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Post by steviec on Feb 26, 2018 18:49:23 GMT -7
Good evening!
I currently own and love my MAZ18Jr 112 combo and my Z-Lux 112 combo. I also have a MAZ38Sr head with a 212 oval back cabinet for larger rooms and outdoor stages in the summer. It is a beast! I am now contemplating buying a Z-Plus, but I cannot decide which cabinet would be a better choice (Studio or Lite).
My previous experience has been that smaller combo cabinets tend to sound more “pinched” and midrangey, and wider cabinets tend to sound “rounder” with a bit more low-mid girth. However, I see that most Z-Plus owners have opted for the smaller Studio cabinet.
Can anyone who has tried them both describe the tonal differences between these 2 cabinets to help me make up my mind? I am also leaning toward an Alnico Blue speaker - they sound so great when broken in.
Thanks!
Steve
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Post by digs57 on Feb 27, 2018 14:24:59 GMT -7
Reg cab has some throw and sounds just right...studio is sooo close...I don't think you would lose w/either...imho.
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Post by Mark (Basement Enthusiast) on Feb 27, 2018 15:10:02 GMT -7
I know this isn't helpful "experience-based" advice (I have not played the Z-Plus in either form), but I believe Doc mentioned in one of his latest "Ask Me Anything" videos on YouTube that he prefers the Z-Plus in the Studio cab(?). Or, I could be imagining things, ya never know...
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Post by captainron (Ron) on Feb 28, 2018 6:59:18 GMT -7
I know this isn't helpful "experience-based" advice (I have not played the Z-Plus in either form), but I believe Doc mentioned in one of his latest "Ask Me Anything" videos on YouTube that he prefers the Z-Plus in the Studio cab(?). Or, I could be imagining things, ya never know... Doc did in fact say he prefers the studio cab for the Z Plus in one of his videos. You are spot on as usual Mark! I trust Doc's ears! Ron
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Post by steviec on Feb 28, 2018 16:12:04 GMT -7
Yes, I saw the video where Doc says he prefers the Studio cabinet. I wonder what the sonic differences are that cause him to prefer the Studio cabinet over the wider regular combo cabinet?
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Post by nicholas on Feb 28, 2018 17:18:06 GMT -7
I don't think you can go wrong either way. I'd focus your choice more on the physical size. I have the studio and love the size of it. It's nice to have a small little combo.
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Post by zpilot on Feb 28, 2018 19:48:44 GMT -7
I hauled 2x12 combos for so long that I don't mind the full-size lite cabinet. Especially if you are using a speaker with more bottom than a Blue. I guess it comes down to that. Which speaker you use.
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Post by frankie on Mar 2, 2018 13:14:01 GMT -7
I hauled 2x12 combos for so long that I don't mind the full-size lite cabinet. Especially if you are using a speaker with more bottom than a Blue. I guess it comes down to that. Which speaker you use. The studio cab's dimensions seem to resonate the best with the Blue. The blue actually sounds fuller in the studio cab. The Z12, there's less of a difference.
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Post by scottc on Mar 2, 2018 13:49:16 GMT -7
I have not compared side by side personally, but a local dealer has and they said they preferred the sound of the full size cabinet.
I ended up with a full size combo with a Creamback speaker.
What I can do is compare the weight between the Z-Plus lite and a MAZ 1x12 with the G12H30. It is noticeably lighter and easier to manage.
Full disclosure: I do have a brakelite installed in the MAZ - Not that it adds a lot, but like I said, Full Disclosure...
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jmg
Junior Member
Posts: 53
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Post by jmg on Feb 8, 2019 11:53:10 GMT -7
Hey folks. Newbie to Z here and loving my new purchase of a Z Plus! Because of an order mix up from the online store I bought from, I had the unique chance to try both the Studio and the LT side by side at my pad. (Sorry, no gigging or recording. It was my responsibility to return one of these as I received it.) Still, I thought I'd contribute to this particular thread. First, you can't go wrong with either. They are both wonderful amps. However, the LT is a bit bigger sounding to the naked ear. It makes sense, of course, the slightly bigger cab just gives it a bit more depth and low end. The Studio doesn't sound small by any means, but if you plug from one, immediately to other, and have them both on the same settings, you will hear a very slight boxiness to the Studio that you don't hear with the LT. Even the wifey described the LT as sounding not necessarily louder, but fuller. Now, it all depends on your particular needs and taste, of course. I could see your recording guru preferring the Studio, which is aptly named. I could see you loving how the LT sits in the live mix with that bigger sound. I could see both excelling in either environment too. It's not like they are mutually exclusive. These amps just kick behind, no matter the cab. The features make them really versatile. The weight difference is negligible, IMHO. They are both lightweight. If you want a rounder tone, the LT is probably your jam. If you want a little more focus, the Studio is probably your weapon of choice. It's not a perfect analogy by any means, but I'd say the LT will remind you more of a Deluxe Reverb and the Studio will remind you more of a Princeton Reverb. I kept the LT. It was right for me, but I'm just one dude. Enjoy your winning pick! (PS. both amps had the stock Z speaker by Eminence, completely stock tubes, etc.)
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Post by douglong on Feb 9, 2019 4:47:06 GMT -7
Congrats on the new Z-Plus. I have the same amp with the LT cabinet. I've had it for a couple of weeks now and it's surpassed by expectations.
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Post by premiumplus (Dave) on Feb 9, 2019 12:26:55 GMT -7
Welcome to the Z Forum!
I've got the Z-Plus with the LT cab and loaded with a Creamback 65. It's easy to handle and sounds great. My Cure has the Studio cab and a Z-12, and it sounds great too. Like others said, it's hard to go wrong. They both sound really good.
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Post by gfreak on Feb 10, 2019 10:47:34 GMT -7
I have a Maz 8 in a Studio and a Plus in a LT, both with the z speaker. I have plugged each into the others cabinet. Jmg's comments are spot on. There are differences but they are close to each other and you can't go wrong with either.
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jmg
Junior Member
Posts: 53
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Post by jmg on Feb 10, 2019 19:39:38 GMT -7
Thanks for responding, folks. I just lost track of time this evening playing my trusty Strat into my Z Plus. I'm in love with these tones. I'm usually a Fender amp guy, but I'm so digging that I can get that type of chime, and so much more, from my new Z. Such a detailed, complex, sonorous amp. Yet, ballsy as you'd ever want it to be.
It makes me want to play better.
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Post by premiumplus (Dave) on Feb 12, 2019 8:53:55 GMT -7
Thanks for responding, folks. I just lost track of time this evening playing my trusty Strat into my Z Plus. I'm in love with these tones. I'm usually a Fender amp guy, but I'm so digging that I can get that type of chime, and so much more, from my new Z. Such a detailed, complex, sonorous amp. Yet, ballsy as you'd ever want it to be. It makes me want to play better. Now you know why my 1968 Blackface Deluxe Reverb is in its cover stored in the closet.
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