Genz Benz Streamliner Part 9

[bassjam]

IMO the key to using this head with a wider variety of basses and cabs is to treat it as if the Bass and Treble controls were almost boost-only. If you set both bass and treble at 9:00 to start, set your first gain where it sounds good, and tweak from there, you have way more mid shaping options than if you start with everything at 12:00. Like any tone circuit based on the old Fender tone stack, you can increase mids by turning down bass and treble.

Interesting-this is exactly what I tried today,before I read your post.

Ive had my Streamliner for a week now and have logged several hours on it.I have to say it has a very addictive tone.I love my 9.2 and it will see plenty of action,but the Streamliner just has a sweet,smooth,warm,and musical tone.It sounds great with my pair of Neox12's with plenty of volume.Ill have a chance to get this rig on a couple gigs this weekend-Im pretty excited to hear this in a full band mix.I read several reports from folks that loved it at home but it didnt cut through the mix on a gig.I could be totally wrong and Ill find out soon enough,but based on how this rig sounds compared to many other rigs Ive auditioned at home Im thinking this rig will sound great in a live mix.Im sure the voice of the Neox cabs help-they are fantastic sounding cabs.Ill take my 9.2 just in case,but at this point Im planning on going all night with the Streamliner.

 

[bassjam]

AT NAMM today.. Seems like many many Instrument and Speaker makers had Genz Streamliners as their amp heads.. Low Phat cabs and Wyn Basses have numerous Streamliner 900 and MAX 9.2 heads.. Got to see Andy and Jeff early in the day, but was so busy I didnt get back.. Andy see ya this week for sure

Sounds like fun-Ill get my Streamliner out for the first time this weekend.I guess its all your fault-I didnt even want one until I tried yours!!

Have fun brotha-be sure to check out Genz's new combos!

 

[maxgroover]

AT NAMM today.. Seems like many many Instrument and Speaker makers had Genz Streamliners as their amp heads.. Low Phat cabs and Wyn Basses have numerous Streamliner 900 and MAX 9.2 heads.. Got to see Andy and Jeff early in the day, but was so busy I didnt get back.. Andy see ya this week for sure

So no new Streamliner being unveiled at NAMM?

 

[TC.65]

Hey guys just want to give a quick update on my Streamliner 600 paired with my Hartke Hydrive 410 cab. I have to say that the tone of the Streamliner through the Hydrive is clear with very good note definition, and very punchy. It's not lacking mids at all. I think this is due to the hybrid speakers having a modern hi-fi type tone and the cabinet is sealed. I thought I would pass this info along to those looking for different cabs for their Streamliner.

 

[alexofc69]

So no new Streamliner being unveiled at NAMM?

You must not have been following this thread. The Streamliner is still fairly new. Their older products have been improved upon.
http://www.talkbass.com/forum/f15/genz-namm-products-we-must-close-announcement-835049/

 

[Tunaman]

I was wrong... I was DEAD wrong

Just got my Epifani 310 UL early S2 in today & all I can say is WOW with the Streamliner! Its FANTASTIC !

I've been saying all along that the Streamliner + Epifani was too much of a good thing, both scooped, both big in the lows which resulted in a bad muddy tone... and I still feel that way with my Epi 310 NYC but with the UL-2... wow!

FINALLY tonal bliss! My GK NEOs are great with my Streamliner, dont get me wrong but I'm forced to permanently cut the mids at 2.5K, which leaves me NO flexibility in tone (although it sounds good!) With the Epi 310 NYC I'm forced to permanently cut lows below 9 & raise mids at 2.5K (Even that still doesn't sound great)... but with the UL-S2 I can boost & cut lows & mids at different freq & get a pleasing tone no matter what... just depends on what I'm shooting for.

Its SO awesome to finally have a cab that is a PERFECT fit for this amp. The Streamliner is the perfect amp to correct the missing ingredients in a lot of NEOs lacking in the low end or too aggressive in the mids... but this is the 1st CAB I would say is a perfect fit for the Streamliner (in my limited experience trying it out on cabs & IMO )

BTW... anybody try the Streamliner with a Eden 410 xlt ?

 

[Capela]

I was wrong... I was DEAD wrong

Just got my Epifani 310 UL early S2 in today & all I can say is WOW with the Streamliner! Its FANTASTIC !

I've been saying all along that the Streamliner + Epifani was too much of a good thing, both scooped, both big in the lows which resulted in a bad muddy tone... and I still feel that way with my Epi 310 NYC but with the UL-2... wow!

FINALLY tonal bliss! My GK NEOs are great with my Streamliner, dont get me wrong but I'm forced to permanently cut the mids at 2.5K, which leaves me NO flexibility in tone (although it sounds good!) With the Epi 310 NYC I'm forced to permanently cut lows below 9 & raise mids at 2.5K (Even that still doesn't sound great)... but with the UL-S2 I can boost & cut lows & mids at different freq & get a pleasing tone no matter what... just depends on what I'm shooting for.

Its SO awesome to finally have a cab that is a PERFECT fit for this amp. The Streamliner is the perfect amp to correct the missing ingredients in a lot of NEOs lacking in the low end or too aggressive in the mids... but this is the 1st CAB I would say is a perfect fit for the Streamliner (in my limited experience trying it out on cabs & IMO )

BTW... anybody try the Streamliner with a Eden 410 xlt ?

Hi, that's good news. I have a UL210 and was thinking in a S900. So maybe is a good ideia

 

[Aussie Mark]

Hi, that's good news. I have a UL210 and was thinking in a S900. So maybe is a good ideia

Do it. I have a UL610 and a UL210 and the Streamliner goes beautifully with either of them

 

[carbonfold]

Are you using the GK412 Neo with Streamliner or the 115? And what style are you

I was wrong... I was DEAD wrong

Just got my Epifani 310 UL early S2 in today & all I can say is WOW with the Streamliner! Its FANTASTIC !

I've been saying all along that the Streamliner + Epifani was too much of a good thing, both scooped, both big in the lows which resulted in a bad muddy tone... and I still feel that way with my Epi 310 NYC but with the UL-2... wow!

FINALLY tonal bliss! My GK NEOs are great with my Streamliner, dont get me wrong but I'm forced to permanently cut the mids at 2.5K, which leaves me NO flexibility in tone (although it sounds good!) With the Epi 310 NYC I'm forced to permanently cut lows below 9 & raise mids at 2.5K (Even that still doesn't sound great)... but with the UL-S2 I can boost & cut lows & mids at different freq & get a pleasing tone no matter what... just depends on what I'm shooting for.

Its SO awesome to finally have a cab that is a PERFECT fit for this amp. The Streamliner is the perfect amp to correct the missing ingredients in a lot of NEOs lacking in the low end or too aggressive in the mids... but this is the 1st CAB I would say is a perfect fit for the Streamliner (in my limited experience trying it out on cabs & IMO )

BTW... anybody try the Streamliner with a Eden 410 xlt ?

 

[John D Harris]

Sounds like fun-Ill get my Streamliner out for the first time this weekend.I guess its all your fault-I didnt even want one until I tried yours!!

Have fun brotha-be sure to check out Genz's new combos!

Soooo...howd the gig(s) go with your Streamliner and Neox112T's?

 

[bassjam]

Soooo...howd the gig(s) go with your Streamliner and Neox112T's?

Hey John,sorry I didnt see this.The gig went just great-even better than I was expecting.I spent alot of time working with the Streamliner the days leading up to the gig and I was very pleased with the way it sounded in a full band mix.I realize tone is so subjective and this head may not be for everyone,but one thing stuck out to me all night on stage-I read several reports of folks saying they couldnt hear themselves in a full band mix.I didnt have this issue at all.It was very warm and thick sounding but plenty punchy.The bottom end seemed to surround me and filled the stage with ease.I guess Id have to give the Neox12's credit with this also.I love these cabs-load in was a breeze and while I liked them in my living room,I loved them on stage.

So.....to answer your question-I went great.Ive used just my IEM's on the last couple gigs,but Ill have the SL and Neox's out again this weekend.I hope I have the same results.

EDIT-one thing I forgot to mention.Im really liking the Max9.2 also,but Im having a love fest with the Streamliner.It seems to have a sweetness to its tone that I dont hear in the 9.2.Its not as tweakable(obviously) but it does what it does so well and you can tweak it enough in problem rooms.So far I prefer it to my old DB751 for that reason.Funny-my guitar player was actually laughing when he saw me pull the SL out of my bag-then I fired it up and his eyes got huge.Then I was laughing!

 

[Tunaman]

Are you using the GK412 Neo with Streamliner or the 115? And what style are you

Sorry boss! The Streamliner & GK NEO 412 is ridiculous, a FANTASTIC pairing & if weight & lack of handles wasn't an issue it was my favorite combo over the Epi NYC, GK NEO 115

 

[carbonfold]

I had the Shuttle 9.0 and GK412 a while back. It killed but always thought the 9.0 needed some extra warmth ( hence why I'm so interested in the Streamliner 900 or 9.2 ).

I'm actually planning on getting another GK412 or two OBC115 with a Streamliner 900 or Shuttle 9.2. Just can't make up my mind yet

Sorry boss! The Streamliner & GK NEO 412 is ridiculous, a FANTASTIC pairing & if weight & lack of handles wasn't an issue it was my favorite combo over the Epi NYC, GK NEO 115

 

[kai_ski]

If you would use the NEO 412 for every gig, go for it. I went the 2xNEO212 rig with the Streamliner 900 and it has cured my amp GAS. I've played some big stages since I got it and I've never turned it up passed noon!

 

[John D Harris]

Hey John,sorry I didnt see this.The gig went just great-even better than I was expecting.I spent alot of time working with the Streamliner the days leading up to the gig and I was very pleased with the way it sounded in a full band mix.I realize tone is so subjective and this head may not be for everyone,but one thing stuck out to me all night on stage-I read several reports of folks saying they couldnt hear themselves in a full band mix.I didnt have this issue at all.It was very warm and thick sounding but plenty punchy.The bottom end seemed to surround me and filled the stage with ease.I guess Id have to give the Neox12's credit with this also.I love these cabs-load in was a breeze and while I liked them in my living room,I loved them on stage.

So.....to answer your question-I went great.Ive used just my IEM's on the last couple gigs,but Ill have the SL and Neox's out again this weekend.I hope I have the same results.

EDIT-one thing I forgot to mention.Im really liking the Max9.2 also,but Im having a love fest with the Streamliner.It seems to have a sweetness to its tone that I dont hear in the 9.2.Its not as tweakable(obviously) but it does what it does so well and you can tweak it enough in problem rooms.So far I prefer it to my old DB751 for that reason.Funny-my guitar player was actually laughing when he saw me pull the SL out of my bag-then I fired it up and his eyes got huge.Then I was laughing!

Glad these are working-out for you so well.
I'll definitely come by and check them out (& the SMax9.2).
Congrats!!!

 

[Tunaman]

I had the Shuttle 9.0 and GK412 a while back. It killed but always thought the 9.0 needed some extra warmth ( hence why I'm so interested in the Streamliner 900 or 9.2 ).

I'm actually planning on getting another GK412 or two OBC115 with a Streamliner 900 or Shuttle 9.2. Just can't make up my mind yet

If you're considering the Shuttle 9.2, just go Max 9.2 boss. FET & Tube. I LOVE my max 9.2, best amp I've ever owned. The Streamliner is great as it gives SUPER warmth to cabs that dont have it (like the GK NEOs)

My advice always is... if you are stuck in between SL900 & 9.2... get the 9.2, the 900 takes the grind out of the upper mids & the sheen off the treble FOREVER man. The 9.2max has some sick versatility. The 9.2 can get somewhat close to the 900 but the 900 cannot get near the 9.2 in a lot of areas my man

Trust me here, theres a reason why you see a million SL 900 on the classifieds. Its an awesome tone, but thats what you're going to get for life bro

 

[JeffplaysBass]

IMO the key to using this head with a wider variety of basses and cabs is to treat it as if the Bass and Treble controls were almost boost-only. If you set both bass and treble at 9:00 to start, set your first gain where it sounds good, and tweak from there, you have way more mid shaping options than if you start with everything at 12:00. Like any tone circuit based on the old Fender tone stack, you can increase mids by turning down bass and treble.

Agree!

 

[KJung]

Hey John,sorry I didnt see this.The gig went just great-even better than I was expecting.I spent alot of time working with the Streamliner the days leading up to the gig and I was very pleased with the way it sounded in a full band mix.I realize tone is so subjective and this head may not be for everyone,but one thing stuck out to me all night on stage-I read several reports of folks saying they couldnt hear themselves in a full band mix.I didnt have this issue at all.It was very warm and thick sounding but plenty punchy.The bottom end seemed to surround me and filled the stage with ease.I guess Id have to give the Neox12's credit with this also.I love these cabs-load in was a breeze and while I liked them in my living room,I loved them on stage.

So.....to answer your question-I went great.Ive used just my IEM's on the last couple gigs,but Ill have the SL and Neox's out again this weekend.I hope I have the same results.

EDIT-one thing I forgot to mention.Im really liking the Max9.2 also,but Im having a love fest with the Streamliner.It seems to have a sweetness to its tone that I dont hear in the 9.2.Its not as tweakable(obviously) but it does what it does so well and you can tweak it enough in problem rooms.So far I prefer it to my old DB751 for that reason.Funny-my guitar player was actually laughing when he saw me pull the SL out of my bag-then I fired it up and his eyes got huge.Then I was laughing!

+1 As many have posted, for better or worse, the Streamliner is a unique product. Super fat, super tubey, and quite a hammer (as is the Max 9.2). Like you, I find there is a certain magic to the 'real tube compression' sort of give and organic feel to the Streamliner that really makes playing a P Bass a joy.

I love the immediate feel and masssive mid punch and upper mid articulation of my Max 9.2., and the EQ section is IMO the best in the business. But man, plugging the P Bass into that Streamliner is like having a 500 watt Bassman or something (not so much the exact tone, but rather the 'all tube' feel of the amp). I have never heard such a good slap tone with a P Bass than with the Streamliner. Ready Freddie heaven! And, it will growl beautifully when you dig in. Simply perfect IMO, 'for that thing'!

I agree with many others though that, for many players, the 9.2 amps would be more 'jacks of all trades'. Glad I have that one too... makes my J Basses SNARL!

 

[mntngrown]

I use a G&L SB, with hot passive P&J pickups, and dial them about 75% p 25% j. GHS precision flats.
I run the SL900 through a nEARful box. I get the sound I grew up with, W/O having to lift that heavy gear. Blues, and a little funk. When we listen to gigs recorded on small recorder I can hear every fat note.

 

[Tunaman]

Great combo !