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Post by guitargeorge on Mar 3, 2006 8:36:54 GMT -7
Im confused, please shed some light on what the proper rectifier tube is for a MAZ 18, the website says a GZ34 is what's supposed to be in there but mine had a 5U4GB in there. What is the proper tube for that amp and what are safe substitutions-and their effect on the amp. Thanks
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Post by JChance on Mar 3, 2006 8:54:52 GMT -7
You need to remove that 5U4GB! Did you get the amp used?? The MAZ amps are designed around using the 5AR4/GZ34 recto. If you aren't using one, you aren't going to get the best out of your Z! Dr. Z is unique in that most of his designs are designed aorund the tubes they are using (if they makes sense), so doing something as drastic as going from a 5AR4 to a 5U4 recto could have a domno effect. Not saying that it will damage the amp, because I'm not sure about that one... But it certainly will change what the amp was designed to do.
JC
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Post by guitargeorge on Mar 3, 2006 10:49:00 GMT -7
I bought the amp from a guy who got it new from Dr Z, and I'm pretty sure that is the rectifier that was in it from the factory. I picked up a 5AR4 of Chinese Manufacture (not the best) but I ordered a JJ 5AR4 from eurotubes so that will be here in a few days. I'm going to install the 5AR4 and drag the amp to practice tonight and see if it makes a difference.
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Post by billyguitar on Mar 3, 2006 11:13:30 GMT -7
To me a 5U4 feels slower than a 5AR4.
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Post by myles on Mar 3, 2006 11:49:53 GMT -7
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luke
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Post by luke on Mar 5, 2006 18:08:26 GMT -7
I blew the 2 amp fuse last night before a dance while my MAZ jr Non reverb head was in the standby mode. The amp is 2-3 years old. Should I replace the rectifier while I'm at it? Where is it located if I were looking at the back of the head. Thanks. Luke
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Post by mazmaster on Mar 6, 2006 10:37:29 GMT -7
Im confused, please shed some light on what the proper rectifier tube is for a MAZ 18, the website says a GZ34 is what's supposed to be in there but mine had a 5U4GB in there. What is the proper tube for that amp and what are safe substitutions-and their effect on the amp. Thanks You need a GZ34/5AR4 in there. I recently did a shootout between the JJ and the GT-tested Sovtek version and I much preferred the Sovtek (assuming you're also using #6 GT-EL84-S tubes). The Sovtek was warmer, less stiff and produced the creamiest, richest overdrive with pedals.
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Post by guitargeorge on Mar 6, 2006 12:37:10 GMT -7
I liked the difference with a GZ34 in there, the Chinese one did'nt fail and the amp sounds much tighter than with the 5U4GB. I bought the amp from the other guitarist in my band at the time and he probably put that 5U4GB in there or he ordered it from Dr. Z that way. I was always under the assumption that was the proper rectifier. My JJ rectifier should be in tonight so I'll use the chinese one as a spare.
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Post by mazmaster on Mar 6, 2006 12:52:26 GMT -7
I liked the difference with a GZ34 in there, the Chinese one did'nt fail and the amp sounds much tighter than with the 5U4GB. I bought the amp from the other guitarist in my band at the time and he probably put that 5U4GB in there or he ordered it from Dr. Z that way. I was always under the assumption that was the proper rectifier. My JJ rectifier should be in tonight so I'll use the chinese one as a spare. I didn't like the JJ-5AR4 as much as the GT-5AR4 (Sovtek). I also tested Sovtek 5AR4s from other distributors and a Chinese 5AR4, but the GT-5AR4 sounded best every time. The difference is most notable when hitting the amp with overdrive pedals at gig volumes. The GT-5AR4 yielded the best "feel" and the creamiest, most complex distortion tones. The JJ was too tight and "edgy" (almost like SS) and the Chinese was too fizzy and mushy. Once again, it seems the Doc voiced this amp specifically for the GT-5AR4 and GT-EL84-S #6 tubes. IMO, nothing else I've tried works as well as these tubes. The exception is preamp tubes, where I prefer the Tung-Sol over the Svetlanas that Doc now likes, mainly because they work better with my FD2 pedals. With the Svetlanas, I get too much of a volume increase when I hit my lead FD2. If I turn down the output level on the FD2, I don't get enough compression and sustain, even with the pedal gain turned up. The overall response is just too stiff. So, the Svet 12AX7s just don't compress quite enough, although they do have a nice, sweet tone. The Tung Sols compress just the right amount when hit with the FD2, but they still have this huge, open tone that sounds bigger than the Svets.
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luke
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Post by luke on Mar 7, 2006 4:23:59 GMT -7
Need a little help . I am trying to replace the rectifier tube in my MAZ jr head. Do I need to unscrew the retainer first or does the tube come out by lifting up on it.Thanks. Luke
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Post by guitargeorge on Mar 7, 2006 5:24:36 GMT -7
No you don't have to unscrew the retainer, it's kink of kike a bear trap. push down on both sides to release it's grip and pull the tube straight out, then bend the retainer back slightly so it will grip the new tube good and then push the retainers down and insert the new tube , the retainer when released will grip the tube tight and you're done.
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Post by guitargeorge on Mar 7, 2006 5:32:15 GMT -7
I installed the JJ 5AR4 last night and noticed a little difference but not much, a little brighter maybe, I'm planning to use the Dr Z for distortion tones in my rig, I have a Fender to do cleans, and I'm pushing an on the edge MAZ 18 with a Klon and the result is pretty good. I notice when I play notes around the 12th fret I get some overtones or a background hum behind the note, I posted on this before, I changed all the tubes now but it still happens, I e-mailed the Doc about this and he says this is normal, when playing out it's not really that noticable, but when I'm at home I hear it real good, I'm wondering if I should have a Tech check out my caps and see if one is bad. Anybody else have this with their Z?
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luke
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Post by luke on Mar 7, 2006 5:49:54 GMT -7
Guitargeorge, Thanks for the help. Luke
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Post by luke on Mar 21, 2006 18:27:13 GMT -7
OK . I have been blowing fuses. I ordered new rectifier tubes. Tried installing one (Sovtek) tonight. That stopped the fuse blowing, but no sound out of my speakers. Swapped cords, guitars....all to no avail. Next problem, tried taking out the rectifier tube, when it came out of the socket ,one silver female piece 3/4" long came out with it. This piece accepted one of the tubes male pins. Help with these 2 problems: no sound, where does this silver piece go & what is it? Thanks in advance. Luke
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Post by 52ftbuddha on Mar 21, 2006 20:18:42 GMT -7
luke Sounds like part of the socket came apart, unusual to say the least. Describe the piece? Does it look like the other socket clips? Also which pin was it connected to and I will tell you the connection point of that pin. As to the 5u4 and the 5ar4, they both have different losses in ckt. The 5u4 will produce less B+ more sag. Not really sure if that swap is appropriate in a Cathode biased amp. It was also reported that some of the new 5ar4/Gz34 are not really 5ar4/Gz34 but a rebaddged 5y3 I know that the Sovtek is a real Gz34. Rob
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Post by 52ftbuddha on Mar 21, 2006 20:21:17 GMT -7
Oh I should add that the ability to transfer current will make the lesser tube 5u4 feel slower in response.
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Post by luke on Mar 22, 2006 3:08:12 GMT -7
Rob, The 3 pins together next to the sloted flange. I would say it is the silver socket clip. Thanks. Luke
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Post by luke on Mar 22, 2006 9:14:13 GMT -7
Need some expert advice. I had been blowing fuses, so I ordered a Sovtek rectifier tube, tried installing it last night. No fuses were blown, the power stayed on. However, I now had no sound . Tried different guitars, cords, the speaker works , new pair of EL 84 power tubes. I was going to try a different rectifier tube, I pulled a sovtek rectifier tube out of the socket, a metal pin clip came attached to the tube pin behind the slotted flange. There are 3 pins together near this flange. What happened? Is this a major problem? I re-inserted the rectifer tube. The amp powered on OK. Still have no sound. What do you think? Thanks in advance. Luke
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Post by Deleted on Mar 22, 2006 11:03:25 GMT -7
Is the speaker connected properly? You also might need a re-bias if you have switched rectifier tubes. I would say troubleshooting something this serious over the net is not going to help much. I think it is time to see a good tech. Another thing to check would be your preamp and power tubes to see if they have gone microphonic or have failed. If you turn your amp up without your guitar connected and gently tap the tubes can you hear it through the speaker? Good luck! I have been there and know how frustrating it can be to diagnose a problem on a tube amp. Gremlins Maybe?
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Post by myles on Mar 22, 2006 11:46:19 GMT -7
Is the speaker connected properly? You also might need a re-bias if you have switched rectifier tubes. I would say troubleshooting something this serious over the net is not going to help much. I think it is time to see a good tech. Another thing to check would be your preamp and power tubes to see if they have gone microphonic or have failed. If you turn your amp up without your guitar connected and gently tap the tubes can you hear it through the speaker? Good luck! I have been there and know how frustrating it can be to diagnose a problem on a tube amp. Gremlins Maybe? The MAZ Jr does not have a bias adjustment. It is a self biasing amp.
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Post by Deleted on Mar 22, 2006 12:00:07 GMT -7
Is the speaker connected properly? You also might need a re-bias if you have switched rectifier tubes. I would say troubleshooting something this serious over the net is not going to help much. I think it is time to see a good tech. Another thing to check would be your preamp and power tubes to see if they have gone microphonic or have failed. If you turn your amp up without your guitar connected and gently tap the tubes can you hear it through the speaker? Good luck! I have been there and know how frustrating it can be to diagnose a problem on a tube amp. Gremlins Maybe? The MAZ Jr does not have a bias adjustment. It is a self biasing amp. Thanks Myles, I totally forgot. I was thinking about when I switched out the 5Y3 that came with my deluxe for a Mullard 5AR4. What a difference!
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Post by luke on Mar 22, 2006 12:20:55 GMT -7
Arungtang Thanks. Myles what thoughts do you have on my situation? Luke
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