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Probably better to get a really good o/d like a klon clone to push the front end if you want to play at lower volumes.
*An Official Foo-Approved guitarist since Sept 2023.
Both quite different, but both love Fenders equally as much though. I'd go as far as to say that there are not many amps that make a strat or tele sound like a strat or tele quite like a Z.
The Maz competes with amps four times it's wattage in terms of headroom. And does deserve to be cranked (ignore the 18w stamp). It's not a bedroom amp. I'd say its about 60-70% Vox, the rest is made up of elements of Fender cleans and HiWatt crunch.
The Ghia is much more original IMO, the original chassis was from an old Hammond reverb unit, the Dr designed the whole front end from the ground up.. for guitar. Also great on headroom, also loves to be cranked.
I've had the brakelite too.. but at gigging volume i only see the benefit if you're a 'no pedals' (or minimal) type of guy. Which is a great thing of course.. crank the amp, and clean up with the guitar volume.. tonnes of versatility. For me though, I tend to use my amps as a platform, and ended up selling the brakelite, and maximizing the headroom.
There's a Maz Jr combo on the Facebook groups currently for £850, which is a steal. Based in North Wales.
Good luck in your search brother!
One question, people keep saying it is loud but how loud is it? I play in a function band so play pubs, clubs and function halls and currently run a hrd 40 watt at around 2 and a half to 3 on master volume. Is the Maz 18 really louder than that? Will it be too loud for the type of gigs i am playing?
I change the EL84s in mine after 150 hours maximum, and I do notice the difference, albeit subtle. I'd rather change them before one blows and possibly takes something else with it. Also, the rectifier will be a Sovtek 5AR4, and I would change that maybe every other power valve change, as they can be unreliable. With my 38 I bought an NOS Mullard rectifier to be on the safe side, as they can last decades; feels a bit stiffer though, and I've kept the Sovtek in my 18.
Check out http://ztalk.proboards.com/ as there's loads of info and expertise there, and some helpful guys as well.
Good luck!
They are lovely sounding amps @Onpar
You have to carry some spare valves though, or a spare amp. I reckon I got 150 - 175 hours out of my stock valves. Got my replacements from Karltone, explain to him the amp type and he sent me valves better matched to that amp type.
Just keep in mind the usage of the valves and have a plan B.