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Genz-Benz Streamliner Part 5

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#683
sorry for the sidetrack! now back to how rad the Streamliner is! Heading to my St. Patty's day gig and gonna pair my ST 900 up with my Genz Benz Neox212T. She kills thru the Avatar, but because we have massive PA support tonight, I don't need the xtra bottom from the 15 inch driver. I'll try to shoot some vid action. I love this head more and more everyday, and I must admit, I was almost on the Chef wagon for a minute there! I am glad I gave myself time to figure the ST 900 out and adapt to this unique instrument! :)
 
#684
tombowlus said:
While I absolutely agree with the language in bold, I think that +/- 20 dB is a bit on the overly broad side (for an amp, at least - it might be more appropriate for a cab), and may not illuminate peaks or valleys which may very well be audible in a live situation.

As another FWIW checkpoint, we also used +/- 5 dB in our response curve for the SVT.
Click to expand...

The reason for using a +/-20dB scale is to properly and accurately represent the filter and eq responses with varios amounts of boost and cut. Many amps have a boost/cut range of between 12 and 15dB, some can go as much as 20dB, so to accurately represent the big picture, all graphs should be presented with the same scale in context. 40dB of total range is easily represented visually in a reasonable size. Additional detail can then be zoomed in on, but must be clearly identified so that those less sophisticated folks are aware of this and less likely to compare an amp's +/-10dB plot with say a +/- 20dB plot. Those who do not grasp this point will mis-interpret the one with the magnified scale as less flat or less "colorful" or whatever. +/-10dB is not enough range to display the filter/eq range of most amps on the market.

I would rather not sidetrack the general discussion of the musical attributes of the amp with too much technical talk or discussion as a lot of folks find it droll (not me, not some of you, but probably the overwhelming majority).
 
#686
I think the graph accurately represents the basic tone of the amp. However, playing with the gain structure can dramatically alter the sound of the S900. That's what I like about it. But for being such a simple amp, a lot of additional sounds can be achieved from playing with different gain settings - not the tone controls.

another thing I found when demoing it - infinite sustain. I was playing a P-bass through it (a prefect pairing IMO), with the gain all the way up. The sustain would slowly go into harmonic feedback just like the guitarists use, and it just never stopped. I've never had an amp do that, and it's awesome. Guitarists will not sleep soundly when they realize this...
 
#687
faulknersj said:
Maybe a Streamliner spectrum analysis thread is a healthy compromise?
Click to expand...

That was my suggestion.... :o

Great job, Eublet!

As shown, the graphs show how close one can get to flat frequency with the Streamliner. I think that a +-20 dB scale would serve to demonstrate the capabilities of the EQ set to maximum.

It looks like Genz Benz set the high-pass filter much lower on the Streamliner as compared to their other amps. From what I recall, the GBE series started rolling of the bottom around 100 Hz whereas the SL goes right down to to the fundamentals at 30-40 Hz, depending on the setting of bass control. This may explain why this amp has more of a "pillow" on the bottom.
 
#688
Agedhorse, can you run the SL900 with the gain switch in, gain full up and gain volume full up with the master barely on and dialed up accordingly?
 
#689
12bass said:
That was my suggestion.... :o

Great job, Eublet!
Click to expand...
Perhaps I should have taken your advice! :D

As shown, the graphs show how close one can get to flat frequency with the Streamliner. I think that a +-20 dB scale would serve to demonstrate the capabilities of the EQ set to maximum.
Click to expand...
From what I saw in my experiment, I don't think so in the case of the Streamliner. The EQ doesn't seem capable of what I'd call extreme settings, which kind of corresponds to Friedland's comment of not being able to get a bad tone out this head. I think one could definitely get a tone that was "too much" one way or another, but not necessarily bad like you could with an active EQ that does +/- 15db on several bands. The EQ on the Streamliner seems very subtle when you adjust it. It feels like it was meant to "coax" your tone in the direction you want to go, rather than sculpting it. I think that's cool. Streamliner indeed.
 
#690
As for further discussion, I'll move the posts to dedicated thread if there's really something to discuss. For my part, I don't really have much to say unless folks ask questions about something. I was more curious than anything else.
 
#691
For myself, I think the graphs and ensuing discussion are at *least* as interesting as the countless "would the Streamliner sound good with *this* cabinet? how about with *that* cabinet?" posts.

It's all part and parcel of the wonderful pile-on - lots of interest in this head, different people show it in different ways.
 
#694
Anybody try a Warwick Thumb or Streamer through the SL ??
I'd imagine that would be a SICK combination. Funky, midrange punch with SL smooth mids.

Sometimes a Warwicks can be too much with a SS head but with the SL? Cool?
 
#695
Tunaman said:
Anybody try a Warwick Thumb or Streamer through the SL ??
I'd imagine that would be a SICK combination. Funky, midrange punch with SL smooth mids.

Sometimes a Warwicks can be too much with a SS head but with the SL? Cool?
Click to expand...

It just so happens...

DSC00895.jpg


Plus

DSC00889.jpg


= Awesome :bassist:
 
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