Genz Benz Streamliner; Part 4

[Andy Brown]

I don't think I've ever used the term "fat" to describe the RH450, which I still love.

+1

 

[KsPiNeSh]

What I find interesting is that it seems many people are all over this amp but showed no interest in the RH450, like it didn't peak their interest at all. Both amps seem to be a similar product. I have followed both the RH450 and the this thread from the beginning. You almost get the sense that they think the RH450 is not even in the same league, but never heard or played one. Of course some of the same people have been contributors to both threads. Me, I've been a sucker for both amps. Perhaps 450 watts wasn't enough to get some peoples attention and 900 is the magic number.

I played an RH450 in the hopes that it would add a fatter, warmer sound to my arsenal... it just didn't do anything for me. The tone still struck me as "digital/processed" in a way that I'm not sure how to describe (perhaps still too controlled down low?), and I really didn't like the way the physical amp itself felt and looked. Great featureset and I can see how many would like the sound, but it ultimately wasn't for me.

 

[Evolver]

My thanks to Ed and Ken and all the others who posted clips and provided input to the Streamliner threads! I ordered an SL900 a week ago Saturday from Glenn at Bass Specialties and received it Tuesday night (with the seemingly obligatory hole in the box from shipping but found no problems with the amp). Work has kept me from playing it as much as I like, but I'm very impressed with this amp matched with the Berg AE410 - that's the tone I've been hoping for. At some point, I'll try it with the GB NEOX212 (and, yes, I am guilty of using two of those cabs with a GBE 750 - but only for outdoor gigs...). Nice job GB!

 

[JxBass]

My STM-600 shipped on Saturday and I just ordered a Thunderchild to go along with it. Should be a nice little mini rig of doom.

Want a full report on the Thunderchild/SL600 rig! Should be stunning!

Ken did a great, as always, SL900/Thunderchild tone test. I'll be doing my own Thunderchild - LDS 12/6 bake off with my SL900 this weekend.

 

[Andy Brown]

Ken did a great, as always, SL900/Thunderchild tone test. I'll be doing my own Thunderchild - LDS 12/6 bake off with my SL900 this weekend.

I'll definitely have to check that out. Thanks!

 

[Mooch]

My thanks to Ed and Ken and all the others who posted clips and provided input to the Streamliner threads! I ordered an SL900 a week ago Saturday from Glenn at Bass Specialties and received it Tuesday night (with the seemingly obligatory hole in the box from shipping but found no problems with the amp). Work has kept me from playing it as much as I like, but I'm very impressed with this amp matched with the Berg AE410 - that's the tone I've been hoping for. At some point, I'll try it with the GB NEOX212 (and, yes, I am guilty of using two of those cabs with a GBE 750 - but only for outdoor gigs...). Nice job GB!

Im curious if anyone has sent Genz Benz a picture of the dreaded "hole in the box". Not sure if its always in the same spot, but working for a major fireplace builder in the country we send "kits" inside our units and some are molded panels and have a history of breaking in shipment. Maybe the packaging engineers at genz benz could use some of these pictures to design a better box. While nothing is break/tear resistant, mabye there is something they can fix? just a thought from the couch.

 

[Chef]

what hole in the box?

 

[Eublet]

1) Cut a hole in a box.
2) Put your junk in that box.
3) Get her to open the box.

 

[pablomigraine]

Maybe GB should release a TBer endorsed edition of the Streamliner, the Kjung SL 900, with a custom paint job etc., just like companies do with basses.

I doubt the resultant amp would look anything like the original product... one shudders to think....

JK Ken we love ya!

What I find interesting is that it seems many people are all over this amp but showed no interest in the RH450, like it didn't peak their interest at all. Both amps seem to be a similar product. I have followed both the RH450 and the this thread from the beginning. You almost get the sense that they think the RH450 is not even in the same league, but never heard or played one. Of course some of the same people have been contributors to both threads. Me, I've been a sucker for both amps. Perhaps 450 watts wasn't enough to get some peoples attention and 900 is the magic number.

RH450 is, IMHO a completely different product. Each knob has 300 different functions, the user interface is extremely complicated (packing 3 or 4 STLMAX 9.0's worth of adjust-ability into just a couple of knobs) makes greatly less power, and is designed to sound completely different. I look at this amp and subconsciously file it away with the Line-6 stuff... gear far too complicated and underpowered (for me) to ever warrant fussing with in the first place....totally different amps...

 

[mntngrown]

You can easily dial back in some Mid Punch to the Streamliner, just as you can easily warm up the Shuttle 9.0. The Streamliner will get snappy bright if you want it to as well.

The Streamliner definitely has a bit of Mid Scoop to it set flat. Not drastic but it's there.

There are more ways to dial the Shuttle 9.0 to warmness than you might think. One of the first simple things is turning your tweeter off completely. This immediately brings it back to old school. Hit the Mid Scoop and maybe even the Bass Boost and think 4x10 HLF territory.

To me IME the Shuttle 9.0 is much more warmer and rounder than any of the MarkBass amps. I had an LMIII and TA501 before I got the 9.0 and I was able to AB the LMIII with the 9.0 directly. Difference is night and day IMO.

IMO the Shuttle Max 12.0 is way closer to LMIII/F500 territory, though the Max has much more depth to the tonal character.

You just have to understand you can not dial out the tubyness of the Streamliner. It is present all the time.

Thanks! Very Helpful

 

[Scott McArron]

I'll have even more fun A/B'ing this against my RH450/RS210

This is what I want to hear about!!!!

 

[Scott McArron]

My Streamliner isn't here yet, but from Ed and Ken's video I can hear a pretty different tone from the RH450. The SL has an open, clear top end that just isn't there in the RH450.

This is what I miss with my RH450.

I just put my RH450 on the AE212 for a quick spin. First time I've had that head out in a while. I had forgotten how absent the highs are in it's voicing. It can be cool, but your stuck with it all the time.

Beyond that, the SL sounds to me to have a more typical fat tube tone, even when run clean. I don't think I've ever used the term "fat" to describe the RH450, which I still love.

"Fat," that's another thing I miss. Hmmm, this SL is just sounding gooder and gooder. Now to decide between the 600 and 900....

 

[Top_Ten]

Just got my 900 today. So far only been able to play it at extremely low volume, but it seems to be everything everyone says it is. Very happy so far!

One totally trivial question: All of the knobs have a nice feel to them with just the right amount of resistance, except the preamp volume control knob turns much more easily. It works fine, so it's just the difference in feel between that knob and the other knobs that I am wondering about. Has anyone else experienced that? Are they all like that?

Thanks!

 

[thouser1]

I'm going to try it when the amp arrives. I'm also going to try my RS cabs. Im leaning toward a GB cab with 12s but I have no clue which one will compliment the tubey goodness of the SL.

I have the Eden 4x10 XLT and would love to hear your thoughts after your amp arrives.

 

[adivin]

I doubt the resultant amp would look anything like the original product... one shudders to think....

JK Ken we love ya!

RH450 is, IMHO a completely different product. Each knob has 300 different functions, the user interface is extremely complicated (packing 3 or 4 STLMAX 9.0's worth of adjust-ability into just a couple of knobs) makes greatly less power, and is designed to sound completely different. I look at this amp and subconsciously file it away with the Line-6 stuff... gear far too complicated and underpowered (for me) to ever warrant fussing with in the first place....totally different amps...

I have the RH450. It packs a lot of features but it's not THAT complicated but it does have a lot of variables on hand. Totally not underpowered, I am sure it more than hangs with the SL 600. It did make for interesting comparison. I'll have both soon!

 

[JimmyM]

What I find interesting is that it seems many people are all over this amp but showed no interest in the RH450, like it didn't peak their interest at all. Both amps seem to be a similar product. I have followed both the RH450 and the this thread from the beginning. You almost get the sense that they think the RH450 is not even in the same league, but never heard or played one. Of course some of the same people have been contributors to both threads. Me, I've been a sucker for both amps. Perhaps 450 watts wasn't enough to get some peoples attention and 900 is the magic number.

well you are welcome to your opinion and mine shouldn't affect yours at all, but i find the vt and the micro vr to do a much better ampeg tube emulation than the rh450. they'll all work in a live situation fine, but the rh450 reminds me of a line 6 product. digital is very good sounding on computers and high end processors like the axe-fx, but i don't believe digital has the guns to work in small amps and $400 effect units.

 

[Musicman20]

I hate to stick my oar in, but I suppose I can because I have the SL coming as well, but the RH is SO far away from Line 6 its unreal. Absolutely NOTHING like it, tone wise especially.

I dont even hear any type of processed sound. If I didnt know it was a digital amp, I would think there were real tubes in it.

Ok, the drive may not be to everyones tastes, I understand. But a little goes a long way.

Anyway, back on topic. Ill be able to compare the two very soon. The RH is going nowhere, I love it. The SL is going to be its best buddy and say 'hey look at me, I have three tubes!'.

 

[JimmyM]

fair enough, musicman. i'm not a fan of the tc stuff but i'm certainly not speaking for everybody.

 

[wateroftyne]

Yeah - I'd also say that - to my ears - there's nothing digital about the TC. I've recorded with it on a number of occasions and engineers haven't picked up on any digital vibe either - they've all been very impressed.

 

[markorbit]

I have a Streamliner arriving anytime now and have briefly owned a RH450. I can't believe it is getting bashed for having features. It wasn't a complicated amp and if you don't want compression and you don't want to experiment with different EQ points then just don't press the shift button. You can use it just like any other amp without those features.

I was hoping the RH450 was going to become my main amp as it has a lot going for it, all the above plus built-in tuner. However, for my needs I thought some of my other stuff (with real tubes) sounded better and more authentic (for me). It sounded great on some demos I saw on youtube though. That is why I am excited about the Streamliner. Seems to be the lightweight amp I am looking for, has a simple but well-thought out EQ and with a serious tube path, not some token 12AX7.