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Genz Benz Streamliner; Part 4
- Thread starter Chef
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Happy to say that I am back in the family and am totally loving the Streamliner 900.
FANTASTIC head, and I REALLY like this company. As others have said, this head is unique in that IMO it really does generate what many would consider a 'clean all tube tone' (I'm not one for much distortion, but it does that too). Very forceful low end that stays much tighter and more usable than, for example, the Mesa MPulse600 (which is another of the rare hybrids that actually sounds 'relatively all tube' to me).
The EQ points are perfect, the knobs feel like silk, the unit looks good, and it is one of those heads that sounds great set 'neutral' right out of the box.
The gain structure is wonderful also. There is enough 'power' in both the pre gain and volume to get virtually any sound (from totally clean to totally overdriven) from literally any level of input signal, no matter how hot or soft. VERY impressive. I also very much like the more audio taper operation of the master volume control... no big jumps in volume, and usable through a wide range of the taper.
Here is one of my original clips with the AE410 and my P Bass. I'll be doing some J bass clips with various cabs over the next couple of weeks.
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FANTASTIC head, and I REALLY like this company. As others have said, this head is unique in that IMO it really does generate what many would consider a 'clean all tube tone' (I'm not one for much distortion, but it does that too). Very forceful low end that stays much tighter and more usable than, for example, the Mesa MPulse600 (which is another of the rare hybrids that actually sounds 'relatively all tube' to me).
The EQ points are perfect, the knobs feel like silk, the unit looks good, and it is one of those heads that sounds great set 'neutral' right out of the box.
The gain structure is wonderful also. There is enough 'power' in both the pre gain and volume to get virtually any sound (from totally clean to totally overdriven) from literally any level of input signal, no matter how hot or soft. VERY impressive. I also very much like the more audio taper operation of the master volume control... no big jumps in volume, and usable through a wide range of the taper.
Here is one of my original clips with the AE410 and my P Bass. I'll be doing some J bass clips with various cabs over the next couple of weeks.
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Ah.. that's great news, Ken!
I totally understand your initial frustrations, but I'm glad you're prepared to give it another go.
I am about as giddy with the sound of this amp as with anything I've ever owned. That rare 'clean tube amp' tone that is round and warm and full, but still full range, bright if you want it to be, and with a beautiful treble extension (if you want it).
Don (LDS cabs) was over to check it out, and just kind of said 'whoa' when he heard it! He is all excited about hearing this head with both his sealed multi10 cabs, and also the 15/6 type builds he does. Hopefully we can get some clips up of those pairings down the road.
I originally bought this head to pair up with my recently acquired P Bass (a Nordy VP5 which is also a work of art IMO). I will be using this head in a MUCH wider range of gigs than I originally thought. I still have my beloved MB F500 for the more modern sort of tone, but the Streamliner will be an 'equal partner' (I'm sure much like those who are lucky enough to have a Shuttle and a Streamliner... different vibes that are both great in their own way).
No doubt about it...
I can "Warm up" my Eden Navigator too but it nor the LM can sound like the Streamliner. That video sold me on the amp in addition to long test with the LM & some research that its NOT a true tube amp.
Now I have to decide vs the 600 or 900.
I'll be pushing my Epi 310 NYC 5.3 ohms 750W I love, also I'll be shopping for a light Neo 15" cab around 35 lbs. (212 too big, 210 too much like what I have, 12" too small for a loud practice)
For big gigs I still have my 2400w 610 system
Hi Ken
Nice to see you got sorted. Im glad things are back to normal!
Now, here is the big question.
Do I sell my LM3 for a Streamliner?!
I have an RH450, and an Orange AD200b. The LM3 is the only amp I have that is quite bright yet still warm, whereas the other two are very much old school.
The other two are going nowhere.
But, will the Streamliner fit the bill as my ‘clean and sheen’ with a nice high end? The reason I ask is, I predominantly use EB Musicman basses, but I also use a P and J.
Will the Streamliner sound great with EBMM instruments? Silly question I know, but the LM3 flat sounds great with a Ray/Sterling/Big Al….
If the Streamliner can still give me that top end bite, (although I don’t like it razor sharp!) then Im seriously tempted.
That’s a question for all you users. Ive tried boutique basses and gone back to Fender and EBMM, so how does this amp sound with these basses?
Cheers!
Nice to see you got sorted. Im glad things are back to normal!
Now, here is the big question.
Do I sell my LM3 for a Streamliner?!
I have an RH450, and an Orange AD200b. The LM3 is the only amp I have that is quite bright yet still warm, whereas the other two are very much old school.
The other two are going nowhere.
But, will the Streamliner fit the bill as my ‘clean and sheen’ with a nice high end? The reason I ask is, I predominantly use EB Musicman basses, but I also use a P and J.
Will the Streamliner sound great with EBMM instruments? Silly question I know, but the LM3 flat sounds great with a Ray/Sterling/Big Al….
If the Streamliner can still give me that top end bite, (although I don’t like it razor sharp!) then Im seriously tempted.
That’s a question for all you users. Ive tried boutique basses and gone back to Fender and EBMM, so how does this amp sound with these basses?
Cheers!
I'm still a huge fan of the LMII/III. However, if you get the Streamliner 900, you will never use your LMII again, and will not miss it. Set clean, the Streamliner is an 'LMII on steroids'... clean, warm tone like the LMII, but louder, fuller, deeper, rounder, and with PLENTY of warm, smooth top end. My 70's J (A-C LM) KILLS through this thing.
+1. I absolutely loved my LMII. Once I got my Shuttle 9 the LMII went into backup mode. Every now and then I'd pull it back out for an A/B test and the S9 won every time. Now that I have have the Streamliner 900 (I'm keeping the S9 as well) the LMII will be up for sale.
The F1/F500 of course, is a different thing, and I still love those heads for their tight, bright, 'accurate' clean, modern tone. I also don't hear much similarity between the Shuttle amps and the LMII, and actually prefer the LMII there (pure personal taste there).
However.... the Streamliner IMO is somewhat more similar to the design goal of the LMII/III. The LMII/III is an unusual micro amp in that it uses a class A/B power amp like Eden, SWR, Thunderfunk, etc., etc. So, it is in that 'warm, organic' tonal area. Many who enjoy the LMII/III describe it as 'clean tube like'. The Streamliner IMO just does this vibe much better, and the additional power is very nice also.
All good stuff!
That's what Mark @ Bass Direct recommended to me, but he's going to check before he sends it out just in case.
Wow!
The most complex I've ever gotten is di out from gbe 1200 and mic'd uber 410. Then again, I've never recorded in a truly pro studio either. Looking forward to hearing your clips.
+1000!
I always believed this would be the happy ending. The guys at Genz are too awesome, the product too good, and Ken too astute for it to turn out any other way.
I disagree a bit. While that's certainly true with flat settings, I can EQ my S9 to sound very much like my LMII (also EQ'd to the way I like it). The S9 is just clearer sounding overall to my ears.
Wrt to question 1, IMO and IME, hell yes. I play in a band doing heavy, classic and alternative rock. The lead guitard plays a Genz El Diablo 100 watt tube head through a Marshall 412 slant cab, the rhythm guitar plays through a Blackstar 100 watt tube head and Blackstar 412. The drummer is a BIG heavy-handed dude who can play over the two guitards un-mic'd!
I had no problem cutting through and completely supporting the band with an SL900 and my Uber 410. The one thing that has always turned me off about Ampeg stuff is the lack of clarity. Liked the tube warmth and grit, never liked the rumble and lack of defined mids. I think the Streamliner is the perfect cross between tube warmth and sheen and the clarity and mid-range punch of more modern sounding amps. When you combine that with the footprint of a micro-ampn what's not to love?
Regarding question #2, I have no experience with the SL and those cabs, but I know others have reported quite favorably.
Quick one for Genz, I know the specs are on the site, but can you give the dimensions a quick rundown?
Length, width, and height? Including the feet, controls, etc.
Just need to see if it will fit in my gig bag.
Length, width, and height? Including the feet, controls, etc.
Just need to see if it will fit in my gig bag.
since i am currently collecting aluminum cans and rolling all of my spare change to fund a SL 900, i will not have the funding for a new cab......How do you guys think the SL will sound with a Ampeg 410hlf? Goliath II? I can already feel my Berg/Genz neo jones coming on. Oh NO!!!!!!!!!!!
Just measured mine for you:
From the edge of the jacks on the back of the amp to the top of the knobs on the front of the amp 12"
Height, including feet 3 1/4"
Width 9 7/8"
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