EL84 Boutique Amp Shootout: Dr. Z Maz 18, Suhr Badger & Morgan AC20

[@tomquayleguitar]

Damn it Jack! Unreal playing once again!

[@charveljackson6346]

DrZ sounds pretty nice ! I love Suhr, but the DrZ is the winner for studio n live stuff!

[@MrWetrock]

Dr Z amps rule across the board.

[@Pantalooj]

Most comments seem to favour the Maz ... The Badger did it for me ... And an excellent demo of all of them!

[@ToonDeWachter]

Awesome playing again, Jack. I loved the Morgan and I was surprised by how much I liked the Suhr too. Thanks for sharing!

[@joshmuz9018]

The suhr seems the best choice to cover multiple styles and guitar types. I'm not usually into telecaster but man that one sounds amazing

[@MT-mt8bd]

Telecasters do it all.

[@teruki302293]

Wow, Dr. Z sounds incredible! All amps sounds good but man..... Dr.Z got a chime sound I really love and Dr. Z got the most responsive tone character with the volume adjustment and picking attacks. Great play by the way.

[@_RLP]

Amazing playing as always, Jack. And that 335 sounds amazing. Especially the neck. They all sound good, but I think I'd go with the Z. Thanks for sharing. Cheers

[@SeanZetterlund]

dude, seriously unbelievable playing. definitely inspiring, which is amazing considering im watching a gear demo

[@aboukal]

Great video. Here's my favorite sounds per configuration: Single coil T style 1 Maz 2 Badger 3 AC Humbucker ES 1 AC 2 Badger 3 Maz Exception ES Maz cranked wins overall best tone. All things equal I'd go with the Badger. I like the versatility and the squishy nature of both single coils and buckers in the early break-up stage the best.

[@kj053910]

I 100% agree with this assessment.

[@Five0Music]

All three sound great, and each had their moments as “best” during the comparison. I’m going Morgan with a 2x12 Alnico Blue cabinet, but I wouldn’t turn down a chance to score any of these. Great time to be a guitarist!

[@roberthouston6130]

DrZ Maz 18 and the Tele, what a combination! Telecaster and the Suhr was might bit polite. The Dr. Z turned that 335 into a Doberman. Great review ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

[@Jakal-pw8yq]

I'm a dyed-in-the-wool world Dr Z fanatic! I own 2 of them. A 2007 MAZ18JR w/revervb and the Z Wreck head/cab. But I have to say that Suhr amplifier just was overwhelming! I was really surprised. One Boutique amp that was missing and I think it's because it has 6v6 in the power section is the Tone King Imperial MKI which I also own. That amplifier is hands-down the best amplifier I've ever owned and for years my rig was a 1966 Fender Super Reverb paired with 1965 Pro Reverb in stereo and that was totally gravy of the Gods! But my Tone King slays them all!

[@chriskilian2325]

Came for the amps stayed for the playing. AMAZING

[@CodyWolfeVevo]

Morgans are good for studio layers, lot of Nashville cats use them. Not my style amp though, I like the Suhr definitely sounds more Vox Top boost to me, the MAZ kicks ass and its its one thing the breakup is awesome love that squashy midrange honk. Dr.z is the winner

[@ToddtheExploder]

Love how the Morgan blossoms it’s input. You can almost see the notes emerge. Great analog bloom.

[@BillDutton]

They all sound great! I've owned a Dr. Z Maz 18Jr NR for years and let me say that single coils & humbuckers sound amazing through it. This amp really shines and fits well in a mix too. Well done!

[@BeautifulGuitars365]

The Z sounds kind of bright/harsh when cranked. Is that just how he has it setup? Or is it a brighter amp?

[@BillDutton]

@@BeautifulGuitars365 my experience is that these can be a bright amp. The cut control is the key feature and when the speaker breaks in the tone warms up. I started running mine with my '68 Fender Custom Princeton Reverb and that really adds some nice roundness to the sound.

[@acme.videos]

Brilliant video comparison of 3 great amps! Love them all but the Badger is my fave, the Morgan AC20 is a close second.

[@DougErapps]

excellent demo! excellent playing!! thank you!

[@adamscottv]

Nice demo. Great playing. Best sound to me was the 335 into the AC20.

[@victorsuybio]

Suhr Badger for sure!! Young master with great technique and feeling!!

[@heycaptjack]

The Maz is best IMO. GREAT playing Jack!

[@andrewbettis4247]

They all sound great. The Dr. Z is my favorite esthetically but as far as tone I could go with either one...

[@teslacoil3286]

Came here for the Z, leaving with the Badger.

[@robertalsbury]

No doubt just seeing this and agree

[@JakeTeee]

I do have both now ❤😂🎉

[@aaronwong4642]

@@JakeTeeewhat do you prefer

[@julioguitarrista]

Anything will sound great on the hands of this kid. Great playing!!!

[@chrishyne6624]

That improv at 3:52 was absolutely mint!

[@f674]

Dang!!!! One of the best Demos I’ve ever seen! Incredible playing! They all had their moments, but I’d have to go with the Good Dr. The Maz 18 is a beast!

[@brianolson_music]

They all sounded great. Nice playing too man! Incredible! ..... I’ll take the Suhr. Thanks for posting

[@tellusthetruthmedia5525]

The Maz Is my favorite ... Nice Jams Dude

[@MrDavemiley]

I played a couple of 1996 Matchless C 30's for 21 years, Also owned Dr Maz 18 and Maz 38 's and the winner is . . . . Todd Sharp JOAT 20 RT the one that weened me off all other EL84 amps.

[@daanstam4692]

The morgan and the suhr surprised me. The morgan has a bit of warmth I really like. The suhr seems very versitile. Thanks!

[@scottallen9556]

I clicked here to see some nice amps but I'm leaving with a hundred or so, of the best licks video. I mean damn! I'll be taking those with me. (If I'm able) Cheers from over here, Jack. 💪

[@mlewmisc]

Jack, your playing is terrific

[@robertstapleton3598]

Really enjoyed it. Great playing.

[@tejasvinashok4431]

I initially started watching this channel for the gear reviews. Now I watch it solely to see Jack's playing. Phenomenal. (Gear reviews are great too)

[@ebeep]

Absolutely incredible playing and pinnacle tone from all three. My favorite tone is the intro amp! Maz 18! Perfect. Tone aside, the Cut control is essential for me, and I notice it lacking on the Badger. Also, the lack of Bass and Treble controls on the Morgan is a deal-breaker. Glad I didn't favor either of these!

[@druwk]

Great playing as always! Overall with single coils, the Dr. Z, but closely followed by the Morgan...Suhr had the best flat out cranked sound? With the humbuckers, the Z had the most definition and punch/sparkle, but the Suhr had the sweetest sound...if I played humbuggies I would go with the Suhr. The Dr.Z overall has that “cut through the mix” tone, and I know that the cut control can sponge out the sound more if necessary. I have played the Maz amp and it’s amazingly clear and defined...meaning, it cuts through, but it’s not forgiving. You need to make sure your playing is precise. I would be excited to own any of these amps, but 123 would be Dr.Z, Suhr, Morgan.

[@Thathugheschap]

Different strokes for different folks but that Dr Z sounded glorious to me.

[@MrDavemiley]

I liked the Suhr Badger best for clean sounds .

[@HiHello-ku1fl]

I like the Dr. Z best because it sounds so clear ringey, chimey and spanky but rocks too. Seems like the guitars voice comes through more in that amp. Reminds me of the Beatles with that tele. The Morgan would be my second choice as it gets all fat in the mids like some of the hotter AC30's. I like the Suhr too and think it has a slight Marshall flavor while the other two have different shades of Vox. IDK but it seems like the Suhr is not as loud as the other two.

[@sparkyadams7729]

Jack What is the riff you are playing at 12:45 it sounds killer on the Z.

[@CraigHlavka]

Is that the Maz18 the MK2? love them all. Badger and Maz too close to call. Maz very raw, love it.

[@CraigHlavka]

Oh nvm, I see it now, yea it's the Mk II

[@marcoscamillo6606]

They all sounded great, but for me the Suhr sounds better overall.

[@MintStiles]

I personally liked the Morgan, it's just a bit more treble/upper middy and is also much smoother (wider Q lower mids maybe?). The MAZ is a single trick amp, but I can see it being a super usable amp with the nice "tweeddy but thicker" kind of sound. The Suhr is also goos, but more scooped in my opinion. I feel like the like it's not something another fender cannot get some pedals.

[@ramynoureddini5487]

Came in as a hard Morgan fan, but damn that low end on the Suhr. Super nice. The Morgan was actually 3rd for me, sound too trebly and stabby.

[@bluejavelina5335]

loved it all ...but for us country players? i would love to hear dynamics of bends... i can pedal all day

[@CodyWolfeVevo]

Wow what speakers on that Maz?

[@Earl00001]

Awesome! Please do one for us 6v6r's. I liked the Maz for the Xotic and the Badger for the 335. Also some great playing!

[@CooperKerby]

Recently got a Maz 18 loaded with a Celestion Blue... Now that's some magic right there 🤘👌

[@PeachGuitars]

That's a dream team right there!

[@telejas]

I've got the same rig... I've had many other Z amps, including the Z-Wreck... But there's something about this rig that is different and probably my favorite ever. I've also got the AC20 Deluxe, but the Maz 18 Mk.II is my absolute favorite.

[@Ollonskog]

Sick skills, great tones

[@Prettynoise]

I’ll with the Dr Z. Love the definition .

[@michael_caz_nyc]

All great / no doubt - but I'd take the Suhr. Great playing and demo.

[@paullaughton3440]

Thanks Jack, you really can make that Tele sing. Booster just adds that little bit extra😀

[@lc11s]

And the winner is.... Jack !!! Kudos for tasty playing ;) Dr. Z it is ;)

[@taylormesa]

The Morgan wins for me! Great shootout, cheers!

[@DominikDubik]

All these amps sound awesome! Did you run them all through the same cab? Which cab did you use?

[@elvis_chen]

Awesome! Please have more amp reviews!

[@philm.2812]

Very nicely done demo. Been looking at the AC20 and Maz 18. I can see they both crunch up nicely - so which of those 2 has more clean headroom? I assume the Maz has less since it seems pretty crunchy with the volume at about 10:00 with a Tele ... Thanks.

[@markusnowak6191]

As far as I know, all three of them are based on three different amps, the AC is based von Vox-style amp, the Badger is based on a Marshall-style amp and the Dr. Z is a blend of american and british sound.. but maybe I'm wrong..

[@BeautifulGuitars365]

Sounds right

[@colaboytje]

Suhr seems to be the best in features and sound.

[@landocalrisianguitars]

I like Morgan, more presence V equalized, more bass and crispy, second Badger

[@trixlee5102]

Me too. Can only assume the Dual AC20 by Morgan would even be a better competitor here. Also like the power scaling.

[@KrstovicNikola]

Great stuff guys as usual, but details about cabs, speakers and mics is a MUST. Ok, we all see a Friedman 2x12 and a Z cab, but we dont know which one is used (both maybe).

[@ajlsrv5490]

I’ve owned all three. Still have the Maz. It is by far the most versatile.

[@BeautifulGuitars365]

How does it compare to the Badger? The Maz sounded a little harsh when cranked. Is that just how he has it setup?

[@ajlsrv5490]

@@BeautifulGuitars365 they do sound a bit harsh when cranked. IMO, most amps do. Badger is cool, but the MV and power scaling is confusing and not for me. Prefer just a regular PPIMV.

[@BeautifulGuitars365]

Thanks. I’d be getting this amp for more Blues and classic rock crunch. Won’t really be cranking it as much. How is it for those tones? Warm or still a bit bright?

[@ajlsrv5490]

@@BeautifulGuitars365 they are very bright amps. Cut control helps.

[@BeautifulGuitars365]

Ahhh thanks yah I don’t like really bright, hurts my ears. I noticed that with EL84 based amps

[@rangerjonoutdoors6429]

Loved this video! Anyone know what cab/speaker is being used? Or was it direct? Thanks!

[@vinirosa]

This guy can PLAY!

[@TheRobertEnglish]

What pedal are you using in this demo? I had the Badger 18. Got rid of it. Going to pick up a Badger 35.

[@rangerjonoutdoors6429]

Curious why no more 18?

[@bobs2809]

All sounded great. Dr Z sounded best to me.

[@screw66]

All 3 sound awesome. So... I would like all 3 of them 😅

[@ShredShed]

That doctor Z was magical

[@noecuesta7888]

3 superb amps. But I prefer dr z

[@TechMetalRules]

You really can't go wrong with any of them, but I really love the Maz 18... now I need one, haha

[@TechMetalRules]

(Got one!!!!)

[@bluejavelina5335]

just to clarify most 65 reissue sound great below middle c

[@FLdb-wj4wc]

I'll take one of each. Was trying to buy a Dr Z Maz 18 mkII combo grey and black but can't find a dealer with one.

[@LarryRickenbacker]

The Carmen Ghia gets my vote, but since it's not on the ballot, make it the Mazerati 18.

[@ahall3823]

With the Tele, I like the Suhr best. With the 335 I liked the Dr Z best.

[@tjnugent62]

Taking home the Morgan AC20.. for shizzle.

[@joeschlicht]

They all sound great, that EF86 preamp in the Morgan is pretty special. The 335 and the Suhr, though 👌👌👌

[@lastofthe4horsemen279]

Did Pete Thorn do your hair? Jack I could not resist. The style is gone now and your playing is top notch as well as the Peach channel. Keep in up!

[@habsfan170]

What a wonderful player, all 3 sounded epic, I'm biased as I own a maz 18 NR 2x12 combo though ;)

[@brandonxu1262]

Starting 3:36 it says Morgan AC20 clean sound but that's not clean, just boosted and overdrive

[@jonathandiaz2435]

Came for the Morgan. But damn that Dr. Z and the Suhr sound amazing. I think I like the Suhr a little more but it’s tough to decide

[@stilllifewithguitar184]

Do you remember what speakers were in these cabs? It matters a lot with EL84's/Vox type amps. A celestion alncio blue gives a totally different tone than a greenback.

[@chrisbradshaw159]

Excellent sounds and playing but I.M.H.O a Vox AC should have been included for comparison!

[@jellytroid]

chris bradshaw it can do just about everything these amps can, it’s just not considered boutique

[@neve4020]

The Suhr is great for all kinds of music and takes pedals very well The Dr Z is too harsh sounding but very good for Country style music...

[@kommi1974]

Dr. Z harsh? Dude, you need new ears.

[@BeautifulGuitars365]

I noticed it was harsh when cranked as well

[@kootab]

Nice playing young fella!!! I was wondering if you would look at some solid state amps!? Particularly the new Quilter Aviator Cub and possibly the Roland Blues Cube to see if those amps would honestly pass muster for someone like yourself who is used to "boutique" style amps! Not all of us can afford top shelf models you usually focus on!!! BTW love you videos!!!

[@nsantore]

Awesome playing, and this was perfectly executed. The Dr Z has a nice raunchy grit to it, but is a little grating on the ears compared to the other 2. The Suhr seemed nice and full but a bit bass heavy when overdriven and had less clarity than the others. The Morgan had a nice warm rich sound, but flubbed out when the gain was cranked. All had their strong points, and I think it's just a matter of what suits the player best. Great video, thanks!

[@BeautifulGuitars365]

I agree on a that

[@BeefNEggs057]

Noice. I need Jack teaching me all he knows for the next 10 years.

[@middle_pickup]

Dude can play! The 335 tones are rad!

[@emanuelle350]

nice sound! nice play too!

[@TheSuperDmyers]

If one were to set up the Badger for sort of an edge of breakup tone as a base tone, and hit it with a clean boost would it have enough headroom to give me a volume boost or would it just break up more? I'm trying to find one of these locally to play but having a lot of trouble.

[@matskihlberg4247]

Sound extremely good all three, but only two of them have controllable output volume.

[@itzikc33]

very nice chops!

[@tindejavu]

Super great playing :)

[@Im-sure]

Badger is a very versatile amp

[@skjelstad777]

I think it's hard to decide. They all sound good. I´ll take them all 😀

[@slickcross]

I want to own that whole room and everything in it!

[@hootowl6354]

I think tweeking the knobs could make any one of them sound better than the others. Suhr has power scaling, which is a bonus. What I don't get about the Maz is, Why do they have both a Volume and a Master knob? Is Volume for pre-amp volume, normally called Gain? Why not just call it Gain instead? Confusing. Love the red tolex, BTW.

[@guyx6x]

Is the Maz the loudest ?

[@marknoseworthy412]

Are all of the amps being tested through that Z best cabinet?

[@Ivayloi123]

Been clean guy for the last year or so, but for dirt dr. Z smashed them all in this video.

[@roncarter2188]

I liked the Suhr and the Dr Z next, but I'd like to see all three prices for each.