Genz Benz Shuttlemax 9.2 vs Genzler Magellan/Kinetix

[Kenny056]

Hello everyone, I've owned my GB Shuttlemax 9.2 and Uber Bass 2x12 since probably 2011. It's a fantastic rig and ive loved every setting I've used it in. From super loud blues jams to low volume jazz gigs, it always sits perfectly in the mix.

For those that aren't familiar, the Shuttlemax 9.2 has an outrageous amount of eq flexibility. It has 2 blendable channels which allows tons of total options. I've used it for long enough that I'm quite familiar with how to eq for different sounds and room requirements and can get it where I want it pretty quickly. I've recently started playing with a trio, and we play an extremely wide array of genres that have very different tonal requirements.

Basically I've been drooling over the Magellan and Kinetix, and was hoping that someone who has experience with the GB Shuttlemax line could tell me if they think it would be worth it to make the switch. Their simplified eq is one of the main selling points for me. What does everyone think? Thanks!

 

[lomo]

I currently have an S-Max 9.2 and other heads, but have not heard a Kinetix. Emerson said "The years teach much which the days never know". My years tell me it'd be a sonically lateral move to a lovely new shiny thing

 

[Kenny056]

I currently have an S-Max 9.2 and other heads, but have not heard a Kinetix. Emerson said "The years teach much which the days never know". My years tell me it'd be a sonically lateral move to a lovely new shiny thing

But I love new shiny things!

Yeah, you're right. I do love my current setup and will continue to happily play it! Thanks for saving me a chunk of change.

 

[agedhorse]

If you do decide to do the move, the ShuttleMax amps are pretty easy to sell. They are still covered under the factory flat rate service program and all parts are still stocked.

 

[Jeff Genzler]

Hello everyone, I've owned my GB Shuttlemax 9.2 and Uber Bass 2x12 since probably 2011. It's a fantastic rig and ive loved every setting I've used it in. From super loud blues jams to low volume jazz gigs, it always sits perfectly in the mix.

For those that aren't familiar, the Shuttlemax 9.2 has an outrageous amount of eq flexibility. It has 2 blendable channels which allows tons of total options. I've used it for long enough that I'm quite familiar with how to eq for different sounds and room requirements and can get it where I want it pretty quickly. I've recently started playing with a trio, and we play an extremely wide array of genres that have very different tonal requirements.

Basically I've been drooling over the Magellan and Kinetix, and was hoping that someone who has experience with the GB Shuttlemax line could tell me if they think it would be worth it to make the switch. Their simplified eq is one of the main selling points for me. What does everyone think? Thanks!

View attachment 7102008

@Kenny056 ---- I'm sure you'll have a few players comment, but from our perspective, the Magellan design is the next generation of what was achieved with the Shuttle designs, and compared to the ShuttleMAX, the Magellan is a much simplier interface with the player, still with plenty of versatility. And I would see no reason to move your ShuttleMAX unless you need to do so. That is still a valuable and respected piece of kit and will be for years to come.
As for the Kinetix, that design is something completely different than the Magellan. We came at that with a completely different design goal, and with the all tube preamp running at a full 300 volts, it does offer a "life and breath" to the tone and feel of your technique, unmatched by other amps.
I'm sure others may comment on that as well.

 

[groooooove]

all nice choices. the genzler is a nice amp.

the shuttlemax 9.2 is a far better piece of gear imo.

i've owned both, and currently have the shuttlemax. I think it's the best bass amp ever made.

 

[luckydawgg169]

I own shuttle 9.0 and Magellan, both are great. 9.0 seems cleaner and Magellan seems a little fatter and round.
Wont get rid of either.

Kinetix has me intrigued and will prob also purchase at some point.

 

[logdrum]

Isn't the Streamliner that is similar to the Kinetix? Based on the preamp stage. I love my Streamliner

 

[HolmeBass]

Isn't the Streamliner that is similar to the Kinetix? Based on the preamp stage. I love my Streamliner

That seems like the reasonable comparison to me. But I have not tried either of the new Genzler amps.

I do own both a Streamliner 900 and a Shuttlemax 9.2. My current gigging amp is a Mesa D-800+. One thing I learned from the SM 9.2 is that I don’t really need a two channel amp. Which is why I didn’t get a WD-800 or TT-800.

 

[agedhorse]

The WD-800 isn’t a 2 channel amp.

 

[bkbass2000]

I owned a 9.2 for years and sold it for a Magellan. I liked the 9.2 better. More control.

 

[noahw1]

I started with Genz Benz Shuttle 6 to the Streamliner 900 which I traded for Genz Benz Shuttle 12 then sold it to get the Magellan. The Magellan has more heft to the notes and is a lot easier to dial in than the Shuttle 12. I honestly couldn't be happer with the Magellan, it's awesome. Very flexible. Sounds great. Powerful.

 

[HolmeBass]

The WD-800 isn’t a 2 channel amp.

I stand corrected! But still the D-800+ has been perfect for me. I just played a theater gig and the bassist for band that played before us, and the sound engineer, both raved about how good my rig sounded.

I tried a Walkabout in a music store once a long time ago and was not impressed. I felt it broke up too easily, or maybe it was just too grainy for my taste, although if I tried one now I might feel differently. Also if I used a different cabinet it probably would have been better, and the WD-800 might (probably) is actually better. Still, I don’t have a real need to get another amp.

 

[Jeff Genzler]

Isn't the Streamliner that is similar to the Kinetix? Based on the preamp stage. I love my Streamliner

The only real similarity is that they both have all tube preamps running at high voltage. The Kinetix is the next generation of what the Streamliner was and what we've learned since then. We've heard from players that the Kinetix offers more simplicity in tonal control, more versatilty, a fuller tonal footprint and just a different interface with how a player interacts with the amp, and what they get out of it.
The Streamliner will always be the Streamliner (and worthy of keeping) and one of the best, most appreciated amps GB ever put out.

 

[agedhorse]

The only real similarity is that they both have all tube preamps running at high voltage. The Kinetix is the next generation of what the Streamliner was and what we've learned since then. We've heard from players that the Kinetix offers more simplicity in tonal control, more versatilty, a fuller tonal footprint and just a different interface with how a player interacts with the amp, and what they get out of it.
The Streamliner will always be the Streamliner (and worthy of keeping) and one of the best, most appreciated amps GB ever put out.

The Streamliner was also well ahead of the curve compared with what else was available at the time.

 

[fenderVI]

I love my Shuttle MAX 9.2, bought and shipped to Australia in late 2011. At the time it had the most comprehensive EQ section compared to most Bass Amps. Good doubling amp, (wish it had two input jacks) the input buffer can handle piezo and the DI sounds great live or into a DAW.

 

[davedamage]

Love them both, just have different use cases, currently.

 

[Kenny056]

View attachment 7104499

Love them both, just have different use cases, currently.

Is that the 2x12 cab? I've been looking at those for a bit.

 

[davedamage]

Is that the 2x12 cab? I've been looking at those for a bit.

One of two:

 

[Kenny056]

One of two:

View attachment 7104509

You're killin' me!