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Post by tele81 on Feb 26, 2019 15:51:08 GMT -7
I just picked up a new to me but older Maz. No loop or boost. The amp has a little idle hum\white noise. It’s not crazy loud once your up and playing it isn’t noticeable but it is there. The noise almost completely goes away once you turn the cut all the way down but it increases as you turn the cut up. Could this be a sign it’s time to swap out the power tubes? Also it came loaded with a Avatar Hellatone 30. I’m looking for a more even tone and to smooth out that high end a bit could a greenback or maybe a cream back be the ticket? It’s currently loaded with jjs in every position but the rectifier I’m thinking of ordering the humbucker music TAD retube kit. They advertise they use the same power tubes as the doc. Been without a Maz for a couple years now it’s nice to be back. I’ve got a galaxie and a Michael landau Deville holding down the fort. One last thing I seem to get almost no breakup with the volume dimed master down low, is this typical of the older reverb models? Thanks!
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Post by alpione on Feb 27, 2019 6:57:02 GMT -7
Hey - just got a '99 Maz Jr Reverb as mentioned in the other thread. My experiences on your questions:
- Idle hum/noise is there even with new tubes. I'd put it on par with my Fender '68 Custom, which isn't known as the quietest amp. On the flip side, my music room doesn't have the quietest power either. Having Cut above maybe 12:00 accentuates the hiss.
- The breakup doesn't sound normal. If I dime the Volume I get a good bit of breakup even with a Strat on the low input regardless of Master. Having the Master below about 9 or 10:00 will thin things out considerably from a low-end perspective, but there's definitely still preamp breakup. Maybe check the Preamp tubes? Could someone have possibly put in a lower gain tube in V1 rather than an AX7?
In my experience it's always good practice to swap out tubes on a used amp when you get it unless you know the history of the amp. I usually at least do the power tubes and V1.
Good luck!
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Post by zpilot on Feb 28, 2019 14:16:21 GMT -7
Where do you have the Cut set. Most players don't run the cut past 10:00. That included me when I had a MAZ 18 and a 38. I too noticed that the Cut control at higher settings (past 1:00) produced a noticeable hiss. However I NEVER ran it that way. With the speakers I used I found that harsh and the lower setting were much sweeter and fuller.
It reminds me of this joke: I went to the doctor today and told him, "Doc, it hurts when I do this". The doctor said, "Don't do that".
Now concerning almost not having any break up with the Volume dimed, that is not normal. I think you are due for a new tube in V1. That also could be the real source of your hiss and the Cut control is just reproducing the noise that it is being fed.
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