Genz Streamliner 900 and TC RH450 Comparison

[Vic]

Well, I hate to post this, but the replacement amp arrived and is having problems (lots of noise and hiss). I was probably just unlucky, and hopefully everyone else will have a good experience (the amp sounds WONDERFUL), but I have a pretty strict '2 strikes and you are out' rule, and just would be a bit too paranoid after this when I'm doing all these road gigs.

So, unfortunately, out of the club and returned for refund

Argh. Understood. I'm sure GB will figure out whatever the problem is, tho. Hopefully soon.

 

[GrowlerBox]

Well, I hate to post this, but the replacement amp arrived and is having problems (lots of noise and hiss). I was probably just unlucky, and hopefully everyone else will have a good experience (the amp sounds WONDERFUL), but I have a pretty strict '2 strikes and you are out' rule, and just would be a bit too paranoid after this when I'm doing all these road gigs.

So, unfortunately, out of the club and returned for refund

That's too bad, man. Would that be a vote for the RH450?

Sorry, being glib. I'm sure the Genz guys will be damaging their spines in their efforts to help you out with it, but I guess it's one of the pitfalls of being an "early adopter".

On an earlier point you made, I know the F500 is your "go to" amp, but for what kinds of gigs/basses would you pick the RH450?

 

[KJung]

That's too bad, man. Would that be a vote for the RH450?

Sorry, being glib. I'm sure the Genz guys will be damaging their spines in their efforts to help you out with it, but I guess it's one of the pitfalls of being an "early adopter".

On an earlier point you made, I know the F500 is your "go to" amp, but for what kinds of gigs/basses would you pick the RH450?

I'm going to gracefully bow out of this thread I'm always over in the TC threads and we can talk about the RH450 over there. I wish the Genz guys the best of luck with this head, and here is hoping that I just had bad luck... again, fabulous sounding box.

 

[4-string]

Sorry to hear that. Judging by your clips I really thought the Streamliner sounded fantastic. Very nice P-bass, too.

But do get some socks on, with that voice and all.

 

[svtb15]

Im sorry to hear that.. Just weird..
I gigged a sound-check last night for a larger gig that im doing today.My streamliner 900 with the uber 1288 pair rocked! No issues at all.
Heading over in a while to do the gig...

Well, I hate to post this, but the replacement amp arrived and is having problems (lots of noise and hiss). I was probably just unlucky, and hopefully everyone else will have a good experience (the amp sounds WONDERFUL), but I have a pretty strict '2 strikes and you are out' rule, and just would be a bit too paranoid after this when I'm doing all these road gigs.

So, unfortunately, out of the club and returned for refund

 

[jnewmark]

Well, I hate to post this, but the replacement amp arrived and is having problems (lots of noise and hiss). I was probably just unlucky, and hopefully everyone else will have a good experience (the amp sounds WONDERFUL), but I have a pretty strict '2 strikes and you are out' rule, and just would be a bit too paranoid after this when I'm doing all these road gigs.

So, unfortunately, out of the club and returned for refund

Funny how this stuff happens with a new design, i.e. Carvin, GK, etc. with TB'ers. I bit the bullet on two new Carvin BX500 heads, and both went back with problems. Probably a year from now, I'll look at this head. Sorry.

 

[adivin]

Let the drama begin...

 

[Musicman20]

Oh heck Ken...I can see why you might be paranoid. I have the same 2-3 strikes then out but normally its only happened with QC on basses. I haven't listened to the vids as my wifi isn't turned on in my new place until Monday, but I might look into this amp later down the line in 6-12 months. At the moment I love the RH450, so that's going nowhere.

 

[Musicman81]

The "noise and hiss" could be just a bad tube(s) going microphonic as I have experienced with tubes in the past. Hopefully it's just something minor like that, but I hate to see the amp get off to a bad start on TB like this. From what I heard of your clips KJ, I really enjoyed the sound(s) of the Streamliner. Best of luck to Genz. I'm sure they'll have the issue(s) ironed out in no time.

 

[PappaK]

The "noise and hiss" could be just a bad tube(s) going microphonic as I have experienced with tubes in the past. Hopefully it's just something minor like that, but I hate to see the amp get off to a bad start on TB like this. From what I heard of your clips KJ, I really enjoyed the sound(s) of the Streamliner. Best of luck to Genz. I'm sure they'll have the issue(s) ironed out in no time.

+1. Try changing the tubes. If they get bumped around In transit, they can surely get damaged. Humor us and try some different tubes. Imagine missing out on an amp you like so much because of a bozo at ups (or however it was shipped)?

 

[GregC]

It has been quite a long while since I owned my Walkabout. That is a unique sounding amp, and again, from my memory only, neither of these heads have quite the complexity and warmth of the Walkabout. However, the Streamliner would be the closer of the two, given its true tube preamp, and its wider voicing down low and up top. I would think that anyone who digs the Walkabout would also at least 'like' the streamliner. Those who LOVE the Walkabout (that head really has almost a cult following at this point, similar to the Walter Woods) will probably not consider this a 'no brainer, higher power' replacement.

This head has a lot of what makes the Walkabout great. Just like the passive tone control on a P Bass, there is a MASSIVE amount of tonal color that exists in this head by just varying the gain setting. I never found myself wanting to move the bass, mid or treble controls more than a touch off of center with the Streamliner. Similar with the Walkabout, I don't think I ever touched that semiparametric EQ section.... a subtle shift in the ratio of lows to mids, and different gain structure always got me to where I needed to go. So far, that is what I'm finding with the Streamliner.

Interesting thoughts, Ken. I see you've bowed out of this thread (bummer about your experience!). I love the Walkabout as a lightweight alternative for my '70s Ampeg V-4B (though the VT pedal helps me get the Walkabout closer to that tone).

I'm curious to try the Streamliner in person, but don't know when that will be possible--Chicagoland is seemingly without a dealer of Genz bass gear.

I'm interested to see whether the Streamliner wins over current owners/regular users of tube heads either as a replacement or lightweight option.

 

[bucephylus]

My only 2c is that if you are going to mess with tubes, one has to be prepared to address the periodic bad tube. What I mean is that if the problem with these two units is a chassis/circuit issue, then OK GB needs to re-examine the situation. But, if we are talking bad tubes, that can and does happen with any tube amp; and I personally would be prepared with extra tubes and not necessarily blame the amp.

I have owned many tube amps over the years, and do not find it a design issue to get the tubes right in a given unit. Sure, off the shelf, you expect the tubes to be good. But, with shipping and everything, who really knows? I would personally straighten the tube issue out before writing the amp off. Again, my 2c.

 

[12bass]

I would personally straighten the tube issue out before writing the amp off.

Yep.

 

[Vic]

My feeling is this...

These tubes, the use of them, and the transport of products that use them, is about as well known as it gets out there in product land. I also seriously doubt it's actual tube failure with how long these have been around and how mature their manufacturing process is by now. I would think the most likely thing would be either amplifier design, or shipping packaging design, or both, causing whatever is happening. That's also assuming this is all happening in shipping... that they bench every unit before it ships. Otherwise, it could simply be a QA problem. That's also assuming it's tube related. I guess we really don't know that either at this point.

Either way, it seems to me that GB has something to figure out, and I'm sure they will. They clearly have the capability to provide a solid quality product. They've proven that. I'd like it if they'd share details on this problem here, just as an interesting FYI, but I won't expect it.

 

[nostatic]

That's too bad, man. Would that be a vote for the RH450?

Well, I had an out-of-the-box issue with my brand new RH450 and it took a month to get any action (lousy dealer and TC is not GB). I eventually got a replacement and sold it as soon as it arrived. I'm also at over a month in the shop with a Markbass head (waiting for parts from Italy).

I'll gladly take GB and their quick/hands-on approach to customer service.

 

[jnewmark]

^ +1 on package design. Over the last 5 years or so I went on a 5 lb bass head wonder kick and tried quite a few of them. I was really shocked at how flimsy the inner packaging was ( or dunnage as it's called ) surrounding these heads. I realize that they weigh nothing at all, but, something like tubes may need more support when shipped.

 

[mongo2]

Well, I hate to post this, but the replacement amp arrived and is having problems (lots of noise and hiss). I was probably just unlucky, and hopefully everyone else will have a good experience (the amp sounds WONDERFUL), but I have a pretty strict '2 strikes and you are out' rule, and just would be a bit too paranoid after this when I'm doing all these road gigs.

So, unfortunately, out of the club and returned for refund

Precisely why I'm never an early adopter. These types of things often need to have some kinks ironed out.

 

[nostatic]

The reality is that early or late adoption, stuff breaks - especially as we go small/light. I expect that and try to plan accordingly. As such, what I care about is how the dealer and/or manufacturer responds. The fact that GB overnighted (with saturday delivery) a replacement speaks volumes to me. I have no doubt that technical glitches will get ironed out. But there are no customer services glitches with GB, and I can't say that about many other amp companies.

 

[hasbeen]

j
Either way, it seems to me that GB has something to figure out, and I'm sure they will. They clearly have the capability to provide a solid quality product. They've proven that. I'd like it if they'd share details on this problem here, just as an interesting FYI, but I won't expect it.

please know that one way we're able to ship product once it is "released" is because we've had people gigging with production pieces in the field for quite some time.

This is why our amps don't go thermal and why we don't have to go through multiple revisions.

I understand that you're suspect (I'm embarrassed as well). We are very confident it is the tubes. Many of us know the saying "if there is a problem with a tube amp, it is most likely the tubes". We feel this is the case with these amps. Most notably because a bad tube tends to go POP very quickly.

Either way, we will openly disclose what the issue is when we get it back.

PS- if anyone here receives an amp with an issue, I'll be happy to send them some additional tubes gratis to swap out. We use the most reliable tube supplier we can find, but I offer this to offset concern.

 

[Kindness]

We are very confident it is the tubes. Many of us know the saying "if there is a problem with a tube amp, it is most likely the tubes". We feel this is the case with these amps. Most notably because a bad tube tends to go POP very quickly.

Having as much experience as I do with tube amps and current production 12AX7s, as well as knowing your quality of design at product launch, I would buy a SL900 today without hesitation. Once you have three solid tubes in place, I would expect failure free performance over the lifespan of amp.

Now I just need to free up some cash for a purchase!