Genzler Magellan 800 & Greenboy Cabs

[Michael Walker]

Like many of you here I'm on a seemingly never ending quest to find the best combination of tone, power, size, flexibility, and weight for my rig. I've rehearsed or gigged on most of the major names out there and some of the less knowns too. Recently I was turned on to Greenboy cabs and picked up a Fearless F115 JHawk from another TB'er. I'm also very interested in the new Genzler 800 head.

I'm wondering if any of you Greenboys out there are using the Genzler to push your cab? If so what are your thoughts? Enough headroom for large stages and a very loud drummer/band?

If that's not a good marriage, what about a standalone head and and separate preamp?

Or perhaps a Carvin 1600 or Carvin 2000?

As mentioned I have the Fearless F115 on the way, and I also have a number of Aguilar, Eden, and Carvin cabs too. If I dig the Greenboy enough I might grab another to make a matching pair. I like having options as far as number of cabs depending on the room.

Let me know your thoughts fellow bottom dwellers!

 

[Deadsound]

I did a couple gigs with one over the summer into a single 12/6 and the power section is awesome, probably the best I've tried in a micro, and I went through a bunch.

The preamp wasn't really to my liking, but many people like it, and it certainly is flexible. I used an external preamp into the effects return with great results. This head is as good a choice there is in the micro world right now IMO.

 

[Interceptor]

The way to get the most out of that 115 is with having plenty of power. The current crop of 800 Watt class heads have plenty to get close enough to the potential of a single fearless. To get appreciably louder either requires another cabinet or going into the fun filled world of compression.

 

[Michael Walker]

I will indeed be pairing it with another cab, probably an Aguilar DB112 for now, or maybe a Carvin 115 I have, at least until I acquire another Fearless to join the one I have.

Glad to hear that the 12/6 was happy with the power provided by the Genzler. I have always been an appreciater of the Genz Benz heads.

 

[Hotblack]

My go-to rig is the MG-800 with a fEarful 12/6/1 true crossover. It works like a charm for just about every small to mid-sized gig. I have never been at a want for more power.
For outdoor gigs, I used a fEarful 12/6 stack. Again, no problem. works like a charm.

 

[Deadsound]

One addendum: I'd look at the Peavey Minimega before the Carvins

I think it out performs the Genzler all around, but the Genzler has better build quality

 

[Dave Hill]

The current crop of 800 Watt class heads have plenty to get close enough to the potential of a single fearless. To get appreciably louder either requires another cabinet or going into the fun filled world of compression.

I disagree.
The 700-800W micros put what, 400-500W into an 8-ohm cab. That is not enough to get an F115 cooking. It will certainly work and sound great, but I would want at least 800W into it if you want to get the full potential.

I switched to separate rack preamp/amp when I got my F212.

 

[bebass]

I have used a 3015lf and a 3012HO based cab with several of the newer 800 watt amps including the Genzler. Yes these are not the most efficient drivers but they all get to the threshold of (my) pain and have plenty in reserve. Going off memory those drivers have a thermal rating of 450 watts. A perfect match IMO. For comparison, I have also used 900 and 1800 watt power amps with the same drivers. Yes, they can be hit with a bit more but after a few hours of playing there is diminishing returns with more power due to the speakers heating up. I did not feel the need for more power with those cabs.

 

[Deadsound]

I disagree.
The 700-800W micros put what, 400-500W into an 8-ohm cab. That is not enough to get an F115 cooking. It will certainly work and sound great, but I would want at least 800W into it if you want to get the full potential.

I switched to separate rack preamp/amp when I got my F212.

I also went to a power amp - for me it's not really about volume, the micros will get loud. It's more headroom and transients, the power amp just gets more out of the cab. IMO the Peavey is really the only one in the ballpark with a power amp, though it's still not that close.

 

[popgadget]

'With the single woofer Fearless cabs, it's hard to bring yourself to shlep a rack that weighs more than your cab.
I had someone demo an F110 and F112 today with a Magellan, it performed well. I've got a customer that uses a GK MB200 with his F112 and is quite happy. I generally use a Puma 900, however, when I do have the ambition to drag the rack out (Demeter HPB-1 / Crown XTI-2002), I'm not disappointed.
So with a mini you are leaving something on the table, but for most, you don't really need all five courses.
So as you might expect, the answer is "It Depends".

 

[Michael Walker]

I have also looked into getting a Crown XLS 1502 or 2002. Especially considering I plan to pick up a second Greenboy at some point. Most likely pair a power amp with a Tone Hammer if i go that route, though I also have Eden, Ampeg and Sansamp preamps I could use or rotate depending on mood or need. Those new crown amps are pretty light and make it an attractive option considering what they offer while adding minimal weight to the equation.

 

[popgadget]

The XTI X002 series doesn't seem to get a lot of love from bassists here.
I like them, with the caveat that the power ratings are taken with a grain or two of salt. They have a very useable DSP that can be configured as an HPF and voltage limiter using a computer and USB connection. You can configure them with the built in display, but you don't really have access to the full feature set.
As long as you get a bigger one than you think you need, you will likely be happy. The 2002 bridged into an F212 is pretty impressive.