Genz-Benz Streamliner Part 6

[Red Planet]

Reading these GB Streamliner threads made me do it. Guys at Bass NW hooked me up. Thanks to all who contributed to this discussion.

Lovin this setup, very nice. Neox 212T cab.

Nice. Looks like one of the new NEOX Cabs with the tolex. Any difference tone wise from the carpet covered cabs?

How does that cab perform with the Streamliner?

Tell us more.

I want a pair of those Neox 112T cabs so bad but if steamboat's were a dime a piece all I could do is run up and down the bank and holler ain't that cheap!

 

[Scott McArron]

I believe they all ship with a JJ ECC83 in V1 and two Ruby Chinese AX7's in V2 and V3.

I believe the Ruby's are those Select Tubes IIRC.

BTW for those that don't know if you don't get your JJ tubes from Bob at Eoro Tubes you may get a dud. Bob gets the cream of the crop. Everyone else gets whats left. New Sensor ships boatloads of bad JJ's on a regular basis.

I think I would like the JJ ECC803 better in V1. Of coarse I have the (real) Mullards and Blackburns in my Streamliner.

And you're going to share with us the difference those make?

After putting a NOS telefunken in the V1 of my DB750 I'm sold on the idea of tube swapping. One thing I remember about trying out the JJ's was that I didn't like them too much because they sounded too hi-fi taking away some of that vintage feel. But every tube effects every amp differently I'm sure, which begs the question of what the Mullards and Blackburns do for the Streamliner tone (not that the Streamliner needs ANY help regarding tone!! Just curious ).

 

[dubstylee]

Thanks Red Planet, you answered my question. I'm digging my 600 right now, I'm just leaving the tubes alone for now b/c it sounds sweet and it's loud.

 

[Red Planet]

I actually like the tone of an EH or a Tong Sol (fake reissue) really good but they do not last very long before going badly microphonic. Even though these two tubes are the same tube just with a different getter, they sound quite different.

For me it's old stock. It's a good thing I have hundreds of them. I'm very fortunate in that respect.

 

[Red Planet]

And you're going to share with us the difference those make?

After putting a NOS telefunken in the V1 of my DB750 I'm sold on the idea of tube swapping. One thing I remember about trying out the JJ's was that I didn't like them too much because they sounded too hi-fi taking away some of that vintage feel. But every tube effects every amp differently I'm sure, which begs the question of what the Mullards and Blackburns do for the Streamliner tone (not that the Streamliner needs ANY help regarding tone!! Just curious ).

I shared way back there somewhere. The Blackburns are pretty scarce as far as Tubes go. I do not know the production numbers but heck they were only produced for a few months. Dear lord please help them folks make some more of these tubes.

 

[FooHead]

Anyone ever hooked a Streamliner up to a Bad End S15D / S15XD stack?
I'm contemplating this set up but nobody here carries Genz stuff. Anyone tried this set up or have opinions on it?

 

[dndj]

Nice. Looks like one of the new NEOX Cabs with the tolex. Any difference tone wise from the carpet covered cabs?

How does that cab perform with the Streamliner?

Tell us more.

I want a pair of those Neox 112T cabs so bad but if steamboat's were a dime a piece all I could do is run up and down the bank and holler ain't that cheap!

Yeah it's the tolex version. I really like how the cabinet performs with the streamliner. No gigs yet, but in my practice space I'm finding the streamliner EQ settings that give me the best tone are pretty typical with a lot of others are saying. Bass at 11, Mids at 2 (600 or 2.5k), treble at 11 or 12. Very punchy mids and low B extension with my 5er also seems very good. Since I mail ordered I took a chance, really didn't do any A/B comparisons with Berg, GK, Epi, or others.

I was also thinking of opting for a pair of Neox 112Ts for the added flexibility but the 212T was a little cheaper and in stock. I bet of pair of 112s would be really nice.

 

[Tom Howland]

Hey Mojo-Man, how is the headroom on the SL 600 for you? Do you always have a bit to spare?

I played a 100 seat bar.
Volume half way. master volume 10:00.
Head-room to spare.
This head is loud.
WITH THIS CAB. IT PLAN OUT ROCKS.

 

[seansbrew]

Reading these GB Streamliner threads made me do it. Guys at Bass NW hooked me up. Thanks to all who contributed to this discussion.

Lovin this setup, very nice. Neox 212T cab.

This is the exact setup that I think I want.

So far I have the Neo 212XT. I am using my Eden Nav + QSC PLX to push it. I have to say it sounds incredible.

Being that I have no complaints about my sound I am going for portability and a tiny bit more warmth. I am hoping the STL 900 is going to work for me.

Who else has this setup? Comments?

 

[smeet]

I have that setup. Very very faaaaat sounding. Not a good combo for bright grindy tones, but it sounds really wonderful for full thick tones, with every note clearly audible without covering up other instruments.

 

[gillento]

I have that setup. Very very faaaaat sounding. Not a good combo for bright grindy tones, but it sounds really wonderful for full thick tones, with every note clearly audible without covering up other instruments.

How would you compare the Neox212 to the db112s you are selling?
I am playing a db212 right now with the STL600 and I was looking for a more light weight cab. The Neox212 has caught my eye, but I want to make sure not wander off too much from the db 12" sound.

 

[rodl2005]

Another gig today with the SL and NV412. This time it was outdoor offcourse with PA support.

SL still sounding punchy, warm and fat.

I'm so happy with this amp!

So it sounds good with the NV cab?? Hmmmmm Wondering, wondering..... STL-600 > NV215

 

[loopee]

STM 900 and 2 12" cabs ?????

So I'm debating getting either the 600 or the 900 BUT
my cabs are NY121's which do 400w each
= 800W

My question is: Will a 900w amp be too much for those little cabs? Or should I just stick to getting the 600w amp?

 

[Musicman20]

How would you compare the Neox212 to the db112s you are selling?
I am playing a db212 right now with the STL600 and I was looking for a more light weight cab. The Neox212 has caught my eye, but I want to make sure not wander off too much from the db 12" sound.

I'm with you on this. The Neo X looks great! Quite tempted to get a quote before neo prices go crazy.

 

[faulknersj]

I love the way my NeoX 212T pairs with my Streamliner...it's just that I love the way it pairs with my Avatar TB-153 a bit better. Having the low end extention a 15" provides + a 6" mid driver that goes up to 5K is pure bliss tonal for me! My Avatar comes with me to 95% of my gigs. That said, the NeoX-212t + Streamliner is a killer combo!

 

[dave_bass5]

Hi Guys.
I must admit to not having read the other parts of this thread, and only jumping about in this so sorry if these questions have been answered already.
i will get to read everytihng over time.

Im playing weddings/functions doing the usual wedding/Function type fo stuff and I've been using MB heads (LMII and SA450) with a Schroeder 1212L for the past few years.
I love this rig but feel i need a change. I dont tend to go for too many different tones during a gig. I find one good, solid tone works well.
I've recently been using a BDDI in front of the bass (Modified Squier CV P) with just a small amount of BDDI tone mixed in.

Does anyone have any comments on how i can expect my tone to change if i get a Streamliner? Im hoping to drop the BDDI if i can, without loosing the full fat tone i get from it.

The other question i have is about the tubes. Ive never owned a tube amp of any kind before and im wondering if there are any downsides to using them. Do they need time to warm up, what happen if one (or more) blows? Can the head still be used?

Sorry for the basic questions, its early days at the moment and with so much choice in this area i dont want to get it wrong, but at the same time i dont want to hang around too long.

EDIT: Ive just seen Kens post about a SL with 1212L in the previous part of the thread so i guess that answers one of my questions, although i would like to hear more views if anyone has them.

 

[KJung]

Hi Guys.
I must admit to not having read the other parts of this thread, and only jumping about in this so sorry if these questions have been answered already.
i will get to read everytihng over time.

Im playing weddings/functions doing the usual wedding/Function type fo stuff and I've been using MB heads (LMII and SA450) with a Schroeder 1212L for the past few years.
I love this rig but feel i need a change. I dont tend to go for too many different tones during a gig. I find one good, solid tone works well.
I've recently been using a BDDI in front of the bass (Modified Squier CV P) with just a small amount of BDDI tone mixed in.

Does anyone have any comments on how i can expect my tone to change if i get a Streamliner? Im hoping to drop the BDDI if i can, without loosing the full fat tone i get from it.

The other question i have is about the tubes. Ive never owned a tube amp of any kind before and im wondering if there are any downsides to using them. Do they need time to warm up, what happen if one (or more) blows? Can the head still be used?

Sorry for the basic questions, its early days at the moment and with so much choice in this area i dont want to get it wrong, but at the same time i dont want to hang around too long.

EDIT: Ive just seen Kens post about a SL with 1212L in the previous part of the thread so i guess that answers one of my questions, although i would like to hear more views if anyone has them.

You will gain some fatness and smoothness and a touch of volume. It will sound WAY different.... more open in the low end, not as punchy and 'bap bap bap' on the attack. I wouldn't do it myself, unless you wanted a bit of overdrive in your tone without using a pedal. The Streamliner/Schroeder match-up is a good one, the Markbass/Schroeder matchup is a magic one IMO.

The 'tube' thing is a zero issue, since the Streamliner isn't a tube amp, but rather a hybrid. There is a 15 second 'warmup' period, but no big deal.

If you want a touch of change from your SA450, a bit more volume, and a smaller box, I'd highly recommend checking out the F500. Same front end as the SA450 in a much smaller box, and the voicing is a bit more aggressive. The Shuttle Max 9.2 would also be worth a try.... about the same size as the SA450, more power, and more EQ power, with a tube pre along with an FET pre.

IMO. Again, if you are looking for a 'big change' in your tone, the Streamliner might really float your boat.

 

[dave_bass5]

Thanks Ken, as usual you provide a very detailed response with some good suggestions.
First off i would love the F500 but its out of my price range.
Im not looking for more volume as ive never pushed my SA450 but i definitely want smaller and lighter.
More Fatness and smoothness sounds ideal. I know the rig has a lot of punch but sometimes i feel its a bit too much. One of the reasons i got the BDDI was to help with the mids as it introduces a slight mid scoop and does even the tone out, plus it adds a bit of bite to the tone. Im not looking for overdrive though. I had a VT Bass and felt that was a bit too much. If the SL600 can add some tube like warmth to my P tone then that would be all i ask of it. I don tliek distortion on bass and have no need of it.

To be honest im wondering if i am getting tired of the MB/Schroeder sound so yes, im looking to change my tone, maybe drastically, maybe not. I wont really know until the first gig but it does seem like the SL600 might be the one (have also considered the TC 450 Classic but ruled that out).

I had considered the Shuttles last year but seeing as i tend to not use the EQ much on my SA450, or any effects etc i think the Shuttle is a bit overkill for my needs, although the Shuttle 6.0 appeals to me so ill add that back to the list.

Ill keep reading the previous threads until i catch up, by then i should have a clearer picture.

Thanks again (and for the YT videos, very helpful).

 

[jnewmark]

I love the way my NeoX 212T pairs with my Streamliner...it's just that I love the way it pairs with my Avatar TB-153 a bit better. Having the low end extention a 15" provides + a 6" mid driver that goes up to 5K is pure bliss tonal for me! My Avatar comes with me to 95% of my gigs. That said, the NeoX-212t + Streamliner is a killer combo!

I watched both of your videos, very nice playing. The Shuttlemax seemed a little more defined and agressive tone, compared to the Streamline with the Avatar. Would you agree ? Also, at least on that gig, would you say the band's volume was a little on the quiet side, or fairly loud ?

 

[Eublet]

Dave - to me it depends on how much of that BDDI you are using via the blend to get to your tone. The BDDI seriously scoops out the mids and fattens up the bottom, even with the EQ flat. If you are blending more than 40% of the wet ton, then it is possible that the SL will be right down your alley. It scoops the mids a bit also, though not as extreme as the BDDI by default. If you boost 2.5k on the SL, and cut treble, then the top end has a very similar tone as using the Presence control on the BDDI. Then you just work the gain knob to get the amount of grit you need.

The BDDI has a unique thing going on, so I wouldn't expect an exact replica of that tone, but I think the SL can get close and sound more tube-authentic. But it won't sound like your SA450 I don't think...which is a good thing IMO, but maybe a bad thing in yours.