Dr. Z MAZ 18 NR Head

New 20th anniversary model, bought 4 months ago. Single channel, no reverb, no anything but tone!

I play Strats mostly, but also a Hamer Artist at times. Amp loves the Strats more. Humbuckers sound good in the bridge position, but I have a problem getting a good tone with the neck humbucker. That may have something to do with the speaker and cab. I use an Avatar Vintage 1-12 with a Hellatone 30, which is a Celestion G12H30 pre-broken in and slightly modified by Dave at Avatar. LOTS of bottom, maybe too much for the neck 'bucker on the Hamer. But, overall, I love this thing. It's got amazing headroom for an 18 watt amp, but always has a "pushed" sound when running fairly loud, to a real warm breakup when pushed harder. I play fairly loud at gigs, but at a volume where it's still somewhat clean, then use pedals to overdrive. I compared it to the same model with reverb when trying it at the store, the non-reverb amp was much better.

So far so good. I average one gig a week, and no problems so far.

I emailed them with a speaker question after purchase. They got right back to me, and were very helpful. Warranty is a year, I think.

Been playing forever, still gigiing at 58, playing classic rock, blues, Americana. I am really happy with this amp. It and a Vibro-King are the best I have ever had, although I loved a Reverend Kingsnake I had for a while. I used piggy-back Bassman and Bandmaster amps in the 70s, this reminds me of them in a good way. But also has that Vox thing happening. Get you one.

Dr Z Maz 18 head Non-Reverb single channel amp
The amp (I have the salt and pepper cloth) looks vintage with the cream controls.volume treble,bass,master volume, volume and cut switch. Let me say one thing about this amp These are (18)MANLY watts.The amp does not have reverb but an effects loop in case you want to add some. I use it without any reverb and don't even miss it.
The amp has a very vintage look to it. One friend thought it was some sort of Vintage Zenith model.(hence the large "Z" on the front)

I play mostly blues, Rock-n-roll and some country, The amp covers all. My main axe is a 1973 Fender strat with an maple neck (played to death), also own a SRV strat and a Gibson Firebird. This Amp nails the Johnny Winters sound on his old recordings. The amp is not noisy at all.
I like to set the amp to a clean sound and let the pedals do the rest, I keep it simple, an old 1980s Yamaha anolog delay (rack mount type)and a boss overdrive. This amp delivers wonderfull tones on all sides of the 5 way switch on the fender strat. I would play a small size gig with this amp and not worry at all about not enough volume. I have also played with quite loud drummers (which I perfer not to)with the amp on 3 and no problem, sometimes I find myself turning down from there.

Haven't had a problem as of yet,(have owned it about 4 months) but I would not bring a back up. this amp seems very reliable, build like a tank.

Have not had any problems to date

I have been playing for 30 plus years,and I have owned and still own many amps, Ampeg G-212 (need a privite rodie to move that beast),Roland Jazz chours (another beast w/ no soul), Crate G12 60 watts soild state,(I have gigged and used this mostly since it is light and sounds decent, note: Decent)a 1971 vintage Fender Vibro-lux,all great amps but I have to say the DR Z Maz -18 has that tube tone that only a veterian guitar player can competely understand. The main reason I bought the head model is because at 22Lbs its so easy to move and alot of the time I go to the studios and just use their cabinets.I never have to guess what my amp and tone will sound like. A guitar has many switches on them, different pickup patterns and so on.I use them ALL, and with out a good amp to support the tones of those switches you are soul-less.You need to start with a good amp and the DR Z delivers the tone needed. Many times other muscians have made comments on the tones that were being heard from my rig. Granted there are many factors to getting great tones, the player,the dynamics of how you play the strings, volume swells on your guitar, knowing when to play (or not to play).These are all major factors in your sound. This amp just complements all the above.
My quest for a great sounding, good looking tube amp at 46 is finaly over.

The tone controls are versatile and very sensitive. The pre/post volume controls easily adjust to any major styles shy of extreme metal. It is very easy to match the amp to your cab and or guitar's tone. What this amp lacks in buttons and built in effects, it replaces with useful controls which never have a bad setting. This assumes of course you are using a great sounding guitar, cab and pedals.

This amp takes me from AC/DC to Hendrix to Collective Soul to Wallflowers to U2 to SRV to Brad Paisley to....you get the idea. I use a Bogner Cube cab and either a 1991 Fender Tele Ultra (USA) or a highly modified 1997 Fender Strat (both guitars have Fender Lace pickups). On occasion I also use a PRS Santana SE 1 with Dimarzio's in it. My pedal board consists of an orginal 1978 TS808, 1982 Boss CE2 chorus and a 1969 Thomas Organ Crybaby. I also use a Fulltone 70, Expandora, Maxon AD9, TC vintage delay, Voodoo labs chorus, etc. This amp loves those pedals and I regularly mimic the tones of the bands mentioned above. My regular gig is at 2000 seat auditorium and this rig rocks the house with authority, mic'd and out the main pa of course. I regularly get raving reviews about the tones afterwards and we pack the place out.

I have owned the amp for over a year and it has been absolutley reliable. It has been used to fill the rider for two major concerts for a couple of Pro bands passing through. It performed flawlessly.

DrZ has been quite responsive to inquiry emails etc. Fatsoundguitars has been excellent also. Note, I have had no trouble with my amp though, just asking questions to discover the best tone for what I play.

I have been playing guitar for 21 years and owned an early silverface Fender Twin reverb. This is the first amp I have owned that has ever sounded better than it. I have destroyed a Peavey Bravo(early Classic 30), Crate VC30 and a Fender Blues Jr, all of which sounded good the first year or two I owned them and then faded. I also owned a 65 Fender Deluxe Reissue which sounds good but just never can match the real blackface stuff. No amount of NOS tubes or speakers gets it quite there. I have played many vintage amps and tried a number of "boutique" amps also. DrZ just makes highly affordable, great sounding gear that sounds like the great Vox, Fender and Marshall amps of yesteryear.

Blonde 2007 model Maz 18 NR purchased new from Eddie's Guitars in St. Louis. I'd say the Maz 18NR is the Doc's most versitile amp. It can cover lots of bases. I play primarily Roots/Americana/Rock type stuff. This is my 2nd Maz 18. The first was a reverb 1x12 combo.

The Maz 18 NR is a single channel amp with dual inputs(high/low). It has an effects loop that I've never used. I specifically opted for the Non-Reverb version. It sounds a little more open and gain-ey compared to the Reverb version once you get it cranked up.

I've been gigging for the last few years 2 of them semi-professionally. I use it with a Z-Best cab and an airbrake (when needed). I'd feel comfortable using this setup in ANY venue large or small.

Like I said before, the Maz 18 is VERY versitile. You can really cover a lot of styles if you need to.

You can get shimmering cleans or gainey distorted tones just by adjusting the VERY versitile master volume/volume controls.

I use it with a modded up American Vintage 52RI tele. It has an alnico strat neck pickup, a Fralin Blues special pup in the bridge, and a Parson's White long throw B-bender.

I get lots of comments on how good the Maz 18 sounds.

I haven't had this one long enough to commment. But, I gigged my old Maz 18 1x12 combo for a few years. I drug it across several states into all kinds of dives...it never once even hiccuped. The Dr. Z stuff is well built...they're professional grade amps made for the road.

I've never had any problems. The only correspondence I've had with the Doc were simple questions. From what I've experienced and from what I've heard their customer service is top shelf.

The Maz 18 NR is a fantastic sounding amp. They're also well built and priced WAAAY below any of the other boutique builders. In my opinion, there really isn't a comparison.

The amp 2006. Amp is good for almost anything, but blues and rock with some lead compression are its strengths. Its one channel with Bass, Mid, Treble, Master Volume, Volume, and Cut. Its 18 loud watts, and unless you play death metal its probably fine. Its probably the most versitle amp in the Z lineup.

The amp has more gain on tap than the reverb model and is more open and aggressive. With my strat I can get a great deal of overdrive by diming the volume on the amp, and setting the master to 9-12 on the clock. You can use just the guitar to go from clean to a great lead tone. Even dimed the amp is not very noisy. If clean is your thing than than the Stang Ray will be your ticket. But if blues, classic rock, R&B etc. are your thing this amp will be great. If you do want it cleaner than turn the master up say to 2 and the volume down to 10-11, anyway you can really change the character of your tones on this amp. It took me awhile to get used to this amp, but I'm glad I kept getting to know it. My strat, tele, 335 all sound good. With humbuckers use the low input, with strats and teles you can use both, but for more gain use the high input. This amp will give you tones kind of in the Vox-Marshall camp but like I mention below they are not clones. Z amps are unique and sound unique, I like them just like they are.

No problems at all... Z amps are made well and he will stand behind his product. El84 tubes will need to be changed every 300-400 hours but JJ's are not really that expensive. You could use it without a backup, but lets face it everything breaks down at some point so for your sanity have a plan "B".

Z will help, and so will companies like Fat Sound Guitars.

For the money I think the Z amps are on the top of the pile. This has been my go to amp for about 5 months. The just plain great tones are what this amp is about. It falls somewhat in the Marshall-Vox camp, but I think Z has his own sound. I would not trade this for a Marshall or a Vox. I own 4 different Z amps, but if you are just entering the Z camp and can only get one, this may be it.

Pretty easy to use; it's a 18 Watt-amp with one channel, effects loop and a master volume which doesn't make the amp loose punch. The cut-pot is a good feature. Output: Either 4 or 8 Ohm.

I use a G&J ASAT Classic Semi-Hollow and a Telecaster. My style of music is rock'n'roll and some blues. I can keep it simple: it is the best sounding amp I know. It's sound is realy clear, full and rich; very well defined -it has just a beautiful voice. In my opinion the amp sound best when it is a bit overdriven but you should not expect metal-like distortion from it. This is not what the amp is made for. One more thing: the amp is REALY loud!

It is handmade with love and realy rugged. Just best quality.

I wrote a few emails; the answers came promptly and were helpfull.

The only gear I use beside amp and guitars is a Frantone Brooklyn overdrive. The MAZ just doesn't need more. Somebody wrote that sometimes he thinks he would hear some reverb from the amp. This is true. Well; speaking about a sound is like dancing architecture... I just can say that it has exactly the beautiful pure and natural rock'n'roll/blues sound I was searching for; so for me the search for a very special amp is over.

Recently produced, this Maz 18 is the best strat amp I own (and I have a few (e.g.,64/66/68 Fenders,Victoria,Kendrick). A loud 18 watts and should cover small venues without problems. The amp includes an effects loop and the EQ is responsive and the cut gives you a little more tone flexibility.

Using my 1960 CS strat, I run my Maz through a Mesa 2x12 Recto-cabinet with Vintage 30s. It gets such a fine, quality tone that you will think your actually hearing reverb (swirling tones). Same with my 75 Tele. You have good control over your high-ends.

Its built like a tank.

I hear its great.

I know there are good strat amps out there, but the quality of the Maz 18 makes it a good deal.

Please refer to Dr. Z Amps website for specs. Mine is red with brown grill cloth.

Appreciation of "Your" guitar amp is a completley subjective human experience. When my MAZ Jr. non reverb head gets appreciated 100X, there must be something to it.
As in art, classic tube amps are the results of individual efforts& reflect a coherent underlying philosophy. They make a subjective & objective statement of quality which is meant to be appreciated.Simplicity ( KISS principle) & a minimum # of bells/whistles is a key & is well reflected in the quality & tone of this amp.
I share the same love for the classics as most of us babyboomers do. The vintage tone of the EL84's in this amp is a perfect blend between the Vox AC30 & Fender BF of yesteryear. The overdrive sounds are " musical" (smooth not harsh). 18 watts of tube power is 74% as loud as 50 watts. Do you really need more? My favorite setting : Master 2 O'clock, Volume 11 O'clock, Middle 3 O'clock, Treble 10 O'clock, Bass 2 O'clock.
I use an American Fender Telecaster & G&L Bluesboy Semihollowbody ( single coil bridge pickup & Seymour Duncan Seth Lover Humbucker neck pickup).
Speakers: Dr Z website " You can never cure your " tonesick blues" without thr right speaker." ....." Your rig will never sound better than your speakers, so why compromise? "
My choice: 12" Weber 12A125 AlNiCo which replaces Jensen P12Q found in 50's tweed deluxes. 10" Weber British Series AlNiCo Blue Pup which replaces Vox & Marshall AlNiCo 10". These speakers are loaded separately in two cabinets. I use a 1/4" splitter at the amps speaker input jacks for both cabinets @ 4 ohms. Cabinets separately @ 8 ohms. Try it.

I have had zero problems since I purchased it in 2003.After the initial breakin period, there's not much that can go wrong except tube age. I use it regularly at performances without a back up.

Dr.Z is Second to none with support. All my emails have been answered within 48 hours.

This is the last amp I'll buy. It's an investment for present & future use. It will only appreciate in value. Think of it as POSITIVE dollars spent versus continual spending..... searching

This is a new MAZ 18 Jr NR head.
I'm running it thru a Z-Best 2 x 12 cab.
The amp is good for just about any style except metal of course!
I use this amp as my sole amp right now...gigging, practicing, everything.
You've already read all about the features so I won't go into that.
I will comment however that I thought I wouldn't like the "NR" No reverb but with the great tone this thing puts out...I don't miss it...

I run an EPI Les Paul through this but I've heard every axe sounds great also.
The sound is everything...as I get older I realize that is the bottom line. I've waited years for an amp that sounded like this thing!

This is the kind of amp that you never buy another type after this...except more DR Z heads!

It seems to sound great in any situation.

I haven't had it long enough to say how reliable it is but it's built like a tank.

Never needed support except a couple of emails to DR-Z himself and he was very helpful.

I've been buying gear since I was 15 and I'm 44 now...and I can truthfully say that this is the best sounding amp I've ever played through!

Now....gotta find a way to get a 59 Les Paul to match it....

Okay features. The master volume control is nice and very functional. The tones controls have good effect on the sound but I can never dial in the right amount of bass or treble. They interact in a 'strange way' for me. It may be someone else's cup o' tea but not mine. I do like the simplicity of this amp. It is best ti keep things simple.

This is where my problems start for me - this review is about my experience with the amp. This amp gets such glowing reviews and although there are some good sounds in there I just am not happy with the tone this amp gives. I can never get the right mix of bass. The mids selection are really great and are some of the best I've heard with a Strat. I have had the amp for a few months after waiting 4 months to get it. I wasn't able to try one out before hand. I have tried everything for switching speakers and tubes, etc to get a better tone. To me the amp doesn't have that shockingly great tone that everyone talks about. I have been playing for over 14 years and have owned, borrowed and played many amps from vintage Marshalls and Fenders to newer amps from Soldano. Back to the sound - I also could never get the right amount of treble. It'd be clear and nice on lower notes and shriekingly high and harsh the farther up the neck you go. I also tested this amp from low volumes to fully cranked. I swapped tubes and tested every possible combination of tone shaping I could from adding some padding to my cab to dampen the sound to see if it helped the highs. No dice. The amp sounds very nice about 1/3 way up but beyond that it can't produce a cohesive sound with my setup which includes customized (Analogman) pedals and Gibson SGs and Fender Strats. Once up to a practice levels or gig levels it just can't keep it together. Maybe I need an amp the compresses more but I just couldn't find my tones in this amp at all. Also I want to mention that a lot of people say this amp loves pedals. While that is somewhat true, I still find that pedals don't blend with the amp's tone as much as they sit on top of it. It reveals them as pedals - not as part of your tone. The Analogman Sun Face Fuzz just doesn't like this amp at all. I give it a 6 which is an average of 4 for my sound preferences and tone and 8 for everyone else considering so many players like this amp.

Definitely a 10 here. Very nice and solid feeling. I plan to sell this amp but am worried about the build quality of what else I can afford out there.

Answered my email quick but only replied enough to answer questions. Stu at FatSound Guitars was very helpful and gave me many suggestions to try - although nothing has worked.

I'll give it a 7. This amp isn't necessarily as great as it seems. I don't really get the hoopla over it. It doesn't blow away generic Marshalls in terms of tone. It definitely can blow them away in terms of build quality, components, etc. The amp had about the same noise as my Marshalls - a little hum and nosie when cranked. I plan to sell the amp and hope to find something that I can rely on. But I wanted to contribute this review so people no there are not always the perfect amps as some of these reviews attempt. I am being fair with this amp. I realize that more and more tone is in the fingers because this amp didn't sounded radically different from everything else. I just don't like how it inhances my tone when I crank it. On to something else now I guess...