Zeetas Now Coming Standard with Natural Finish
 November 7, 2002
After extensive research and development, Maven Peal
Instruments, Inc. is shipping all Zeeta combos and head guitar
amplifiers with a clear four-coat catalyzed lacquer finish. Citing
high costs in sound, labor and to the environment, Maven Peal is
drastically reducing the use of the tolex covering that is
traditionally used to protect and adorn guitar amplifier cabinets.
Guitar amplifier combo and speaker cabinets are designed to
resonate, and 3/4" solid pine is often considered the optimal wood to
create resonance. Nevertheless, tolex (a type of flexible vinyl) is
used industry-wide both to conceal and protect the wood. This
practice essentially dulls the wood's ability to resonate and
conceals the quality of wood used to make the cabinet. With a
four-coat catalyzed lacquer finish, Zeeta cabinets are allowed to
resonate without the 'tolex muffle,' allowing the wood's heart and
soul to sing through.
"After receiving a few comments from our tolex man concerning
fumes coming from the glue, we did some research, and what we found
was upsetting," explains David Zimmerman, Maven Peal's president and
circuit designer. "When I considered that tolex is basically vinyl,
designed to be a substitute for rubber, I began wondering why in the
world we're putting a thin sheet of rubber around a 3/4" solid pine
cabinet designed to resonate. And when we heard and saw what's been
hiding underneath, we were inspired."
The catalyzed lacquer used to finish Zeeta cabinets is
stronger and more stain resistant than the polyurethane used to
protect wood floors, and meets KCMA/HAPS specifications. Tolex is
made by combining petroleum, natural gas or coal with salt through a
"crackling" process that requires chlorine. The glue used to secure
tolex is made with petroleum, naphtha, hexane, toluene and acetone.
The Zeeta's trademark burgundy tolex is still available, but
due to the cost to the environment and to the humans who work with
tolex, an additional $200 charge applies.
The Zeeta .5/15, .5/30 and .5/50 watt amplifiers
showcase Maven Peal's Sag Circuit on tweed inspired circuitry. The
Sag Circuit gives guitarists control over power amp distortion with
the turn of a knob. Lower amounts sag (as low as 0%-lower than any
other amp ever made) give the amp a harder feel and brighter sound,
while higher amounts of sag (up to 25%-higher than any other amp ever
made) fatten the sound.
The Sag Circuit's Wattage control also allows guitarists to
control the number of watts the amp is producing, down to a 1/2 watt.
For more information, visit their web site at www.mavenpeal.com. | 
