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Post by ryoushi on Mar 22, 2006 8:10:17 GMT -7
I've been browsing here awhile. I picked up a used Maz Jr 2X10 back in Sept. This probably isn't the ideal amp for me but I don't know if the tubes are bad but I want to hear the amp in the best light possible before making a final decision.
Biggest complaint is the reverb, although I have the big, long decay tank I can't get anywhere the verb I need for Surf and Spy music. I play a strat and a baritone and reverb is important to me also the 'verb feeds back badly when cranked passed 12 o'clock. The tank is in a bag sitting loose on the bottom of the cabinet so I'll need to secure it. Any suggestions on the best way to do this?
Overall the amp sounds brittle to me and I'd like to loosen it up some. Current power tubes are 2 GT EL84s #4 with a Sovtec 5AR4 in the rectifier socket. The rest are assorted JJ and Chinese tubes. I'm going to get some EL 84s (GT#6) today and figure on ordering some of the Svet 12ax7 for V1 and V2 other than that what do you think?
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Post by Lefty on Mar 22, 2006 10:09:45 GMT -7
Good tubes are a good start. Get those in there and see what happens. As for the reverb bag, I'm not sure how the Dr. secures them but in Fender amps they are screwed down to the bottom of the cabinet. It could be possible your tank may need some attention, seeing as it's not secured. They tend to be somewhat fragile, and with it loose, who knows? Start with the tubes 1st.
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Post by zane on Mar 22, 2006 14:24:20 GMT -7
yeah the DR screws them down there should be some screw holes already there...on my Maz Jr it had the long tank...but it was "medium decay"...you might want to check the numbers ...I bet it's medium decay...
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gstan
Full Member
What, me worry?
Posts: 180
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Post by gstan on Mar 22, 2006 15:22:40 GMT -7
My Junior is a 2002 and the tank was secured with velcro, but not very well. I had to add more strips of HD velcro to keep it from coming loose.
Tubes are crucial, sounds like you have a microphonic reverb driver tube for sure. Re-tube completely with the currently recommended species before you come to any conclusions, but realize that the reverb is not going to be as lush as the old Fender's or a Carr, and the more you crank the reverb you will add gain and noise. New tubes will help the 'verb some, but again this ain't Fender, the Doc is going for a more subtle effect here, more to add a little depth as opposed to giving you something to hang ten on.
V3 needs a quiet, rugged 12AT, to take care of the reverb, but I haven't found 12AT's from any one manufacturer to be consistent when it comes to noise levels, you may have to do some experimenting to get the right tube for this position. I've blown several of the chinese 12ATs identical to the one that shipped in my amp. Right now I'm running a JAN Phillips 12AT in V3.
And, like Zane said, do check the specs on your tank.
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Post by ryoushi on Mar 22, 2006 17:10:10 GMT -7
Thanks, for the replys. This forum is a wealth of info. I checked the tanks numbers on the Accutronics site I've definately got the large , 6 spring tank, long decay (4th digit is a 3). I had no luck at GC this morning finding tubes so it looks like It'll be a few more days before I get it re-tubed.
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Post by billyguitar on Mar 23, 2006 6:30:27 GMT -7
If you want real **** Dale kind of reverb I think you're either going to need a Fender tube reverb (or equivalent) or a reverb pedal of some sort. Run them thru your effects loop for the best performance. Keep the cut control in it's lower ranges to reduce the brittleness. These amps will sound good no matter where you put the knobs so don't hesitate to try settings that would be bad on a Fender.
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Post by anacephalic on Mar 24, 2006 15:20:07 GMT -7
i read somewhere that a guy who was having issues with his tank put in rubber grommets to isolate it from the cabinet with some success.
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Post by ryoushi on Mar 26, 2006 19:36:27 GMT -7
Well I scored a few tubes up in Santa Cruz. 2 GT EL84s #6 and 1 GT 12AT7 for V#3. I also bought some grommets and screws to secure the reverb tank. Got it all put back together and I have good tone, I like it. I still have to figure something out with the reverb while I'm waiting for the rest of my preamp tubes.
With the tank secured with four screws and thick ruber grommets the reverb howled beyond control once it was turned up anything past 10:00. So even with a new $15.00 tube in V3, I was worse off than before. I pulled the tank out again and rested it on the carpeted floor as far from my 2X10 cabinet as the chords would allow.
Ahhhhhhhh. Now I can turn the verb up to 10 and there are no problems at all. Reverb sounds good but as mentioned not anywhere near wet enough for spaghetti western sountracks even with a big, long decay tank.
I exprerimented further by just placing the tank back in the cab and leaving it loose like it was before and it works fine untill the speaker magnets sucked the whole works up when I tilted the amp. Oooouch!
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Post by humphreyaudio on Mar 28, 2006 6:25:21 GMT -7
I've been browsing here awhile. I picked up a used Maz Jr 2X10 back in Sept. This probably isn't the ideal amp for me but I don't know if the tubes are bad but I want to hear the amp in the best light possible before making a final decision. Biggest complaint is the reverb, although I have the big, long decay tank I can't get anywhere the verb I need for Surf and Spy music. I play a strat and a baritone and reverb is important to me also the 'verb feeds back badly when cranked passed 12 o'clock. The tank is in a bag sitting loose on the bottom of the cabinet so I'll need to secure it. Any suggestions on the best way to do this? Overall the amp sounds brittle to me and I'd like to loosen it up some. Current power tubes are 2 GT EL84s #4 with a Sovtec 5AR4 in the rectifier socket. The rest are assorted JJ and Chinese tubes. I'm going to get some EL 84s (GT#6) today and figure on ordering some of the Svet 12ax7 for V1 and V2 other than that what do you think? Greetings, The higher the number on the Groove tubes, the cleaner the tone. You might keep that in mind and consider moving from a #4 to something higher out of a possible '10', which is the cleanest if I understand their rating correctly. '6' is the recommended tube considering most players like some breakup. You may not want that for your style. Also, get the JJ ECC83s tubes out of your V1 and V2 if that's what's there. They're harsh in the upper mids, and block out the high end sparkle you need for surf and western twang. Install Svetlana 12Ax7 tubes there, as the Dr recommends. That may also open up your verb too. I couldn't imagine you wouldn't get the desires tone after that, because the Treble and the Cut knobs will REALLY do their thing, and your mid range will be in a better spot too. I also recommend the JJ GZ34 recto tube. It's a great tube, fairly head roomy, etc. I've rolled a few different rectifier tubes, and this one has a BIG tone. Keep us posted, Mark Humphrey Humphrey Audio
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