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 Pt 7.....
- Thread starter Chef
- Start date
- Status
Agreed - it also seems to firm up the bass a bit. As well, the instrument just seems to have a little more response... definitely a physical "feeling" as well as just a sonic improvement.
Definitely recommended. I'd try a second one in V2 while you're at it. One of these days, I may try to find a hi-gain version of the 12ax7 for V3, if such a thing exists.
+1 to that. I have not tried this yet but I know from talking to esoxhntr he has.
I can see where a low gain tube in V2 might be appealing to some to help flatten out the pre ordained EQ curve of the Streamliner since V2 is in the treble and bass circuit and V3 is the midrange.
I'm sure it's possible to get someone like Mike at KCA NOS tubes to come up with an high output 12ax7 for V3.
I think it's safe to say there was real genius behind the design of the Streamliner. The extent of which has yet to be truly understood.
Aussie Mark
I come from a land down under
- Oct 26, 2002
- 1,161
- 206
- Disclosures
- Endorsing Artist: Fender; O'Neill Amps; Cave Passive Pedals
Just checking that I understand correctly the role of each of the tubes in the Streamliner: V1 = preamp gain, V2 = bass and treble gain, V3 = mids gain. Have I got it right?
So, a lower gain tube in V1 will give more clean headroom, and a lower gain tube in V2 will make it less "scooped"?
I've got a few 12AU7 and 12AT7 sitting around, so I might do some experimenting
So, a lower gain tube in V1 will give more clean headroom, and a lower gain tube in V2 will make it less "scooped"?
I've got a few 12AU7 and 12AT7 sitting around, so I might do some experimenting
Just checking that I understand correctly the role of each of the tubes in the Streamliner: V1 = preamp gain, V2 = bass and treble gain, V3 = mids gain. Have I got it right?
So, a lower gain tube in V1 will give more clean headroom, and a lower gain tube in V2 will make it less "scooped"?
I've got a few 12AU7 and 12AT7 sitting around, so I might do some experimenting
The owner's manual is your friend, with it's block diagram on the last page.
Invalid Link Removed
FWIW I have been playing around a lot with stuff I have around to see if I can "improve" the great sound I get with this amp and my TB153 cabinet - Compressors, Limiters, High Pass, EQ's, Dirt pedals... The Fishman Platinum Pro DI really sings with this setup.
It has a Depth control (variable high pass filter) that can tighten up the bottom end without losing fullness. The EQ sliders and optical compressor are pretty subtle and narrow enough that it can fine tune the tone without killing the general vibe of the Streamliner. I was never that hot on this unit alone but in front of the Streamliner it is really nice.
It has a Depth control (variable high pass filter) that can tighten up the bottom end without losing fullness. The EQ sliders and optical compressor are pretty subtle and narrow enough that it can fine tune the tone without killing the general vibe of the Streamliner. I was never that hot on this unit alone but in front of the Streamliner it is really nice.
What Ed said... setting the mids @ 600 and cranking them past 3:00, plus cutting the bass to between 8:00 and 9:00 usually does the trick.
Mind you, at a big outdoor gig recently I had to crank the lows to 10:00. Whoa!
This is working well so far. At the last gig i had the low knob at 12 o'clock as i needed a bit more low end as well (in a Teepee) but i couldnt have wanted for more from this rig.
Golf club this weekend and hopefully ill also have a great tone.
Just checking that I understand correctly the role of each of the tubes in the Streamliner: V1 = preamp gain, V2 = bass and treble gain, V3 = mids gain. Have I got it right?
So, a lower gain tube in V1 will give more clean headroom, and a lower gain tube in V2 will make it less "scooped"?
I've got a few 12AU7 and 12AT7 sitting around, so I might do some experimenting
Thats pretty much it. Please y'all understand when you put a low gain tube in V1 there will be no overdrive to speak of.
Just checking that I understand correctly the role of each of the tubes in the Streamliner: V1 = preamp gain, V2 = bass and treble gain, V3 = mids gain. Have I got it right?
So, a lower gain tube in V1 will give more clean headroom, and a lower gain tube in V2 will make it less "scooped"?
I've got a few 12AU7 and 12AT7 sitting around, so I might do some experimenting
As far as the tube assignments you have this right. As for the lower gain tube in V2 - I'm not sure what you mean by less scooped. Let me explain what I have done, and why. Maybe it will make some sense, maybe not?
First off, Red Planet originally suggested that I try an RCA5814A tube in V1. I can't remember offhand what sonic benefits he claimed would occur, but I feel that tube offers tighter bass. I found a good deal and bought two so that I would have a backup tube. One of the reasons I wanted a low gain tube in V1 is that I wanted to be able to turn up the control on the input volume to the 12:00 position - I couldn't get much past 9:00 with the stock JJ tube. Also, I am not the least bit interested in overdrive, so the 5814A tube suits me to a tee.
Now to me, the STL900 seems to have a ton of bass. It fills out a small cab (single 10", single 12", small 210) better than any amp I've ever encountered. With a bigger cab there is way more than plenty, so I was hoping that yet another 5814A would flatten the response, and tighten the bass up even a bit more. Mission accomplished it seems, there is still lots of punchy bass, and more than enough treble gain to effectively EQ.
For me, the ultimate magic in this amp is the Mid EQ. I find that the the selector switch and level system is powerful, but takes a little getting used to. As well, the mids seem to really go a long way in defining how this amp sounds. I played with a lot of old and new tubes in V3, and have settled on two particular tubes for the moment. For a more punchy and lively tone, I use a JAN Phillips 12ax7 from the 80's. If I want a rounder, more "classic" tone, I use an older (60's I think) Sylvania long plate 12ax7.
With the tubes set up in this way, I'm starting to get a handle on how the 3 volume controls work. Turning up the input gain gives a rounder, "bassier" sound to the amp. The volume control gives more of a brighter, aggressive sound, while the master seems to increase volume while slightly compressing the sound. The 3 volume controls can be used as a type of auxiliary tone shaping, though using the 3 in conjunction takes a little getting used to.
I agree with Red Planet, this amp may not be fully understood yet in terms of how clever the design is, or how much potential there is to fine tune it for maximum tonal performance. Obviously, this sort of tweaking is not everybody's thing, but for those who like to fiddle a bit, some very worthwhile results can be achieved.
Aussie Mark
I come from a land down under
- Oct 26, 2002
- 1,161
- 206
- Disclosures
- Endorsing Artist: Fender; O'Neill Amps; Cave Passive Pedals
Aussie Mark
I come from a land down under
- Oct 26, 2002
- 1,161
- 206
- Disclosures
- Endorsing Artist: Fender; O'Neill Amps; Cave Passive Pedals
As far as the tube assignments you have this right. As for the lower gain tube in V2 - I'm not sure what you mean by less scooped. Let me explain what I have done, and why. Maybe it will make some sense, maybe not?
First off, Red Planet originally suggested that I try an RCA5814A tube in V1. I can't remember offhand what sonic benefits he claimed would occur, but I feel that tube offers tighter bass. I found a good deal and bought two so that I would have a backup tube. One of the reasons I wanted a low gain tube in V1 is that I wanted to be able to turn up the control on the input volume to the 12:00 position - I couldn't get much past 9:00 with the stock JJ tube. Also, I am not the least bit interested in overdrive, so the 5814A tube suits me to a tee.
Now to me, the STL900 seems to have a ton of bass. It fills out a small cab (single 10", single 12", small 210) better than any amp I've ever encountered. With a bigger cab there is way more than plenty, so I was hoping that yet another 5814A would flatten the response, and tighten the bass up even a bit more. Mission accomplished it seems, there is still lots of punchy bass, and more than enough treble gain to effectively EQ.
For me, the ultimate magic in this amp is the Mid EQ. I find that the the selector switch and level system is powerful, but takes a little getting used to. As well, the mids seem to really go a long way in defining how this amp sounds. I played with a lot of old and new tubes in V3, and have settled on two particular tubes for the moment. For a more punchy and lively tone, I use a JAN Phillips 12ax7 from the 80's. If I want a rounder, more "classic" tone, I use an older (60's I think) Sylvania long plate 12ax7.
With the tubes set up in this way, I'm starting to get a handle on how the 3 volume controls work. Turning up the input gain gives a rounder, "bassier" sound to the amp. The volume control gives more of a brighter, aggressive sound, while the master seems to increase volume while slightly compressing the sound. The 3 volume controls can be used as a type of auxiliary tone shaping, though using the 3 in conjunction takes a little getting used to.
I agree with Red Planet, this amp may not be fully understood yet in terms of how clever the design is, or how much potential there is to fine tune it for maximum tonal performance. Obviously, this sort of tweaking is not everybody's thing, but for those who like to fiddle a bit, some very worthwhile results can be achieved.
Thanks for the info. I'll do some experimenting.
As far as the tube assignments you have this right. As for the lower gain tube in V2 - I'm not sure what you mean by less scooped. Let me explain what I have done, and why. Maybe it will make some sense, maybe not?
First off, Red Planet originally suggested that I try an RCA5814A tube in V1. I can't remember offhand what sonic benefits he claimed would occur, but I feel that tube offers tighter bass. I found a good deal and bought two so that I would have a backup tube. One of the reasons I wanted a low gain tube in V1 is that I wanted to be able to turn up the control on the input volume to the 12:00 position - I couldn't get much past 9:00 with the stock JJ tube. Also, I am not the least bit interested in overdrive, so the 5814A tube suits me to a tee.
Now to me, the STL900 seems to have a ton of bass. It fills out a small cab (single 10", single 12", small 210) better than any amp I've ever encountered. With a bigger cab there is way more than plenty, so I was hoping that yet another 5814A would flatten the response, and tighten the bass up even a bit more. Mission accomplished it seems, there is still lots of punchy bass, and more than enough treble gain to effectively EQ.
For me, the ultimate magic in this amp is the Mid EQ. I find that the the selector switch and level system is powerful, but takes a little getting used to. As well, the mids seem to really go a long way in defining how this amp sounds. I played with a lot of old and new tubes in V3, and have settled on two particular tubes for the moment. For a more punchy and lively tone, I use a JAN Phillips 12ax7 from the 80's. If I want a rounder, more "classic" tone, I use an older (60's I think) Sylvania long plate 12ax7.
With the tubes set up in this way, I'm starting to get a handle on how the 3 volume controls work. Turning up the input gain gives a rounder, "bassier" sound to the amp. The volume control gives more of a brighter, aggressive sound, while the master seems to increase volume while slightly compressing the sound. The 3 volume controls can be used as a type of auxiliary tone shaping, though using the 3 in conjunction takes a little getting used to.
I agree with Red Planet, this amp may not be fully understood yet in terms of how clever the design is, or how much potential there is to fine tune it for maximum tonal performance. Obviously, this sort of tweaking is not everybody's thing, but for those who like to fiddle a bit, some very worthwhile results can be achieved.
That's the kind of info that could possibly sway me into the Streamliner camp.
And that's about the last thing I want... please make sure you have a good listen to one of these before buying. The tweaks make it much better in my opinion, but the amp "is what it is", so make sure you like the basic tone.
To make a food analogy, if you like BBQ ribs, then the right sauce really completes the flavour. If you don't like ribs, then nothing is going to help.
I like ribs.
Thanks.
I'm sure I'll play better with them crossed
. I actually do play better with this head. When the tone is right it's very inspiring.I think ive got one or two buyers lined up for this head, i just hope i dont have to go through with it.
- Status
