Worth spending the extra money? GK vs Genz Benz

funkstag · #1 08-18-2011, 06:18 PM

Need to buy a new HEAD (my mistake). Simply need to know which one would be best. ALL NZD
GENZ-BENZ STREAMLINER 900 WATT @ RSP - $1599.00
GENZ-BENZ STREAMLINER 600 WATT @ RSP - $1399.00
GK MB500 ULTRA LIGHT BASS HEAD - 500W 4 OHM @ $1299.00
GK MB FUSION 500 WATT @ RSP - $1699.00

The cheapest cab with the most wattage is the Genz Benz? Is the amount of Watts important or is GK better for quality?
Any help appreciated.

arai · #2 08-18-2011, 06:27 PM

What head are you using? Style of music?

jnewmark · #3 08-18-2011, 07:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by funkstag

Need to buy a new cab. Simply need to know which one would be best. ALL NZD
GENZ-BENZ STREAMLINER 900 WATT @ RSP - $1599.00
GENZ-BENZ STREAMLINER 600 WATT @ RSP - $1399.00
GK MB500 ULTRA LIGHT BASS HEAD - 500W 4 OHM @ $1299.00
GK MB FUSION 500 WATT @ RSP - $1699.00

The cheapest cab with the most wattage is the Genz Benz? Is the amount of Watts important or is GK better for quality?
Any help appreciated.

You say you need a cab, yet the prices you list are all for bass heads.

I use the Genz Benz Neox 212T CAB, with a GK RB 700II HEAD. Perfect match, imho.

**B-string** · #4 08-18-2011, 07:21 PM

You'll find them equal in quality, both high quality gear.

vin*tone · #5 08-18-2011, 07:27 PM

Import a Genz from the US. Those prices are insane.

Genz do not need voltage conversion. The GK is easy but not 'user servicable'. (I think).

kesslari · #6 08-18-2011, 07:30 PM

Genz Benz is in no way a "cheaper" amp than GK.
Both are very high quality amps.

I love my Genz Benz, as to many others.

arai · #7 08-18-2011, 08:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vin*tone

Import a Genz from the US. Those prices are insane.

Genz do not need voltage conversion. The GK is easy but not 'user servicable'. (I think).

This is a good point. Or buy on Amazon. they take care of the shipping, import tax etc. With the dollar the way it is it is a good time to buy.

cableguy · #8 08-18-2011, 10:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jnewmark

You say you need a cab, yet the prices you list are all for bass heads.

I use the Genz Benz Neox 212T CAB, with a GK RB 700II HEAD. Perfect match, imho.

+1 for the 700RB-II. Great head for the money. Everyone wants a 5lb head but this head is less money for a little more weight and great tone. I play mine through a fEARful 12/6-12/sub set-up. Sounds great. I've also heard it though a Genz Benz 212T and Uber 2X12. I prefer my fEARful but you can't go wrong with either of the GB cabs as well.

funkstag · #9 08-19-2011, 12:06 AM

Sorry i meant to say head. Idk what I was thinking when i said cab :| Atm im using a crappy combo Fender Rumble. Time to upgrade

cableguy · #10 08-19-2011, 12:17 AM

I don't know what the used market is in NZ but I've always been able to get great heads used. You could get a cab and head for the price of a new head in most places. I know I'm in the states so it's a little different but I bought my GK 700RB-II for about 1/2 what they go for new. Just a thought.

tombowlus · #11 08-19-2011, 07:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kesslari

Genz Benz is in no way a "cheaper" amp than GK.
Both are very high quality amps.

+1 Both are great choices. It's really a matter of personal preference, IMHO.

georgestrings · #12 08-19-2011, 07:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cableguy

I don't know what the used market is in NZ but I've always been able to get great heads used. You could get a cab and head for the price of a new head in most places. I know I'm in the states so it's a little different but I bought my GK 700RB-II for about 1/2 what they go for new. Just a thought.

Agreed - I paid $350 or less for both my 700rb-IIs on the used market, and both are still going strong...

- georgestrings

jeff7bass · #13 08-19-2011, 07:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vin*tone

Import a Genz from the US. Those prices are insane.

Genz do not need voltage conversion. The GK is easy but not 'user servicable'. (I think).

I thought they were prices for a half stack when I saw them! Holy Crimeney!!

low2groove · #14 08-19-2011, 07:52 AM

I wouldn't want either.

Eden or SWR far surpass either for the money you're looking to spend.

jeff7bass · #15 08-19-2011, 08:02 AM

At Avatar you can get a Streamliner 900 for 900 bucks with a purchase of any cab.

rodl2005 · #16 08-19-2011, 08:11 AM

If I were you, I'd definitely want to try the GB STL in a band situation prior to buying. I found it seriously far too boomy in a mix. ymmv of course.
You can get great deals buying direct from the US at the moment, but I'd wanna try 'em out, if pos 1st.
If buying in NZ My choice of the ones listed would be the Fusion.

Road Bull · #17 08-19-2011, 11:54 AM

For Genz Benz, I would take a good look at the Shuttle Max 9.2 amp. With both FET and tube channels, you have a lot of tone options that the SL does not have available. I got one on ebay new for under $700.

+1 for the Eden option as well. I just picked up a WT800 that I can't wait to A/B with the GB 9.2 .

Good luck brother.

tdub0199 · #18 08-19-2011, 12:00 PM

Yes, you can find a used 700RB II for close to $300, I bought my 1001RB II for $400 used......

tdub0199 · #19 08-19-2011, 12:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by low2groove

I wouldn't want either.

Eden or SWR far surpass either for the money you're looking to spend.

^ Your Opinion....

bherman · #20 08-19-2011, 12:55 PM

I've owned both GK (1001RB) and Genz Benz (Shuttle 6.0 and now a streamliner 600); I prefer the sound and features of the GB, but they are both top-notch quality. Can't beat GB customer service - if you have a problem, the owner of the company takes your call himself! I now use a GB Streamliner and UB 212 cabinet and its the best sounding rig I've ever had, but the Streamliner takes time to get to know (still learning how to tweak it).

Don't know much about the GK 500, but I do have a 200 as my backup amp and they're ok, but not the caliber of the GB Streamliners.

Like others said before me, see if you can try before you buy.