If not Genz Benz, than what?

[SteveC]

In the endless quest for tone I have changed basses a lot, but haven't really changed amps much. I have been using Genz Benz for a long time - from Neo-Paks to Max's to combos. I think they are nice amps, the guys are amazing, outstanding CS, etc. I have bragged then up, recommended them, etc.

As I am still not completely happy with my sound (I may never be but that's another thread) I am wondering if I need to try another amp? The thing is, I feel kind of guilty about going to another brand. Also, GB is about the only decent amp that is carried locally. The other choices are Fender, Line 6, MESA.

I used Eden before I went to GB - like many people. I have also used SWR and some pre/power rigs like Demeter and Crown. I am not a big tube fan at all. I lik ethe SS/FET sound. Clean, full, no effects. I play a lot of jazz, soul, R&B and light rock/pop covers.

Any thoughts? And how do I get rid of the guilty feeling? agedhorse and hasbeen are so nice.

[jnewmark]

I tried GB heads, the Shuttle 6 and 9, and went with MarkBass, the F1 head. It is the only amp I have ever tried that sounded good right out of the box, with little or no tweaking. Oh yeah, the 4.5 lbs does'nt hurt either. As far as the guilt stuff goes, you're on you're own.

[Medford Bassman]

What exactly is the problem you're having with GB amps?

[Vinny D]

For solid state if you have never tried (or haven't in a while) the GK800RB is still around for a reason....they sound amazing.

I also have been pleased with the Mark Bass LMIII & F1 heads.

For a preamp only the SWR Marcus Miller is fantastic.

I myself have seriously been considering picking up a GK800RB, it simply just gets the job done with great tone.

[ErnieD]

I wouldn't feel that bad about trying other brands. I've seen threads where even hasbeen (roger) mentions other gear brands he himself owns and he speaks well of them too. So he/they/we all know alot of gear out there is available to bassists these days. I say, great time for bassist' for sure.

I have owned 3 GB amp heads, still own Neopak. And 4 GB cabs, still own 3 of them. No issues with any of those items, just trying the different offerings within thier product line. And still looking forward to trying more of it.

I presently own Eden, Markbass, Carvin heads and cabs. And in the past Peavey, Kustom and GK as well. I feel very loyal to Genz due to their fantastic CS I've experienced personally on a few occasions. And I found their accessibility just here on TB made it easy to get to know their gear better with info coming directly from the source. I found that quite helpful and was a big incentive to buy their gear.

But that fact that I still own and gig, as many others do, GB gear while trying other brands still speaks to the quality of product and service GB has offered over the years to many.

And I imagine the new product(s) they put out, another NAMM coming up if you care to wait, will attract new clients as well as those of us that want to try some of the new product designs they introduce. So though you may stray to other brands, I expect you'd remain a loyal customer if you see something else of theirs you'd like to try out in the future due to the past experience of dealing with that great company.

Sorta keeps the music industry on its' toes and GB is tops on listening to what musicians are looking for. Enjoy it all.

[datsaxguy]

GK800rb for 4 string players

GK1001rb for 5 string players

Reliable Good clean power at a reasonable price. Besides my 2 cent product recommendation, try everything out there, be patient, see if you can try some other bass players rigs. Talk to as many people as you can. You will find what you are looking for.

Datsaxguy

[Double Agent]

Originally Posted by Medford Bassman

What exactly is the problem you're having with GB amps?

I would rephrase this to ask, what about your tone would like to change?

This is an important question as it will help steer you in the right direction. My personal experience was that I went from a Genz-Benz GBE600 to a MB LMII. There are aspects of the LMII that I prefer, but I sometimes miss the 'tight' low end that I got from my Genz. The LMII is deeper and smoother, and probably a bit more versatile as it can do the modern and vintage sounds pretty comfortably. But, there is something wonderful about the Genz tone that I miss. I guess I feel like the stock Genz tone is "MY" tone, but the LMII might actually be a better fit for the bands that I play in. So, even if it doesn't suit ME as well I'd like it to, the LMII suits a lot of the music I play perfectly well and I'm OK with that.

At some point, though, you just have to play what you have and figure out a way to make it work for you as long as it matches your size/volume needs. Tone dragons are hard, if not impossible, to catch and we would all benefit from worrying less about our gear and more about our playing. Just so we're clear, I don't always follow this advice very well either, but that doesn't make it any less wise.

[RColie]

Originally Posted by SteveC

In the endless quest for tone I have changed basses a lot, but haven't really changed amps much. I have been using Genz Benz for a long time - from Neo-Paks to Max's to combos. I think they are nice amps, the guys are amazing, outstanding CS, etc. I have bragged then up, recommended them, etc.

As I am still not completely happy with my sound (I may never be but that's another thread) I am wondering if I need to try another amp? The thing is, I feel kind of guilty about going to another brand. Also, GB is about the only decent amp that is carried locally. The other choices are Fender, Line 6, MESA.

I used Eden before I went to GB - like many people. I have also used SWR and some pre/power rigs like Demeter and Crown. I am not a big tube fan at all. I lik ethe SS/FET sound. Clean, full, no effects. I play a lot of jazz, soul, R&B and light rock/pop covers.

Any thoughts? And how do I get rid of the guilty feeling? agedhorse and hasbeen are so nice.

I hear you, Steve. I currently use GB amps and cabinets exclusively, and I could be happy with that indefinitely. I wrestle with two demons - the guilt of trying something other than GB, and the never-ending quest for the "tone in my head". I'm not a fan-boy or an endorser - I just think GB makes great products (I like their sound) and gives great service and they have earned my business.

I've been looking hard at Duke's new Thunderchild cabinet because it is reported to have a very strong low end for it's size, a fairly smooth response curve, and a lot of SPL for its size/weight. But then the twin demon strikes - it isn't GB, and will this gear flipping ever end.

Good luck in your quest - whatever I do I'll continue using GB heads and I'll keep at least some GB cabinets, even if I add a Thunderchild or two.

Bob

[georgestrings]

Originally Posted by SteveC

Any thoughts? And how do I get rid of the guilty feeling? agedhorse and hasbeen are so nice.

Yeah, you're falling for the age old trap of the eternal tone quest... What's worked for me is owning atleast 2 different amps, and different cabs - that way, I can change up as I feel like it... For example, I have a Mesa BB750 which is pretty "tubey", without weighing as much as an SVT - and a G-K 700rb-II for the clean, SS sound with available grind... and for cabs, I use either an 810, 610, 215, or 115 - depending on the situation...

Regarding guilt towards the Genz crew - can't help you with that one, bud - I've owned a few of their amps, and they were all very well built - just not the tone I was looking for... I've got a bit of that guilt also, though - Jeff, Andy, and Roger were all fantastic to me, even though the G-B amps I owned were all bought used... I really like their gear, and LOVE the company - and truly appreciate the effort they put forth to help their customers... I don't own any G-B amps at the present - but could certainly see picking up a Shuttle to have a micro amp on hand...


- georgestrings

[SteveC]

Originally Posted by Medford Bassman

What exactly is the problem you're having with GB amps?

I guess I'm finding the Shuttle 12 cab a little "boxy" or "mid strong" for me. I like the bigger cabs, but I don't need/want a big cab. My amp is a monitor most of the time. It's maybe not so much the amp as the current cab I am using.

[SteveC]

I guess I'm the only one who really hears anything wrong. Most everyone I play with has nothing but nice things to say about my sound, so it's probably much ado about nothing. I don't plan on changing just to change until I find something that peaks my interest. Unfortunately, I won't find it locally. Not a lot of choice here. Thank goodness we at least have GB stuff available. Maybe I'll see if winter NAMM brings anything interesting to market.

[woody357]

I see a few post for the GK 800rb, well I use it, and I play the same stuff that Steve plays. IMHO the 800RB is too clean, I love it when I'm doing Jazz, because I never know when I'll take a solo, but for R&B/Funk it doesn't have that Fat bottom with punch. I'm looking into trying a Carvin BX500. I have read some good things about it, and I have something like ten days to send it back if i don't like it.

[tallboybass]

Steve, it's amazing how much 'gear lust' TalkBass can generate. I know you used a 3.0-10T for quite a while and were quite pleased with it. I have found a GAS-killing amp (for me) in the GK MB212. I also own a 3.0-10T for the quiet stuff and consider my amp search 'done' for now.

As far as guilt, Agedhorse and Hasbeen would be the first to tell you to try everything you can and get what works for you.

I'm feelin' your pain though.

[georgestrings]

Originally Posted by SteveC

I guess I'm finding the Shuttle 12 cab a little "boxy" or "mid strong" for me. I like the bigger cabs, but I don't need/want a big cab. My amp is a monitor most of the time. It's maybe not so much the amp as the current cab I am using.

My guess would be that you *want* big cab tone, but don't want to deal with the hassles that go with it - can't win 'em all, dude...



- georgestrings

[Bassdirty]

If money no object..I vote Mesa.
Not sure if the tone is as "versatile" as the GB...but the tone they have is usually Delicious.

JMO

[MikeBass]

Originally Posted by Vinny D

For solid state if you have never tried (or haven't in a while) the GK800RB is still around for a reason....they sound amazing.

I also have been pleased with the Mark Bass LMIII & F1 heads.

For a preamp only the SWR Marcus Miller is fantastic.

I myself have seriously been considering picking up a GK800RB, it simply just gets the job done with great tone.

800RB and call it a day.
Or a Shuttle 9.0!

[SteveC]

Originally Posted by georgestrings

My guess would be that you *want* big cab tone, but don't want to deal with the hassles that go with it - can't win 'em all, dude...

I think this is a very fair statement.

[SteveC]

Originally Posted by tallboybass

Steve, it's amazing how much 'gear lust' TalkBass can generate. I know you used a 3.0-10T for quite a while and were quite pleased with it. I have found a GAS-killing amp (for me) in the GK MB212. I also own a 3.0-10T for the quiet stuff and consider my amp search 'done' for now.

As far as guilt, Agedhorse and Hasbeen would be the first to tell you to try everything you can and get what works for you.

I'm feelin' your pain though.

I have been thinking of going back to a 3.0-10T and maybe an extension cab. I think I talked myself into "needing" a little more for non-PA gigs - hence the 6.0-12T - but all the guys around here use amps like the 3.0-10T for the kind of gigs I do and sound great.

As far as gear lust, I am doing my best. I am "settling" for my Yamaha BB605 with the Bart mods as my bass. It's tried and true and lasted longer than anything - including boutiques. I would like to get an amp that would be the same thing.

[KsPiNeSh]

Used to play Eden, dig Genz but feel they're perhaps a bit mid-rich... my personal suggestion would be to get ahold of a used Mesa Carbine amp. Same tonal direction as Eden and Genz, but a different flavor - a bit smoother, a bit bigger down low, a little lower in the mix (IMO and IME). I absolutely my Genz gear, but my Carbines are great compliments, and based on your comments here you may enjoy them.

[Freddels]

Mesa Walkabout Scout 12 or the Markbass Jeff Berlin model.