opinions on DR Z MAZ 18 jr.

niterail · May 7th, 2006, 09:31 PM

thinking about picking one up. thoughts on sound, reliability, etc.

thanks!

Brass Saddle · May 8th, 2006, 12:16 AM

I have one and think it's a great amp - I'm probably going to sell it because I just am completely in love with the blackface fender sound, but the Maz 18 Jr is a top notch amp all around.
Tone wise it reminds me alot of a saturated AC30, with a little Marshal oomph mixed it. It's loud for 18 watts, but it also breaks up early with a nice grainy overdrive that is typical of the DRZ sound. Very flexible tone controls and I really like the Cut and Master Volume. Hard to go wrong with it really.

a42 · May 8th, 2006, 01:35 AM

Very versatile amp. Can twang, clang, and growl. Takes pedals well. Tends to be a little on the bright side but easily controlled with the tone stack. Master volume is very useable.

I have a 1x12 with verb and I love it. If I had it to do over again I'd buy a non-reverb head and either a 2x10 or 2x12 to go with it.

For a lot more opinions, check out the Dr. Z forum: http://drzamplifiers.proboards41.com

Teleman · May 8th, 2006, 07:49 AM

I've got a 1-12 Maz Jr and love it. In fact I love it so much I've got a second one coming a MAZ jr NR head.

For me its the ultimate tele amp. Just loves any pedal I've ever put into it and at 18 watts is plenty load enough.
Highly recommended!

CountryShawn · May 8th, 2006, 02:23 PM

Easily the best amp I've ever owned.

I do find them very versatile, although there is a definite jangly quality that I like specifically.

I don't know how else to describe other than a complex chime type of thing. It's got lots of low end grunt. The key to this amp is how it cuts through perfectly in a band situation. You'll know what I mean when you try it.

Probably the most important thing I've found with this amp is to keep those EL84 finals up to snuff - they run hot and as a result tend to go through those finals pretty quickly.

If you're a metal player, perhaps I'd steer away, but for pretty much anything else, it's a solid winner in my books, especially for country pickin'.

That's my .02.

Cheers,

Shawn

zoppotrump · May 9th, 2006, 06:15 PM

best amp i ever owned.
i got the 2x12" NR version with Weber Blue Alnicos and it is hard to describe - it shimmers .
as already said, it´s really loud for 18 watt, though it´s rumoured, that it is more around 25 watts.
superb feature is the cut pot, allows you to dial in the amount of "cut" through the mix.
i personally think this amp is best when played clean with a grit in the end. metal lovers will not like it.
it takes good pedals very easy and is well build.
i can only recommend it.
take care

zoppotrump
:O)

sanhozay · May 10th, 2006, 01:32 PM

2x10 w/verb owner here. Excellent amp with a blackface heart and marshall/vox spirit. It's a difficult amp to sonically quantify but overall characteristics are a chimey and throaty combo with lots of EQ options. Loud sum*****, too. Speakers do need to be broken in and the reverb won't satisfy die-hard blackface fans. Just a dab will do ya fine; beyond that it robs tone and clutters the sound. I think the brightness of the amp is often overstated and misunderstood. It's has a sinewy but focused projection and the brights will be harsh if not tamed accordingly. Approaching the tone stack and adjusting knobs old school Leo settings may disappoint - unless your high end hearing appreciates a cutting tone. Little dollops of treble, mids, bass, etc can totally deliver a big, phat tone. The best attribute of the Maz 18 is has big it can sound but still have a chimey and thumping projection without being farty or muddy. Perfect arrangement for single coils. I really like the Maz 18 but if I had a *do over* I'd bag the reverb. I was thinking blackface sparkle but it's not even close. Just enough to add some ambiance to a flat room but totally negotiable at proper volume levels.

May 7th, 2006, 09:31 PM	#1 (permalink)
niterail Tele-Meister Join Date: Jan 2006 Posts: 138	opinions on DR Z MAZ 18 jr. thinking about picking one up. thoughts on sound, reliability, etc. thanks! __________________ www.niterail.com The new EP "Back and Forth" is available now!

May 8th, 2006, 12:16 AM	#2 (permalink)
Brass Saddle TDPRI Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: Atlanta Posts: 33	I have one and think it's a great amp - I'm probably going to sell it because I just am completely in love with the blackface fender sound, but the Maz 18 Jr is a top notch amp all around. Tone wise it reminds me alot of a saturated AC30, with a little Marshal oomph mixed it. It's loud for 18 watts, but it also breaks up early with a nice grainy overdrive that is typical of the DRZ sound. Very flexible tone controls and I really like the Cut and Master Volume. Hard to go wrong with it really. __________________ It's not a lie if you believe it.....

May 8th, 2006, 02:23 PM	#5 (permalink)
CountryShawn Tele-Holic Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Calgary, Alberta, Canada Age: 37 Posts: 621	Easily the best amp I've ever owned. I do find them very versatile, although there is a definite jangly quality that I like specifically. I don't know how else to describe other than a complex chime type of thing. It's got lots of low end grunt. The key to this amp is how it cuts through perfectly in a band situation. You'll know what I mean when you try it. Probably the most important thing I've found with this amp is to keep those EL84 finals up to snuff - they run hot and as a result tend to go through those finals pretty quickly. If you're a metal player, perhaps I'd steer away, but for pretty much anything else, it's a solid winner in my books, especially for country pickin'. That's my .02. Cheers, Shawn __________________ --------

May 9th, 2006, 06:15 PM	#6 (permalink)
zoppotrump Tele-Meister Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: nuernberg, germany Posts: 431 13 Photos	best amp i ever owned. i got the 2x12" NR version with Weber Blue Alnicos and it is hard to describe - it shimmers . as already said, it´s really loud for 18 watt, though it´s rumoured, that it is more around 25 watts. superb feature is the cut pot, allows you to dial in the amount of "cut" through the mix. i personally think this amp is best when played clean with a grit in the end. metal lovers will not like it. it takes good pedals very easy and is well build. i can only recommend it. take care zoppotrump :O) __________________ may the twang be with you !

May 8th, 2006, 01:35 AM	#3 (permalink)
a42 Tele-Meister Join Date: May 2005 Location: Bowie, MD Posts: 191	Very versatile amp. Can twang, clang, and growl. Takes pedals well. Tends to be a little on the bright side but easily controlled with the tone stack. Master volume is very useable. I have a 1x12 with verb and I love it. If I had it to do over again I'd buy a non-reverb head and either a 2x10 or 2x12 to go with it. For a lot more opinions, check out the Dr. Z forum: http://drzamplifiers.proboards41.com

May 8th, 2006, 07:49 AM	#4 (permalink)
Teleman Tele-Meister Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Plainville, CT Posts: 393	I've got a 1-12 Maz Jr and love it. In fact I love it so much I've got a second one coming a MAZ jr NR head. For me its the ultimate tele amp. Just loves any pedal I've ever put into it and at 18 watts is plenty load enough. Highly recommended!

May 10th, 2006, 01:32 PM	#7 (permalink)
sanhozay Tele-Meister Join Date: Mar 2003 Posts: 188	2x10 w/verb owner here. Excellent amp with a blackface heart and marshall/vox spirit. It's a difficult amp to sonically quantify but overall characteristics are a chimey and throaty combo with lots of EQ options. Loud sum****, too. Speakers do need to be broken in and the reverb won't satisfy die-hard blackface fans. Just a dab will do ya fine; beyond that it robs tone and clutters the sound. I think the brightness of the amp is often overstated and misunderstood. It's has a sinewy but focused projection and the brights will be harsh if not tamed accordingly. Approaching the tone stack and adjusting knobs old school Leo settings may disappoint - unless your high end hearing appreciates a cutting tone. Little dollops of treble, mids, bass, etc can totally deliver a big, phat tone. The best attribute of the Maz 18 is has big it can sound but still have a chimey and thumping projection without being farty or muddy. Perfect arrangement for single coils. I really like the Maz 18 but if I had a do over* I'd bag the reverb. I was thinking blackface sparkle but it's not even close. Just enough to add some ambiance to a flat room but totally negotiable at proper volume levels.