I love Genz-Benz gear and I am curious about Genzler. Is it similar (I would expect so) or significantly different?
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Genz-Benz vs Genzler
- Thread starter rmcfee
- Start date
@agedhorse should be able to help here.
He may not be 100% familiar with Genzler designs. But he'll be as in the loop as anyone here.
And he pretty much had his hands/brains in everything GB did.
He may not be 100% familiar with Genzler designs. But he'll be as in the loop as anyone here.
And he pretty much had his hands/brains in everything GB did.
Genz-Benz and the new Genzler series have some similarities but Genzler gear also has some significant improvements. I loved my Genz-Benz gear and used it extensively, but I now use Genzler amplification and it performs at a whole new level IMO and the opinion of others here on TalkBass. The BA cabinets are full, deep, clear and punchy and have remarkable horizontal dispersion. The Magellan amps provide a full strong note up and down the neck and have great features, notably the dual contour knob on both the 350 and 800, and the distortion channel on the 800 (if you're into that).
Give Genzler a try...you'll be amazed.
Bob
Give Genzler a try...you'll be amazed.
Bob
Same DNA, but as with anything else there are some improvements (subjective) and newer technology. A/B a Shuttle 9.2, Streamliner 900 and Magellan 800 and you should be able to hear and feel some similarities as well as some differences.
Can also add the Mesa D800 series to the list of kissing cousins. Again, similar yet different.
I'll add the list of haters, failures and service problems is microscopic with these three brands.
I'll add the list of haters, failures and service problems is microscopic with these three brands.
I was a big Genz Benz fan and had a Shuttle 3.0 and then a 9.0. Now I have a Genzler 800 and a 350 along with a 12-3 cab and a 10-2.
There seems to be a bit more heft to the note all the way up and down the neck with the Genzlers. I also like the lack of a tube vs. the 9.0 (more trouble than they're worth IMHO). The DI seems very similar if not exactly the same as do the rest of the IO and the EQ section. The contour control is a great addition that really does add to the product and is very useful. I don't use the dirty channel although I can see it being a positive for lots of folk.
All in all, they seem like real upgrades to me.
There seems to be a bit more heft to the note all the way up and down the neck with the Genzlers. I also like the lack of a tube vs. the 9.0 (more trouble than they're worth IMHO). The DI seems very similar if not exactly the same as do the rest of the IO and the EQ section. The contour control is a great addition that really does add to the product and is very useful. I don't use the dirty channel although I can see it being a positive for lots of folk.
All in all, they seem like real upgrades to me.
I had that problem with my Shuttle 9.0... I haven't had it with either of my Genzler heads, but they are younger.
Either way you get a great amp and the best customer service in the industry (IMO).
Even the highest quality pots can become scratchy.
True, but I've not had any problems with any of my other amps and I've been through a lot of them over the years. Genz was the only one I had issues with. I sent it in to be cleaned and the noise came back. Maybe faulty pots, Dunno, but it annoyed me enough to trade it away.
Not so sure that it is fair to compare considering all the advancements designer have been able to implememt in the last few years.
I have both. The Genz Benz (Shuttle 6.0, which did have a pot that was scratchy for a brief period of time) is great, but the Genzler (Magellan 800) is in a different league. They definitely share DNA, but I consider the Genzler to be a step up the evolutionary ladder.
Can't speak much for individual pieces of Genzler gear, as I haven't ever mixed and matched them one by one.
I have played through Genzler "rigs" though, tried em' out at NAMM a couple years ago.
They were cool, and sounded pretty good. They didn't have the transparency of the old Genz Benz gear, however. When I crank up my Genz gear, be it a GBE1200 or a Shuttlemax, or whichever one of the 2x12's, there's an awesome presence of upper mids and highs that projects your notes and punches through a live mix like nobody's business. The Genz Benz stuff had a wonderful full-spectrum sound that could be fattened up as much or as little as you wanted (and oh man, putting some more bottom end on their NX2 cab was lovely).
The new Genzler stuff had more of a baked-in classic sound. More low end, more low mids, and way less mids and highs. It was pleasant sounding, but lacked the punch and presence of the old line.
Admittedly, I only twiddled around with them for a half hour or so, and definitely didn't get a full taste of what they're capable of. Just my $.02
I have played through Genzler "rigs" though, tried em' out at NAMM a couple years ago.
They were cool, and sounded pretty good. They didn't have the transparency of the old Genz Benz gear, however. When I crank up my Genz gear, be it a GBE1200 or a Shuttlemax, or whichever one of the 2x12's, there's an awesome presence of upper mids and highs that projects your notes and punches through a live mix like nobody's business. The Genz Benz stuff had a wonderful full-spectrum sound that could be fattened up as much or as little as you wanted (and oh man, putting some more bottom end on their NX2 cab was lovely).
The new Genzler stuff had more of a baked-in classic sound. More low end, more low mids, and way less mids and highs. It was pleasant sounding, but lacked the punch and presence of the old line.
Admittedly, I only twiddled around with them for a half hour or so, and definitely didn't get a full taste of what they're capable of. Just my $.02
Owner of a shuttle 9.0, streamliner, and now a Magellan 350. Love the Genz Benz stuff, lover the Genzler stuff even more. The contour switch and pot on the new Magellans really add some extra diversity of tone. If you liked the Benz amps I dont see how you can be disappointed with Genzler, it only gets better.
I've been curious too...but the Shuttlemax 6.0 I've been playing for the last 8 years has been so good to me that I don't want anything else!
all i know is that every time i plug into my genzler 12-3/magellan800 i can hardly believe how good my bass sounds. the thing is amazing.
Yep, me too. Just had another scratchy pot fixed on my Shuttle 9.0 (now a spare head). Hope they got this worked out.
I agree with everything stated here. If you like a transparent sound look for a genz benz. I have a shuttle 9.2 and 6.2. I tried a Magellan and while it was nice, I still preferred the lack of coloration the shuttle series offers. The Magellen seemed to have a built in high mid scoop and less highs period. Not bad sounding at all just different. In fact my guitarist liked the genzler tone better. But IMO, for lack of a better term the shuttles just have a bit more punchyness.
