Genz Benz Streamliner Part 3!!!!

[svtb15]

Dont forget that the REDDI has a few pounds of Iron tied up in just the Output transformer alone.. which add significant character to the tone of that box. Infact the REDDI DI weighs more than the entire SL amp...
And for most 95% of my gigs the SL Di is perfectly fine.. It is as good as a countryman DI..And Waaaay more tru than other amp DIs that i have used in recent years...And its silent without artifacts and noise.. Just my experience so far with this unit

Thats the rub with everything eh? I was hoping the Streamliner tube would cover what a REDDI does.
A/B Streamliner DI vs a REDDI?
Just kidding! We're done here. I put out some calls to GENZ dealers in the Boston area so hopefully I can test drive one soon.

 

[edfriedland]

I personally like the idea of having both the Streamliner and the Shuttle. They are both Genz Benz bass amps, but they handle the instrument in very different ways. The Streamliner really has the "tube sag", and killer OD if you want. It can go clean and loud, but it still has the squish of a tube amp. The Shuttle has a tighter, faster response, even the tube channel. It may seems excessive to some... but I see lots of guys here with more than one amp.... so I say instead of one vs. the other - the answer is, both!

 

[bigfatbass]

While my testing of the Steamliner has been somewhat limited so far, I'm going to agree with Ed. They are VERY different sounding/reacting amps, especially on the pre side. If I really crank the tube on my Shuttle, it will break up nicely, and even soften up a bit on the attack, but nowhere near as big and slushy as the Steamliner is right out of the gate. I am a big Shuttle fan, and I like the fact it has that touch of tub-ey tone, with the solidity of attack more akin to a solid state. I'd almost equate it to a nice SS power amp driven by a hi-fi calibre tube pedal.

The Streamliner sounds fat and loose, (please note proper usage) like a big tube amp running warm. In other words, a totally different animal. In a smaller club setting the tightness of the shuttle is a bonus. On a bigger outdoor stage, the monster beef of that 3 tube pre in the Streamliner is a more fitting tool, IMO. I do wish they would have kept the full sweep-able mid, instead of the 3 notch version, but that is a very small complaint.

Who else is just excited we get to try out all these little itty bitty 8lb amps that sound like Godzilla's foot coming down?

 

[nostatic]

I personally like the idea of having both the Streamliner and the Shuttle. They are both Genz Benz bass amps, but they handle the instrument in very different ways. The Streamliner really has the "tube sag", and killer OD if you want. It can go clean and loud, but it still has the squish of a tube amp. The Shuttle has a tighter, faster response, even the tube channel. It may seems excessive to some... but I see lots of guys here with more than one amp.... so I say instead of one vs. the other - the answer is, both!

Funny you should post that, as I just sold my Fusion and have a Shuttle 9.0 en route to share duties the the S900. Which one gets the call will depend on the gig. The S900 is fat as all get out though. Am uploading tracks from tonight's hit using the S900 and swapping between Berg AE112 and AE210.

 

[moretolife]

Ed, have your had a change to spend more time with the SM 9.2? When will you do the video?

 

[jlepre]

Its weird how this thread can give me gas for an amp I already have

Word...(did I just SAY that?)

 

[nostatic]

Ok, for those that are more gluttons for punishment, sextet lineup (first gig with guitarist, 2nd sax, and sub drummer) with the S900 swapping between Berg AE112 and AE210 and different basses (Deep 5, Roscoe C5 fretless, P-Bass). I cranked up a bit tonight so the bass is anything but buried in this set of recordings. The amp *feels* great. It has great bounce. No FOH for this - all stage volume, Zoom H4n about 10' in front of the stage.

set 1 - S900 and Berg AE112
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed] (Deep5)
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed] (P-bass)
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed] (Roscoe)
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed] (Roscoe)
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed] (Deep5)
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed] (Roscoe)
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed] (Roscoe)

Set 2 S900 Berg AE210
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed] (Deep5)
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed] (P-bass)
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed] (Roscoe)
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed] (Roscoe)
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed] (Roscoe)
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed] (P-bass)

 

[LeonD]

I personally like the idea of having both the Streamliner and the Shuttle.

That's why please, please, please Genz Benz, for the next NAMM, come out with a Streamliner Max 900 with a tube Streamliner channel and Shuttle 3.0 FET channel.

This would really help lighten my bank account.

 

[husky123]

Here's a question for the class (and I'm donning my flame suit). I just picked up a GK Neo 112 (300 at 8 ohm) and a 212 (600 at 8 ohm). If I run both with my SL900 will the 112 be OK at all but the highest volumes? I'm assuming each will get equal power? Anyone else running this setup? I'm not used to having this much power on tap!

 

[hasbeen]

Here's a question for the class (and I'm donning my flame suit). I just picked up a GK Neo 112 (300 at 8 ohm) and a 212 (600 at 8 ohm). If I run both with my SL900 will the 112 be OK at all but the highest volumes? I'm assuming each will get equal power? Anyone else running this setup? I'm not used to having this much power on tap!

I think you'll be fine. Keep in mind though that how you EQ has an affect as to if you'll cook speakers. It isn't just volume.

That isn't in regards to your speaker configuration....that's in regards to any set up. I can fry a 1000 watt cab with a 300 watt head if I want to.

 

[Tunaman]

Dont forget that the REDDI has a few pounds of Iron tied up in just the Output transformer alone.. which add significant character to the tone of that box. Infact the REDDI DI weighs more than the entire SL amp...
And for most 95% of my gigs the SL Di is perfectly fine.. It is as good as a countryman DI..And Waaaay more tru than other amp DIs that i have used in recent years...And its silent without artifacts and noise.. Just my experience so far with this unit

This is a great DI review, thanks very much

 

[husky123]

I think you'll be fine. Keep in mind though that how you EQ has an affect as to if you'll cook speakers. It isn't just volume.

That isn't in regards to your speaker configuration....that's in regards to any set up. I can fry a 1000 watt cab with a 300 watt head if I want to.

I do cut the bass back some (about 11 o'clock) but crank the upper mids (2.5 to about 3 o'clock).

 

[Vic]

Ok, for those that are more gluttons for punishment, sextet lineup (first gig with guitarist, 2nd sax, and sub drummer) with the S900 swapping between Berg AE112 and AE210 and different basses (Deep 5, Roscoe C5 fretless, P-Bass). I cranked up a bit tonight so the bass is anything but buried in this set of recordings. The amp *feels* great. It has great bounce. No FOH for this - all stage volume, Zoom H4n about 10' in front of the stage...

Crosspost fun...

Awesome... so cool of you to do these clips...

One thing I noticed, tho mostly with the RA Deep, is the tiny bit of extra natural low end extension of the 12 in the AE112, and the touch more presence in the mids of the AE210... just a touch more definition. I'd go as far as saying I liked the AE112 best with the RA Deep but I think I liked the AE210 best with the electrics.

 

[Joe Smithberger]

Ok, for those that are more gluttons for punishment, sextet lineup (first gig with guitarist, 2nd sax, and sub drummer) with the S900 swapping between Berg AE112 and AE210 and different basses (Deep 5, Roscoe C5 fretless, P-Bass). I cranked up a bit tonight so the bass is anything but buried in this set of recordings. The amp *feels* great. It has great bounce. No FOH for this - all stage volume, Zoom H4n about 10' in front of the stage.

Great sounding clips. Of course, being a PBass ands RA guy, I would leave the Roscoe at home, but that's just me The Deep just slays on the jazz tunes.

That little Zoom unit does a nice job.

 

[Chef]

Yep, these scenarios are me too.
If it doesn't sound good to me, who else is gonna care, really

I'll be honest though...either way, I buy gear based on how it sounds to me on stage. I play small places these days and much of what the audience his hearing is coming of the stage.

+1 Of the 14 shows I've done so far in '11, 4 of them had FOH, and 3 of those were supplied backline. The rest were my setup alone (only horns/vocals had PA support). How it sounds and feels to me is mission critical. Second is the rest of the band (mostly can I be heard by the drummer and others), third is the audience. As far as the crowd is concerned, they aren't going to be listening to me anyway. They'll just know if something is or isn't happening with the band.

 

[edfriedland]

Ed, have your had a change to spend more time with the SM 9.2? When will you do the video?

Yes, I've been using it at home for a while, haven't had the chance to take it out on a gig yet. I like it! It essentially sounds just like the 12.0 that has been my reference rig for a while, but I'm told the 3DPM thing will give it a little more tube sag feel when you start to open the amp up a bit. I haven't done any A/B with the 12.0 and 9.2, guess I should try that... I was mainly focused on hearing the difference between the 9.2 and the 900. Now that I've hit that, I think I'll stack it up against the 12.0. I plan on shooting the 9.2 this week.

 

[nostatic]

Crosspost fun...

Awesome... so cool of you to do these clips...

One thing I noticed, tho mostly with the RA Deep, is the tiny bit of extra natural low end extension of the 12 in the AE112, and the touch more presence in the mids of the AE210... just a touch more definition. I'd go as far as saying I liked the AE112 best with the RA Deep but I think I liked the AE210 best with the electrics.

We record every show that way, so easy to link them here. Those are warts and all, and I have a few clams as I was trying to direct some things given 3 new players on the bandstand. That's my story and I'm sticking to it.

In person to my ear it was a little more pronounced. The 12 does have a lower extension, but the 10 definition was maybe more significant than in the recording. I'm often in dense mixes and like to have those mids peaking out so I can hear myself without getting too loud (and I think I was too loud in that mix - a rarity for me). At the gig I was preferring the 210. After the fact, they are much closer. I suppose I should just keep them both and for louder gigs run them both instead of selling the 112 and getting a second 210 for that scenario.

Am happy with the S900 though. It has a bounce to the notes that is very nice to hear/feel live. It is very different than the GK Fusion and reminds me of my ABM500 though this is a bit fatter I think.

 

[NWB]

After all this reading about the SL900 I went down to my local GB dealer (BassNW) to hear it for myself. From all the reviews, I expected a big fat warm tube amp similar to my Ampeg VB4 that I started with thirty years ago.

Unfortunately, warm, smooth, and squishy isn't really my cup of tea. I like tube guitar amps, but not so much for bass amps. I rather prefer heft and quick impact from my notes. I currently use a Shuttle 6.0 and rather expected the SL to fall short on my tone goals.

The staff of BassNW handed me a Nash jazz to play through it. Jazzes are my thing, so it was a good choice.

The head was running through a Neox212 cab.

With a bit of mid-boost at 220, bass and treble flat, and gain up around noon, I was rather shocked at what came out. It had a very direct immediacy to the notes with loads of um... "whack" for lack of a better description. I see what Ed meant about the clean tone.

It certainly did sound thicker than the Shuttle, but not at all muddy or loose. Much tighter than I expected. The Neox cab likely contributed to that as well.

Of course I had to try the mucho gain settings and really liked that ragged drive as well. Probably not a setting I'd use a lot, but would be fun to have on tap for certain situations.

I think Ed's description of a two very different tones between clear and sharp and smooth OD was a very good one.

To my ears, it sounded extremely good and had the clear articulation that I like, but with a bit of heft too.

I quite agree that it would make a fine complement to a Shuttle.

I'm converted from skeptic to believer on this one.

Time to start saving...

 

[wateroftyne]

Some people have mentioned a 'scoop' as a characteristic of the Streamliner... I'm not keen on scooped mids, I like 'em punchy.

Is the SL not for me? Or is this scoop something else?

 

[NWB]

Some people have mentioned a 'scoop' as a characteristic of the Streamliner... I'm not keen on scooped mids, I like 'em punchy.

Is the SL not for me? Or is this scoop something else?

Spades of punchy mid if you want it. That was one of my concerns as well and turned out to be unfounded. My impression is that the SL can punch very hard indeed with a couple of knob twists.