• Registered: 2008-07-05
  • Posts: 85

Re: More Amp Demos...Stratalicious!

stratpaulguy86 wrote:

Here's the Maz with some humbuckers.  I backed the cut off, boosted the mids, and decreased the treble and bass.  It surprisingly gets into Marshall territory...I am learning more and more about this versitle amp everytime I play it.  The FD2 and Maz are a perfect match for my tones! big_smile

      -Justin

        http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2ReHXSwmCXY


Justin - sounds good wink 

The thing about the Jetter Gain Stage Red is that its about as close to Dumble in a Box as you're going to get...it does that single note liquid violin tone thing the Fulldrive won't.

Yeah, the Maz is a super versatile mofo for sure.

20 Reply by stratpaulguy86 (edited by stratpaulguy86 2009-05-21 03:59:51)

  • From: Florida, USA
  • Registered: 2008-06-04
  • Posts: 1,420

Re: More Amp Demos...Stratalicious!

Sweet! Thanks for the info on the Jetter GSR.  Might have to check one of those out cool . So a Dumble style OD is what I need huh?  Any comparing the Jetter to say a Zendrive, Howie, Rumble, Fuchs Plush, or any number of other pedals?  I find it hard to even get the violin sound from my Tube Driver which is basically the same pedal EJ uses...I know tone is in the fingers I just can't get rid of that annoying high end overtone from my bridge PU.  Would a pickup swap be more practical?  I'm just so 100% happy with my humbucker tones, the Strat is a work in progress for me.  Thanks in advance!

          -Justin

'67 and '74 Fender Twin Reverbs, '74 Marshall 1987 lead mkII, Metro Superlead 100. Pedals from TC Electronic, Ibanez, Dunlop, BK Butler, Electro-Harmonix, Fulltone, Maestro/Gibson, Loopmaster switching, VoodooLab, Boss. Gibson and Fender guitars, Dimarzio pickups.

21 Reply by ken

  • ken
  • ken
  • Titanium
  • Offline
  • From: Orlando, FL
  • Registered: 2007-05-28
  • Posts: 949

Re: More Amp Demos...Stratalicious!

stratpaulguy86 wrote:

Here's the Maz with some humbuckers.  I backed the cut off, boosted the mids, and decreased the treble and bass.  It surprisingly gets into Marshall territory...I am learning more and more about this versitle amp everytime I play it.  The FD2 and Maz are a perfect match for my tones! big_smile

      -Justin

        http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2ReHXSwmCXY

I knew that Maz would sound good with an od/dist pedal in front. I was on a kick a while back where I was considering getting a maz jr, now your making me want one again. The LP sounds killer! To me this sounds like the most versatile small amp out there with a pedal or two in front. Your getting great LP and strat tones out of that thing.

You have it pretty cranked, how does it sound at lower volumes?

Ever heard of the dr z brake lite? A lot of maz guys are loving it for cranked tones at lower volumes. I have one in my budda superdrive 45, and its one of the more transparent attenuators out there, plus it mounts right in the combo cab.

22 Reply by stratpaulguy86 (edited by stratpaulguy86 2009-05-21 06:48:25)

  • From: Florida, USA
  • Registered: 2008-06-04
  • Posts: 1,420

Re: More Amp Demos...Stratalicious!

ken wrote:
stratpaulguy86 wrote:

Here's the Maz with some humbuckers.  I backed the cut off, boosted the mids, and decreased the treble and bass.  It surprisingly gets into Marshall territory...I am learning more and more about this versitle amp everytime I play it.  The FD2 and Maz are a perfect match for my tones! big_smile

      -Justin

        http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2ReHXSwmCXY

I knew that Maz would sound good with an od/dist pedal in front. I was on a kick a while back where I was considering getting a maz jr, now your making me want one again. The LP sounds killer! To me this sounds like the most versatile small amp out there with a pedal or two in front. Your getting great LP and strat tones out of that thing.

You have it pretty cranked, how does it sound at lower volumes?

Ever heard of the dr z brake lite? A lot of maz guys are loving it for cranked tones at lower volumes. I have one in my budda superdrive 45, and its one of the more transparent attenuators out there, plus it mounts right in the combo cab.

Thanks Ken!  Yep the Maz Jr. is super versatile and is a great "desert island" type amp.  Loves Strats and likes the Pauls too.  I actually was just short of dimed with the Strat demo, but for the Les Paul/PRS ones I had the master about 3 o'clock and the volume almost dimed.  Loud, but not deafening.
The Maz does need a certain amount of volume to operate at it's full potential.  Some Maz Jr.'s can be had pretty cheap these days, definately a winner for the price.  I am familiar with the Z Brake Lite, I am thinking about getting one because I kid you not this Maz puts out way more volume than my 50 watt Bassman!  Z amps have totally conservative wattage ratings...they should call them "Z Watts".

     -Justin

'67 and '74 Fender Twin Reverbs, '74 Marshall 1987 lead mkII, Metro Superlead 100. Pedals from TC Electronic, Ibanez, Dunlop, BK Butler, Electro-Harmonix, Fulltone, Maestro/Gibson, Loopmaster switching, VoodooLab, Boss. Gibson and Fender guitars, Dimarzio pickups.
  • Registered: 2007-09-30
  • Posts: 556

Re: More Amp Demos...Stratalicious!

Try lowering the P/U a touch.  It might help with the brightness.  And also the tone knob to the bridge pickup is a must for that EJ sound.  I get a pretty good EJ tone with my LP.  I hate playing strats though, I can never make them work right lol.  Too delicate....  I need the power/heaviness of the Gibsons.

Ben

  • From: Germany
  • Registered: 2008-04-23
  • Posts: 553

Re: More Amp Demos...Stratalicious!

As ususal great stuff Justin! This Maz18 seems a very versatile beast.
I have a Marshall 1974x and it doesn't have that clean headroom.
Superb strat sound really. Also with the LP and the Fulltone.
Thats a sound I could easy live with alone. Why carrying around so many cabs and amps? lol
Congrats bro! I will keep an eye on them. Who said this is an expensive forum..?
Bw, I got the vox diamond grill cloth yesterday for the HRM. Looks cool. cool

Alex

...it's a musical journey
www.u2-experience.de

Stratovari's Website

  • From: Germany
  • Registered: 2006-05-31
  • Posts: 489

Re: More Amp Demos...Stratalicious!

That is a dead on great sounding combination. Cool idea to "plaxi-glas" the "Z"!
I love the transparent sound. In fact the 57 RI is a tonemonster as is your amp, too.

But the conclusion is always the same:
The tone is in the fingers....and man got you tone!

Jimi75's Website

  • From: Florida, USA
  • Registered: 2008-06-04
  • Posts: 1,420

Re: More Amp Demos...Stratalicious!

Thanks everyone for the suggestions and kind words big_smile.  Ben I try and mess with my pickups on all of my guitars, I guess I should spend more time on the bridge P/U of the Strat.  I think it's that maple neck...my dad's rosewood deluxe Strat does not have the brightness issues of my guitar.  I wonder if I should go all out EJ and get a Dimarzio HS-2 like he did on his main '54 Strat (maple + ash = super bright guitar).  Or dare I say put a humbucker back there...I mean that's the sound I want from the Strat bridge hmm .  Anyone have any good suggestions on a humbucker that looks like a standard single coil and retains some of the single-coilyness?

'67 and '74 Fender Twin Reverbs, '74 Marshall 1987 lead mkII, Metro Superlead 100. Pedals from TC Electronic, Ibanez, Dunlop, BK Butler, Electro-Harmonix, Fulltone, Maestro/Gibson, Loopmaster switching, VoodooLab, Boss. Gibson and Fender guitars, Dimarzio pickups.
  • From: Massachusetts
  • Registered: 2008-10-27
  • Posts: 577

Re: More Amp Demos...Stratalicious!

Maybe I am way off but I was going to drop the Seymour duncan Lil '59 in my Yamaha Strat style guitar...that could work for you...I'm not pup expert this is just my humble opinion

2009 Gibson Les Paul 1958 VOS (with black plastic)
2008 Gibson Les Paul Traditional Goldtop (with the cream plastic from the 58RI)
> Marshall Bluesbreaker 2 pedal >Boss sd-1> DD3 > Vox Ac15cc1
  • Registered: 2008-07-05
  • Posts: 85

Re: More Amp Demos...Stratalicious!

stratpaulguy86 wrote:

Anyone have any good suggestions on a humbucker that looks like a standard single coil and retains some of the single-coilyness?


The Rio Grande "Stelly"  will solve your problem wink  Also, roll back the tone farther than usual, and if its not hooked up ala older Strats, jumper it on the switch to be able to use it.

http://www.riograndepickups.com/scart/P … For+Strats

I pretty much cringe with the sound of stock Strat bridge tones...the Tele takes care of that problem, except the Tele layout doesn't work for me tongue  For that reason The Pink Mutt gets most all of my single coil playing time:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v80/s … Pink51.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v80/s … kmutt1.jpg

  • From: Massachusetts
  • Registered: 2008-10-27
  • Posts: 577

Re: More Amp Demos...Stratalicious!

stratpaulguy86 wrote:

Fargen Mini Plex (plexi Marshall fuzziness and roar in a small package conservatively rated at 12 watts), etc.  If the Vox is brighter and has nice upper midrange chime then you just need something round and warm to fill in the low end and lower mids.  If you would like I could make a clip of the Z with a Les Paul and try to set it up to your liking?  Just let me know!

          -Justin


Justin...and anyone else who has had some experience with Fargen...

What do you think of the Fargen Mini Plexi and what would be a far price for a used one?

2009 Gibson Les Paul 1958 VOS (with black plastic)
2008 Gibson Les Paul Traditional Goldtop (with the cream plastic from the 58RI)
> Marshall Bluesbreaker 2 pedal >Boss sd-1> DD3 > Vox Ac15cc1
  • Registered: 2008-03-07
  • Posts: 508

Re: More Amp Demos...Stratalicious!

stratpaulguy86 wrote:

Thanks everyone for the suggestions and kind words big_smile.  Ben I try and mess with my pickups on all of my guitars, I guess I should spend more time on the bridge P/U of the Strat.  I think it's that maple neck...my dad's rosewood deluxe Strat does not have the brightness issues of my guitar.  I wonder if I should go all out EJ and get a Dimarzio HS-2 like he did on his main '54 Strat (maple + ash = super bright guitar).  Or dare I say put a humbucker back there...I mean that's the sound I want from the Strat bridge hmm .  Anyone have any good suggestions on a humbucker that looks like a standard single coil and retains some of the single-coilyness?


YES 
      Like the Maz,a good amp for your collection
      as for pickups I tried many when I was on the Blackmore trail LOL, was trying to get a single coil with more power but
still retains some quack . and what I found the higher resistance of the pick up the more midrange and nasal it became and you lost the quack. the last  one I tried was the HS2 which was the best by far it is a cleaner pickup than you think but seems to have the right characteristics to provide a clear violin tone
and that was using the single coil side of it .the humbucker side was also good . but in conjunction my other single coils
you lost some of the knopfler type quack. so I took it out.
If you are thinking of going the HS2 way then I suggest you need to replace all 3 with HS2s they are really sweet sounding pickups
its no wonder EJ uses them and I thinl Malmsteen uses them??

"Everybody's entitled to my opinion. wink
  • From: Florida, USA
  • Registered: 2008-06-04
  • Posts: 1,420

Re: More Amp Demos...Stratalicious!

Thanks everyone for the pickup suggestions.  I will definately check them out.  As for LesPaul4's questions about the Fargen Mini Plex...
The Fargen Mini Plex is a 12 watt amp capable of getting 60's plexi, 70's metalpanel/JMP MV, and 80's JCM800 type tones.  My favorites are the 60's and 80's.  Too bad they are not footswitchable (the decade switch is manual).  It's loud but doesn't have to be to get some sweet sounds.  That's the whole point of it, plexi tones at bedroom volumes.  I didn't buy the one I came across because I didn't think it was loud enough to keep up with a full band but I could be wrong.  If you mic'd it it would probably be perfect then and sound men would love you.  Stellar amp A++++, Ben Fargen also has legendary customer support.  The newer MKII models are a little pricier due to a few more features and the fact that it's still in production but the older version can be had relatively cheap.  The one I stumbled across was new, under warranty, and for $999.  I use Ebay as a general way of finding out a fair price for a product and you'll see them come up on there every so often.  Good luck man, they are killer amps!

         -Justin

'67 and '74 Fender Twin Reverbs, '74 Marshall 1987 lead mkII, Metro Superlead 100. Pedals from TC Electronic, Ibanez, Dunlop, BK Butler, Electro-Harmonix, Fulltone, Maestro/Gibson, Loopmaster switching, VoodooLab, Boss. Gibson and Fender guitars, Dimarzio pickups.

32 Reply by ken

  • ken
  • ken
  • Titanium
  • Offline
  • From: Orlando, FL
  • Registered: 2007-05-28
  • Posts: 949

Re: More Amp Demos...Stratalicious!

stratpaulguy86 wrote:

Thanks everyone for the pickup suggestions.  I will definately check them out.  As for LesPaul4's questions about the Fargen Mini Plex...
The Fargen Mini Plex is a 12 watt amp capable of getting 60's plexi, 70's metalpanel/JMP MV, and 80's JCM800 type tones.  My favorites are the 60's and 80's.  Too bad they are not footswitchable (the decade switch is manual).  It's loud but doesn't have to be to get some sweet sounds.  That's the whole point of it, plexi tones at bedroom volumes.  I didn't buy the one I came across because I didn't think it was loud enough to keep up with a full band but I could be wrong.  If you mic'd it it would probably be perfect then and sound men would love you.  Stellar amp A++++, Ben Fargen also has legendary customer support.  The newer MKII models are a little pricier due to a few more features and the fact that it's still in production but the older version can be had relatively cheap.  The one I stumbled across was new, under warranty, and for $999.  I use Ebay as a general way of finding out a fair price for a product and you'll see them come up on there every so often.  Good luck man, they are killer amps!

         -Justin

Maybe some eric johnson strat pickups...I see them on ebay or gearpage sometimes. I'm on a budz mongrel kick with all my single coil guitars. I have them on both thinlines and have a strat set on the way. He'll wind a custom pickup for you too for about the same price.
http://budzguitars.homestead.com/

  • From: Missoula, Montana
  • Registered: 2008-08-18
  • Posts: 308

Re: More Amp Demos...Stratalicious!

Stratpaulguy86 - Just wanted to say thanks. I have learned more about amps from you since I joined this forum than anyone before. I have always struggled to understand some of the differences in certain amps and combinations. You are helping me to figure it out.

Thanks

#275 JB LP

tmcguire's Website

  • From: Florida, USA
  • Registered: 2008-06-04
  • Posts: 1,420

Re: More Amp Demos...Stratalicious!

tmcguire wrote:

Stratpaulguy86 - Just wanted to say thanks. I have learned more about amps from you since I joined this forum than anyone before. I have always struggled to understand some of the differences in certain amps and combinations. You are helping me to figure it out.

Thanks

That's awesome man!  I appreciate the kind words alot.  I have too learned much on this and a few other forums from some very informative and knowlegable people.  I learned the hard way by playing a lot of really crappy amps, some pretty decent amps, and the kind of amps that make you weak in the knees.  That's were the tone is at for me moreso than the guitars and pedals.  My passion is for the amps!  I actually hope to build my own amps someday.   Just have to learn about circuitry and how the different parts affect the tone...Anyways, thanks again and feel free to PM me if you have any particular questions.  Or make a new thread...I'm sure I'll answer!

      -Justin

'67 and '74 Fender Twin Reverbs, '74 Marshall 1987 lead mkII, Metro Superlead 100. Pedals from TC Electronic, Ibanez, Dunlop, BK Butler, Electro-Harmonix, Fulltone, Maestro/Gibson, Loopmaster switching, VoodooLab, Boss. Gibson and Fender guitars, Dimarzio pickups.
  • From: Missoula, Montana
  • Registered: 2008-08-18
  • Posts: 308

Re: More Amp Demos...Stratalicious!

stratpaulguy86 wrote:
tmcguire wrote:

Stratpaulguy86 - Just wanted to say thanks. I have learned more about amps from you since I joined this forum than anyone before. I have always struggled to understand some of the differences in certain amps and combinations. You are helping me to figure it out.

Thanks

That's awesome man!  I appreciate the kind words alot.  I have too learned much on this and a few other forums from some very informative and knowlegable people.  I learned the hard way by playing a lot of really crappy amps, some pretty decent amps, and the kind of amps that make you weak in the knees.  That's were the tone is at for me moreso than the guitars and pedals.  My passion is for the amps!  I actually hope to build my own amps someday.   Just have to learn about circuitry and how the different parts affect the tone...Anyways, thanks again and feel free to PM me if you have any particular questions.  Or make a new thread...I'm sure I'll answer!

      -Justin

I am learning to appreciate good amps. I bought one of the MG series Marshalls and now wish I would have just saved up and bought a DSL.

I have been reading whatever I can get my hands on, but there is not allot out there; at least that I can find, that puts it all together for someone like me with limited knowledge - so this forum has been a great help

#275 JB LP

tmcguire's Website

  • From: Florida, USA
  • Registered: 2008-06-04
  • Posts: 1,420

Re: More Amp Demos...Stratalicious!

You may already know about this, but www.thegearpage.net is probably the hugest website totally dedicated to all things guitar gear.  It can be a harmful place to spend too much time, but in moderation it can really help you get an idea of what sounds good out there.  There are some guys on there that have million dollar rigs, no joke.  I don't let it put me down, I mean who really needs 15 Two-Rocks, 10 Divided by 13's, 8 Fuchs', 6 Mad Professors, etc.  Just take everything with a grain of salt on gear forums because there is a LOT of bias in each post.  I'm as guilty as any but I definately don't put anyone else's stuff down.  As you mentioned you have a Marshall MG, there is a demo on YouTube of Rob Math (Marshall rep) playing one...holy friggin' cow.  Just goes to show you, tone is definately achieved by practice and hard work even on cheaper amps/guitars.  Good luck, and thanks again!

                   -Justin

'67 and '74 Fender Twin Reverbs, '74 Marshall 1987 lead mkII, Metro Superlead 100. Pedals from TC Electronic, Ibanez, Dunlop, BK Butler, Electro-Harmonix, Fulltone, Maestro/Gibson, Loopmaster switching, VoodooLab, Boss. Gibson and Fender guitars, Dimarzio pickups.