Genz Benz ?????

Discussion in 'Amps and Cabs [BG]' started by Tom Howland, Jun 25, 2008.

  1. Tom Howland

    Tom Howland

    Feb 11, 2003
    :cool:

    I bought a Shuttle 3.0T with the 1x10 extension cab. (300 watts SS)
    This amp and cab was very well made.
    Light weight, a breeze to move.

    I used the amp at home for a few weeks at low volume.
    It sounded great by itself.

    Took it to it's first gig last night.

    To my surprise it sounded bad in a group setting.
    It was a medium volume gig. (Bass, drums, guitar harmonica)

    It lacked presence, sounded weak, no bottom.

    It's had no voice.

    The trade off was less weight,= much less tone.

    Goodbye Shuttle, hello Ampeg again.
     
  2. kesslari

    kesslari Groovin' with the Fusion Cats Staff Member Gold Supporting Member

    Dec 21, 2007
    Santa Cruz Mtns, California
    Lark in the Morning Instructional Videos; Audix Microphones
    The issue may well be "1x10" vs "whatever you were used to" rather than "Genz-Benz" vs "Ampeg".

    My GB rocks in a band context, great full sound.
    I'm playing through a BFM Omni10 (2x10) which certainly contributes.
     
  3. bongomania

    bongomania Supporting Member Commercial User

    Oct 17, 2005
    PDX, OR
    owner, OVNIFX and OVNILabs
    Seriously, was the Ampeg you're comparing it to also a tiny 1x8 plus a tiny 1x10? I doubt it.
     
  4. Evan_S._Brown

    Evan_S._Brown

    Jan 10, 2008
    it really should be good by shuttle but good bye 1x10 and hello 2x10 or more

    its plain physics. 1x10 aren't going to be very good in a louder gigs.
     
  5. With just the single 10" speaker, you were running 175 watts. Still a good chunk. To get 300 watts, you need to run it at 4 ohms - either 2 8-ohm cabs, or a single 4 ohm cab. And yes, with a loud band, you'll need more cabinet to push the sound.

    The head by itself though will be plenty loud with a large/powerful enough cab. through it through a 4x10 cab and see what I mean.
     
  6. buffordbass

    buffordbass

    Nov 11, 2004
    Dallas
    Endorsing Artist: Genz Benz Amps, Lakland Basses
    Too many unknown factors... what was your eq settings, what type bass, what type music.. etc...
    I play a 6.0 through 2x112's in a 7 piece loud horn band and seldom have a problem. I think your set-up may be the issue.
     
  7. Lia_G

    Lia_G

    Oct 27, 2005
    I'm still not sure from the post which shuttle setup you've got. Is it just the 3.0 head plus a 110 extension? Or is it one of the 3.0 combos plus an extension cab? With the latter, I've played fairly loud blues gigs with guitars, keys and drums. If you have that setup, I'd play with eq a lot before giving up. If you just have a single cab, that's just not enough speaker to get it done.
     
  8. ::::BASSIST::::

    ::::BASSIST:::: Progress Not Perfection.

    Sep 2, 2004
    Vancouver, BC Canada
    +1

    You need more speaker surface area dude!
     
  9. lomo

    lomo passionate hack Supporting Member

    Apr 15, 2006
    Montreal
    I've played my 3.0x8T on top of an Epi UL2-112 with a loud drummer and guitarist in a rock setting/ small bar, with volume to spare.
     
  10. Tom Howland

    Tom Howland

    Feb 11, 2003
    :cool:
    Just to clear things up.

    I have the Shuttle 3.0T combo
    With the 1x10 extension cab.

    Thats two 1x10 cabs.
    That 175 watts into each cab.

    I was comparing this to a Ampeg B100R ( 100 watts)

    The Ampeg blows the Shuttle away.
    In volume , tone, projection.

    Maybe my 3.0T head was bad?
    But no way was it putting out 300 watts.

    The 3.0T was dull. flat, lifeless tone.
     
  11. Lia_G

    Lia_G

    Oct 27, 2005
    So just to further clarify, you actually have the Shuttle 3.0-10t combo (there's also a 3.0-8t combo with a 1x8" speaker) plus STL10t extension.

    I don't know what to tell you ... I've gigged a lot of clubs around Nashville with that exact setup and been just fine, tons of punch and plenty of volume. What EQ settings are you using, what bass, any effects, and what's the band like (loud drummer, how many guitars, what amps do they use, etc.)?

    I've played the B100R as well, and really like it. But I would never have thought it would bury the Shuttle ministack you're playing.

    Cheers,
    Liam
     
  12. dogbass

    dogbass

    Aug 9, 2006
    Bay Area, CA
    Yeah, I think something wasn't working right there. Could be EQ, but with two 10's and a 4 ohm load you should be getting some volume. At least as much so you wouldn't have the impression that the B100R was blowing the Shuttle combo away, volume-wise. Maybe the pre-amp circuit or tube is malfunctioning ? Tone, well we know thats subjective.
     
  13. CElton

    CElton I'm a new note finder...

    :D...true dat. Not really a fair fight at all.
     
  14. Tom Howland

    Tom Howland

    Feb 11, 2003
    :cool:
    I think your right about the EQ.

    There is a constant hiss when I engage EQ.
    Mid-scoop volume decreases.
    :cool::
     
  15. Tom Howland

    Tom Howland

    Feb 11, 2003
    :cool:
    two 1x10 speakers.
    are greater than 1x15.
     
  16. Lia_G

    Lia_G

    Oct 27, 2005
    I think there's a problem with your Shuttle, honestly. I've played gigs with the same setup where I definitely needed earplugs, and I didn't get the master volume above about 1:30 or so.

    It may be that the amp just isn't for you, but it might be good to get it checked out to make sure there's not a problem??

    All that said, I do love that Ampeg B100R ... great tone and punch, for sure.

    Cheers,
    Liam
     
  17. Fretlessboy

    Fretlessboy

    Nov 29, 2007
    St Augustine Florida
    Endorsing artist GENZ BENZ/HERCULES STANDS/XSonics
    When I got my Genz gear I was not real thrilled (user error). I was tryinjg to makeit sound like my old rig... I did the same thing when I left Ampeg and went Eden. The tendency (at least in my opinion) is try to get the sound you are accustomed to from the new set up. I had to become familiar with the inherent tone of the new gear and use it to the max. Once I did that the love affair was on. I stopped trying to make my rig sound like my old rig , I listened to what the new rigs sounded like and took advantage of their abilities instead trying to recreate the old sound. I do believe that all of my Genz rigs are the bomb (for me at least). Give it a fair shake and you may be suprised. The B100 may sound bigger due to the natural mudd of Ampegs tone ( I am not knocking Ampeg, I used them for 20 years). I do however know that I had to adjust not only the EQ but the way I was hearing my rig to take the new rigs on their own merit. I couldn't be happier that I did.