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Post by texblooz on Aug 21, 2006 8:45:10 GMT -7
I would experiment with the preamp tubes V1 and V2 before considering a new cab. What attracted you to the Maz that you are missing now? I bet one of the tube experts will chime in with some good suggestions.
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Post by billyguitar on Aug 21, 2006 9:04:27 GMT -7
I think it's the cab.
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6250
New Member
Posts: 26
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Post by 6250 on Aug 21, 2006 9:27:34 GMT -7
HI Texblooz. The combos were warm sounding no hint of being sterile. I even tried the combos with a regular boss metal zone, and wow!!!
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Post by texblooz on Aug 21, 2006 9:58:14 GMT -7
Well, now that I think about it. Billyguitar is right about the cab. The Z cabs would be WAY different from your Marshall. I'm sure the Junior driving a 4x12 would sound a lot different from what you heard in the store. Maybe you could borrow a different cab to try out.
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Post by kledbet on Aug 21, 2006 11:10:27 GMT -7
If you have access to some cabs try as many as you can. A good 2x12 works great with this amp. As far as pedals, turn up the cut quite a bit and then move the treble down. Its not uncommon for the treble on this amp to be at 9 or 10. with the cut up you may get a little better interaction with your pedals... let us know.
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6250
New Member
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Post by 6250 on Aug 21, 2006 11:45:51 GMT -7
Hi Kledbet, Do you recomend an open back or closed back cab??? I am looking for a warm, bluesy, defined, in your face kind of tone.
thanks again, John
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Post by kledbet on Aug 21, 2006 12:09:38 GMT -7
Everyone seems to like the Zbest, but I have a tone tubby 2x12 open back, with 1 alnico and 1 ceramic. The bottom line is that it is kind of a crap shoot until you can listen yourself and hear what you are looking for. Closed back cabs can have more bass and focus, open backs can be warmer and more open sounding.
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robt
Full Member
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Post by robt on Aug 26, 2006 7:25:13 GMT -7
I have a 112 combo with reverb and recently changed out the V1 to some old tube that I had around. It's a 12ax7 but can't read the brand--anyway, it does say made in USA. Point is, it REALLY made a tonal difference. I had experimented once before with different tubes in V1 but left the stock Ruby in there. Finally, I found a 12ax7 that made a HUGE difference in tonal coloration. I would second the suggestion to experiment with this position before moving on to speakers/cab. Best of luck.
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robt
Full Member
Posts: 138
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Post by robt on Aug 26, 2006 7:26:06 GMT -7
I have a 112 combo with reverb and recently changed out the V1 to some old tube that I had around. It's a 12ax7 but can't read the brand--anyway, it does say made in USA. Point is, it REALLY made a tonal difference. I had experimented once before with different tubes in V1 but left the stock Ruby in there. Finally, I found a 12ax7 that made a HUGE difference in tonal coloration. I would second the suggestion to experiment with this position before moving on to speakers/cab. Best of luck.
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Post by John on Aug 26, 2006 9:16:07 GMT -7
Not to be critical...but I'm wondering about using a Maz to get Satriani/Vai sounds. Sounds like SRZ-65 territory.
If you're looking for such a specific sound...you might want to consider an amp more closely associated with that sound.
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Post by Lefty on Aug 26, 2006 9:27:53 GMT -7
It's the cab...when I first got my Z-28 I was using with a Marshall 4x10, and it just sucked. No headroom, very flat and dry. Then I took off the back panel on the cab and it was a world of difference. I sold the cab and went with the Z2x10, OMFG!! The 2x10 KILLED the 4x10. I'm guessing mainly on account of the Marshall speakers. Z cabs are the best! 4x10, 2x10, 1x12, Zbest, 2x12...all great!
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6250
New Member
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Post by 6250 on Aug 26, 2006 9:51:16 GMT -7
Thanks everyone for your suggestions, time, and thoughts towards this. I'm leaning towards the cab too. John
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Post by Telemanic on Aug 26, 2006 12:15:49 GMT -7
Plus one on the cab! I have found many of the marshall cabs, cardboardy sounding and lacking depth and musicality. Not to dog the big M alone tho, a lot of production cabs suffer the same in my book. Others are right tho too, in that you may in the mean time be able to tweak a little magic back with some tube swaps. If you liked the amp in the store, ...,. then it's in there! If it worked for your musical style, you just need to go back and say Ok, whats different here at home. Obviously the only difference is the speaker enclosure, so you may want to audition some open back 2-10's/ 2-12's, since you tried a combo in the store. I think a closed back will yield a bit more punch, but not as open and airy sounding, both have there merits, it'll just come down to YOUR preference. Good luck, it's a really fun and VERSATILE amp!!
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Post by drew on Aug 27, 2006 7:33:55 GMT -7
Hey John, Is the amp new? If not invest in a nice set of matched output tubes. Worn el84s output tubes will make the amp sound sterile, new el84's are magic but can loose some of their mojo after approx 300 hours of use. The Maz is a cathode biased amp is doesn't matter if your playing loud or soft the tubes still wear down. Telemanic is spot on, what's different from the store to your home setup.
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Post by nitehawk55 on Aug 27, 2006 8:30:30 GMT -7
How good are those Avatar cabs you see listed on Ebay all the time ? There is one 2X12 in black with piping that looks like it would match some of the Z's very well . I guess an open cab is usually best ? I've always used combo's , never had much to do with a head and cab set-up but i'm thinking on getting a Maz 38 or Z28.. or ? head sometime .
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6250
New Member
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Post by 6250 on Aug 27, 2006 9:12:04 GMT -7
Hi everyone!! I bought the head new. I waited 8 weeks for it. I never got to try the head out before I ordered it. I should of gone with one of the combos (Jr or Sr) I tried, and just ordered that in black. I believe Dr Z knows what speakers and cabs are best for the amps he builds. I have read several threads where others have tried different things and they come back to the conclusion that Z got it right the first time. I am a believer of this myself. I just thought I could save some money and use the cab I had, BIG Mistake!!
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Post by billyguitar on Aug 27, 2006 14:03:50 GMT -7
You can get an Avatar 1x12 cab with an Eminence pretty cheap. I would recommend an open back cab.
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messenger
Full Member
life is good!
Posts: 194
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Post by messenger on Aug 28, 2006 9:54:01 GMT -7
get the z best 212 closed back......you will love it!!!!
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