Genzler Kinetix vs ampeg venture

[Mastermold]

Exactly. Jeff Genzler is very accessible. Mr. Ampeg (Jess Oliver) passed away a long time ago.

I got to meet Jess Oliver once at a NAMM show, back when they were releasing the B-15 reissues. He was in a wheelchair but Ampeg was taking him around the exhibit and he seemed happy to be there.

 

[J Wilson]

I've heard neither of these amps being talked about here, and I would I think feel a bit better that Ampeg is now part of Yamaha (IF they have extended Yamaha-style customer service to this line).

However, there is ZERO question in my mind that the build quality, performance, and more importantly after-sale service could not be better than Genz Benz and the current Genzler organization: Mr G makes frequent stops here in TB, and his work with @agedhorse on GenzBenz service (and certainly Andy's work in the Mesa Subway line) would make it very hard for me to consider anything else.

Your results may vary.

 

[edwinhurwitz]

I got to meet Jess Oliver once at a NAMM show, back when they were releasing the B-15 reissues. He was in a wheelchair but Ampeg was taking him around the exhibit and he seemed happy to be there.

When I was going to Berklee in the early 80s, all the bass amps were Oliver 25 watt tube amps. I guess they were adequate for upright in a jazz context but completely useless for electric bass in any modern context. A few years after I graduated, I was visiting the bass department and they just gave me one because they were trying to get rid of them at that point. I kind of wish I had hung onto it.

 

[Mastermold]

When I was going to Berklee in the early 80s, all the bass amps were Oliver 25 watt tube amps. I guess they were adequate for upright in a jazz context but completely useless for electric bass in any modern context. A few years after I graduated, I was visiting the bass department and they just gave me one because they were trying to get rid of them at that point. I kind of wish I had hung onto it.

Found a YouTube video, it was 15 years ago. This young man performed for Jess while I stood in the back watching (brown shirt).

 

[N. Kentucky Bass]

I didn't want to do this but after seeing so many of your posts referring to it as the Kinetics 800, I thought I'd finally correct you on it for any future posts, searches and confusion. It's actually called the Kinetix 800. No offense intended, just want to see it called by its correct named as Jeff and company named it. I know Jeff noticed it also, but he's way too nice to say anything.

I thought some about this comment and it forced me to write a blues....

Kinetically True Tone Blues

I dropped the "x" in Kinetix, and the forum cops came quick
Nitpickin' letters while tone talk got the stick
'Cause seven-dot-two pounds of tube-like fire ain't ninety pounds of brick

Brand names look weird by plan, to grab you in the scroll
But if it sings like real tubes, that’s the heart and soul
Spell it wrong, spell it right — the X tone is my one true goal

 

[Jeff Genzler]

I thought some about this comment and it forced me to write a blues....

Kinetically True Tone Blues

I dropped the "x" in Kinetix, and the forum cops came quick
Nitpickin' letters while tone talk got the stick
'Cause seven-dot-two pounds of tube-like fire ain't ninety pounds of brick

Brand names look weird by plan, to grab you in the scroll
But if it sings like real tubes, that’s the heart and soul
Spell it wrong, spell it right — the X tone is my one true goal

That's great. I don't think we've ever had a song written about one of our products. Love it.
And your spelling of the amp never concerned me. I'm always appreciative that we are such a cohesive community.
Play on!

 

[DaveDeVille]

... i've owned and played the Ampeg Venture V7 and the Genzler Kinetix 800 .
the Ampeg sounded ok , but the Genzler sounds awesome ...
the Genzler has been solid as a rock , plenty of tone and volume .
sold the Ampeg , kept the Genzler .

 

[Mighty]

My son plays in a loud rock band with two guitarists, both with Marshall half-stacks, and a hard-hitting drummer. The bass player uses a Genzler MG-350 into an Ampeg 610 cabinet with no PA/FOH support and it's very loud. The additional wattage and features of the Kinetix would serve you well.

I have been using Genz Benz and Genzler gear for years, and their quality and customer service are as good as it gets.

Both are good choices. My choice would be the Genzler Kinetix, it’s similar to the previous generation Genz Benz Streamliner which I’ve used for many years along with SVTs. Don’t worry about it handling the large cabinets, it will.

I didn't want to do this but after seeing so many of your posts referring to it as the Kinetics 800, I thought I'd finally correct you on it for any future posts, searches and confusion. It's actually called the Kinetix 800. No offense intended, just want to see it called by its correct named as Jeff and company named it. I know Jeff noticed it also, but he's way too nice to say anything.

lol yeah I know what it’s called and how it’s spelled thanks must have been auto correct I’m pretty sure everyone knows what I was talking about but at least you were paying attention to my grammar

 

[Mighty]

Been using Ampeg svt pro4 for decades and now pro7 with sansamp di but really trying to simplify and lighten up without losing volume and tone so I’m looking at ampeg venture V12 Vs Genzler kinetix 800 I play live n loud next to a way loud drummer and guitarist and yeah my hearing isnt the best from years of this. has anyone played both the kinetix and the venture I’m leaning towards Genzler kinetix since I have a the svt pros but kinda wonder if it will push 610 or 810 can easily and be big n loud enough to cut and destroy!

lol yeah I know what it’s called and how it’s spelled thanks must have been auto correct I’m pretty sure everyone knows what I was talking about but at least you were paying attention to my grammar

Thanks for all the replies I went with the Genzler KINETIX 800 mostly because I wanted something different than the average Joe and it gets rave reviews I will say this ….it doesn’t suck! I love My SVTs but this little guy kicks ass too so I’m going to give it run.

 

[Mighty]

... i've owned and played the Ampeg Venture V7 and the Genzler Kinetix 800 .
the Ampeg sounded ok , but the Genzler sounds awesome ...
the Genzler has been solid as a rock , plenty of tone and volume .
sold the Ampeg , kept the Genzler .

View attachment 7474959
View attachment 7474967

I kept my svt’s sold off couple speaker cabs and got the Genzler so far it’s doing what I want it to

 

[Mighty]

Ampeg if you like questionable reliability and then having to try to get hold of someone who speaks English in order to get repairs done from a mom and pop shop who will throw in any spare parts laying around, the amp will never be the same, probably not a bad thing. Get the Kinetix if you want a great sounding reliable amp with much better resale value backed my Jeff himself if there were ever an unlikely issue. If you're looking at wattage between these 2 amps 1200 vs 800 you can throw that number out the window. Companies can make the numbers look any way they want just by shifting specs around to look impressive. Get a Bugera Veyron for example 2000 watts for just $309, wow I bet that blows the other 2 others amps you are considering out of the water for much less money, seems to be a no brainer!!!!

I

That's great. I don't think we've ever had a song written about one of our products. Love it.
And your spelling of the amp never concerned me. I'm always appreciative that we are such a cohesive community.
Play on!

thanx Jeff this thing is very nicely built and sounds amazing like I said I have been loyal ampeg for 30+ years but weary about the quality of the newer line. I’m really diggin this one and glad I did the research and made purchase. It’s a ripper so far

 

[Yahboy]

This alone is honestly why I'd go Genzler. I got to have a phone call with the company CEO before making a purchase. Can't think of many companies that allow that.

 

[Mighty]

So bottom line I was using the svt pro7 with sansamp di in the effects loop to keep it semi transparent but give it the extra warmth and punch/volume without clipping which was great but I’m not a fan of extra pedals n prefer clean no nonsense power but the Genzler Kinetix 800 will punch a hole in your chest no problem as is. Thanks to everyone for your thoughts

 

[ahc]

Everett Hull was Mr.Ampeg. He was the founder and inventor of the "Amplified Peg" for double bass. Strangely enough, Mr. Hull hated Rock n Roll. Jess Oliver joined Ampeg in 1956 and became vice president. And eventually, Mr. B-15.

 

[Saetia]

I've heard neither of these amps being talked about here, and I would I think feel a bit better that Ampeg is now part of Yamaha (IF they have extended Yamaha-style customer service to this line).

However, there is ZERO question in my mind that the build quality, performance, and more importantly after-sale service could not be better than Genz Benz and the current Genzler organization: Mr G makes frequent stops here in TB, and his work with @agedhorse on GenzBenz service (and certainly Andy's work in the Mesa Subway line) would make it very hard for me to consider anything else.

Your results may vary.

I hear you there - aside from my old GK 700rbii that I keep around, the only other brands I let in for heads are Mesa and Genzler. 800D and MG800. IMO they are at the top of the amplifier echelon. I don’t necessarily buy into the class D vs everything else war, but I can say that they understand and implement the technology in the most musical way it makes sense the two industry leaders in the tech have history.

With that I will say that Yamaha does employ six-sigma continuous improvement and leans heavily into quality and data driven methodology. I can not comment on their implementation, but my experience as an AS9100 auditor (after a decade and a half of being a CNC machinist) prior to entering the corporate world is that companies who employ such processes operate in a much more streamlined manner as they have to for conformance reasons. Documentation and traceability allow for gauging variation in process. Remove the variation and you’re able to better pin point weakness in the process and thus drive down NCM etc.

As I mention - I have no Yamaha experience so I cannot comment on that, and my personal experience says you can’t go wrong with Mesa or Genzler. I don’t think I could live without either at this point.

 

[CamJazzBass]

I tried the Venture 7 and was underwhelmed. It had that natural voiced Ampeg sound and good EQ. I like that. But that was it. Compression wasn't good. I did not like the drive characters. And compared to other 700-800 watt Class D offerings I have tried, it seemed under powered. If you were to get one, move up to the Venture 12, it won't be too much.

Now the cabs, I love my VB 88 cab. That thing is outstanding and sounds great with any amp. I've run my SVT-3, GK, and cheap TC through it and it sounds really good with anything.

Can't speak to the Kinetix, but I'm sure it is probably pretty dang good being a Genzler product.

 

[Saetia]

I tried the Venture 7 and was underwhelmed. It had that natural voiced Ampeg sound and good EQ. I like that. But that was it. Compression wasn't good. I did not like the drive characters. And compared to other 700-800 watt Class D offerings I have tried, it seemed under powered. If you were to get one, move up to the Venture 12, it won't be too much.

Now the cabs, I love my VB 88 cab. That thing is outstanding and sounds great with any amp. I've run my SVT-3, GK, and cheap TC through it and it sounds really good with anything.

Can't speak to the Kinetix, but I'm sure it is probably pretty dang good being a Genzler product.

The VB 88 is probably the only Ampeg product that has my interest NGL.

 

[BassAdder27]

I’ve had a Venture V7 and the MG800. The Venture was very under powered in comparison ( massively so ) and felt cheaply made. The MG800 is a beautiful looking amp and sounds awesome.
What do I gig with, well it’s Ampeg but a V4B RI rig and at 100w all valve it sounds awesome with a different sound and feel that only a valve amp gives (3D kind of sound )
My MG800 is now my back up amp