Dr. Z Amplification Maz 18 Head

The Dr.Z Maz 18 head is a single channel EL84 powered tube head that excels at great Fender-like clean tones mixed with VOX esque chime in a package that won't blow your ears or wallet out of this world. It delivers 18 watts of power and has gain, master volume, bass, middle, treble, cut (a form of presence) and reverb controls (on the reverb model). It also has an effects loop and a footswitchable EQ bypass - very cool feature.

UTILIZATION

Getting a good sound out of this amp is very simple. Since it's single channel it really only has one core sound - a hybrid Fender/VOX clean tone that has a great natural breakup for classic rock tones as the gain is turned up. When set to full bore gain it's still quite mild but that can be remedied with a boost pedal of sorts. The EQ has a good response and feel and the tones are fairly constant regardless of where the dials are set - a great sign of a user friendly amp. It can be a little bit bright for some applications, but using the treble and cut controls along with the tone control on your guitar can alleviate this issue.

SOUNDS

I've tried this amp with various guitars. It seems to respond well with single coil equipped guitars like Strats and Teles for a country or blues sound. P90s also do a great job too. I find humbuckers can get dark kind of quick so you have to watch your pick attack when using a guitar like a Les Paul with this amp where it's so dark and thick. That being said it has a very pure and honest sound that reminds me a lot of the old Fenders that I've tried - pure tube tone. It's not a high gain amp at all, but it does do cleans and classic gain tones quite well, and can get into high gain territory with a boost.

OVERALL OPINION

All in all I think the Dr.Z Maz 18 head is a great deal for someone looking for a great low wattage head that does some killer Fender/VOX type tones. They are about $1,500 new which is a good deal for the quality of workmanship and tone that you're getting. Definitely worth a look for the serious gigging player who has the ear for tone and wants great sounds at a reasonable volume.

These amplifiers are quickly becoming one of my all time favorite clean amps. Dr. Z has such a great classic rock tone and what they are all about it pure tone. They have a solid tone and many artists are using them on their records and live touring stages. This amp is very popular with the country players. It has a great tone for guys you like to chick pick and get that chimy clean moderately broken up overdrive sound. These amps prides themselves on being somewhat versatile but more user friendly tone machines. These amps are great for just about any style of music other than metal. This amp is thr same as the combo but just in a head version. You get the same great features and tone as the combo but without the speakers.

UTILIZATION

Power Output: 18 Watts
Output Tubes: 2 - EL-84
Preamp Tubes: 4 - 12AX7, 1 - 12AT7
Rectifier: 1 - GZ34
Controls: Volume, Treble, Mid, Bass, Cut, Master Volume, and Reverb
Configuration : Head
Color: Black
Dimensions and Weight: 19" W, 9 3/4" H, 9 1/2" D; 22 lbs.

SOUNDS

That amp sound very big and that may be one of their selling points. Their amps aren't a hole lot of power but have a brilliance of volume and girth that make them sound incredible. The tone of this amp is pretty good. It has a nice blend of the power tubes and preamp valves. This is an amp that will take pedals very well. It has a nice effects loop to allow its user to insert delays and chorus sound into the effects loop and still keep the same preamp tone. For not being a whole lot of power it still packs a big punch in volume and tone.

These amps have a familiar control knob called "cut" which you may have seen on another amp called the Vox Ac30. This allows you to dial in some of that class grind. The "cut" knob may be the most useful and versatile tone shaping tool on any guitar amp. Throughout its range, it produces a large variety of sounds to satisfy players using all guitars for most every style of music. The "cut" knob is best used after the EQ is all set; turn it up for extra edge, turn it down for a more vintage sound.

OVERALL OPINION


At new these amps come in right at around $1450. That is a great price for an amp that sound this good. There is no up charge or down charge for this combo in this grill cloth custom change. Some other colors and options to charge more but not this one. It is a very usable gigging amp and will treat its owner quite well. I would recommend this amp to anyone who used to like s a good clean tone that can get a solid chimey and sustaining overdrive tone.