Genz Benz Streamliner Pt 7.....

[rodl2005]

The Streamliner was designed to be like an old school tube amp. If you want more than that you have the wrong amp. IMO

If you want a spank monster get a 9.0. If you need more mid control get a 9.2.

I think folks just pickup whatever the crowd is gushing about regardless of whether it will meet their needs and then complain because X will not do Y.

Do not try to drive a nail with a sledge hammer. You will fail every time.

Which is what I've used all my life-old-sch. tube amps & my back probs HAVE made me grab one. Due to many of the bassists on here, with views I respect, saying how much like a ' real' tube amp the STL was. So that was/is all I was hoping for.
I've got a Shuttle-which, imo, has a much flatter response, so,i wasn't after a 'spank machine' a you say. AS my back is stuffed-i have to go with as light as poss-with everything.
On a ' brighter' note, managed to get a better tone last nite.
Again, cut the bass to under 9pm, & did boost mids @ middle setting to 3pm.
Going back to bed now, but more later.
Thanx again to all those with helpful hints

 

[FuzzBoxVoodoo]

As simple as it sounds i have been cutting the bass on board and leaving the amp set flat and that seems to do better than cutting it at the amp.I use a Aguilar OBP-3 on 2 of my basses.
my .02

 

[rodl2005]

Yeah, tried that on my 3 band eq basses-mixed results.
Not that I've noticed it with any of my amps in 30+ yrs of gigging, maybe I've got 'mid-scooped fingers'. Ha ha.
Used the STL600-AE410 last nite nice tone, still found it hard to hear myself cleanly, tho the rest of the band said it was clear enough. Perhaps where I was standing was the cause of my prob in this situ.
At least the stage sound wasn't 'muddied'.
Got another gig tonite, might try it again with the AE410, then again, I've just done the last 2 nites gigs & day job :-/ so I might be lazy & try the AE212 again.

 

[Eublet]

Boosting a frequency really high with a pedal before a head sucks it back out is not my idea of a good solution. YMMV.

 

[steve_rolfeca]

Boosting a frequency really high with a pedal before a head sucks it back out is not my idea of a good solution. YMMV.

Agreed. Using EQ to eliminate a null (like trying to fix a bass with a dead spot) doesn't work.

However, we're not talking about fighting a null, and we're not talking about "boosting a frequency really high". My SL900 scopes out nearly flat with the EQ at 9:00 o'clock / 2:30 @ 600Hz / 11:30. If you started with those settings on the Streamliner, an external EQ would only be there to add minor midrange emphasis, or to provide a different scoop than the two choices available via the Streamliner's tone controls.

People with onboard EQ regularly do far more shaping than that on their basses. Besides, if you're allergic to EQ, don't ever visit a studio, or look at what the sound guy is doing to your DI feed...

 

[Eublet]

My SL900 scopes out nearly flat with the EQ at 9:00 o'clock / 2:30 @ 600Hz / 11:30. If you started with those settings on the Streamliner, an external EQ would only be there to add minor midrange emphasis, or to provide a different scoop than the two choices available via the Streamliner's tone controls.

I think I was the first to scope the Streamliner once it came out. You're settings are about what I posted for getting as close to flat as possible, but it's not flat. Still, flat isn't really what I'm after. With my basses, I have good feel for what my tone sounds like and looks like on a scope. It's not a comlicated curve at all, so still having to use an EQ pedal to achieve it isn't desirable for me.

People with onboard EQ regularly do far more shaping than that on their basses. Besides, if you're allergic to EQ, don't ever visit a studio, or look at what the sound guy is doing to your DI feed...

I'm not allergic to it, but rather frustrated from the lack of it with regard to the Streamliner. Not a big deal. I ultimately sold mine and stayed with options that work for me.

 

[Red Planet]

Which is what I've used all my life-old-sch. tube amps & my back probs HAVE made me grab one. Due to many of the bassists on here, with views I respect, saying how much like a ' real' tube amp the STL was. So that was/is all I was hoping for.
I've got a Shuttle-which, imo, has a much flatter response, so,i wasn't after a 'spank machine' a you say. AS my back is stuffed-i have to go with as light as poss-with everything.
On a ' brighter' note, managed to get a better tone last nite.
Again, cut the bass to under 9pm, & did boost mids @ middle setting to 3pm.
Going back to bed now, but more later.
Thanx again to all those with helpful hints

Not trying to go after you here just stating the obvious.

If you have been using tube amps the Streamliner is pre EQ'ed like a tube amp. There were about a gazzilion posts on here about how the Streamliner has a built in "tone". The Shuttles are much flatter. If you need a flatter amp the Streamliner is not it.

The Streamliner goes right for that traditional tube amp tone and does it in spades. Heck don't take my word for it, listen. If the tube amps worked then there should be no problem with the Streamliner at all as it has a very simlar EQ section and preset tone shape.

No tube amp out there sounds like a SWR or a Shuttle. If you need the AMP tone (Eden, SWR, Shuttle, Thunderfunk, MarkBass etc....) then IMO then Shuttle or other amp is what you need.

I hear you about the back troubles. I have a bunch of nuts and bolts holding my spine together. That is what sent me down the lightweight road. I was perfectly happy with my SWR M2, QSC PLX2, and Goliath IV cabs. That was one heck of a rig. I just could not handle the lifting. Everytime I moved that stuff I would pay for it. The lightweight equipment has been a blessing for me.

 

[pablomigraine]

Still loving my Streamliner. Tried An Ampeg SVT-7pro last week. Although I still have a "soft-spot" for the Ampeg Sound, which the 7-pro has in spades, the GB seem sto have so much more sonic "information"... so much richer in terms of what you hear..... still... I think I may grab a 7-pro as well..

 

[rodl2005]

Got a better tone tonite. Bed now!!!!

 

[rodl2005]

Red Planet, I totally understand u ain't 'goin after' me, & I'm not.out for you either, in fact I've appreciated your insight many times & I thankyou for that.
But what I'm saying is that I have used all tube amps all my life, & I'm not finding the STL to be like one, that's all. No matter how many times u tell me 'it's just like a tube front end' it just does'nt sound or seem like it to me.YMMV.
STILL last nite, I feel I'm getting the hang of it, as far as dialling in a tone. Will post my results asap.

 

[adivin]

This will probably go against the grain here, but I dusted off my Tech 21 Bass Driver Delux and put in front of my SL with good results. I started with a good sound on the SL and then saved some tasty tones which seemed a bit tighter, a good dirty tone and a slap tone. This gives me six tone options plus the clean SL tone with a push of a button.

 

[rodl2005]

Just a note, I did get lazy, took the AE212 instead of the 410 last nite & still got a decent tone. Was a battle tho. Bad room.
With a Lakland p5 had trouble c dialling out the boom, but the Stingray 5 just nailed it,.& I was able to put the bass back to near 11 o'clock & mids to about 2.

 

[dave_bass5]

I've just got back for a great gig. It was a wedding with 150 guests in a marquee. I took my markbass head but after setting the streamliner up, all EQ knobs at noon, I couldnt believe the tone I got.
The stage was nothing more than thin wood on a metal frame so not ideal at all but the STL600 sounded very thick and full. It made the band sound tighter and I played better than normal.

It seems to me the STL600 is at it's best in marquees with nothing to mess with it's tone.


Very happy and looking forward to the next gig.

 

[John D Harris]

I almost posted earlier, if you use an amp, a StingRay 5 (with no pre-preamp EQ cut), & a Berg AE410 and can't get them to cut-through the mix then the amp either sux or your amp EQ is really messed-up.

Just in my limited experience...

There's a lot of hyperbole on talkbass (me included, sometimes) so don't take it the wrong way.

I do believe that you will get them dialed-in.

 

[Eublet]

I almost posted earlier, if you use an amp, a StingRay 5 (with no pre-preamp EQ cut), & a Berg AE410 and can't get them to cut-through the mix then the amp either sux or your amp EQ is really messed-up.

True, and he said he was still running bass at 11 and mids boosted to 2 o'clock....with a Stingray. Just goes to show you how much bottom end booty is happening in the Streamliner, and how the mids are very, very tame.

 

[rodl2005]

True, and he said he was still running bass at 11 and mids boosted to 2 o'clock....with a Stingray. Just goes to show you how much bottom end booty is happening in the Streamliner, and how the mids are very, very tame.

True. As I've said many times, in all my 30+yrs gigging with all tube amps,I very rarely adjusted the eq much at all.
I'm really a 'plug n play' type-hence my picking the STL. -Tube amp tone, streamlined controls.
As I also said I do like the natural tone of the amp. Just been having trouble getting, or 'taming' the huge booty of it.
Last nite was good, as I did play around with the eq lots.-the line out was set to pre, as it's such a bad room acoustically-so I played around with it as much as poss to get a good tone.
Might adjust the Lakland P5's pups to get a li'l less bottom & clearer highs, & maybe some flats
As I ALSO said, I like the tone of the STL, so I WILL stick with it. I think my sound IS in there.
BTW-I left the 'Ray's on board eq flat, so I could concentrate on eq-ing the amp.
In the band I was with last nite, we do dance music from early '60's(motown, etc) thru to today, so James Brown, Sly Stone....Beyonce gets done, so I often start the nite with a passive P or J with flats, & switch to an active J or 'ray with rounds. so a big range of tones on call. Amazing how an EBMM STINGRAY 5 does such a great job in the latter dept.

 

[Red Planet]

I may come across all excited but I'm not really.

I do think if your having to way cut the low end you have the wrong amp. Your going after that classic TalkBass tone. YMMV.

I allways think of the Bass as a Bass and not a mid forward instrument. That being said if we all sounded the same the world would be really boring.

Thats what makes the Streamliner work so well for me and IMO it sounds very similar to most all your classic tube amps. It is indeed miles away from that dry mid forward MarkBass, Eden, etc... kind of tone.

And thank the lucky stars for that. We have enough thin sounding amps to choose from.


Night night.

 

[rodl2005]

I may come across all excited but I'm not really.

I do think if your having to way cut the low end you have the wrong amp. Your going after that classic TalkBass tone. YMMV.

I allways think of the Bass as a Bass and not a mid forward instrument. That being said if we all sounded the same the world would be really boring.

Thats what makes the Streamliner work so well for me and IMO it sounds very similar to most all your classic tube amps. It is indeed miles away from that dry mid forward MarkBass, Eden, etc... kind of tone.

And thank the lucky stars for that. We have enough thin sounding amps to choose from.

Night night.

Excuse me, but what's 'the classic TB tone?

As I've said all along,& this IS the last time. I've used all tube amps all my life, or as you say 'classic tube amp tone'. I just don't think the STL sounds like this-to me.YMMV. Tho I do like it's tone.
I agree, if we all had the same tone..... :-/ But I don't quite understand this Classic TB tone comment. Please enlighten me!

I certainly hope you ain't taking any of this personally, it's just my experiences, my ears etc. & I'm stating my experiences for-hopefully some help & maybe it'll help any others who MAY have similar probs, some who have pm'd me re.
Last time for this too, I DO like the STL inherent tone-hence my stating that I WANT to make this work. So I don't think I've gotten the 'wrong amp'.
I like a nice 'vintage' tone-as I've gotten outta my tube amps for so long.
No way do I like, nor want, a tone that is all thin & trebley.
I agree, thank God we all hear things differently!
As you can hopefully see, I AM making progress,& AM determined to make this work. I'm getting there I think.
Have a nice night sleep & 'mornin' ;-p

 

[rodl2005]

True, and he said he was still running bass at 11 and mids boosted to 2 o'clock....with a Stingray. Just goes to show you how much bottom end booty is happening in the Streamliner, and how the mids are very, very tame.

True dat! Tho I'm getting there with this amp

 

[rodl2005]

Adjusted the pups on my P5 tonite-bass side down a fraction, treble side up a fraction.
Then tried it with the STL-600. Seemed to tame the low end bloom a little more. Am gonna try it out tonite at our blues/jazz gig, running into the Berg AE112.
AS I Said, getting there..... & am looking forward to tonite.