Genz Benz Shuttle 6.0-12T OR Markbass CMD 102P???

Definitely the shuttle, imho, but I would go Shuttle 6.0 + Neox 112T instead.

 

GB>MB, IMO

Thank you for causing me to generate my single dorkiest internet posting ever. I feel so inspired.

 

Markbass

 

Tried both of them, ended up with the markbass. Much much better IMO.

 

I found the tube tone out of the GB to be the deciding factor, it is much more natural sounding to me. I was never able to get the Mark bass to deliver the crunchiness of a warm tube as well as the Shuttle 6.0, which basically made that delightful sound right out of the box.

I'll also say that the recent customer service/quality issues at MB make the decision even easier from where I sit. Guitar Center is killing Mark Bass's rep.


Just to be clear, I am relating my experience with the heads only, not the combos.

 

Hi Guys, First post!

I have just got the GB Shuttle 6.0 - it was a toss up of it and the Mark Bass. My local music shop let me test the 2 amps with my own SWR 210. The warmth the GB provided, while at the same time giving any brightness required was excellent. The MB couldn't give the warmth that I wanted. I was using an Ampeg SVT 4 Pro until now and the Genz shoots out as much power and tone for a fraction of the weight, size and price.

Gigging it for the first time this weekend, can't wait!

 

If you're going to be playing a 5 string bass through the rig, definately go with the Genz-Benz setup. I bought a new CMD102P a few months ago for the express purpose of using it at rehearsals or small gigs. Used it once and took it back the very next day. It couldn't handle the low B string unless most of the tone was dialed back, and that's just not my kinda sound.

I'm about to buy a Shuttle Max 12.0

G-B all the way baby!

TD

 

Remember my advice about the cabinet. the Shuttle combo cabs are nothing to write home about. Super light for sure, but the Neox112T is not so heavy and sounds miles better.

 

My take on these two amps is that the MB has a very clear and deep low end which sounds nice for some styles of music. Reggae, for example, would probably sound good with a MB.

The GB has a bit more of a low-mid focus to it, comparatively speaking, and sounds warmer all around. The GB seems to have a bit more colored sound to it versus the transparency of the MB. It seems to work very well for rock and stands out in a hard rock band mix quite well.

I have a Shuttle 6.0 and the quality seems top-notch. It's pretty easy to quickly dial in a good tone without a lot of EQ tweaking. The headphone output is actually very good and far more useful than most other amps.

 

I recently compared several Mark Bass heads to the G-B Shuttle 6.0 head.

The Shuttle followed me home.

 

My CMD 102p handles the low B with no problem

 

True here too. I thought the Mark Bass heads sounded very nice, but one note on the Shuttle and I was blown away by the tone. The Shuttle really is my idea of a great bass tone. IMO, of course.

It seems the Shuttle has a fairly distinctive tone that a person will either really like or not. Definitely worth playing through one to find out if it's "the one" or not.

 

How does the MB cmd 121H compare to the Genz Benz Shuttle? This seems to more of an apples to apples comparison since they are both 112's. Does the 121H provide more warmth than the cmd 102p? The 121h is $250 cheaper, but the Genz Benz definitely has more features.

 

Here's my take .... The Shuttle 6.0 12T ... has a mute switch .. and a kickstand for tilting back .. both very helpful features. It also has an L pad for turning the horn up and down. The Mark Bass doesn't.

The kicker is Genz Benz service is second to none. They are with you every step of the way!

I have the Shuttle and I love it's sound, it's portability and versatility. Lately I have been using the effects send on my shuttle to "slave" by old Peavy BAM 210. It's great .. the preamp setting on the my shuttle sets the volume level on my BAM 210 and my volume on the Shuttle 6.0 12t works my shuttle. I put the BAM behind me and the Shuttle in front like a monitor. I increase the volume in my Shuttle 6.0 12t so I hear it louder than than the BAM behind... works great. my bass mixes fantastic in the overall sound of the band that the audience hears ... and at the same time the bass is nice and loud for me on stage .... without bothering anyone else ... a win win!!

 

Yeah the genz benz seems to be the overall package. I can probably justify buying the genz benz for an extra $250 due to the extra features, tube, and removable head. If only MB combos had removable heads! They definitely need to start implanting this in future combos. I'll just have to test both amps out at GC this weekend and base my decision on their sound quality. I've already heard some the genz benz on youtube, but haven't been able to hear the 121H yet. I'll give you all impressions this weekend.

 

this is a clever idea to use the shuttle as your monitor and slave it to your main amp...nice thinking

 

me too, even at very high volume and detuned b string