Genzler Amplification Club

[fuzzspiral II]

Hi! I just want to share my impressions on the Kinetix, after four months that I'm playing with it. After A LOT of thinking I decided to let my SVT CL go.
I'm one of those guys that "tubes" sound like anything else (and I still am...), new amps are too lightweight to sound thick and warm, ecc ecc, so you can imagine my level of expectations: it was ridiculously high, I was already ready to send it back to thomann (where I found a Kinetix on a discount and being already a b-stock...I don't believe in signs but if they exist, that was definitely a sign ).

Without touching switches, eq, or else I played a riff and after 10 seconds (I'm not joking, 10 seconds) I already understood that nothing was missing, all the sound I needed was there and the sense of relief was glorious, since with the SVT I found the sound I was after for years and I've always been sure that nothing could have been on equals terms with it.
Not that one is better than the other, I just knew that I couldn't replace the SVT with anything else, but the Kinetix is really a beast in his own way. It can be really wild, I didn't expect that, being used to a 8/9 gain level and low-mids focused on the Ampeg. For now I found my sweet spot with the pre switch on Boost, Gain at 2, volume at 11 and master at 9 (not more or my ears will start bleeding), second switch on Thick, sometimes Fat for slow parts, Eq almost untouched, maybe mid-high and high boosted a bit. I mainly play stoner (desert blended with psychedelic and some doom parts, come and forth between rock and metal) and the Kinetix has the job done. Always, during rehearsal and in live situations. Paired with my SVT410HLF is just right, a bit boomy sometimes but nothing wrong for my taste and if I want I can adjust with knobs and switches anyway. I'm very, very pleased how sensitive is the dirt and grit under your touch, from on the edge of break up style to driven and overdriven saturation, the three valves are in there without a doubt!

Thanks to all for the advices (I was interested in both Genzler and Mesa Boogie subway series) and to @Jeff Genzler for the information in private messages.
This head is aSTONEDishing ( ), don't miss the groove and keep rockin'

Oh, I forgot to mention that it can cope with 100 F degrees plus tremendous humidity. At the end of three hours of playing the fan is still silent (not that I care in a non-recording situation anyway) and it's just warm enough.

 

[Lammchop93]

I love the ABMs. If I didn’t play a kinetix I’d go back to Ashdown. I had one of the klystron 500 heads before the kinetix. I do think ashdowns have this pillowy low end that does not fall apart, not matter how loud the amp is. It’s the only amp I’ve found to do that. But I always struggled with too much low end in their amps. I really wish they would ditch the octave section and put in a HPF. I also didn’t like so many EQ options.

I prefer a streamlined amp, and the kinetix gave me that, but still had a killer tube warmth that I struggled to find in any class D head.

 

[kringle77]

I love the ABMs. If I didn’t play a kinetix I’d go back to Ashdown. I had one of the klystron 500 heads before the kinetix. I do think ashdowns have this pillowy low end that does not fall apart, not matter how loud the amp is. It’s the only amp I’ve found to do that. But I always struggled with too much low end in their amps. I really wish they would ditch the octave section and put in a HPF. I also didn’t like so many EQ options. I prefer a streamlined amp, and the kinetix gave me that, but still had a killer tube warmth that I struggled to find in any class D head.

I love the ABMs. If I didn’t play a kinetix I’d go back to Ashdown. I had one of the klystron 500 heads before the kinetix. I do think ashdowns have this pillowy low end that does not fall apart, not matter how loud the amp is. It’s the only amp I’ve found to do that. But I always struggled with too much low end in their amps. I really wish they would ditch the octave section and put in a HPF. I also didn’t like so many EQ options. I prefer a streamlined amp, and the kinetix gave me that, but still had a killer tube warmth that I struggled to find in any class D head.

I love the ABMs. If I didn’t play a kinetix I’d go back to Ashdown. I had one of the klystron 500 heads before the kinetix. I do think ashdowns have this pillowy low end that does not fall apart, not matter how loud the amp is. It’s the only amp I’ve found to do that. But I always struggled with too much low end in their amps. I really wish they would ditch the octave section and put in a HPF. I also didn’t like so many EQ options. I prefer a streamlined amp, and the kinetix gave me that, but still had a killer tube warmth that I struggled to find in any class D head.

 

[kringle77]

I got the Magellan 800 out. It definitely has more clean headroom than the UK ABM600. I thought the svt212av was breaking up but, it was the abm. I do love the ashdown eq. That amp makes my jazz basses sing. The Magellan gives my darker, congested, high output stambaugh some clarity.

 

[TheBass]

I’ve had the Magellan 800 for several months now and have used it in many rehearsals and performances with various cabinet configurations -112, 410, 212, and 2x 115. I particularly like its dynamic headroom and low noise floor, even with aggressive treble settings and at high volumes. I’ve also compared it to my Glockenklang Steamhammer and Blue Rock power amps, as well as my AER Amp Two combo, and it held its own really well. Since I’ve owned several Genz Benz amps for more than ten years, I didn’t expect anything less. The Magellan 800 is a great amp, even under challenging stage conditions.

 

[Jason Anschutz]

I’m leaning towards the BA2 12-3slt I’m coming from a 2-10 Markbass combo. Will the Ba2 12-3slt satisfy my needs or will I be needing to stack another cab?

 

[KJAXE]

I’m leaning towards the BA2 12-3slt I’m coming from a 2-10 Markbass combo. Will the Ba2 12-3slt satisfy my needs or will I be needing to stack another cab?

I don't know where or what your needs are but I do believe the 12-3 will impress you. I'd certainly get one and see what it'll do for you and then add a 2nd if you feel necessary. It's a mighty cab

 

[kringle77]

I ran the ashdown preamp into the Magellan power section. The Magellan is much louder and sounds great with the ashdown preamp. Anyone compared the ba-410-3 to other well known cabs? It’s intriguing me but, the steep price tag makes me need a good reason to invest.

 

[Sid the Kid]

I’m leaning towards the BA2 12-3slt I’m coming from a 2-10 Markbass combo. Will the Ba2 12-3slt satisfy my needs or will I be needing to stack another cab?

It will be a big quality of tone upgrade. The Markbass 2x10 has a prominent (honky IMO) midrange, if you want that out of the BA12-3 you’ll have to dial it on the amp. Otherwise it will handle lows better without farting and has a more natural sounding top end without the tweeter hiss the Markbass combos are know for. They will be comparable in potential volume. If your band is loud or you play outdoors or bigger stages you might need a second cab, but the same could be said for the Markbass combo. Solid choice!

 

[kringle77]

I wired my dimarzio will power p pup in parallel. Now both amps sound clearer and more even in response with less or even no eq needed.

 

[cfortner]

Saturday I played a little gig in Hamburg, Germany, outside near the water:

The weather was nice while we were playing, but it rained before and after.

The sound if my Genz Benz Shuttle 9.2 at a FMC 215 with Faital neos was really great! Growl with punch and clarity, impressive power, great DI sound - perfect.

Playing with gain and volume is a pleasure, very little hiss, no hum. I don't like distorted bass sound, but some grind is welcome. The shuttle conveyed that very well.

 

[jjk2007]

I ran the ashdown preamp into the Magellan power section. The Magellan is much louder and sounds great with the ashdown preamp. Anyone compared the ba-410-3 to other well known cabs? It’s intriguing me but, the steep price tag makes me need a good reason to invest.

The BA 410 is the best 4X10 I've ever played through after owning Eden, SWR, Mesa, Hartke and having lots of experience with Ampeg, Markbass and Trace Elliot. I've had minimal experience with Aguilar and even less with Bergantino but have played some notes through them. That said....

I've mentioned many times my main band is 'old school' using floor wedges/amps for monitoring. The BA cab just projects where others cannot due to the line array stack of small drivers. That was a big reason for me buying mine and it has delivered. I just need a cabinet to deliver a full and even tone across all areas of the fingerboard. I'm not much of a slapper or tapper or any of that stuff, just a good ole finger style player. Due to the design this cabinet almost has what I would call a 3D like sound to it. It really envelopes the stage and playing low or high you get it all. The low end can get deep, mids are solid and the high end is a littler more sweet than the standard horn loaded cab that can have more of a brittle/hissy snap to it. If that's your thing the BA cab can get you there you just have to EQ for it. I've been schleping mine around for over 6 years with a few hundred gigs with it and it has been bulletproof. I've been using the MG800 and recently switched over to the Kinetix. One more thing I like about the cab is I feel like I don't really have to crank it up as loud to be heard....another benefit of the design I guess. I know this sounds like a Genzler ad but it is what it is. Keep in mind this is all my opinion and you may find the cab to not be your thing at all. Hopefully you can take one for a test drive soon and see if it's for you.

 

[Holdsg]

^^^ "I approve this message" ^^^^

 

[5StringPocket]

There is a Series 1 BA-410-3 for $1375 shipped in the classifieds. That’s a pretty good deal.
https://www.talkbass.com/classifieds/genzler-bass-array-410-3.1682504/

 

[kringle77]

Correct me if I’m

The BA 410 is the best 4X10 I've ever played through after owning Eden, SWR, Mesa, Hartke and having lots of experience with Ampeg, Markbass and Trace Elliot. I've had minimal experience with Aguilar and even less with Bergantino but have played some notes through them. That said....

I've mentioned many times my main band is 'old school' using floor wedges/amps for monitoring. The BA cab just projects where others cannot due to the line array stack of small drivers. That was a big reason for me buying mine and it has delivered. I just need a cabinet to deliver a full and even tone across all areas of the fingerboard. I'm not much of a slapper or tapper or any of that stuff, just a good ole finger style player. Due to the design this cabinet almost has what I would call a 3D like sound to it. It really envelopes the stage and playing low or high you get it all. The low end can get deep, mids are solid and the high end is a littler more sweet than the standard horn loaded cab that can have more of a brittle/hissy snap to it. If that's your thing the BA cab can get you there you just have to EQ for it. I've been schleping mine around for over 6 years with a few hundred gigs with it and it has been bulletproof. I've been using the MG800 and recently switched over to the Kinetix. One more thing I like about the cab is I feel like I don't really have to crank it up as loud to be heard....another benefit of the design I guess. I know this sounds like a Genzler ad but it is what it is. Keep in mind this is all my opinion and you may find the cab to not be your thing at all. Hopefully you can take one for a test drive soon and see if it's for you.

I appreciate the excellent review. I’m mostly a finger style player as well, but do a bit of everything. I’d love to hear what somebody who has played played both version one and two has to say about how they compare. It looks like the faital drivers were replaced with Lavoce. The Lavoce looked to be lower sensitivity, but have a lower resonant frequency and higher X max so they’re probably fatter. Also, since the woofers will be a little bit less sensitive than the fatal pro, the 3 inch drivers may shine a bit more and the cab may sound a bit brighter than version one. This is all speculation on my part, of course. I think that I may be looking for a used version two, although version one may be perfect. There are none anywhere near where I live, unfortunately.

 

[Jamvan]

If you’ve been sitting on the fence, Zzounds has a heckuva deal on the Kinetix today for their 30th anniversary.

 

[KJAXE]

If you’ve been sitting on the fence, Zzounds has a heckuva deal on the Kinetix today for their 30th anniversary.

View attachment 7566071

Get off the fence and buy it... You'll love it (can't imagine you wouldn't!)