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Post by supermoos on Feb 9, 2021 6:40:02 GMT -7
Hi,
I am trying to decide which Z amp to buy. Stock is low over here in The Netherlands, so I thought I'd ask some opinions here..
I'm trying to decide between the Z Wreck Jr., a MAZ 18 and a MAZ 38. I am looking for an amp that will do the beautiful, shimmering cleans, the edge of break-up thing and also rock out. Ideally, I would like it to play nice with overdrive / distortion pedals, because I like to geek around with those things.
My first thought was to go with a MAZ 38, as it'll have more headroom AND I can use the 1/2 power switch to get into MAZ 18 territory. And then I came across the Wreck Jr videos... damn! Too many amps...
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Post by adam on Feb 9, 2021 17:35:24 GMT -7
I think that's kind of been my dilemma too, and maybe why you see so many people here with so many z amps. it's kind of like you get one and you go "wow, that's really great", but maybe that wasn't exactly what you were really looking for. BUT, if you can afford it, you hang on to them because they are too good to let go, or then you start flipping them to figure it out. It's kind of like you are at a gourmet restaurant and really anything on the menu is going to be stellar, but maybe you wanted fish rather than steak or something like that. All are great, but maybe a killer jambalaya is close to your heart.
Maybe pose the question a little differently, like "I'm looking for something along the lines of Rolling Stones sounds", or something like that. That would probably be easier for different people to offer a suggestion on.
From what I know at this point, I'll offer this. I have a maz 18nr combo and it's great. It kind of does everything, but I think it excels in sort of a Vox ac amp that is pushed, but doesn't kill you with volume. However, I'm guessing the higher wattage version would be more up my alley. But... I'm not getting rid of that one. Grab and go lightweight combo that sounds fantastic. Next up for me was the CAZ, and that will do everything too, but it just kills in the high gain territory (again, to me, and what I hear). Next for me was the EZG and it does that blackface fender thing in just spades, and the reverb is like nothing I've every heard. Lastly, an EMS showed up yesterday and I'm am floored beyond my wildest dreams. That amp does exactly everything I want an amp to do in total spades to my ears, for the kind of music I like to play. It only took me 45 years to arrive there. However, depending on the given situation, any one of the others might be just the ticket to sound "right" in that context.
One more thought. You could gravitate towards a strat and that can do a ton of stuff, but it will never do a Les Paul sound, but maybe you love that too. Obviously the LP will never do the strat thing. Then you want a "combo" and get a HSS strat because that will cover everything, but then you find it does neither strat or LP as well as either of those instruments. I think in part, that's why people wind up with multiple amps, just like they do guitars. And the tele into a Vox flavored amp, nothing else does that, and then it starts to be combinations of things that work for you, for how your are trying to express yourself, at that given point in time. It's a journey, and maybe that's the best part of the whole thing.
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Post by Jaguarguy (Mike) on Feb 9, 2021 18:42:03 GMT -7
an EMS showed up yesterday and I'm am floored beyond my wildest dreams. That amp does exactly everything I want an amp to do in total spades to my ears, for the kind of music I like to play. It only took me 45 years to arrive there. Told you that you were in for a treat!! 👍
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Post by supermoos on Feb 10, 2021 2:59:11 GMT -7
I think you're right about this whole thing being a journey. I try not to think about all the gear I bought and sold over the years, all in quest of the best sound. Should have kept it all.
Right now, I am at the point where I am well satisfied with my high gain gear - which is what I use on-stage (you know, back in the day when we used to play live in bars, in front of people and without social distancing). Playing at home has me wanting something more flexible, that will play nice with single coil guitars and pedals.
I think I will start my Z journey with a MAZ 38 Mk2 and just take it from there..
I think that's kind of been my dilemma too, and maybe why you see so many people here with so many z amps. it's kind of like you get one and you go "wow, that's really great", but maybe that wasn't exactly what you were really looking for. BUT, if you can afford it, you hang on to them because they are too good to let go, or then you start flipping them to figure it out. It's kind of like you are at a gourmet restaurant and really anything on the menu is going to be stellar, but maybe you wanted fish rather than steak or something like that. All are great, but maybe a killer jambalaya is close to your heart. Maybe pose the question a little differently, like "I'm looking for something along the lines of Rolling Stones sounds", or something like that. That would probably be easier for different people to offer a suggestion on. From what I know at this point, I'll offer this. I have a maz 18nr combo and it's great. It kind of does everything, but I think it excels in sort of a Vox ac amp that is pushed, but doesn't kill you with volume. However, I'm guessing the higher wattage version would be more up my alley. But... I'm not getting rid of that one. Grab and go lightweight combo that sounds fantastic. Next up for me was the CAZ, and that will do everything too, but it just kills in the high gain territory (again, to me, and what I hear). Next for me was the EZG and it does that blackface fender thing in just spades, and the reverb is like nothing I've every heard. Lastly, an EMS showed up yesterday and I'm am floored beyond my wildest dreams. That amp does exactly everything I want an amp to do in total spades to my ears, for the kind of music I like to play. It only took me 45 years to arrive there. However, depending on the given situation, any one of the others might be just the ticket to sound "right" in that context. One more thought. You could gravitate towards a strat and that can do a ton of stuff, but it will never do a Les Paul sound, but maybe you love that too. Obviously the LP will never do the strat thing. Then you want a "combo" and get a HSS strat because that will cover everything, but then you find it does neither strat or LP as well as either of those instruments. I think in part, that's why people wind up with multiple amps, just like they do guitars. And the tele into a Vox flavored amp, nothing else does that, and then it starts to be combinations of things that work for you, for how your are trying to express yourself, at that given point in time. It's a journey, and maybe that's the best part of the whole thing.
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Post by adam on Feb 10, 2021 5:52:40 GMT -7
I think I will start my Z journey with a MAZ 38 Mk2 and just take it from there.. I don't think you can go wrong there.
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Post by Jaguarguy (Mike) on Feb 10, 2021 9:40:29 GMT -7
I think I will start my Z journey with a MAZ 38 Mk2 and just take it from there..
If you are buying new I'd suggest getting the 1/2 power option. While not identical to a Maz 18 it will give you a lot of flexibility.
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