Micros with Overdrive comparison... anyone?

IntrepidCellist · #1 02-05-2011, 05:32 PM

So, I'm a big fan of getting "more than a little" tubey grit in my sound, and I've been looking at snagging a second amp in the future, preferably an ultralightweight little piece because every pound counts when you have to haul it on the subway or bus.

So, I'm interested in comparing the overdriven sound of some of the newer breed of microheads. We have someone who gives us the cleaner end of things, but can anyone do some overdrive comparisons? I'm specifically looking at these heads:

-TC RH450
-Aguilar TH500
-Genz Benz Streamliner 900

christw · #2 02-05-2011, 05:42 PM

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d-27szg61bw Streamliner 900 - It doesn't focus on tubey grit but there is some in there.

Calaverasgrande · #3 02-05-2011, 06:12 PM

Also how about the GK MB Fusion?
It has two gain/masters you can footswitch between. 3 12ax7 preamp. 500 watts at 4 ohms.
Gotta say its nice that some manufacturers are "getting it" about tube preamps on bass. One tube in an amp does not a tube preamp make.

IntrepidCellist · #4 02-05-2011, 06:19 PM

I've tried the Fusion, and it's not quite "old school" enough for me, sadly. The RH450 has really impressed me, and the Streamliner sounds good on Youtube. I got about five minutes with the overdrive on the TH500 at Aguilar and it sounded pretty good, but it was not with my bass or my cab, so I have no idea how I'd like it.

christw · #5 02-05-2011, 06:23 PM

Check out the clips from the Streamliner 900 vs RH450 thread. Both myself and another user quoted the ones that really made me go "wow that's phat!" and decide on the 900.

Genz Streamliner 900 and TC RH450 Comparison

#6 02-05-2011, 06:36 PM

I have the RH450 and love the "vintage" sound and feel of this head! It gets that pushed tube head sound and feel at all volumes - so much so that I sold all of my vintage tube bass heads!!

That said, The Genz is made in the US, and has probably the best customer service around. It sounds a bit more modern than the TC in the youtube vids... But that sound is limited by the camera's mic... I'm very anxious to compare them side by side for myself.

If you want a vintage Ampeg SVT replacement, the RH450 is superb!

GrowlerBox · #7 02-05-2011, 06:43 PM

The Aguilar hasn't been released from captivity yet, but there's plenty of stuff around on the Tone Hammer pedal -- I have one, and really dig the AGS overdrive for a handful of my band's songs. I'm soon to receive my new RH450 (I hope), which I have chosen above the contenders because I like the tone as much as (but not necessarily more than) the others, and the Tubetone, extensive EQ and compression will help reduce the size of my live rig. Had it it not been for the extras, I'd still be deciding ...

IntrepidCellist · #8 02-05-2011, 06:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by christw

Check out the clips from the Streamliner 900 vs RH450 thread. Both myself and another user quoted the ones that really made me go "wow that's phat!" and decide on the 900.

Genz Streamliner 900 and TC RH450 Comparison

That thread is exactly why I started this one: not enough gain!

The tuner and compression in the RH450 does make a good chunk of my pedalboard redundant, as does the possibility to offer footswitchable sounds. That is definitely a plus.

christw · #9 02-05-2011, 06:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tifftunes

I have the RH450 and love the "vintage" sound and feel of this head! It gets that pushed tube head sound and feel at all volumes - so much so that I sold all of my vintage tube bass heads!!

That said, The Genz is made in the US, and has probably the best customer service around. It sounds a bit more modern than the TC in the youtube vids... But that sound is limited by the camera's mic... I'm very anxious to compare them side by side for myself.

If you want a vintage Ampeg SVT replacement, the RH450 is superb!

For what it's worth, someone in that thread (I think KJung?) described the RH450 as a vintage rig tone in a head and the Streamliner as sounding like a tube head and being more influenced by what cabinet it's played through.

Quote:

Originally Posted by IntrepidCellist

That thread is exactly why I started this one: not enough gain!

Clean boost out in front?

cableguy · #10 02-05-2011, 06:45 PM

Is the Genz really made in the US? Just wondering. I know most of the micro amps are not. That's cool if it is.

GrowlerBox · #11 02-05-2011, 06:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cableguy

Is the Genz really made in the US? Just wondering. I know most of the micro amps are not. That's cool if it is.

I believe it's assembled in the US with parts carefully selected from the finest exotic sweatshops ...

IntrepidCellist · #12 02-05-2011, 06:51 PM

@Christw: not that there wasn't enough gain in the head... it's just those clips didn't use enough gain.

Also, Cableguy, the Aggie is built in the US too, although of course it uses imported parts. I got to tour the Aguilar factory last month, and it's right in Manhattan.

coreyfyfe · #13 02-05-2011, 06:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cableguy

Is the Genz really made in the US? Just wondering. I know most of the micro amps are not. That's cool if it is.

As far as I knew they are assembled in America. The components themselves are built overseas, shipped to the US for final assembly and QC.

This page quotes a source saying electronic assembly in Taiwan:
http://www.thegearpage.net/board/arc.../t-629005.html

Laurent · #14 02-06-2011, 09:29 AM

I tested the RH450 in a store setting and it is the best tube emulation I have ever heard from an amp or a pedal for that matter. I was very impressed.

That being said, tube emulation was not my primary objective so I settled on a Markbass F500 which better suited my needs.