Hi im new to genz Benz and here in europe GB are pretty rare used heads. So i ordered one to Test IT with my warwick ss1. What to say....im really amazed. Hell yeah with my Bass its pretty bassy in the “all at12 “ pos. But a Bit off Bass roll off..im shocked. Never been so keen on my equip. . Altough im no Genius on the Bass IT sounds amazing. Growl like the devil itself. cheers from ger daniel
Enjoy the benefits of a premium membership!
Upgrade Account
-
TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
Join free Log in
Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.
Genz Benz Streamliner Part 9
- Thread starter Chef
- Start date
- Status
Hmmm Maybe this is why I just never heard the "lack of modern tone" that some people complain about.. I have a Schecter SS5 but the main bass I play through is a Fender with a N.E. U Retro pre amp in it.. With that combination can get just about any type of sound I can imagine. This amp is the best investment I have ever made gear wise.. even on my Schecter with it's stock pre amp or my 77 Jazz.. It still has a pretty broad palette.
- Mar 8, 2011
- 12,232
- 51,187
- Disclosures
- Authorized greenboy designs builder/Owner of BNA Audio
+1 I think the Streamliner has a very 'modern' tone, if that's what you're chasing...that's the beauty of Genz amps. I make a STM very modern and I can make a SM sound 'old school' when desired...you can get pretty much whatever you want out of these babies
Duke, Ill agree with you with about the Shuttlemax 9.2 getting whatever you want. The Streamliner is a little harder to coax at times... its not clear by any means, its pretty colored which is why I like to have an uncolored pre around change it up when the Streamliner tube tone isn't doing it for me
JUST PLUG IT IN THE BACK PEOPLE
JUST PLUG IT IN THE BACK PEOPLE
- Mar 8, 2011
- 12,232
- 51,187
- Disclosures
- Authorized greenboy designs builder/Owner of BNA Audio
Duke, Ill agree with you with about the Shuttlemax 9.2 getting whatever you want. The Streamliner is a little harder to coax at times... its not clear by any means, its pretty colored which is why I like to have an uncolored pre around change it up when the Streamliner tube tone isn't doing it for me
JUST PLUG IT IN THE BACK PEOPLE
I guess I just like em both for what they are, but I have two ShuttleMax amps as a lot of my gigs are doubling gigs and the two pres help out there 
svtb15
Inactive
- Mar 22, 2004
- 13,004
- 4,741
- Disclosures
- I play it all. Whatever works for the gig. Q+
My shuttlemax 9.2 has been a saving factor on a few gigs... Im not a guy to EQ alot at all. But when you need it , its there... I love grind at times but when i want Clean the FET channel delivers in spades....
Depending on how much output your bass has, you can grit up the TUBE channel quite a bit .. It will do clean too and is very similar to the FET channel with a slight rise in the Low mids. I have used a VT Bass in the Channel insert too with great results...
Depending on how much output your bass has, you can grit up the TUBE channel quite a bit .. It will do clean too and is very similar to the FET channel with a slight rise in the Low mids. I have used a VT Bass in the Channel insert too with great results...
I don't want to spend your money
but I'd fool around with each to see what you like better, most big box retailers have a generous return policy.
That's a close call.
If by punch, you mean tight, controlled low end, the Streamliner is beautifully high-passed, and has the 3DPM for a terrific imitation of a high-powered tube amp's dynamics. The G-K is much wider down low, which makes it harder to dial in the same bouncy, propulsive "kick".
On the other hand, grind is not the Streamliner's strongpoint.
This is why a cross between the Streamliner and MB could have me GAS'ing again in a flash.
Finally had the chance to try out my new Streamliner 900 and NX2 Neo212 cab last night. It was in a practice space that was just a nightmare. Nearly bare walls, about 12X15 or so, and I was stuck in the corner. I was having a hard time hearing myself in the beginning. I had the bass at around 11, mids at about 2 and the treble at noon, both preamp gain and volume were at noon and the master was at noon. Couldn't hear myself. So I cut the bass to about 8 and hit the gain button and was in business. Sounded great after that, but I was a bit surprised I had to use that much volume to be heard.
I just traded my STL 600 for an Aguilar TH350 (won't get into why), so I'll be checking out on this thread.
But before I go, just wanted to comment on this. I felt like the STL could get lost in the mix, or not cut really well. I started getting some nice tones by using the gain button, and also cranking the Gain and Volume pretty high. Or one or the other depending on what flavor you want. I found really pushing the preamp as hard as I could and using the master for "volume" gave me some nice usable tones. I felt like I was getting more of the mid content I wanted, and was cutting thru the mix better.
OK, adios...
But before I go, just wanted to comment on this. I felt like the STL could get lost in the mix, or not cut really well. I started getting some nice tones by using the gain button, and also cranking the Gain and Volume pretty high. Or one or the other depending on what flavor you want. I found really pushing the preamp as hard as I could and using the master for "volume" gave me some nice usable tones. I felt like I was getting more of the mid content I wanted, and was cutting thru the mix better.
OK, adios...
^^^
There's a psycho acoustic thing that happens with bass in general and the Streamliner in particular. Often times the bass sound surrounds you but all you can clearly hear is the midrange edge. That doesn't mean the bass isn't there, it's just kinda large and atmospheric. This is particularly true w the Streamliner as its sound can be really pillowy. So I like to turn the bass down to 9 or 10, drop my volume a bit (and hope the rest of the band gets the hint), and adjust my listening for a wider note. I hope this makes sense...
There's a psycho acoustic thing that happens with bass in general and the Streamliner in particular. Often times the bass sound surrounds you but all you can clearly hear is the midrange edge. That doesn't mean the bass isn't there, it's just kinda large and atmospheric. This is particularly true w the Streamliner as its sound can be really pillowy. So I like to turn the bass down to 9 or 10, drop my volume a bit (and hope the rest of the band gets the hint), and adjust my listening for a wider note. I hope this makes sense...
Just FYI, the master volume control on the Streamliner is an audiotaper design. So, you have to turn the knob more to get the amp cranking. Don't use your eyes in trying to determing how 'loud' or how 'hard' you were pushing the amp. The Streamliner will keep getting louder and stay quite 'musical' all the way through 3 o'clock on that master volume with all but the most extreme gain boost settings.
The good news about these sort of audiotaper pot designs is that it is very easy to make small adjustments to your volume on stage without the amp going from 'off to scream' like some amps. The bad news is, if you don't realize this, you might think the amp is not particularly loud, and sell it for the wrong reasons.
This IS a mid scooped amp so YES you wont cut as well as a Shuttlemax 9.2. You'll get nice warm bass tone... when you dont want that... put in any clear preamp or pedal & you've got the best of both worlds!
Also, cutting the bass almost all the way... try it!
Still really like this amp as my tube amp... for my clear amp the Shuttlemax 9.2 will CRUSH the competition. So if its super clarity you want, the Streamliner is NOT your amp, although it can be with the right pedal\pre.
Otherwise, just get a Shuttlemax 9.2 people
Also, cutting the bass almost all the way... try it!
Still really like this amp as my tube amp... for my clear amp the Shuttlemax 9.2 will CRUSH the competition. So if its super clarity you want, the Streamliner is NOT your amp, although it can be with the right pedal\pre.
Otherwise, just get a Shuttlemax 9.2 people
Just FYI, the master volume control on the Streamliner is an audiotaper design. So, you have to turn the knob more to get the amp cranking. Don't use your eyes in trying to determing how 'loud' or how 'hard' you were pushing the amp. The Streamliner will keep getting louder and stay quite 'musical' all the way through 3 o'clock on that master volume with all but the most extreme gain boost settings.
The good news about these sort of audiotaper pot designs is that it is very easy to make small adjustments to your volume on stage without the amp going from 'off to scream' like some amps. The bad news is, if you don't realize this, you might think the amp is not particularly loud, and sell it for the wrong reasons.
Thats great to hear. To be honest, I was a little bit underwhelmed with the manual. It left me with a few questions. This type of information would have been useful.
I'm used to most amps where if I'm having to push it past noon I start worrying I'm running out of juice.
And yeah it's defininitely not as present in the mids right off the bat, but once I cut the bass, the mids jumped forward and it was really punchy.
Do I have to worry at all about keeping the gain button pushed in for an entire set? After an hour last night the amp was barely warm to the touch so I'm guessing no, but once again, the manual really falls short in my opinion.
Thanks!
I honestly think a lot of the problem last night was the room itself. It wasn't just me, it was the guitarist and singer all saying how bad the sound was in the room. I think I was fighting the guitarist a bit for musical space and had to push a little harder to cut through.
- Status
