The Steel Guitar Forum

Has anyone used the Dr. Z Maz 38 for a PSG? I was curious of how versatile this amp is and whether it would be good enough for a very novice PSG player.

Bill

I've just read the specs, and have formulated the following...

A.) At only 38 watts, I'd call it a practice/studio amp only, not nearly enough power for live pedal steel playing - unless you like a tone like '65 Tom Brumley or early Ralph Mooney stuff.

B.) I think the lack of a graphic EQ or a "Shift" control is a SERIOUS drawback for pedal steel work.

c.) I think that for that price ($1200-$1400), it probably has a nice distortion. Remember, this amp was designed for straight guitar! The designer never gave 5 seconds of thought to anyone using it for pedal steel.

There's a good reason why most pedal steelers use "pedal steel amps".

I routinely use a Dr Z Carmen Ghia head with a 15 inch speaker. 18 watts, tone and volume. I don't know if it would meet everybody's criteria for a great steel amp, but with an old Sho Bud and this set up I've played a lot of gigs. I kind of like that it starts to distort when you push it hard. I used it with a rock band recently though and it did not have enough muscle!

It is a great sounding amp though, I'll tell you that. And with a 6 string guitar it's pretty unbeatable too.

Try it! What the heck?

I pick occasionally around L.A. with a fine Tele picker named Jesse Harris who plays thru one. It's designed for standard guitar players who use pedal boards for all their EFX etc,so it's laid out very simply with only 2 knobs - tone and volume. But for what it is I'd say it's the best of it's breed. I wouldn't heitate to play non-pedal thru it for a pushed but fairly clean swing tone w/a bit of hair on it like old Joaquin Murphey records or a soaring David Lindly type sound which I'm sure it would deliver in spades. For pedal steel I'll stick with my Steel King. But don't let 38 watts fool ya - It's class A don't forget,and it's LOUD.Every place I've played with Jesse,let's just say he was well represented in the band mix.

I've used my Maz Jr. in the studio for steel. Celestion Bluebell 12" At a reasonable volumn, it sounded fantastic! But not enough power for a gig.
At home, I tried my Presciption Combo, 2/12" Bluebells, 30 watts (30 watts? Yeah, right Doc! Louder than a 50 watter) and almost blew out the windows!

I play regularly threw a maz 38 amp and I love it. The amp is definitely not for everybody it is a very clean amp but it it harmonically rich. It kinda reminds me of 60's country tone ie. Raplh Moony w/ Buck Owens . if you are a peavy fan you will probably no like this amp.

The amp has a high low channels the hi channel distorts much sooner than the other.

Keep in mind I play to the rock side of things if you are in to doing county standards this amp is probably not for you

Our bands Tele player has one , a 38MAZ special with 3x10's..

This is not a quiet amp..it can compete with or blow away any typical Bandstand amp of 50 watts or more...

38 watts class A....

I have not played Steel thru it, maybe I will keep it at the house for a bit and try it out..

Don't forgt, the VOX AC 30's are only 33 watts class A.. First 3 rows get out of the way !

Are these amps mentioned really Class A output sections, or cathode biased Class AB, running very hot? I know the advertising often mentions class A, but what does it refer to?...Jerry

Dr Z makes a lot of great amps. I had a Maz Jr, never try putting my steel through it.

The Maz 38 sr. is not a class A circuit design its not possible to get 38 watts from 4 el84 it is a very hot a/b. Class A in a nut shell class is a type of circuit design it distorts much quicker than a/b which some guitarist like because you can go from a clean tone to an over driven to by digging in to the strings. so basically you get a more touch sensitive amp.

I believe the 38 watts is a bit underrated as far as power. as Tony said

"This is not a quiet amp..it can compete with or blow away any typical Bandstand amp of 50 watts or more... "

I play threw a single 12 it has plenty of clean power plenty of bass it is super top notch amp.
for the price I would really try one out. Epically if you are a novice or new to steel tastes in tone may change

Randall Smith of Mesa Boogie wrote a small book about class A here's the link
http://www.mesaboogie.com/US/Smith/ClassA.htm
he explains it much better than I ever could

I got say I do love the reverb!