Brief word on the Genz - Benz "Shuttle"

[SamJ]

Awesome!

I had one for a week as a loaner amp while my GK 1001RB-II was coming, and I to say, I'm VERY impressed.... for $350ish street price, it's hard to beat this little head, and that Class D weight!

The tone form this thing was thunderous, punchy and clean as you'd ever want... I honestly had a hard time A/B with the GK until I began to explore some of the GK's added features.

So for anyone looking for a small, inexpensive, and light weight head, I highly recommend this. Only drawback is the styling and build quality felt "ok"... al though it was made in Taiwan and not China which is a huge bonus for me.

4.5 out of 5 stars for the price!

 

[pfschim]

glad you had a good loaner experience. Sadly, Genz Benz no longer exists as a company after being bought by FMIC (Fender Musical Instrument Company).
The Shuttle series (3 and 6) were very popular when they first came out about 5-6 years ago. They can be found used, but not new anymore.

 

[alaskaleftybass]

There are reliable rumblings that the company may be rising out of the ashes....

 

[jnewmark]

The Shuttle 6.2 has been my main go to head for awhile now. Big improvement over the 6.0.

 

[SamJ]

glad you had a good loaner experience. Sadly, Genz Benz no longer exists as a company after being bought by FMIC (Fender Musical Instrument Company).
The Shuttle series (3 and 6) were very popular when they first came out about 5-6 years ago. They can be found used, but not new anymore.

really? yet another amp maker gone like that??? SWR and now these guys..... what exactly is Fender doing with these companies?

 

[pfschim]

really? yet another amp maker gone like that??? SWR and now these guys..... what exactly is Fender doing with these companies?

I couldn't say.
One of Genz's engineer/amp designers, Agedhorse, is a member here on TB. He joined Mesa after the Fender takeover.

 

[JimmyM]

Fender no longer owns Genz Benz. They were part of KMC, which got sold to a company in Canada. It's a pretty safe bet they're coming back. Don't know when, but I think it'll happen sooner than later.

 

[mbelue]

Fender no longer owns Genz Benz. They were part of KMC, which got sold to a company in Canada. It's a pretty safe bet they're coming back. Don't know when, but I think it'll happen sooner than later.

The brand name may be coming back, who knows if the products that were revered will be returning.

 

[JimmyM]

The brand name may be coming back, who knows if the products that were revered will be returning.

Yeah, Jeff and Roger will be sure to turn GB into Behringer after all those years of establishing GB as a respected brand. Don't be a downer

 

[Joce]

Yeah, Jeff and Roger will be sure to turn GB into Behringer after all those years of establishing GB as a respected brand. Don't be a downer

Is it a given they (I assume the original owners/founders/masterminds) would be involved in a hypothetical re-launch? Do they retain any kind of rights with the brand?

 

[lomo]

It would be great if they returned. I have stockpiled a gaggle of GB gear I love. Amazing stuff. If I had to play 1 brand GB would be it, since I love so many of their cabs and amps, particularly the higher end cabs and SMax series heads.

 

[JxBass]

The Shuttle 9.0 was my main amp for quite awhile, my personal favorite of the GB line. Jeff's customer service was top notch.

 

[JimmyM]

Is it a given they (I assume the original owners/founders/masterminds) would be involved in a hypothetical re-launch? Do they retain any kind of rights with the brand?

KMC owns Genz Benz now. Roger is a muckety muck at KMC after years of being a muckety muck at GB. He and Jeff are good friends. I can't speak for Andy since he's at Mesa now but I believe it's a given that Jeff and Roger would be involved.

 

[lomo]

customer service was top notch.

+1000, in spades, with a cherry on top. Even compared to other companies "that care", GB was head and shoulders above the fray in terms of listening to their customers and providing service IME.

 

[Joce]

KMC owns Genz Benz now. Roger is a muckety muck at KMC after years of being a muckety muck at GB. He and Jeff are good friends. I can't speak for Andy since he's at Mesa now but I believe it's a given that Jeff and Roger would be involved.

Good to hear that, especially because I missed out on the first run.

 

[Flabass]

As of June 11 KMC has transitioned to JAM Industries headquartered in Conn. Distribution moves to Mississippi.

KMC Music | NEWS

 

[PrimitiveMan]

I love my Shuttle 6.2! Glad to hear they are likely coming back

 

[Mosfed]

I use my Shuttle 6.2 with a Barefaced 6x10 as my main gigging rig in the winter. More than enough power - 600w into 4ohm. Very very loud and sounds great. With a barbershop always on I can almost pretend it's a tube amp.

 

[BassIsBoss]

GB has been my go to amp for years now. Used it in the studio the other day to go right into the board and the results were excellent. If, as a company, they do return, I hope they keep the same attention to detail and sound quality.

 

[basscooker]

oh my. Looks like I'm going to have to prepare the wallet for a bit of GAS.

So let's speculate on this... Would this kind of reboot typically require new designs? Would any of the former GB designs be on the table or would they have to have been sold separately along with the company both times?