Shuttle 3 / Shuttle 6

Basically Bob · #1 12-10-2011, 05:20 AM

First, a little background. I currently use a Shuttle 3.0 10T for a practice amp. I also have a Mark Bass F1, Streamliner 600 and two Berg AE112's and have an Audio Kinesis Thunderchild 112 on order

. I am thinking of selling or trading the F1 and perhaps replacing it with a Shuttle 6.

I am exremely happy with the little Shuttle 3.0 10T and the Streamliner.

I am wondering if the Shuttle 3, when played through the AE 112s or the TC would give me the same tone/sound as a Shuttle 6?

My thought is to leave the Shuttle 3 dedicated to the 10T and use a Shuttle 6 as a back-up amp and/or an alternate for my new Thunderchild AE 112.

KJung · #2 12-10-2011, 05:24 AM

The 6 has a tube preamp, so sounds a bit different than the 3 to my ear (I prefer the 3). The 6 doesn't have quite the power of the F1 regarding low end ooomph and absolute power. If you want the general tone of the Shuttle 3 with more power, the FET channel of the Shuttle Max 6 should get you there (if you don't mind the size increase).

That doesn't mean you won't like the 6, but it surely is not a 'more powerful 3' to my ear.

Yo might consider the Markbass LMIII.... a bit warmer and fatter than the F1, and a great match for the AE112's if you want a bit smoother tone. The upper mid control of both the F1 and LMIII is perfectly voiced to smooth the aggressive upper mid response of the AE112's also... bonus! The LMIII (and F1) sound magnificent with the Thunderchild 112 also.

Basically Bob · #3 12-10-2011, 05:48 AM

That's exactly the info I need. Thanks, much appreciated, Ken.

lomo · #4 12-10-2011, 07:12 AM

The 6 doesn't sound the same as the 3.......at all IMHO. I love the 3 (and the FET channel on the SMax heads, but the 6 and 9.0 don't do it for me. YMMV, but do not get a 6 expecting a more powerful 3.

LeonD · #5 12-10-2011, 08:22 AM

I have the 3 and had the 9.0. IMHO, it was more of a feel thing than a sound thing. I thought they sounded relatively close but the feel of the 3 was more satisfying for me and made the band sound better.

I'd suggest looking into one of the 'Max amps. Either the 6.0, 12.0 or 9.2. Either will give you the 3 tone with more power.

All that said, if you can, I'd wait a month and see what NAMM brings at this point.

lomo · #6 12-10-2011, 08:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LeonD

I have the 3 and had the 9.0. IMHO, it was more of a feel thing than a sound thing. I thought they sounded relatively close but the feel of the 3 was more satisfying for me and made the band sound better.

I'd suggest looking into one of the 'Max amps. Either the 6.0, 12.0 or 9.2. Either will give you the 3 tone with more power.

All that said, if you can, I'd wait a month and see what NAMM brings at this point.

Or snatch a superb deal on one of the "old" models after NAMM

If I was buying a GB head today it'd be a SMax for sure

Musicman20 · #7 12-10-2011, 10:14 AM

ANy idea on when the new Genz amps will be announced for NAMM?

Last year the Streamliner had its debut on here around this time.

thudfromafar · #8 12-10-2011, 01:33 PM

I have to say that the 3.0 sounds very good with the Thunderchild cab. Slightly "tubey" even, but mostly clear and well-balanced. You may end up using that combo if your gig isn't super duper loud - I've used the 3.0/thunderchild outdoors with a ~70 piece pep band.

Basically Bob · #9 12-10-2011, 02:48 PM

Cool!

One thing I know for sure is that I am going to have a blast, jammin' and playing around with the rigs when the TC arrives. I am cerrainly not in a hurry to buy anything and yeah, it might be cool to see what shows up at NAMM this year.

I really dig the Streamliner with my AE112s and fretless Godin A4 and am anxiously waiting for a new solid body to be finished. Nordstrand VP4 / Big Split bridge pups.

KJung · #10 12-11-2011, 11:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Musicman20

ANy idea on when the new Genz amps will be announced for NAMM?

Last year the Streamliner had its debut on here around this time.

Should be any day now. I believe the new amps will be starting to ship even before NAMM. I look forward to hearing/seeing what they come up with. I am assuming a refresh of the Shuttle line, but have no inside info on that.

Musicman20 · #11 12-11-2011, 07:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KJung

Should be any day now. I believe the new amps will be starting to ship even before NAMM. I look forward to hearing/seeing what they come up with. I am assuming a refresh of the Shuttle line, but have no inside info on that.

Brilliant. Its such a tough call...need the clarity of the 9.0 Shuttle, and they are super cheap at the moment, but I don't want to buy something then straight away it drops down in terms of new gear value etc. Then again, I gigged with a Trace Elliot 10 years before I started getting into new gear, and I never wanted the latest n greatest.

Hmmm!

Pilgrim · #12 12-11-2011, 07:40 PM

Don't discount the G-B Shuttle 6.0. The amp is versatile - it can give you a very clear sound, or you can push the gain on the tube preamp and get a very satisfying tube sound that can get into the edge of OD. "Different from the 3" may also be "even better than the 3. Your ears will need to tell you...so test drive one.