Time to pull the trigger on a Genz Benz. Help!!!!!

woody357 · #1 05-02-2011, 06:15 AM

I’m at a lost at which would serve my need best. I am in the market for a new head to replace my WT550. I am looking at a Genz Benz Shuttle 9.2, shuttle Max 12.0 or the Streamliner 900. I play R & B, Pop/Rock, Jazz Ex: What’s going on, I kissed a Girl, She’s a bad Mama Jama, a Wonderful World, Shadow of your smile, Rock in the USA. That is just a small example of some of the stuff I play. The head will be matched with an Epifani PS410 4 ohm I’m asking this because I can’t try before I buy so I thought I could get some insight here. Thanks for any suggestions and help!

Thornton Davis · #2 05-02-2011, 08:43 AM

Seeing you're going to be using a single cabinet, i'd choose either the SM 9.2 or the Streamliner 900. The SM12.0 has two 600 watt (@ 4ohms) power amps in it which are not bridged, so you would only get the benefit of using one while the second power amp was not connected to anything.

So if you're looking for a classic "old school" sound the Streamliner 900 would be my suggestion because of its 3 preamp 12AX7 tubes but it has a single channel preamp. If you're looking for more versatility the SM9.2 would be my suggestion because it has two channels that can either be run separately or blended together. One channel being tube (single 12AX7) and the other channel being FET (solid state).

Both of these achieve their maximum output with a 4 ohm load, so you'll get lots of power into you 410 cab. If you are planning on adding a second cabinet in the future, then consider the SM12.0 because it's designed to drive two cabinets with both 600 watt power modules connected to a separate cabinet.

My personal setup is a SM12.0 driving two GB410T-XB3 4 ohms each cabinets. If I was going to change to only using a single cabinet in the future, i'd consider buying a Streamliner 900 myself.

Hope this is of some help to you.

TD

PS - Once you've bought your G-B amp be sure to PM me and I will add you to the G-B owners club.

KJung · #3 05-02-2011, 09:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by woody357

I’m at a lost at which would serve my need best. I am in the market for a new head to replace my WT550. I am looking at a Genz Benz Shuttle 9.2, shuttle Max 12.0 or the Streamliner 900. I play R & B, Pop/Rock, Jazz Ex: What’s going on, I kissed a Girl, She’s a bad Mama Jama, a Wonderful World, Shadow of your smile, Rock in the USA. That is just a small example of some of the stuff I play. The head will be matched with an Epifani PS410 4 ohm I’m asking this because I can’t try before I buy so I thought I could get some insight here. Thanks for any suggestions and help!

The Shuttle Max 9.2 will give you a tone that can get relatively close to your Eden, along with many more tonal options. The decision point between the Max 12 and Max 9.2 depends on the number of cabs you use, and the impedance of those cabs.

If you use a single 8ohm or 4ohm cab, it would be the Max 9.2. If you use two 8ohm cabs, it would again be the Max 9.2. If you use two 4ohm cabs, the Max 12 would be the choice, given its dual mono configuration. In your case, with your 4ohm Epi, the Max 9.2 is it.

The Streamliner is a totally different thing that would have nothing in common with your WT550, and more emulates a full tube amp... fat, smooth, organic, big in the lows, etc.

SteveC · #4 05-02-2011, 09:40 AM

I'd say 9.2 for an Eden-esque tone but better.

lomo · #5 05-02-2011, 09:58 AM

Another advantage of the 9.2 over the SL is versatility that comes with the footswitch, which can easily give you quick access to a half a dozen different sounds on the fly.

woody357 · #6 05-02-2011, 01:06 PM

I'm not really trying to get the Eden sound or i would just get a WT800. I'll still have my WT550, but I'm up for something new and maybe a little different. From what I have read the Max12.0 would give me close to the Eden sound. What is the difference between the 12.0 and the 9.2 other than being able to add another 4 ohm cabinet?

Thornton Davis · #7 05-02-2011, 01:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by woody357

I'm not really trying to get the Eden sound or i would just get a WT800. I'll still have my WT550, but I'm up for something new and maybe a little different. From what I have read the Max12.0 would give me close to the Eden sound. What is the difference between the 12.0 and the 9.2 other than being able to add another 4 ohm cabinet?

The SM12.0 has 2 internal 600 watt power amps inside it, while the SM9.0 has a single 900 watt power amp inside. Both have the same 2-channel preamp and come with the same 5 button footswitch.

Also both amps support 4 and 8 ohm loads. The only other difference is that the SM12.0 has a Aluminum front face, while the SM9.0 has a Black front face. Both weigh about the same.

TD

jeff7bass · #8 05-02-2011, 01:37 PM

"So if you're looking for a classic "old school" sound the Streamliner 900 would be my suggestion because of its 3 preamp 12AX7 tubes but it has a single channel preamp".
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
That's why I would get the Streamliner. You can dial out grit but dialing it in is another matter, plus it just looks cool.

svtb15 · #9 05-02-2011, 01:55 PM

I like both my Shuttle9 and my streamliner 900... I did an old school gig the other night in my local area.... I used the Streamliner 900 with my uber115.. The rig sounded full with plenty of mid definition and with the tweeter at about 1 o'clock position it also had air on top.. Plenty LOUD too.. I brought both heads that night , but wound up using the SL900... I actually wound up turning myself down when i stepped out in front of my cab.. And i like to play loud and feel my pants move...

woody357 · #10 05-02-2011, 02:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by svtb15

I like both my Shuttle9 and my streamliner 900... I did an old school gig the other night in my local area.... I used the Streamliner 900 with my uber115.. The rig sounded full with plenty of mid definition and with the tweeter at about 1 o'clock position it also had air on top.. Plenty LOUD too.. I brought both heads that night , but wound up using the SL900... I actually wound up turning myself down when i stepped out in front of my cab.. And i like to play loud and feel my pants move...

Why did you end up using the SL900?

fishtx · #11 05-02-2011, 08:32 PM

I just ordered the Max9.2 head today. I was debating between the SL 900 and the Max9.2, but decided to go with the 9.2 because of the channel options, and wide tonal flexibility...Don't get me wrong, It was a tough decision...the SL 900 is a killer head, and I will have one someday...

Oh, I also ordered an uber 410 (4ohm)...It's going to be a great sounding rig!