Genz Benz Streamliner or Ampeg Portaflex?

wshines1892 · #1 01-30-2012, 08:18 PM

Alright, I'm on the verge of pulling the trigger on an Ampeg PF500. I haven't had an opportunity to play one, but I'm getting a good deal on it and I've watched enough videos and read enough reviews to where I feel that it would be a good purchase.

Right now, however, I'm sort of lusting after the Streamliner we have at work. Good, thick, warm sound and it's plenty portable. At the moment, it's giving me "that sound." However, it's also much more expensive.

I'm just wondering, for those of you who have tried them out, how the Portaflex series compares to the Streamliner. At the moment, I can't decide whether I like it more with the gain button engaged, or running my VT Bass pedal into it. Discuss!

rodl2005 · #2 01-30-2012, 08:34 PM

I know which one I'd choose outta those 2.

PF500 for me please!

LOVE GB gear, but if thinking about the Streamliner- PLEASE try it with a band/in a live setting B4 buying!!! I LOVED the streamliner by itself, but I just could not get it to work in a band mix- too boomy & muddy.
YMMV of course.
Have NOT had this problem with the PF500(which I've gigged 2x) or with my (similar) SVT7PRO.

wshines1892 · #3 01-30-2012, 08:40 PM

I've noticed that it is rather dark sounding on its own, which I can fix with some knob twiddling, but it maintains a rather round and dark character even after that. I wouldn't describe it as a hi-fi tone by any means. I don't have any opportunities to try it live in the near future sadly.

I take it that you owned the Streamliner for a length of time? It's funny, because I didn't care much for the Shuttle at all, but thought that this thing sounded great.

**rhino333** · #4 01-30-2012, 08:56 PM

+1 PF-500

Love my PF-500. Just ordered the 115. I've been running it with my 410-HLF and never had an issue with tone or volume, except for maybe TOO much volume.

**nutdog** · #5 01-30-2012, 09:00 PM

Had both at the same time. Kept the STM. Personally I think it comes alive on a gig. Overall quality was better IMO. But I can see if you're looking for a cutting, grinding, midrangy sound how it might not be your cup of tea.

JimmyM · #6 01-30-2012, 09:09 PM

Got lots of love for Genz Benz. Either way you can't go wrong. But Ampeg stuff speaks to me in a way that nothing else does.

wshines1892 · #7 01-31-2012, 06:48 AM

I suppose the most important question is can the Ampeg do the warm and wooly, low mid oomph like the Streamliner does so well?

bassgod0dmw · #8 01-31-2012, 06:51 AM

I was in the same situation and went for the Streamliner. It took some tweaking to get it all sounding great, but boy does it work! It really sounds great in a live setting with the right cabs.

jallenbass · #9 01-31-2012, 08:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bassgod0dmw

I was in the same situation and went for the Streamliner. It took some tweaking to get it all sounding great, but boy does it work! It really sounds great in a live setting with the right cabs.

In what ways do you have to fuss with the EQ to get it to sound great in a live setting? Also, which cabs work and which ones don't?

bassgod0dmw · #10 01-31-2012, 09:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jallenbass

In what ways do you have to fuss with the EQ to get it to sound great in a live setting? Also, which cabs work and which ones don't?

It's better to check out the megathread or the tone primer thread for specifics for both of those questions.

The amp can be bass heavy, so a lot of people think it sounds muddy when using their "standard" eq. IME, setting everything at noon doesn't go over so well, same with pairing the head with a scooped mid cab or a very bass heavy cab. I didn't like it with my usual Aggie GS112's (low end heavy and slightly scooped) but I love it with Bag End S15D's.

KJung · #11 01-31-2012, 10:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jallenbass

In what ways do you have to fuss with the EQ to get it to sound great in a live setting? Also, which cabs work and which ones don't?

No more than any other head. However, as posted above, it is a more classic tone stack, so there is a LOT of sound in the 11 to 1 o'clock settings, and the tone controls are highly interactive among themselves and with the gain setting. It really is vibed and voiced to mimic a big all tube amp, and hence, cabinets that seem to work best with the Streamliner are also the ones that seem to work best with all tube heads... a bit tighter voiced, one way or mid driver (no tweeter) and a bit of a bump from the top of the driver's upper midrange response.

JimmyM · #12 01-31-2012, 10:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wshines1892

I suppose the most important question is can the Ampeg do the warm and wooly, low mid oomph like the Streamliner does so well?

Ampeg invented warm and wooly low mid oomph. Of course it can!

Mastermold · #13 01-31-2012, 11:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wshines1892

Alright, I'm on the verge of pulling the trigger on an Ampeg PF500. I haven't had an opportunity to play one, but I'm getting a good deal on it and I've watched enough videos and read enough reviews to where I feel that it would be a good purchase.

Right now, however, I'm sort of lusting after the Streamliner we have at work. Good, thick, warm sound and it's plenty portable. At the moment, it's giving me "that sound." However, it's also much more expensive.

I'm just wondering, for those of you who have tried them out, how the Portaflex series compares to the Streamliner. At the moment, I can't decide whether I like it more with the gain button engaged, or running my VT Bass pedal into it. Discuss!

I loved the Streamliner everytime I've played one. It's my favorite micro head right now. If you're already digging the tone, seems like a safe choice for you. The PF500 gets lots of praise too, I haven't played one but you should probably try one if you can before making your choice.

Mastermold · #14 01-31-2012, 11:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rodl2005

I know which one I'd choose outta those 2.

PF500 for me please!

LOVE GB gear, but if thinking about the Streamliner- PLEASE try it with a band/in a live setting B4 buying!!! I LOVED the streamliner by itself, but I just could not get it to work in a band mix- too boomy & muddy.
YMMV of course.

I remember you posted about this. What bass (basses?) and cabs were you playing with it? I'm wondering whether the matchup was the culprit more than the head itself.

wshines1892 · #15 01-31-2012, 04:58 PM

Any opinions on how the compressor is on this guy by the way?

JimmyM · #16 01-31-2012, 05:02 PM

Never liked any onboard compressors on any amps, but as far as the one on the PF500, it's better than most.

wshines1892 · #17 02-02-2012, 08:29 AM

Well I did it! I ordered the PF500. Now to impatiently watch the UPS tracking screen until Tuesday...

Mannishboy · #18 02-04-2012, 02:58 PM

Keep us posted. I think you'll love it (I own two PF-500s)!

dukeorock · #19 02-04-2012, 03:03 PM

I don't think you coulda gone wrong either way...both are awesome.

I still don't get the folks saying STM's are too 'boomy and muddy.' It's my favorite micro and you can get so many different colors out of it...