Buying a Genz Benz 212 with issues?

[bugeyebass]

hey talkbass posse.

i need to upgrade my rig on a budget, and have been shopping around for a 212 cab. i was almost ready to pull the trigger on a used avatar when a local deal came my way.

an acquaintance through the local music scene has a GB 212 NEOX that he's looking to sell, but it has some issues. here are his word for word descriptions so far:

"I have a Genz Benz 212 that is really awesome but needs some work. It's mostly just seen a lot of gigs, so there's some input tightening (one probably needs to be replaced), and possibly some rewiring elsewhere."

and then when asked if it was working at all, i got this:

"Yeah, it was a weird situation with the Genz. Was playing at practice one day, and I caught the slight whiff of ozone. Kept smelling it around the speakers, like something was fizzling. I stopped playing it (it was still functioning), plugged into my 4x10 and didn't go back to it. Not 100% sure what to do with it at the moment, someone with more electrical knowledge than I would have to get in there."

wiring up a new input jack is no problem, but i keep thinking, "what else could be wrong in there? i can't find any schematics or manuals through the GB site.

any thoughts?

 

[StraightSix]

I would try the cab before parting with any cash - the smell of 'Ozone' sounds to me like burned-out voicecoils which means it may need new 12" drivers...or the tweeter may be dead if it is the GB 212T Neox.

If it's the tweeter, replacement will be much cheaper than replacing two 12" drivers so test it to see what works and what doesn't.

 

[Joe Louvar]

hey talkbass posse.

i need to upgrade my rig on a budget, and have been shopping around for a 212 cab. i was almost ready to pull the trigger on a used avatar when a local deal came my way.

an acquaintance through the local music scene has a GB 212 NEOX that he's looking to sell, but it has some issues. here are his word for word descriptions so far:

"I have a Genz Benz 212 that is really awesome but needs some work. It's mostly just seen a lot of gigs, so there's some input tightening (one probably needs to be replaced), and possibly some rewiring elsewhere."

and then when asked if it was working at all, i got this:

"Yeah, it was a weird situation with the Genz. Was playing at practice one day, and I caught the slight whiff of ozone. Kept smelling it around the speakers, like something was fizzling. I stopped playing it (it was still functioning), plugged into my 4x10 and didn't go back to it. Not 100% sure what to do with it at the moment, someone with more electrical knowledge than I would have to get in there."

wiring up a new input jack is no problem, but i keep thinking, "what else could be wrong in there? i can't find any schematics or manuals through the GB site.

any thoughts?

Who knows what's been done to it - I'd return it. But you could send “agedhorse” a TB message - if anyone can help you - he is the man!!! And a really nice guy too.

 

[will33]

+1 to playing it, battery testing, checking wiring, etc. I don't know what he means by "ozone". It's possible he could've blew a 12, but it's more likely the tweeter or L-pad. Both much cheaper fixes than a woofer. If the woofers check out good, I'd probably pick it up. Those are quite nice cabs and can take being run loud at gig volume. The tweeter, pad, jacks or any cosmetic touchups would all be cheaper fixes and you'd have a good 1 cab solution that won't come up short when you need volume.

+1 to agedhorse and the Genz customer service folks. They'll help you out.

 

[Red Planet]

hey talkbass posse.

i need to upgrade my rig on a budget, and have been shopping around for a 212 cab. i was almost ready to pull the trigger on a used avatar when a local deal came my way.

an acquaintance through the local music scene has a GB 212 NEOX that he's looking to sell, but it has some issues. here are his word for word descriptions so far:

"I have a Genz Benz 212 that is really awesome but needs some work. It's mostly just seen a lot of gigs, so there's some input tightening (one probably needs to be replaced), and possibly some rewiring elsewhere."

and then when asked if it was working at all, i got this:

"Yeah, it was a weird situation with the Genz. Was playing at practice one day, and I caught the slight whiff of ozone. Kept smelling it around the speakers, like something was fizzling. I stopped playing it (it was still functioning), plugged into my 4x10 and didn't go back to it. Not 100% sure what to do with it at the moment, someone with more electrical knowledge than I would have to get in there."

wiring up a new input jack is no problem, but i keep thinking, "what else could be wrong in there? i can't find any schematics or manuals through the GB site.

any thoughts?

How much does he want for it?

 

[agedhorse]

The first question is what was your friend powering it with?

Have the speaker checked out by a real tech (somebody with a known good track record) and find out what is really wrong rather than making assumptions. The L-pad, crossover and tweeter are all very robust parts with high reliability... but of course, with enough determination and a big enough amp ANYTHING can be damaged.

All of the repair parts are available, do not discard any bad 12" drivers as they carry a core value when returned to the factory.

 

[bugeyebass]

thanks all.

we haven't discussed price yet. i'm trying to get as many ducks as i can in a row before i start negotiating price.

looks like he might have been driving it with a little mark, but which i'm not sure. he's a pretty savvy guy, so i don't think he would overpower the cab, but who knows...

still trying to figure out what the best deal would be.

suggestions?

 

[bugeyebass]

thanks again btw!

 

[B-string]

You need to know if the cab still works first! Otherwise it might be a $50 shell (still worth fixing at that price), but not worth the hassle if he wants $400.? If the 12's are still fine but the tweeter is fried that is a different story. It is a great cab but unknown if anything still works properly?