SD800 VS. Shuttle 9.0

[VTheHTyphoon]

Hello all, I I am posting yet another poll to help inform myself but not only others about two amps hopefully. I must preface this whole post with the fact that I have only played a few Markbass amps, none of which were the SD800.

Ok, so here we have the Markbass SD800 going up against the Genz-Benz Shuttle 9.0. The MB puts out 750W @ 4ohms and the GB puts out 900W @ 4ohms. The MB is a solid state amp and the GB has a tube preamp with a solid state power amp. Both are negligible on price as I can get either for $699. I have played the Jeff Berlin combo to get a feel for MB amps. I know no 2 are the same but SD800s aren't exactly falling from the sky.

I will be pushing the amp through 2 Avatar 2X12s, using a Fender Jazz loaded with Seymour Duncan Basslines and a Godin A4 with tapewound strings. When using the Jazz Bass I am looking for a tone that is bright and can cut through the mix. With the Godin, the tone needs to be mellow, and I like to sit underneath the rest of the band on volume and in tone.

I also use effects, and although I don't have all of these right now I must say that they will be on my pedalboard in the future, so consider that and that they may be used in any order before the tube preamp. Bass Fuzz/OD, EVH Flanger, Bass Wah, Bass Synth Wah, Digital Delay, POG2, Digital Reverb, Tuner, maybe a phaser.

I would ask you that if you vote to leave a comment explaining your reasoning since I would like some info and experiences any of you have with these amps so I can make an INFORMED decision.

Thanks everybody.

[kosmicwizard]

Genz-Benz Streamliner 900. Cheers.

[acedabone]

GB Shuttle 9.0. I have had many opportunities to try out MB stuff and while I thought they sounded kinda cool, I haven't found ANYTHING that has got MY sound as much as the Shuttle 9. I feel actually blessed for finding an almost new one here on TB from a dude for 500! I like the streamliner 900. But for my style.... It's the S9! Just my 2 cents...

[rpsands]

Definitely prefer the SD800's sound here.

I'd take the 9.2 with the fet channel over the Sd800 though, fwiw.

[Low Class]

The SD1200 is a lot better than the SD800.

[JxBass]

My pick would be the Shuttle 9.0 over the SD800. I think the LMT800 would give the 9.0 a better run for the money, IMO.

[VTheHTyphoon]

Ok, let me post some replies since I posted this and then ran off to play Irish music.

@kosmicwizard: The price is too much more for my wallet.

@acedabone: what kind of sound do you go for?

@rpsands: what about it do you like better? and is the FET channel just a non tube channel?

@ Low Class: I would find a way to get an SD1200 cheap, but I don't like having more power in my amp head than my cabs can handle

@Why would you go with the Shuttle rather than the SD... also I originally looked at the LM series first but they only have one speakon output so that is no good.


Also does anybody know if you can bypass the tube in the Shuttle 9.0?

[rpsands]

Yes, non-tube. I just prefer it. Sounds crisper, less mushy. Not a fan of the tube channel on the Genz heads - just feels compressed and slightly dirty at any usable volume.

[VTheHTyphoon]

Originally Posted by rpsands

Yes, non-tube. I just prefer it. Sounds crisper, less mushy. Not a fan of the tube channel on the Genz heads - just feels compressed and slightly dirty at any usable volume.

I am trying to avoid 2 things by avoiding tube... one) replacing them, two) the crunch that people say is made by tubes. I don't need a dirty sound with my music

[rpsands]

If want a super clean tone stay the hell away from the Shuttle tube preamp. Opinions will vary here but I could never get mine to stay clean when turned up super loud. They sound good, don't get me wrong - just too much coloration for me. The Shuttle 3 and the 9.2's fet channel are much more to my liking.

[VTheHTyphoon]

Unfortunately the 9.2 is farrr more money than I can afford to spend on a head. I tried the Jeff Berlin MB combo, and it was pretty sweet. I was also considering an Ashdown Little Giant for a while, but I can't get my hands on one to try and anybody who commented on my thread had no advice or insight into it.

[noahw1]

The Shuttles can get very clean and I wouldn't worry about having to replace the tube pre in them either. A single tube in the preamp is much different than a full blow tube amp. I've owned a few amps with that configuration SWR SM400 for 15 years and never had to replace the tube pre and currently own the GB 6.0 with no worries about the tube.
I'm a big proponent of GB gear because of the great sound and with their great customer service you really can't go wrong. I currently own a 6.0 and Shuttle 900.

[svtb15]

My shuttle 9 can run Very Clean.... And as far as tubes. .A preamp tube can last years and decades...!

I had the same RCA 7025 12ax7 in an old Alembic preamp for about 10 years.. And my Shuttle 9 is about 19 months old. It has been on numerous plane flights.. some overseas.. and tossed by me in a gig bag into the back of my car and a few hundred shows.. I run it hard at times... into 4 ohms on my cabs or backline rental 810s...and it is still flawless.. No tube issues at all... none... it has the same 12ax7 that it left the factory with.... the amp is really rugged as is all their stuff. If I cant break it, no one can...
It does have dings and scratches on the outside but it plays like new...
The 9.2 and its FET does sound really good.. A few of my friends bought them after seeing my 9.0... and they love their 9.2s..
And Genz Benz customer service is second to none..

[Pilgrim]

You are mistaken about tubes. They usually last for decades. I have a Bassman amp with tubes older than half the people on TB. The Genz sound and service make it G-B all the,way.

[VTheHTyphoon]

See that is the kind of feedback I like... Awesome comments people. I was looking into the G-B because they have a deal with Avatar and I can get Shuttle 9.0 for $699 when I purchase a cab at the same time which works well for me. Was thinking of splurging for the Line-X covering, but Ive had only 2 amps and the ratfur never bothered me. Can you get bright poppy tones from this amp as well as warm mellow ones?

[bugbass]

There`s no big difference in the output of the Sd800 and the 9.0, but the 9.0 definetly has more lowend-headroom, and the tone feels more "solid". The 9.0 can be clean enough IMO.
I used to own a SD800, now I own a 9.0.....and it`s soo good!!

[VTheHTyphoon]

Originally Posted by bugbass

There`s no big difference in the output of the Sd800 and the 9.0, but the 9.0 definetly has more lowend-headroom, and the tone feels more "solid". The 9.0 can be clean enough IMO.
I used to own a SD800, now I own a 9.0.....and it`s soo good!!

That is great, I am glad somebody owned both. It seems like in both threads I posted about amps most people generally liked the markbass less, but I was really on the fence about the 9.0 because of a tube. Never had a tube amp, never learned about them from a teacher or anything.

[bugbass]

Originally Posted by VTheHTyphoon

That is great, I am glad somebody owned both. It seems like in both threads I posted about amps most people generally liked the markbass less, but I was really on the fence about the 9.0 because of a tube. Never had a tube amp, never learned about them from a teacher or anything.

Don`t get me wrong, the SD800 is a good amp, I just like the 9.0 better.
If you want superclean, the F500 is the way to go IMO. Or maybe the new SD1200.
I still own the F500, great amp!

[DaveDeVille]

having owned both , i much prefer the Shuttle 9.0 ...

[T. Alan Smith]

Originally Posted by VTheHTyphoon

Never had a tube amp...

And you still won't even after acquiring a 9.0. It's a hybrid amp and only has a tube preamp section.