|
Post by 6stringroy on Jun 25, 2020 8:02:13 GMT -7
I play in a band that does blues-rock and 60's/70's rock. I'm the lead guitar player (started playing in the early 70's) and bought a Z-Lux about a year ago which I love (still have a an 80's Boogie amp, but it doesn't get much use now). The rhythm guitar player (and singer) in this band is looking for a new amp to replace his unwieldy vintage Super Reverb. Being a Z-fan, I was looking for a combo with 15-20 watts (I don't think he needs more power than this) and reverb, that can get him quality clean sounds as well as some dirt (w/no pedals) using both single coil and humbucker guitars. He doesn't need the tremolo or power of my Z-Lux (I use pedals with my amp) and doesn't want to spend the money so I took the Z-Lux off the list.
So, I am dialing in on the Maz 18 MkII w/reverb and the Z-Plus 1x12 Ultra Lite combo. Having not played either one, I have the following questions. 1. From a volume/headroom standpoint, is there any usable/meaningful difference between the 15 watt Z-Plus, the 18 watt Maz, and my Z-Lux when using the 20 watt setting? That is, is this a non-issue when considering these options?
2. I hear the term "Hi-Fi" being used to describe the Z-Plus which conveys sterile to me, which is not good. How should I be thinking about this description in the context of the music we play? While clean is good, character and edge is important.
3. What speakers do folks recommend (for each of these amps) for this situation?
4. Bottom line, which amp/speaker do you recommend (not to confuse things, but if there is another amp that better meets these needs feel free to do a write-in vote!)?
Many thanks.
|
|
|
Post by j4gitr (John) on Jun 25, 2020 9:27:18 GMT -7
The Z-Plus is anything but sterile. It has great harmonic density and tonal character IMO. I love it with my single coils as well as my hum buckers. Just a truly great amp. I let my MAZ 18 MK1 go for the Z-Plus. I don't regret my decision, but I wish I had both. I don't think he can lose with either amp. I've got the Z-12 in my Z-Plus and had doc's Z-10's in my Maz combo. That 2x10 Maz combo was a thing of beauty, but ultimately since it was an '04 its weight was getting to me. I will likely get a MAz 18 MK2 as I have a 2x10 convertible cabinet and can go with the head to save weight.
Sorry I can't speak to the difference to the Z-Lux as I've never owned one. I think he will be happy with either amp.
|
|
|
Post by daddyelmis (Greg) on Jun 25, 2020 10:08:27 GMT -7
Our own CarrJimi did this clip that does about the best job showcasing the ZPlus that I’ve ever seen. I love mine and the longer I have it the more I love it. Have not owned a Maz 18, but it seems an incredibly versatile amp. I think “pristine” cleans (like Twin Reverb cleans) on either of them at higher volume will be a little hard - but for that just a bit of hair tone they’d both be great.
The ZPlus, for me, is in a class by itself.
Here’s that demo clip - Jim is obviously an outstanding player and really put the ZPlus through its paces:
|
|
|
Post by 6stringroy on Jun 25, 2020 12:10:02 GMT -7
Thanks guys. The Z-Plus looks awesome. Wondering what the Maz 18 MkII does that the Z-Plus doesn't (ie the trade-offs). Might need to post this in the Maz section. With Z-Amps its an embarrassment of riches.
|
|
|
Post by detuned on Jun 25, 2020 12:25:04 GMT -7
Really depends on what he wants to do with it. I've never played a Z-Plus, but the clips sound amazing. My old Maz was such a great amp, whether you wanted it squeaky clean, with a little edge, or raunchy. It never seemed to run out of gas, either, whereas the M12 I have now has in an especially large and boomy room.
But I agree, these are both great options.
|
|
|
Post by Jaguarguy (Mike) on Jun 25, 2020 12:30:26 GMT -7
Welcome to the the Forum. A lot of great people and information here. I think any of the three would work for you. The Maz 18 is a kind of a jackknife of Z amps - it does everything very well. The Z-Plus can go down to 7 watts from its 15 watt setting. Here's another option for you - a Maz 38 with 1/2 power switch - does an 18 and a 38 watt thing. Plus a great MV as well.
|
|
|
Post by 8bitlooper on Jun 25, 2020 19:22:28 GMT -7
I've owned a maz 18 mk1 and still own a ghia. Loved them both, but I recently picked up a z-plus and it's pretty amazing. Like you, I was uncertain about the 'hi-fi' tag as I like a slight edge of breakup, and worried that hi-fi was meaning super clean and sterile. But I now think people are meaning hi-fi to be this really cool, harmonically rich and complex tone. For speakers, I've tried a blue, z-12 and creamback (settled on the creamback...for now anyway). This amp really does have a ton of sounds in it. LOVE the boost when it's engaged as well.
Which leads me to the only thing I wished the z-plus had thought of: I wish the boost was also a switch on the amp itself, like the Suhr Bella. Having to lug the boost switch and a separate adapter since I want it as an 'always-on' option is a bummer. (I have a super small pedalboard and it pains me to think of kicking something off to power the boost switch since it's something that I just want on always!). I wonder if that's a mod option I could ask from Dr Z actually??
Sorry - digressing over the boost thing. It's a great amp, and for the music styles you described, it will do all that (and more!). It is a slightly brighter amp to my ears, but as many have said here: trust your ears and not your eyes.
|
|
|
Post by headshrinker (Marc) on Jun 25, 2020 20:13:36 GMT -7
Which leads me to the only thing I wished the z-plus had thought of: I wish the boost was also a switch on the amp itself, like the Suhr Bella. Having to lug the boost switch and a separate adapter since I want it as an 'always-on' option is a bummer. (I have a super small pedalboard and it pains me to think of kicking something off to power the boost switch since it's something that I just want on always!). I wonder if that's a mod option I could ask from Dr Z actually?? If you solder the two lugs or 1/4" jack together and then plug it into the footswitch jack, the boost will be always on at full boost. If you use it at less than full that won't help you and you have to use the footswitch.
|
|
|
Post by DRZ on Jun 26, 2020 1:54:30 GMT -7
Which leads me to the only thing I wished the z-plus had thought of: I wish the boost was also a switch on the amp itself, like the Suhr Bella. Having to lug the boost switch and a separate adapter since I want it as an 'always-on' option is a bummer. (I have a super small pedalboard and it pains me to think of kicking something off to power the boost switch since it's something that I just want on always!). I wonder if that's a mod option I could ask from Dr Z actually?? If you solder the two lugs or 1/4" jack together and then plug it into the footswitch jack, the boost will be always on at full boost. If you use it at less than full that won't help you and you have to use the footswitch. No sorry Marc that is not correct. Just a nice right angle 1/4 " jack plugged into the boost will engage the boost function. This removes the ground by being open and takes the complete tone stack out of the amps circuit creating the signal boost. Unfortunately you have full on boost with no control from the pot to vary the amount of boost/gain you add, but it seems you're OK with that. So just a $1.00 right angle 1/4" jack is all you need to function as a switch, no soldering needed as you want to open the circuit with open jack. This is how I test the function on amps during QA on my bench. Z
|
|
|
Post by daddyelmis (Greg) on Jun 26, 2020 6:20:27 GMT -7
. Which leads me to the only thing I wished the z-plus had thought of: I wish the boost was also a switch on the amp itself, like the Suhr Bella. Having to lug the boost switch and a separate adapter since I want it as an 'always-on' option is a bummer. (I have a super small pedalboard and it pains me to think of kicking something off to power the boost switch since it's something that I just want on always!). I wonder if that's a mod option I could ask from Dr Z actually?? ; The ZPlus bypass switch doesn’t need power - did you install an LED in it?
|
|
|
Post by headshrinker (Marc) on Jun 26, 2020 7:27:30 GMT -7
Oops, sorry. Must have been thinking about the channel switch on the 6545. Should have checked it out rather than relying on my old memory.
|
|
|
Post by 6stringroy on Jul 9, 2020 12:25:43 GMT -7
Thanks for everyone's reply. Regarding volume, how would this Z-Plus in 15 watt mode compare to my Z-Lux in 20 watt mode - would there be any perceptible difference?
|
|
|
Post by DRZ on Jul 9, 2020 14:10:13 GMT -7
Thanks for everyone's reply. Regarding volume, how would this Z-Plus in 15 watt mode compare to my Z-Lux in 20 watt mode - would there be any perceptible difference? Slight but only at full volume would you notice. It could be balanced to equal output on 90% of their range. Z
|
|
|
Post by helmi on Jul 18, 2020 9:45:41 GMT -7
Oops, sorry. Must have been thinking about the channel switch on the 6545. Should have checked it out rather than relying on my old memory. Jeez, now I have to re-evaluate all the wonderful info you have given me over the past several years! lol
|
|
|
Post by premiumplus (Dave) on Jul 18, 2020 11:47:02 GMT -7
Oops, sorry. Must have been thinking about the channel switch on the 6545. Should have checked it out rather than relying on my old memory. Jeez, now I have to re-evaluate all the wonderful info you have given me over the past several years! lol I love this place!
|
|