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Help me with a new Genz Benz Rig

SteveC

SteveC

Supporting Member
Nov 12, 2004
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#1
I have used Genz Benz stuff for a while - GBE600, NeoX112 and NeoX212 cabs, Shuttle Neo-Pak 3.5 and a Shuttle 3.0-10T combo which is my current amp. I love their products and service. I went with the combo as I was looking for something with great tone and small. I almost always have PA support but do have gigs where I'm on my own - jazz gigs, theatre work, etc. Often the PA support I have does not include subs is doing everything else as well. I am finding that even though my combo sounds 10 times better than most, there's only so much you can expect from a 175 watt, 110 combo - no matter how well it's designed. I bought a 110 extension cab to use with it, and it does sound better, but I am thinking I need a little more or different sound. Something a little more full than what the 10's are/can give me.

I'd still like to keep it as small and portable as I can. I am debating if I should just get a bigger combo - like a 6.0-12T or if I should go with a head and cab. I have played with a Max 12 at the local dealer and of course I love it. The ability to set the two channels and then mix and match to taste is awesome.

They also have an Uber 212 and an Uber 410 - both 4 ohm. Obviously, any combination of these items sounds fantastic. The thing is, it seems to be way overkill for what I really NEED for my gigs. I understand the whole "headroom" thing but...

I am currently playing a Sadowsky RV4 and it is a fantastic bass with lots of great tone up and down the range. I occasionally play a Yamaha 5 string as well - not so much now that I have the Sadowsky. I play in church where I use my head as a DI, an acoustic/rock cover band, a jazz quartet and a soul/horn band. I also do musicals, fill-in gigs, etc.

Anyway, I think I'd like to get an amp that can better represent the Sadowsky. I want to stay with Genz Benz so the question is - what Genz Benz product(s) will best cover my needs.
 
#5
Obviously, the bigger you go with speakers, the more low useful low end you'll get. That's why I gave up on the downsizing. Those combos do a great job for what they are, but bass = big.
 
#7
Steve, you might give the STL-12 a try under your 3.0 to fatten things up a bit.

The other thing is that a 6.0 plus either the STL-12 or the NeoX-12 would be a step bigger/louder/lower too.

Your situation and questions illustrate very well the whole tradeoff thing that bass players must consider when selecting and sizing their rigs. There is no right answer for everybody, it's something that evolves too.

I think the NeoX 112 (a pair to allow for scaling) is a pretty good combination of light/small/low/loud, but size is relative to YOUR application, and for somebody who really needs to keep small and light, the Shuttle cabinets at a good choice.

Hope this helps without clouding (or chumming) the waters
 
#8
I like the two 1x12 option over the 212. The Uber 212 is an awesome cab, but it's fairly large. The "scale-ablility" of individual cabs is nice. Although, as I find with the extension for my combo, why would I play without it as it sounds so much better. If you are always going to bring 2 cabs, why not get a single 212 cab.

So many options and things to consider.
 
#11
SteveC said:
They also have an Uber 212 and an Uber 410 - both 4 ohm. Obviously, any combination of these items sounds fantastic. The thing is, it seems to be way overkill for what I really NEED for my gigs. I understand the whole "headroom" thing but...
Click to expand...

I'm a big fan of having more power than you need (assuming that you're not going for a maxed-out poweramp sound), so I would go with the Max 12, but your statement about overkill brought the Max 6 to mind.
 
#13
svtb15 said:
I will say from experience that the Neox112 is a mighty fine cab
Click to expand...

::::BASSIST:::: said:
I also recommend two 112s. They are easier to move. Take one out of the car stack it on a folding cart then stack the other one top. Its much easier to move two smaller cabs than one big one.

The sound of two 12s is nice and full and easy to move in my experience.
Click to expand...

What they said............
 
#14
I'd recommend the Shuttle 6.0 with two NEOX 112T cabs over the Shuttle 112T cabs. Better bottom end with the NEOX and not much more weight. You can run 1 or 2 as the situation dictates. I bought the 6.0 112T combo but wound up adding a NEOX 112T and it made a big difference. Jeff Genzler told me to use the Shuttle cabs only if space was the primary factor.
 
#15
Yeah, I think Jeff wrote something like that before as well. The reason I am looking at the Max 12 and Uber 212 is that they are here and I can get a pretty good deal on them. However if they are a pain to move, now deal is worth it I guess.
 
#16
The Neox112 is so light it almost seems like the box is empty full of only air... its an ease to move and it has smooth lows with a balanced upper mid and top... thats my vote and with a 6.0 it works nicely... if you even need more booty get a second Neox112.. which together with a Shuttle 6.0 in its carry case gig bag is still a one trip load in unless you only 4 feet tall..
On cab in each hand, 6.0 over shoulder and bass in gig bag on your back.. I do that all the time..
On Neox112 will do most gigs.. and by having two , your system is modular so you can scale it depending on your needs.. and will always sound the same. small to larger..
and tow cabs gets real loud too.. all from my experience with that rig..
 
#17
Max 12 is my favorite head.. it goes everywhere with me.. I love the Dual Preamp... A Max 6 may be fine for your situation though.. I have done gigs with one side of my MAx12 which is essentially a max 6 at that point, and it def will take on a fairly loud drummer..
The Shuttle heads and Neox are a very easily portable rig... very easy... i dont know how much easier it can get to be realistic about it..

Im looking forward to getting my Shuttle 9.0 soon.. Im thinking that should wake alot of folks up to the Kill Power of micro heads...Since i need to play fairly loud situations at times with loud BadCat and Bruno guitar players
 
#18
The 9.0 would be awesome as well. I'm trying to decide if I want/need the 2 channels which is why I keep the Max as an option. There are times when I really like the FET only. I'm not a big tube guy, but I like the ability to blend in as much or as little as I want/need.
 
#19
I LOVE my Shuttle 6.0-12T, and with the 12" extension cab, it's a pretty amazing rig. The lows and overall oomph are amazing, considering the size, weight, and overall portability of the setup.

However, I don't like this rig with my Sadowsky or MTD basses. They just don't seem to play nicely with the tube pre-amp in the Shuttle 6.0. However, through the FET channel of the MAX12, they sound great. I use that amp with either my Epifani or Aguilar cabs.

So, I say all that to suggest that you may not like the Shuttle 6.0 with your Sadowsky...although this is obviously subjective and your ears are your best guide. I really dig the Uber212 cab...especially with the MAX heads. However, that takes away some the portability advantages of the Shuttle combos.
 
#20
Decisions, decisions... well, the hardest one is done - Genz Benz. Beyond that, right or wrong is subjective. I have run the 6.0 and Max 12 with dual 112's, an Uber 212, and the 9.0 with an uber 410... all are awesome!!!
If you need a small footprint, the Ubers are not close to the dual 112's.... I like my current set-up, ... 9.0 and dual 112 Neox cabs!!
 

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