Genz-Benz Shuttle Megathread

[Poon]

I had a chance to play albass111's shuttle 6.0 through has epifani ul-112. One word...WOW. I was seriously surprised by how loud this thing got and it sounded really good too. It didn't sound very tubey to my ears, but definitely warm. Al showed me some of the great versatility of the amp while previewing a few of his basses. But man, is thing light and portable. I thought I had found the end game with the walkabout scout, but this thing was just phenomenally good sounding and portable. It made dead strings sound bright, it made cats love dogs, it made . Al definitely wet my lips for one of these babies as backup rig. Hell I can afford to keep this is my gig bag as a backup and at 4lbs, it seriously is no hassel to keep in my cars glove compartment in case I needed it.

 

[saltymonkey]

The Bass Place in Scottsdale, AZ has some Shuttle 6.0's. Or at least they did a week ago on Monday.

I ordered my 6.0 from The Bass Place last Friday. I spoke to Dave. He said they had them in stock. He sent it out that day and it arrives on the brown truck this Friday. Can't wait.

 

[GRoberts]

I had a chance to play albass111's shuttle 6.0 through has epifani ul-112. One word...WOW. I was seriously surprised by how loud this thing got and it sounded really good too. It didn't sound very tubey to my ears, but definitely warm. Al showed me some of the great versatility of the amp while previewing a few of his basses. But man, is thing light and portable. I thought I had found the end game with the walkabout scout, but this thing was just phenomenally good sounding and portable. It made dead strings sound bright, it made cats love dogs, it made . Al definitely wet my lips for one of these babies as backup rig. Hell I can afford to keep this is my gig bag as a backup and at 4lbs, it seriously is no hassel to keep in my cars glove compartment in case I needed it.

Hi Poon, I also own a Walkabout Scout. I find the Shuttle gives me everything the Walkabout did, but with the added power I always felt the Walkabout needed. My guess is that a GB NeoX112 cab and the shuttle 6.0 weigh the same, or less than a Walkabout Scout Combo! Advantage: Genz Benz!! (and I truly love my Walkabout Scout for what it is and what it does. I just think the Genz Shuttle is that much better in terms of power, features, size and weight. Oh ...and it sounds as good if not better! I haven't A-B'd too much since I always needed the Extra power that the Shuttle 6.0 gives me. So that seals the deal. My Walkabout is now a resident house/rehearsal amp. The Shuttle goes to GIGS!

 

[hasbeen]

I understand for certain TBer's, there is a 'Lenten penalty' put in for bad behavior throughout the year, and their units won't be delivered until after Easter. No beer, no chocolate cake, and no Shuttle 6.0's until after Lent.

ah...I see. I'm Protestant so I always forget about that.

I bet you they were coveting the guitar or something like that.

 

[Eublet]

ah...I see. I'm Protestant so I always forget about that.

I bet you they were coveting the guitar or something like that.

Haha! I bet they were using coated strings for extra protection!

 

[albass111]

I posted this in another thread that I started, but here is another review after some more time with it. It was also great to sit back and listen to Poon play it. He possesses a nice touch and is also a good player.

From the other thread.
I have now played with this amp on 8 gigs in 10 days, ranging from large clubs(300-500) to dive bars. It definitely continues to deliver. Using this head with my 4ohm SA410, and 4ohm SVT810, I have some different opinions. However, once again, I am confirming that it is a good tone right out of the box. Similarly to the LMII, the amp sound changes with each different cabinet (No Brainer.) However, I found that the common characteristics are headroom and a richness in the low mids. This goes across the board whether I am using a 112 or the 810. Now with the 810, this thing is just so loud. I was really, really loud with the gain at 1:00 volume at 12:00 and master at 8:30. 9:00 began to shake the walls and drown every body out. This was with the EQ set relatively flat. In other words, this puppy has the potential to quake. Where it was missing directly compared to my DB750 were some lower harmonic overtones that the Aggie is known for, but with the 810, it wasn't by much. Cranking the gain a little more and low mids, it came pretty close to the really warmed tones of the DB750 with a little bit of drive from my Sans amp BDDI, it was 90% there towards an SVT tone. AT FOUR FRIGGIN POUNDS!!!!!
So, I reiterate that this amp is versatile, sparkly when necessary and warm when needed. Depending on my mood and speaker combination, I've found the sweet spot for me is adding a little bit of low mid, or cutting some high mids ever so slightly with the bass a little past noon, and treble right at noon. Once again, the knob design allows me to remember my settings. For example, "x" amount of clicks before or past noon.

Through the 410 rig, it definitely needs a little more ooomph and push to make it sing, but it can still get there with relative ease. I'd like to try it through other 410's.

Also, through my gigging reports, I have yet to feel this amp even break a sweat even after pushing 4ohms for 4 hours straight.

FWIW, I have intermittently used other amps, so I really do feel these are not "honeymoon" type reviews.

 

[albass111]

Not that it matters, but I am not compensated in any way by Genz Benz.

 

[Poon]

I posted this in another thread that I started, but here is another review after some more time with it. It was also great to sit back and listen to Poon play it. He possesses a nice touch and is also a good player.

From the other thread.
I have now played with this amp on 8 gigs in 10 days, ranging from large clubs(300-500) to dive bars. It definitely continues to deliver. Using this head with my 4ohm SA410, and 4ohm SVT810, I have some different opinions. However, once again, I am confirming that it is a good tone right out of the box. Similarly to the LMII, the amp sound changes with each different cabinet (No Brainer.) However, I found that the common characteristics are headroom and a richness in the low mids. This goes across the board whether I am using a 112 or the 810. Now with the 810, this thing is just so loud. I was really, really loud with the gain at 1:00 volume at 12:00 and master at 8:30. 9:00 began to shake the walls and drown every body out. This was with the EQ set relatively flat. In other words, this puppy has the potential to quake. Where it was missing directly compared to my DB750 were some lower harmonic overtones that the Aggie is known for, but with the 810, it wasn't by much. Cranking the gain a little more and low mids, it came pretty close to the really warmed tones of the DB750 with a little bit of drive from my Sans amp BDDI, it was 90% there towards an SVT tone. AT FOUR FRIGGIN POUNDS!!!!!
So, I reiterate that this amp is versatile, sparkly when necessary and warm when needed. Depending on my mood and speaker combination, I've found the sweet spot for me is adding a little bit of low mid, or cutting some high mids ever so slightly with the bass a little past noon, and treble right at noon. Once again, the knob design allows me to remember my settings. For example, "x" amount of clicks before or past noon.

Through the 410 rig, it definitely needs a little more ooomph and push to make it sing, but it can still get there with relative ease. I'd like to try it through other 410's.

Also, through my gigging reports, I have yet to feel this amp even break a sweat even after pushing 4ohms for 4 hours straight.

FWIW, I have intermittently used other amps, so I really do feel these are not "honeymoon" type reviews.

Thanks Bud! I've been waiting to hear someone review this with an 8x10 or a larger cab. I definitely find amps (in general) differ in character with different cabs as well, so I'm glad to hear that this thing can get nasty with an 8x10 or maybe in my case a 4x12

 

[IndyBass]

I don't know why you would have been waiting for three weeks. Orders are "two weeks out".

I hope you're right. My order went in two weeks ago today.

 

[Fretlessboy]

I love this picture

I posted this in another thread that I started, but here is another review after some more time with it. It was also great to sit back and listen to Poon play it. He possesses a nice touch and is also a good player.

From the other thread.
I have now played with this amp on 8 gigs in 10 days, ranging from large clubs(300-500) to dive bars. It definitely continues to deliver. Using this head with my 4ohm SA410, and 4ohm SVT810, I have some different opinions. However, once again, I am confirming that it is a good tone right out of the box. Similarly to the LMII, the amp sound changes with each different cabinet (No Brainer.) However, I found that the common characteristics are headroom and a richness in the low mids. This goes across the board whether I am using a 112 or the 810. Now with the 810, this thing is just so loud. I was really, really loud with the gain at 1:00 volume at 12:00 and master at 8:30. 9:00 began to shake the walls and drown every body out. This was with the EQ set relatively flat. In other words, this puppy has the potential to quake. Where it was missing directly compared to my DB750 were some lower harmonic overtones that the Aggie is known for, but with the 810, it wasn't by much. Cranking the gain a little more and low mids, it came pretty close to the really warmed tones of the DB750 with a little bit of drive from my Sans amp BDDI, it was 90% there towards an SVT tone. AT FOUR FRIGGIN POUNDS!!!!!
So, I reiterate that this amp is versatile, sparkly when necessary and warm when needed. Depending on my mood and speaker combination, I've found the sweet spot for me is adding a little bit of low mid, or cutting some high mids ever so slightly with the bass a little past noon, and treble right at noon. Once again, the knob design allows me to remember my settings. For example, "x" amount of clicks before or past noon.

Through the 410 rig, it definitely needs a little more ooomph and push to make it sing, but it can still get there with relative ease. I'd like to try it through other 410's.

Also, through my gigging reports, I have yet to feel this amp even break a sweat even after pushing 4ohms for 4 hours straight.

FWIW, I have intermittently used other amps, so I really do feel these are not "honeymoon" type reviews.

 

[bobrefill]

Anyone know if this amp is switchable between 115-240V?

/Johnny

 

[hasbeen]

Anyone know if this amp is switchable between 115-240V?

/Johnny

yes. Our manual is on line:


Invalid Link Removed

 

[bobrefill]

yes. Our manual is on line:


Invalid Link Removed

Thanks.

/J

 

[bigfatbass]

he loves to point out the manual, lol.

Yes it has a voltage switch.

It's as (expletive withheld) amazing as everyone is saying. I normally wouldn't cross post with other forums, but here's the gist of my thoughts that I had posted elsewhere:

Took the shuttle out of the box and plugged it into two Ramsa wsa200 PA speakers. Instant hi-fi rig of doom! Crushingly clear, with more bottom than you'd think. I let it fly wide open for about 2hrs with it barely getting warmer than room temp. Simple interface made it easy to do a lot of tweaking with a zero learning curve. That bit is good for me, 'cause I is teh stoopit.

The tube pre is surprisingly forgiving, supplying a nice crunch when you get the little red light to flash. Note: that is the purpose of this extra light on the pre side, it tells you when you are breaking up (in a good way). There is a separate volume for the pre section which is a nice plus, letting you dial in a big pile of growl without blowing up the amp side. This weekend means 4 shows in 3 days running from a brunch gig to our biggest bar venue. Gimme a couple days for the field report, but rest assured, it's gonna get a WORKOUT!

PS (rant) The nuclear candlepower little blue lights have GOT to go. I will never need an amp light of any kind that can be seen from space. Gonna hit the power light and the other non-warning lights with a dab of cream nail polish to dim them down. What are all these companies thinking??? Genz-Benz, Epifani, Phil Jones, GK and more...all of them now sporting these blazingly bright LEDs. You need flippin' shades to adjust your **** on a dark stage because they leave light-memory trails on the retina. (/rant)

(sorry hasbeen!)


Here is a gig report after running it through a Flite Cab 1155 (front-ported 15 with a 5"mid driver) with an older cube-style Avatar 112 on top.

Just put it through it's toughest test to date. Big ass beer hall that holds about 4-500, but a blizzardy night in central NY put us down to around a hundred. Had to run it wide open in an empty hardwood cave, and on a hollow stage ta boot. Not only did the low end fundamental hold solid, (in spite of the bass trap of a stage and echoing hall), it cut across to the back of the room like I had full PA support. I also have to say again, the highs are better than any amp under 50lbs I've ever heard. No clickity-ness as you move up the neck, just big, fat, ballsy, fundamental, the same as in first position.

This truly is a revolution in live bass sound. GB should be passing out hummers to their R&D department for beating everyone else to market with a top notch product. The Gallien has, IMO, a much more practical combo set-up planned, but the Shuttle is twice the amp for about the same price. Plus, the GK won't be shipping till late Summer.

As soon as I have the liquid cash I'm buying a second as a back-up. There is no higher praise available to me than that.

 

[Eublet]

bigfatbass, that's a good idea with the nail polish. Have you tried this and does it work? I never had any issues with the lights until the last few week. Played a few churches lately where my rig is right behind the pulpit, on a black stage. The lights REALLY stand out, even with all the stage lights blaring down. The video guy complained that it was creating starbursts on the recording during a production with dim lights. I like the lights sometimes, but I need to be able to dim them. Nail polish might be the way to go.

 

[hasbeen]

he loves to point out the manual, lol.

Yes it has a voltage switch.

It's as (expletive withheld) amazing as everyone is saying. I normally wouldn't cross post with other forums, but here's the gist of my thoughts that I had posted elsewhere:




(sorry hasbeen!)


Here is a gig report after running it through a Flite Cab 1155 (front-ported 15 with a 5"mid driver) with an older cube-style Avatar 112 on top.

Manaul: Yes I do. I figure it will cut the PM's I get down from 30 a day to less than 10.

 

[Eublet]

Don't laugh, but I have the PDF versions of the manual...on my smartphone. Never know when I might need something.

Okay, you can laugh if you want.

 

[Fretless5verfan]

Don't laugh, but I have the PDF versions of the manual...on my smartphone. Never know when I might need something.

Okay, you can laugh if you want.

Ahem- LOL.

 

[asad137]

Regarding the RSBLED's: If you're handy with a multimeter and a soldering iron and don't mind voiding your warranty, you could replace the LED bias-current-setting resistors with larger ones, which will reduce the brightness.

Asad

 

[bigfatbass]

A friend just suggested a red sharpie. I'm gonna try that first, before anything as drastic as the nail polish.

If you're handy with a multimeter and a soldering iron and don't mind voiding your warranty, you could replace the LED bias-current-setting resistors with larger ones, which will reduce the brightness.

Yeah, I'll get right on that solution, lol.