Genz Benz Shuttle 9.0 Appreciation Thread Part II Shuttle 9.2 included

[Sequimite]

My first separate head and cab. The Shuttle 9.0 is new, the LDS cab has been owned by two TB'ers previously but is in immaculate condition.

[Lukejt]

Just got one of these bad boys in the mail yesterday. WOW! Love it so far. I've had it's baby brother the 3.0-10T for a while now.

I've gone through quite a few amps trying to find the match for my Fearful 15/6, I think the search is over! Great tone. Great punch. Awesome.

[Red Planet]

You just can't beat the Shuttle 9.0 into an 8 ohm cab. I could not imagine having to do without that luxury.

Lately I have been playing most of my Gigs with an SWR 2x10 Golight and the 9.0. I am able to get pretty darn loud even when my band mates go nuts. I played a resort over Labor Day weekend and the MC/Owner wanted the band really loud. Before it was over I was hunting earplugs. My rig kept up all night no issues and our guitar player was leaving a mark.

[solarplexus]

Any of you guys tried a JJ ECC83S high gain in the preamp? I play a '65 Jazz that has fairly low output (but sounds ohhh sooooo sweet) and I want more grit in the sound without using a boost pedal. Think that might do it? I also use a Mustang bass which get great grit from the stock tube, though. I tried a JJ ECC83S with standard gain and like it too, but figured I could get a little more with a high gain?

[Red Planet]

Originally Posted by solarplexus

Any of you guys tried a JJ ECC83S high gain in the preamp? I play a '65 Jazz that has fairly low output (but sounds ohhh sooooo sweet) and I want more grit in the sound without using a boost pedal. Think that might do it? I also use a Mustang bass which get great grit from the stock tube, though. I tried a JJ ECC83S with standard gain and like it too, but figured I could get a little more with a high gain?

That might do well. Also if you like JJ try an ECC803.

[Limeman]

Originally Posted by svtb15

My gigging Genz gear... yeehaw

Now that's a sick gigging setup, Kirk!!!! With those two amps (and your REDDI) I would think that just about any and all tones are within your reach. NICE!!!

[NewGuy]

My main head is the Eden WT405 and I absolutely love it (set flat is perfect). Recently I've been experimenting with trying to find a back-up head that I also can get a pleasing tone without much tweaking...but smaller. In less than 2 weeks I've gone through a TC Electronics BH250 (an abundance of features but doesn't let the true tone of my bass come through), Eden WTX264 (hoped mine wouldn't have the issues everyone else experienced but it did), and Aguilar TH350. The Aguilar sounded pretty good but the highs were very limited. I had a shuttle 6.0 a few years ago, but I returned it because it just did not feel like I was getting the power I needed and it lacked the low end I was used to ( into a LDS 112). I have a different back up cab now and was thinking about trying the 3.0 or 6.0 again...until I read this thread!

I just placed an order for the 9.0 for about $570!!!! I plan on using it as my practice/back-up head into a Epifani PS210 (4 ohms). It's a little over kill for a practice head but it only made sense to do it. I mean..all the other ones I was trying out would cost close to the same but not even close to the power. Who knows...maybe I won't care if my Eden starts to blow magic smoke if I know I have something just as pleasing to my ear.

I don't have any questions- just sharing my excitement with a bunch of bass players that understand (please don't tell my wife )

[akdmx]

I'm hoping to get some more natural tube compression from my tube channel. Will more gain achieve this? Is there anything else I can play around with to that effect? Both of my past amps have had compression (Eden, Carvin).

[Aaiwanshred]

Hi Guys,

I just (yesterday) bought a killer Bass rig, G-B Streamliner 900 and Bergantino HD112... However, I have a problem... the amp doesn't work... Here's what I wrote to the salesperson who sold me the rig (in person... at a shop):

"I have a small problem. I got to checking the whole rig this evening and the Genz-Benz basically doesn't work...

To expand:

I read the amp manual last night (Always pays)

I connected the amp to cab using the cable from yourself. Connected the mains lead to the amp. Checked it was set to 230 Volts for UK(to be sure).

Switch on. 20 second warm up light came on... with blue light. Valves start to glow (all 3). Within about 3 seconds of the warm up light going out the amp produced some nasty electrical spikes (All levels were set to zero) at quite 'prominent' volume. Some hi freq spikes... and a couple of tight thuds.
I immediately turned it off, worried for the speaker. checked all cables etc, Gave it 2 min. turned it back on... warm up light did it's routine, valves glowing... .no more spikes... plugged in Bass ... and no sound... zilch... only a little click / spike (Much lower than 1st ones) when switching mute in and out... or when unplugging jack (even with mute active).

No setting I tried would produce a sound.

I've checked the Bergantino cab using a different amp... works perfectly.

Bass works fine (Dingwall AB1-5 with Glokenklang active mod)

I thought I'd check the direct out of the G-B amp into the desk in the studio... line out to line in. That worked.. but only if the eq is bypassed..no signal with amp EQ in (Switches above XLR out). and the preamp gain didn't effect the sound/drive or level out (Set to line level next to the direct out XLR). Actually sounded like a -10dbu level D.I."

I mailed the shop and he has passed 'the buck' onto Genz-Benz service (Maybe in UK.. maybe in US... don't know) who will apparently call me. He suggested it may be a valve fault. I never heard a valve do that before... but I'm not a tech.

I have a silly recording deadline and not overly joyed by this... wasn't cheap ;~). I have some spare 12AX7's (JJ, Groovetube) for my guitar amps but am not keen to void the warranty at this stage.

Many thanks in advance for any advice.

Any ideas?

[cflat]

yikes..sounds bad.
It could (with any luck) just be a bad tube..I do not believe tube changing effects the warranty as everyone wants to change tubes..not a big deal..
Seeing as it's toast with the direct w/eq in I would change all the tubes just to be sure it's not that...Lot of little screws on top...not a big deal.
If not a tube we have a more serious problem here.

[cflat]

Originally Posted by NewGuy

My main head is the Eden WT405 and I absolutely love it (set flat is perfect). Recently I've been experimenting with trying to find a back-up head that I also can get a pleasing tone without much tweaking...but smaller. In less than 2 weeks I've gone through a TC Electronics BH250 (an abundance of features but doesn't let the true tone of my bass come through), Eden WTX264 (hoped mine wouldn't have the issues everyone else experienced but it did), and Aguilar TH350. The Aguilar sounded pretty good but the highs were very limited. I had a shuttle 6.0 a few years ago, but I returned it because it just did not feel like I was getting the power I needed and it lacked the low end I was used to ( into a LDS 112). I have a different back up cab now and was thinking about trying the 3.0 or 6.0 again...until I read this thread!

I just placed an order for the 9.0 for about $570!!!! I plan on using it as my practice/back-up head into a Epifani PS210 (4 ohms). It's a little over kill for a practice head but it only made sense to do it. I mean..all the other ones I was trying out would cost close to the same but not even close to the power. Who knows...maybe I won't care if my Eden starts to blow magic smoke if I know I have something just as pleasing to my ear.

I don't have any questions- just sharing my excitement with a bunch of bass players that understand (please don't tell my wife )

Hope you're liking that rig...I now have the shuttlemax 9.2 and am more than extremely happy with the sound..

[Hapa]

Originally Posted by Aaiwanshred

Hi Guys,

I just (yesterday) bought a killer Bass rig, G-B Streamliner 900 and Bergantino HD112... However, I have a problem... the amp doesn't work... Here's what I wrote to the salesperson who sold me the rig (in person... at a shop):

"I have a small problem. I got to checking the whole rig this evening and the Genz-Benz basically doesn't work...

To expand:

I read the amp manual last night (Always pays)

I connected the amp to cab using the cable from yourself. Connected the mains lead to the amp. Checked it was set to 230 Volts for UK(to be sure).

Switch on. 20 second warm up light came on... with blue light. Valves start to glow (all 3). Within about 3 seconds of the warm up light going out the amp produced some nasty electrical spikes (All levels were set to zero) at quite 'prominent' volume. Some hi freq spikes... and a couple of tight thuds.
I immediately turned it off, worried for the speaker. checked all cables etc, Gave it 2 min. turned it back on... warm up light did it's routine, valves glowing... .no more spikes... plugged in Bass ... and no sound... zilch... only a little click / spike (Much lower than 1st ones) when switching mute in and out... or when unplugging jack (even with mute active).

No setting I tried would produce a sound.

I've checked the Bergantino cab using a different amp... works perfectly.

Bass works fine (Dingwall AB1-5 with Glokenklang active mod)

I thought I'd check the direct out of the G-B amp into the desk in the studio... line out to line in. That worked.. but only if the eq is bypassed..no signal with amp EQ in (Switches above XLR out). and the preamp gain didn't effect the sound/drive or level out (Set to line level next to the direct out XLR). Actually sounded like a -10dbu level D.I."

I mailed the shop and he has passed 'the buck' onto Genz-Benz service (Maybe in UK.. maybe in US... don't know) who will apparently call me. He suggested it may be a valve fault. I never heard a valve do that before... but I'm not a tech.

I have a silly recording deadline and not overly joyed by this... wasn't cheap ;~). I have some spare 12AX7's (JJ, Groovetube) for my guitar amps but am not keen to void the warranty at this stage.

Many thanks in advance for any advice.

Any ideas?

My apologies for the troubles for the amp, I am glad it didn't happen on a gig. It does sound like a tube issue. PM me you email and I will get the product manager in the UK to assist. Once agedhorse see's this he may have an immediate answer.

[Aaiwanshred]

Thanx for the reply Hapa/Cflat, The shop rep told me G-B service would be in touch today.

I'm not worried... or really dismayed. I know they are amazing amps... and I know that the company's support / service is second to none. At least it wasn't at a gig! Like you say... Had that with other gear.. no fun ;(

I've also learned by now (as is common sense) that changing valves will not void the warranty, I'll see what I have in the box and give that a try... failing that my studio tech is one of those Gandalf like elusive and infinitely wise british boffins... not sure what he'll make of the amp (he's a bit 'old school')... but he'll know what's wrong with it.

Either way I'll wait to hear from Genz-Benz service before grabbing a screw driver.... Fingers crossed.

[KJung]

Originally Posted by Aaiwanshred

Hi Guys,

I just (yesterday) bought a killer Bass rig, G-B Streamliner 900 and Bergantino HD112... However, I have a problem... the amp doesn't work... Here's what I wrote to the salesperson who sold me the rig (in person... at a shop):

"I have a small problem. I got to checking the whole rig this evening and the Genz-Benz basically doesn't work...

To expand:

I read the amp manual last night (Always pays)

I connected the amp to cab using the cable from yourself. Connected the mains lead to the amp. Checked it was set to 230 Volts for UK(to be sure).

Switch on. 20 second warm up light came on... with blue light. Valves start to glow (all 3). Within about 3 seconds of the warm up light going out the amp produced some nasty electrical spikes (All levels were set to zero) at quite 'prominent' volume. Some hi freq spikes... and a couple of tight thuds.
I immediately turned it off, worried for the speaker. checked all cables etc, Gave it 2 min. turned it back on... warm up light did it's routine, valves glowing... .no more spikes... plugged in Bass ... and no sound... zilch... only a little click / spike (Much lower than 1st ones) when switching mute in and out... or when unplugging jack (even with mute active).

No setting I tried would produce a sound.

I've checked the Bergantino cab using a different amp... works perfectly.

Bass works fine (Dingwall AB1-5 with Glokenklang active mod)

I thought I'd check the direct out of the G-B amp into the desk in the studio... line out to line in. That worked.. but only if the eq is bypassed..no signal with amp EQ in (Switches above XLR out). and the preamp gain didn't effect the sound/drive or level out (Set to line level next to the direct out XLR). Actually sounded like a -10dbu level D.I."

I mailed the shop and he has passed 'the buck' onto Genz-Benz service (Maybe in UK.. maybe in US... don't know) who will apparently call me. He suggested it may be a valve fault. I never heard a valve do that before... but I'm not a tech.

I have a silly recording deadline and not overly joyed by this... wasn't cheap ;~). I have some spare 12AX7's (JJ, Groovetube) for my guitar amps but am not keen to void the warranty at this stage.

Many thanks in advance for any advice.

Any ideas?

Genz will take care of you. Great service. In the meantime:

1) make sure the mute button is off

2) Plug your bass into the effects return jack. This will put you right into the power amp, bypassing the pre. If you get sound there, you probably have a simple tube problem. If you don't, then they will send you a new amp.

[agedhorse]

Most likely fault is a bad tube.

Noises like this can happen if there are mechanical problems inside the tube like a damaged grid wire that is close enough to either the cathode or anode to arc over (or touch in the case of the cathode). Also, bits can break loose, mounting and spacing parts slip, etc.

When changing tubes, be sure to disconnect from the power source for obvious safety reasons. There's plenty of 300+ volts inside the amp.

[PawleeP]

Along with our preamp design, that rivals that of many classic tube amplifiers, the STREAMLER™ also features our proprietary 3 Dimensional Power Management analog technology. Our 3DPM™ adds heft and girth to each individual note, while enhancing the amplifiers responsiveness and headroom. It provides the dynamic and 3 dimensional tone and feel of an all tube power amp design.
DOES ANYONE KNOW IF THIS IS A COMPRESSION LIKE FEATURE? AND IS IT A POST EFX/PRE OUT FUNCTION OR IMBEDDED INTO THE POWER AM SECTION OF THE AMP?
APPRECIATE THE SUGGESTION! pp

[agedhorse]

Originally Posted by PawleeP

Along with our preamp design, that rivals that of many classic tube amplifiers, the STREAMLER™ also features our proprietary 3 Dimensional Power Management analog technology. Our 3DPM™ adds heft and girth to each individual note, while enhancing the amplifiers responsiveness and headroom. It provides the dynamic and 3 dimensional tone and feel of an all tube power amp design.
DOES ANYONE KNOW IF THIS IS A COMPRESSION LIKE FEATURE? AND IS IT A POST EFX/PRE OUT FUNCTION OR IMBEDDED INTO THE POWER AM SECTION OF THE AMP?
APPRECIATE THE SUGGESTION! pp

There are multi-band compression like aspects to this but it's much more sophisticated than a simple compressor. It's tightly integrated to the class D power amp and power supply and tracks these dynamics to adapt. This feature is after the effects return/master volume control, and is part of the power amp input circuitry.

[Red Planet]

Originally Posted by akdmx

I'm hoping to get some more natural tube compression from my tube channel. Will more gain achieve this? Is there anything else I can play around with to that effect? Both of my past amps have had compression (Eden, Carvin).

BTW best way to achieve a little more tube warmth is to turn up the gain control till it gets a little gritty then EQ to tailor your tone a little more.

Also for the realy tubey tone the Streamliner is the Bomb though I prefer the 9.0.

[rob_thebassman]

I recently got a shuttle 9.0, best amp ever

[nordyboy]

Originally Posted by Red Planet

BTW best way to achieve a little more tube warmth is to turn up the gain control till it gets a little gritty then EQ to tailor your tone a little more.

Also for the realy tubey tone the Streamliner is the Bomb though I prefer the 9.0.

+1 there are some nice tube tones in that head with the gain cranked, another great way to warm up that head is to turn the frequency dial all the way anti clockwise and add some low mid and bass to taste