Genz-Benz Head Shootout

RocketMusic · #1 02-10-2011, 01:56 PM

I received a couple requests for some sound clips comparing the Shuttle 9.0 and the Shuttle MAX 9.2, so I decided to do one. I also included the Streamliner 900 just 'cause I could.

What I did was put a new bass line on the "Fine Little Mama" session that Danny (Rocket Music's co-owner) and I did a while back. Each pass through the verse's chord progression gets a different bass head (or a different setting on the same head). And I recorded both the mic'd signal and the direct signal, so we can listen for any differences in the DI's of the various heads. I'm not sure there are any design differences, but it was easy enough to capture... so I did!

Just FYI - all I did was overdub the bass line. I recorded the fretless lead bass that you hear quite a while ago on my fretless Roscoe. I believe that was recorded direct through my Alembic F1X preamp.

Here's the setup for the new bass lines:

The mic'd signal chain was:

My Roscoe Century Sig V -> head -> Genz-Benz UBER 410 -> MXL Genesis Large Diaphram Condenser mic

And here's what you'll be hearing:
Shuttle 9.0: Intro
Shuttle MAX 9.2 Tube: First sung verse
Shuttle MAX 9.2 FET: Second sung verse
Shuttle MAX 9.2 BOTH: First pass of dobro solo
Streamliner 900: Second pass of dobro solo, last verse & outro

And to give credit where credit is due:
Danny: dobro (rhythm and lead) & vocals
Me: bass (rhythm and lead) & drum programming

Here's the complete mix:
"Red Hot Mama" (Elmore James)

What you hear in the mix above is a combination of the mic'd & direct signals. It's mostly mic'd, the direct signal is roughly 6 dB lower.

And here are the various bass tracks:
"Red Hot Mama" (Mic'd & Direct)
"Red Hot Mama" (Mic'd)
"Red Hot Mama" (Direct)

How' bout them apples?!?

RocketMusic · #2 02-10-2011, 02:05 PM

OH, and I should mention that everything was set flat on all of the amps. I was trying to do an apples-to-apples comparison of the "starting" tone of the heads. On the "mixed" MAX pass, the FET and tube chanels were equal in power.

suraci · #3 02-10-2011, 07:37 PM

Can you direct me to where I can see a comparison that includes the Shuttle 3.0? I played it once, and before I buy a Genz, I wish to have a better idea of the tonal differences in the Genz Benz line. I liked the 3.0... but you know how that goes!
I started a thread here and no one is responding!

RocketMusic · #4 02-11-2011, 09:22 AM

I haven't done one of those yet, and I'm not aware of any out there. I imagine there might be something out there on youtube perhaps...

The 3.0 sounds similar to the Shuttle 9.0 that you hear in the clip in post #1. It's voiced a little thinner (so is the Shuttle 6.0), but it has a very similar character.

I've got one 3.0 left in stock... I'd be happy to make you (or anyone else) a great deal on it. Let me know if you're interested!

LilRay · #5 02-11-2011, 09:30 AM

Diggin' it Greg

You tried the Streamliner with the Berg AE-212 yet?

God Bless, Ray

RocketMusic · #6 02-11-2011, 09:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LilRay

Diggin' it Greg

You tried the Streamliner with the Berg AE-212 yet?

God Bless, Ray

Sadly, I have not. I can't keep one in stock long enough to do more than one clip. Of crouse, that's OK by me!

I had one 900 in stock again briefly yesterday. I had time to record it, and then it was sold before I was even done mixing...

LilRay · #7 02-11-2011, 09:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RocketMusic

Sadly, I have not. I can't keep one in stock long enough to do more than one clip. Of crouse, that's OK by me!

I had one 900 in stock again briefly yesterday. I had time to record it, and then it was sold before I was even done mixing...

S'OK I can wait until April.......

God Bless, Ray

suraci · #8 02-11-2011, 04:44 PM

So the 3.0 is thinner than 9.0... and I also assume thinner than the Streamliner?
Can anyone think of a setup ( environment: room, loudness of band ) including the cabinet, where thinness in low end is PREFERABLE???

RocketMusic · #9 02-11-2011, 04:49 PM

Yep - Genz-Benz did that paricular voicing to go with some of the very small (1x8 and 1x10) sort of cabinets that they launched at the same time as the original Shuttle models. They basically were trying to avoid making those really small cabinets handle too much low end.

Starting with the introduction of the original MAX models (MAX 6.0 & 12.0), they beefed up the voicing, making the heads more useful with a wider variety of cabinets (GB heads through Berg cabs has been a huge seller).

The Shuttle 9.0 came along just after the original MAX series, so it got the newer, thicker voicing like the MAX's. And now the MAX 9.2 and the Streamliner have added the new power section mods that add even more heft down low, especially at higher volumes.

I think that's all accurate, if my memory serves...

suraci · #10 02-11-2011, 05:26 PM

Ok, cool. I played a 3.0 (too briefly!!).. through a newly gained svt410hlf. When I play my present svt classic through 410hlf, I have to deal with a LOT of low end on a "polite" Sunday morning gig, where I am often asked by boss to turn down( the guys in band wish me LOUDER! That is why I am called a professional- dealing with this).
Now, I LIKE the bigness of the ported ampeg, because prior to this cab ( 410hlf) , I was using tiny cabs ( never will I go back ) . I often deal with either too much of a good thing ( bass fullness ) or not enough. Playing bass is a balancing act for me.
Can you PM me about a price? I live in San Diego.

Shiveringbass · #11 06-22-2011, 01:51 PM

Hey Greg,

Incredible work you made here. Thanks very much.

When I browse the 7 part of the Streamliner mega thread, I keep reading about TBers who wonder how the Shuttle 9.0 and the Streamliner 900 compare. Your post is the most useful I've met about that comparison and should be at the top list of every TBers in the market for one of those amp.

To my ears, the Streamliner is a bit more polite/soft in the mids and consequently more hefty. Strangely enough, I would say it realy reminds me of the tone I get from my Glockenklang Soul. I understand now why some people qualify the Glock head to have a tube like fatness.

The Shuttle/Shuttle max feels a bit "agressive" in comparison.

Now you got me gasing on a Streamliner as a substitute to my Glock for the bars gig and public transports trip...

Cheers

Ludo

RocketMusic · #12 06-22-2011, 02:12 PM

Thanks, Ludo! I'm glad it was helpful. Yeah, the Streamliner is a great head for warm/round sort of bass tone (which is my personal preference).

nostatic · #13 07-18-2011, 11:42 AM

Last night I forgot my S900 at home (doh!) but luckily I keep my Shuttle 9.0 in the car as backup. Hadn't used it and was struck by how differently it is voiced than the S900. Dare I say I preferred the Rob Allen with the 9.0. More present and cut while still being supporting. I actually dialed in a few clicks of bass, partially because I've gotten used to the S900 booty.

I still think the PJ sounds better with the S900. So what I really need is a Shuttle-liner-Max.