Amp shopping day (Part 1)

CTC564 · #1 11-30-2011, 08:19 PM

Hello all...

I had to cancel my trip into NYC today (thanks Obama) but I did get a chance to check out some stuff in a few NJ stores...

Went to Russo's Music in Trenton specifically to try a Genz Benz ShuttleMax 12.0...although I'm more interested in a 9.2, I figured it'd be the same preamp so it was worth the drive...

I've heard some TB'ers mention their disappointment and frustration with the Shuttlemax and I am sorry to say that I agree...I spent a good 30 mins with this amp and couldn't really dial in anything that was "better" than my current Eden setup

Then I saw that they also had a Streamliner 9.0 so I plugged that in and found it to be very nice...and got a great sound very easily and quickly

Next up was a Mesa M9 Carbine...much bigger in size (which almost made me forget it)...and with my bass AND the amp set dead flat it was INCREDIBLE with the master set @ 8 o'clock and the gain set at 3-4 o'clock....hardly pushing this amp and found it to have AWESOME tone...and I really liked the "real" flexibility of the compressor feature on the amp...but MUCH bigger than I wanted size wise.

Off to another store...GC in East Brunswick ...not much of anything different but they had quite a supply of Markbass amps...the LM3 is very nice too but not a match for the Genz or Mesa that I tried today

Still have Aguilar and EBS on the list...

Hopefully soon

Tunaman · #2 11-30-2011, 08:35 PM

Good luck boss

I've done extensive A/B Eden to Shuttlemax & you're right, its not "BETTER" they are actually pretty close. The Streamliner is worlds different. I'm sure the M9 is pretty good but I felt the same as you, way too much amp these days.

I'll be grabbing a 9.2 or a 12.2 when I get the chance.

Whats REALLY important is you tell us what cabs you used as that would make a pretty big difference in what amps shine & those that don't. Some amps suck with some cabs & some cabs bring out the best in the amps.

CTC564 · #3 11-30-2011, 08:47 PM

I totally agree with your last paragraph which makes it even harder to play through nice amps AND a variety of high end cabs...

I'd almost "kill" to be able to try all the amps through all the cabs on my list in order to find the "perfect match"

But checking out DNA, Aguilar, Epifani, Bergantino and Genz Benz Über cabs will take MONTHS to locate....

CTC564 · #4 11-30-2011, 08:49 PM

I played the GB stuff through a 4x10 Hartke and the Mesa through a 6x10 SWR Megoliath

The Markbass stuff was through their 4x10 cab