Genz Benz Streamliner Pt 7.....

[KJung]

Perhaps I'm just hearing what I want to, but my 900 seems quicker and more "Shuttle-like", when I cut the gain back a bit, leave the boost button out, and open up the master volume some more.

This is with a pair of active basses that have pretty hot output.

+1 Given the 'real tube' preamp design (versus what some call a 'marketing tube' like in the Eden heads, and many other hybrid executions), I treat the gain control on the Streamliner like another tone control. Even the interaction between the gain and volume control can change the nature of the response of the amp and the tone and 'warmth'. Set at very low levels, the 'tube complexity' you get when pushing an input stage tube disappears, making the amp 'feel' much more like most other amps. When you push that gain control a bit, just like with the Walkabout head (another 'real' tube preamp), the magic happens!

IMO.... the technical reasons for this are over my head, but the tube execution of the Streamliner is a totally different thing from most other hybrids (even the Shuttle amps). It is more in line with some of the Mesa heads, which really do vibe an 'all tube' signal chain.

 

[KJung]

Ken, I run a pair of GB NEOX-112T's in my rig. Would these fit the "tight and bright" description in the context of the Streamliner? I use a lot of P-bass in my main band, and the tone you describe here is definitely what I'm going for. Thanks!

That would definitely be an example of what I was talking about! I bet that sounds great with a P and the Streamliner. I tend to dial my tweeter (and I'm a tweeter lover!) WAY down when using the Streamliner with a nice, bright neo loaded cab with all that nice upper mid grind and response coming out of the top of the driver. It gives you a very nice edge to the tone that works very well if you want a somewhat bright but still organic and 'traditional' tone. A P Bass with nickel wounds, the Streamliner, and a nice tightly voiced neo loaded cab is really beautiful to my ear.

In case you haven't heard them, I have a few clips of my Nordstrand VP5 and the Streamliner on my Youtube channel that came out pretty well in demonstration the tone I'm talking about.

 

[Aussie Mark]

No. I don't think anyone has come out with a better acoustic solution than the milk or bread crate as yet.
;-)

This

 

[Aussie Mark]

I have no doubt all these examples work well but has anyone actually tested them out at the same gig as a Gramma to see if one works better than the other?
Probably not.

I haven't - because there's no need to test. Isolating a cab from the floor mechanically and acoustically doesn't require a science degree or boutique accessories.

 

[esoxhntr]

Isolating a cab from the floor mechanically and acoustically doesn't require a science degree or boutique accessories.

Oh come on now, everything requires a boutique solution.

 

[John D Harris]

I haven't - because there's no need to test. Isolating a cab from the floor mechanically and acoustically doesn't require a science degree or boutique accessories.

Sounds like rocket surgery to me.

 

[KsPiNeSh]

Sounds like rocket surgery to me.

Brain science.

 

[xed]

I don't have a need to dirty up my tone so i would like to optimize the clean tone of my sl900. If i replace my first tube with a lower gain tube then how is that any different that not replacing the tube and just keeping the input gain turned down?

 

[steve_rolfeca]

I ...would like to optimize the clean tone of my sl900. If i replace my first tube with a lower gain tube then how is that any different that not replacing the tube and just keeping the input gain turned down?

Not a whole lot.

I do guitar amp mods, and IME, out of current-production tubes, only the TAD 12AY7 actually gives more useable headroom. Other low-gain tubes like the 12AU or AT seem to just move the point on the dial where the distortion kicks in.

 

[svtb15]

Used my streamliner 900 last night on an 810 in Basel Switzerland on a 220v line. Worked perfectly. Back line company was in awe!

 

[rodl2005]

SvtB15 are you using the DI in the STL pre or post?

 

[svtb15]

I always run my DI pre . They took mic and DI. All is good. They had a countryman but did not use it.

SvtB15 are you using the DI in the STL pre or post?

 

[rodl2005]

Yep right. I ran mine pre in the room that has bad acoustics. Ran it post in a nice big entertainment complex room, that has nice acoustics & a good FOH PA& good engineer to run it.
Am looking forward to running it post more, see if I can get that nice round, growly sound thru the PA.

 

[LowAndFunky]

Holy cow this amp is a mutha'! A month ago, Greg (Rocket Music) hooked me up with a SL900 & Uber 15 cab and I have been in bass heaven ever since. After being an SWR man for the last 20 years, I was ready for something different. Also, my Bassic Black finally petered out after 13 years and a 1000 gigs. What a workhorse! Anyway, what can I say about the warm clean sound of this new set-up. With my 77 Jazz I can dial in a number of tones. So far with this amp, I've set the knobs with the bass around 11 o'clock, mids around 2 (600 k), treble at 12. Just depends on the room where I am playing. At a wedding a few weeks ago, I rocked the gain for the gritty sound on The Clash's "Should I Stay Or Should I Go." My bandmates enjoyed that one as did I! I continue to tweek this fine piece of bass gear, but I love the sounds I'm getting so far. Looking to try out my mid-90s 57' reissue Pbass with this set-up sometime soon. Ought to be quite the classic tone!

 

[hensonbass]

Two shows down using my 900 just as a tube preamp/DI for FOH and in-ear monitoring. I'm running it post-eq for the tubey goods. Sounds great!!

 

[StickBass]

Dave - I appreciate you're really trying with this, but the problem is that the cab and the amp just don't match.

The... Schro is hump central.

People say the Streamliner is scooped, but I don't hear it myself. I find that there's lots going on with the mids. I can see how it would make the Schro sound boxy.

All I can suggest is generous use of that mid knob... roll it right off if you have to.

Good luck...

Hm. I've been following this thread since getting my new Streamliner 900, but happened to miss the posts from dave_bass5, sratas, steve_rolfeca and wateroftyne a few days ago re: the 900 & Schro cabs. I just bought a 210PL. Y'all were talking specifically about a 1212L (neo). I hope the 210 (non-neo) won't be a mismatch with my 900 and active J. Hopefully it won't be as much "hump central" as the 1212... Any thoughts? KJung? (BTW, Ken, I LOVE the sound on your vid for the 900 with the Thunderchild 112!)

I do like some aggressive mids, and I use overdrive a fair amount. I got a great deal on the 210PL from a fellow TB'er, and couldn't pass it up. I had seen a couple people compare Schro to Berg in terms of the mid presence, and folks seem to be happy with the Berg/STM900 combination (again, not so much with the 212 as with the 210). A new AE210 is a bit spendy for me (especially for a non-one-cab-solution--I play rock and metal) and I don't see any on the used market.

I hope the Schro is the right cab. I am loving the 900, so far using it with an Avatar 1x15 neo. Hoping this will be the perfect two-cab rig for larger gigs. I'll keep you posted on my results. Any input would be welcome (though I know I'll have to formulate my own opinion).

 

[dave_bass5]

For what it's worth I've just had a fantastic gig with my STL600 and 1212L.

Funny enough it was in the exact same teepee as my first STL600 gig, the one I wasnt too sure about.

This time last week I was convinced I was going to sell the STL600 but yet again I'm not so sure.

 

[rodl2005]

Did an 'emergency' gig last night. The clients actually booked our band months ago & had changed the date, stupidly forgetting to tell us :-/.......well, yesterday late afternoon, we get a call from them saying "where are u guys?" Now under "normal" circumstances, We would have told these ppl....find another band. But these particular clients hire us pretty regularly, for corporate type gigs = big $$$!
So, we call ALL 6 other members of our band to ask if they can do it. (it was supposed to be NEXT Sat, not last night). Only myself, my wife (one of 2 lead vocalists) & our keyboard player could do out. So 3 of the (usual 'minimum' 7) reg band!
Luckily, we have a few ppl as reg. subs, so we LUCKILY managed to get them on board, & they're all QUALITY players.
So with 3/8 of the reg. band & 3 subs, we did the gig.
Now, I used the STL-600 > 2 x MARK BASS HR151STD's
With my P-bass loaded with TI flats, I couldn't get a tone I was happy with. (by itself it sounds awesome-but with the band....nup!)
So, 2nd set I switched to my Stingray 5, & had a wicked tone! Just lovely! My-lead vocalist- wife, went out into the audience to get a view of the FOH sound (we supplied the PA- just voc's & a touch of kick drum going through it), & she said the bass sounded great. "Much better than the 1st set" (P-bass) she said.
I'm sure glad I did get a pleasing tone outta this set up, & typically the Stingray shines thru!
Oh, & the rig sounded MUCH better LOUD!

 

[rodl2005]

Just heard a recording of a few songs from the 1st set of last nights gig. So 50's RW Precision > STL-600 > 2 x Mark Bass HR115STD cabs.
Was just recorded via i-phone on a table @ the back of the room.
Sounded pretty darn good-even tho I didn't like my sound onstage.

 

[KJung]

Hm. I've been following this thread since getting my new Streamliner 900, but happened to miss the posts from dave_bass5, sratas, steve_rolfeca and wateroftyne a few days ago re: the 900 & Schro cabs. I just bought a 210PL. Y'all were talking specifically about a 1212L (neo). I hope the 210 (non-neo) won't be a mismatch with my 900 and active J. Hopefully it won't be as much "hump central" as the 1212... Any thoughts? KJung? (BTW, Ken, I LOVE the sound on your vid for the 900 with the Thunderchild 112!)

I do like some aggressive mids, and I use overdrive a fair amount. I got a great deal on the 210PL from a fellow TB'er, and couldn't pass it up. I had seen a couple people compare Schro to Berg in terms of the mid presence, and folks seem to be happy with the Berg/STM900 combination (again, not so much with the 212 as with the 210). A new AE210 is a bit spendy for me (especially for a non-one-cab-solution--I play rock and metal) and I don't see any on the used market.

I hope the Schro is the right cab. I am loving the 900, so far using it with an Avatar 1x15 neo. Hoping this will be the perfect two-cab rig for larger gigs. I'll keep you posted on my results. Any input would be welcome (though I know I'll have to formulate my own opinion).

Hello! Thanks for the comment. That A-C LM is an amazing instrument, and it works very nicely with that rig.

From my experience with the wonderful little 115L Schroeder cab, the PL210 should sound fantastic with the Streamliner. The low mid hump and upper mid hole are characteristics of the baffle design Schroeders. The typical 'front mount' Schroeder cabs are in the tone family of the AE210... tight low end, bright upper mids, relatively even in between. I would think that combination would be great, especially with a more traditionally voiced 115 underneath it.