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Genz Benz ?????

Tom Howland

Tom Howland

Gold Supporting Member
Feb 11, 2003
9,971
1,297
#1
: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
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.
 
#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
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
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.
 
#10
: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
Mojo-Man said:
: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.
Click to expand...

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
Mojo-Man said:
:cool:
...Maybe my 3.0T head was bad?
But no way was it putting out 300 watts....
Click to expand...

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.
 
#14
dogbass said:
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.
Click to expand...

:cool:
I think your right about the EQ.

There is a constant hiss when I engage EQ.
Mid-scoop volume decreases.
:cool::
 
#16
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
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.
 

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