my Master Volume real low and, subsequently, get less output tube saturation. So, the pedal was kicking up the volume too much, but the tone was still killer! So, I had to reduce my pedal output level to *below* that magic threshold and it just wasn't the same. I struggled all night with my lead tones and people even commented that my tone "wasn't the same". So, this week, I'm bringing another amp for cleans, in case I have that problem again. That pedal Level is not moving this week!
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Post by James on Jan 26, 2006 9:18:31 GMT -7
So here is my question.........which maz should I buy?....
I already have Rte 66 and an airbrake.......so I could AB things if I wanted...........I play clubs that are like the size of bowling alley bars - small resturants and we bring our own PA so we have the opportunity to mic and mix ourselves in any situation that needs it..........like a bigger stage....
It just seems like the 18 should be just fine in the size of venue I mentioned...............like you should be able to dial in a loud enough clean tone that you can dirty up with an OCD or zendrive and and mic'd it would seem you would be plenty loud. Am I wrong? I feel like the verdict is still out........with some players feeling like the 18 is plenty loud and others feeling like its a bedroom amp........I guess the style of music matters as well..........I play R &B basically with some rock like, bad company, robert palmer.....zz top.........nothing with over the top sounds............
I could purchase either the 18jr or the 38 sr, but I don't want both and don't think I should need both........the jr seems like it would be loud enough for small venues....I know my deluxe reverb is plenty loud......in fact I have to airbrake it order to use it in a small club( which BTW through my z best...........sounds completely killer!)....
I just wanna groove on Mustang Sally and Mary Had a Little Lamb and "Drive my car"........type tunes..
also, my tom anderson is really good about cleaning up without losing tone when you back the volume down......
so help decide which maz is for me cuz I cannot decide!
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Post by billyguitar on Jan 26, 2006 11:34:13 GMT -7
The difference between the 18 and 38 is how much clean you need and what you consider clean. Some guy's clean tone would be my overdrive tone. That's why I use a 38.
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Post by James on Jan 26, 2006 13:10:03 GMT -7
ahhhh....well said in a way that helps me to decide.
So if someone gets their lead or overdriven tones strictlyby turning up............the 18 would be a better choice for small clubs...........where as if you get your overdrive from pedals...........you could easily use the 38 in the small club setting, get a crystal clean amp setting and then let your OD or OD's take you off from there.
The xfactor seems to be another level of clean the 38 has that the 18 has but only to a point until it starts cookin' a little........i.e headroom
seems like if a guy owns an airbrake.....he can get his 38 to do anything the 18 can do..........but also some higher volume crystal cleans tones.......that the jr does not have.....
I think my situation calls for the Sr then.........however, I can completely see owning both amps........
excuse me.......G.A.S.
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Post by billyguitar on Jan 26, 2006 13:19:11 GMT -7
Don't underestimate how good the master volume works on the 38. A boost into the preamp with the Master low sounds killer. I don't think an airbrake is necessary at all unless you absolutely live in distortion-land.
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