Genz-Benz Goodness!

[Pilgrim]

A year ago, I sold my heavy gear and changed to a Genz-Benz Shuttle 6.0 head with a pair of their 12T speakers. Throughout the year, I didn't find any practice or gig where I needed the second speaker. The first one - at low master volume settings - was plenty.

Saturday night we played a gig in the country; the setting was an equestrian barn about 50 feet wide x 200 feet long. I brought both speakers, eager to finally play in a setting where the second speaker would be useful. Just for some context, we are not a ear-splitting band: the guitarists play through 60-80 watt amps, and there's a 1000-watt PA.

As it turned out, I could easily have played the gig with a single 12T, but figuring that double the speaker area would be good (and wanting an excuse), I used both. And the total volume required was - less than 1/3 of the master volume. I had the preamp gain at about 75%, and the amp sounded wonderful. Everyone in the band was impressed with its sound and power. The only challenge was keeping it down so it wouldn't dominate the whole band.

When I read comments on TB about guys who say they need more power and headroom so they upgraded to the Shuttle 9.0, I cannot figure out what they're playing and where. They must be playing at ear-bleeding levels....or in NFL stadiums. One 12T speaker connected to the amp yields 375W, two speakers drops the impedence to 4 ohms and unleashes 600W. That's a lot of power!

The sweetest part is that the amp and one speaker weigh 36 pounds - and bringing the second speaker adds another 32-pound handful. My back likes me much more now!

[waleross]

+1 on Genz Benz. I still have my big rigs with Ampeg cabs, etc. but I recently added the GBE 1200 and put the svT4Pro in reserve space for now. Their products all look great and I will get more as I need them. Best of all an email was actually answered the next day which is a big turn around from Ampeg.......best of luck . . . .

[Stingray5]

Originally Posted by Pilgrim

A year ago, I sold my heavy gear and changed to a Genz-Benz Shuttle 6.0 head with a pair of their 12T speakers. Throughout the year, I didn't find any practice or gig where I needed the second speaker. The first one - at low master volume settings - was plenty.

Saturday night we played a gig in the country; the setting was an equestrian barn about 50 feet wide x 200 feet long. I brought both speakers, eager to finally play in a setting where the second speaker would be useful. Just for some context, we are not a ear-splitting band: the guitarists play through 60-80 watt amps, and there's a 1000-watt PA.

As it turned out, I could easily have played the gig with a single 12T, but figuring that double the speaker area would be good (and wanting an excuse), I used both. And the total volume required was - less than 1/3 of the master volume. I had the preamp gain at about 75%, and the amp sounded wonderful. Everyone in the band was impressed with its sound and power. The only challenge was keeping it down so it wouldn't dominate the whole band.

When I read comments on TB about guys who say they need more power and headroom so they upgraded to the Shuttle 9.0, I cannot figure out what they're playing and where. They must be playing at ear-bleeding levels....or in NFL stadiums. One 12T speaker connected to the amp yields 375W, two speakers drops the impedence to 4 ohms and unleashes 600W. That's a lot of power!

The sweetest part is that the amp and one speaker weigh 36 pounds - and bringing the second speaker adds another 32-pound handful. My back likes me much more now!

Fixed the pic link for ya

Yeah man I have a neox 212 and love it. was thinking of going with a shuttle 9 for it but maybe you're right and a 6 will do just fine

[pbasswil]

Originally Posted by Pilgrim

When I read comments on TB about guys who say they need more power and headroom so they upgraded to the Shuttle 9.0, I cannot figure out what they're playing and where. They must be playing at ear-bleeding levels....or in NFL stadiums.

When it comes to volume, there are so many frames of reference! Also: Even with the overall band volume being equal, different styles need different levels of low bass. And of course, cathedral ceilings gobble lows; and the great outdoors devour them.

I usually don't need all that much amp -- a Shuttle combo would usually suffice. But a few weeks ago I showed up to a conservative yacht club dance with what I thought was more than enough amp (a LittleMark III through a GB Neox 112 -- a chunky, extremely capable little cab). Turned out that the club's PA was tops only -- no subs. We didn't want to play very loud for that crowd anyway, so it was fine for everything except me and the kick drum. My amp sounded great on stage; but when I strung a long cable at soundcheck so I could hear myself 30 feet out on the dance floor, the lows had totally evaporated -- no _oomph_ whatsoever.

I cranked the LittleMark's lows higher than I'd ever had to before, and spent the night listening to my poor single 12 wincing and fuzzing. I sure felt it huffing and puffing up my derrière! I won't know if I've done it permanent damage until the next time I get to really crank it.

I would've been happier with an Uber 410 that night, I assure you.

pw

[Pilgrim]

Originally Posted by pbasswil

I usually don't need all that much amp -- a Shuttle combo would usually suffice. But a few weeks ago I showed up to a conservative yacht club dance with what I thought was more than enough amp (a LittleMark III through a GB Neox 112 -- a chunky, extremely capable little cab). Turned out that the club's PA was tops only -- no subs. We didn't want to play very loud for that crowd anyway, so it was fine for everything except me and the kick drum. My amp sounded great on stage; but when I strung a long cable at soundcheck so I could hear myself 30 feet out on the dance floor, the lows had totally evaporated -- no _oomph_ whatsoever.

I cranked the LittleMark's lows higher than I'd ever had to before, and spent the night listening to my poor single 12 wincing and fuzzing. I sure felt it huffing and puffing up my derrière! I won't know if I've done it permanent damage until the next time I get to really crank it.

I would've been happier with an Uber 410 that night, I assure you.

pw

I hear you! That was a worst case - open space, no reflective surfaces for sound to bounce on. I think any single 12 or 15 would struggle in that setting. I'd LOVE to have an Uber 410.....from everything I've heard they're pretty amazing.

[pbasswil]

Originally Posted by Pilgrim

I hear you! That was a worst case - open space, no reflective surfaces for sound to bounce on. I think any single 12 or 15 would struggle in that setting. I'd LOVE to have an Uber 410.....from everything I've heard they're pretty amazing.

Yeah, making up for a lack of subs in a large space is a whole 'nother issue, huh?

I'm actually psyching myself up to spring for an Uber 410 -- but not for my schlepp-it-yourself gigs: for my main band where we have cartage. That night at the yacht club I could've gotten by if I'd brought a second portable cab I already have -- a FliteSound 15 with 4" mid. I don't want to drag a 410 around myself -- being a rather scrawny 50 year-old.

Cheers,

- pete

[faulknersj]

I've had every rig known to man...and none have I loved more than my ShuttleMax 6.0 and my Genz Benz Neox 212T. It hangs in any situation I have had her in, from huge outdoor venues to small intimate setting. I have never had even the slightest issue hearing her sweet sound. I have also never had more people ask me what I am playing thru and why it sounds so good. I am a die hard fan of Genz Benz. Their gear and customer service are exceptional.

[desertsolace]

I've got a shuttle 6.0 and Neox 112t as my main (only) rig and continue to be impressed. My only problem when I hit loud volumes is the head vibrates against the handle on the top of the cab. Currently working on a solution. I'm always playing close to the drummer typically on cramped stages and I can always hear myself with plenty of headroom to spare.

[Jawbone]

I doudt the issue between the Shtl 6 and 9 was power and headroom - there's not that much difference between 600 and 900 watts. Personally, for me it was the voicing. Both are good and loud - just different.

[Waterpilot]

Originally Posted by Pilgrim

I'd LOVE to have an Uber 410.....from everything I've heard they're pretty amazing.

I love mine! But great set up nonetheless!

[Pilgrim]

Also, Uber 410 cabs retail about $1100, which is as much as I paid for the Shuttle 6.0 and BOTH 12T cabs.

Them's mighty primo pickins', hombre.