Amp Questions: Dr. Maz 18 Jr.

[lb61906]

Hey TGPers,

I'm thinking about getting a Dr. Maz 18 Jr combo amp. Played one in a local shop and was very impressed. What are your thoughts on the amp? Any reviews from you Maz 18 owners out there? Are Z's pretty reliable?

JJ

[mangoman]

Hey

Easy questions here! These Z's are built like a TANK. Never have had any issues other than tube swaps.

The MAz Jr is the BEST amp of the lineup IMHO. Obviously there are some GREAT amps that are genre specific, like the Stang Ray (now the Z Wreck) the Remed, etc.

But the Maz Jr is the swiss army amp of the group. Its their best selling amp for a great reason. The Master Volume can really help shape tone here. Plenty of great clips out there on the internet. Specifically, Gearmanndude uses a Maz Jr in most of his demos, also, Guitar World has a great Maz Jr Demo.

The real questions are: Reverb or Not? and Which Speaker?

I know the NR (Non Reverb) is a bit warmer than the Reverb model, and has a bit more gain on tap. Shorter circuit length. Also, there is a tone bypass mod, that I would highly suggest getting. As for speakers, and I have had a few....its pretty much a favorite amp of mine; But works awesome with a Cel Blue, the 2x10's which are Z proprietary speakers (but rumored to be celestion vitanges), a V30 and a G12H30 all sound awesome. I personally like the Cel Blue, but a gold or a V30 are awesome in this puppy. Never had a greenback in it, but I do in my Z28!

Hope that helps. Buy one. At the price point, its an awesome amp!

FWIW: I have owned a Z28, Stang Ray, RX ES, RX JR, Maz Jr

I still own a Z28 and Maz Jr NR head. I will get another RX Jr head too!!

[lb61906]

That does help! Any other input is also welcome.

[Shugaboy]

ive done hundreds of gigs with mine over the past four years and never had a problem or even changed a tube

[bc-cosmo]

Very reliable and versatile. Great pedal platform, great straight in too.

[lb61906]

You guys are pretty convincing.

[rickc007]

MANY people LOVE this amp.
Specially those that gig small clubs.

Don't know if you've discovered Gearmanndude yet ?
Below is his youtube link.
He's done a GAZILLION pedal demos with the Maz 18
So you can get a good feel how pedals will sound through it

http://www.youtube.com/user/gearmanndude

[sublimeaudio]

I'm going to go against the grain here. I owned a Maz Jr. briefly and was not at all impressed with it. Sounded cold and sterile to my ears.

[Trotter]

Originally Posted by sublimeaudio

I'm going to go against the grain here. I owned a Maz Jr. briefly and was not at all impressed with it. Sounded cold and sterile to my ears.

+1

I had the exact same experience with my 2x10 NR. I bought it brand new from an online dealer and was highly disappointed. Definitely one of the harshest and least musical amps I've ever played though... and yet so many glowing reviews on this amp!

A much better alternative (in my opinion) is the Budda SD18. It has better cleans, and a dedicated drive channel that sounds outstanding... oh, and they are usually less money!

Try both and decide for yourself though!

[rickc007]

Originally Posted by sublimeaudio

I'm going to go against the grain here. I owned a Maz Jr. briefly and was not at all impressed with it. Sounded cold and sterile to my ears.

This amp does have a reputation from some, that it needs to get
the Power tubes cooking to make it shine

A local guy plays one practically dimed, and it does Sound FANTASTIC
REALLY FANTASTIC

I had purchased on myself, for home use, and it did not have the sparkle
I was looking for. I'm a Blackface guy, and favor a Deluxe Reverb.
It did have a mid grunt over the Deluxe, but it wasn't my tone

I have an Rx Jr, that I like more

There are also 2 version of the Maz Jr , with Reverb and without.
Some claim home users like the Reverb, gigging musicians like it without.
There is a tad more gain with the Non-Reverb

While it didn't totally float my boat, MANY LOVE this amp.
It is Dr Z's best seller.

[Dave_C]

I've owned one since 2002. It's a modern classic! Get one!

[rickc007]

Originally Posted by Trotter

+1

I had the exact same experience with my 2x10 NR. I bought it brand new from an online dealer and was highly disappointed. Definitely one of the harshest and least musical amps I've ever played though...

I would NOT want to hear this amp through brand new 2x10 at
bedroom levels

[stoob0t]

I used to run a Maz 38 NR cranked into a 4x10. Sounded absolutely phenomenal - was far too loud though, even for bigger venues. Wish I'd bought a Maz18 now.

When i've got the cash again I'll pick up a Maz18 combo. A word of caution though, it's a very loud 18 watts!

[Trotter]

Originally Posted by rickc007

I would NOT want to hear this amp through brand new 2x10 at
bedroom levels

I certainly gave it a fair chance and made sure the speakers were well broken in before I decided I hated it.

I also ran the amp into different speaker cabs and tried different tubes... still hated it.

I also dimed it many times to "get the tubes cooking"... sorry Maz lovers... I still hated it and think the Budda 18 is a much better amp all around.

Feel free to rip me apart now.

[mangoman]

I am with ya on this a bit Trotter....I gig with a Mesa TA 15. It just responds well to my left hand.

The Dr Z's are a great bunch of amps, and the Maz Jr is a great platform. I think these things just love strats, and tend to be more of a bluesy tone, IMHO. I do love them, but the Buddas are great as well. I just dont want to sell much more gear, and just keep the stuff I got to cure some ADD!

FWIW, I would check out the DR Z forum. Great guys, and great insight.

Good luck. I would try and pic one up used. That's a great value, and if you dont like it, you wont be out any money, really.....