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Genzler Amplification Club

#221
Muzz64 said:
I'd been after some serious modularity in my rig for a wee while, and the prospect of another, louder band to supplement the shortfall in function gigs this year meant I'd been looking at the Magellan and its 2.67 ohm potential for a while.

Sooo...a third Berg AE112 and a Magellan means I can take up to three cabs to gigs and really cover any eventuality.

I've gigged the rig in both 2 cab and 3 cab incarnations, and man, it works. I haven't needed PA support anywhere yet, though I'd take it if needed.

The Magellan is a fantastic amp, the chaps at Genzler have got it absolutely right on the money, and it has an awful lot going for it. The two channels mean I can have real flexibility of tone at a button push (or stomp, if I add a pedal) to switch between them, and the volumes can compensate for bass changes - for example if I wanted, I could run an active bass into the Clean channel, say one of my Shukers, and have a really modern tone, and run a P into the drive channel without having to adjust volumes when switching. It's been described as a combination of the Shuttle and Streamliner, but it's better than that - IME it takes the best of both and does away with the downsides of either (I found the Shuttles a little too clinical and possibly 'brittle', and the biiiig bloom of the Streamliner always need reigning in).

Those Contour options are very 'musical', for want of a better word - they are really interesting if used in combinations with the channels - one's a modern scoop, which you'd think would be best with the Clean channel, the other's a mid-bump and top-end rolloff which you'd think was Drive channel-tastic, but they also work really well with the opposite channels, too, so there's some really interesting things to play with. The Drive channel's drive (dur) is the first non-actual-valve tone which has made me forget there aren't valves in there - it's warm and organic and then some.

The EQ is also very real-world practical and useable - a single parametric mid is plenty for me, but I'm using it sparingly at the moment. A little goes a long way. Again, the word I'd use is 'musical' - it's the word that sums up the East preamps for me, too, and it was what struck me first.

The amp also works very well with playing dynamics (especially the Drive channel), and responds to your input better than anything I've used before. Very satisfying.

And now to the controversial bit - it's no secret where I stand on the 'heft' debate - I've played Class Ds that have had plenty of it, and Class A/Bs that haven't, and the Streamliner I had outlasted all sorts of other amps (11, by my count), but this amp brings a weight to notes that I haven't heard before. Whether it's the new power module, or the Genzler implementation of it, or both (I haven't played any other of the new Class D stuff) I don't know, but it's there. It's not just volume (and with the three cabs there's a play-any-gig amount of that), it's an authority. It's a very long time since I've played through a big all-valve head and an 810 fridge, so I might have rose-tinted specs on here, but if I'm remembering right, that's the impression.

It's immaculately made, reeks quality and is very quiet. On both the three-cab gigs I've played it hasn't even warmed up. Given the longevity with me of the Streamliner, this is gonna be a keeper.

Do I sound happy with it? Yep, I am.
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View attachment 865759
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I not only love the MAGELLAN 800 atop the triple-stack of Bergs, I love the flooring!! Nice look.
 
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#224
Well I'll soon part of the Genzler club. I pulled the trigger on a Genzler 800 and matching case Friday and should have it by Wednesday. I can't wait to see if it takes my top spot currently held by my Mesa D-800. This will be my first dealing with this company or from Genz Benz. It's crazy that I've never had a chance to play through one in the past.
 
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#227
Hotblack said:
For folks that wanted a demo of the Contour feature: Check out the Genzler Facebook page. It's a demo that utilizes a simple line and demonstrates the sound solo and with drums.
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1bassplayinfool said:
So I go to an audition with one array cab. I think its plenty loud and did not want to push it too much. These guys are LOUD and kept asking me to turn up.
Got the gig and brought my 2nd cab with me... that shut 'em right up. :D
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I have question regarding the pad on the Magellan. I have one bass array cab and my basses are active 18v. When I engage the pad, I can boost the clean channel up to around 3/4 before it starts to clip. Around 1 o'clock when not engaged. Which is the most effecient way to get the most volume while
protecting/not overloading the cab? Engage the pad and have the clean volume at 3/4 and use master at below 1/4 or disengage and use the clean
volume lower and boost the master more?
 
#229
FunkySpoo said:
How does the Magellan 800 compare to the Shuttle 9.0? I've had the Shuttle for a few years and I think I'd like the Magellan 800 and keep the Shuttle as a back up.
Click to expand...

The general consensus is that the Magellan completely destroys any of the Shuttles. I switched from a Shuttle 6.0, myself, and the Magellan is about a million times better.
 
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#231
jazzenfunk said:
I have question regarding the pad on the Magellan. I have one bass array cab and my basses are active 18v. When I engage the pad, I can boost the clean channel up to around 3/4 before it starts to clip. Around 1 o'clock when not engaged. Which is the most effecient way to get the most volume while
protecting/not overloading the cab? Engage the pad and have the clean volume at 3/4 and use master at below 1/4 or disengage and use the clean
volume lower and boost the master more?
Click to expand...

Jazzenfunk-----When you say "starts to clip, are you referring to the CLIP LED near the CLEAN control or are you hearing distortion?

I would like you to set the amp up differently. Here is my recommendation.
With that hot of a bass, I would use the PAD switch for sure.
Set the Master Volume at Noon. Don't want to starve the amp and overdrive the preamp.
After setting the Master at noon, you should have plenty of range on the CLEAN gain control to set a level around 10 0'clock to noon. It's OK if you go higher but this would depend upon how much EQ and Volume you have on your bass and the amp.
Also, remember your running a single cab, which can take a lot but want to make sure you're keeping a nice clean signal chain.

Just as a reference, I usually prefer to have my Channel gain and Master Volume in similar ranges.

I hope this helps.
 
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#232
Bassworship1 said:
I've ordered the Genzler 800 last Saturday and have yet to get a email about it being shipped. I'm hoping this thing comes soon so I can test it out this weekend. Excited to see how it stacks up against my Mesa D-800.
Click to expand...

There are lots of orders going out from the warehouse.
Please PM me with some details and I will do my best to assist.
 
#233
Djadja said:
Can you talk about what you're hearing that you prefer?
Click to expand...

I can.. I guess to be concise, I prefer pretty much EVERYTHING about it. For starters, the Magellan is somehow able to be simultaneously fatter, deeper, and beefier, yet also more articulate, cleaner, smoother, and balanced than the Shuttle. OR it can be all of those things as well as deliciously gritty, zingy, and mean. I don't know how, but it manages to do all of those things better AT THE SAME TIME.

I find the EQ section to be much more intuitive than the Shuttle, and the contour options add a lot of colour and variety with a switch. Much more useable than the scoop buttons on the Shuttle. And the Drive channel is miraculous, and also very easy to switch on and off with a button or foot switch. I use a lot of distortion and fuzz in my bass sound in general, but where I used to use pedals to achieve my basic drive tone, the Magellan's drive channel now rules, and is easier to dial in different sounds as well.

When it's clean, it is VERY clean and present - cuts through a pretty loud / heavy mix with ease. And of course, my pair of Bass Arrays helps a lot as well.

I mean, it's obviously some form of sorcery, but who cares, right??
 
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#234
Jeff Genzler said:
Jazzenfunk-----When you say "starts to clip, are you referring to the CLIP LED near the CLEAN control or are you hearing distortion?

I would like you to set the amp up differently. Here is my recommendation.
With that hot of a bass, I would use the PAD switch for sure.
Set the Master Volume at Noon. Don't want to starve the amp and overdrive the preamp.
After setting the Master at noon, you should have plenty of range on the CLEAN gain control to set a level around 10 0'clock to noon. It's OK if you go higher but this would depend upon how much EQ and Volume you have on your bass and the amp.
Also, remember your running a single cab, which can take a lot but want to make sure you're keeping a nice clean signal chain.

Just as a reference, I usually prefer to have my Channel gain and Master Volume in similar ranges.

I hope this helps.
Click to expand...

Thx Jeff, Yes I was referring to the clip led. I'm used to the tried and true boosting the drive until the clip light starts to flicker, then backing off until it stops then using master to control volume. I will try your suggestion, so cool to have your input right here!
 
#235
I'm using a GK MBF800 head with two array cabs and never turn the volume up past 10 o'clock and it is plenty loud. Pay close attention to the bass EQ and you'll be fine.

jazzenfunk said:
I have question regarding the pad on the Magellan. I have one bass array cab and my basses are active 18v. When I engage the pad, I can boost the clean channel up to around 3/4 before it starts to clip. Around 1 o'clock when not engaged. Which is the most effecient way to get the most volume while
protecting/not overloading the cab? Engage the pad and have the clean volume at 3/4 and use master at below 1/4 or disengage and use the clean
volume lower and boost the master more?
Click to expand...
 
#236
Discount Saint said:
I can.. I guess to be concise, I prefer pretty much EVERYTHING about it. For starters, the Magellan is somehow able to be simultaneously fatter, deeper, and beefier, yet also more articulate, cleaner, smoother, and balanced than the Shuttle. OR it can be all of those things as well as deliciously gritty, zingy, and mean. I don't know how, but it manages to do all of those things better AT THE SAME TIME.

I find the EQ section to be much more intuitive than the Shuttle, and the contour options add a lot of colour and variety with a switch. Much more useable than the scoop buttons on the Shuttle. And the Drive channel is miraculous, and also very easy to switch on and off with a button or foot switch. I use a lot of distortion and fuzz in my bass sound in general, but where I used to use pedals to achieve my basic drive tone, the Magellan's drive channel now rules, and is easier to dial in different sounds as well.

When it's clean, it is VERY clean and present - cuts through a pretty loud / heavy mix with ease. And of course, my pair of Bass Arrays helps a lot as well.

I mean, it's obviously some form of sorcery, but who cares, right??
Click to expand...

I agree. While I liked the Shuttles, I tended to struggle to get the lows to low mids right where I wanted them. And for whatever reason, while I could usually dial in a great tone at home or in an empty room, once the dance floor started filling up )and all my bandmates start turning up!), I would sometimes have trouble finding that sweet spot between getting lost in the mix and overpowering it.

However, with the MG-800, I have had no such issues. It feels like the high-pass filtering isn't as aggressive as on the Shuttles, and I think that's a good thing. The tone from top to bottom seems more balanced and solid (again, compared to the Shuttles), and my gigging experience with the MG-800 has been exactly the opposite of that with the Shuttles. The Magellan is one of the most gig-friendly heads I have used.

One other thing I'll add is that while it is not uncommon for me to become a bigger fanboy of a given product as I rack up more successful gigs with said product, there is something special going on with the MG-800 (and BA12-3). The more I hear/play them, the more I love them. And again, this is above and beyond the "normal" "I love gear that works live" effect. :bassist: :bassist: :bassist: :thumbsup:
 
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