Genz Streamline 600 or GK MB Fusion

[CLMSHQ]

I know....It all depends what YOU like will be the replies, but I am looking for Help here. As I have not played any of these and only heard-seen clips, I want to order one of these in the very near future. Not sure which one.

Can I get Pros-Cons with either of these...my only issue that I see is that the GB SL-600 is about $250 more than the GK MB Fusion. All I know is I like the portabability of my MarkBass LMIII, but tone is not there for me after several tricks noted from previous posts. I play mostly Classic Rock, Blues and Soul.

I play MIA Fender Jazz and a 50's Classic P. I use a 112 in 8ohms, and for gigs I use a 410 in 4ohms..both are Avatar Cabs.

[tombowlus]

The MB Fusion has that somewhat bright, aggressive, growly GK tone, and the tube preamp introduces a lot of harmonic content. The "tube tone impact" on the MB Fusion reminds me somewhat of good home audio tube gear, where you get a sense of "sonic texture" and a more "3D" soundfield. This is all within the context of the "GK tone" (see above), though you certainly can dial in plenty of low end (especially with the Deep switch), and it is not thin at all. This amp is massively loud.

The Streamliners (both 600 and 900) have an inherently more warm/round/vintage tone, though not overly muddy. To my ears, they definitely sound different from other Genz-Benz heads, most of which are more clear and bright when compared to the Streamliner.

You can get a wide variety of tones from both heads, including some fairly overdriven tones. But I do think it will come down to your own personal preferences. You can probably dial them in to make one sound a good bit closer to the other, but they each have their own "comfort zone" - the GK is more bright, aggressive, articulate, and harmonically rich; the SL is more warm, round, smooth, and "vintage" sounding.

That's my take, at least. YMMV.

[Mojo-Man]

Originally Posted by tombowlus

The MB Fusion has that somewhat bright, aggressive, growly GK tone, and the tube preamp introduces a lot of harmonic content. The "tube tone impact" on the MB Fusion reminds me somewhat of good home audio tube gear, where you get a sense of "sonic texture" and a more "3D" soundfield. This is all within the context of the "GK tone" (see above), though you certainly can dial in plenty of low end (especially with the Deep switch), and it is not thin at all. This amp is massively loud.

The Streamliners (both 600 and 900) have an inherently more warm/round/vintage tone, though not overly muddy. To my ears, they definitely sound different from other Genz-Benz heads, most of which are more clear and bright when compared to the Streamliner.

You can get a wide variety of tones from both heads, including some fairly overdriven tones. But I do think it will come down to your own personal preferences. You can probably dial them in to make one sound a good bit closer to the other, but they each have their own "comfort zone" - the GK is more bright, aggressive, articulate, and harmonically rich; the SL is more warm, round, smooth, and "vintage" sounding.

That's my take, at least. YMMV.

+1
Just got a SL 600.
I'm a tube, Ampeg, SA200, DB750, guy.
And for me, the SL600, is as close to these heads, in a small,
light-weight package, (6 lbs)
As I've played.
I love mine.

[JxBass]

If you like your LMIII then I believe you'd prefer the tone of the Streamliner; it takes the LMII/III tone to a new level, IMO. My LMII will be for sale soon because of my Streamliner 900.

Actually, my LMII went into backup mode when I got my Shuttle 9. The Streamliner moved the Shuttle 9 into backup position and the LMII as odd man out

[KJung]

I too played an LMII for many years and still think that is a great amp. +1 to the above post. The LMII is warm, fat, smooth, and a bit tubey-clean, and puts out quite a wump. The Streamliner is warmer, fatter, smoother, mega tubey, and puts out even more of a big wump (and can grind like a buzz saw if that's your thing).

Also, I think you are comparing the Streamliner list price to the GK MBFusion discounted price. I believe the GK MBFusion and Streamliner 600 are about the same price. Check with Greg at Rocket Music if you are interested in the Streamliner.

The GK micro's are quite a different thing... bright and upper mid grindy and super present up top, with a big but not particularly 'round and warm' low end. Just a different thing versus the fat, warm, and somewhat 'vintage' sounding Streamliner.

[CLMSHQ]

Kjung,
The GB Streamline 600 is about $850 and the GK MBFusion is $699 so it is about $150 difference. my bad math.

No biggie, but you were probably referring to the Shuttle 6.0 as they are the same price as the GK-MBFusion. The Genz Benz Shuttle 6.0 I have been considering as well, from a previous post that you had answered me on. BUT after seeing the video of you playing your Steamline 900 and Ed F. reveiewing his on YouTube...that nails the sound I once had with my Fender Bassman 300T. I miss that sound.

For what it's worth, my next step is getting rid of my Avatar 410 and having 2 112 to go with it.

Any other suggestions? If You were to get an idea of the sound I am looking for some examples would be:
Eagles-Heartache, James Jamerson-What's Going On, War-Spill the Wine. All of these nail down the sound I am after.

[nemo]

Originally Posted by CLMSHQ

Any other suggestions? If You were to get an idea of the sound I am looking for some examples would be:
Eagles-Heartache, James Jamerson-What's Going On, War-Spill the Wine. All of these nail down the sound I am after.

First of all, get the flatwound strings for this sound - if you don't play them yet..

Otherwise, having heard these two heads only from samples, not in person, I would say both can get you there, but Streamliner might be a closer call.
Check here:
Comparison - Streamliner played in one set, MB Fusion in other

[KJung]

Originally Posted by CLMSHQ

Kjung,
The GB Streamline 600 is about $850 and the GK MBFusion is $699 so it is about $150 difference. my bad math.

No biggie, but you were probably referring to the Shuttle 6.0 as they are the same price as the GK-MBFusion. The Genz Benz Shuttle 6.0 I have been considering as well, from a previous post that you had answered me on. BUT after seeing the video of you playing your Steamline 900 and Ed F. reveiewing his on YouTube...that nails the sound I once had with my Fender Bassman 300T. I miss that sound.

For what it's worth, my next step is getting rid of my Avatar 410 and having 2 112 to go with it.

Any other suggestions? If You were to get an idea of the sound I am looking for some examples would be:
Eagles-Heartache, James Jamerson-What's Going On, War-Spill the Wine. All of these nail down the sound I am after.

From you song examples, Streamliner by a VERY wide margin.

And, check with other retailers on that pricing

[JxBass]

Originally Posted by KJung

And, check with other retailers on that pricing

+1. You can get a new Streamliner 600 on eBay for $699 with free shipping.

[Tunaman]

Call Ye Olde Music Shoppe in SC or Red Dirt Brothers Guitars in OK, be amazed, place your order.