Bought a used Dr. Z amp? Looking to breathe new life into an older amp?
We can bring your used Dr. Z amp up to spec. We offer the following services*:
(*prices do not include shipping costs. Modifications are available to the Con’US only. Further questions? Email repairs@drzamps.com)
Testimonials from happy customers updated frequently!
Click through the specific services on this page for more information
Services
Mods and Updates
How to date your Dr. Z amplifier: Dr. Z Serial Number Guide
- $259Mk. II Update
(Serial Numbers J. through BB. *Midyear)
(Mk. II Update: reverb update, voicing/EQ update, master volume update)
(Includes complete check-up)
(Does not include loop or Boost [EQ Bypass] installation)
(Does not include 6n14n/6p14p power tubes. Some MAZ MK I models have had these previously installed. These will be offered for an up-charge at the customer’s discretion)
- $349Mk. II Update & 1/2 Power Switch
(Includes complete check-up)
(Does not include Boost [EQ Bypass] installation)
(Does not include 6n14n/6p14p power tubes. Some MAZ MK I models have had these previously installed. These will be offered for an up-charge at the customer’s discretion)
- $2251/2 Power Switch
(No update included, available for all MAZ 38 amps up to the current production year)
(Includes complete check-up)
- $249Mk. II Update
(Serial numbers N. through CC. *Midyear)
(Mk. II Update: voicing/EQ update, master volume update)
(Includes complete check-up)
(Does not include Boost [EQ Bypass] installation)
(Does not include 6n14n/6p14p power tubes. Some MAZ MK I models have had these previously installed. These will be offered for an up-charge at the customer’s discretion)
- $349Mk. II Update & 1/2 Power Switch
(Serial numbers N. through CC. *Midyear)
(Includes complete check-up)
(Does not include Boost [EQ Bypass] installation)
(Does not include 6n14n/6p14p power tubes. Some MAZ MK I models have had these previously installed. These will be offered for an up-charge at the customer’s discretion)
- $199FX Loop Install
Black/Silver switch (rear mounted, adjusts amp between a softer or firmer playing feel)
(includes complete checkup)
- $259Mk. II Update (serial numbers before 4/19-DD.38457)
Master volume update, voicing/EQ update, increased sensitivity, increased reverb, noise floor reduction
Black/Silver switch (rear mounted, adjusts amp between a softer or firmer playing feel)
(includes complete checkup)
- $359Mk. II Update and FX Loop
Master volume update, voicing/EQ update, increased sensitivity, increased reverb, noise floor reduction, FX loop install
Black/Silver switch (rear mounted, adjusts amp between a softer or firmer playing feel)
(includes complete checkup)
Testimonials
“Hello Don,
I just had the opportunity to play the MAZ. Man, it is a different duck! The voicing is much warmer and the sweet spot volume is much more manageable. Very happy!
Thanks!”
“Hi Don!!!
Got my Carmen yesterday! Thanks for the love, talent, and dedication you and the Dr. and everyone at Dr. Z give to making beautiful sound! The Carmen Ghia with the master volume is totally boss! This is a new amp! With volume/tone/and master volume… just 3 knobs the tone palette has expanded exponentially! The master volume mod added so much new sonic energy to this miracle amp! Thanks for this effort, the right tube mojo and fast turnaround! You are all ACES at Dr. Z!!!
Thanks again!”
“Don,
The amp screams and the master volume does exactly what I thought it would. Excellent work sir, this amp is a gem!”
“Hey Don!
Wanted to wait till I put it through a recording session/rehearsal etc. The amp has always sounded great but man this put it over the top. Master is way better (I’m fortunate to get to use it wide open most of the time but it’s great to have) but man, the overdrive… everything gain-wise is smoother, I can dig in and the response is perfect. I’ll of course get more used to things with time, but year everything was worth it (footswitch too!). Maybe a touch less clean headroom but I think I can live with that, it’s such a fun amp and I’m sentimental since it was the first amp for me where I ‘got it’ as far as what I wanted in an amp tone-wise. Thanks again!”
“Hi Don,
The Mk. II update to my MAZ 8 is a thing of beauty. I absolutely love it. Never had so much fun playing guitar as I do with this amp. Thank you and everyone at the Z factory!!!”
“Don,
I actually got it on Saturday! I love the way it turned out. Sounds killer!!! Overdrive/distortion pedals work fantastic. Real full and alive sounding. The half power switch works great. I can get it as low volume as my MAZ 18 now.
Thanks again!”
“Don,
The MAZ 38 NR MK. II sounds wonderful, versatility enhanced. The EQ is much improved, extending capabilities to achieve the BF Fender, Marshall, and Vox tone characteristics, coupled with PPIMV and MAZ 18 features.
Well done Dr. Z Amps, the Mod RA process was worth the total completion interval.
Please send my appreciation to Dr. Z for offering this mod service.
Thank you for your assistance and help.”
“Don,
Thanks for all the work you put into my amp. It’s exactly what I was hoping for. Your tube selection was spot on. On day 2 I put the 5751 I shipped back in V2 and took it back out on day 3. The ECC83 [12AX7] is a better fit for this amp. I found the master volume works best for my needs at about 70%. At that level it takes enough of the volume down without losing that Ghia tone.
I’m a happy customer. Thanks again!!”
“Hey Don,
So I’ve had my MAZ 18NR now for about a week now and I gotta say I am very pleased with the results. Almost feels like a completely different amp from what I remember. The highs and high mids are much less spikey and smoother, and the bass seems like it’s not as boomy at higher levels and much more musical. And of course the best part of all for me is the master volume – no more going from hardly any sound to instantly loud and I almost immediate sold my brake lite. It almost seems like it takes my dirt pedals in a smoother way… before they seemed a bit harsh at times and I had to roll the tone down on them. Just a VERY balanced tone with and without pedals so it is working out perfectly for me. EXCELLENT job on this upgrade from ya’ll and I have an amazing new appreciation for this little amp… went from a “we’ll see how I feel about it in a year or two” amp like others I’ve had before to an amp I see myself owning forever.
Thanks!”
“Hello good Dr. and Don,
Sorry for the delay in thanking you for the upgrade to my MAZ 18. I was really waiting till I could crank her up for real. I’m using it right now on a 3 show stint at Ceasar’s Palace in Vegas with Hall & Oates. Really great sounds…it’s just almost dimed but I do have a bit of headroom left with a 2×12 cab so it’s nice and crunchy. I did use it on a few episodes on ‘Live From Daryl’s House’ that will be airing at some point this year. Reverb is sweet and the boost function with that new footswtich is really nice and much more useful too!
Thank you again,
BTW – That effects loop is really nice too. First time I’ve used the loop live. I’ve been doing an A/B rig with another head for alternate lead sounds but honestly it’s not really needed cause that little MAZ really sings.”
“…I played a gig last night where I could really open it up and I really enjoyed it. Barely had to use any pedals to get a variety of sounds out of it with both a Strat and a Les Paul. Good stuff.”
“My MAZ 18 sound really great with your mod. A full, warm sound! Thank you!”
“Hi Don,
The amp sounds really great and it is now doing exactly what I was looking for!!! Very happy customer here, thanks for everything.
Thanks,”
“Don,
Received my amp, got her put back together and cranked my favorite Tele through her for 45 minutes before I cased her up for a road trip. Wow… she sounds GREAT. I’m jazzed about the tone and the enhanced reverb. Thanks so much! Loved my MAZ Jr. before, and now all the more! B-)
Peace,”
“Don,
Got the MAZ back together and OH MY! what a difference, the amp is more musical, tone-full, open, and quiet. The master volume, reverb, and tone stack are really quite effective now. Just running straight guitar with no pedals; this puppy SINGS!
Thank you,”
“Hi Don,
After briefly playing my MK.II upgraded MAZ 18 I’ve noticed the following:
While tone of course is subjective, the new voicing is much improved. The new master volume alone makes the upgrade worthwhile. Stage volume is not necessary to get the tone you need. The variable tone bypass adds more flexibility in gain.
Thanks for the great job!
Regards,”
“WOW GOOD SIR!!
Money totally well spent. I played for 3 straight hours today. Sounds GREAT. Love the tone bypass, reverb sounds phenomendal. Just guitar plugged straight into the amp. Just perfect. Thanks again. Very much appreciated.”
“Don,
I picked up the amp and took it directly to a gig where it performed flawlessly for four hours. It is everything I had hoped for, and more.
I was extremely quiet in terms of hiss and noise, and the tone of the upgraded amp is so much more solid and responsive than before. Very full and rich, but less brittle and edgy sounding than before.
Thank you very much for your fine work and prompt turnaround time, along with the excellent communication throughout.”
“Don,
Amp sounds amazing. I had no trouble installing the reverb tank. Thank you.”
“Hi Don,
Received my amp over the weekend and got it all bolted back up this morning. Fired it up and it’s working perfectly, the master volume is killer and much more usable, the reverb is just beautiful now (never liked it before) and the EQ seems more balanced. Thanks for everything and looking forward to many more years with my Z.”
“Don,
Amp sounds really good. I’m really happy with what you did to it. Great job! I installed it back into the cabinet last night and played with it for about an hour. Also, thanks for sending the clip. It really helped me know what to expect.”
“Hi Don,
Received my MAZ 18 today, reinstalled it in the combo and fired it up – it sounds great! There is plenty of low end available now (not as much as my Z-Lux, but it’s a VERY different design, eh?). The whole amp just seems more responsive and “bigger” now, and it’s very touch-sensitive on everything from sparkling clean to growl-y overdrive.
Thanks again – Iam a huge fan of Dr. Z amps!
All the best, ”
“Don,
Holy cow! Those upgrades are killer! Honestly, I rarely used the amp gain in the past, mainly because it was just slightly too harsh for my tastes, but this is perfect. I’ve run through several different guitars now, and they all sound fantastic. Money well spent – thanks!”
“Hey Don,
Got the MAZ, and boy, does it sound great. All my band members said how much definition it has. I can’t believe how much difference the mods you made helped.
Thanks, ”
“Hi Don,
When I first got my 18 back I left the controls as you had left them. Pretty much all noon and a touch of reverb. Hooked it up to my Z 2×10. I guess I can sell my OD pedal collection!! Serious muscle and note definition. And when I kicked in the tone bypass I think I played it for an hour straight. Never touched anything but the guitar controls.”
Awesome job Don, ”
“Hey Don,
I’ve had some time to sit down with my MAZ and wanted to let you know that I really dig it!
Firstly, I really like how the sweep of the master is way more even. Before, it felt like the amp achieved peak loudness around noon; now it’s peak loudness is when it’s maxed. I’m still exploring the benefits of that improvement in my bands and on my own.
I like the effects loop much more now too. Before the mod, I felt it neutered my volume and tone a bit; that is no longer an issue… With regards to the overall tone, it just sounds better. I’m still figuring out how to put this into words, but the biggest difference i notice right away was how the low end is less overbearing (particularly when played clean at high volumes).
If I have anymore revelations, I’ll be sure to let you know. Thanks again for your work and all that the good people at Dr. Z do for us tone-discerning guitarists!
Best Regards,”
“Just put the amp back together and I am LOVING IT! Am I wrong or is there not only a lot more master volume output, but CLEAN output?! HOLY COW! Nice Work!”
“Don – sorry for the delay in getting back to you regarding the MAZ 18 mod. I had a chance to play out with it recently and really love the new sound. I think the revisions make the amp much more versatile. The master volume is much more effective. I am very happy with the amp.
Thanks,”
“Hi Don,
The amp sounds great, I just played a gig with it this weekend! Thank you for all your hard work.”
“Amp arrived safely and VERY pleased! Good work. Thank you.”
“The amp sounds amazing and the reverb install was easy! Thanks for all your help. What goes into bringing the amp up to current spec? Thanks again!”
“Hi Don, I just got back to the US last night and have played for an hour with the amp. Sounds terrific again! Much appreciated!”
“Don, I don’t know you how guys did it, but you managed to make a great amp sound amazing. I am very pleased. Glad I went for the upgrade, and glad I bought the Maz in the first place. Thanks very much.”
“Good Morning
I got the amp on Friday night….
Dude this thing sounds unbelievable…..
Reverb is definitely quiet and actually sounds deeper than previously….
The Amp itself sounds much more open and extremely touch sensitive than ever before….
The Bypass mode is insane….I can easily coax feedback and enhanced guitar volume control is killer…
I have owned three previous Maz 18’s all but one with reverb….this sounds better than any of the previous models
Thinking about buying a new combo version or at least in the 38 watt configuration….
Thank you for spending the extra time on this beast….will send you a picture with my other Z gear….”
“Hi Don,
I’m very happy with my MAZ. It’s much quieter now and I like the updates. Best tone of any amp I’ve ever owned. Thanks.”
“I got the amp yesterday and got to sit down with it last night. All I can say is wow!! It is EXACTLY what I was hoping it would be. Throaty growl with plenty of headroom. The EQ bypass is awesome. Anyway, thank you for all your work. I love it!!!”
“My MAZ 18 sounds better than it ever has! Clean and crisp as always, but with a touch of ‘hair’ at a lower volume than I have ever heard. And the reverb is the best ever!
Thank you very much for your efforts – I will be looking for opportunities to send more stuff your way!
Thanks again, and keep things hopping in Cleveland!”
“Don,
Just to let you know, after I have given my amp several weeks of ‘field testing,’ that the amp works better than when it was new. Thanks much for fixing my amp.”
“Hi Don,
just wanted to write you back with my thanks for the great work. The amp is exactly how you described in email and what I asked for. Admittedly I was used to it being less bright, but I also noticed that mine was less bright then most other Maz 18’s I have played including the other one I own. However the range of control in the preamp section is much wider now, so I can dial in a warmer sound, which I tend to like. Also its back to having the power and physical presence that I’m used to. Its really one of the best amps ever made. Thanks again. Well done!”
“Wow does it sound amazing! I only got to plug it in for 5 minutes but I’m taking tomorrow off and I don’t think I’ll be shutting it off all day. The tone in that thing was already amazing but it is just unbelievable now! And running super quiet too! I cranked it up, it sound awesome. I turned the master all the way down, sounds awesome. Thank you so much! Amazing work and you were incredibly helpful along the way. Your guys customer service is next level.”
“Hello Don,
I’ve had a chance to play the amp for a while now and it sounds amazing. It’s really night and day and now there is actual reverb.
Thanks again for your help you guys do great work!!”
“Hey Don, everything sounds great, I am super happy. Took it to rehearsal last night so I could finally play it at volume and it dialed in so easily. I’m sure you know this already but you all do wonderful work!”
“Got my amp back right on schedule, it’s fantastic. Very articulate, really brings out the individual characteristics of different guitars. It’s all I could ask for, thank you very much. I, and my friends who have come around to take a turn on it, are generating lots of positive buzz about the good folks at Dr. Z. My very best wishes to all of you.”
“Well my MAZ 18 chassis arrived unscathed and after popping it in my 2×10 cab it was singing like a bird – and I mean SINGING! Sounds like it has more gain as well. It also responds well to volume changes on the guitar, cleaning up nicely with reduced volume. Works well with both my Tele and 345 with minimal knob fiddling. Of course I always seem to end up playing louder practicing at home in a carpeted room, so I can’t wait to go live. Job well done!”
“Hi Don,
I just wanted to let you know that I got the amp back and finally had a chance to really run it in a band setting.
It sounds great! This thing is really loud for 18 watts. I haven’t used the effects loop yet-I usually just run them through the front of the amp, but I’m sure I will be very happy with it. I also want to thank you for all of your help with me on this. I really appreciate it.”
“Hi Guys,
Love the MAZ 18 NR Mk.II update that you did for me this month. Made a great amp even better!
Thanks,”
“Hi Don,
I love what you’ve don e to my amp! Really a joy to play. I’m so glad I got the update.
Thanks,”
“Good Afternoon Don,
Sorry for not following up with you sooner. I just wanted to let you know that I did receive my MAZ 8 back in early December. Everything sounds great. The new master volume is working as good as I hoped it would.
Thanks for all your help.
Kind Regards,”
“Hi Don,
The amp is working great! Just had a band rehearsal and on half power I can really find the sweet spot where I can control the amount of dirt using the pickup selector on my Tele.
All the best,”
