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Post by crxsh on Jun 16, 2021 11:11:49 GMT -7
I picked up another Maz 8 last year. Hadn't had an amp in a while (after going Helix) and decided it was past time to have some Z back in my life.
This one is a MKII has a stock G12H30 in it ... and after swapping some Lambertones Ristretto P90s into my Tele yesterday, it became more obvious to me just how bright this it is.
I'm running the 'Cut' and 'Treble' controls at or below 9:00 to keep the high end in check.
I put a Weber Blue Dog Alnico in the one I had back when they first came out and, based on the old pictures of that one, I usually had the 'Treble' around 1:00 and the 'Cut' between 10-12:00.
Can anyone confirm that this is just how it is?
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Post by "Z" Steve on Jun 16, 2021 14:50:10 GMT -7
Mine is the original model, not the MK II, and I do not find it bright at all. It came with A G12h which I used for a while. Then I used an ET65, a Creamback, a Greenback, a Z12, and currently a Ragin' Cajun. My cut knob is never above 9 o'clock and treble runs between 11 or 2 o'clock depending on the guitar, and bass and middle around noon. But!!!! I always have it on the Triode setting so that may come into play since Pentode is more Voxy. Let's wait and see what the MK II owners have to say. Stay tuned!
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Post by nmz on Jun 16, 2021 15:27:46 GMT -7
MKII here, I have not found it overly bright. Although, I rarely engage the cut, all the way off. I rarely used the cut with every Maz series amp I’ve owned. Only time I would use some was with a 335 neck PU. For what it is worth I’m using the Z speaker in mine.
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Post by premiumplus (Dave) on Jun 16, 2021 16:57:28 GMT -7
I've got my treble and cut up around between 10:00 and 1:00, G12H30 speaker. Sounds great, I wonder if you've got a tube issue? It's a great, balanced tone. Are you running Pentode or Triode mode?
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Post by Chilly Gibbons (Todd T.) on Jun 16, 2021 17:30:40 GMT -7
Have you tried a different power tube? Try a 6n14n, rounds off the highs somewhat.
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Post by dcarver on Jun 16, 2021 21:38:55 GMT -7
I have a mid-2016 MAZ 8, so I'm pretty sure it's the updated version. I came with the variable boost footswitch.
I play it in pentode mode mostly, with both a strat, a tele & a LP. It has the stock G12M65 Creamback in it. A middle-of-the-road all around good speaker for the MAZ 8. With all my guitars, my cut and treble go from 11:00 to 2:00-3:00ish.
I've been running a TAD 5751 in V1 for a while now. It smooths things out, stays clean a little longer, and overdrives really nice. I'm also running a new production Tung-Sol 12AX7 in V2.
I bet different pre amp tubes and a speaker swap would tame the highs. Let us know how it works out.
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Post by adam on Jun 17, 2021 5:09:20 GMT -7
Can't speak directly to that amp as I have the regular 18mk2. But...
Main thought is if the amp sounds right to you with treble and cut at 9:00 with a given guitar, so be it and don't worry about it. The G12h to me has some harshness in the upper end, but it also has pretty bold lows that are cool. Other speakers obviously have less highs and can be warmer and might be better for what you want to hear. But, the g12h does something really cool with that amp and you lose that with other speakers. What I found is just use the g12h and dial out the highs with the eq kind of works better than a warmer speaker and turning up the highs to compensate. In particular I'd add that I'm going for super clean mode in the open back cab there.
It could also be what you are used to hearing and how sensitive your ears are at a given time. I know that sounds stupid, but once I was setting up a different amp brand for a live session and I just couldn't deal with the high end coming out of it and put a packing blanket over the amp and then it sounded right to me. As soon as the band started playing, well, it sounded like I had a packing blanket over the amp, took it off, and it was perfect.
Lastly, I'd say this amp more than maybe other amps, just twist the knobs and don't worry about what anything says on the dial. It has the range to beautiful clean Strat (low input, gain hardly on, master cranked) to Voxish (sort of anywhere on middle type settings), to raging Marshall with gain and master cranked. For the latter, I put the boost on full and dial the overall tone with the cut control, then with the boost off, the treble and mid might be barely on and bass maybe off. The way I see it is the ability to coax all those very different and great tones out of a one channel amp is just astounding to me, and for that, I think it's perfect and wouldn't change a thing about it. Might also add that for that gained up sound, it really wants a closed back greenback or creamback. Just thoughts to ponder.
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Post by premiumplus (Dave) on Jun 17, 2021 6:09:01 GMT -7
Great advice about twisting the knobs and not worrying about what it looks like. I catch myself setting an amp up with my eyes instead of my ears, and while it's good to have a jumping off point, in the end it's what it sounds like onstage that really counts.
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Post by pcns on Jun 17, 2021 6:27:04 GMT -7
is this amp too bright with other guitars or just the one you switch pick ups with? In general Maz the amps are brighter than others but I don't "too bright" would appropriate. They have an amazing ability to cut through a mix and that is mainly because the amp is voiced for the guitar. What I mean by that is that in a live band mix or recording there is a pocket that the guitar fits in nicely without dominating the frequencies of other instruments. You will be able to hear yourself without cranking up the amp as much since your primary range will be your instrument. Have you worked with this amp in band situation? You may find its perfect just the way it is my 2 cents, Todd
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Post by repairz on Jun 17, 2021 9:15:50 GMT -7
Hey this is Don from DRZ repairs, I can help you figure out what if anything is up with your amp and what we can do about it Just need some information first : - let me know what tube is currently in each position - give me the complete serial number, incl first letter - is there a MKII sticker on the back panel ? if so, there should be a second date in the "mfg date" field - what is it ? - If you don't mind, drop the chassis and send me a picture of the end where the writing is ( there will be more update information on it ) and a few pictures of the board ( clear enough that component values are readable ) - try the same guitar and cable into another amp you're familiar with - everything sound normal ? - do you have access to a different speaker/cab temporarily for troubleshooting ? - how are your soldering skills ? Thanks Don Depew DRZ Repairs 216-475-1962
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Post by pcns on Jun 17, 2021 9:22:56 GMT -7
Hey this is Don from DRZ repairs, I can help you figure out what if anything is up with your amp and what we can do about it Just need some information first : - let me know what tube is currently in each position - give me the complete serial number, incl first letter - is there a MKII sticker on the back panel ? if so, there should be a second date in the "mfg date" field - what is it ? - If you don't mind, drop the chassis and send me a picture of the end where the writing is ( there will be more update information on it ) and a few pictures of the board ( clear enough that component values are readable ) - try the same guitar and cable into another amp you're familiar with - everything sound normal ? - do you have access to a different speaker/cab temporarily for troubleshooting ? - how are your soldering skills ? Thanks Don Depew DRZ Repairs 216-475-1962 Don! Welcome to the forum!! Todd Pro Cables N Sound
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Post by premiumplus (Dave) on Jun 17, 2021 10:17:21 GMT -7
Don's the best.
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Post by nmz on Jun 17, 2021 11:44:41 GMT -7
Wow, Don on board! Best service in the business!!!
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Post by crxsh on Jun 17, 2021 13:09:58 GMT -7
Thanks all. I'll review all these replies and figure out next steps.
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Post by John on Jun 17, 2021 17:36:29 GMT -7
If you're wondering about the highs with a G12H30....and you had a Weber Blue Dog that wasn't so bright. I'd wonder about the G12H30. It's known for recessed mids, which really make the crispy high end stick out.
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Post by ksquared on Jun 18, 2021 14:55:49 GMT -7
Weighing in late here, but... I have a Maz 8 and 18NR. They are indeed on the bright side, in a good way of course -- that's where the chime comes from. IMHO a Tele with P90s into a Maz 8 is always going to be a brighter-than-average rig. That said, it should be manageable, and you should be able to dial out any ice-pick harshness with the cut and treble controls. To the OP, where are you running your preamp V? It would likely help to turn it up.
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Post by adam on Jun 18, 2021 16:19:38 GMT -7
One more little observation on the maz, I think the low input is a little less bright and warmer sounding. It's not night and day, but it's there. The high input has a little more snarl to it and can be really effective at higher gain settings. Maybe one more observation. In general with any amp (to me), the more you push the output section, the warmer it gets. To that end, my recent best friend is the Z Air Brake. It felt like a hard pill to swallow for such a "utility" type box, but if you think about it, the post phase inverter master volumes work great in that they allow the phase inverter to cook, but then they limit what the power section is doing. The air brake is like a post power tube and tranny master volume that you can add to any amp. My tube life probably takes a turn for the worst, but I don't care and it's so worth it.
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Post by gravys on Jun 21, 2021 14:33:48 GMT -7
hey all ,new to forum. ibought maz 8 last month have been playing with it almost every day running rft tubes in v1 v2 jan ge in rest of preamp and fane f 70 1x12 coming from boogies it is a bright amp! for overdrive at lower volume i have been keeping the master vol and cut equal around 8 to 830 preamp vol around 4 or less till am radio sound goea away its a pretty fine balancing act this little sob does not like being held back! ran volumes both at 2 oclock sounds like cranked marshall no shrill no boomy just awesome it took almost 40 years to find this amp i will be ready for the nursing home band!
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