Genz Benz Streamliner 600 vs. Ashdown ABM EVO II 500

indiefan4000 · #1 06-20-2011, 08:45 AM

I am a proud owner of the Ashdown, but its so dang heavy. It would be nice to have a more portable, "streamlined" amp. It would also be nice to have 3 tubes in the preamp (genz benz) as opposed to one tube (ashdown).

Lately the singular tube in the Ashdown hasn't been doing it for me. I recently got an EBS ValveDrive and that has been great. I love tube drive but I still need more. Do the two extra tubes on the Genz Benz make that much of a difference when it comes to good overdriven tones? I'm not in any hurry, and I've never played anything by Genz Benz, but I might be open to an even trade if one came along and I'm putting feelers out to see if it would be worth it. I like warm, vintage Ashdown tone. I'd like to add some more dirt in the way of tube drive. I know pedals can help, but I can get another thread going on that.

Please vote in the pole if you have at least played both brands, preferably both models.

**FunkyMcNasty** · #2 06-20-2011, 09:08 AM

Have not played the Ashdown but the streamliner is sweet. I have not found a sound that I don't like on it. I am running it through a GS112 but am thinking about getting the UBER 410. If you like that tube sound, then go for it. But I might add that you can get a very clean tone also. Just my two cents.

indiefan4000 · #3 06-20-2011, 09:11 AM

What kind of overdrive tones do you get? Can you still tell that its just a driven tube, or does it sound like you kicked on a nasty overdrive pedal when you run the tubes at full gain?

**FunkyMcNasty** · #4 06-20-2011, 09:43 AM

Ed Freedland did a nice review on the SL900 where he gets a nasty tone that he called "face melt" I have not been able to get that nasty of a tone but it gets gritty.
YouTube - ‪Genz Benz Streamliner 900‬&rlm;

steve_rolfeca · #5 06-20-2011, 09:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by indiefan4000

What kind of overdrive tones do you get? Can you still tell that its just a driven tube, or does it sound like you kicked on a nasty overdrive pedal when you run the tubes at full gain?

That's such a loaded question. What's your idea of a "nasty" OD? Something that flirts with fuzz pedal territory, or something more subtle? Grainy vs smooth, mid-boosted vs scooped, dynamic vs compressed...

If you give us an idea of what pedals you like, it would be helpful.

ToneFreak11 · #6 06-20-2011, 10:49 AM

The Streamliner is great, you won't regret buying it.

noahw1 · #7 06-20-2011, 11:20 AM

I'm not crazy about the overdriven tone of the Streamliner (it definitely grinds) but when I've put my Boss ODB-3 in front of it the overdriven tones have been incredible. I think the overall gain structure and tone of the amp reacts very well with OD and distortion pedals.

indiefan4000 · #8 06-20-2011, 11:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by steve_rolfeca

That's such a loaded question. What's your idea of a "nasty" OD? Something that flirts with fuzz pedal territory, or something more subtle? Grainy vs smooth, mid-boosted vs scooped, dynamic vs compressed...

If you give us an idea of what pedals you like, it would be helpful.

To me, "nasty" is lots of harmonics/overtones, mid-boosted, pretty compressed, full, and thick. If you've heard the EBS ValveDrive, I really like that. It's not as crazy as I'm going for, but has great tube warmth and fullness.

I don't care much for the SansAmp Bass Driver or BOSS ODB-3 drive tones. Owned both, just not my cup of tea.

Flirting with fuzz could be cool...I'd prefer to use the term "dripping with saturation" if that makes any sense haha

BigOldHarry · #9 06-20-2011, 11:59 AM

I too am very happy with my good old ABM, but if I had to choose today, I'd get the GB. No, I'm not GOING to because that would mean selling my head and adding $$$ - but if I didn't have a head, I'd get the GB. Nice & light, and I've heard it live (at a gig) and actually played it a bit (sitting in at a gig). Very nice head.

pablomigraine · #10 06-20-2011, 12:36 PM

Having owned and gigged both for a while, I will say the winner is not so clear cut....

Ashdown, as a company, has mired itself in a bunch of bad moves in recent years, but seems to have cleaned thier act up recently. The ABM series was positioned as a serious Ampeg alternative and it delivers on that front... Like the Ampegs.... these are some of the most "colored" heads you can get.... even more so than the Ampeg. The ABM slathers on the sonic sauce plenty heavy... and produces a really thick nice tone. Its often more versatile than the Ampegs as well.

The Streamliner is not nearly as colored, but is considerably louder... the SL also isnt as felxible as the ABM... but you honestly cant get a bad sound out of it no matter where you set the dials... and just oozes with tubey goodness... as where the Ashdown's goodness is something other than tubey... if that makes sense.

In the end I'd go for the Streamliner....

jeff7bass · #11 06-20-2011, 12:54 PM

GB, and I don't mean the Green Bay Packers (boooooooo!). : )

**nostatic** · #12 06-20-2011, 03:40 PM

I owned the ABM-500, currently have the S900. Hard to do direct comparison because my entire setup has changed (basses and cabs). With my old rig I had a hard time finding fault with the ABM-500 other than weight. I loved the sound of it. The S900 is a great amp and is way more "tubey" than the Ashdown. I think the AMB-500 was a little more flexible, but 900W @ 8lbs vs 500W @ 31lbs? No contest - 31lbs loses. I gig 2-3 times a week so every pound counts.

steve_rolfeca · #13 06-20-2011, 05:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by indiefan4000

To me, "nasty" is lots of harmonics/overtones, mid-boosted, pretty compressed, full, and thick. If you've heard the EBS ValveDrive, I really like that. It's not as crazy as I'm going for, but has great tube warmth and fullness.

If the EBS ValveDrive isn't enough, then neither amp will so the job alone. You're going to have to layer a pedal on top of the amp's natural compression and overdrive.

With that in mind, I would go with the Streamliner as the basic platform to build my tone.

indiefan4000 · #14 06-20-2011, 09:42 PM

Thanks guys! This really helps alot. Now I know which direction to start saving. It's gonna take a lot of saving...

rodl2005 · #15 06-21-2011, 12:15 AM

I own a STL-600 & the Ashdown ABM900 EVOii & IMO the Asdown's Tube OD sounds a LOT more like an all tube amp being pushed than the STL. The STL IS great & for its size etc = fantastic, but for a VALVE grind -my ears tell me the Ashdown does it FAR more like a SVT being pushed, rahter than the rahter 'buzzy' STL's OD.
I've owned ALL tube amps all my life too- from 50w AUS made's to SVTII non-pro(non master vol.)
YMMV of course.

scowboy · #16 06-21-2011, 05:32 AM

I love my ABM500 and don't find it that heavy. It's got my vote.

rodl2005 · #17 06-21-2011, 05:37 AM

Outta the two I'm gonna vote for the STL-600- mainly due to its size, power & versatility. But for just overdrive, the Ashdown wins imo. + it's got great warm tone too! I also agree, it isn't heavy either, he's my brother.