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coaxing more mids from the GB Streamliner 900

S

slade

Apr 5, 2001
885
439
#1
any thoughts? Dig many things about this amp. I bought a Mesa Boogie M9 Carbine to replace it as I really didn't care for the SL at first- after a/bing the two and gigging with both I dumped the Mesa. Still have a hell of a time getting a nice mid punch and articulation. Lows are huge and I cut them. Highs are fine. Mids lack no matter what I do. Playing Jazz basses and P- Basses through it- into a Berg 4-10 (new). I've now got a VT pedal before it trying to boost the mids- helps but still trips me out that I can't just plug and play this bad boy. For the record everyone at my gigs love the bass tone and compliments come flying- I'm still just a bit frustrated with it. Tube swaps maybe?? I've read many others dumped this amp for the same reasons so I know it's not just me. . Rig sounds awesome on it's own- when it's being rehearsed and gigged is where the problem starts to kick in. I've seen a ton of videos of guys playing it in their living rooms (alone) and it sounds just like mine does when solo. Tone gets swallowed live. I'd love some feedback from anyone else who felt the same and found solutions....
And for the record my last rig was an Aguilar 680 and QSC power amp
Thanks
Slade
 
#4
How's your bass set-up? Voicing of the bass can be affected by PU pole height and position. Maybe a look-see by a luthier might be worth it to rule this out as one POSSIBLE cause. Strings?
 
#5
I'm not crazy bout the STL900 but I know without a doubt, ElectroHarmonix 12AX7's will bring out more upper-mid punch.

I'm not sure what is in the amp "stock", but the EH 12AX7's have a very nice, punchy, 'touch responive' feel.

They will help (if they aren't the stock tubes).
 
#6
Use a bass and cab with strong mids. My Carvin SB5000 with single coil p/u and a cab with two Eminence 3012HO's have strong mids and match very well with the STM900. I cut bass to 10:30, boost mids @ 600 Hz to 2:00, with treble at 12:00. The tone of this rig sits nicely in the mix and doesn't get lost.
 
#8
slade said:
any thoughts? Dig many things about this amp. I bought a Mesa Boogie M9 Carbine to replace it as I really didn't care for the SL at first- after a/bing the two and gigging with both I dumped the Mesa. Still have a hell of a time getting a nice mid punch and articulation. Lows are huge and I cut them. Highs are fine. Mids lack no matter what I do. Playing Jazz basses and P- Basses through it- into a Berg 4-10 (new). I've now got a VT pedal before it trying to boost the mids- helps but still trips me out that I can't just plug and play this bad boy. For the record everyone at my gigs love the bass tone and compliments come flying- I'm still just a bit frustrated with it. Tube swaps maybe?? I've read many others dumped this amp for the same reasons so I know it's not just me. . Rig sounds awesome on it's own- when it's being rehearsed and gigged is where the problem starts to kick in. I've seen a ton of videos of guys playing it in their living rooms (alone) and it sounds just like mine does when solo. Tone gets swallowed live. I'd love some feedback from anyone else who felt the same and found solutions....
And for the record my last rig was an Aguilar 680 and QSC power amp
Thanks
Slade
Click to expand...

Never have had a problem with this. There is a TON of tone variation between the gain setting, and the bass and mid knobs. Not only different levels, but different ratio's of those settings result in quite different tone.

HOWEVER, the DB680 is MUCH brighter in the upper mids, and a totally different sound. This head will never do the sizzly crunch of the M6 either, so it is what it is.

This head is all about fat, old school, tube tone. It will not give you that more modern hybrid punch of many amps, and if that is what you are looking for, you might have the wrong head. I still use a more 'modern voiced' solid state head when I want that more modern punch and articulation, so it might not be for you.

The comments you are getting from your peers suggest that the head is performaning like it should (it really is magnificent on the gig to put a nice pillow under the band while still being articulate and clean), but that might just not be your thing.

Experiment with those controls. I would start with the gain and volume controls both at about 1 oclock, the bass at 10 o'clock, the mid mids at around 1 o'clock at 500hz and the treble at around 10 o'clock. That results in (with many cabs and basses) a nice smooth, fat, warm, creamy tone with plent of note separation. However, it will never sound like a GK head or whatever.
 
#9
I'm interested in this as well. I've been interested in this head but worried about the OP's issue. I just bought a Neox 212T and wow this cab is bright and articulate. I thought my Eden tube head would be perfect with this cab but now I wonder if something fatter sounding the the Streamliner might not be a better choice?
 
#10
great thoughts guys.
I should have waited to post this until this morning. I put a pair of TI Jazz Flats on my P bass and man, what a difference. Much more articulation and clarity. I have a long gig tonight in a room I know well so I'll report back. I've been lucky to have played most pro rigs on incredible stages over the years with the artists I've backed up, so it's not as if I'm ignorant regarding tubes/solid state/ cabs etc.

My current settings- Gain 1 o'clock, button not engaged, Volume 1 o'clock, Bass either 11 or noon depending on room, mids about 3 o'clock, treble cut a little at 11 o'clock. I also have the Vt pedal engaged, mostly flat but with a mid bump. Running the P mostly wide open depending on the tune- if I'm emulating an upright I dial back.

Gonna look into tube rolling. I read through that whole thread but didn't listen to the clips (missed them actually)! I'll go back and listen.

I'd love to see some live clips of guys playing in bands with the SL- as I said- it's one thing to hear someone (or myself) in a living room play alone, another hearing things sit in a band. I'd like to hear The Bass Whisperer play in a band setting- love his videos- great hands, great chops, great pocket.... sounds like himself on every clip which is what I strive for daily....
 
#11
slade said:
My current settings- Gain 1 o'clock, button not engaged, Volume 1 o'clock, Bass either 11 or noon depending on room, mids about 3 o'clock, treble cut a little at 11 o'clock.
Click to expand...

You may find that cutting the bass and boosting the treble will get you more in the ballpark too. These heads have a lot of low end that can quickly muddy things up, and having the bass control around 9:00-9:30 is pretty sufficient for a lot of Streamliner users.

Just something to keep in mind at the gig tonight. If you feel like you can't hear yourself well, try that.
 
#13
LowDownWays said:
I'm interested in this as well. I've been interested in this head but worried about the OP's issue. I just bought a Neox 212T and wow this cab is bright and articulate. I thought my Eden tube head would be perfect with this cab but now I wonder if something fatter sounding the the Streamliner might not be a better choice?
Click to expand...

I've been gigging (medium-sized clubs) the Streamliner 900 with either the Neox 212T or a 4x12 Berg. I think both these cabs match really nicely with the Streamliner.
 
#15
TC.65 said:
You need to check out JohnK's Streamliner tube rolling thread. He's got some good soundclips comparing tubes in the V1 position. Rolling the V1 tube does make a significant difference.
Click to expand...

John has also posted about the settings he uses to achieve pleasing frequency response; and he's mentioned using an EQ3B in his streamliner's effects loop to perfect the tone.

As Ken mentioned, the gain and tone controls are interactive and don't behave in the same manner as some other amps.

IME, head/cab matching can make a huge difference; based on the Streamliners I've heard, you may find cab matching imperative.

You might want to experiment with a variable HPF, like the FDeck HPF/Pre; I find that I can trim the "boom" without ruining the native sound.

Since you're using a 4x10, it's very likely that you're experiencing a different tonal balance than the audience unless you have the luxury of standing several feet away from your cab; if you're standing close to your cab, the highs and high mids are aimed at your shins, not your ears.
 
#17
cool thing is that we usually headline and the bands before us like to use our gear if we're cool with it so I've been able to listen to some great players play my rig from the audience. I got my Fusion 550 in the mail today- going to post about it on another thread I have regarding the streamliner vs the 550 fusion....
 
#18
I have a DB680 and an STL 900. I spent hours a/b ing the two preamps with headphones only. I finally dialed in the STL with a Sovtek 7025 in V1 and an EH 12AU7 in V2. Same tubes used in my stock DB680. I put an NOS GE 7025 in V3. Now the preamp sounds right and the EQ is under control, which naturally brings the mids back in. I now have this setting, Gain button in, Gain at 10, Vol 3, Bass 2, Mids at 600 around 11:30-12, Treble at 9:30-10. Master to taste. I also notch out 400 hz on my Trilogic pedal, but only by maybe 2-3 db. With phones on these are identical tones, with actually less noise coming from the GB. I believe the cab comes into play next, and for me I use 212 cabs, DB212.
 
#19
#20
more great info. Currently using a Berg 4-10 (HD I believe). Actually these cabs tend to sound a but nasaly to me, but not with the SL. I A/B the SL with the GK Fusion 550 last night and dammit if I don't think I'm shipping the Fusion back. Not a big enough difference to lug a large amp around again.... looks like I'm ordering some tubes!!
 

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