Zed
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Posts: 183
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Post by Zed on Dec 30, 2022 6:02:45 GMT -7
Maz 38 vs 18. Go!
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Post by runninwiththerevil (Matthew) on Dec 30, 2022 7:08:47 GMT -7
I had a 18nr and a 38 at the same time, both had the mkii updates. I loved the 18 and only planned to swap it into the studio cab that the 38 was in. They are both great, but the 38 just had more mojo. Hard to explain because it isn’t just the additional headroom, but that’s part of it. With the master volume you can get the 38 to do everything the 18 can. The flip is not the case.
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Post by adam on Dec 31, 2022 5:41:36 GMT -7
To me, they are more different than you might think. I originally got the 18 and adored what it could do cranked up and with gain (really special), but wished I could get more clean straight oomph out of it. So I got a 38 (both mk2 and NR) thinking it would do exactly that, but it doesn't. The really pushed high gain sound of the 38 I don't think is as good as the 18, and was initially kind of disappointed in that. However, the clean oomph side of the amp is significantly better to me. Overall, for me, I prefer the 38.I could also see being in a given situation and the 18 works better for that. So I keep both.
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Zed
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Posts: 183
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Post by Zed on Dec 31, 2022 7:05:28 GMT -7
To me, they are more different than you might think. I originally got the 18 and adored what it could do cranked up and with gain (really special), but wished I could get more clean straight oomph out of it. So I got a 38 (both mk2 and NR) thinking it would do exactly that, but it doesn't. The really pushed high gain sound of the 38 I don't think is as good as the 18, and was initially kind of disappointed in that. However, the clean oomph side of the amp is significantly better to me. Overall, for me, I prefer the 38.I could also see being in a given situation and the 18 works better for that. So I keep both. Lol. I now know why people collect these. They are all great in their own way and let’s be honest, they are works of art for sure. I’d like a little more clean oomph out of my 18 which is probably why I’m considering a 38.
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Post by adam on Jan 1, 2023 5:53:32 GMT -7
I’d like a little more clean oomph out of my 18 which is probably why I’m considering a 38. The 38 has lots of oomph! And character, and dimension, and...
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Zed
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Posts: 183
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Post by Zed on Jan 1, 2023 6:26:42 GMT -7
I’d like a little more clean oomph out of my 18 which is probably why I’m considering a 38. The 38 has lots of oomph! And character, and dimension, and... Lol! Thx man!
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Post by mcdyasz on Feb 25, 2023 23:10:50 GMT -7
I have several of both, original and MKII versions. If you can have both the 38 and 18, do it.
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Zed
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Posts: 183
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Post by Zed on Feb 27, 2023 19:12:39 GMT -7
I have several of both, original and MKII versions. If you can have both the 38 and 18, do it. Absolutely! I’ll let my wife know right away. Lol Seriously tho, I’ll end up with both one day. One of each probably lol.
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Post by lowbudget on Feb 27, 2023 20:32:35 GMT -7
To me, they are more different than you might think. I originally got the 18 and adored what it could do cranked up and with gain (really special), but wished I could get more clean straight oomph out of it. So I got a 38 (both mk2 and NR) thinking it would do exactly that, but it doesn't. The really pushed high gain sound of the 38 I don't think is as good as the 18, and was initially kind of disappointed in that. However, the clean oomph side of the amp is significantly better to me. Overall, for me, I prefer the 38.I could also see being in a given situation and the 18 works better for that. So I keep both. Lol. I now know why people collect these. They are all great in their own way and let’s be honest, they are works of art for sure. I’d like a little more clean oomph out of my 18 which is probably why I’m considering a 38. Forgive me if you’ve already been there and done that, but speaker swapping and tube rolling can do wonders toward beefing up your 18. I too have had both and still have 3 or 4 18s. There’s a reason why the 18 is (or at least was) doc’s biggest seller.
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Post by Jaguarguy (Mike) on Feb 27, 2023 21:39:25 GMT -7
The 38 with a half-power switch might fill the bill also!
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Zed
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Posts: 183
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Post by Zed on Feb 28, 2023 13:40:57 GMT -7
Lol. I now know why people collect these. They are all great in their own way and let’s be honest, they are works of art for sure. I’d like a little more clean oomph out of my 18 which is probably why I’m considering a 38. Forgive me if you’ve already been there and done that, but speaker swapping and tube rolling can do wonders toward beefing up your 18. I too have had both and still have 3 or 4 18s. There’s a reason why the 18 is (or at least was) doc’s biggest seller. Honestly I havnt, I sent mine in for the mk2 updates but I havnt tried any other tubes or speakers. I thought I remembered hearing z talk about speaker selection once upon a time. Thinking he was saying the best sounding speaker is the one he used in the amp. Almost like he went through the trouble of choosing what sounds best out of the gate. Since then I’ve just figured “if it’s done by z, it’s good enough for me”. Lol I’m open to it though, I just have zero idea what different speakers will do…. As for tubes, I’m guessing the first 12ax7 could be swapped for one with lower gain? I’m guessing this is a whole new rabbit trail here….
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Post by lowbudget on Feb 28, 2023 14:31:34 GMT -7
Rabbit hole wouldn’t begin to describe it! Just jump into the Maz Jr section of the forum and start reading, after arranging for someone to bring you food and water periodically. Doc does spend a lot of time selecting speakers, as witnessed by the number of guys who try everything else then come back to Doc’s first choice. He wouldn’t admit it, but he truly does have golden ears. His ceramic pick at one time was the Celestion G12H30, also a very efficient (read “loud”) speaker. And it sounds great with the amp.
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Zed
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Posts: 183
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Post by Zed on Mar 3, 2023 20:12:27 GMT -7
Rabbit hole wouldn’t begin to describe it! Just jump into the Maz Jr section of the forum and start reading, after arranging for someone to bring you food and water periodically. Doc does spend a lot of time selecting speakers, as witnessed by the number of guys who try everything else then come back to Doc’s first choice. He wouldn’t admit it, but he truly does have golden ears. His ceramic pick at one time was the Celestion G12H30, also a very efficient (read “loud”) speaker. And it sounds great with the amp. Ha! Too funny! I’m pretty sure my amp has a g12h30 in it. I’ll poke around a bit and see if I can get a good feel for what different speakers will offer. I have half a mind to plug my maz into the z-28-mk2 speaker. That will give me an idea of what a creamback will do for a maz….
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Post by runninwiththerevil (Matthew) on Mar 3, 2023 20:30:10 GMT -7
My 38 came with a Classic Lead 80. Like that the best. G12H30 and Creambacks get pretty close.
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Post by perryr on Mar 4, 2023 0:10:06 GMT -7
For a little more clean oomph, I cant imagine a better speaker than the G12H30. IMO that speaker gets the most out of the Jr, more everything, use the cut and tone controls to get where you need to go.
Regarding the 38, I’d agree with everything Adam said, especially his second post. The MAZ38 is 4xEL84’s and that brings a lot to the table, its a bad boy with a bold and beautiful tone. Not as toothy as the MAZ Jr, a bit more matured I suppose, definitely the kind of amp that a player could buy and be done buying amps (sacrilege I know!). Fab amp for sure.
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Post by adam on Mar 4, 2023 6:29:22 GMT -7
The MAZ38 is 4xEL84’s and that brings a lot to the table, its a bad boy with a bold and beautiful tone. Not as toothy as the MAZ Jr I think this very concisely and accurately describes these 2 amps.
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Zed
Full Member
Posts: 183
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Post by Zed on Mar 4, 2023 16:54:39 GMT -7
You guys are great! Thanks for the input.
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Post by thatstatuemoved on Apr 11, 2023 10:39:50 GMT -7
Late to the post. I have had both and loved both models. My 38 is still with me after many years and is still my go to amp. I got the update and now it is like having two amps in one. The 38, to me has just more mojo with the extra headroom. Like having more than not enough. The 18 is an awesome amp and I have had a couple. For my need the 38 just checked more boxes and I am totally happy with it. I have the NR version and have a strymon flint on my board for reverb and trem. I seem to remember the 18 had more grit at useable volumes, but I get my dirt from pedals going into the front of the amp and the 38 takes pedals very well.Adios
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mjz
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Post by mjz on May 1, 2023 0:49:14 GMT -7
I have a Maz38 and a friend of mine has a Maz18. I tried JJ EL844 in my 38 and it came close to the character of the 18. Earlier breakup, less punch, but a bit more gnarlyness and compression/sag/earlier breakup. It still is louder.
I use my Maz38 with an attenuator, so the volume isn't that much of a problem with me. I went back to regular JJEL84's, because the headroom and punch is why I bought the amp in the first place. My Therapy is better in the nasty stuff anyways.
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