Shuttle 3/Shuttle 6 swap

DrVenkman · #1 01-05-2011, 09:42 AM

I've got a Shuttle 3.0 with the 10" speaker on order. I was trying to decide between the 3.0 and the 6.0 and found a deal on the 3.0 I couldn't pass up.

However, I'm slightly concerned the 3.0 won't be loud enough in some settings even with an extension cabinet. I tried it out in the store and it wasn't as loud as I expected. I'll try it out for a while first, but can envision upgrading to the 6.0.

For money reasons if I decide to make the swap I probably won't be able to swap out the whole combo at once; likely scenario is I'll find a good deal on a used 6.0 head and just swap that first, then swap out the speaker cabinet sometime later when finances allow.

My question is, am I running a serious risk of blowing the 10" speaker if I try and run it with the 6.0 head? I think the 10" cab is rated at 200w, and the 6.0 will push around 300w into that cab. Any idea how much fudge factor there is there, or is there any rule of thumb like "you'll be fine as long as you keep the master below 3 o'clock"?

lomo · #2 01-05-2011, 10:04 AM

Through the single 10 the 6 will be no louder than the 3, which already spews enough power to max out the driver. The 6 will be fine as long as you listen and don't overdo it or use wild eq settings. Be aware the 3 and 6 do NOT sound alike.

DrVenkman · #3 01-05-2011, 10:16 AM

Thanks for the reply. I do understand that with the single 10" the 6.0 won't be any louder, but the ultimate goal would be to upgrade the cabinet too at some point. I just want to make sure that running the 6.0 with the 10" speaker doesn't automatically result in a blown speaker, and your reply backs up what I was thinking.

It's funny, the 3.0 and the 6.0 do sound different, but I like them both! I spent a long time in the store going back and forth between them. There are definitely some amp/cab combinations I've tried that I did NOT like, but there's a range that I'm happy with. I do appreciate you're pointing that out, though, as you had no way to know I'd tried both.

basss · #4 01-05-2011, 11:37 AM

I've been using various combinations of a 3.0-10t and a GK neo 112 for the past month or so and find that it can get pretty loud. I've done of few gigs with a moderately loud 8 piece wedding band and it held up fine w/no PA support for bass. If you're competing with very loud rock guitars it may not be enough amp for you but the 3.0 through a larger 4 ohm cabinet can get very loud. I've had the Genz 3.0 for a couple years now and it has never left me wanting more volume if paired with the right speaker cabinet - I don't play in any hard rock/metal bands though.

plankspanker13 · #5 01-05-2011, 11:43 AM

The 3.0 combo can sit atop the Ampeg "mini SVT" 2x10 sealed cab perfectly, leaves a tiny stage footprint, and I can attest that this rig can hang with 2 rock guitars (1 of them thru a combo, and the other thru a half-stack), although I do still feed some DI out, since the PA system has subs. The 3.0 is an amazing rig, and the ampsac that came with mine makes portage a breeze.

RickenBoogie · #6 01-05-2011, 11:50 AM

I'd upgrade to a larger speaker FIRST, using the 3.0 to power it. It *may* be all you need. If not, upgrade the amp, later.

SteveC · #7 01-05-2011, 12:13 PM

I have a 6.0-12T combo an d I am actually thinking of going back to the 3.0-10T combo with the extension cab. I find I really like the FET preamp. 300 watts into two 10's is plenty of stage volume for me. I am often in a PA so I don't need much. Jazz gigs with no PA usually don't require much any way.

christopherogut · #8 01-05-2011, 12:41 PM

plankspanker, I have almost the exact same mini stack! A Shuttle 3.0-8T on top of an SVT210AV -- definitely kicks out the jams. In my opinion the Ampeg cab provides a lot of warmth that the super-crisp Genz lacks.

blakelock · #9 01-05-2011, 02:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DrVenkman

I just want to make sure that running the 6.0 with the 10" speaker doesn't automatically result in a blown speaker,

i've been running the 10" GB extension cab with a shuttle 9!! i play at a pretty low volume (jazz jams) and it's been fine. so as long as you keep the volume reasonable, the speaker will be fine. the problem is that this rig doesn't seem to be loud enough for your needs so you'll probably try to turn it up.........you're much better off getting another cab rather than a bigger head. combining your shuttle 3 combo with the ampeg 2x10 (like the other posters showed, they run ~$200) would give you much more volume than going from shuttle 3 to 6.

agedhorse · #10 01-05-2011, 06:10 PM

A second 10" or 12" Shuttle cabinet may make all the difference you need also. I would suggest waiting and trying it before jumping to "worry mode". Then, we can discuss some possible options for those gigs where you may want more.

DrVenkman · #11 01-05-2011, 08:52 PM

Thanks all. That's why I love this place.

You've reassured me. I'll definitely take the wait-and-see approach first. The group I play with is primarily accoustic, so probably the combo is loud enough as-is. Perception in the music store is NOT the same as playing with the group. And if that's not enough there's a clear upgrade path to an extension cab, and then move to the Shuttle 6.0 if needed.

SteveC · #12 01-05-2011, 10:10 PM

I've gifted the 3.0 with a 10 piece horn band - with PA support of course - but it was fine for monitoring needs and stage volume. It's a surprising little box.