Maven Peal Instruments Zeeta 30 112 Combo

I purchased "Misses Peal" in 2002, the year it was built. I spoke with Dave Zimmerman in depth regarding the type of music I play and the sound I was looking for. Dave incorporated my input into this amp by modifying the tone circuitry, amount of negative feedback (when in the Fender Pro position - tone knob out) and speaker selection. Dave really knows tube amps in general and this in detail and can sculpture the sound to taste. I play primarily blues, early rock and zydeco. Amp has two channels - Fender Deluxe and Fender Pro. No switching, no effects loops, no reverb or headphone jack etc. This is a very straightforward amp. I wish the amp had reverb. Dave says he would have to sacrifice tone. I choose tone. Perhaps someday I'll invest in a tube reverb box. The tone and instrument volume control are very dynamic. Once understood it is easy to dial in a particular sound. The sag circuit has a very noticeable effect on the charachter of the power amp distortion. The wattage control and instrument volume control are also very dynamic and operate differently depending on which Fender amp circuit is chosen. I use the amp weekly for practice or playing out, small venues less than 150 people. It has more than enough volume. I have been experimenting with various power amp tube selection - EL34s, 6L6s and going to try some 7581s. The fact that his amp is cathode biased and tubes can be changed with no bias adjustment is a significant feature for sound flexibility. When the amp is in the Fender Pro mode changing tubes has a huge impact on the sound. To a lesser degree in the Fender Deluxe mode, but still noticeable.

I play a custom made strat with Fender Texas Special PUs and a Gibson ES 335 with PAFs. For playing the Blues, Rock and Zydeco this amp has great sound. For that overdriven Lynard Skynard or Santana sound add a little TS9 preamp distortion. If you want Freddie King play straight through with some tube amp distortion.For Doobie Brother Long Train Running clean push the tone knob in and back off on the guitar volume.For the type of music I play this amp seems to do it all. The amp is dead quiet, period.

Now this is where the amp really excels. -> Unless you are looking for singing sustain the amp can be dialed in to use your guitar volume control and attack on the strings to take the amp from ringing bell clean to whatever flavor of power amp distortion you enjoy. For most sounds I have pretty much discontinued use of my TS9. Note that this performance is dependent on tube selection and tone knob position. I find the amp very resonsive to guitar volume control with EL34s and tone knob in.I m still experimenting with other tube selections.
The touch sensitivity, finger to string, is very, very impressive. Best I have ever experienced, truly inspiring. The amp responds exceptionally well to changes in attack on the strings.Try single note vibrato with a hard attack and you can clearly hear the power distortion fade to nothing leaving a beautiful clean tone behind.

This amp is capable of full bodied clean, not the pristine sound from a Fender Twin, but a ringing sound filled out with nice harmonics to way more distortion than I prefer. These sounds can be accomplished through judicious settings of instrument volume, wattage and tone knobs. Once you understand the amp it is easy to know where to go for a particular sound.The amp has a great top end, a full tight bottom and is very articulate. No matter how distorted the amps becomes the note is never lost in the overdrive. This is the quality of sound one hears in studio recordings. With this amp they can be reproduced in live environments.

Very reliable. The only issue I have had can be attributed to the fact that the amp is so quiet. What sounded to be a microphonic preamp tube occuring on only certain notes turned out to be vibration in a power amp tube. After I became accustomed to the dead quiet even the slightest noises stand out clearly.Changed out the tubes and the noise was gone. Really not a problem with the amp at all.

Maven Peal and Dave Zimmerman are tops. Dave knows his amps and a little time spent with Dave on the phone will guarantee you the right set up on the amp.

Been playing guitar for 35 yrs. Own Gibson ES 335, custom strat, Fender Tweed Blues DeVille, Carvin Master Tube Series 2- 12 combo, Vintage Univox Bass Amp etc. Had to sell my Dodge Dakota PU truck to buy the amp. Enjoying the amp much more than the truck. If it were stolen or lost I would buy another. I chose this amp based on the innovation of the sag circuit and the extreme high quality components. I would buy another based on the tone.I have been playing this amp for several months and finally felt I knew it well enough to submit an evaluation.