GenzBenz Shuttle 6.0 or GK MB500

bass4u · #1 03-06-2011, 06:51 AM

Anyone have any experience with these two amps in a live band situation? I am wondering which amp has the highest output at 4 ohms. I have a GK MB500 and have been looking at the GB as an alternate amp to use. I really like the GB overdriven tube sound compared to the GK's "boost" channel sound. Any opinions appreciated.

CLMSHQ · #2 03-06-2011, 08:22 AM

I was going to take the plunge on one of these as well, UNTIL I heard the Genz Streamline 600...my goodness...the tube like tone from these sound amazing!

Zitch · #3 03-06-2011, 08:31 AM

Im a GK fan, but i've been fairly impressed by a buddies shuttle, if I had to choose I think I would go with the Genz in this case.

**ddbassGA** · #4 03-06-2011, 08:49 AM

Have the Shuttle 6.0 but haven't tried the MB 500. With no tube I don't believe the 500 will do what the Shuttle does in terms of "GB overdriven tube sound," which is great. I picked up a GK MB Fusion and I'm A-Bing for a while to decide which to keep. I like them both and could live with either one. I like the Genz alot -- more intuitive tone shaping to my mind anyway, and it sounds great. But I like the MB Fusion sound better overall, once I got used to the controls. More tubey, as you might expect, with 3 tubes instead of 1. I haven't figured which is louder; each is louder than I need. I also like the GK form factor and knobs better than the Shuttle, but that's not really a factor for me.

I suppose the correct comparison would be the MB Fusion against the Streamliner 6.0, both with 3-tube preamps but I haven't heard a Streamliner. The reviews here are good.

chuck3 · #5 03-06-2011, 08:53 AM

I haven't tried the GK, but my workhorse amp is a Genz Benz Shuttle 6.0 into a 4-ohm cab - a Schroeder 212. I've never had to turn it up more than halfway and it has been plenty loud for every situation I've played. I don't play arenas but this does include large, open bar/restaurant situations where the sound needs to go quite a way.

Medford Bassman · #6 03-06-2011, 09:03 AM

I've used a Shuttle 6.0 for 3 years now at countless gigs. Never a failure. Loud and punchy. I use it with a NEO 212 cabinet. I've never had a situation where I couldn't be heard without PA support.

And I · #7 03-06-2011, 09:05 AM

the shuttle does have an extra 100 watts at 4 ohms but if you run them both through the same speakers one probably wouldn't be any significantly louder than the other. which/how many speakers you're driving will have the largest effect on volume with 2 similar heads like these. both can make nice clean sounds as loud as you're likely to need. but they have very different "overdriven" characters though, so i think it's all about whether you prefer the grind of the GK or the fuzzywool of the Benz...

zac2944 · #8 03-06-2011, 09:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bass4u

Anyone have any experience with these two amps in a live band situation? I am wondering which amp has the highest output at 4 ohms. I have a GK MB500 and have been looking at the GB as an alternate amp to use. I really like the GB overdriven tube sound compared to the GK's "boost" channel sound. Any opinions appreciated.

I own and have been gigging with both for years now. IMHO, their similarities far exceed their differences. I know TBers love to get into the nits and nats of subtle tonal differences and use words like warmth, chewy, punch, hifi, etc, but I'll spare you. The biggest difference to me is that the MB500 is a bit smaller. Both amps are great. You really can't go wrong.