Genz Benz GB 18B with JBL E155-4?

[Audible Girth]

Will the combo work well for 5 string reinforcement?

I have a pair of two channel amps, I'm considering this for my low A and B duty, topped with something for "voicing".

I can't find any info on the GB cab (internal volume, port length etc) so I'm unable to make the determination for myself.

Also, are there suitable replacement parts still available for the JBL in 4 ohm coil?

I see a lot of aftermarket stuff, nothing original JBL (understandably, considering the age)

I can get the cabinet with original driver in mint functional condition for $200, I can get the JBL for $50 (blown)

Should I even bother?

Thanks in advance

 

[Audible Girth]

I prefer vintage tone, but I like a really full authoritative low A or B

 

[agedhorse]

The original driver will out-perform the E-155-4 by a mile for bass guitar. The E-155 is very, very dark. IMO, unreasonably dark.

Tuning-wise and response-wise, the 2241 would be a better choice and at one time was an added cost factory option.

 

[Audible Girth]

Thank you. I'll give it a go. Appreciate all your info, whether I like it or not

$200 a good price for the cab? Mint condition

 

[agedhorse]

Thank you. I'll give it a go. Appreciate all your info, whether I like it or not

$200 a good price for the cab? Mint condition

Seems so, but beware that it's a heavy cabinet.

 

[Audible Girth]

Also, any recommendations on best bang for buck 4 ohm driver that would be right at home in that cab, including any tweaks to ports that would extend low end response to accommodate? I don't want/need clarity, I seriously fat effortless low end.

I have cabinets for voicing/clarity to stack on top

Unfortunately the 8 ohm load ends up leaving a lot to be desired by the Trace Elliot head, which is fast becoming my weapon of choice 300 x 2 rms @ 4 ohms. For low B, it struggles with an 8 ohm load on that specific channel.

At 4 ohms it shines, effortless, plenty of headroom

 

[Audible Girth]

Seems so, but beware that it's a heavy cabinet.

I use a heavy duty hand truck with ratcheting straps. Unfortunately all the cabinets I fancy and tone I'm after involve heavy equipment. I'm a young 53, my back can handle it. Thanks for the heads up tho

 

[Audible Girth]

I use a heavy duty hand truck with ratcheting straps. Unfortunately all the cabinets I fancy and tone I'm after involve heavy equipment. I'm a young 53, my back can handle it. Thanks for the heads up tho

Even my amps are obnoxiously heavy. Trace Elliot AH600SMX, and an even heavier Ashdown ABM1200 Evo IV.

Absurd, and while purely anecdotal, I prefer the weighted gear over the "micros".

Played through plenty of that stuff and it just doesn't do it for me.

 

[agedhorse]

Also, any recommendations on best bang for buck 4 ohm driver that would be right at home in that cab, including any tweaks to ports that would extend low end response to accommodate? I don't want/need clarity, I seriously fat effortless low end.

I have cabinets for voicing/clarity to stack on top

Unfortunately the 8 ohm load ends up leaving a lot to be desired by the Trace Elliot head, which is fast becoming my weapon of choice 300 x 2 rms @ 4 ohms. For low B, it struggles with an 8 ohm load on that specific channel.

At 4 ohms it shines, effortless, plenty of headroom

JBL 2441-G, but I don't think it will outperform the original driver.

 

[BlueTalon]

I'm a young 53, my back can handle it.

He says that now.

*Snort*

 

[S-Bigbottom]

Should I even bother?

You are buying a great cab , a top of the line at the time, and want to do all sort of changes before even hearing it?
So far these changes will result in a downgrade in performance by the items you have picked out already.

Why buy this cab to begin with?
If you have your hart set on that JBL and want to do port tuning and such, build something with the driver you want and do not destroy a perfectly great cab.

We see failed "upgrades" waaaay too often around here.

 

[Audible Girth]

He says that now.

*Snort*

 

[Audible Girth]

*Chuckles*

 

[Audible Girth]

Appreciate all the great responses.

My concern was the 8 ohm load. MyvTrace Elliott AH600SMX really shines on 4 ohm loads per channel

I'll try it with the original driver.

So far, my workingman's 210 with eminence Basslites in it is 8 ohms, and it sounds great w the TE Head.
I was concerned about it not delivering on the low B tho

I'll give it a go, if it doesn't suit me, then I'll start looking.

Thanks again!

 

[S-Bigbottom]

Appreciate all the great responses.

My concern was the 8 ohm load. MyvTrace Elliott AH600SMX really shines on 4 ohm loads per channel

I'll try it with the original driver.

So far, my workingman's 210 with eminence Basslites in it is 8 ohms, and it sounds great w the TE Head.
I was concerned about it not delivering on the low B tho

I'll give it a go, if it doesn't suit me, then I'll start looking.

Thanks again!

That 8 Ohm 18 and 8 Ohm 210 together will give you your 4 Ohm load to the Trace.
This will also give you "more" with the two cabs together.

Enjoy!

 

[Audible Girth]

That 8 Ohm 18 and 8 Ohm 210 together will give you your 4 Ohm load to the Trace.
This will also give you "more" with the two cabs together.

Enjoy!

Not looking to do that. looking to get the most of both 300 watt channels by pairing w cabinets that are four ohms each.

Unless the cabinets are hella efficient, the TE head (from past experiences) struggles with achieving the volume I need to compete with obnoxious guitarists with their 100 watt half stacks turned up to 11.

My Ashdown ABM1200 Evo IV is another story

 

[agedhorse]

With the 4 ohm driver, you will loose some sensitivity which will reduce the maximum SPL compared to the 8 ohm driver. This is the reason you don’t see many 4 ohm drivers where total performance is factored in.

You can also bridge the amp into 8 ohms which might be a better solution if you are careful. I strongly recommend a HPF set to about 35Hz minimum.

 

[Audible Girth]

I'm aware of the loss of sensitivity, but I was unaware of it being a notable difference in overall output when comparing a single 4 ohm driver to an 8 ohm driver. I figured the additional power available for the four ohm load would more than make up for it.

Now a combination of 8 or 16 ohm driver equalling a 4 ohm load is different, correct? I'd get the benefit of full amplifier output, plus the added efficiency of the higher ohm drivers.

That said, I also have the option of trading up for a mint Acoustic 406. Owner claims original drivers, but I don't see white dust caps.

I'll audition both before I make a decision.

The TE head always seemed to struggle with 8 ohm loads, but this 210 I just pickednup loaded with basslites you originally recommended has definitely proven otherwise. (Thank you)

With those wonky eminence 410s I talked about doling out Low B on low end duty, the cab with the basslites in it absolutely sings. I can actually hear the slightly driven sound of the single valve in the preamp section of that amp, something I've not experienced before. Breaks up slightly, very pleasing to the ear. Creamy, full, punchy, driven sound, no farting because I'm not demanding much from it.

With that in mind, safe to say that past issues w 8 ohm loads was more about the cabinet/driver combo itself, probably not a good fit for my preferences

As far as bridging, I was always told that you're unable to bridge a TE amp. Each of the outputs have individual level controls and IIRC, "DO NOT BRIDGE!" was something I read somewhere at some point. Any pointers?

BTW, the EQ has a sub 30hz slider which I dial back quite a bit and the 40hz is pulled back just below flat. Still working out the settings, haven't had much time, but the preliminaries are incredibly promising

 

[agedhorse]

The results will depend on the specific driver. You are chasing rainbows at this point, may I suggest that you focus more on the basics?

I don't remember which TE models were bridgable, it's been too long since I worked on those products.

 

[Audible Girth]

Unfortunately I'm pretty broke at the moment, so I have been chasing rainbows. Vet bills wiped me out last month, catching up as we speak.

Have opportunity to trade up for the acoustic, which is why I'm inquiring about it. Even if I have to put it on the back burner like the old TE red stripe 8x10 ( till I can afford suitable drivers speccd to work within the enclosures) I'm ok with that. I'm ok with making necessary modifications to a cabinet to make it work with a pair of drivers more suited to my needs. I've done it before, quite successfully in fact.

I'm the type of person who's into this kind of thing. I'll buy or trade for equipment, modify cabinets to suit my needs

I'm going to meet with the GB owner this week. Hopefully I'm blown away.

Acoustic owner is still out of the country for the time being, so the point is moot for now.

Thanks again