Genz Benz Shuttle 3.0 10T Vs. GK MB150S/112

Tomasz_Flende · #1 03-22-2010, 05:43 PM

So I'm looking for a new combo amp I can use for café work, acoustic sets and for on-stage sound as a monitor for bigger pop gigs.

I've been looking around and have narrowed it down to the Genz Benz Shuttle 3.0 10T or the GK MB150S/112. Has anyone got any advice on which one would be better?

I've heard a few bad things about the GK with regards to the sound production for electric bass, but that it's amazing for the upright.

On the other hand I haven't heard a bad thing about the Shuttle Series, but then again, as far as I can tell they are quite new to the market so I really haven't heard much.

Anyone out there with any experience with either (preferably both!)?

Thanks guys,

Tomasz

basss · #2 03-22-2010, 09:07 PM

I owned the GK for 12 or so years and have had the GB a little more than a year. I use them for small jazz gigs on both upright and electric. IMO they both work well for both instruments.

The GK is a real nice amp and has a sweet sound at low volumes. As you turn it up it begins to sound compressed. It is loud for it's size. It's tiny but not super light weight by today's standards.

The Genz has more head room and a much more open low end. It's lighter and you get the removable head. It does a better job of keeping up with a loud drummer than the GK. I like it better.

GK is coming out with a new 112 combo that looks neat. Not quite as slick as the Genz combo but much cheaper!

Tomasz_Flende · #3 03-24-2010, 06:45 PM

Thanks man, it looks like the GB is the way to go. Any word on the new GK 112 though? I've looked around and can't seem to find anything on it.

Ta,

Tom

SteveC · #4 03-24-2010, 08:13 PM

GB is the way to go. I've had the 3.0-10T and 10T extension cab and now use the 6.0-12T and 12T extension cab. I went with a 12 as it gave me just a little more low end on my stand alone jazz gigs. When I have PA, the 3.0 was fine for a monitor. I just traded my Blazer for an Accord. The 6.0-12T JUST fits in the trunk. I may be going back to the 3.0-10T with a 10T extension cab.

Tomasz_Flende · #5 03-25-2010, 05:06 AM

Thanks guys, GB here I come!

dalkowski · #6 03-25-2010, 05:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SteveC

I may be going back to the 3.0-10T with a 10T extension cab.

Why?

SteveC · #7 03-25-2010, 07:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dalkowski

Why?

Space. Not sure how all my stuff will fit in the new car - Honda Accord. The 6.0-12T just fits in the trunk. We'll see. I like the 6.0 combo, but I also loved the 3.0 combo. I don't NEED lots of power for my gigs and monitoring.

tallboybass · #8 03-25-2010, 11:06 AM

I've owned both and it's a slam dunk for the GB. The 6.0-12T brings a lot more sound if the extra size and weight don't bother you. Now if you introduce the GK MB210 into this comparison....all bets are off.

thudfromafar · #9 03-25-2010, 01:10 PM

The 3.0-10T is amazin! The GK MB, I've played and heard all over the place. It always gives me the impression that it will put out *just enough* volume, and a good tone. And it does. But the GB unit gets a more full range sound, and louder and cleaner. Plus you can remove the head and the 3.0 with a 2x12 or 4x10 should cover enough for most bassists (non-metal bassists).

chiplexic · #10 03-26-2010, 07:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by thudfromafar

But the GB unit gets a more full range sound, and louder and cleaner. Plus you can remove the head and the 3.0 with a 2x12 or 4x10 should cover enough for most bassists (non-metal bassists).

Do you think the 3.0 would hold up with any headroom using a 2-12" or 4x10" at moderate to loud volume? I was wondering this.

I brought my 12" cab to a local shop that had every Shuttle head and cab available. Tried the 6.0, 9.0 and then the 3.0. Headroom and volume isn't something you can really get a gauge of in the small music shop (imo). Especially with just a 1-12". Though I did hook 2 together.

You never really know what an amp can do headroom wise until your in the real world volume wise. And since I really liked the 3.0 tone I did wonder what it's headroom limits would be for me. I can just squeek by with a 200watt GK 400rb. So an extra 100watts that the 3.0 would have,you would think, would do it. But they're two different designs/types of power supplies and amps so still I wonder.

I like all the Shuttles for what they are known for. But there was something in the 3.0 tone that I found different and quite appealing. May be it's less of the airy sheen that the 6.0 and 9.0 had. Or maybe something else that the FET channel design has that is just over my head.

I know the 3.0 doesn't have a tube.
I read that the 3.0 has a higher HFP setting.

Not sure what made the difference but it was...different.
To my ears ,in a good way.
Maybe if I owned a 6 or 9 for an extended period of time I would find I could cop that tone with better knowledge of the EQ. But right out of the box, I found the 3.0, through several different size speakers, to be very interesting.

IMO, It could get a cool B15 type tone with it too. Imagine that. The head that doesn't have the tube.

I wish Genz Benz would put out a higher power (like 600watt) Shuttle that is just simply FET. Without having to buy a MAX. And have all those knobs and 2 amps and pre's of the MAX, that I wouldn't use. I think that would be beautifully simple and exactly what would do it for me.

basss · #11 03-26-2010, 08:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chiplexic

Do you think the 3.0 would hold up with any headroom using a 2-12" or 4x10" at moderate to loud volume? I was wondering this.

I use a 3.0 with a Dr. Bass 2x12 for louder gigs. It gets very loud. Probably wouldn't keep up with a metal band but enough for most non-angry music

thudfromafar · #12 03-26-2010, 12:37 PM

^^What he said. I can get my 3.0 louder than I'd want to ever play, with my two 1x12 cabs. Then again, I tend to think that the **massive watts** thing is over-rated, at least for most styles of music.

SteveC · #13 03-26-2010, 02:34 PM

There is something about the 3.0 and I too have said I wish that they would have a higher powered all FET head. I am very seriously debating trading my 6.0-12T combo back for my 3.0-10T combo. I always liked the sound, and don't need a lot of volume. I do miss just a little low end, but I can live with that. It would also fit better in my car. Not the best reason for gear, but youcan't ignore it. You have to get to the gig.

Don't feel bad about liking a 3.0 head. I kinda did and went with a 6.0 and I don't regret it, but it isn't the same as the 3.0 - just something about that design and the all FET thing I guess.

I may try the 3.0 combo with a 12T extension cab. Have my weet little combo for jazz and stage monitoring an dadd the 12T if I need a little more. Or, get a 10T and have a 2x10 when needed. It won't shake the earth with low end, but it will sound good, get plenty loud and if the gig is big enough to require earth shaking, there's probably a PA involved.

This thread may be talking me into going back to my old rig. I already went back to my old bass so why not.

SteveC · #14 03-29-2010, 11:23 AM

I have the 3.0-10T combo, the 10T cab and the 12T cab at home. Trying different variations. I think I have decided I can live without the 6.0-12T combo. I keep trying to like the tube pre but just prefer the FET for some reason.The 3.0 combo with the 12T cab is nice. The bottom is more "round and pillowy" where with the 10T cab it's tighter. I prefer that tighter more modern tone. I have a gig in a couple weeks where I can try everything and see. Rob Allen bass, different amp/cab rigs, see what happens.

I do remember how much I liked the size/weight of the 3.0-10T combo and 10T cab...and they fit really nice in the trunk of my car.

thudfromafar · #15 03-29-2010, 02:39 PM

SteveC, following your equipment story has been entertaining

Pilgrim · #16 03-29-2010, 02:44 PM

I have the 6.0 and a pair of 12T speakers - LOVE the tube pre-amp.

I keep reading about people who think the 6.0 doesn't have enough headroom and I wonder whose windows they're shattering with volume while they're playing. The 6.0 with a single 12T is darn near enough to knock me off the stage.

I do think that having that bit of extra power and headroom is A Good Thing - but for what I play, the 6.0 has both.

SteveC · #17 03-29-2010, 06:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by thudfromafar

SteveC, following your equipment story has been entertaining

Yeah. Some say entertaining, some say ridiculous, some say pathetic. Regardless, I am back to my good old Yamaha and I think I'll go back to the 3.0-10T/10T Extension cab rig. It sounds great, and is significantly smaller and lighter. It's good enough for stand alone, and plenty for a stage monitor with PA support.

I think I'll use my BBE OptoStomp again, too. I don't set it very high, but that "tighter" signal going into the amp seems to help make everything all nice and happy.

SteveC · #18 10-25-2010, 02:16 PM

As another tangent - I was waiting to see what GB might come out with before trading my 6.0 combo in and going back to a 3.0combo. Well, the Uber Quad will be out soon, and paired with a Shuttle 9.0 would probably be a killer rig. I'll try it, but I'm pretty sure as I can't sell my CS Jazz that I can't afford $1,100 for a new cab.

I still may go to the 1x10 combo/110 extension cab stack. All the other jazz guys use the 3.0 combo alone for jazz gigs so why can't I. As far as PA supported gigs, it doesn't matter - there's a PA!

thudfromafar · #19 10-25-2010, 05:38 PM

I'm currently using my 3.0-10T for the school big band. The school owns a GK MB150 but as I've seen lately, the bass players choose to use my amp when it's around.

After using it for jazz for quite a while now, and also playing on the GK -- the Shuttle is definitely a better combo!

lpdeluxe · #20 10-25-2010, 07:17 PM

I have a 3.0-10T that gets a lot of use, considering that I also have a Fender Bassman 400 and a Mesa/Boogie bass amp.