Genz Benz Shuttle 9.0 discussion thread

[Dr Funk]

How much are they paying you?

(aka, your statements while valid opinion, are not necessarily fact).

I'm with you 100% on this.
To be honest I sent my LMT 800 back and reordered one yesterday as it trumps the 9.0 live IMHO.
I'm keeping the 9.0 also though as it is a sweet organic sounding amp.

 

[Red Planet]

I'm with you 100% on this.
To be honest I sent my LMT 800 back and reordered one yesterday as it trumps the 9.0 live IMHO.
I'm keeping the 9.0 also though as it is a sweet organic sounding amp.

 

[svtb15]

Depending on how you treat them tubes will last a long time regardless of what some folks opinions are...
I was on a major tour a few years ago. all gear was in flight cases. I had two ampeg SVT2 non pros about 80 pounds each all in the same case. the gigs were large enough to use a fork lift to get it up on stage. the point is that i used those SVT " all tube" amps for 3 years. they traveled around the world a few times on ships cargo, airplanes, semi tractors. and not one time did i need to replace any of the tubes.

My tube preamp has had the same 12ax7 in it for 15 years and it is still fine. Preamp tubes can last a lifetime. So i wouldnt even think about tube replacement in the GB amps for at least 5 or 6 years or unless you drop it like i did my SM12.. the tube was still ok though...and i used it yesterday... IMHO

I have never owned a tube amp or pre before. How often would the 12AX7 in the Shuttle 9.0 need to be replaced (it depends on hours of usage, doesn't it, as opposed to age)?

 

[BurningSkies]

I'm with you 100% on this.
To be honest I sent my LMT 800 back and reordered one yesterday as it trumps the 9.0 live IMHO.
I'm keeping the 9.0 also though as it is a sweet organic sounding amp.

The reality is that some people act like gear choice is a competition. There is no BEST anything. There are OPTIONS. There are choices and they should be made upon what you want to hear coming out of your speaker, not because someone tells you that something is "a step up" because, in reality they're all just steps to the side.

 

[bajistapromedio]

To be honest I sent my LMT 800 back and reordered one yesterday as it trumps the 9.0 live IMHO.
I'm keeping the 9.0 also though as it is a sweet organic sounding amp.

So, would you say that the LMT 800 was clearer and more modern sounding than the Shuttle 9.0 (that is how I would describe the sound I would like out of my Epifani NYC T-210)?

 

[Pilgrim]

The reality is that some people act like gear choice is a competition. There is no BEST anything. There are OPTIONS. There are choices and they should be made upon what you want to hear coming out of your speaker, not because someone tells you that something is "a step up" because, in reality they're all just steps to the side.

There is much to agree with in that comment.

Most people would never hear a difference between a G-B, a Markbass and an Eden head...but bass players have educated ears and learn to tell nuances.

However, there is NO one sound that pleases all those educated ears, or we'd just have one or two amp manufacturers. When it comes to comparable classes of equipment, I agree, there is no 'better", there is what WE individually prefer.

And amps may have a characteristic sound, but how it is perceived in performance it interacts with the acoustics of the venue and the objects in the room (like people) so the sound achieved is a moving target.

 

[pablomigraine]

How much are they paying you?

(aka, your statements while valid opinion, are not necessarily fact).

Okay, I guess I deserved that. I have edited my post to be a little less gushing and more realistic.

To answer you question, GB pays me nothing, and I actually do not own any GB gear, because for the time being I cannot afford it, however I have spent probably a total of 12 hours at the dealer playing the STLMX 12.0 thru various cabinets and thru headphones and A/B'ing against other featherweight heads including the Markbass LMII, SD800, and EA IAmp Pro. I prefer the GB heads in terms of SOUND to the Markbass and EA offerings by a long shot. As stated in my edit, I find them to be sonically superior to the others.... how I quantify this is largely a matter of opinion as it relates to what I enjoy and find valuable tone-wise. Anyone, anywhere, who says that one amp is "better" than another is guilty is positing their opinion as fact. I'm just as guilty as the next guy in this respect, and were this a punishable offense, I'd venture to say greatly more than half of all Talkbass members would be sitting in the penalty box.

So again, to be clear:

In terms of some very hard to describe intangibles that mean a great many different things to a great many different people such as "Signal Integrity" and "Sonic Clarity"..... I find the GB to be superior FOR MY NEEDS AND IN MY OPINION, and it is my suggestion that those looking for a slightly more "modern" or "clear" sound, will likely prefer the GB to the MB as well.

Although several times in my 5 years on talkbass I have been guilty of expressing my opinion in a way that may seem a statement of fact, and have done perhaps more than my fair share of "gushing" over certain gear, my opinion has NEVER been for sale to anyone at any price, and the offending post was more a matter of me being a little to glib on the issue. You have my apologies.

EDIT: as of 12/4/2009 I now use and endorse Genz Benz Amplifiers.

 

[Dr Funk]

Okay, I guess I deserved that. I have edited my post to be a little less gushing and more realistic.

To answer you question, GB pays me nothing, and I actually do not own any GB gear, because for the time being I cannot afford it, however I have spent probably a total of 12 hours at the dealer playing the STLMX 12.0 thru various cabinets and thru headphones and A/B'ing against other featherweight heads including the Markbass LMII, SD800, and EA IAmp Pro. I prefer the GB heads in terms of SOUND to the Markbass and EA offerings by a long shot. As stated in my edit, I find them to be sonically superior to the others.... how I quantify this is largely a matter of opinion as it relates to what I enjoy and find valuable tone-wise. Anyone, anywhere, who says that one amp is "better" than another is guilty is positing their opinion as fact. I'm just as guilty as the next guy in this respect, and were this a punishable offense, I'd venture to say greatly more than half of all Talkbass members would be sitting in the penalty box.

So again, to be clear:

In terms of some very hard to describe intangibles that mean a great many different things to a great many different people such as "Signal Integrity" and "Sonic Clarity"..... I find the GB to be superior FOR MY NEEDS AND IN MY OPINION, and it is my suggestion that those looking for a slightly more "modern" or "clear" sound, will likely prefer the GB to the MB as well.

Although several times in my 5 years on talkbass I have been guilty of expressing my opinion in a way that may seem a statement of fact, and have done perhaps more than my fair share of "gushing" over certain gear, my opinion has NEVER been for sale to anyone at any price, and the offending post was more a matter of me being a little to glib on the issue. You have my apologies.

Thank you for clarifying your opinion. So it applies to sitting in the music store comparing them, great. So I guess you have no experience with either on a live gig?

 

[wolldav]

Hi peeps. seeing that the Shuttle 9.0 can do 500 watts at 8 ohms and 900 watts at 4 ohms..... how much watts does it do at 6 ohms? I have a Warwick 6X10 cab at 6 ohms...

i also have another name brand amp which is 350 watts.. if plugged into the 6 ohm 6X10 how much watts would i get..


Thanks

 

[thudfromafar]

Hi peeps. seeing that the Shuttle 9.0 can do 500 watts at 8 ohms and 900 watts at 4 ohms..... how much watts does it do at 6 ohms? I have a Warwick 6X10 cab at 6 ohms...

i also have another name brand amp which is 350 watts.. if plugged into the 6 ohm 6X10 how much watts would i get..


Thanks

Somewhere in the middle between the 8 and 4 ohm ratings

So with the shuttle you'll get about 700 yes? Say maybe 650...

 

[Musicman20]

To me...after hearing the LM3 and LM800...the LM3 was warmer. Then, I wanted a higher powered more hifi head AS well as the LM3...along comes the Shuttle 9.0, perfect as its great at 8ohms...making MORE one cab solutions, and its clear...precise, and you can have some tube grit.

I have one on order.

 

[pablomigraine]

Thank you for clarifying your opinion. So it applies to sitting in the music store comparing them, great. So I guess you have no experience with either on a live gig?

I have owned and gigged the LMII probably about 30 - 35 times before I sold it, and used a borrowed SD800 on a couple of gigs. I have also used a borrowed Shuttle 6.0 on a quiet coffeehouse jam.

Although it does not qualify as a "gig", the owner of my favorite GB dealer, a drummer, my guitarist and I did jam out for about two hours after closing time on his second floor stage at high volumes... during which I used the STLMX 12.0 and a mesa 410, Ashdown 410 and and a fender 810. Not a "gig" by any standard, but definitely enough to give me a feel for what I was dealing with from the large room, high volume, live mix standpoint. Is that enough use to qualify me to voice my opinion on one versus the other? Your call.

 

[Dr Funk]

Sure you can share your opinion. But the thread is about the 9.0 and should be relating to the 9.0. There are Max 12 and 6.0 threads that would benefit from your posts. Here we are trying to relate to the 9.0 IMHO.

I have owned and gigged the LMII probably about 30 - 35 times before I sold it, and used a borrowed SD800 on a couple of gigs. I have also used a borrowed Shuttle 6.0 on a quiet coffeehouse jam.

Although it does not qualify as a "gig", the owner of my favorite GB dealer, a drummer, my guitarist and I did jam out for about two hours after closing time on his second floor stage at high volumes... during which I used the STLMX 12.0 and a mesa 410, Ashdown 410 and and a fender 810. Not a "gig" by any standard, but definitely enough to give me a feel for what I was dealing with from the large room, high volume, live mix standpoint. Is that enough use to qualify me to voice my opinion on one versus the other? Your call.

 

[Red Planet]

Yes the SM 12.0 into two 4 ohm loads will cause small earthquakes.

 

[Fretlessboy]

I think the 9.0 gets a lot done. For me it has made a single Uber210 a very capable rig that is not only 500watts but is very portable. With the second 210 it is stupid sick. However, for a lot of work (medium to medium high volumes) the 9.0/210 gets it done

 

[BurningSkies]

Okay, I guess I deserved that. I have edited my post to be a little less gushing and more realistic.

To answer you question, GB pays me nothing, and I actually do not own any GB gear, because for the time being I cannot afford it, however I have spent probably a total of 12 hours at the dealer playing the STLMX 12.0 thru various cabinets and thru headphones and A/B'ing against other featherweight heads including the Markbass LMII, SD800, and EA IAmp Pro. I prefer the GB heads in terms of SOUND to the Markbass and EA offerings by a long shot. As stated in my edit, I find them to be sonically superior to the others.... how I quantify this is largely a matter of opinion as it relates to what I enjoy and find valuable tone-wise. Anyone, anywhere, who says that one amp is "better" than another is guilty is positing their opinion as fact. I'm just as guilty as the next guy in this respect, and were this a punishable offense, I'd venture to say greatly more than half of all Talkbass members would be sitting in the penalty box.

So again, to be clear:

In terms of some very hard to describe intangibles that mean a great many different things to a great many different people such as "Signal Integrity" and "Sonic Clarity"..... I find the GB to be superior FOR MY NEEDS AND IN MY OPINION, and it is my suggestion that those looking for a slightly more "modern" or "clear" sound, will likely prefer the GB to the MB as well.

Although several times in my 5 years on talkbass I have been guilty of expressing my opinion in a way that may seem a statement of fact, and have done perhaps more than my fair share of "gushing" over certain gear, my opinion has NEVER been for sale to anyone at any price, and the offending post was more a matter of me being a little to glib on the issue. You have my apologies.

I know you're not an endorser, and everything you say comes from the best of intentions. I'm interested in a Shuttle 9.0 myself, but the good features of this amp aren't to the detriment of other amps. The reality is that everyone prefers different tone profiles, and some who may love the MarkBass sound might not be enthralled with the Genz sound, in the same way that some who might like an Ampeg may not like the sound of a Mesa or similar.

I don't believe there is a 'step up' between these similar amps. I believe that it's tone A vs. tone B, or an apple vs. an orange.

I've played both a Shuttle 6 and a LMII, and ended up walking away thinking the Shuttle was a nice amp but I wasn't going to ditch my LMII for one. With the LM800 vs the Shuttle 9, it could be a different story, but I bet the both have positives and negatives.

 

[pablomigraine]

I am trying to gain data regarding the 9.0 as the title would imply. I'm trying to make an informed decision is all.

To me it seems a bit boring with your reminiscing old times, and clearly off topic. It's your right, I know.

So what's the title of this thread again?
Another stroll down irrelevant Genz Benz Lane. :scowl:

Sure you can share your opinion. But the thread is about the 9.0 and should be relating to the 9.0. Here we are trying to relate to the 9.0 IMHO.

I suppose I should have learned from the mistakes of those who came before me....

As I related in the original post, I have no experience with the 9.0, and was simply relaying opinion in regards to those traits common in what markbass heads I have used in general, as opposed to those traits common in what Genz Benz heads I have used in general..... so by the above logic, I basically have no business in this thread in any case, except maybe hoping to gain some knowledge regarding other people's experiences. I will refrain from further posts until I can share some insight regarding personal, live use with the 9.0 specifically. Fair enough?

........To be honest I sent my LMT 800 back and reordered one yesterday as it trumps the 9.0 live IMHO.
I'm keeping the 9.0 also though as it is a sweet organic sounding amp.

Being that you've seemingly gotten all the answers you needed sufficient to make a final decision, is there anything else you're hoping to learn from this thread, or anything further to share?

 

[Fretlessboy]

if there was 1 perfect for everyone make and model...there would only be 1 make and model

 

[Dr Funk]

Truth is, in the current quality micro amp line up there are too many great ones including the high powered segment. It makes it very difficult to decide which is the one for you. We are fortunate to have this many quality pieces to choose from. Splitting hairs to decide and I don't believe one is better than the other just different. The only thing that makes one of these better than the other is the reliability factor IMHE. It seems that they are all pretty darn reliable. The 9.0 has something very special I know by experience... the Genz Benz people, commitment and customer service of the highest caliber. You just can't go wrong with the 9.0.
See ya!

 

[agedhorse]

A couple of needed calrifications are in order:

1. I use 10,000 hours tube life as my general design criterial for the preamp tubes in the Shuttles... that is at least 50% of the tubes are expected to be fully functional after 10,000 hours. The remaining 50% may still be functional but perhaps with enough parameter shifts to make it less desireable. This is a statistical approach.

2. I think the discussion of all the Shuttle family is relevent in that they all share many of the design features, feel, topology, approach and basic packaging. There are differences in features and a few small "flavoring agents", but the comparison discussions between the different models does make sense in the big picture and may be quite useful to those looking for information (initially) on the 9.0.