Need some advice from the Genz Benz users please

nevp · #1 11-25-2011, 11:03 AM

Hi guys,

My SVT3PRO has let me down yet again and i am starting to seriously question it's reliability.So i'm thinking about a new amp.

Having read some of the really good threads on here about the Genz Benz gear i'm thinking i would like to give them a try.

Problem is,over here in the UK they are pretty hard to get hold of.I have found a dealer but it's going to be a 6 hr round trip to try them (which i'm struggling to do at the moment) so i may have to buy blind.

So the question is shuttle or streamliner and 6 or 9 and why?

I play in a number of bands,2 of which are the rockier side of punk,both with loud drummers and 2 Marshall stacks.I will be using a stingray and a warwick for these bands.
The other is a rockabilly band using an upright bass.

Funds are limited at the moment so its probably going to be just a head and will be running into my existing SVT classic 410 HLF until i am able to swap cabs.

I like the Ampeg tube sound but do have a sansamp bass driver
which i could use to beef up the sound if needed.

Any thoughts would be most welcome.

lowfreq33 · #2 11-25-2011, 11:09 AM

Streamliner 9.

JimiLL · #3 11-25-2011, 12:00 PM

Id look at the GBE series. More gusto for what you play

KJung · #4 11-25-2011, 12:13 PM

If you like that tight, bright punchiness of your SVTIIIPro, the Shuttle 9 would most likely make you happy.

The 9 isn't just a more powerful Shuttle 6. It is voiced differently with a fatter low end. It will BURY the SVTIIIPro volume-wise, and is a fraction of the size and weight.

The Shuttle Max 6 would also be killer, and has more balls than the Shuttle 6. It is larger, but has more EQ power that is a bit closer to the SVTIIIPro you are used to. It will also outperform the IIIPro in absolute volume, and is a bit smaller and a LOT lighter. Great EQ section, with tube and FET preamps, and variable voicing filters with 2 bands of semi-parametric mids for each channel (versus the single band of semi-parametric mids and fixed voicing buttons ont he Shuttle 9). Of course, the Shuttle Max 9.2 will give you more power, but the 6 would easily keep up with your IIIPro.

The Streamliner (which I love) is a TOTALLY different thing than your IIIPro... fat, wide, smooth, creamy.

nordyboy · #5 11-25-2011, 12:55 PM

I have a shuttle 9 and am very impressed! It is very balanced top to bottom when paired with the right cab, and has plenty of genuine low end. The tube will overdrive slightly when pushed.
Imho and to my ears this is one of the nicest sounding amps I have played through.
Your cab has huge low end so it may suit your need better than the very fat sounding streamliner, which could end up being a little overwhelming.
Hope that is helpful

rodl2005 · #6 11-25-2011, 01:23 PM

Definitely the Shuttle 6 or 9.
I'd probly import one from the USA too. Unless the price of them in yr area is cool. They've got switchable 110/230V power inputs.
Streamliner is not what I'd want as my only amp. Good, but not versatile (imo).
I'd also check out Ampeg's SVT 7 PRO.

suraci · #7 11-25-2011, 01:54 PM

I own your ampeg 410hlf model cab. That cab, as you know, is very bass heavy.
I use it with svt cl. Bc my steady requires less bassiness, I struggle with the 2.
I tried a plain shuttle 6 ( the shuttle 6 is uniquely voiced- it is THINNER on low end than ANY of the other Genz models- "take that to the bank") and it was a great mesh with the fatso HLF- I am sorry I didn't spend more time w it- I borrowed it.. I later borrowed a GB 9 shuttle and OUT OF THE BOX ( I think there is a natural "out of the box" voicing with all amps- before you spend days w eq ) I did not get what I got with the lowly 6. Now the Streamliner is a whole other sound... the opposite end of Shuttle 6- a nice thick sound. I haven't tried it w our cab, but I would b surprised if it could be clear enough. I think our cabs bassiness is "the thing". Problem with 6 is maybe not enough power.
edit: the shuttle MAX's have more eq, which may help.
SVT7 pro with our cab... more power than Shuttle 6 but again that cab is deep- I have some doubt about that combo- my svt cl is just too much for that deep cab. Shuttle Max 9 or Shuttle 6, markbass F1 or F500 with extra eq.
The MB F1 HANDLES the low end of our cab, pretty cool.

nevp · #8 11-25-2011, 02:05 PM

Thanks for the replies so far guys.

The prices seem pretty good over here at the moment.I can get the streamliner or the shuttle 9 for less than another 3pro and a shuttle max for not much more.

I'm still not happy with buying blind so think i'm going to have to organise a trip to the dealer.I'm thinking if i can try all the heads with various cab combinations i can just get a cab shipped when i get the money together.

Not thought about the MB gear will check some of that out too.

suraci · #9 11-25-2011, 02:09 PM

Warning- your CAB is uniquely deep ( ok semi uniquely ) don't try amps without your cab. I doubt svt7 pro, or the Streamliner, unless you LIKE gobs of bass!

nevp · #10 11-25-2011, 02:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by suraci

Warning- your CAB is uniquely deep ( ok semi uniquely ) don't try amps without your cab. I doubt svt7 pro, or the Streamliner, unless you LIKE gobs of bass!

Will definately take the cab with me.It may be some time before i can trade it so need to make sure the head is compatible

steve_rolfeca · #11 11-25-2011, 02:20 PM

I am a huge Streamliner fan, but I would nix using it with your cab. It has a big, round low end even with the bass control backed almost off. Streamliner fans mostly agree that it sounds best with cabs that have a tighter, drier low end.

The Shuttle 9.0 is a BEAST, and will work well with your HLF with the low end rolled off, and is future-proof, in the sense that it will power just about anything.

The Shuttle 6.0 has a higher low end rolloff, and less heft down low. While it might sound a little better with the HLF with the controls at noon, it won't give you as satisfying an experience if/when you upgrade to other cabs.

The ShuttleMax 9.2 is basically an expansion on the Shuttle 9.0. It adds the 3DPM limiter circuit from the Streamliner (gives the power section a nice, chewy dynamic feel similar to a tube amp), and would be great for your upright gigs, as it has more flexibility in the EQ and filter sections.

Personally, if I were in your shoes and the funds were available, I would probably take the SM 9.2. Very flexible amp...

klokker · #12 11-25-2011, 02:26 PM

I have a shuttle 6.0 and a neox212t. It's way more than I need for the small/medium sized bars we play. Light, easy to carry etc.

KsPiNeSh · #13 11-25-2011, 02:48 PM

Personally, I would go with either the ShuttleMax 9.2 or the SVT7 Pro. The Max 9.2 has the same tube preamp as the Shuttle 9, but with the added benefit of two para-mid EQs and the FET preamp. As a 7-year owner and user of the Genz Benz GBE 1200, I will almost always opt for the 2 preamp-channels... I'd be lost without my mixable preamps

nevp · #14 11-26-2011, 09:59 AM

Thanks guys, some really useful advice there.

Just checked out the shuttlemax 9.2 online.What a beast !!!!

dukeorock · #15 12-14-2011, 02:04 PM

I have a ShuttleMax 12.0, which I love because of the two pre's. I set up the FET channel for upright and the Tube channel for electric...works a treat

rheohead · #16 12-14-2011, 02:16 PM

I'd have to give another vote to the Shuttlemax 9.2. If you are going from a punk/rock gig to playing upright, the 9.2 has tons of flexibility. If you are up against two Marshalls and a loud drummer, it also has the power and tweakability (is that a word?) to cut through the all the racket. It comes with a 5-button footswitch and weighs less than 7 pounds. What's not to love?

I'm running mine through a Schroeder 1210 LTD and it cuts like a laser beam.

nevp · #17 12-14-2011, 02:49 PM

Thanks again for the replies,

Have arranged a visit to the shop in a couple of weeks time so looking forward to trying out the heads.

I may also have the funds available for cabs,i know they have the GB neox and uber cabs in stock and also Bergantino's.

Any recommendations for the cab/s to pair up with a shuttlemax 9.2 ?

dog1 · #18 12-14-2011, 03:36 PM

I have 3 GB heads. An older model (only 200W) M-line, a Shuttle 6, and a Neopak 3.5. My go to amp is the Neopak. I like the tube pre, and what it does for my tone. GB, at their expense, modified the amp to run at 2 ohms. (500W @ 2 ohms) If I could only have one amp, I would keep the Neopak.

Food for thought. Maybe find one used, or often times new on ebay.

kaiser_sosea · #19 12-14-2011, 08:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dog1

I have 3 GB heads. An older model (only 200W) M-line, a Shuttle 6, and a Neopak 3.5. My go to amp is the Neopak. I like the tube pre, and what it does for my tone. GB, at their expense, modified the amp to run at 2 ohms. (500W @ 2 ohms) If I could only have one amp, I would keep the Neopak.

Food for thought. Maybe find one used, or often times new on ebay.

I still think the NeoPak is one of the best values in bass amps. I miss mine and will hopefully pick one up as backup when I have some cash laying around. They sound great, are lightweight and benefit (tonally) from being pushed a bit.