Mesa Boogie Walkabout Scout 1x12 vs. Genz Benz shuttle 6 1x12?

TwinBass · #1 02-02-2012, 01:15 AM

I'm thinking about buying a new rig. I currently play Peavey and have been for nearly twenty years. I like it, but it's getting to be too much amp for me. I'm looking to downsize (size and weight) and upgrade (tone) at the same time... it's time for an overhaul.

I'm looking at the Mesa Walkabout Scout and the Genz Benz Shuttle 6, both in a 1x12 format.

These two setups have both received lots of attention and much acclaim. In fact, it's tough to find a genuinely negative review of either one. I'm curious about the differences between the two. It seems like they both offer fantastic tone (subjective, I know), but is one more flexible than the other? Do they both offer smooth old-school warm tone, or is one (or both) more hi-fi sounding? What about reliability? As far as I can tell, both brands have stellar reputations for quality, but nobody is exempt from having an occasional poor design. I'm not terribly concerned about volume, but I would like to be able to hold my own in a jam situation. I realize that these are both small, so I don't expect that they would hold up to super loud drummers and full guitar stacks. (If I'm wrong about that, let me know.)

Also, are there any other rigs that I might look into? SWR? Trace Elliot?

I'm currently in the saving phase, and while I wait I want to do my homework so I can make the best decision when the time arrives.

One more thing, I'm looking for more insight than simply "Buy X. Y sucks." I can make up my own mind on how to spend my money. Instead, I'm looking for opinions, experiences, true comparisons (if anyone is familiar with both), and honest discussion.

Thanks,

Twin

babebambi · #2 02-02-2012, 01:39 AM

I don't think anybody would argue, if I say the Mesa is more "old school".
I also think the GB combo is lighter.

Other than that, it just comes down preference.
So IMO, if you want old school, the Mesa can give that to you right out of the gate.
Some would say the GB can do that too with some tweaking, I have been unsuccessful.
And that their Streamliner is better at the old school stuff, but I found it to be over-board for my taste.

Service wise, Mesa is also more old school, that they take phone call a lot better than email.
GB, they even come to this forum to help their user.

Disclaimer - I never own these combos, but I have the bigger version of the corresponding (or, least a very close facsimile) amp heads.

Btw, the GB S6 is updated with a 6.2
The S6 used to be quite attenuated in the low.

lomo · #3 02-02-2012, 06:19 AM

I have owned both. They are both wonderful pieces of gear, but unless the weight is paramount, IMHO, the Mesa wins by a lap. The Walkabout head has far more eq capability and the nicest tube gain stage of any hybrid I have ever heard, and the Scout cab has FAAAAAAR more low end capability than the Shuttle 12 (which has far less low end than the GB Neox 12, BTW). The Scout 12 is tuned lower than almost all other 12s out there other than fEarfuls and Acmes. Mesa's cust svc is good, but GB's is likely the best in the business (I have experience with both). I give the reliability edge to GB, but either is solid. If you want old school and/or grind, the choice is a no brainer unless you've just gotta have uber light and the head has to fit in your gigbag. As far as other combo choices, the only thing I'd consider would be an LDS or fEarful 12/6 and a separate head, not a combo. Good luck.

lpdeluxe · #4 02-02-2012, 10:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lomo

I have owned both. They are both wonderful pieces of gear, but unless the weight is paramount, IMHO, the Mesa wins by a lap. The Walkabout head has far more eq capability and the nicest tube gain stage of any hybrid I have ever heard, and the Scout cab has FAAAAAAR more low end capability than the Shuttle 12 (which has far less low end than the GB Neox 12, BTW). The Scout 12 is tuned lower than almost all other 12s out there other than fEarfuls and Acmes. Mesa's cust svc is good, but GB's is likely the best in the business (I have experience with both). I give the reliability edge to GB, but either is solid. If you want old school and/or grind, the choice is a no brainer unless you've just gotta have uber light and the head has to fit in your gigbag. As far as other combo choices, the only thing I'd consider would be an LDS or fEarful 12/6 and a separate head, not a combo. Good luck.

What lomo said. I have a Walkabout and a Shuttle 3.0 and a good friend has a 6.0-210T. The weight of the M/B cabinet can be a hassle (I have the 15" version at 63 lb -- I believe the 12" is 54) but the head is easily pulled out to use with lighter cabs.

In fact, I am unable to tote my Scout due to major surgery, so I paired the head with two G-B 10T speakers.

lomo is exactly right about the EQ. I am able to consistently dial up a killer sound with the Mesa/Boogie; with the G-B I need some help from the room.

Here it is with my Godin A5 fretless:

KJung · #5 02-02-2012, 11:27 AM

While the original Shuttle 6/112T was a nice small combo that sounded like you would expect... high quality, good, but, well a bit 'small', I would say the Mesa Scout Combo (which I've owned) would have more low end and kick.

However, the recently released Shuttle 6.2 12T combo is a whole 'nother thing. It has been revoiced (both the head and cabs) to be fatter down low, louder, and the entire rig is more even. The gain taper has also been adjusted to allow for a bit more tubey warmth.

It surely isn't as 'tube complex' as the Walkabout, but it is much lighter, smaller, just as loud, and is a VERY plug and play sort of 'it just sounds good'. The LF voicing filter has been revised a bit also, and it is great for extending the low end when using an extension cab.

Here is a brief review and clip of the new 6.2 combo. IMO, the best small combo out there right now.

New Genz Benz Shuttle 6.2 12T combo and extension cab - YouTube

TwinBass · #6 02-02-2012, 12:14 PM

Thank you for your replies.

I have been leaning towards the Mesa, and your descriptions have further reinforced that. The weight difference between these really isn't an issue for me. Like I said earlier, I've been playing Peavey so any of these will be a vast improvement.

"The Scout 12 is tuned lower than almost all other 12s out there other than fEarfuls and Acmes."
Is the scout tuned to low enough to handle a 5 string comfortably? I'm not looking to rumble a house down to its foundation, but good sounding lows always make me happy.

"As far as other combo choices, the only thing I'd consider would be an LDS or fEarful 12/6 and a separate head, not a combo. Good luck."
Im still in the saving phase, and for me the saving phase is all about doing my homework, playing, listening, etc. I'm not closing any doors. There is a GB dealer in town, so I can actually try it out first (always a good idea, especially for gear this expensive!), and as my cashloaf gets bigger I will probably have a chance to go to Seattle or Portland or somewhere with a Mesa dealer. In my travels, I will no doubt also find other options to consider. Right now, I'm looking at combos like this (with the removable head) for the convenience factor, but I'll give everything its fair shake. I'm looking to buy an amp that will serve my needs for a long time to come, so I'm willing to take the time look for exactly the right one.

"In fact, I am unable to tote my Scout due to major surgery, so I paired the head with two G-B 10T speakers."
I assume this is primarily because of the weight and the modular (easy to move) factor. How does it stack up to the 15, tone-wise? Like I said, the weight isn't an issue for me as everything I'm looking at is lighter than my Peaveys, but I AM interested in finding my best option, whatever form it takes.

I appreciate your responses, and no doubt I will think of more (or more specific) questions over the coming months.

TwinBass · #7 02-02-2012, 12:17 PM

Here is a brief review and clip of the new 6.2 combo. IMO, the best small combo out there right now.
Wow, that is a nice sounding little setup. Hopefully the GB dealer near me gets one so I can give it a shot. Thanks for posting that review.

lomo · #8 02-02-2012, 12:45 PM

Either combo will handle a low B fine, BUT neither single 12 cab will handle the full output of its' head without an ext cab, so if you crank the volume on either one you'll get compression and maybe a fart.

froghat · #9 02-02-2012, 03:18 PM

I agree with the comparisons others have already made here. I have owned the Shuttle 6.0-12T combo and the Walkabout Scout 12. I traded up the Scout 12 for a Scout 15 and really appreciate the difference. The Scout 12 was already amazing but the 15 just seems more authoritative.

Just saw the Shuttle 6.2 combo at the local Alto Music store. Nice looking amp! Who knows? GAS may strike again.

lpdeluxe · #10 02-03-2012, 01:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TwinBass

"In fact, I am unable to tote my Scout due to major surgery, so I paired the head with two G-B 10T speakers."
I assume this is primarily because of the weight and the modular (easy to move) factor. How does it stack up to the 15, tone-wise?

When I got the Mesa/Boogie I almost immediately was asked to play an outdoor gig. It provided one of the two best bass tones I have ever managed (the other was my '51 P RI with flats through a '70 Ampeg B15N). This summer and fall, I had been playing the Godin in the picture above instead of my usual AV '57 P, which is my gold standard for tone.

Once I got back into playing I had a choice of my Shuttle 3.0/2x10T or the M/B with the same lightweight cabs. Naturally I opted for the latter, due to the incredible tone. I was fortunately able to leave my little rig set up between boogies, and Wednesday evening I finally got it dialed in where I wanted -- to the extent that the drummer, with whom I have gigged many times over the years, complimented me on my sound.

If weight were not an issue, i would have left the head in its original cabinet (see pic below), but, since it is, I'm very pleased that I can get a comparable sound of the smaller speakers. Note that the head has to see a 4 ohm load to put out 300 watts, and the Genz-Benz are 8 ohm each.