Genzler Amplification Club

[bebass]

Thanks, guys!

Based on what I've read, and listening to video demos, I was pretty sure the 12-3 was the one for me. I just wanted to double check and make sure I was on the right track before making the move.

I thought about selling my 212T to help finance a pair of BA cabs, but dammit, that cab sounds so good, it needs to stay.

The 212T is a very deep and articulate sounding cab and is often ignored due to popularity of the Bass Arrays. It doesn't offer the extra side dispersion characteristics or transition characteristics of the bass arrays, but it does have the close driver coupling, deep lows, and extended highs.

 

[Ryan L.]

The 212T is a very deep and articulate sounding cab and is often ignored due to popularity of the Bass Arrays. It doesn't offer the extra side dispersion characteristics or transition characteristics of the bass arrays, but it does have the close driver coupling, deep lows, and extended highs.

That's honestly the only thing I'm missing with the 212, is the side dispersion that the BA cabs are designed to give.

If the Bass Arrays can give me those clear, deep lows of the 212T, while dispersing the mids and highs in a broader pattern on the stage, I'll be in heaven.

That's why I can't let the 212T go. It really is an amazing sounding cab. And who knows? Maybe I'll prefer it to the BA cabs. They're gonna have to be good to unseat it. But I'm looking forward to being able to make that choice.

 

[Jeff Genzler]

What I'm wondering is: how does the 350/BA10-2 combo with the 10-2 extension cabinet compare to the Shuttle 6.0-12T plus 12T extension cab that I've been using for years? I'm interested because I'm disabled and shedding some pounds off my rig would make my life easier. The Shuttle cabs have always been enough for any gig I do, but I worry that the new combo not having quite enough juice for me.

@Jeff Genzler or anybody who's used the new combo: do you have any thoughts?

Hey Totem, I'll send you a PM too, but The Bass Shop Seattle just received their MG350-BA10-COMBO and I'm sure you can give it a good test drive there. I think you'll be very pleased with the form factor, tone and output of this smaller rig.

 

[svtb15]

Ive been out on shows with the american idol guy Casey James... I have to tell you. he is a great musician. he arranges horn parts in his head and writes them out for the entire section.. i can't do that. At All.
I'm using my Mg800 and Mg212 and Uber 115 with the amp set at the 2.67Ω setting.
FOH is taking the feed from my REDDI but he is also micing the rig with an ev RE20. My fave mic.. He was micing the uber 115 but yesterday decided to mic teh Mg212.. He's liking it alot. So far monitors have been great too.. Ill try to post some new photos this week... It's been hectic with so much happening at home etc...

My ex boss from the 80s Deb Gibson called me and said that sheh is doing some 30 anniversary shows late summer so Ill be taking the same rig out on that.. Maybe less cab though.. . Just the Mg212

 

[Jeff Genzler]

That's honestly the only thing I'm missing with the 212, is the side dispersion that the BA cabs are designed to give.

If the Bass Arrays can give me those clear, deep lows of the 212T, while dispersing the mids and highs in a broader pattern on the stage, I'll be in heaven.

That's why I can't let the 212T go. It really is an amazing sounding cab. And who knows? Maybe I'll prefer it to the BA cabs. They're gonna have to be good to unseat it. But I'm looking forward to being able to make that choice.

If you end up with both rigs, you may want to try a BA12-3 on top of the MG-212T (turn off) and see what that does for you too.
Just another variation for you. That would not be my choice cosmetically but I've played it and it kicks.

 

[Djadja]

That's honestly the only thing I'm missing with the 212, is the side dispersion that the BA cabs are designed to give.

If the Bass Arrays can give me those clear, deep lows of the 212T, while dispersing the mids and highs in a broader pattern on the stage, I'll be in heaven.

That's why I can't let the 212T go. It really is an amazing sounding cab. And who knows? Maybe I'll prefer it to the BA cabs. They're gonna have to be good to unseat it. But I'm looking forward to being able to make that choice.

I'll be really interested in hearing your comparison of the two designs.

 

[Ryan L.]

If you end up with both rigs, you may want to try a BA12-3 on top of the MG-212T (turn off) and see what that does for you too.
Just another variation for you. That would not be my choice cosmetically but I've played it and it kicks.

Oh, I'll definitely give that a try. I'll just have to wear a blindfold so my OCD doesn't send me into fits!!!

 

[Ryan L.]

I'll be really interested in hearing your comparison of the two designs.

I'm really looking forward to comparing both at a gig. Bedroom comparisons don't say much, to me. It's at a gig that counts, so I plan on using each setup for a couple sets on one of our bigger stages.

 

[bebass]

If you end up with both rigs, you may want to try a BA12-3 on top of the MG-212T (turn off) and see what that does for you too.
Just another variation for you. That would not be my choice cosmetically but I've played it and it kicks.

I'm really looking forward to comparing both at a gig. Bedroom comparisons don't say much, to me. It's at a gig that counts, so I plan on using each setup for a couple sets on one of our bigger stages.

I have also tried the BA12-3 on top of a MG212T. It is one of my very favorite set-ups.

 

[totem]

Hey Totem, I'll send you a PM too, but The Bass Shop Seattle just received their MG350-BA10-COMBO and I'm sure you can give it a good test drive there. I think you'll be very pleased with the form factor, tone and output of this smaller rig.

Jeff, I went to The Bass Shop yesterday and ran the combo through its paces. I have to say that I'm quite impressed. With the two Contour circuits, the amp covers a lot of tonal ground from clean to nicely mid-scooped to a gnarly mid-focused sound that felt like it could cut through a steel plate. I'm guessing that I'll end up buying the combo with the extension cab to replace my Shuttle gear.

 

[Jeff Genzler]

Jeff, I went to The Bass Shop yesterday and ran the combo through its paces. I have to say that I'm quite impressed. With the two Contour circuits, the amp covers a lot of tonal ground from clean to nicely mid-scooped to a gnarly mid-focused sound that felt like it could cut through a steel plate. I'm guessing that I'll end up buying the combo with the extension cab to replace my Shuttle gear.

So glad you had the chance to check out this little stack. Nice that you Seattle based players still have a great shop for quality bass products. They are great people at the Bass Shop Seattle.
Sounds like you got to experiment with the versatility of the MAGALLAN 350 amp. Although we needed to down-size some of the features for this product it was important to keep the Dual Slope Contour circuitry.

 

[totem]

So glad you had the chance to check out this little stack. Nice that you Seattle based players still have a great shop for quality bass products. They are great people at the Bass Shop Seattle.
Sounds like you got to experiment with the versatility of the MAGALLAN 350 amp. Although we needed to down-size some of the features for this product it was important to keep the Dual Slope Contour circuitry.

Yes, Jeff, you've built another amazing amp here. And I agree about the folks at The Bass Shop Seattle. They've done a fantastic job filling their niche here.

 

[svtb15]

Im out on a mini tour with the American Idol guy Casey James.. . I'm using this rig. .Its great!
It can get VERY Loud if i want it to. .But stage volume overall is fairly low on this full band run.. He has a horn section and two utility players. HIm and I and a drummer will be doing some 3 piece stuff which will allow each of us to play OUT and IMPOV more. Then Ill need more rig..
After a few shows I have ditched the DBX compressor and not using any compression at all.
At sound check I had it set up like this.. side by side.. It wasn't working for that room... then I stacked the MG212 on top of my old uber 115.. It just looked too tall and weird.. So later i moved the 115 onto a road case... The FOH guy is very accommodating to my prima donna sound needs. and is on my side. So I have a friend there.. LOL
Although, this particular sound company didn't have the RE20 he spec'd.... But it was all good.

I posted a photo of my sparkle Alleva "Ave Maria' bass in the alleva thread.. I just RE Necked it with a Maple Neck while my RW one is going back to Alleva for new frets... I think i like it better with the Maple too..

 

[dwellers]

Picked up a new Magellan 350 and BA12-3 from Bananas at Large last weekend. Dropped off a Markbass 15 and 210 along with a Little Mark III head. After only a few minutes with Jeff's gear it was clear that it was a dramatic step up in terms of the quality of tone, definition and clarity as well as ease of dialing in just the right settings. Along with Jeff's outstanding communication (he emailed me back at all hours!) and Bananas' knowledgeable friendly staff, my decision was easy. I'll be adding a second cabinet the minute my stuff sells.

Thank you Jeff and Alan for great products and a very pleasurable buying experience! So nice to know that I still have a choice in music stores!!

--David

P.S. If anyone is interested in that used Markbass stuff at Bananas, it's mine and I'm happy to answer any questions about it.

P.P.S. Please send me a number!

 

[Pbassmanca]

I don't have a pic right now, I'll have to get one at the next gig. I've been using an MG800 into an MG212T for a while now, and am absolutely loving it.

How do you like the MG 212? How do find it handles on loudish gigs and what kind of lows and mids does it have? I'm slowly looking for the right 212 to replace my Mesa 4ohm 2x10 ( Which sounds great and deep but is heavy at 70lbs)

 

[Ryan L.]

How do you like the MG 212? How do find it handles on loudish gigs and what kind of lows and mids does it have? I'm slowly looking for the right 212 to replace my Mesa 4ohm 2x10 ( Which sounds great and deep but is heavy at 70lbs)

I'd put the 212T up against any 410 cab I've owned or tried. The low end is deep, clear, but controlled (it's not a boomy or flabby sounding cab at all). The mids are very present, but not over the top or nasally. It sits in the mix on stage very nicely, and seems to take eq very well. On larger outdoor stages, it has no problem pushing enough volume.

Keep in mind, I don't need to carry the room with my amp, I always have full PA support, so my amp is a stage monitor/DI only. But I have no doubt it could easily fill a medium sized room with bass if needed.

 

[Daveypoo]

We've talked a lot about the contour curves and the EQ here, but we've not really touched on subtractive EQing.

I was practicing last night with my MG800 and headphones, and I was using my Pawn Shop Mustang bass. The humbucker has a funky midrange and with most amps/cabs that add bass and low mids, it's not noticeable. But with the MG800's clarity, the funky mids on the pickups really jump out. So I did a bit of subtractive EQing - dialed in the odd frequency and pulled down the mids - and it cleaned it right up. After that, I got thinking and turned down the bass a bit and I got this really cool, gnarly tone from the Mustang. I haven't clipped my nails as I usually do so I was getting a bit of bite with my fingers and having a blast jamming out.

My default setting is always to use the EQ to enhance the sound by boosting certain frequencies, but there's just as much power (maybe more) in pulling down the unwanted frequencies. Because the mid sweep on the MG800 has such a huge range, I was able to dial out the odd mid frequency and still have some balls with the tone.

Jeff - this thing is filled with surprises that just keep coming. I can't speak highly enough about the amp, although I daresay I'm trying!

 

[Bassworship1]

I want to brag on the Genzler 800 DI and give Jeff props. I've been playing in some very big churches and taking just my Genzler to use as a DI only for IEM gigs. This week I had a new Rupert Neeves RNDI that is recognized as one of the best DI's out there for bass and done some side by side tests. Well the Genzler outperformed easily and even the Sound Engineer says the Genzler sounded better. I've owned alot of bass amps and used the DI out on them but the Genzler is head and shoulders above in every level. I love the DI this amp has. Sure makes my life easier whether I'm using my Arrays and Head or just the head by itself.

 

[Jeff Genzler]

We've talked a lot about the contour curves and the EQ here, but we've not really touched on subtractive EQing.

I was practicing last night with my MG800 and headphones, and I was using my Pawn Shop Mustang bass. The humbucker has a funky midrange and with most amps/cabs that add bass and low mids, it's not noticeable. But with the MG800's clarity, the funky mids on the pickups really jump out. So I did a bit of subtractive EQing - dialed in the odd frequency and pulled down the mids - and it cleaned it right up. After that, I got thinking and turned down the bass a bit and I got this really cool, gnarly tone from the Mustang. I haven't clipped my nails as I usually do so I was getting a bit of bite with my fingers and having a blast jamming out.

My default setting is always to use the EQ to enhance the sound by boosting certain frequencies, but there's just as much power (maybe more) in pulling down the unwanted frequencies. Because the mid sweep on the MG800 has such a huge range, I was able to dial out the odd mid frequency and still have some balls with the tone.

Jeff - this thing is filled with surprises that just keep coming. I can't speak highly enough about the amp, although I daresay I'm trying!

We're so glad you're continuing to discover new tones and options for getting there with your various instruments. You do bring up a good comment with your "subtractive EQ" experience.
In product design we always comment that the controls "go both ways" up and down, but in our more, more, more requirements that sometimes gets lost.
I've come across many various interesting settings which are instrument OR room dependent using CUT instead of BOOST settings.

With the Magellan's CONTOUR circuitry there are many options for using Slope A or B and providing a little CUT in the EQ --- lows, mids or highs.
And your comments about finger technique, I know exactly what your taking about. I've had some great experiences with "right hand nails".
Hey I think they're playing Coachella this year.

@svtb 15 was just commenting a few days ago about his EQing experiments as well. Lots of experimentation possible when you dive deep into the layers of what makes great tone possible.

I think it is important that we EQ with our ears and not with our eyes when it comes to the various instruments being used or venues.
Frankly, I need to remind myself of this, often!!

 

[SteveC]

You do bring up a good comment with your "subtractive EQ" experience.
In product design we always comment that the controls "go both ways" up and down, but in our more, more, more requirements that sometimes gets lost. I've come across many various interesting settings which are instrument OR room dependent using CUT instead of BOOST settings.

I think it is important that we EQ with our ears and not with our eyes when it comes to the various instruments being used or venues.
Frankly, I need to remind myself of this, often!!

I've been cutting treble/highs lately. I think many decisions would be better made with our ears over our eyes.