Opinions genz benz gbe 1200 vs mesa m9

[starmann]

Hey all:

I need something to handle 2ohms... the genz benz gbe 1200 and mesa m9 carbine are my choices.

I am looking for any opinions on sound knowing that both are good amps, but I literally can not test out either one. Initially they will be played through an svt 410hlf with a 15" coming in the future.

Any opinions and "real life" experiences are appreciated.

Thanks,

[KsPiNeSh]

Here is a thread I did recently that compares those two and the Streamliner 900 (not 2-ohm capable):

Genz Benz Streamliner 900/Genz Benz GBE 1200/Mesa M9 Carbine taste test

Copy/paste of one of my posts from another thread:

The GBE 1200 has been my workhorse for 6 years now, and I have owned and used the Mesa for a year. To my ear, the 1200 is a bit rougher through the mids and a bit tighter on the bottom than the Mesa, which has a more expansive low end (especially with the PULL DEEP engaged) and a slightly smoother feel overall while still retaining the same cutting ability as the 1200. Additionally, the 1200 has dual preamp channels (which I always leave mixed, dialing in tube grit to taste) and a more expansive EQ, but the EQ on the Mesa is deceptively agile and the voicing filters are fantastic. As mentioned, I'll dial in some dirt with the Genz, but the Mesa won't do it - while it has a tube. it is a clean machine all the way. However, I would say that the Mesa sounds a bit tubier in the sense that it's got a slightly rounder sound. Like you, I also tried an M-Pulse and did not like it at all. Worry not - the Carbines are drastically different.

My amp usage breaks down like this - GBE 1200 for live gigs, Mesa for studio (unless I want some tube dirt action) and practice. I really like the extra tightness of the GBE live
and, as I always have a PA available, let the PA do the heavy lifting on the low end. Also, the Mesa gets stupid loud immediately and is too loud for most stages. It is perfect, however, for practice, where I don't have a PA and have to get over my hard-hitting drummer In the studio, I like the Mesa for the little extra oomph in the bottom and the overall smoothness. My main bass is a hotrodded Warwick Thumb NT5 that growls like a mad dog, so I find the slight extra edge of the GBE to be a bit much on recordings.

If you're interested in hearing a studio difference, check out our recordings here: The Hand Of Midas | Free Music, Tour Dates, Photos, Videos

Forsaken and Self-Inflicted were recorded with the Thumb/Mesa/Uber 410 signal chain and Monster Truck and The Sentinel were recorded with a Corvette/GBE 1200/Uber 410 chain, with Monster Truck having the tube grit dialed up.

[5StringPocket]

For as much as the M9 has going for it why doesn't Mesa get the message and use a volume pot with a more linear taper? It would make it much more useable.

[JimiLL]

while i have no experience withthe m9 (dohave a little time tweakin with an m6) i must say that the genz is very accurate, punchy warm and what i like to describe as "honest"

the gbe will make your bass sound exactly as it should, meaning there is no coloration to the character of your bass. if you have a deep sounding bass, the amp will let it shine through. with something more mid heavy like my thumb, it is very hard to dial out the woodiness of thw warwick sound. but my spector playes real deep but i have to do extensive mid range eq work to get a good cutting tone with it.

bottom line is you wont go wrong with either. but if i had to have one. it would be genz