• 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 freeLog in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

genz-benz GBE 750 vs. GB ShuttleMax 6.0

Which amp do you prefer?

  • GB GBE 750

    Votes: 12 60.0%
  • GB ShuttleMax 6.0

    Votes: 8 40.0%

  • Total voters
    20
Hey folks,

I'm sorry to add a "vs." thread to many already in existence, but I'm having a hard time finding opinions on these two amps.

Basically, I've been doing a lot of researching and playing around town in different shops, and I really like what I've read about these two amps.

Problem is I haven't played either and can't find either TO play. Closest I've come was on a Shuttle 6.0 through the new GB 1x12 Neo.

I'm trying to understand the difference, if any in these two amps (GBE 750 and ShuttleMax 6.0). What are the pros and cons to each, in your opinion?

I found a used GBE for sale for $569 + Shipping outside of my state (so I can't go and play it), but does this sound like a good deal? It sure does to me considering its about 1/2 the price new, so I wonder if maybe there is something weird going on with the tube... since it is my understanding tubes need to be fixed more often than SS.

I play a ESP LTD D-5 (five string), and would like to hook it up to a GB 1x12 Neo cab an an Eden XST 2x10. I'm looking for low B support and clarity, along with a rig that will offer warmth, grit, and clarity and punch... Basically something high quality in sound and able to meet and handle "both ends of the spectrum". Does this sound like such a rig to you?

Thank-you in advance... I'm totally lost here.
 
I had both. Both are great amps. The GBE750 has more tone options, and goes to 2ohms. Also slightly louder. That said, I think I like the shuttle better. Awesome tone, loud, punchy and stupid small. Even though the 750 had more sound options, I just need a good sound and I could get that from the shuttle. I got rid of both to get the shuttle 9 - basically the same but louder, and tad different tone, a little more low end. By the way, you can probably find a used shuttle 9 for about $569.

can't go wrong with any of them though

Edit - sorry I didn't see the max. With the max you can probably get about the same sound combos with the dual channels. I would def go max if you do not need the 2ohms
 
Truthfully, the only difference to me (with my admittedly short experiences with both) is that the GBE is 2 ohm capable while the ShuttleMax 6.0 is not. 8 and 4 ohm wattages are pretty comparable.

Unless you need to drive tons of cabs, I'd personally go with the lighter weight Shuttle.

Low B is no problem with my Shuttle 6.0 and the Max shouldn't have any problem either. I'm sure someone will be along shortly to weigh in on the tonal merits that I have no idea about.
 
Hey thanks for the input folks I really appreciate it thus far.

I've read that it is pretty mediocre in sound for tube and its solid state, since it is truly neither (or.. both? haha..).

There is so much out there I'm about to go crazy, and the shops around here don't have anything I really like except for GK 700rb-ii and 1001rb-ii. I want to try more out before buying.
 
FWIW I think the tube preamp in my Shuttle 6.0 is great and the FET preamp in my Shuttle 3.0 is great. The ShuttleMax is basically both preamps in the same box plus additional tone shaping and blending options.

The tube preamp in the shuttles doesn't really warm the sound too much like an all tube amp, so I think that's where some of the criticisms come from there. (I mostly use the tube pre for grit, actually so I'm satisfied.) But, I've never heard anything bad about the solid state preamps in any of the Shuttles.

The GK's you list are classic amps too, so I don't think you are going to go wrong in any direction. Play whatever you can. Check out youtube vids to get an idea of the sounds of the stuff you can't try.
 
Hey Drank (I thought it said Dank at first)

Thanks again for the recommendations. I didn't think to compare sounds through videos.

I mean, not all the sound will be there, but on professional"vendor" videos they should be at least enough to tell difference.

Good idea.