The Dr. Z Maz 38 is a Dr Z amplifier, currently around $1200. Close alternatives include the Matchless At 40 watts, the Laurel Canyon Reverb and the Matchless Lightning Reverb. It pairs well with the Greer Royal Velvet and the Electro-Harmonix Micro Metal Muff TOP Boost.
Dr. Z Maz 38
Dr Z · amplifier
The Dr. Z Maz 38 is a 38-watt boutique tube combo powered by a quad of EL84 tubes, prized for its blend of American and British voicings. With its full EQ and a Cut control it can dial in mid-60s Fender blackface cleans as well as UK-flavored Vox chime, and running no negative feedback it stays touch-sensitive and lively. It breaks up sweetly when pushed and turns aggressive when boosted, with onboard spring reverb adding ambience. Players value its rich dynamic gain, tight bottom end and clarity, plus a genuinely usable master volume for low-volume tone. Joe Walsh is among its notable users. It suits rock, blues, roots and country.
- boutique
- tight
- eq
- clarity
- spring reverb
- clean
- bright
- country
Good for
- Live
- Studio
- Worship
Price updated Aug 27, 2026
Genres the Dr. Z Maz 38 is commonly used in
- Rock
- Blues
- Country
- Indie Rock
cited
Inferred from shared tonal signals, not a stated genre tag. - Indie
cited
Inferred from shared tonal signals, not a stated genre tag. - Classic Rock
cited
Inferred from shared tonal signals, not a stated genre tag.
Pedals that stack with the Dr. Z Maz 38
Greer Royal Velvet
Greer
23% matchRun Greer Royal Velvet into that transparent platform and it finally gets some fuzzy
Electro-Harmonix Micro Metal Muff TOP Boost
Electro-Harmonix
19% matchInto a transparent tone, Electro-Harmonix Micro Metal Muff TOP Boost brings the high gain it's missing
Catalinbread Galileo
Catalinbread
18% matchDr. Z Maz 38 leans into Vox-style amps, precisely the platform Catalinbread Galileo wants
Audiocade 1974 Colorsound Tremolo Clone
Audiocade
17% matchInto Dr. Z Maz 38, Audiocade 1974 Colorsound Tremolo Clone is right at home: it's built around Vox-style amps
J. Rockett Jrad Squeegee Compressor
J Rockett
9% matchJ. Rockett Jrad Squeegee Compressor leans toward transparent, and that's a real, usable character to pair with
FoxGear EchoSex
Foxgear
8% matchKeep Dr. Z Maz 38's tight voice out front: FoxGear EchoSex goes in Dr. Z Maz 38's effects loop so its ambient voice doesn't muddy it — goes in the amp's FX loop (or last, into a clean amp)
JAM Pedals Delay-Llama
Jam Pedals
8% matchRun JAM Pedals Delay-Llama in Dr. Z Maz 38's effects loop, clear of Dr. Z Maz 38's own gain stage — goes in the amp's FX loop (or last, into a clean amp)
Beetronics OV-LE-Uva
Beetronics
tonal matchInto Dr. Z Maz 38, Beetronics OV-LE-Uva is right at home: it's built around a clean amp's front end
Cheaper alternatives
Boutique & premium upgrades
Matchless Coldwater Canyon 112
Matchless
61% similarityShared character: gold_sparkle, sweet, touch
Matchless Laurel Canyon 20-Watt 1x12"
Matchless
60% similarityShared character: gold_sparkle, sweet, touch
Matchless DC-30
Matchless
96% similaritysimilar tone character
Milkman Sound Creamer 20W Combo
Milkman Sound
96% similaritysimilar tone character
3rd Power Aurora
3rd Power
96% similaritysimilar tone character
Mesa Boogie Lone Star Head
amplifier
96% similaritysimilar tone character
Similar charactersee all similar tone character →
Matchless At 40 watts, the Laurel Canyon Reverb
Matchless
62% similarityShared character: gold_sparkle, reverb, sweet
Matchless Lightning Reverb
Matchless
97% similaritysimilar tone character
Matchless Spitfire
Matchless
97% similaritysimilar tone character
Matchless Independence 35 Watt 112 Combo
Matchless
96% similaritysimilar tone character
Blackstar CV30
Blackstar
96% similaritysimilar tone character
Matchless King Cobra
Matchless
96% similaritysimilar tone character
See all alternatives to the Dr. Z Maz 38 (cheaper + boutique) →
Questions people ask
What are good alternatives to the Dr. Z Maz 38?+
The closest matches in character are the Matchless At 40 watts, the Laurel Canyon Reverb, the Matchless Lightning Reverb, the Matchless Spitfire. Budget picks: Blackstar CV10 Carmen Vandenberg Signature 10-Watt 1x12". Boutique upgrades: Matchless Coldwater Canyon 112, Matchless Laurel Canyon 20-Watt 1x12", Matchless DC-30.
What pairs well with the Dr. Z Maz 38?+
Strong matches from rig and tone-complementarity evidence: Greer Royal Velvet, Electro-Harmonix Micro Metal Muff TOP Boost, Catalinbread Galileo — Run Greer Royal Velvet into that transparent platform and it finally gets some fuzzy.
How much does the Dr. Z Maz 38 cost?+
Around $1200 (live listing price, updated Aug 27, 2026).