Genz-Benz/Doug Johns Clinic Albuquerque

[Cube198]

Just a quick report from a Genz-Benz clinic we had here in Albuquerque yesterday featuring Doug Johns. This was a really great event four our bass community here and I wanted to share my take-aways and hopefully a few photos. If you live _anywhere_ where you have a chance to take one of these events in, by all means do so. This is the first time I personally have been to one of these, and I think we were very lucky here to have this opportunity. I just happen to be a Genz-Benz owner/fan and a HUGE Doug Johns fan. What could be better, right?
Here are some impressions and opinions:
1. Genz-Benz is incredible. This was an opportunity to see and hear and play with the latest and greatest from GB, and to hear from/question/meet company founder Jeff Genzler. Nicest, most approachable guy ever. One of the great things about Jeff is that you can tell that this is truly his passion, and the the creation of quality equipment for bass players and other musicians is what he is all about. He spoke at length both about the new Streamliner line of amps AND the new Uber cabs. The cabs are simply incredible, particularly the Uberquad. This is an amazing "multi-driver" cabinet and features 4 separate drivers of varying sizes, which produce an incredible 3 dimensional tone. All I can say is yes indeed. Plus it helps having Doug Johns on hand to demonstrate what it can do. Great guy, great company, amazing products. The Streamliners are very cool as well allowing one to paint the clear, Hi Fi sound with with awesome tubey warmth...I've said it before, you can't beat the quality and probably more importantly, you cant beat the customer service. If you are considering an amp purchase, do yourself a favor and check out Genz-Benz.
2. Doug Johns. What can one say? Again, a very, very nice person, approachable and willing to talk to anyone about anything. You could not ask to meet a nicer, funnier guy. And to actually see/hear/watch him play is a real treat. If you listen closely to his recordings you hear the plethora of things he's doing, really digging in in a percussive way with his right hand. But live? To see that happen? Beyond Awesome. If you have not purchased Stank or any of the other albums, you might want to go ahead and take care of that today. You will NOT be disappointed. Monster player.
3. Genz-Benz artist Donny Tesso was also on hand to jam, hang, talk, etc. The really fantastic thing about Donny is that he is a great talent and LIVES HERE IN ALBUQUERQUE! Donny has a great ability to fuze Jazz, Funk, R&B and Latin styles in a really unique way that just seems to slide right into the mix. I am so glad to see that "one of ours" from Duke City is representing well. He is totally one to watch.
4. Who happened to be traveling in the area and popped in? None other than Mike Pedulla! Again, you couldn't ask for a nicer guy and what a treat it was for us to meet a preeminent builder who creates some of the greatest basses ever. It really is inspiring to meet people who care about what they are doing and it shows in the end result. His passion for this is so apparent in the quality of the instruments.
It is really great to see people of great talent who care and who are willing to share like that. We are thirsty for that kind of thing here in Albuquerque. Doug mentioned the possibility of a bass/drum clinic here in the Fall. Here's hoping!
(in one of the photos below you can see Jeff talking about the Shuttle 3.0/10" cab. My particular amp. Guess what? Sounds great! Especially with Doug playing through it. He then took the head off and plugged it in to the Uber quad. Guess what? The room was filled with really great sound. Amazing amps. Uber amazing cabs.)
Sorry if the quality of the pix is weird. I tried to make them small for the purposes of uploading...plus i was attempting to use as much available light as possible.

[Kitsapbass]

Cool man. I'm truly envious of you...

[Brian_L]

I was at that event as well, and will simply echo what Cube198 said.

I actually had not even heard of Doug before yesterday, but my jaw spent an awful lot of time on the floor during the show. :-)

Brian

[svtb15]

That sounds like a really great event!
I love GB gear.. It just keeps tickin' after it gets a lickin'.
All the guys you mentioned are true gentlemen and great at what they do...
Mike Pedulla is one of the best bass makers in the world. Love the feel of those basses..
Here is my Genz Rig at home in my small studio area... I have only used the pair of 1288s Quads on gigs so far.. I have not added the Uber 115 on a gig yet.. But i have gigged the Uber 115 on a club gig this week and it slays.. Throaty and mid present with a bloom in the bottom and tweeter for sheen... It has been a looooong time since i played 15s on a gig.. but this cab has really opened a new avenue for me , regarding 115 cabs..

[Cube198]

Originally Posted by svtb15

That sounds like a really great event!
I love GB gear.. It just keeps tickin' after it gets a lickin'.
All the guys you mentioned are true gentlemen and great at what they do...
Mike Pedulla is one of the best bass makers in the world. Love the feel of those basses..
Here is my Genz Rig at home in my small studio area... I have only used the pair of 1288s Quads on gigs so far.. I have not added the Uber 115 on a gig yet.. But i have gigged the Uber 115 on a club gig this week and it slays.. Throaty and mid present with a bloom in the bottom and tweeter for sheen... It has been a looooong time since i played 15s on a gig.. but this cab has really opened a new avenue for me , regarding 115 cabs..

You know, they had Doug play through just the Uber15 and everyone, he included, was amazed that it had so much articulation and clarity. Just with that one speaker and tweeter(s). Totally gigable just like that, I think. When paired with the quad, forget about it! Awesome! These cabs aren't just speaker boxes. They have been designed, engineered and tuned. great line, great people behind the products!

[Brian_L]

Originally Posted by Cube198

You know, they had Doug play through just the Uber15 and everyone, he included, was amazed that it had so much articulation and clarity. Just with that one speaker and tweeter(s).

FWIW, from my seat I actually liked the sound a little better when he played through just the 15.

BGL

[GregC]

Cool, I'd definitely show up if GB had a similar event in Chicago. They seem like good guys, and I haven't hardly had a chance to hear their products live.

I have, however, seen Doug Johns live. Amazing.

[svtb15]

+1.. the Uber115 is smoking good.. very articulate.. i was very surprised... it will be my main cab and i will get one more so i can have a full 2x15 for larger gigs...

Originally Posted by Cube198

You know, they had Doug play through just the Uber15 and everyone, he included, was amazed that it had so much articulation and clarity. Just with that one speaker and tweeter(s). Totally gigable just like that, I think. When paired with the quad, forget about it! Awesome! These cabs aren't just speaker boxes. They have been designed, engineered and tuned. great line, great people behind the products!

[Doug Johns]

Thanks Cube198 and everyone who stopped by in Albuquerque. What a great day! One of the best open open houses! It was a really special day for me to have both Jeff Genzler and Mike Pedulla in attendance. I'm really pulling for that fall workshop!

[jjk2007]

Originally Posted by Doug Johns

Thanks Cube198 and everyone who stopped by in Albuquerque. What a great day! One of the best open open houses! It was a really special day for me to have both Jeff Genzler and Mike Pedulla in attendance. I'm really pulling for that fall workshop!

Hey Doug! Great to see you on TB. One of these days I'll make to one of your clinics/concerts when you're in So Cal again. Respect to DJ, killer person and player.

[noahw1]

I was at the Genz clinic in Los Angeles and it too was a real nice hang.

[chicago_mike]

Any vids?

[SteveC]

I love my little 3.0-10T combo. Never thought of trying it with that sweet Uberquad cab...

[hairscrambled]

Originally Posted by chicago_mike

Any vids?

I didn't see any video. Thanks Doug for an inspring clinic and to Jeff for making great bass amps. I use my Shuttle 3.0-10 every day.

Micky Patten - Grandma's Music & Sound

[Cube198]

Originally Posted by SteveC

I love my little 3.0-10T combo. Never thought of trying it with that sweet Uberquad cab...

Yep, it was an amazing moment. Doing just that filled the room with a pretty incredible sound. And physical punch. I was so proud of our little amp, it done good!!!

[Doug Johns]

Received so many great messages today about the Albuquerque clinic at Grandma's Music that I just had to say thanks again to Micky and the whole crew for a great afternoon!

[hairscrambled]

Originally Posted by Doug Johns

Received so many great messages today about the Albuquerque clinic at Grandma's Music that I just had to say thanks again to Micky and the whole crew for a great afternoon!

Thanks to you Doug. It was inspiring to hear you play live!!! - Micky

[DerPrinz]

I went to the one in Richmond VA, so AWESOME! Even got a set of strings and a shirt, my only regret is that I came in late.