Genzler Amplification Club

[Old Blastard]

@Old Blastard uses a BA10 on top of a BA210. He might have some insight...

I have really loved the sound out of both cabs. They can rumble deep with tweaks to the contour controls but what I get compliments on a lot from non-bass players -- and these are unsolicited comments much to the chagrin of our guitarist -- is how clear and full they sound.

My guess is much of what folks hear is the bass array set up. For me, that's been the biggest change after playing 15s for 40 years.

 

[N. Kentucky Bass]

Cross posting here from my review on the Genzler Amplification site....

I bought a Genzler Magellan-ULV-112T a few months after getting a ULV-212T. I'm a convert to the "two-is-better" crowd, but noticed the 212 was pushing a bit too much air in my small home studio. As I was also addicted to the fabulous Genzler sound, I decided to try the smaller ULV-112T and was knocked away by this tiny locomotive.

Not sure why I was surprised but the 112 sounds exactly like its big brother. The one exception was the physics of the bigger cab had more natural presence. I use Kinetix 800 and Magellan 800 amps, and found that boosting the bass knob to 1:30 or so dialed a very close sense of the bigger cab's natural presence. The smaller cab is a perfect match for the room size, and I've also discovered is more than adequate for generating bass in smaller venues like band practice, bars, restaurants, etc. Last night I gigged this in Cincinnati's second-oldest bar (opened in 1895!). It's a typical bar room and even filled with people, I had to turn down the volume a bit for balanced, clear low-tone.

Apart from its wonderful sound, the ULV-112T brings ergonomic benefits that are just as important. At a mere 19.5 pounds, this little beast weighs half of a typical 112. I still can't get over how easy it is to pick up with the well-placed grab bar. And it's a small box! The ULV-112T is so small, I can squeeze it into the back of my pickup truck's cab without having to move the passenger seat out of the way (and the seat is mostly slid back). Quick-and-slick transfers without hassle. The small size and weight also bring another benefit: moving gig gear is an easy one hand roll. As shown in the photo, the cab, gig bag, and amp fill just 2/3 of a small folding cart. I can easily bump this down steps (like the three outside my house door) or pull up steps (like the three steps in front of last night's gig entry)--all with just ONE hand. That leaves the other to navigate railings or wave to music fans.

If observations like these tick the boxes on your shopping list, I encourage you to give the ULV-112T a try. It's a solid winner for me!

 

[ImTheOnlyOne]

Cross posting here from my review on the Genzler Amplification site....

I bought a Genzler Magellan-ULV-112T a few months after getting a ULV-212T. I'm a convert to the "two-is-better" crowd, but noticed the 212 was pushing a bit too much air in my small home studio. As I was also addicted to the fabulous Genzler sound, I decided to try the smaller ULV-112T and was knocked away by this tiny locomotive.

Not sure why I was surprised but the 112 sounds exactly like its big brother. The one exception was the physics of the bigger cab had more natural presence. I use Kinetix 800 and Magellan 800 amps, and found that boosting the bass knob to 1:30 or so dialed a very close sense of the bigger cab's natural presence. The smaller cab is a perfect match for the room size, and I've also discovered is more than adequate for generating bass in smaller venues like band practice, bars, restaurants, etc. Last night I gigged this in Cincinnati's second-oldest bar (opened in 1895!). It's a typical bar room and even filled with people, I had to turn down the volume a bit for balanced, clear low-tone.

Apart from its wonderful sound, the ULV-112T brings ergonomic benefits that are just as important. At a mere 19.5 pounds, this little beast weighs half of a typical 112. I still can't get over how easy it is to pick up with the well-placed grab bar. And it's a small box! The ULV-112T is so small, I can squeeze it into the back of my pickup truck's cab without having to move the passenger seat out of the way (and the seat is mostly slid back). Quick-and-slick transfers without hassle. The small size and weight also bring another benefit: moving gig gear is an easy one hand roll. As shown in the photo, the cab, gig bag, and amp fill just 2/3 of a small folding cart. I can easily bump this down steps (like the three outside my house door) or pull up steps (like the three steps in front of last night's gig entry)--all with just ONE hand. That leaves the other to navigate railings or wave to music fans.

If observations like these tick the boxes on your shopping list, I encourage you to give the ULV-112T a try. It's a solid winner for me!

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Nice.

Next up - a Kinetix/800+ hybrid in a 350 chassis and WHAM. Magellan 350+?

Also, that neat, one trip stack on the folding hand truck has an understated beauty.

 

[Hawk620]

It seems that many of us who are using the smaller Genzler cabs were initially surprised at how well they perform even with just a single cab. I started out with the MG350 Combo and found that even alone it could easily handle a gig in a smaller venue or serve as a personal stage monitor if a full PA system was being used.

I added a second cab mostly to get all 350w from the head and learned how two cabs offered more than 2x one cab. I gotta hand it to Jeff and his designs and engineering as far as how to create something that sounds much bigger out of small lightweight bass cabs. Having that kind of portability without sacrificing sound is pretty important to me.

 

[Old Blastard]

It seems that many of us who are using the smaller Genzler cabs were initially surprised at how well they perform even with just a single cab. I started out with the MG350 Combo and found that even alone it could easily handle a gig in a smaller venue or serve as a personal stage monitor if a full PA system was being used.

I added a second cab mostly to get all 350w from the head and learned how two cabs offered more than 2x one cab. I gotta hand it to Jeff and his designs and engineering as far as how to create something that sounds much bigger out of small lightweight bass cabs. Having that kind of portability without sacrificing sound is pretty important to me.

I've stuck the BA 10 on top of my Genz Benz Contour 500 and run it with the GB's 15" with tweeter off. Man, that's a sound to behold

 

[RColie]

The cover for my ULV-210T has arrived so I'll be taking it out for the first time tomorrow afternoon. The venue is a large outdoor covered area of a BBQ restaurant. At this point I'm thinking of using the MG800+ into the ULV210 and one ULV112, with the 210 on top. Looking forward to it, and I'll report back!

 

[Holdsg]

Bet it will sound good. Safe bet.

 

[Fishface]

I haven't pulled out the NC212 with the MG800 in a while, so for no other reason than wanting to hear/feel it again I brought it out to an outdoor show.
Normally using in-ears with Genzler 4OTF and Pre-DI, so the amps have been getting some rest. Not last night though.
First note after turning it on turned a few heads in the band & crew. It was unnecessary, but I "needed it".

The rig (not including pedal-board & Moog):

The venue prior to load-in:

The stage after setup:

Prior to sound-check (45-min before the show):

 

[Fishface]

Here's a couple of vids using the 4OTF & MG PRE-DI:

 

[Jeff Genzler]

The cover for my ULV-210T has arrived so I'll be taking it out for the first time tomorrow afternoon. The venue is a large outdoor covered area of a BBQ restaurant. At this point I'm thinking of using the MG800+ into the ULV210 and one ULV112, with the 210 on top. Looking forward to it, and I'll report back!

Great Bob, glad the cover arrived in time. That sounds like a great set up for this gig. Please take pics, but if I can request if you could add a nice juicy plate of ribs on top, your tone will be extra tasty.

 

[jjk2007]

All you guys who are out playing this weekend have fun! I had to black out this weekend for work related duties (gotta do it every once in a while) but will be back at it next weekend. Can't wait to hear those reviews of the ULV cabs and maybe we'll get some sound clips too!?!?

 

[nervous]

I know it’s been said before but the MG350 is so incredibly capable that I question my need for my MG800.

 

[Old Blastard]

I've managed to get what I want to hear out of the MG350 and haven't needed anything g more than those 350 watts. Still look lustfully toward the Kinetix though...

 

[N. Kentucky Bass]

I've managed to get what I want to hear out of the MG350 and haven't needed anything g more than those 350 watts. Still look lustfully toward the Kinetix though...

Genzler amps are like ice cream. Sometimes you like chocolate. Sometimes vanilla. But you can't stop lickin' 'em!

 

[MattLplaysBass]

Pretty sure licking your amp voids the warranty

 

[SteveC]

Finally get a chance to use the MG350-12T-V combo. Outside (at least I’m shaded) at a small vineyard in NW Minnesota. Stomp. iPad. P with flats. Acoustic singer/songwriter writer duo with special guests. Master at about 9 o’clock and gain around 10 o’clock. This little rig always impresses.

 

[3wavylines]

@TheBass ---- Good question. While the HPF is set at approx 28 - 30Hz at 24dB slope, the LF "feel" of the amp is impacted by a few of the other features.
When using the DRIVE channel, the more you turn up the GAIN control, it also rolls up the low frequency response so that the overdriven tone stays tight and does not get flubby or tubby. While the HPF stays as it is set, the amp feels different in the low end. As well, the Contour B does something similar, the more you roll up that B control it raises the lower frequency somewhat and enhances a bump in the 80 Hz range as well.
I hope this is helpful.

I have used an MG-800 as my main amp for many years. I was aware of many of the above aspects of the amp EQ, but this post got me thinking about it in a different way.

For most of what I play, I am looking for a vintagey tone with a bit of drive. So I gravitate toward Contour B (amber). In the past, I have tried the MG-800 built-in drive, but I didn’t actually care for the slight decrease in low frequencies. Sometimes I tried adding back a little bass in the EQ. Mostly I would use a drive pedal or go without.

This time, hearing how Contour B and the drive channel both roll off/up the low end a bit, made me realize that I am overlaying 2 low end EQs that might both be doing similar things.

That gave me the idea to try the drive with Contour A (blue). For most songs Contour A gives me more low end that I would be looking for, but adding the drive rolls that low end off a bit. The drive also adds some mid content that fills in the scoop somewhat. At the same time, Contour A combined with the drive can keep a bit more low end than Contour B combined with the drive.

I have been giving this a try, and so far I have been liking it. (I think it’s real, and not just a placebo effect…)

One nice side effect of doing things this way is that, since the drive on the MG-800 is foot-switchable, I can go from my vintage/rock tone (drive + Contour A) to a clean full range tone (Contour A alone) using only the footswitch.

In the past I thought -

my tone = vintage = Contour B
and
Contour A = modern/scooped = not my tone

So it never occurred to me to combine the drive and Contour A.

Also, based on the MG-800 meets B-15 meets AI posts a while back, I have the EQ set to roll off some upper(?) mids with the frequency set around 10 o’clock. I think that also helps with the vintagey tone.

Anyway, I really appreciate Jeff and Talkbass because I keep getting a better understanding of the finer points of my music equipment, and it helps me get the most out of it. Thanks!

 

[Old Blastard]

I think that AI post is the one I used to get my B-15 sound. Works great for the Americana band while The alt rock band gets a whole different set up plus 4OTF

 

[SteveC]

When I play these small gigs with an amp, I’m always pleased (maybe reminded) how nice everything sounds. My bass, the amp, any effects, etc.

My main gigs - cover band and church - are both silent stage/IEM type situations. It sounds good out front and all, and I’m used to the tone I have in my ears, but it never sounds like an amp.

I do sometimes wish we used amps on stage, but I don’t miss the extra hauling and expense.

 

[Loring]

When I play these small gigs with an amp, I’m always pleased (maybe reminded) how nice everything sounds. My bass, the amp, any effects, etc.

My main gigs - cover band and church - are both silent stage/IEM type situations. It sounds good out front and all, and I’m used to the tone I have in my ears, but it never sounds like an amp.

I do sometimes wish we used amps on stage, but I don’t miss the extra hauling and expense.

Do you use the mg as a preamp/DI?.