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Mini-amp shootout: Genz Benz Shuttle 6.0 vs. Markbass LMII

guy n. cognito

guy n. cognito

Secret Agent Member
Dec 28, 2005
13,976
13,989
Nashville, TN
#1
For the past year, I have been gigging with a Genz Benz GBE750. While I love the tone and flexibility of the 750, my relatively light gigging schedule made it's size and weight a bit too much to take. With this in mind I set out to find a lighter head. There was one catch: I never get PA support with my current band, and we sometimes play venues large enough for 300-400 people. Because of that, I need a head that has at least 500 watts and powerful enough to fill a room with bass.

Based on recommendations of the board, I was prepared to buy a LMII. While I was contemplating that purchase, Genz Benz announced the Shuttle series, and the 6.0 seemed like it would meet my needs. With that type of choice to make, I decided to do the only thing I could do: I bought both!!! Since I'll be making a comparison between the two for my own purposes, I thought I'd share my thoughts.

I know some others are making this comparison, so I welcome them to contribute with their own experiences. With that, here we go.....
 
#2
Wow! Can't wait to hear more... subscribed!

guy n. cognito said:
For the past year, I have been gigging with a Genz Benz GBE750. While I love the tone and flexibility of the 750, my relatively light gigging schedule made it's size and weight a bit too much to take. With this in mind I set out to find a lighter head. There was one catch: I never get PA support with my current band, and we sometimes play venues large enough for 300-400 people. Because of that, I need a head that has at least 500 watts and powerful enough to fill a room with bass.

Based on recommendations of the board, I was prepared to buy a LMII. While I was contemplating that purchase, Genz Benz announced the Shuttle series, and the 6.0 seemed like it would meet my needs. With that type of choice to make, I decided to do the only thing I could do: I bought both!!! Since I'll be making a comparison between the two for my own purposes, I thought I'd share my thoughts.

I know some others are making this comparison, so I welcome them to contribute with their own experiences. With that, here we go.....
Click to expand...
 
#4
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My test gear for this comparison is a EBMM Stingray 5 HH, an Acme Low B 2 and a Genz Benz GB410 xb2. Both amps will be set completely flat, with no additional features (shape buttons or knobs) used in the comparison. I'll discuss those features in this post for comparison only.

WEIGHT AND SIZE
Size-wise, the GB is lighter, thinner and slightly narrower than the LMII, but it is deeper. Both are designed to be rackmounted, although I can't imagine why anyone would add that type of weight and size.

FEATURES
The power switch for the GB is mounted on the rear, while the LMII is mounted on the front. This would make a difference in a rack-mounted application, but you know how I feel about that already. The LMII has an XLR Input on the front in addition to the 1/4 in, while the GB only has the 1/4. Personally, I have no need for the XLR, but it may be beneficial to some. The GB has dual speakon outputs, while the LMII has a single speakon and a 1/4 in. Having similar outputs means not carrying two different speaker cables, which I consider a benefit. Both have direct out, tuner out, effects loop, etc. The GB has headphone output, while the LMII does not. The GB has a footpedal which controls the mute function, as well as the shaping buttons. The LMII has no footpedal option.

This brings me to another key, yet minor feature. The GB has a mute button, while the LMII does not. This seems minor until you attempt to tune silently onstage using the tuner out on the rear of the amp.

Tone features on these two amps are slightly different. The GB has three seperate "shape" buttons, which allow for low end boost, mid scoop and high end boost respectively. These features are preset and not adjustable. Personally, I find the low and high end boosts quite usable, but the mid-scoop is a bit too extreme for my taste. The LMII has two seperate knobs. The first cuts the mids and highs, emulating an older, hornless cab. The second is a mid-scoop feature. I find both of these knobs mildly useful, but their usefulness is limited to the 9:00 position or less. Any more than that is overkill.

I'll move on to my tests next.
 
#5
Looking forward to hearing your thoughts.

I just found out mine was shipped ground rather than 2nd day air as ordered, so I'll get mine Tuesday instead of Friday as I originally thought :(

I'm sure I'll like it, and have both the Shuttle 6.0 and LM II as primary/backup to each other as well as variety of sound available for a total weight of under 10lbs!
 
#6
I only got to test the amps with the Low B tonight. The GB 410 will come tomorrow. Both amps were EQed flat, with the pre gain set to clip slightly when I really dig in.

GB: If you've owned one of the GBE heads before, then you should know what to expect from the Shuttle 6.0. I find the tone full and rich, yet almost hi-fi in nature. All of the tones from the bass seem to be transmitted straight to the cab. To me, the Shuttle seems to have a bit of a high-mid hump which is quite pleasing. This amp seems to give the Low B2 sufficient power to deliver plenty of thump, which is the main reason I own this cab. At my pre settings, I can hear just the slightest bit of tube warmth and grind, but it's slight and not overpowering.

LMII: This amp has plenty of low end and thump, but seems a bit "darker" than the GB. I can dial in the higher-end tones, but it takes alot of knob turning. The highs seem a bit "muted" to me through this cab. To me, it seemed to be a slightly more old school tone, a little flatter than the GB. As I played this amp, I wanted to dial out some of the low and boost the highs. Given the natural low end of this cab, that wasn't a surprising outcome.

GB 410 tomorrow............
 
#9
Guy,

Cool thread! Thanks for sharing.

To get a more old-school sound on the 6.0, try something that I use with my Neo-pak:

Set input gain with some light flashing.
Lows at 2 o'clock.
Mids at 2 o'clock
Mid Freq at 8 or 8 o'clock
Highs at 11 o'clock, or a bit less.
Global Filters all off.

Then adjust your cab's tweeter to finish out the sound. Let me know how it works!
 
#10
It sounds like you're experiencing exactly what I would have expected.

I'd also agree with Eublet. On my GBE600 for a more classic sound (but still with the quickness and clarity of the GBE), I boost the lows 3 notches, the low mids 6, and cut the highs 3. Every notch is very much noticeable, so these settings work magic on the tone.
 
#12
I'll expect my Shuttle 6.0 to arrive on Monday. I gig with an LMII, which I am very familiar with. So I'll be doing a comparison as well. My test cab will be Epifani UL310. Basses are Nordstrand Nordy Vj5 (Ash/Maple/Nordy Big split PU's/Audere Pre) and F Bass BN5 (Also Ash/Maple)

I am really looking forward to my own shootout and am enjoying this thread!
 
#13
Roscoe5 said:
I'll expect my Shuttle 6.0 to arrive on Monday. I gig with an LMII, which I am very familiar with. So I'll be doing a comparison as well. My test cab will be Epifani UL310. Basses are Nordstrand Nordy Vj5 (Ash/Maple/Nordy Big split PU's/Audere Pre) and F Bass BN5 (Also Ash/Maple)

I am really looking forward to my own shootout and am enjoying this thread!
Click to expand...

I'm definitely looking forward to your review, since I gig with a LMII and UL410, and my Nordy on order is spec'd very similar to yours.
 
#15
guy n. cognito said:
There was one catch: I never get PA support with my current band, and we sometimes play venues large enough for 300-400 people. Because of that, I need a head that has at least 500 watts and powerful enough to fill a room with bass.

.....
Click to expand...

3-400 people with no PA support ???

The people in the crowd talking would overpower a band with no PA support, but then again people still believe in Santa.
Sorry, but I just have to laugh everytime I read posts like this.
 
#16
Vinny D said:
3-400 people with no PA support ???

The people in the crowd talking would overpower a band with no PA support, but then again people still believe in Santa.
Sorry, but I just have to laugh everytime I read posts like this.
Click to expand...
It could happen...

in a church, with no singing, or talking, or snake handling, with tall ceilings, and stain glass windows, and nothing but blue-haired folk in the audience, turnind down their hearing aids, complaining the music is too loud...

:D
 
#18
Zildjian106 said:
If you read the post he say HE never gets PA support, he was not referring to the entire band.
Click to expand...
I sense a major derail looming here, but I'll agree with Vinny on this one. Very few gigs would sound well with the bass having no PA presence, and I'd certainly think that one with 3-400 people would be FAR from ideal...

unless is it's a church, with no singing...
 
#19
Roscoe5 said:
I'll expect my Shuttle 6.0 to arrive on Monday. I gig with an LMII, which I am very familiar with. So I'll be doing a comparison as well. My test cab will be Epifani UL310. Basses are Nordstrand Nordy Vj5 (Ash/Maple/Nordy Big split PU's/Audere Pre) and F Bass BN5 (Also Ash/Maple)

I am really looking forward to my own shootout and am enjoying this thread!
Click to expand...

Cool! As a LMII/UL310 user I'm very interested in your review also. Besides tone I'm curious as to how they compare in terms of power, headroom, and "Oomph"...
 

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