• 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.

GenzBenz amps

P

paul shadden

Nov 22, 2011
15
0
#1
Hey all... hope its low and loud!
I have a question, but first my situation. I have a pre-fender SWR SM500 AMP GOLIATH 410 & 210 cabs...also have an Avatar TB153. Love the tone shaping I can do and the overall tone of the SWR... but the weight of the roadcase amp, rackmount tuner and furman is a bit much at times especially after working all day on friday then setting up for a show..then playing 4 hours then tearing down.. I'm getting older I guess. So now I'm looking for a versatile light weight amp. I want to get everyones opinion on the Genz Benz amps before I make the purchase...or suggestions on other light weight amps perhaps the Carvin BX500 or BX1500...anyways what do y'all recommend??? Thanks for your help
 
#2
Genz is great man. If you want tubey in a small package, there's the Streamliner series for you, if you want much more modern and hi-fi but with the ability to dial in some tube, there's the Shuttle series. Check out the new Shuttle .2 series released at NAMM this year, they're supposedly killer, but I haven't had the pleasure to play one yet.

Also, GB has top of the line Customer Service, I've emailed with Jeff (Genzler) back and forth and he is always extremely prompt with his responses, and if you call the factory, a lot of the time it's him picking up the phone. To me, that counts for a lot these days as a lot of companies don't offer that type of CS. Like always, though, you've got to find some dealers in your area and play their stuff! Sometimes gear you think you'll love just doesn't work out, and there's only one way to figure out what does.
 
#5
Lots of GB fans here, I'm sure you will get lots of info.

I picked up a NeoPak 3.5 used for about 400 bucks a few years ago. It sits somewhere between the old rackmount GBE series, and the Shuttles as far as design goes. *ish pounds, tube pre that you can dial in some grit, GREAT EQ and filter section, and in the case of the factory modded ones, 500w @ 2 ohm operation which I "thought" was important to me at the time, but I have only used it once or twice @ 2 ohms.

Anyway, great amp, and if $$ were no object, I would check out the Streamliner, I'm an old SVT guy at heart. ;-)
 
#6
I have a Shuttle 6 which is cool but just got a Streamliner 900 about 5 days ago. It is awsome. I also play through an svt-vr and 810 rig which is awsome but really heavy. The streamliner really gets that tube growl like svt but only is 6.5 pounds.
 
#9
I have both the 9.2max & the Streamliner 900

If you love the SWR tone but not the weight... then ABSOLUTELY get the 9.2max & not the Streamliner. MUCH MUCH closer to SWR, much more tonally diverse. Set up the tube channel for your 50s project & the FET for your metal project... blend em for fun, use the tone shaping pedal to craft on the fly. I use my 9.2max pedal ALL of the time, the band loves it... says its the best tone hes heard.

Streamliner is great for my sit in the pocket, all round tone for gospel BUT the 9.2 could do it but it would have a little more high end twang to it.

Honestly man... its 9.2max for you man!
 
#10
I have the Shuttlemax 9.2 and looooooooovvvvvveeeeee it!!!! most versitile amp ever. Cristal Clean via FET channel and nice and "tubie" with the other. I like some tube blended in with the tight lows of the FET channel. I use the foot switch all the time to get different tones and especially for a bit of punch for solos or adding umph to endings, etc.

You can't go wrong with anything from Genz Benz. Customer service is beyond 1st rate and is the best in the industry IMO. I had a caster that broke a hub so I called and left a message for the warrantee department. Jeff Genzler called me before the day was through to make sure I was taken care of. I live in AZ so it's even better. I had the caster in less than 24 hours. Now that is customer service.

Don't forget, all of Genz Benz products have a transferable warranty. So don't be affraid to buy a used one (just get the serial number and check with Genz to see how long the warranty has)

If you are looking to buy new, I highly recommend checking out the new Shuttle 6.2-210T (add an extended 210 cab and you are in business for most shows)

Good luck.
 
#11
Man.. I love this app on my phone... thanks for all the input and info... sounds like the GB is the next investment!!!
Another question.... ok my band 50's/60's rock cover band, used to run our amps through the pa. Whether mic'd or di. Since we brounght on a new frontman that has a "biker-rock" background he likes to run just vocals and drums through the Pa which seems dumb seeing we have 4000 watts of power to mains..
Playing bigger clubs the stage volume is ridiculous.... what are y'alls opinions on this?
 
#12
Another GB fan here. I have had two Shuttles (6.0 & 9.0) and I just got a Streamliner 900. I have been more impressed with each new GB product I buy.

As for your new front man... maybe I'm missing something here but if he is the "new" front man... seems that what is in the best interest of the band should be sop. I haven't had to deal with a lot of those kinds of issues in a while so maybe I'm just missing something.
 
#14
paul shadden said:
Man.. I love this app on my phone... thanks for all the input and info... sounds like the GB is the next investment!!!
Another question.... ok my band 50's/60's rock cover band, used to run our amps through the pa. Whether mic'd or di. Since we brounght on a new frontman that has a "biker-rock" background he likes to run just vocals and drums through the Pa which seems dumb seeing we have 4000 watts of power to mains..
Playing bigger clubs the stage volume is ridiculous.... what are y'alls opinions on this?
Click to expand...

The only reason not to run amps through the PA is if the room is so small that normal stage volume is more than enough. Amps are pretty directional, mains are designed with wider dispersion in mind.
 
#15
Last summer I sold my pre-Fender Redhead because it was too damn heavy for my aging and injured shoulder, and replaced it with a GB Shuttle 6.0 (and a Traynor TC112 cab). I'm extremely happy, loving the tone that I get out of the Shuttle.

Having been a 20+ year devotee to SWR (I also used to have an SM-400 with Goliath II 4x10), I did give the Headlite a run -through before making the switch, along with many other lightweight amps. To me amongst the lightweight Class D amps, the Genz amps were the best by far.

GB also has a lot of choices to consider, depending upon how much power and what sorts of options you want (e.g. one or two channels). I honestly don't think you can go wrong with getting one of their amps.

Good luck with your search!
 
#16
The more controle of your mix the soundman has the better your band will sound. Try to keep stage volume down to whats needed and trust him or her thats their job.( It's hard sometimes when you want to crank that svt up and let it roar.) This is becoming more important with the growing use of in ear monitors.
 
#20
I doubt I'll ever play anything else. I have been using Genz Benz for a number of years and absolutely love it. I use the Shuttle 3.0-10T Combo and Shuttle 110 extension cab for a great little "mini" stack. 300 watts into 2x10. Sounds fantastic (within reason) and is like 34 pounds. I have also used/owned a GBE600, Shuttle Pak, Shuttle 9.0, Shuttle 12.0, 112 NeoX, 212 Neox, and my current little rig. All amazing stuff.

I have been wanting a LITTLE bit of break up and dirt lately so I may trade the pristine FET of my Shuttle 3.0 for one of the new heads or get a deal on a used 2 channel. The new cabs look interesting as well.

I had a minor service issue (handle came off) and was sent a new one within days free of charge. Have talked to Jeff, etc. Great company. Great products.
 

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back