Genz Benz STL3010T Shuttle or Ibanez P5110 Promethean

lowfunk99 · #1 12-08-2011, 01:30 PM

I can get each of these for the same price.

I know the GB is very nice but with a very clean sound.

The Promethean can do that plus a bit of old school.

Does anyone have experiences with both?

I want to buy one of these tomorrow.

lf99

bassgod0dmw · #2 12-08-2011, 01:33 PM

I'd rather have the GB. I've never been a fan of Ibanez amps.

YMMV

4StringsEnough · #3 12-08-2011, 01:42 PM

I've A-B'd both and the Promethean blew the Genz out the water in every regard. Not even close. There are Ibanez amps and there is the Promethean. Don't confuse the Promethean with any other amp from the Ibanez stable - chalk and cheese.

bassgod0dmw · #4 12-08-2011, 01:44 PM

I've never played or even heard one...

lowfunk99 · #5 12-08-2011, 01:45 PM

They both get great reviews...

I lean to the GB because of quality and features.

I lean to the Pro because of versatility...

I just want something small with the ability to add a cab later.

arai · #6 12-08-2011, 01:50 PM

I prefer the Ibanez to the Genz.

lowfunk99 · #7 12-08-2011, 01:55 PM

If you like one over the other can you tell why?

arai · #8 12-08-2011, 02:00 PM

Sorry.
When I was looking for an amp I tried the Genz I liked it quite a bit. But it was a bit sterile for my taste. The next amp I plugged into was the Promethean. It sounded much warmer. I also found the eq on the Promethean to more user friendly and versatile

lowfunk99 · #9 12-08-2011, 02:02 PM

Can you still get a good hifi out of the Pro?

arai · #10 12-08-2011, 02:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lowfunk99

Can you still get a good hifi out of the Pro?

I think so. Not as hi fi as the Genz.

Have you seen this youtube

FretSpot.com Amp Shootout - YouTube

christw · #11 12-08-2011, 02:21 PM

I watched a lot of videos of the Promethean and was a fan of it's tone and form factor. However, the price tag always kept me from picking up either a 110 combo + 110 or 210 combo + 210.

lowfunk99 · #12 12-08-2011, 02:48 PM

I watched the shoot out. It was very informative but you only get so much out of computer speakers...

lowfunk99 · #13 12-28-2011, 05:26 PM

I tested out the Shuttle 3.0 head and I was impressed. It needed a bit of a mid bump but damn it sounded good.

Now I need to find a Promethean to test... Anyone know of any in the Detroit area?

impactwrench · #14 12-28-2011, 05:29 PM

The shuttle is a great amp, and this is coming from a GK lover. I can get mine to go gritty, but its subtle and not very saturated.

lowfunk99 · #15 12-28-2011, 05:37 PM

I made the mistake of playing the Streamliner 9.0 before testing the Shuttle.

I was really worried that it would sound sterile but that wasn't the case at all.

LowEndMan2112 · #16 12-28-2011, 06:08 PM

I own a Shuttle 3.0 and have experience (while I don't own it) with the 10T combo as well. I can vouch for it being a fantastic little combo and IMO an even better stand alone head. If you're worried about the Shuttle not being able to get as much of a "classic" tone as the Promethean, there are a few things you could do.

A) You could pair it with a more "classic" sounding cab, such as one of the sealed Ampeg SVT210AV. I did so at a local store when testing a bunch of cabs, and this cab had me loving the mix between the sealed Ampeg tone it put out paired with the modern, hifi sounding Shuttle.

B) Stick a VT Bass in front of that bad boy. This pedal works wonders for getting an Ampeg-esque tone, and I'm sure you've read a lot of love about this pedal around TB.

Volume-wise, the 3.0-10T plus 10T extension cab really kicks. That being said, a 2x112 or 2x210 setup would achieve much more volume as speaker displacement counts for a lot, and either of those options would get you more of that than the 2x10T. Pair the head with an efficient larger cab 4 ohm (GB NeoX212T, Schroeder 1212BMF, etc.) and you'll be getting much more volume as well.

Really, there are tons of options for this head (or combo), and I doubt it'll let you down! Sorry, but I have no experience with the Promethean so I can't give any input on the comparison.

lowfunk99 · #17 12-28-2011, 06:33 PM

Now that I heard it I'm not so worried about an old school sound.

I have both the better Zoom pedals so I can give it grit if I want.

It's funny you mention the VT... I was just watching some tube on it today.

The weight of 18lbs is a big selling point.

basscooker · #18 12-28-2011, 06:34 PM

I'm a fan of my 3.0 but only with the second 10t or as a head. for a really small stiuation, the combo is ok. you need a second cab or alternate speaker config for larger stuff, but overall i like the 3.0 well enough for its features and price. same as above, i don't have any experience with the promnethean.

lowfunk99 · #19 12-28-2011, 06:36 PM

They are the same price.

I played it with the GB 4x10 and it was amazing.

LowEndMan2112 · #20 12-28-2011, 06:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lowfunk99

They are the same price.

I played it with the GB 4x10 and it was amazing.

In that case, you've experienced how loud it can get with larger cabs. I'm seriously leaning towards a modular stack consisting of 2 vertically stacked Ampeg 210AVs being pushed by the 3.0. Gives me the option of the single 210 for rehearsal and smaller gigs, and the full rig for medium/large gigs.