GB Streamliner 600 Volume

[willsellout]

Originally Posted by TC.65

I wasn't trying to sway you or say that you were wrong I was just pointing out what i have found with this head. The tube swap really does make a difference. I just listened to an mpulse 600 for the first time the other day and really liked it. We are all different and thats why we need different flavored amps.

Oh I didn't take offense or anything, I just wanted to express that I gave the head a fair chance before deciding it wasn't working for me. I can see the STL working in a ton of situations and I think it's a great amp, I just needed something else for what I'm doing currently.

[KJung]

Originally Posted by jdwhitak

I just bought a GB Streamliner 600 & an Uber Quad cab to go with it. I just finished trying the amp out and it doesn't seem that loud. This is the biggest amp in wattage and physical size that I've ever owned. I've had small practice combos sound louder than this!

I plan on calling Genz this upcoming week, but I wanted to see if anyone here had any advice for me.

On this particular amp does the preamp gain and volume have more to do with amp volume than the master volume? By the way, I'm using a G&L SB-1 (P-Bass) with flatwounds and George L's instrument cable.



Thanks in advance for any and all help.

The master volume on the Streamliner is an audiotaper design, and the input gain also seems more 'non-linear' than most other amps (this is a good thing).

What this means is that the Streamliner won't even start to get loud until the master volume is past noon, and you will have usable volume all the way through 3 o'clock and more. With a moderate output passive bass, you can also easily have the gain and volume controls past noon for optimum input level.

Don't listen with your eyes! Every amp company uses different types of volume pots. Some, like Mesa and GK seem to reach full volume at around 10 o'clock on the master (the whole thing about impressing the kids at Guitar Center: 'Wow, it was screaming and I only had the volume at 9 'o'clock').

Other amps like Glockenklang, Genz, TecAmp, use a more pro audiotaper pot that gives you a lot of control through the most of the range of these controls.

So, start out with your gain and volume at noon, and most the master from noon to 2 o'clock. Yes, the voicing of the Streamliner is a bit less mid present than most, which will make it sound a bit less 'forward' (that is the point of that amp), but it should be loud as heck. Don't be afraid to engage the input bain boost knob, and/or crank the input gain a bit more. LOTS of volume and tone variation in that interaction between the boost button, and the ratio of gain/volume.

[4Mal]

I like the Streamliner 600. I say work with it a while. In comparison to a GK or any sort, it is an amp that reveals itself slowly. I'm not generally interested in moving the walls back so it seems plenty loud for my uses.

I'm a big fan of GK and also of the Fender / RCA interactive tone stack. I really like the way the STL is a blend of those concepts. (yeah, the RCA and Baxandall are different, still they interact in a musical way which is what I like about them.) it reminds me a little of the BBe B-MaxT in that way as well. I liked that pre a lot...

[bassman2]

Originally Posted by jdwhitak

I just bought a GB Streamliner 600 & an Uber Quad cab to go with it. I just finished trying the amp out and it doesn't seem that loud. This is the biggest amp in wattage and physical size that I've ever owned. I've had small practice combos sound louder than this!

I plan on calling Genz this upcoming week, but I wanted to see if anyone here had any advice for me.

On this particular amp does the preamp gain and volume have more to do with amp volume than the master volume? By the way, I'm using a G&L SB-1 (P-Bass) with flatwounds and George L's instrument cable.

Thanks in advance for any and all help.

+1 to everything Ken said....he's right again as usual!! lol I bought my Streamliner amp from Lookiel that posted to you..when I first got it I dialed it in pretty much as most other amps....my first thought...OMG....this thing lacks balls....but extremely heavy in bottom end with my 10's.....pairing up with a NeoX212 brought the mid out....in my experience....depending on what bass you are using....driving the Streamliner preamp....everything changes.....my Elrick bass with the Bart's has a fairly tame output....the Fender Rosco Beck passive is hotter....and works the preamp more.....where as the old PBass with EMG's can get a little uncontrolable with the Streamliner's musical tone....I guess I pretty fall in the same category with the others that have replied...don't be scared to twist the knobs...from the basement I can now shake all of my wife's pictures off the upstairs walls with ease

[NWB]

[quote=bassman2;13790368...from the basement I can now shake all of my wife's pictures off the upstairs walls with ease [/QUOTE]

The true test of a great amp!

[bassman2]

Originally Posted by NWB

The true test of a great amp!

Haha....I've grown more fond of the Genz than she did!!

[jdwhitak]

Okak, I took the head in last month and my tech just got back to me today. There's nothing wrong with the head. So, my next question is how can I check to see if there is anything wrong with the cab?

[KJung]

Originally Posted by jdwhitak

Okak, I took the head in last month and my tech just got back to me today. There's nothing wrong with the head. So, my next question is how can I check to see if there is anything wrong with the cab?

Just play your head through another cab and see.

My guess is, the 600 run at 8ohms through a single 112 cab is not going to rattle the walls. The Uber Quad is a significantly midrange voiced cab. It should work very well with the Streamliner.

Again, make sure you input gain is set hot enough, and again remember that the master volume is not even close to being full on until 1 o'clock or higher (audiotaper). Just to really see what the amp will do, set the gain and volume each to 1 o'clock, engage the gain, and then turn up the master to past noon. If the amp distorts, lower the ratio of gain to volume.

Again, that being said, a single 112 will only go so loud at 8ohms with that lower powered model. It should sound killer thought.

I would again go to Guitar Center or someplace that has a relatively large (212/410) 4ohm cab and try the head. That will give you a better understanding of the true volume capability of the head. Of couse, a second UberQuad would allow you to handle almost any gig also, since the additional wattage and additional cab will result in approximately a 5db increase in volume (which is HUGE).

[mystic38]

I have pretty much the same gear... I have an SB-2, Uber Quad, and Streamliner 900.. let me go put those settings in and report back.. but i suspect you should be able to blow your windows out..

Originally Posted by jdwhitak

The setting I've used so far are as follows:

Gain = 11 o'clock
Pre Volume = 2 o'clock
Bass = 11 o'clock
Mid = 10 o'clock
Treble = 1-2 o'clock
Master Volume = varied from 9 o'clock to max.

The head is completely stock. If a tube was loose I'm sure I would be experiencing other problems related to a tube being out. I haven't tried the amp with my active bass yet and I won't be able to until tomorrow.

I like the tone of the amp, but I was expecting it to be able to push more air which is probably just fine. I live in an apartment and as much as this head & cab cost I don't think I'll be taking it out anywhere

[mystic38]

So...

Remember that your MFD has a very high output and that gain, pre-vol & master volume all account for output volume, but with your settings and the SB2 dimed, this is what i get with changes in the master volume... SPL levels measured on a stool at 1m

8 = 85dB nice practice level
9 = 108dB LOUD practice level.. neighbours knocking
12 = 113dB Very loud. picture frames and doors rattling
3 = 116dB say what? who?.. feel the thump in the gut, floor vibrating, ornaments walking across shelves, earplugs required for sustained use.

Hope this helps for comparison... note that even quite small changes in gain and pre-amp volume make big differences to output volume.. but even with the 600 this rig should be plenty for anything but large gigs

[LoveThatBass]

My little 600 with a big sound! I don't have any problem with shaking the walls. Just had to throw all I knew about previous amps such as GK 700 RBII out the window and realize this is a different animal and everything you adjust affects everything else. I just start with controls at mid (12 O'Clock) and adjust to tastes from there.

[Gab124]

I play the 600 regularly and get more than enough volume with the right cab. With that said, fewer speakers and 8ohm loads don't give the 600 model enough to work with. I am not familiar with the cab you mentioned, but I found the best results with my amp by adding speakers - and I can carry about any room with authority. I very much cut lows though, bass set 8:30 - 9:00. I suggest you experiment with the mid settings and don't be afraid to really crank them. Live set at 600 and boosted can really give some balls to the mix. I have had mine through 1x15, 210, 215 and 810 cabs. The 215 and 810 will do anything you need and then some. The 900 watt version is best for those with smaller 8ohm power hungry cabs. Great amp, not for everyone - but what it does it does very well I think.

[blowinblue]

Originally Posted by KJung

The master volume on the Streamliner is an audiotaper design, and the input gain also seems more 'non-linear' than most other amps (this is a good thing).

What this means is that the Streamliner won't even start to get loud until the master volume is past noon, and you will have usable volume all the way through 3 o'clock and more. With a moderate output passive bass, you can also easily have the gain and volume controls past noon for optimum input level.

Don't listen with your eyes! Every amp company uses different types of volume pots.

Yep. This has been my experience with my 600. It has plenty of volume even with a single 1x15" 4 ohm cab. For years I gigged indoors and outdoors with an Eden WT-400 and one 4 ohm cab. It was always loud enough, albeit with PA support on some of the outdoor stuff. With the Streamliner's 600 watts I'm livin' in luxury. And...I value my hearing. How about you guys?

M. M.

[Gab124]

Originally Posted by blowinblue

Yep. This has been my experience with my 600. It has plenty of volume even with a single 1x15" 4 ohm cab. For years I gigged indoors and outdoors with an Eden WT-400 and one 4 ohm cab. It was always loud enough, albeit with PA support on some of the outdoor stuff. With the Streamliner's 600 watts I'm livin' in luxury. And...I value my hearing. How about you guys?

M. M.

Straight up sir - personal molded ear protection for me, but mostly for the guitars and vocals.

[LoveThatBass]

Originally Posted by Gab124

I play the 600 regularly and get more than enough volume with the right cab. With that said, fewer speakers and 8ohm loads don't give the 600 model enough to work with. .

+1

I should have stated I use 2 GK112-2 cabs running my Streamliner 600 at 4 ohms. What you posted said it best!