dr z mazerati gt

[jcat5503]

Any one jammed on this amp? I have read some great things about it over on TGP.

Some are saying it has kind of a wreck or komet sounding overdrive, which is pretty interesting!!

Two knobs; tone and volume. Four el84's. Maybe it's based of a Liverpool?

[M Fowler]

Its closer to the Rocket yes but not a clone by any means. The Maz went through quite a bit of changes to get to the current production GT version. Perhaps Mike Zaite will comment on that.

The amps are a great addition to compliment your Trainwreck amps in my opinion.

The Doc has built quite a few nice amps like the Stingray/Stangray, Mazerati, Prescription Extra Strength (RxES) and the Zwreck are my favorites.

I have gigged with my Dr Z Stangray with 212 blues cab for three years and currently two amp rig using my new Rocket/reverb(6L6) amp. That Stangray has a nice chime and never once have I had any issues including gigging with the original tubes. But that amp rides bundled in a blanket in my truck not in the band trailer.

Mark

[jcat5503]

Yeah i really dig the RXes as well.

The GT is supposed to be a "high" gain amp. I really want to try one out

[DR.Z]

Yeah the MAZerati GT is a cascaded 12AX7 using a voltage divider into a VOX style PI. I used the CUT as the tone control .0047/250K.
50 ohm single bias resistor.
Pretty simple amp, and it is loud and very high gain.

Z

[M Fowler]

Thanks Doc for the information.

jcat5503,

Unfortunately with the economy the way it is for so many people finding an excellent used Maz GT is possible. I have not seen one at my local dealer but it could be ordered.

I would rather try build my own, sorry doc.

Well at least I don't clone Z amps, that has to carry some weight in my favor for building Z style amps right

Mark

[jcat5503]

Yeah the MAZerati GT is a cascaded 12AX7 using a voltage divider into a VOX style PI. I used the CUT as the tone control .0047/250K.
50 ohm single bias resistor.
Pretty simple amp, and it is loud and very high gain.

Z

Seems like a killer amplifier! How would the gain of the MAZ GT compare to an RxES?

I don't really need high gain per se, just a great pushed rock sound. I play mainly humbuckers.

[DR.Z]

jcat the Mazerati GT is a higher gain amp, a bit of a one trick pony but a nice trick.

From what you asked I would say the RX ES is better suited.
The RX has a full EQ and a EF-86 as a recovery stage.
The 3 dB boost runs on the EF-86, added by-pass cap to the cathode, for a nice FS lead boost. It uses negative feedback which keeps the amp tight, great for humbuckers. Also it uses a split load cathode bias so two differant pairs of EL-84's can be installed.

Z

[jcat5503]

From what you asked I would say the RX ES is better suited.
The RX has a full EQ and a EF-86 as a recovery stage.
The 3 dB boost runs on the EF-86, added by-pass cap to the cathode, for a nice FS lead boost. It uses negative feedback which keeps the amp tight, great for humbuckers. Also it uses a split load cathode bias so two differant pairs of EL-84's can be installed.

Z

That's kind of what I was thinking. I'd rather use a pedal to get me into "higher" gain territory (than have a sort of one trick pony). Which I only use about 20% of the time. The rest is just rock and roll.

That's pretty awesome about being about to use two different pairs of 84's. Im sure that makes for an interesting tonal characteristics.

Can they be built (or retro fitted) with an effects loop? I'm a delay junkie. I have heard there are pedals you can put on your board to run time based effects through on amps that don't have a loop. You know much about them?

I have also read on the Z talk forums that you can do a master on the RXes? Does it change the tonal properties of the amp? I have a Brake Lite currently, but the RX maybe a hair too much for it.

[DR.Z]

Let's see.
Yes a simple series loop can be fitted.
The Master is a dual ganged PPI type, with very little if any tone change.
The Brake-Lite will work with the stock RX ES, it will get hot..... but it will be fine.


Z

[jcat5503]

That's great about the master. I have had great experience with that style in the past

How much would both of those mods be?

I'd rather not make the mods myself, to keep the resale value of the amp intact

[DR.Z]

jcat contact Sales@drzamps.com and Brent can give you all the info and e-mail you RA forms.

Z

[M Fowler]

I want to pre-order a Zwreck before everyone else, if you decide to build them, thanks Mike.

I don't think Brent is going to be able to answer that one is he

Mark

[jcat5503]

jcat contact Sales@drzamps.com and Brent can give you all the info and e-mail you RA forms.

Z

Alrighty i'll do it!

[azatplayer]

That was a very cool read. Nice one Doc.

[soma_hero]

Dr. Z.

Very cool of you to stop by and offer up information. Never heard one of your amps but i know the reputation. Welcome