GenzBenz Streamliner Pt 8...

[3rdcurve]

Got a question for Agedhorse. After the soundcheck at my last gig I noticed a loud electrical hum coming from my cabs. It was there even with the head muted and no cable in the input. Up until this point the streamliner has been whisper quiet. I thought maybe it was just some bad power, but I tested it at home and I am getting the same thing. Any ideas on what it may be?

 

[agedhorse]

Got a question for Agedhorse. After the soundcheck at my last gig I noticed a loud electrical hum coming from my cabs. It was there even with the head muted and no cable in the input. Up until this point the streamliner has been whisper quiet. I thought maybe it was just some bad power, but I tested it at home and I am getting the same thing. Any ideas on what it may be?

A couple of possibilities... the first and most likely thing is a bad tube. Does the hum go away with the master volume control down?

Another possibility, primarily seen in amps that have toured a lot of miles, could be the loosening of a mounting screw that may aid in ground referencing the signal to the chassis. While you have the cover off for checking tubes, tighten all the internal mounting screws at the preamp and power amp PCBs. Do this with the power disconnected of course.

By any chance did you try switching the DI ground lift switch and/or disconnecting the DI if you were sending to the PA? This under some severe common mode voltage difference conditions induce hum into the amp's circuitry.

Just a couple of thoughts. You can always contact Scott for help at the factory or PM me and I'll walk you through some things.

 

[3rdcurve]

Thanks! I will try these things and PM you. It still amazes me how quick and helpful you are on this forum!!

 

[svtb15]

Thank you .. Looks real sweet

Here's the rear view; sorry, I don't build stuff commercially, just for my own amusement.

The upper sides and top are just small blocks of wood with velcro on them. They connect to the rear cover I made from thin luan plywood and covered with tolex, too. Just packed it up for my NYE gig and was able to easily stuff two speaker cables and a 9ft AC cable in the upper section, no prob.

 

[chuck3]

Hope you don't mind if I break into the Streamliner thread with a "check this out". And thanks, this is a great thread chock full of valuable observations and advice.

I had a pair of the new EA 2x10 cabs made with white tolex (I'm a dealer and can get away with that stuff) and I painted the grilles dark brown, just as a tribute to the 60's era amps. I even have a Euphonic Audio logo in Fenderish script on them. My blues band puts me in that sort of mood.

I chose the Streamliner 900 and its nice tubey character to partner with them and decided to make a matching cab for the head, to catch the same vibe.

I used 1/2" birch plywood with a slice of luan in the center, so it adds very little weight, and it protects the head some as well as gives me a cord storage area.

Please return to your regularly scheduled program.

wow ... I want the amp but I REALLY want that RACK!

 

[blowinblue]

Spending some time around the house getting to know my Streamliner 600. It sure is different than my Eden WT400 or my RPM/XTi 2000 rig. The forum mid-scoopaphobics are probably hoping that I don't gig the 600 with either the 410 or the 212 in the photo. I might do it just to be annoying. Anyways, I'm having a lot of fun trying these different combinations. Will be purchasing another cab soon to officially mate with the 600. Half the fun is deciding what the new one will be. Yeah.

M. M.

 

[Limeman]

Your Aggie DB should sound wonderful with the 600. Maybe just stick with that? I have GS cabs and they don't seem to like my 900 much, especially on a gig. Too much woof, not enough definition, IME. I am having good luck so far with a GB Uber 212 and my STL, although I have heard from a few fellow TB'ers that the Uber 115 is killing with a Streamliner. If you decide to get a new cab, let us know what you end up with.

 

[gillento]

My Aguilar db212 sounds GREAT with my STL600!!!

 

[KJung]

Just FYI, here is a recent clip I did trying to mimic the Streamliner tone with the Max 9.2. Tonally, I can get relatively close, but without the amazing tube 'feel' and the smooth, natural compression of the Streamliner.

However, given that the Max 9.2 is a tight, bright, punch machine when set neutral, it is pretty cool to be able to get in any way close.

So, might be helpful for those trying to decide between the two amps. You could not really do this with the Shuttle 9 or the new Shuttle 9.2, since that second semi-parametric EQ is key, and also the variable low end voicing control.

Love both heads for what they do, and comparing the Streamliner to the tube channel of the 9.2 (which is GREAT) made me appreciate the unique tubiness of the Streamliner.

Streamliner900 versus Shuttle Max 9.2 Tube Channel - YouTube

 

[Musicman20]

My Aguilar db212 sounds GREAT with my STL600!!!

+1, we always love our DB212s!

I must admit, the main cabs I have tried are quite 'mid forward' cabinets like the DB212 and the TC RS cabinets, but so far, the Streamliner 900 KILLS.

YES, I agree 100% the lows are big, but in a very smooth creamy clean type of way. Nothing, in my opinion, thats boomy. It gives you a 'full' bass tone. As Genz are no doubt gaining popularity with players who don't frequent forums, I bet they just plug in, EQ, play, and not care about which cabs fit best. I agree its nice to have a slightly mid-bump voiced cabinet, but I find that with ALL the amps I own, not just the 900.

Nice video Ken, btw. I like the comparison with the Max 9.2.

 

[nutdog]

As Genz are no doubt gaining popularity with players who don't frequent forums, I bet they just plug in, EQ, play

Without the internet? Whoa.....Dude.....

 

[N. Kentucky Bass]

I recorded my Fender Aerodyne Jazz bass from the Streamliner 900 with the DI at a pre-EQ line setting, and compared that to a recording straight from a Radial JDI. Do I understand correctly that the Streamliner DI pre-EQ signal is first processed by the 3-tube preamplifier? Darned if I can distinguish any "warming" to the tone compared to the JDI signal. Obviously the Streamliner signal can be biased toward more of a tube feel by going post-EQ, but that's not the object of this experiment. The Streamliner DI sounds virtually identical to the JDI. Both are very quiet, beautiful bass tone. Anyone had a similar experience?

 

[smeet]

Just FYI, here is a recent clip I did trying to mimic the Streamliner tone with the Max 9.2. Tonally, I can get relatively close, but without the amazing tube 'feel' and the smooth, natural compression of the Streamliner.

However, given that the Max 9.2 is a tight, bright, punch machine when set neutral, it is pretty cool to be able to get in any way close.

So, might be helpful for those trying to decide between the two amps. You could not really do this with the Shuttle 9 or the new Shuttle 9.2, since that second semi-parametric EQ is key, and also the variable low end voicing control.

Love both heads for what they do, and comparing the Streamliner to the tube channel of the 9.2 (which is GREAT) made me appreciate the unique tubiness of the Streamliner.

Streamliner900 versus Shuttle Max 9.2 Tube Channel - YouTube

Nice comparison. To me it sounds like the Streamliner has a more aggressive attack and is more low-mid-focused , while the 9.2 is more polite and full-range. Is that how it sounds to you in the room?

Right now the Streamliner is my only amp. I'm trying to decide on a head with a great tone that is the yang to the SL's yin. Currently thinking about the MB800, Shuttle9.2, and the Carvin BX1500 and B2000. Although the F500 sounds pretty good too! Too many choices...

 

[KJung]

Nice comparison. To me it sounds like the Streamliner has a more aggressive attack and is more low-mid-focused , while the 9.2 is more polite and full-range. Is that how it sounds to you in the room?

Right now the Streamliner is my only amp. I'm trying to decide on a head with a great tone that is the yang to the SL's yin. Currently thinking about the MB800, Shuttle9.2, and the Carvin BX1500 and B2000. Although the F500 sounds pretty good too! Too many choices...

Again, remember I have the 9.2 MASSIVELY EQ'd in that clip, with quite a bit of mid mids and upper mids dialed out, and the low end extended with the filter. I 'forced the 9.2 to somewhat mimic the big, smooth but crisp Streamliner as best I could.

Set neutral, the 9.2 is a bright, punchy, grindy (if you want it to be) monster, that is about as different from the Streamliner as can be. And, the FET channel gives you yet another smoother, more mid punchy voice. I have a more 'natural' clip of the Streamliner and my J Bass on my Youtube channel.

There are very few tones that don't live in this thing. I've just been playing it with my Rob Allen and Acme 112 Fullrange, and it is an absolute thing of beauty.

 

[KJung]

I recorded my Fender Aerodyne Jazz bass from the Streamliner 900 with the DI at a pre-EQ line setting, and compared that to a recording straight from a Radial JDI. Do I understand correctly that the Streamliner DI pre-EQ signal is first processed by the 3-tube preamplifier? Darned if I can distinguish any "warming" to the tone compared to the JDI signal. Obviously the Streamliner signal can be biased toward more of a tube feel by going post-EQ, but that's not the object of this experiment. The Streamliner DI sounds virtually identical to the JDI. Both are very quiet, beautiful bass tone. Anyone had a similar experience?

It is my understanding that the pre EQ DI is buffered by the first tube stage, but that does not have any inherent impact on the tone. So, just like most other high quality amps, it is a simple, direct, buffered send to the board.

I haven't really noticed a ton of difference (well, actually any difference) among the various pre EQ DI's on my variety of high quality heads. They all seem to do what they are supposed to do nicely.... send a very pure, buffered, direct signal from the bass to the board, with very little happening in between.

 

[sratas]

Maybe also the Thunderfunk could be taken into account. Almost a polar opposite compared to the STM.

Nice comparison. To me it sounds like the Streamliner has a more aggressive attack and is more low-mid-focused , while the 9.2 is more polite and full-range. Is that how it sounds to you in the room?

Right now the Streamliner is my only amp. I'm trying to decide on a head with a great tone that is the yang to the SL's yin. Currently thinking about the MB800, Shuttle9.2, and the Carvin BX1500 and B2000. Although the F500 sounds pretty good too! Too many choices...

 

[Aussie Mark]

The forum mid-scoopaphobics are probably hoping that I don't gig the 600 with either the 410 or the 212 in the photo. I might do it just to be annoying.

Play it loud and proud, man. I love my Streamliner through my Epi UL cabs.

 

[f.c.geil]

Mine finally came in today. I can only stop playing for a minute to post, but WOW! The videos don't do these things justice. I'm playing through an SWR Goliath III 4x10, and holy mother of all that's good, it flat out rocks!!! Full, rich, creamy bass, smooth treble, amazing transitions, and mids that are whatever you need them to be.

Okay, now I have to go change my shorts, and go play some more...

 

[godblender]

...just got my STL900, paired it with my GK Neo212...love it! I've been researching some new cab possibilities (410 setup) and I REALLY want an Uber 410. Not just because of a possible match with the 900, it just has, based on all of the great reviews/descriptions I've read, the exact voicings that I'm looking for. Although I am considering an Avatar Neo410 as well. But the Streamliner sounds so cool. I do not find it to be void of mids and/or punch at all. I've only spent a very brief amount of time with it this evening, but with some fairly minimal eq'ing you can dial in a very nice punch (and I'm sure the voicing on the GK Neo cab helps, too)...love the low-mids on this one! Can't wait to use it for rehearsal on Sunday.

 

[dukeorock]

I have a GB Uber 410 and an Uber 212...the 410 is astounding...tight, very full range, and can take a ton of watts...it's my one cab solution for sure...thinking of getting a second one!