Okay, I just finished playing with the SL900/AE212 some more. I had the bass knob at 9 o'clock, mids at 2-3 o'clock, switching between the 600 and 2500 hz setting, and highs at noon. It sounded really good to me. Very thick still, but wonderful. I switched to my RH450, with all EQ set flat. It was much "thinner" sounding instantly. Lightbulb. I've NEVER had an issue with the RH450 being thin at all at a gig. In fact, I've struggled with it occasionally not being as bright as I want (mostly because of the treble attenuation), but the bottom is always plenty big. At times I might have boosted lows just a touch, but that's about it. So if the RH450 sounds thin compared to the SL900 in my rehearsal space, then you can bet the SL900 is going to be way too big and boomy for my needs on the gig. I feel some peace inside now that at least I've gotten this worked out in my head. As wonderful a design as it is, it just wasn't voiced for me. No big deal.
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Genz-Benz Streamliner Part 5
- Thread starter Chef
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I think the SL900 would be a better pairing with 10s than 12s to cut done on the boom. I'll be playing with radical EQ settings tonight to see if I can get closer to a SS Shuttle... thats my only knock on this amp but that maybe like trying to turn a P bass into a J bass.
It is what it is... variety is the spice of life is my motto with the Streamliner.
Repeat after me folks...
The Shuttle is to the Streamliner like the J bass is to the P bass. Do you prefer the J or the P, Shuttle or the SL?
The Streamliner can make my Sterling H sound like a P bass & that blows my mind by the way.
It seems to me that some of the complaints are coming from guys who are running through the headphone output. Is that correct? Were I looking for a headphone solution I don't think the S900 would be on my radar. Also headphone outputs will *not* sound like a cab solution.
As for cabs, I had both AE112 and AE210. I kept the 210, but that is a personal preference as I prefer the 210 with most heads. The only head where I liked the 112 a bit more was with the GK MB Fusion, mostly because that is a very aggressively voiced amp and the AE210 was a tad strident for my taste without some significant eq.
As I've stated in earlier threads - the S900 won't cure cancer or create peace in the middle east. It will however give you a big fat tone, and is perhaps the holy grail for P-bass guys that don't want to lug around a huge head. It is more versatile than some think (the passive eq requires a more radical approach if you really want to tone shape), but it isn't as neutral as a Shuttle. fwiw even the Shuttles have different character between them. I didn't really care for the 6.0, but like the 9.0 a lot.
Frankly your best bet is to find a retailer that has a return policy and try it for yourself in your own gig situation. It never ceases to amaze me how some things that sound great in isolation fall flat in a band situation and vice versa. You can listen to all the youtube videos in the world, but until it is your hands doing the playing, you'll never know. And that brings up another facet that you can't get through recordings - how the amp feels when you play. Tubes ain't solid state. Your fingers can feel a difference if you let them.
As for cabs, I had both AE112 and AE210. I kept the 210, but that is a personal preference as I prefer the 210 with most heads. The only head where I liked the 112 a bit more was with the GK MB Fusion, mostly because that is a very aggressively voiced amp and the AE210 was a tad strident for my taste without some significant eq.
As I've stated in earlier threads - the S900 won't cure cancer or create peace in the middle east. It will however give you a big fat tone, and is perhaps the holy grail for P-bass guys that don't want to lug around a huge head. It is more versatile than some think (the passive eq requires a more radical approach if you really want to tone shape), but it isn't as neutral as a Shuttle. fwiw even the Shuttles have different character between them. I didn't really care for the 6.0, but like the 9.0 a lot.
Frankly your best bet is to find a retailer that has a return policy and try it for yourself in your own gig situation. It never ceases to amaze me how some things that sound great in isolation fall flat in a band situation and vice versa. You can listen to all the youtube videos in the world, but until it is your hands doing the playing, you'll never know. And that brings up another facet that you can't get through recordings - how the amp feels when you play. Tubes ain't solid state. Your fingers can feel a difference if you let them.
I've got the okay to send mine back, but I think I'm going to force myself to stay in the saddle for a while on this. I'll miss my deadline to return it for a refund, but it'll give me the chance to explore this thing a bit more and see how it works out. I doubt I'll have any problem flipping it if I choose to later. So for now, I'm still on board and waiting to see how things go.
Traitor!!!
naw, j/k.
Sorry it didn't work out. It isn't for everyone. Maybe you just need to buy a P-Bass 
You WILL like this amp or FEAR the retribution of this thread! COMPLY! Chef was lost, but you must submit!
Don't think I ain't eyeballin' youse guys.
I'm still a mod here, and (engage reverb) ....I....See....All................
back out
I'm still a mod here, and (engage reverb) ....I....See....All................
back out
I don't think so at all. Chef has been inquisitive and full of questions since this thing arrived. He's sought thougtful replies from folks on this and decided it was worth a shot. I don't think that was gas gone bad.
Now, I've seen posts from people on TB who are selling gear to pay credit card bills. That's gas gone bad...to say the very least.
Well getting this love-fest back on track. I just played through my NEW Uber 410 with my money Lakland Bob Glaub P and, well, holy cow. I'm speechless on how great it sounds.
I'm going to let it all sink it, mess with the tweeter (right now on 50%) and hopefully give a ride report.
It was great through the GK 212's but it's A-frickin-Mazing through this cabinet.
Guess I've been a 410 guy all along.......who knew?
I'm going to let it all sink it, mess with the tweeter (right now on 50%) and hopefully give a ride report.
It was great through the GK 212's but it's A-frickin-Mazing through this cabinet.
Guess I've been a 410 guy all along.......who knew?
Haha. I want to like it! I do like it, in my rehearsal space. I'm just afraid of the gig a bit. Since I can't gig it before my 7 day trial period for returning is over, I'm in a bit of a quandary. I've decided to err on the side of fully testing it. Maybe I'll wind up complying after all. Conformity is much easier, that's for sure!You WILL like this amp or FEAR the retribution of this thread! COMPLY! Chef was lost, but you must submit!
I don't think so at all. Chef has been inquisitive and full of questions since this thing arrived. He's sought thougtful replies from folks on this and decided it was worth a shot. I don't think that was gas gone bad.
Now, I've seen posts from people on TB who are selling gear to pay credit card bills. That's gas gone bad...to say the very least.
No slight on Chef... for people on the fence, stay there till you try this amp. Its not for everyone & thats DAMN GOOD ADVICE PERIOD!
Good luck Chef!
I definitely appreciate the candor from folks like Jason and Alan. The specific comments from folks who don't care for it are actually making me (a P bass guy who rarely goes for zing or slicing through the mix) like the sound of this amp a little more.
I've got a bunch of other things on my gear plate (so to speak) right now. But I hope I eventually get a chance to try a Streamline in person.
I've got a bunch of other things on my gear plate (so to speak) right now. But I hope I eventually get a chance to try a Streamline in person.
Ebulet... just a thought.
The disappointing tone you're getting through headphones - could it be an impedance mismatch?
I know when I've used headphones in the past with my RH450, and assorted headphone / practice amps, the tone has always been muddy and indistinct. I always let it go because I knew it was an impedance issue.
Those same headphones are wonderfully rich, balanced and and clear with the STL900.
I wonder if there's a chance your headphones are the other way around, so to speak...?
The disappointing tone you're getting through headphones - could it be an impedance mismatch?
I know when I've used headphones in the past with my RH450, and assorted headphone / practice amps, the tone has always been muddy and indistinct. I always let it go because I knew it was an impedance issue.
Those same headphones are wonderfully rich, balanced and and clear with the STL900.
I wonder if there's a chance your headphones are the other way around, so to speak...?
Good question. I don't think so because I was also running my Tascam through the Aux In on the SL900, and then through the headphones. The playback of songs there sounds normal to me. I'm going to try the DI into a recording console tonight hopefully, along with the playback from my Tascam, to see what happens. Again, this thing sounds great when I'm standing in front of it on the AE212. I am a VERY firm believer that our ears can learn to like something over time that we previously disliked. I've been using heads that give me a sharp, grindy bit for a while now, and I've gotten used to that for my fingerstyle playing. I don't slap much, but when I do ironically I can't stand that sharp, grindy sound when I slap. So in a sense, it would be better for me if I learned to really like the sound of the SL900 as is, because slapping my 55-02 through this thing is a bit orgasmic.
Thanks for the video. It's especially helpful to me considering I play a jazz and p-bass. I added to my favorites...
Everything I've heard about the tone you like tells me you'd be happy as a pig in poop with the Streamliner. My LOG P5 KILLS through it.I definitely appreciate the candor from folks like Jason and Alan. The specific comments from folks who don't care for it are actually making me (a P bass guy who rarely goes for zing or slicing through the mix) like the sound of this amp a little more.
I've got a bunch of other things on my gear plate (so to speak) right now. But I hope I eventually get a chance to try a Streamline in person.
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