|
Post by runninwiththerevil (Matthew) on Dec 23, 2020 20:29:59 GMT -7
I've gotten one opinion from a trusted forum member who has both, so I'm looking for some more thoughts.
I have a Maz 18 nr with the mkii updates. I love everything about the amp expect for the weight. Planning on putting some money this year into a studio cab for it.
A local(ish) shop just got a Z Lux in with low miles. Really good price. My preference would be to get my amp and the Lux in the same room and let 'em rip. Unfortunately the shop is only doing curbside pick up right now.
So the only way I get them together is if I buy the Lux. Wondering what ZLux folks think about one over the other. I can afford to pick up the Lux, but not keep them both. I don't play out enough to justify having two amps this nice, so I really need to make a decision. If I'm not 80% sure that I will keep the Lux over the Maz it's not going to be worth it. Even if I can work a deal, there isn't going to be any margin in it for me.
What say you? (I should also mention that I didn't love the Cure, but do also love the Ghia. Maybe I'm more of a EL84 guy and not a 6v6 when it comes to the Doc)
|
|
|
Post by shiner51 on Dec 24, 2020 7:11:22 GMT -7
I have both amps and my Maz has the MkII update. For my purposes, the Z Lux would be the keeper if I had to get rid of one of them mainly because of the music I am playing right now. Most of what I am playing is classic country and older rock, playing to older crowds at VFWs and Legions. I need an amp with more clean headroom and I use pedals for dirt. Plus the Z Lux has good reverb and great tremolo. If I were playing more modern country or pure classic rock the Maz would be my choice. The natural overdrive on a cranked Maz is an amazing sound. I can get clean sounds from my Maz too but it seems a little harder to find the sweet spot than on the Z Lux. There are times when I agonize on which amp to take out with me but when in doubt, I choose the Z Lux.
|
|
|
Post by trojanhov on Dec 24, 2020 7:54:05 GMT -7
I've gotten one opinion from a trusted forum member who has both, so I'm looking for some more thoughts. I have a Maz 18 nr with the mkii updates. I love everything about the amp expect for the weight. Planning on putting some money this year into a studio cab for it. A local(ish) shop just got a Z Lux in with low miles. Really good price. My preference would be to get my amp and the Lux in the same room and let 'em rip. Unfortunately the shop is only doing curbside pick up right now. So the only way I get them together is if I buy the Lux. Wondering what ZLux folks think about one over the other. I can afford to pick up the Lux, but not keep them both. I don't play out enough to justify having two amps this nice, so I really need to make a decision. If I'm not 80% sure that I will keep the Lux over the Maz it's not going to be worth it. Even if I can work a deal, there isn't going to be any margin in it for me. What say you? (I should also mention that I didn't love the Cure, but do also love the Ghia. Maybe I'm more of a EL84 guy and not a 6v6 when it comes to the Doc) Play both amps side by side. I’ve never played a maz but I’ve heard there are similarities to the lux. I just got my z lux back from mkii update and the reverb is deeper (by a lot), the master volume is amazing, and the black/silver switch is cool to have too. Z lux is my keeper amp. I also have an m12 and used to have a z28. Z-Lux is my favorite of the bunch and that’s Saying a lot as the z28 was my main gigging amp for 8 years
|
|
|
Post by nmz on Dec 24, 2020 12:08:09 GMT -7
I would wait until you can try both. Lots of ZLux amps out there and now there’s a MKII for the Lux (which you’ll probably want). Personally I’d go Lux but I like having verb/trem option in a combo so I can fly without pedals if needed. Again, that’s me.
Lux will be very different from the Cure and the Ghia (I’ve owned both and still have the Ghia). Vs. Cure, different transformers make a huge difference. The Lux/Maz/Ghia have more of immediate attack. Vs Ghia more EQ and verb/trem/boost make it for me. The Lux has a solid state rec. so not as much (if any) SAG with the Lux. Although the black switch on the MKII Lux does seem to give an impression of some SAG, to me. The MKII Lux is akin to the Maz MKII in that it is dead silent and seems to get to gain a little quicker, just more refined.
I’ve never owned a Maz nr MKII (had a MKI) but my bud owns one. I do have a Maz 8 MKII studio that I really like though. When the world gets back to normal my plan is to alternate between the two.
|
|
|
Post by ksquared on Dec 24, 2020 14:25:53 GMT -7
I also have both, in the same configuration. (My Maz18 NR is an older model with the heavier cab that has had the mkii updates.) They are equally good, and equally versatile, though they come from different starting points obviously. I agree with NMZ on the attack feeling different. The Maz has much more chime, and is more in-your-face (unless you really dial back the cut knob). The ZLux is more polite, if that makes sense. These are broad generalizations, but perhaps the Maz does 60s and 90s rock better; while the ZLux does the 70s and 80s better.
Big clean tones (as one usually thinks of them) -- like 50s-60s jazz greats, or say Mark Knopfler or John Mayer, are easier to get from the ZLux. The Maz is great clean too, but has less clean headroom and will always have that unique chime going.
You said you were less a fan of the Cure. Keep in mind that while different, the Cure and ZLux are close cousins. I also have a Cure, and there is a lot of overlap with the ZLux. You may want to wait until you can play a ZLux.
|
|
|
Post by goodez on Dec 25, 2020 9:29:13 GMT -7
If you already have a Maz 18 with mkii updates I would just swap to a studio cab. Granted the Z-Lux combo is very light as well it seems like a big risk if you’re already happy with your amp but just looking to shed a few pounds. I don’t see studio cabs pop up too often but I hear Mather custom makes them for the Z crowd and they’re not too pricey ($200-$300?). Just my thought.
|
|
|
Post by runninwiththerevil (Matthew) on Dec 25, 2020 19:56:26 GMT -7
If you already have a Maz 18 with mkii updates I would just swap to a studio cab. Granted the Z-Lux combo is very light as well it seems like a big risk if you’re already happy with your amp but just looking to shed a few pounds. I don’t see studio cabs pop up too often but I hear Mather custom makes them for the Z crowd and they’re not too pricey ($200-$300?). Just my thought. I have quotes from Mather. I'm leaning toward having him make me a dark wood cab. He builds the cabs for Milkman, some of those dark cabinets are stunning. The only reason the Z Lux has my attention is that if I put the money into a new cab that is not money I could ever get back. Where if I get a Z Lux at a good price I can alway recoup that if a need arises. However, since it's going to be hard to get my hands on the Lux without buying it, it may come down to the rectifier. I went back and forth for a while, but I really just like the feel of amps with a tube rectifier. The silver/black mod could fix that with the Lux.
|
|