Genz Benz Streamliner; Part 4

[Tom Howland]

Got My Streamliner 600 yesterday.
Hooked it up to a friends NV610.
OMG- everyone is right on about this amp.
This is everything I like in an amp.
And at 6 lbs, it a no brainer.
Can't wait to get my Schroeder BMF 2x15 with this?

 

[JxBass]

When Don heard the Streamliner, he REALLY liked it, and is actually considering buying a 600 for his shop as his primary 'test head', since he is all about 'clean tube tone'.

By the way Ken, you should tell Don to pony up for the 900

As most of his cabs are 8 ohms they'll really benefit from that extra push, especially his 15/6 cabs. It could be all in my head but I seem to "feel" that extra headroom and power, even at lower volumes.

EDIT: Of course, Don is more interested in producing gear as opposed to acquiring it

 

[funkyjudge]

Ok, it's Saturday and I have spent some time really getting to know my SL 900 (just purchased it three days ago) ... and doing a final A/B comparison with my Shuttle 9.0 (an excellent amp itself), befaore packing and shipping it. I must say that I am loving the Streamliner 900 so far ... and will still need to take some time getting used to it. I'm playing an assortment of 4 and 5-string passive and passive/active basses through it (Mike Lull M5V ash/maple; custom "LullDowsky" 4-string with Aguilar pickups and preamp plus Sadowsky's VTC; Fender Custom Shop Jazz Bass with S-1 pickup switching; and American Standard P-Bass), plus my wife has two passive basses (Dean and Fender Musicmaster that I upgraded with a strings-through-body bridge and most-importantly an Aero "MusicMasterer" pickup).

The three-tube preamp/midrange control in this SL 900 really adds both versatility and "balls" to the amp that was slightly-lacking in the Shuttle 9.0. As has been mentioned many times already, the SL 900 has a distinct character of its own and it is both warm and powerful/gutsy at the same time. As has also been previously-noted, a little adjustment goes a LONG way with the EQ controls and tube gain on this amp! I find that the 220Hz setting on the active tube-driven midrange frequency control/filter actually adds a bit of "boominess" with my basses ... particularly with the Lull 5-string and my by-nature "bottom-heavy" passive Am Std P-Bass. For most situations, I think that the mid filter will remain set at the 600Hz center setting ... maybe if I am playing raggae or some other dub-based music, I'll set this control at 220Hz. With "hot" active basses, such as my Lull 5-string, I definitely use the low-gain setting (gain control button in the 'out' position) and about as high as I go with the tube gain knob is 10:00 to 11:00. However, with my two passive basses, I give it quite a bit more tube gain (2:00 to close to 3:00 on the dial). My "LullDowsky" is not as "hot" an active bass as the Lull 5er (9V vs 18V preamp power, plus I have the "LullDowsky" preamp trim pot set a bit lower, for less internal gain -- I may also need to trim-back the setting on my Lull 5er with this amp!). Therefore, I can play around with more tube gain and/or not using the high-gain button with this bass.

I am playing through an Epifani 5.3 Ohm UL Series 2 310 cabinet (thought about going with a UL410, but I think I will hold-off on that for a while), and I'm sure that, even at 'practice volumes', I drive the neighbors crazy with this combination. This thing REALLY kicks ... even at a master volume setting of about '2' (8:00 on the dial).

That's all for now ... more to follow, as I get some "real-world" experience (gigs).

 

[steve f]

Got my 600 yesterday as scheduled. A/B-ing with my shuttle 6/12T currently. Very different voicing and personality between the two. I find the EQ to be a bit easier and quicker with the 600. Love the clean tone and the overdriven tones sound fine to my ear as long as I adjust the EQ appropriately. I don't use overdrive much so it won't be an issue for me.
So far I really like it. For my tastes, I prefer it to the shuttle both musically and ergonomically.
Now I've got about a 10 week wait for the Thunder Child I plan to pair it with! I think it should be a nice match up for my purposes.

 

[nostatic]

I've found that the mid control stays on 600hz with mine, usually a tad of boost. 220hz is too much in wool territory for my ears but depends on the sound you're going for and instrument. I'm gigging my new Shuttle9.0 Sun and will record as usual and have direct comparisons with the S900 - same cab, same basses, same venue. Some of the same songs, though we're switching up the set a lot this week.

 

[hasbeen]

Ok, it's Saturday and I have spent some time really getting to know my SL 900 (just purchased it three days ago) ... and doing a final A/B comparison with my Shuttle 9.0 (an excellent amp itself), befaore packing and shipping it. I must say that I am loving the Streamliner 900 so far ... and will still need to take some time getting used to it. I'm playing an assortment of 4 and 5-string passive and passive/active basses through it (Mike Lull M5V ash/maple; custom "LullDowsky" 4-string with Aguilar pickups and preamp plus Sadowsky's VTC; Fender Custom Shop Jazz Bass with S-1 pickup switching; and American Standard P-Bass), plus my wife has two passive basses (Dean and Fender Musicmaster that I upgraded with a strings-through-body bridge and most-importantly an Aero "MusicMasterer" pickup).

The three-tube preamp/midrange control in this SL 900 really adds both versatility and "balls" to the amp that was slightly-lacking in the Shuttle 9.0. As has been mentioned many times already, the SL 900 has a distinct character of its own and it is both warm and powerful/gutsy at the same time. As has also been previously-noted, a little adjustment goes a LONG way with the EQ controls and tube gain on this amp! I find that the 220Hz setting on the active tube-driven midrange frequency control/filter actually adds a bit of "boominess" with my basses ... particularly with the Lull 5-string and my by-nature "bottom-heavy" passive Am Std P-Bass. For most situations, I think that the mid filter will remain set at the 600Hz center setting ... maybe if I am playing raggae or some other dub-based music, I'll set this control at 220Hz. With "hot" active basses, such as my Lull 5-string, I definitely use the low-gain setting (gain control button in the 'out' position) and about as high as I go with the tube gain knob is 10:00 to 11:00. However, with my two passive basses, I give it quite a bit more tube gain (2:00 to close to 3:00 on the dial). My "LullDowsky" is not as "hot" an active bass as the Lull 5er (9V vs 18V preamp power, plus I have the "LullDowsky" preamp trim pot set a bit lower, for less internal gain -- I may also need to trim-back the setting on my Lull 5er with this amp!). Therefore, I can play around with more tube gain and/or not using the high-gain button with this bass.

I am playing through an Epifani 5.3 Ohm UL Series 2 310 cabinet (thought about going with a UL410, but I think I will hold-off on that for a while), and I'm sure that, even at 'practice volumes', I drive the neighbors crazy with this combination. This thing REALLY kicks ... even at a master volume setting of about '2' (8:00 on the dial).

That's all for now ... more to follow, as I get some "real-world" experience (gigs).

As a GB "signature".....we really don't like "boom" at all with our amp voicings...and 220 shouldn't really add boom unless there is a room issue. 220 should add a swift kick to the nu...um, rhymes with guts.

Quick question, when you rolled on the 220, did you dial back the bass control at all?

 

[Red Planet]

Funny, I've had my Liner for a month now and I've yet to even touch the mid control. I just leave it flat. I suppose I should mess with it some but I've not had a need to.

I had some time to spend with it this afternoon. I was working on that in between sound concerning the overdrive. Not really dirty but not clean either. Just enough to give it that cranked tube amp tone without being dirty. I really like this amp.

 

[FunkyFrosty]

How does everyone think this amp would sound with an NV215???

 

[Chef]

I'd bet it would be great, if you already like the NV215.

 

[wateroftyne]

Hello Jeff, Hasbeen, Agedhorse & co.

I can't pretend that I've tried every amp there is, but I've played a lot of them... lead sleds and, more recently, lightweight stuff.

I've got a decent idea of what's out there. And, in their own way, they've all been... fine.

But you know what? I've just done two consecutive nights in a very difficult room with my STL900 and, by Jove, I think you've built the perfect amplifier. I kid you not...

I don't know wether it's the EQ, or headroom, the new power management, or a combination of stuff, but it really does feel '3D', with lively, rich, round punchy notes. Roll that bass knob back and add in some 200Hz mids, and the boomiest room I regularly gig in was instantly tamed, without losing oomph, wallop and definition. The band REALLY noticed.

I'm in awe of it.. thank you.

(Incidentally, You might not remember me, but a couple of years ago I bought a GBE750 from the UK distributor.

I loved it, but unfortunately it buzzed like an angry bee whenever I went within 5ft of it. You all tried everything to sort it out, but for whatever reason, we just couldn't get to the bottom of it.

It was a real shame, but how well you dealt with it always stuck in my mind, and I'm glad to be back in the fold!)

 

[hasbeen]

Thanks for the kind words and for the chance to serve you again.
Kindest Regards,
Roger

Hello Jeff, Hasbeen, Agedhorse & co.

I can't pretend that I've tried every amp there is, but I've played a lot of them... lead sleds and, more recently, lightweight stuff.

I've got a decent idea of what's out there. And, in their own way, they've all been... fine.

But you know what? I've just done two consecutive nights in a very difficult room with my STL900 and, by Jove, I think you've built the perfect amplifier. I kid you not...

I don't know wether it's the EQ, or headroom, the new power management, or a combination of stuff, but it really does feel '3D', with lively, rich, round punchy notes. Roll that bass knob back and add in some 200Hz mids, and the boomiest room I regularly gig in was instantly tamed, without losing oomph, wallop and definition. The band REALLY noticed.

I'm in awe of it.. thank you.

(Incidentally, You might not remember me, but a couple of years ago I bought a GBE750 from the UK distributor.

I loved it, but unfortunately it buzzed like an angry bee whenever I went within 5ft of it. You all tried everything to sort it out, but for whatever reason, we just couldn't get to the bottom of it.

It was a real shame, but how well you dealt with it always stuck in my mind, and I'm glad to be back in the fold!)

 

[funkyjudge]

As a GB "signature".....we really don't like "boom" at all with our amp voicings...and 220 shouldn't really add boom unless there is a room issue. 220 should add a swift kick to the nu...um, rhymes with guts.

Quick question, when you rolled on the 220, did you dial back the bass control at all?

I have tried it both ways -- midrange set at 220Hz with full-on bass, and with bass rolled-off about 30% (or even more). What you call a 'kick in the nuts', I may be calling 'boominess'. What it really is, with the midrange knob set to 220Hz and full-on bass (only with my deeper-voiced basses) is a 'reggae-like' bass tone. With my 4-string "LullDowsky", I can go with full-on bass and the mids set to 220Hz, and it is still fine ... but NOT with my P-Bass nor with the M. Lull 5er (unless I roll-off the neck pickup and cut the bass control by at least 50%).

Doug

 

[funkyjudge]

Funny, I've had my Liner for a month now and I've yet to even touch the mid control. I just leave it flat. I suppose I should mess with it some but I've not had a need to.

I had some time to spend with it this afternoon. I was working on that in between sound concerning the overdrive. Not really dirty but not clean either. Just enough to give it that cranked tube amp tone without being dirty. I really like this amp.

Excellent description there, Red!

 

[nostatic]

The gain also will affect your tone so you might want to re-eq depending on your setting. I too like the gain at least at 1:00, and I also like the gain switch in, then backing the knob off a tad to get that hint of drive. Soloing up the neck on the Rob Allen with it cranky is pretty ridiculously great.

 

[GRoberts]

You guys are SOOOO making me want one of these. It may move to the front of my short list. ...Oh heck ...it's moved to the top of my list. Now I just want to play and hear one!

Who in the Phx/Scottsdale area has one in stock? Anybody? I could make the drive from Tucson in a couple hours.

 

[mophead]

How does everyone think this amp would sound with an NV215???

It sounds very nice through an NV215, and a NV610, and really good through an AE212. Just played a gig last night with the 900 and 212. 50's 60's and 70's rock and roll. Excellent.
Turned the tube gain button off for Play that Funky Music and it worked great for that also.

I find I have to roll the bass knob off to about 11 o'clock on the NV215 and AE. Not so on the NV 610. Bump the mids to about 1 o'clock and just tear it up.

 

[hasbeen]

I have tried it both ways -- midrange set at 220Hz with full-on bass, and with bass rolled-off about 30% (or even more). What you call a 'kick in the nuts', I may be calling 'boominess'. What it really is, with the midrange knob set to 220Hz and full-on bass (only with my deeper-voiced basses) is a 'reggae-like' bass tone. With my 4-string "LullDowsky", I can go with full-on bass and the mids set to 220Hz, and it is still fine ... but NOT with my P-Bass nor with the M. Lull 5er (unless I roll-off the neck pickup and cut the bass control by at least 50%).

Doug

I hear ya. I just want to make sure that with a P bass or bass-prevalent humbucker bass, that you try rolling off some bass, if you boost the low mids.

 

[pablomigraine]

I'd bet it would be great, if you already like the NV215.

Hmmm I dunno depends on whether you'd be using much OD. The NV215 doesnt really like OD.....

 

[Maiden Bass]

I almost ordered a Streamliner, but then decided not to and ordered a ShuttleMAX 9.2 instead.

I don't think that I will regret this decision at all.



When the Bass Whisperer's new video comes out (with the 9.2), it will make some of you on the fence decide that the Max is where it's at!

 

[IntrepidCellist]

I almost ordered a Streamliner, but then decided not to and ordered a ShuttleMAX 9.2 instead.

I don't think that I will regret this decision at all.



When the Bass Whisperer's new video comes out (with the 9.2), it will make some of you on the fence decide that the Max is where it's at!

Why are you posting this in like every "new micro" thread?