Ampeg vs. Genz Benz

[imcalledjam]

I am debating whether to buy an 'Ampeg SVT 450H' (which has massively mixed reviews) or a 'Genz Benz STM-600'

Genz Benz got the gear of the year award but I wasnt that familar with their stuff. Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

[AmazingMumford]

Originally Posted by imcalledjam

I am debating whether to buy an 'Ampeg SVT 450H' (which has massively mixed reviews) or a 'Genz Benz STM-600'

Genz Benz got the gear of the year award but I wasnt that familar with their stuff. Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

Very different amps, obviously--weight, tone, controls, etc. There are numerous threads on the Streamliner (both models) here on TB with both descriptions and links to clips/vids (for example, Ed Friedland's great reviews at BassGuitarMag's Channel - YouTube), even if there aren't any direct comparisons to the Ampeg, so you can get a pretty good idea of what the amp is like to see if you want to test drive. The multiple available sources are probably what lead others to not bother to answer your post, figuring you'd find the answer yourself.

While some find that their cabs overemphasize the ample low end that the STM puts out (and either seek out more mid-present heads like the Mesa Walkabout...or get more mid-friendly cabs), generally everyone recognizes that it's a great amp with a good "tube-like" tone and feel, simple but sufficiently flexible controls, and low weight. Genz reliability and service are both top notch, and their chief engineer (handle of "agedhorse") is on TB all the time.

Good luck.

[Jimmy Stump]

Genz Benz is the new black.

[nutdog]

For starters, the GB is easier to lug. As mentioned before, much info here on both amps.

My advice: Buy the Genz. If new, from a dealer with a good return policy. If used, you can flip it if you don't like it. If you don't like it try the Ampeg. I only say GB first because shipping would be cheaper. But my experience with two new ampeg amps vs. two new genz amps gives Genz the quality advantage.

Why the 450 and not the 7pro? It gets rave reviews if you want the SVT sound in a solid state amp and it's 30lbs lighter.

[AtomicPunk]

I tried Ampeg, didn't like it too much. Tried Genz, never tried anything else. There is a reason why.

[Mastermold]

Ampeg and Genz Benz are both great companies, you need to evaluate their individual products to figure out what you like. Both offer a wide range of options.

[Floridabwoy]

I have a late 70's V4 and a Shuttle 6.0. I know that they are different than the amps you stated. I prefer to gig w. my Shuttle. I push the tube pre and it gets pretty tubey. Does it sound like an Ampeg? No. But, I only take the Ampeg out of the house is if I want to look showy. It is impressive, but it also weighs 12x what my shuttle does.

[Alex1984]

Wasn't the 450T just the B2RE in an SVT case? I'd rather get an SVT-7 Pro or just go with the GB.

[JimmyM]

Originally Posted by Mastermold

Ampeg and Genz Benz are both great companies, you need to evaluate their individual products to figure out what you like. Both offer a wide range of options.

Agreed. Anyway, the 450H vs is the Streamliner is a bit of an unfair fight. Nobody loves Ampeg more than me but the B2RE/450H is a budget amp. The PF500 and the SVT 7 Pro are the products that would more directly compete with the Streamliner, especially the 7 Pro. Got nothing bad to say about Genz Benz at all...great company, great people running it...but Ampeg amps besides the B2RE/450H just speak to me like no others, especially the PF amps and the SVT 7 Pro.

[libanass]

If you like to tone of the Ampeg, DONT get a Genz Benz

If you like Genz Benz, DONT get Ampeg

They are extremely different, in every possible way

Now, to my subjective opinion, I'd pick Genz Benz, EVERYTIME

Enough said