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Genzler Amplification ! New Genz Benz ?
- Thread starter svtb15
- Start date
I am so happy with my BA12-3 stack that even though I would love to play through a stack of the BA210's just to know what they sound like, in this case, I think ignorance is bliss! And no doubt, much cheaper!!
So, I took the plunge on the Magellan 800 after reading all the great reviews and how the descriptions were exactly what I like in an amp. After initially A/B'ing it flat against my MarkBass LMII (also a great amp) at home, I was surprised and dismayed on how similar they sound. But after taking the Magellan 800 to my first rehearsal, I am really liking it so far. I would agree with other assessments that it has a lot of heft to the notes and is clean and articulate. And, that was being run at 8 Ohms (I can just image how good it sounds at 4).
I like that it is lightweight but not too small and too lightweight that it feels cheap and flimsy and that it might take a plunge off of the cab at the slightest pull. It's at the perfect sweet spot.
My only constructive criticism so far would be that the cooling grills on the sides are a bit sharp and if you were to grab it the wrong way, you could potentially find yourself with some sliced fingers. If those could be rounded or smoothed out somehow (the sharp edges are on the inside face of the aluminum chassis), that would be ideal.
I look forward to hearing it on the gig this weekend!
I like that it is lightweight but not too small and too lightweight that it feels cheap and flimsy and that it might take a plunge off of the cab at the slightest pull. It's at the perfect sweet spot.
My only constructive criticism so far would be that the cooling grills on the sides are a bit sharp and if you were to grab it the wrong way, you could potentially find yourself with some sliced fingers. If those could be rounded or smoothed out somehow (the sharp edges are on the inside face of the aluminum chassis), that would be ideal.
I look forward to hearing it on the gig this weekend!
A new Genzler cab will work. .. if the Contour combo has an 8 ohm speaker inside it. ..another 8 ohm cab will work.
Whether it sounds good is another matter. I'd be trying to find a matching contour ext cab if that's possible
So I FINALLY got a chance to use the MG-800 at volume. My drummer buddy rang me up last night for a last-minute jam, and while my wife was mildly dismayed that I was bombing out of the house once the kids were in bed I still managed to make it happen.
THIS AMP IS BEAUTIFUL. It's really a thing to behold. I've been loving the tone I get from my friend's GBE 750 and Genz-Benz 212 and I initially found the Magellan as I was looking at Genz Benz gear. This was the first chance I got to hear the MG-800 through the same cab I've been rehearsing through forever.
It was definitely able to achieve the grindy, clanky, gritty tone I'd been hearing from the 750 all this time, which sealed the deal for me - this was the one thing I wasn't able to really hear via headphones or the other cabs I tested. What really impressed me was how it really showed off all the tones I have in my instrument, and honestly I can't think of a better compliment for an amp. I use a PJ with steel strings and have foam mutes I can turn on and off, so I can get everything from the classic Jaco-y Jazz bridge pickup thing, to the 70's rock P tone to something more modern with both pickups up full to the classic P tone with the mutes on the the tone rolled off. It handled all of these really well, and didn't add really too much on it's own. In fact, I was surprised that with the EQ flat the sound wasn't excessively bassy and I realized that most of the amps I've played through seem to overcompensate in this area. I could easily get there if I rolled up the bass on the amp, but I feel like I'll better be able to control the unpredictable rumble of a new room than I have in the past.
Any doubts I had are gone. Next step is to take this to the gig, but I haven't been this psyched about my tone in ages. I'm very much a "whatever works" kind of guy, so I've limped through many a gig with less than inspiring tone just because that's the way of things. I feel like this will be a game changer, even though I'll be using various cabinets.
Thanks, Jeff - you've really got a good thing here.
THIS AMP IS BEAUTIFUL. It's really a thing to behold. I've been loving the tone I get from my friend's GBE 750 and Genz-Benz 212 and I initially found the Magellan as I was looking at Genz Benz gear. This was the first chance I got to hear the MG-800 through the same cab I've been rehearsing through forever.
It was definitely able to achieve the grindy, clanky, gritty tone I'd been hearing from the 750 all this time, which sealed the deal for me - this was the one thing I wasn't able to really hear via headphones or the other cabs I tested. What really impressed me was how it really showed off all the tones I have in my instrument, and honestly I can't think of a better compliment for an amp. I use a PJ with steel strings and have foam mutes I can turn on and off, so I can get everything from the classic Jaco-y Jazz bridge pickup thing, to the 70's rock P tone to something more modern with both pickups up full to the classic P tone with the mutes on the the tone rolled off. It handled all of these really well, and didn't add really too much on it's own. In fact, I was surprised that with the EQ flat the sound wasn't excessively bassy and I realized that most of the amps I've played through seem to overcompensate in this area. I could easily get there if I rolled up the bass on the amp, but I feel like I'll better be able to control the unpredictable rumble of a new room than I have in the past.
Any doubts I had are gone. Next step is to take this to the gig, but I haven't been this psyched about my tone in ages. I'm very much a "whatever works" kind of guy, so I've limped through many a gig with less than inspiring tone just because that's the way of things. I feel like this will be a game changer, even though I'll be using various cabinets.
Thanks, Jeff - you've really got a good thing here.
Last edited:
- Sep 3, 2006
- 4,358
- 6,117
- Disclosures
- Authorized dealer for Dingwall, Genzler, Phil Jones Bass, Cort, Traynor, Yorkville Sound
I would think the MG112 would be a good match but you would have to check out the footprint for stacking.
Not good...... If you are saying that the MG800 can get me the tone that I adore out of my GBE750 without the weight,.....now I have to add this to my list of "must haves". The TB place is getting expensive.
Yes, that's exactly what I'm saying. Look - your tastes may vary from mine, but it's certainly in the same ballpark, moreso than other amps I've tried. Don't mean to add to your GAS list, but should you get the opportunity to try one you really should. Your back will thank you.
Update on my first gig with my new Genzler BA210 cabs. I only took one tonight it was a medium sized room that would hold about 100-150 people with full band including drums. It easily handled it with plenty of power to spare with me only using about 50% of volume. This cabinet is much clearer sounding throughout compared to using 1 of the 12-3 arrays. It had killer punch and I was able to play anywhere on the neck and get crystal clear tone that was so smooth. The 12's seemed to have more low end bottom but I like these better when you have a full band that is loud volumes. I believe they will cut through better. I just love the 12-3 and the 210-3 arrays. Best cabinets I've ever played through.
Jeff Genzler
Commercial User
- Feb 9, 2007
- 1,820
- 11,900
- Disclosures
- Currently GENZLER AMPLIFICATION / Formerly GENZ BENZ
Interesting observations. Thank you for your purchase and continued experimentation with our gear. Your findings are correct, the BA12-3 does have a deeper LF extension but the BA210-3 delivers more "gut punch". The BA210-3 is slightly scooped in the low mids compared to the BA12-3. This difference in the low mids interacts differently with the transition to the Array column and appears to offer a little more separation of the woofers and the Array. To me the result seems like the BA210-3 is a little brighter than the BA12-3. Your mileage may vary.
MichaelOz
Commercial User
This set-up is the best I've ever played. I don't need any more brightness, I've actually rolled of treble on the bass AND the amp and it does both: sit in the mix and cut through. Loving it.
The MG-800 turned heads last night at rehearsal. I got some awesome comments/feedback from the guitarist. I slapped some fresh steel strings on the PJ this weekend and they sounded fantastic. Super psyched to get this thing out on the gig!
bumping up this old thread.
I'm well into one year with the Magellan head, and so far still very pleased with my choice.
takes anything I throw at it and makes it sound good:
passive p-bass, active 5-er jazz bass, fretless, upright...all good
I'm well into one year with the Magellan head, and so far still very pleased with my choice.
takes anything I throw at it and makes it sound good:
passive p-bass, active 5-er jazz bass, fretless, upright...all good
Yeah...It's kind of boring. It does what it's supposed to do, sounds great, no issues whatsoever. 
I don't anticipate buying another amp in the near or distant future. Great Amp !!
I don't anticipate buying another amp in the near or distant future. Great Amp !!
my upright setup, nice, warm, full, dripping with goodness tone.
I love the minimalist approach! With the exception of your instrument, it all looks extremely portable.
