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

[HowieD72]

It’s the variable tone shape filters on the Max.

Thanks Andy

 

[Chuck M]

For what it is worth…..I used Genz-Benz amps.. mostly a Shuttle 9.2 but also had a Shuttlemax 9.2. Lovely amps but I went to Mesa Subway amps and recently added a Genzler Kinetix and a Magellan 350. I don’t miss the Shuttlemax. I suggest that you will almost certainly fall in love with a Mesa D-800+. Incredible amp and I am using mine tonight. The TT-800 was not for me. I owned one but sold it as I prefer the D-800+ and the WD-800. YMMV

 

[HowieD72]

For what it is worth…..I used Genz-Benz amps.. mostly a Shuttle 9.2 but also had a Shuttlemax 9.2. Lovely amps but I went to Mesa Subway amps and recently added a Genzler Kinetix and a Magellan 350. I don’t miss the Shuttlemax. I suggest that you will almost certainly fall in love with a Mesa D-800+. Incredible amp and I am using mine tonight. The TT-800 was not for me. I owned one but sold it as I prefer the D-800+ and the WD-800. YMMV

I actually have a Mesa D800+ and it is nice, but I prefer my Genz-Benz amps. My upgraded Streamliner 900 through my Mesa Subway 215 cab sounds so much better "to me" then the D800+. The Shuttle 9.2 I bought from Mike @daddymactx is great also. But I prefer the ShuttleMax (over the Shuttle) as I can have the Shuttle tone as well as other variations from that one amp.

I also find it very simple to dial in my tone on the Genz-Benz amps & once setup, it sounds great with my active Warwick's and my passive P & J basses without having to adjust switches or knobs. Just plug & play.

I've been tossing & turning over which Mesa amp I should try and researched the WD-800 & TT-800 as I thought they sound more up my alley. Andy mentioned the 800D would probably be to my liking & so did Mike (daddymactx). But after serious consideration tonight, I thought why would I need to buy another amp when all my tonal options and variations are covered with my Genz-Benz amps? So, it's Genz-Benz amps & Mesa Subway cabs for me!

 

[Chuck M]

If you have the opportunity, I highly recommend you try the Kinetix. It is a fantastic amp with some of the vibe of the Streamliner but the EQ system works much better for me. I owned 2 Streamliners and could not get MY tone out of them. On the Kinetix, all I do is cut the treble a little and put the HPF switch on lean and it just sounds fantastic through one or two Subway 115's.

We all have personal goals in our tone and are truly blessed to have so much wonderful bass equipment available to us. My first bass rig was a used Fender 1st generation Precision (single coil PU) and a Fender Bassman 410 amp. The bass was junk compared to today's basses and the amp was a great guitar amp and a lousy bass amp. In 1958 it was among the very best equipment being made in those days.

I played last night and used a Ernie Ball Bongo 6>Mesa Subway D-800+>one Subway 115. Sonic heaven for me.

 

[daddymactx]

If you have the opportunity, I highly recommend you try the Kinetix. It is a fantastic amp with some of the vibe of the Streamliner but the EQ system works much better for me. I owned 2 Streamliners and could not get MY tone out of them. On the Kinetix, all I do is cut the treble a little and put the HPF switch on lean and it just sounds fantastic through one or two Subway 115's.

We all have personal goals in our tone and are truly blessed to have so much wonderful bass equipment available to us. My first bass rig was a used Fender 1st generation Precision (single coil PU) and a Fender Bassman 410 amp. The bass was junk compared to today's basses and the amp was a great guitar amp and a lousy bass amp. In 1958 it was among the very best equipment being made in those days.

I played last night and used a Ernie Ball Bongo 6>Mesa Subway D-800+>one Subway 115. Sonic heaven for me.

@Chuck M brought his Kinetix over a few weeks ago and we A/B'd it with the new 800d and my WD-800, to which we determined ALL OF THEM had the low end oomph and great bass tone for the different type of playing styles we gravitate to. Even though each had many different tonal variations to them, that we noticed. In other words is a great time to be a bass player and have the options we enjoy!!! I still love the Shuttle 9.2 and would have never sold it to @HowieD72 until I had 3 Mesa amps that I can depend on in every situation!!

 

[HowieD72]

If you have the opportunity, I highly recommend you try the Kinetix. It is a fantastic amp with some of the vibe of the Streamliner but the EQ system works much better for me. I owned 2 Streamliners and could not get MY tone out of them. On the Kinetix, all I do is cut the treble a little and put the HPF switch on lean and it just sounds fantastic through one or two Subway 115's.

We all have personal goals in our tone and are truly blessed to have so much wonderful bass equipment available to us. My first bass rig was a used Fender 1st generation Precision (single coil PU) and a Fender Bassman 410 amp. The bass was junk compared to today's basses and the amp was a great guitar amp and a lousy bass amp. In 1958 it was among the very best equipment being made in those days.

I played last night and used a Ernie Ball Bongo 6>Mesa Subway D-800+>one Subway 115. Sonic heaven for me.

Sounds good Chuck. I have looked at a Kinetix but haven't done a lot of research on one. I have heard they sound good though. The only thing i don't like about them is, here in NZ they cost $2800 NZD. In comparison, I recently bought a Shuttlemax 9.2 with bag and footswitch for under $700 NZD /$400 USD. With my love for Genz-Benz and the price difference between the newer competition, it's a no brainer for me which way I'll go.

But I wholeheartedly agree with you when you said: "We all have personal goals in our tone and are truly blessed to have so much wonderful bass equipment available to us". I'll add to that and say truly blessed to also have guys on hand like Andy, Jeff, Jim etc etc who we can discuss firsthand anything regarding all this wonderful equipment they design for us. So cool!!

 

[HowieD72]

@Chuck M brought his Kinetix over a few weeks ago and we A/B'd it with the new 800d and my WD-800, to which we determined ALL OF THEM had the low end oomph and great bass tone for the different type of playing styles we gravitate to. Even though each had many different tonal variations to them, that we noticed. In other words is a great time to be a bass player and have the options we enjoy!!! I still love the Shuttle 9.2 and would have never sold it to @HowieD72 until I had 3 Mesa amps that I can depend on in every situation!!

That's so good to hear Mike. Now that makes me have more G.A.S.

But totally agree with you 100%, it is a great time to be a bass player with all these great options!!!

 

[HowieD72]

Looks like I'll be staying with Genz-Benz. A sweet Shuttle 9.2 popped up for a great price of $382 USD, so I jumped on it! So, with a Streamliner 600 & 900, a ShuttleMax 9.2 and now this, I'm set.

I know, I know, pictures or it never happened!! (Still not in my possession but paid for & awaiting courier pickup).

 

[agedhorse]

Looks like I'll be staying with Genz-Benz. A sweet Shuttle 9.2 popped up for a great price of $382 USD, so I jumped on it! So, with a Streamliner 600 & 900, a ShuttleMax 9.2 and now this, I'm set.

I know, I know, pictures or it never happened!! (Still not in my possession but paid for & awaiting courier pickup).

View attachment 7443880View attachment 7443883

Wow, killer price for NZ.

 

[HowieD72]

Wow, killer price for NZ.

Well, this one actually is in Scotland. It will cost me $67 USD for FedEx pickup at his door and delivery to my door in NZ. So all up, $449 USD. Still a good score in my opinion.

I scour the world for Genz-Benz heads if I can't find it in NZ or America and most of the time I get great bargains

 

[Jeff Genzler]

Well, this one actually is in Scotland. It will cost me $67 USD for FedEx pickup at his door and delivery to my door in NZ. So all up, $449 USD. Still a good score in my opinion.

I scour the world for Genz-Benz heads if I can't find it in NZ or America and most of the time I get great bargains

Wow. And that is a good shipping charge as well. Hope you enjoy it.

 

[HowieD72]

Wow. And that is a good shipping charge as well. Hope you enjoy it.

Yeah, a great shipping price.

I've had a Shuttle 9.2 before, but I never spent enough time trying to dial it in. But after playing around with my ShuttleMax 9.2 and Shuttle 6.0 (recently sold) and reading lots of posts on TB, I know where I went wrong.

Thanks Jeff!

 

[daddymactx]

Yeah, a great shipping price.

I've had a Shuttle 9.2 before, but I never spent enough time trying to dial it in. But after playing around with my ShuttleMax 9.2 and Shuttle 6.0 (recently sold) and reading lots of posts on TB, I know where I went wrong.

Thanks Jeff!

Howie, Just curious what did you discover? You know my feelings about these heads, IMHO, Its really hard not to dial in great tone..

 

[HowieD72]

Howie, Just curious what did you discover? You know my feelings about these heads, IMHO, Its really hard not to dial in great tone..

I discovered I was stupid selling it!!!

Just being cheeky Mike. I sent you a DM.