|
Post by bigben55 on Sept 13, 2018 9:16:59 GMT -7
I own a Z28 and a 1966 Super Reverb. The SR is too big and loud to use, so I never gig it. Was thinking of selling it and getting a Maz38. I know that's big and loud too, but with a Master volume and a Z Brake Lite, it has to be more manageable, right?
I'd use it as a pedal platform mostly. I'm looking at a 2x12 combo, older, not a Mkii, with reverb. Has Celestions, a G12H30 Anniv and a V30.
I realize my SR is the best amp fender ever made. I just don't see it ever getting used live. Starting to feel someone who WILL use it should have it. IDK, maybe just time for something new.
|
|
|
Post by Patrick B on Sept 13, 2018 9:30:10 GMT -7
Look at the EZG-50 if you want a more volume friendly Super Reverb. Even without an attenuator it sounds great at low volumes.
|
|
|
Post by Mark (Basement Enthusiast) on Sept 13, 2018 9:37:15 GMT -7
Don't overlook the Z-Lux (or for an older, used version, the JAZ 20/40 is almost the same amp). The 'Lux (and the JAZ, too) have that fantastic Fender thing, plus they also have the reverb & tremolo that you'd have on the Super, but at more reasonable volumes. They're switchable down from 40W to 20W too, which really helps.
|
|
|
Post by bigben55 on Sept 13, 2018 15:36:53 GMT -7
If I got a Maz38, it'd have Reverb. It won't be competing with the Z28; I want something different that would compliment it. I imagine, being a Z, the Maz38 takes pedals well. And is loud with ample headroom.
Does the master volume work well? Or is the Z Brake Lite better with it? I'm looking for a "Swiss army knife" do it all kind of amp. The SR and Z28 do what they do amazingly, but they don't do everything, ya know?
|
|
|
Post by Mark (Basement Enthusiast) on Sept 13, 2018 17:21:09 GMT -7
The master volume on the MAZ works extremely well... IF it's the newer "mkII" circuit. (Otherwise, you'll want a Brake Lite in order to crank the Master up to its sweet spot around noon.)
|
|
|
Post by bigben55 on Sept 13, 2018 18:29:25 GMT -7
But the older MV isn't great? Ok, so noted.
How would you describe the cleans? How much do tubes and speakers matter with the Maz38? What do most folks prefer?
|
|
|
Post by mudman on Sept 13, 2018 19:07:48 GMT -7
But the older MV isn't great? Ok, so noted. How would you describe the cleans? How much do tubes and speakers matter with the Maz38? What do most folks prefer? If the master is similar to the 18, it’s different. You get more girth to the OD once the master is cooking
|
|
|
Post by daveyk on Sept 14, 2018 22:11:46 GMT -7
I have a 2013 Maz 38 NR 2x12 vin30/g12h30 with a brake lite attenuator installed. The brake lite is an absolute must!!! I sold all my other amps and keep this one around. With the brake lite i can use it as my basement amp and it can get as loud as you'd ever want for different sized gigs. The brake lite, even with 4 clicks on, doesn't bring the amp down to apartment appropriate volume levels, but it definitely gets it in a decently quiet setting which still feels full. I see the brake lite as just another effect, like an always on pedal. With 4 clicks on I just notice more compression happening and slightly more breakup. I can't imagine owning this amp without it, but with it you can play it almost anywhere. If you need really quiet setting, like for apartment living or late night playing, i'd suggest an air break. The cleans definitely have that el84 chime, but with the mids knob, it will definitely go into fender scooped tones all day long. It's really amazing how much the mids knob affects the overall character of the amp. It really transforms the amp into something different. Also, i've had a ton of fun playing with the treble and cut knobs. The cut knob is like a treble control for the power tubes. You can crank the cut and lower the treble to get a different kind of high end and vise versa. This amp really is a Swiss army knife kind of amp, but instead of doing everything pretty well, it does everything REALLY well. As you can tell, i love this amp and think you should definitely get one.
|
|
|
Post by mickey on Sept 15, 2018 0:13:35 GMT -7
What daveyk says, as a Maz 38/rev user for 10 years I couldn't have put it better. Great amp, smooth, solid, great cleans, loads of headroom, and I've only ever used a 1x12 or occasionally a 2x10 cab with mine. I have an Airbrake which is a must, and as he says, makes for a very versatile setup. It takes pedals very well, particularly when using the Airbrake to help get the amp on the edge of breakup.
|
|
|
Post by DeanG on Sept 15, 2018 2:55:54 GMT -7
The NR model is a great AMP, and it's MV is very effective. Agree with all above descriptions and characterization of the MAZ 38. When Vol/MV approaches Noon, the Air Brake will get you to Basement volume level, but not Bedroom level at it's max. setting. (but one man's bedroom might be bigger than another's ). However, the volume is reduced (output watts are soaked up) to tolerable level. The Air Brake is built like a tank, very robust, since it is rated at 100 watts. One may think it is expensive, when you crack it open, you understand the design and tooling that established its production result, plus it is hand built.
|
|
|
Post by bigben55 on Sept 15, 2018 13:35:16 GMT -7
Thx daveyk. That's what I'm looking for! I have a Brake Lite in my Z28, and ALWAYS use it. Usually 2 clicks, occasionally 1 or 3, rarely 4. 4 is too low for any kind of drummer IMO. 2 is about perfect. I start to notice the added compression at 3, definitely at 4(which requires a treble knob tweak To compensate). I have GOOD reverb and tremolo pedals(and some others) and it's my #1 gig amp.
I'd need to sell/trade the Super Reverb to buy a Maz38 SR, so I'm torn. Problem is, I don't love the SR unless I get the volume at 3.5, which is too loud for most any gig. And attenuating the 2 ohm SR is limited. Question: do you love the Maz38 equally at various volumes?
|
|
|
Post by tp2356 on May 5, 2019 3:16:17 GMT -7
I have owned and used massive amounts of amps over my tenure, ( decades of playing small and large stages ) . My recent acquisition of a Maz 38 head with reverb has now convinced me that for the stages , INDOOR or OUTDOOR , this amp rates as probably the best I have ever used and owned. More clean headroom and gain than I could have imagined. IF you want it to growl, let it growl. I generally use a Voodoo Labs Sparkle Drive for the front end, to me it's a match made in heaven, I find myself playing LOUD but also turning down !
regarding the question above at various volumes, I prefer a smaller amp for the small venues regardless , always have . Such as a Blues Jr. 15 watts +/-. The 38 sounds great at low volumes ( with no brake ), the Maz 18 offers a bit more growl without pushing it for smaller venues. The 38 can do both, not an issue. I didn't acquire the 38 for the smaller rooms, but it certainly can be flexible enough for them. Its a great amp, it just took me years of thinking about it to acquire one. Gone are the 40 watt Fender amps. No contest !
|
|