Markbass to Genz move... a bit wary!

Irishbass · #1 09-15-2011, 11:48 AM

Would moving from an LMII to a Streamliner be a very radical move coming from someone who still enjoys the depth and punch of the Markbass... but kinda craves some of that lovely tubey warmth as well? It would probably be a bit wasted on me to be honest as I would never go for any overdrive or dirt in my tone... but I do love a warm punch which the Markbass kinda gets near it but not quite... would the Shuttle 9 be a better compromise? Reason I'm asking is there is one of each of the Genz's available second hand here in Europe but not close enough for me to try out first!!

KJung · #2 09-15-2011, 12:56 PM

IMO, the move from the LMII to the Streamliner would be much more radical (using your words) than to the Shuttle.

If the LMII/III is giving you all the volume you need, and you like the general tone, do what many have done... get a VT pedal in front of it and be happy!!!!

If you want a radical change to a much bigger, deeper, wider, all tube amp emulation thing, you might really dig the Streamliner. I have it in addition to my Markbass head (in my case, the F500), since they each do what they do VERY well, but can't really do what the other does.

soxhats · #3 09-15-2011, 04:32 PM

Irishbass, I have an LMII (well, as part of the CMD 121 combo) as well as the Streamliner 900. Would echo what the one and only KJung said in that they each do their thing, and do it well. I myself tend to use the STM900 when I want a little dirt, and the Mark Bass when I want a little more clean.

Irishbass · #4 09-15-2011, 05:06 PM

Mmmm... maybe I will get the VT pedal and try that route... the LMII certainly has enough power for my gigs... I've been using a little GK MB200 alot lately on smaller gigs and I really like the tone, its everything the LMII isnt really, the bottom is much more bloomy and warm sounding and there is just a hint of compression ( or so it seems ) with the contour on... I guess maybe I'm just going for a different tone these days... which is why I've started sniffing around other heads such as Genz etc.. the Streamliner 900 I'm looking at is at a good price which is another appeal... I think I am still a bit wary tho that it might be too much of what the MB200 does and that if I sell my LMII I'll regret it... cant really afford to keep both at the moment...

pablomigraine · #5 09-15-2011, 05:09 PM

You wont regret the move. Markbass makes very good heads and mediocre cabinets. GB makes great heads and amazing cabinets.

EDIT: IMHO / IME / YMMV / ROLFMAO / DONKEYAPPLES

TC.65 · #6 09-15-2011, 08:55 PM

I still say the Streamliner is more versatile than most people give it credit for. The cabs you use with it does make a difference though.

chuck3 · #7 09-15-2011, 09:02 PM

It's a great question. I have an LM II which I like but don't use for gigs. I use a Shuttle 6.0 with an EBS ValveDrive (tube preamp) in front of it. I'm GAS-ing for a Streamliner but I'm not there yet. So I'm not in the best position to answer your question, but I will say that in the main I like Genz Benz better than LittleMark. Probably not for the same reasons as most people. I find the Genz Benz very neutral and clean, so I can play that way or if I add color, I get the color I add. The LM II gives you a lot of color options but I find they are harder to predict and control than on the Genz. Very subjective but I hope that helps.

For cabs - my main cab with the Genz/EBS setup is actually a Schroeder 212, the kind with one speaker diagonal. I find for the size, weight and price it kicks butt. I have plenty of Genz Benz cabs as well, however, and they are all very good. I've never tried a MB cab.

gillento · #8 09-15-2011, 10:25 PM

Well, I sold my MB SA450 when I got my SL600.
But now I am missing the Markbass for cleaner sounds, tighter sounds

I should have kept both.... now that the SA450 is discontinued!

Gibbsalot · #9 09-15-2011, 10:43 PM

I have an SA450 and Streamliner 900, at first I did not enjoy the streamliner but in the band setting it filled out the sound immensely with a comfy smooth tone, I go back to the SA450 now and feel it is too harsh....took a while to get to that point though.

chaosMK · #10 09-16-2011, 01:14 AM

It's hard to get a bad sound out of the Streamliner. If I get another amp, that would be my top choice.

rodl2005 · #11 09-16-2011, 02:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chaosMK

It's hard to get a bad sound out of the Streamliner.

Not for me it wasn't. Great amp, the STL, but voiced wrong for me & my playing.
I tried lots of cabs/basses/EQs, just couldn't get a good sound for a band mix.(sounded great on its own).
I understand heaps of ppl like the STL, & as I said, it is a great amp.
Just didn't work for me.
The GB Shuttle does tho

jasper383 · #12 09-16-2011, 05:09 AM

I have a LMII, and the VT Bass in front of it has been a revelation. Overdrive, dirt, tubey warmth. Everything you are looking for is in the LMII with a VT in front of it.

Irishbass · #13 09-16-2011, 05:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jasper383

I have a LMII, and the VT Bass in front of it has been a revelation. Overdrive, dirt, tubey warmth. Everything you are looking for is in the LMII with a VT in front of it.

The only bit I need really is the "tubey warmth" part, never really need any dirt with the music I play... so I checked out the VT, are most guys using the regular version or the programmable (more expensive) one?

rodl2005 · #14 09-16-2011, 05:59 AM

Either, if you want 6 presets........DLX, I used the regular one for a cuppla yrs, great for some tubey-ness & not necessarily grind

TC.65 · #15 09-16-2011, 03:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jasper383

I have a LMII, and the VT Bass in front of it has been a revelation. Overdrive, dirt, tubey warmth. Everything you are looking for is in the LMII with a VT in front of it.

The Streamliner can do all that without a pedal.

kasbrey · #16 09-16-2011, 04:05 PM

Instead of the VT bass check out the DHA VT1 bass EQ DI for nearly the same price this side of the Atlantic.
Real tube and great tone, clean and overdrive. Clean into my LM11 = fantastic !

WJGreer · #17 09-16-2011, 04:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Irishbass

Would moving from an LMII to a Streamliner be a very radical move coming from someone who still enjoys the depth and punch of the Markbass... but kinda craves some of that lovely tubey warmth as well? It would probably be a bit wasted on me to be honest as I would never go for any overdrive or dirt in my tone... but I do love a warm punch which the Markbass kinda gets near it but not quite... would the Shuttle 9 be a better compromise? Reason I'm asking is there is one of each of the Genz's available second hand here in Europe but not close enough for me to try out first!!

I moved from an F1 to a Shuttle 9 about a year ago. I also had a LMII.

Frankly, to my ears the amps are more similar than different, but I find the Shuttle to be just a little warmer and to have a little prettier high end; maybe with the slightest touch of scoop in comparison, although still in the neighborhood of a midrange forward amp. Between the F1 and the LMII, I did the Markbass thing for about 4 years, and I never completely liked the tone - just a little flat sounding to me.

I really like the Shuttle, and for what it's worth, it seems to do a little better with an 8 ohm load than either Markbass did. I can play a gig with a pretty loud drummer through a single 8 ohm 2x10 with that amp if I have to, and it's just barely loud enough. I don't think the Markbass amps would have been.

No Streamliner experience, sorry. I'd think that would be a much bigger shift, though.

mysticalcracker · #18 09-17-2011, 12:53 PM

I have what may be a stupid question, but I am looking at the Shuttle 9.0, and I wonder if it is ok to just use it as a DI for recording, and not running it into a cab. Right now we are just recording using headphones, but I figure that eventually I will be playing out.

chuck3 · #19 09-17-2011, 12:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mysticalcracker

I wonder if it is ok to just use it as a DI for recording.

Yes, it will do that. You can find the manual online at the Genz Benz website. Take a look at how the DI works.

agedhorse · #20 09-17-2011, 04:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mysticalcracker

I have what may be a stupid question, but I am looking at the Shuttle 9.0, and I wonder if it is ok to just use it as a DI for recording, and not running it into a cab.

Yes, it will do this with no problem. No speaker is necessary.