Genz Benz Shuttle 9.0 Appreciation Thread

[popgadget]

Definitely ZERO issue with either of your heads. Absolutely no need for an external hi pass with these heads. If anything, the low end might be too controlled for some. VERY nice true hi passing control of not only the sub bass, but also the 'deep bass' that can sometimes get the cones flapping. Crank it up and enjoy!

Thanks for the reply, but It doesn't answer my question. I wanted to know what the HPF parameters are.
Does it roll off at 50hz? 40? 30? 12db per octave, 24?
Hopefully Andy can provide some actual data.
You are right though, I don't have any chance of having a problem because I am pretty conservative. But I would still like to know what the worst case scenario could be.

 

[KJung]

Thanks for the reply, but It doesn't answer my question. I wanted to know what the HPF parameters are.
Does it roll off at 50hz? 40? 30? 12db per octave, 24?
Hopefully Andy can provide some actual data.
You are right though, I don't have any chance of having a problem because I am pretty conservative. But I would still like to know what the worst case scenario could be.

I don't know why you would care, but from previous discussion with Andy, with the hi pass/boost button off, the rolloff is at around 36hz or so if I remember correctly, at around 12db per octave. With the hi pass/lo boost engaged, the hi passing is lowered to just above 30hz, with a slight boost of those additiona lower frequencies to compensate for how the ear hears bass versus midrange.

Again, there is absolutely NO reason to bother with an external hi pass on the Genz heads unless you have a totally crappy cab. The need for external hi passing has been really blown out of proportion on this site (as has 'upper midrange beaming', but that is another discussion!). Most heads on the market are very well controlled down low, and most cabs can take pretty much anything you can give them (assuming you don't crank the bass control massively, etc.... which is typically a noob mistake). There ARE some heads that can get you into trouble, due to their very low hi passing/lack of low end sculpting. For example, my Glockenklang pumps out freq's below 30hz, as does the original iAmp800, the Mesa M6/M9, the older SWR heads (those things REALLY need external hi pass) and some all tube amps.

The Genz heads just take 'low end control' a little farther than most heads, including a true hi pass circuit that is set to not only eliminate sub bass, but also 'deep bass', both for tonal, efficiency and I guess safety reasons.

The Shuttle Max heads are VERY cool in that the hi pass/boost is variable. Wonderful control of the low end with that one. I personally found the 'all or nothing' lo boost/hi pass on the Shuttle 9 a bit too much of a good thing, although the slight revoicing in the Shuttle 9.2 worked a bit better (i.e., not as extreme).

I'm sure Andy will give you the exact scoop on the nature of the hi passing, but IMO you are asking a question that doesn't need an answer

 

[popgadget]

Are you sure that the "L.F Boost" switch engages a HPF?

According to the manual, "The L.F. BOOST adds low frequency peaking gain in the 38-67 HZ band."
That would imply to me that in the "out" position it removes the gain, but makes no mention of a roll off below that.

In my experience there are no stupid questions, nor ones that don't need an answer. (At least the first time they are asked).

 

[KJung]

Are you sure that the "L.F Boost" switch engages a HPF?

According to the manual, "The L.F. BOOST adds low frequency peaking gain in the 38-67 HZ band."
That would imply to me that in the "out" position it removes the gain, but makes no mention of a roll off below that.

In my experience there are no stupid questions, nor ones that don't need an answer. (At least the first time they are asked).

Yes. It lowers the hpf a touch and boosts those freqs slightly,

Didn't mean to be snippy. This is a well worn topic that has been discussed many times over the years that these amps have been on the market. Andy (Agedhorse) has posted the details quite few times over the years, you might want to PM him and get the exact details (it has been a while since this has come up, and I might not be remembering the specs/impact exactly right).

The HPF lowering with the 'lo boost button' was very apparent on the original Shuttle 6, since it was hi passed unusually high to optimize its performance with the very small, mid voiced Shuttle cabs. It is a bit more subtle with the 9 series, and the Shuttle 6.2 update matched the low end tuning of the Shuttle 9/9.2 series (and they really beefed up the Shuttle cabs also).

The key is, these heads have, to my ear, the most controlled low end of virtually any head on the market. The high passing, combined with the high shelving starting frequency on the bass control really allows you to dial in lots of upper bass meat without flubbing out your drivers.

 

[agedhorse]

There is a hpf that shifts down in the LF boost position. The filter is 4th order asymmetric and the effective frequencies are as Ken mentioned.

 

[popgadget]

Thanks. That's what I was looking for.

 

[aguacateojos]

Any ideas on the scratching sound I mentioned earlier?

 

[Brad Johnson]

I've been using my Shuttle 9.0 which I purchased new for around a year now. At first I wasn't getting the volume I thought I should be getting from a 900w amp. Then for grins I decided to read the manual.

One cab I use every week is a Goliath III 410. Turns out I wasn't running the pre as hot as I should, once I started doing that FOH signal was much nicer and I could knock walls down with the cab.

For other gigs I run it with my Glasstone Lil G neo 212 cab and it's pretty much a perfect match. A sub 40 lb. rig that kills is a beautiful thing... especially at load out when I get home from a late gig or have a long hump to a venue.

I bring the left side gains up and set the master for the venue. Done. While the EQ and voicing switches are nice to have, I haven't needed to use them. And because of the weight and format it's easy to take a couple of heads to every gig. I have a short list of amps that I recommend when asked and this one is definitely on it. It really allows me to sound like I want it sound.

 

[jettrail]

Still no luck finding the STL-RK Rack Mount Kit for the Shuttle 9.0. If anyone can point me in the right direction as to finding one, I would greatly appreciate it.

 

[Red Planet]

Still no luck finding the STL-RK Rack Mount Kit for the Shuttle 9.0. If anyone can point me in the right direction as to finding one, I would greatly appreciate it.

Maybe one of GB guys has one laying around in their basement.

I just recently racked my 9.0 here it is.

 

[Red Planet]

Trying to get some good pics,it does not pay to be in a hurry.

 

[Red Planet]

This is a little better.

And laser beams.

 

[Jeff Genzler]

Red Planet
My eyes....my eyes....Those laser beams are blinding!

Actually with Christmas around the corner I plan to pull a stack of Shuttles out and turn them on, so to guide Santa to my new home in Brooklyn. Don't want him to get lost.

Hope all is well with your family for this holiday season.

 

[agedhorse]

Years ago, we used to have some FOH racks in pull over flight cases that looked like that, but in a lighter finish 13 ply Baltic Birch. I kind of miss the days where we took pride in how our FOH area looked. I even had a lava lamp, some miniature stuffed stuffed animals, a small gnome all sitting on the meter bridge. Picture of GF or wife was obligatory when on tour. I even had some of the DBX-160A's in the rack!

 

[svtb15]

I used to use a 160a in my rack. But i picked up a 163x . so cheap. I got 2 more n ebay for about $50 each.. I have one in each of my gig racks. Love the way it works hitting just one or two lights.

 

[svtb15]

Here is one of my amp racks with the DBX 163x... Its an Over easy type Comp/// It sounds great on the FET channel of the SM9.2.. .Ive also played with running a sort of NY style compression.. Sending one channel straight and compressing the heck out of the other then mix the two... SM9.2 is great for that.... .Its a very cool trick used on alot of sessions in NYC in the day that we cut real instrument on rock records.

 

[Red Planet]

Red Planet
My eyes....my eyes....Those laser beams are blinding!

Actually with Christmas around the corner I plan to pull a stack of Shuttles out and turn them on, so to guide Santa to my new home in Brooklyn. Don't want him to get lost.

Hope all is well with your family for this holiday season.

Love those laser beams!
Family is good we have had a rough go of it but we are hanging on. As my wife anticipates here surgery she gets a severe cold/laryngitis (rather depressing for a vocalist), right in the middle of that my dad has 5 small heart attacks and while he is in the hospital I get food poisoning.

We are tough son of guns though and not giving in.
We meet with the surgeon tomorrow to schedule my wife's surgery. She just spent 14 hours working to get Christmas to kids that otherwise would not have a Christmas, she's really an angel.

 

[Red Planet]

Years ago, we used to have some FOH racks in pull over flight cases that looked like that, but in a lighter finish 13 ply Baltic Birch. I kind of miss the days where we took pride in how our FOH area looked. I even had a lava lamp, some miniature stuffed stuffed animals, a small gnome all sitting on the meter bridge. Picture of GF or wife was obligatory when on tour. I even had some of the DBX-160A's in the rack!

A good friend of mine built me this rack and I have been in love with it ever since. The guy is a phenomenal drummer who went to North Texas State and just happens to own a custom cabinet shop. He builds High End Kitchen cabs and such. The rack is pocket cut and I think would withstand a nuclear blast. The 160a is a recent addition.

 

[Red Planet]

I used to use a 160a in my rack. But i picked up a 163x . so cheap. I got 2 more n ebay for about $50 each.. I have one in each of my gig racks. Love the way it works hitting just one or two lights.

I love those DBX compressors. I may pick up a 163x to schlep around I need a portable compressor and I'm not really into comp pedals. This particular 160A was rescued from CL and then got some much needed love. It got a new power supply, caps, opamps, and some OEP transformers. The increase in headroom is what I was after to cut down on the noise using the Multiverb III and of coarse the compression.

I play so aggressively the 160a is a God send.

 

[Red Planet]

Here is one of my amp racks with the DBX 163x... Its an Over easy type Comp/// It sounds great on the FET channel of the SM9.2.. .Ive also played with running a sort of NY style compression.. Sending one channel straight and compressing the heck out of the other then mix the two... SM9.2 is great for that.... .Its a very cool trick used on alot of sessions in NYC in the day that we cut real instrument on rock records.

View attachment 518111

Nice! Especially with those Uber 15's, I would much rather have a pair of those.