• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join free Log in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

Does this make sense? Is it an upgrade? Mesa vs Genz Benz

#21
This is an example of designing amps for distinctly different tastes. For some, the ShuttleMax will be the better choice and for some the TT-800 will be the better choice.

What I find interesting (and maybe a bit surprising) is that the ShuttleMax overall has aged quite gracefully and still holds its own against new products after 10 years.
 
  • Like
  • Love
Reactions: HowieD72, eff-clef, fenderVI and 22 others
#22
Simple solution to add an HPF and a LPF to any amp..
0920659F-6DDF-46D6-9AD6-F20672C62123.jpeg
 
#28
HolmeBass said:
The SM 9.2 has an HPF in it.

While there is no upside to running serial HPFs, is there a downside? Phase smearing? Too steep a roll-off? Or is it ok?
Click to expand...
While I do not hear any issue in the cases where I have used an external variable HPF with a head that has a fixed HPF, I'm sure you have some interactions that are not totally unlike what you might find with stacking EQ on EQ. I know it's an oversimplification, but anytime you stack filters there is a possibility that their effect in the circuit will be a bit different...IME it's not something that makes it unusable though.
 
  • Like
Reactions: HowieD72, HolmeBass and DrMole
#29
The cure for GAS is to practice. That will improve your sound more than the most expensive amp in the world. Once you've taken your playing to a higher level, then start looking at amps. IMHO.

Funny how you're allowed to post that in the amps section, but if you dare suggest someone practice to improve their tone in the effects section, somebody gets all butt hurt. :whistle:
 
  • Like
Reactions: bassfuser, BlueTalon, DrMole and 1 other person
#30
HolmeBass said:
The SM 9.2 has an HPF in it.

While there is no upside to running serial HPFs, is there a downside? Phase smearing? Too steep a roll-off? Or is it ok?
Click to expand...
When cascading HPFs, if the corner frequencies are close, the resultant corner frequency will be higher.
 
  • Like
Reactions: eff-clef, DrMole, the federalist and 3 others
#31
lfmn16 said:
The cure for GAS is to practice. That will improve your sound more than the most expensive amp in the world. Once you've taken your playing to a higher level, then start looking at amps. IMHO.

Funny how you're allowed to post that in the amps section, but if you dare suggest someone practice to improve their tone in the effects section, somebody gets all butt hurt. :whistle:
Click to expand...
The difference is you are not saying something akin to “Real bass players don’t use amps, hurr hurr hurr!”. You are saying before upgrading an amp try practicing first.

If you posted an actual analog in the effects forum: “Before upgrading your overdrive, try practicing first” - I think that would be ok.

Still kind of besides the point given the thread title, but acceptable by forum standards, because you are not saying don’t use effects. The latter is what is not allowed on the effects forum.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Zbysek
#32
Lots of good advice here, only thing I have to add is a word of caution from your OP when you stated that regarding the Shuttle, you were “overwhelmed” by the range of possible settings. I do not own a TT, but have looked closely at it and wonder if you’d be trading into an amp with possibly even more setting options? Until I saw your post further down that you already owned a Mesa D800, that was going to be my suggestion. It’s a great amp with a simpler set of controls than Mesa’s latest offerings. Add a variable HPF or go for the D800+ and you’d be all set. Whatever you decide, you’ll be trading one great amp (the Shuttle) for another (any of the Mesa amps). Good luck with the decision!
 
  • Like
Reactions: the federalist
#37
agedhorse said:
This is an example of designing amps for distinctly different tastes. For some, the ShuttleMax will be the better choice and for some the TT-800 will be the better choice.

What I find interesting (and maybe a bit surprising) is that the ShuttleMax overall has aged quite gracefully and still holds its own against new products after 10 years.
Click to expand...
Yes and my Shuttlemax 12.2 is still going strong. I have tried the the first two Subway amps. I'm still using the Genz Benz, but maybe I'm just used to the the Shuttlemax.
 
  • Like
Reactions: HowieD72, DrMole, agedhorse and 1 other person
#38
  • Like
Reactions: Al Kraft, DrMole and 2tonic
#39
agedhorse said:
Yes, I should have been more clear. First, the control was originally named LF Extend, but somehow players couldn't grasp the concept of low frequency extension (at that time anyway) so it was renamed.

With the LF extend on the ShuttleMax fully clockwise, the -3dB point is at ~29Hz which is as low as any reasonable cabinet can handle at that kind of power. Without the LF extend engaged, the response is closer to 45Hz (actually I think it's around 42Hz but with tolerances it's going to be +/- 5% at best).

Most folks find that the HPF set to around 45-50Hz work the best on the Subway amps for many cabinets but on the "super cabs", 30-40Hz is fine.

As you can tell, I have been playing around with the concept of HPF's for quite some time.
Click to expand...

@agedhorse
It's great to see you are still around giving great advice. I've had the Shuttlemax 9.2 for years and never used the shape controls much. I just tried and your suggestion really gave the amp a lot more depth. Shame on me for not exploring this feature of the amp.
 
  • Like
Reactions: HowieD72, agedhorse, the federalist and 4 others
#40
the federalist said:
I own a Genz Benz Shuttle Max 9.2. I like how it sounds and it's versatility, although I've always been a little overwhelmed by the sheer variety of possible settings. Never had a moment's problem with this unit.

I'm considering purchase of a used Mesa Subway TT-800. When I have my "Buying Stuff is Fun (For At Least A Day Or Two)" hat on, I think about how much I like Mesa products and that it's a newer unit. When I put on my "Think Objectively About This" hat I'm burdened by the notion that the two amps are quite similar: both hybrid, similar power, similar size/weight. I'd sell the Genz Benz but would still end up spending a non-trivial amount for the Mesa.

One of the things I tell myself is that the Mesa has a High Pass Filter control, which I'd like to have. Do the three Global Signal Shape controls on the Genz Benz accomplish the same feat? I assume they do but am not 100 percent certain.

Can someone provide perspective on this? Thanks!
Click to expand...
A spare amp is always a good thing!! ;)
 

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back