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Genz Benz amp guide?

jdjk7

jdjk7

May 12, 2016
2,455
4,820
Indiana, USA
#1
So, I've been seeing a lot of Genz Benz amps, and I know people like them. But, I also see a lot of different models. 6.0, 9.0, 9.2, 10.8, 11.6, shuttle, streamliner, etc...

Can someone explain, or send me to a resource where I can read about the differences between models, particularly the different versions like 9.0 or 9.2?
 
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#3
I'm sure @agedhorse will be along to help, but it will be best to get specific.

The Shuttle series amps came out in at least 3.0, 6.0, 9.0 versions. Slightly later versions with different voicing have the .2 suffix rather than .0. The Shuttle series were also offered as a docking amp configuration using a metal cradle to mount the amp on top of a lightweight Shuttle series speaker cab. Those came in docking configuration with 8, 10 and 12 inch speaker sizes. There were other Shuttle cabs (like the 2x10) that didn't come in a docked configuration.

There were also Streamliner and Contour amp series, larger than the Shuttle series. I don't know much about them.

You can find specs on individual amps by Googling them.
 
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#5
jdjk7 said:
So, I've been seeing a lot of Genz Benz amps, and I know people like them. But, I also see a lot of different models. 6.0, 9.0, 9.2, 10.8, 11.6, shuttle, streamliner, etc...

Can someone explain, or send me to a resource where I can read about the differences between models, particularly the different versions like 9.0 or 9.2?
Click to expand...

Regarding Shuttle Series, straight from the horse's mouth pen Old genz benz vs new class d
 
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#7
Shuttle 3.0: FET preamp, 300 watts/4 ohms
Shuttle 6.0: Single Tube preamp, 600 watts/4 ohms
Shuttle 6.2: Single Tube preamp, 600 watts/4 ohms, 3DPM output management and very slightly lower HPF
Shuttle 9.0: Single Tube preamp, 900 watts/4 ohms
Shuttle 9.2: Single Tube preamp, 900 watts/4 ohms, 3DPM output management and very slightly lower HPF
ShuttleMax 6.0: 2 channel (tube/FET) preamp, 600 watts/4 ohms
ShuttleMax 12.0: 2 channel (tube/FET) preamp, 2 x 600 watts/4 ohms (1200 watts equiv. into 2 x 4 ohm cabinets)
ShuttleMax 9.2: 2 channel (tube/FET) preamp, 3DPM output management, 900 watts/4 ohms
ShuttleMax 12.2: 2 channel (tube/FET) preamp, 2 x 600 watts/4 ohms (1200 watts equiv. into 2 x 4 ohm cabinets), 3DPM output management
Streamliner 600: 3 tube preamp, classic voicing, 600 watts/4 ohms, 3DPM output management
Streamliner 600: 9 tube preamp, classic voicing, 900 watts/4 ohms, 3DPM output management
Contour 500: FET preamp, 500 watts/4 ohms, only offered as a combo version though there was a head version on the drawing board until Fender shut the brand down.
 
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#11
agedhorse said:
Shuttle 3.0: FET preamp, 300 watts/4 ohms
Shuttle 6.0: Single Tube preamp, 600 watts/4 ohms
Shuttle 6.2: Single Tube preamp, 600 watts/4 ohms, 3DPM output management and very slightly lower HPF
Shuttle 9.0: Single Tube preamp, 900 watts/4 ohms
Shuttle 9.2: Single Tube preamp, 900 watts/4 ohms, 3DPM output management and very slightly lower HPF
ShuttleMax 6.0: 2 channel (tube/FET) preamp, 600 watts/4 ohms
ShuttleMax 12.0: 2 channel (tube/FET) preamp, 2 x 600 watts/4 ohms (1200 watts equiv. into 2 x 4 ohm cabinets)
ShuttleMax 9.2: 2 channel (tube/FET) preamp, 3DPM output management, 900 watts/4 ohms
ShuttleMax 12.2: 2 channel (tube/FET) preamp, 2 x 600 watts/4 ohms (1200 watts equiv. into 2 x 4 ohm cabinets), 3DPM output management
Streamliner 600: 3 tube preamp, classic voicing, 600 watts/4 ohms, 3DPM output management
Streamliner 600: 9 tube preamp, classic voicing, 900 watts/4 ohms, 3DPM output management
Contour 500: FET preamp, 500 watts/4 ohms, only offered as a combo version though there was a head version on the drawing board until Fender shut the brand down.
Click to expand...
Could you comment on the 3DPM output management vs the older version? Is there a significant tonal different/benefit?
 
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#12
jdjk7 said:
Could you comment on the 3DPM output management vs the older version? Is there a significant tonal different/benefit?
Click to expand...
It’s just different, neither is better or worse. The 3DPM is a little more polite, the original is a little more grindy when driven hard.

I actually prefer (slightly) the original method but not always.
 
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#13
Don't forget the big bangers! The GBE series were not class D, but rather full sized heads with massive punch and a very useful feature set. This was the baby of the series, there was at least one bigger model. These things killed if you didn't mind a little more size and weight. You can get a million different tones, it had a lot of features, and they held up to abuse as well as a Peavey or Mesa. Real workhorses and they sound great!

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#16
J Wilson said:
Andy, what was the idea behind GBE and where did they fit on amongst the Streamliners and the rest of the GB line?
Click to expand...
the GBE series pre-existed the Shuttle and Streamliner series. Although we introduced the Shuttle and Streamliner, we still kept the GBE750 and GBE1200 in production.

the Shuttle Max series was an attempt to replicate the full-feature set of the GBE750/1200 in a lighter switch mode power supply amp.

The GBE1200 was my idea. I wanted a 1000 watt amp that left the competition in the dust. In development, I called it the Kilo.

Jeff and I came up with the feature set. I "voiced" it. Jeff did the industrial design aspects. Agedhorse did all the engineering and a brilliant job I might add. Any of his designs were as bullet proof as you could get.
 
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#18
I started with a GBE 600 and loved it.
Had an issue with it (Back when GB was still around)
And my experience dealing with every one involved was so positive I was deeply impressed
GB earned my loyalty by virtue of their customer service ( & quality of course)
I was sad to see the company go, hope everyone involved got a nice payout.
The GB culture of standing behind their products lives on, as you can see in this thread.

When I picked up a Streamliner 900, and it basically met my needs exactly.
Some day I'll buy a second backup.
 
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#19
S-Bigbottom said:
That a lot of tubes... Ya got a typo on the Streamliner 900 with 3 tube preamp.
Click to expand...
Yeah, that got scrambled didn’t it? Can’t edit my post now.

Streamliner 600/900 have 3 tubes.
 
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#20
hasbeen said:
the GBE series pre-existed the Shuttle and Streamliner series. Although we introduced the Shuttle and Streamliner, we still kept the GBE750 and GBE1200 in production.

the Shuttle Max series was an attempt to replicate the full-feature set of the GBE750/1200 in a lighter switch mode power supply amp.

The GBE1200 was my idea. I wanted a 1000 watt amp that left the competition in the dust. In development, I called it the Kilo.

Jeff and I came up with the feature set. I "voiced" it. Jeff did the industrial design aspects. Agedhorse did all the engineering and a brilliant job I might add. Any of his designs were as bullet proof as you could get.
Click to expand...
Thanks, Hasbeen.

JW
 
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