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I already went Minimega...I'm raising funds for some custom stuff but later in 2016 I hope to try the Magellan as well as the new Mesa.
pablomigraine
Commercial User
Over the years I've owned heads from Ampeg, Warwick, Eden, Aguilar, Tecamp, EA, and countless others.... and Preamps from everyone who makes one. The Genz Benz SL900 was and still is my favorite amp ever. And the Shuttlemax is among my favorites. I thought so highly of Genz Benz I convinced two different employers of mine through the years (Daddy's Junky Music & GC / MF) to start carrying the brand. It killed me when I discovered Fender intended to dismantle the brand.
I am looking for a new amp. Here's a question for the folks who've played this amp. I have no doubt the clean side of this amp can do exactly what I need it to. What I REALLY need is an amp that has an overdrive channel that can do the subtle fur and not be too bright... the TH500 can be made to produce this, if you know what I mean. The videos I've seen of this amp so far either focus just on the clean channel, or are played with dead strings or particular EQ characteristics.
Also, regarding the FX loop.... I'm assuming this is serially arranged and placed after the EQ in the circuit? I wish more companies had Series / Parallel or Mix controls on their loops.
I am looking for a new amp. Here's a question for the folks who've played this amp. I have no doubt the clean side of this amp can do exactly what I need it to. What I REALLY need is an amp that has an overdrive channel that can do the subtle fur and not be too bright... the TH500 can be made to produce this, if you know what I mean. The videos I've seen of this amp so far either focus just on the clean channel, or are played with dead strings or particular EQ characteristics.
Also, regarding the FX loop.... I'm assuming this is serially arranged and placed after the EQ in the circuit? I wish more companies had Series / Parallel or Mix controls on their loops.
Man, what timing, I was just going to ask for opinions on the dirty channel also. I got to play one at NAMM but didn't really mess around too much with the dirt unfortunately. I'm wondering from ones that have them in hand what they'd compare the dirt to...maybe pedal-wise?
svtb15
Inactive
- Mar 22, 2004
- 13,004
- 4,741
- Disclosures
- I play it all. Whatever works for the gig. Q+
It can do subtle fur in a good way in my opinion ... But when i need that fur , i use my DarkGlass VMT since that is what im used to with my other amps...
The OD channel is unique in the way that it handles that.. I only had a few days to get into the amp on demo, and that's not enough time for me to get in deep and know it well..
So i don't have a great handle on it. Sorry about that.
But generally speaking Yes it does subtle fur pretty well.
Not like a tube amp with power tubes going into OD. No one has nailed Power Tubes going to the wall just yet.. IMO
I could sell 100 of these amp on my gigs.. Its surprising how many gear heads ask questions around here
The OD channel is unique in the way that it handles that.. I only had a few days to get into the amp on demo, and that's not enough time for me to get in deep and know it well..
So i don't have a great handle on it. Sorry about that.
But generally speaking Yes it does subtle fur pretty well.
Not like a tube amp with power tubes going into OD. No one has nailed Power Tubes going to the wall just yet.. IMO
I could sell 100 of these amp on my gigs.. Its surprising how many gear heads ask questions around here
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While not identical the B contour and drive channel can do a similar voicings to that of the TH500. So far I've just for using the drive for a bit of hair/harmonic mid complexity (which is my favorite thing about the TH family). The Magellan doesn't quite do the signature Aguilar mids but it can get in the ball park. The big difference (using a passive J bass fwiw) is the Magellan stays more tight and powerful down low. The drive can be ultra subtle and to be honest I've not played with the higher gain settings.
With the TH500 I always felt like I was sacrificing tight lows and highend clarity just to get that mid complexity and thickness. When I cranked up the TH500 it would start to get softer and the lows would get murkier when the clip/limiter started engaging....you know when the stage mix is becoming an undefined mess, exactly when I need my amp to keep it together and punch thru. The Magellan is almost the opposite as it seems to get punchier as it get louder; sounds great at low volumes but even better when it gets going.
While there may be a bit of family resemblance I think some players might make the mistake of thinking the Magellan is just a Shuttle/Shuttlemax/Streamliner redux.... Here's my best analogy; if the Shuttlemax went to a top MMA gym for a few years to train and hone it's skill-set with professional fighters; bulked up on a diet of steak and steroids...okay, maybe just legal supplements and hard work... then moved up a two weight classes it would still get smashed when it stepped into the octagon with the Magellan. Okay, that might be a little far fetched....amps can't take supplements.
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One of the things I prefer about the MG800 over the miniMega, which I owned for a short time, is the overdrive can go from nothing to furry. Engaging the mM Crunch I had to keep the preamp gain so low to dial in just a bit there was a barely any gain at all. I'm not trashing the mM, it's a fine amp with tons of clean power and useful features but the Megellan is more to my personal taste. I've only had it a day and used it on one gig but it was most impressive even though I didn't get to do much tweaking. The two contours were excellent each with a distinctive character. I had a ShuttleMax 12.0 and a Streamliner 900 a while back and while those were somewhat reminiscent but the MG800 is above and beyond. I never even touched the e.q. but I'll get another chance to mess with it tonight. The only thing I might miss is the ability to blend the clean channel and the drive channel. However, since the Drive channel has so much control, I don't think it will be an issue.
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That looks just like the rig I'm going for. I have a Big Twin 2 on order and just got my MG800. Which Barefaced cab is that?
Looks like a Super Twin. Like a Big Twin without the tweeter.
Big Twin can, by dialing off the tweeter, be just like a Super Twin; it sends all those frequencies back to the driver.
This had been in my previous post but I'm tired and that post was so long and rambling. Lest if be lost in that mass of....words... I thought I'd just post this here because I think it's important (at least to me).
The sound of this amp has so impressed me I had forgotten to mention the build quality.... and this thing is gorgeous! The rounded, brushed aluminum enclosure and recessed allen heads are so sleek and clean. Juxtaposing the Magellan to the Shuttlemax or some of the recent class D's and the aesthetic difference is obvious. The fan is super quiet and it doesn't make a loud click when it gets around to turning on. There is no annoying, loud "pop" thru the speakers when it is turned on or shut down. I had some amps do that really bad and it always annoys me. Kudos to Jeff and the Genzler crew for just knocking it out of the park with the details!
Also FWIW I was a huge fan of the Shuttlemax and gigged the heck out of my 12.2 for 3.5 years. As with all amps I had my pet peeves with the 12.2 but overall is was a fantastically reliable amp that sat in the mix extremely well. I can't count the amount of complements I received on the sound of that amp. If I've seemed enthusiastic about the Magellen 800 it's because everything I nitpicked about the Shuttlemax seems to have been improved or resolved in this one.
The sound of this amp has so impressed me I had forgotten to mention the build quality.... and this thing is gorgeous! The rounded, brushed aluminum enclosure and recessed allen heads are so sleek and clean. Juxtaposing the Magellan to the Shuttlemax or some of the recent class D's and the aesthetic difference is obvious. The fan is super quiet and it doesn't make a loud click when it gets around to turning on. There is no annoying, loud "pop" thru the speakers when it is turned on or shut down. I had some amps do that really bad and it always annoys me. Kudos to Jeff and the Genzler crew for just knocking it out of the park with the details!
Also FWIW I was a huge fan of the Shuttlemax and gigged the heck out of my 12.2 for 3.5 years. As with all amps I had my pet peeves with the 12.2 but overall is was a fantastically reliable amp that sat in the mix extremely well. I can't count the amount of complements I received on the sound of that amp. If I've seemed enthusiastic about the Magellen 800 it's because everything I nitpicked about the Shuttlemax seems to have been improved or resolved in this one.
- May 20, 2002
- 1,384
- 1,225
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- Provided content for Genzler Amplification
I think you will be very happy with the drive channel on the MG800. The best term I can think of describe it is "musical". I've found many drive circuits on solid state amps sound thin and artificial. This one does mild overdrive and serious grit very well.
Keep your eyes peeled. Some demos featuring the drive channel will be available soon.
The reason I ended up with a SM9.2 was because of you!
At the time, this was the best amp for me.
My local dealer now has these in stock and I will addition shortly although the kid in college and the one that just graduated both need $$.
Funny how that always happens when daddy wants new toy…
Yeah, I don't usually gush over products, but with the Magellan and my Super Twin, I'm done. How do I deactivate my talkbass account?
Head performed wonderfully last night. So easy to find multiple chest pounding, solid tones that sat well in the mix for a variety of music (last night was a Top 40 coverband). I hate the term heft, but it has it across the board, and I wasn't expecting that from a micro in a band setting.
Nothing seems gimmicky either. I'm usually not much of a knob twiddler, but so far, everything has been useful. It was fun experimenting. Options and layout are very well executed. Huge leap (logical step) forward from the Shuttle/Streamliners. Very solidly built. DI sounded great as well.
I used a pair of Bass Array 12-3's and a passive P bass (Dingwall Super P). No effects. Just bass - wireless (Shure GLX-D16) - amp - cabs. Sounded so good, I forgot to experiment with my active bass on the gig (Musicman Sterling with EMG HS config). I'll give that a try this week.
Nothing seems gimmicky either. I'm usually not much of a knob twiddler, but so far, everything has been useful. It was fun experimenting. Options and layout are very well executed. Huge leap (logical step) forward from the Shuttle/Streamliners. Very solidly built. DI sounded great as well.
I used a pair of Bass Array 12-3's and a passive P bass (Dingwall Super P). No effects. Just bass - wireless (Shure GLX-D16) - amp - cabs. Sounded so good, I forgot to experiment with my active bass on the gig (Musicman Sterling with EMG HS config). I'll give that a try this week.
- May 20, 2002
- 1,384
- 1,225
- Disclosures
- Provided content for Genzler Amplification
Now, take the following with a grain of salt since I'm not a doubler.
I think it might do quite well. I like a woody, organic tone most of the time. I play a couple of chambered basses with mag and piezo pups. I'm not trying to copy a double bass sound, but I do like the character of the instrument to be preserved to a certain degree. That's why I've favored solid state amps over the past few years, I don't want too much tube flavor. Many double bass players I've seen over the past few years have been using GK amps (rb series). I think that the Magellan preserves more of character of the instrument. Again, take with a grain of salt, but I think you should definitely make the effort to give it a try. With how musical the Contour control is, you might find it a welcome addition.
I don't see how it could sound bad. It's a very warm and responsive amp. Sounds great with my acoustic electric with an under the saddle piezo which should be similar to a bridge pickup on an upright.
Jeff Genzler
Commercial User
- Feb 9, 2007
- 1,819
- 11,893
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- Currently GENZLER AMPLIFICATION / Formerly GENZ BENZ
Bassstringsonline has some in stock (was just placing an order for a carrying bag) and Jason is a good dude, always gets me my stuff fast. Also check Rocket Music, also very cool to deal with.
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