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Post by LM on Jan 15, 2020 21:23:24 GMT -5
As I said in another thread (which seems to have disappeared), I bought this 2005 Maz 18 Reverb a couple of months ago and didn't know the age of the tubes. I had one microphonic reverb tube that was replaced immediately and then I'd replaced the power tubes. Tonight, I replaced the preamp tubes with mixed results.
Dr Z recommends JJ's for this amp and word has it he's done extensive testing. I like the JJ's but they can be punchy and compressed. Some of the forums recommend Tung Sol 12AX7's in positions V1 and V2, or at least V1. I tried them in both but it was too bright and 'clicky' when strumming. There was a clicking noise when playing staccato on the high strings. I put the JJ ECCC83S back in V2 and it tamed it quite a bit, but I still had to turn the Treble and Cut knobs way down.
The amp does seem to have more character and subtleties but the highs can be strident when played hard. The JJ's are duller and more punchy, so it's a trade-off. I'll leave it like this for awhile and see if I can dial it in.
Dr Z offers an upgrade to the MKII specs, plus adding an FX loop, for $300. It's supposed to make the amp smoother and warmer. I may be pulling the head and sending it to them, but it'll be hard living without it for a month.
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Post by Pinetree on Jan 15, 2020 23:21:55 GMT -5
My MAZ 18 is easily the most "musical" amp I own... But I'm a high-gain guy at heart.
I'd use whatever Dr. Z recommends, because that guy is awesome.
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Post by Leftee on Jan 16, 2020 10:16:31 GMT -5
...
The amp does seem to have more character and subtleties but the highs can be strident when played hard. The JJ's are duller and more punchy, so it's a trade-off. I'll leave it like this for awhile and see if I can dial it in.
Here's something to try before your spend a lot of $$$.
The strident highs might be the speaker (G12H... correct?). A beam blocker would be worth a try. But not the one that folks traditionally think about.
This:
I've done this and it works *extremely* well. I like it better than the Weber Beam Blocker.
I ordered my foam from McMaster-Carr - as stated in the article.
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pdf64
Wholenote
Posts: 556
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Post by pdf64 on Jan 16, 2020 14:52:06 GMT -5
Yes, the foam donut is a wonderful thing; cabs without them seem weird to me now, they’re often just unusable.
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Post by Leftee on Jan 16, 2020 14:53:37 GMT -5
Yes, the foam donut is a wonderful thing; cabs without them seem weird to me now, they’re often just unusable. I found I only *need* them with certain speakers. The G12H is one of those. Ymmv, of course. 😊
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Post by LM on Jan 16, 2020 18:58:14 GMT -5
Eric mine is the Avatar 30, which is a broken in G12H.
I'll give the donut some thought. However, with my penchant for donuts, I'm afraid I might be tempted to eat it.
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Post by Pinetree on Jan 16, 2020 19:00:20 GMT -5
Celestion Creamback here.
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Post by LM on Jan 16, 2020 19:05:00 GMT -5
Thanks, Piney! I'll check it out. Are you using a 30W?
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Post by Pinetree on Jan 16, 2020 19:09:20 GMT -5
No.
It's the G12 M 65 watts.
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Post by LM on Jan 16, 2020 19:11:56 GMT -5
Mazz 18 or 38?
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Post by Pinetree on Jan 16, 2020 19:14:16 GMT -5
Penalty for misspelling MAZ -1 MT2 Cool Points. Penalty for not reading my previous post -1 MT2 Cool Points.
Yer in the hole, Rocky.
Yes, it's an 18.
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Post by LM on Jan 16, 2020 19:39:56 GMT -5
Ha! I'm in typo timeout.
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Post by LM on Jan 16, 2020 20:28:47 GMT -5
Someone on the Maz forum recommended swapping the Tung Sol in V1 and JJ in V2. I'll give it a try.
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Post by LTB on Jan 17, 2020 23:16:13 GMT -5
In the past I have found the biggest contributor to "in your face harsh treble" was the speaker. For me it was a Weber California.
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Post by LM on Jan 18, 2020 6:58:44 GMT -5
One of the best speakers I've ever had in an amp was a Reverend Alltone 1250. That speaker was the epitome of even and articulate. Unfortunately, they're no longer made.
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Post by Leftee on Jan 18, 2020 8:26:10 GMT -5
I suspect a Texas Heat would work well in that amp. They do not have the beamy highs.
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Post by LM on Jan 18, 2020 8:42:45 GMT -5
I've thought about it, Eric. I wish I had one to try before I buy. I may know where to borrow one.
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Post by Leftee on Jan 18, 2020 8:46:22 GMT -5
8 ohm or 16?
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Post by LM on Jan 18, 2020 10:14:22 GMT -5
I need to check my Maz tomorrow. The news ones have inputs for 4, 8. and 16, but I'm not sure about my 2005.
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Post by Leftee on Jan 18, 2020 12:52:29 GMT -5
Let me know... I might be able to hep a bruddah.
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Post by LM on Jan 18, 2020 13:08:37 GMT -5
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Post by Leftee on Jan 18, 2020 14:44:31 GMT -5
IOW...
If you can use an 8 Ohm, you’re in luck.
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Post by LTB on Jan 19, 2020 2:33:48 GMT -5
One of the best speakers I've ever had in an amp was a Reverend Alltone 1250. That speaker was the epitome of even and articulate. Unfortunately, they're no longer made. I have heard that. Unfortunately when I needed and wanted to get one they had ceased production
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