If anyone is looking into a new lightweight amp I figure I'd give you my 2 cents on this one.
Originally I was looking for a small lightweight combo amp for rehearsals and gigs. The three models I was debating between were the Genz Benz 1x12 Shuttle 6.0 setup, a Markbass 1x12 combo and the Traynor 2x8. All were around $1200 Canadian, light weight, powerful for what I was looking for. The main deciding factor in getting the Traynor was that Long and McQuade dropped the price to $700. Now don't get me wrong, I thought the best sounding and lightest of the bunch was the Genz Benz, however was it $500-$600 better? Not in my opinion.
Pros of the Traynor:
Lots of balls for two eight inch speakers. I was totally suprised how much low end this thing puts out, even with a five string. Easily enough power for a rehearsal, and I gig in small to medium size venues and I've never needed to bring an extra speaker for stage volume.
Durability: The amp in incased in a very strong box and looks like it can take a bit of a beating if it had to. The other amps especially the genz benz felt a bit more fragile.
Tone: Lots of tone controls on this beast, however it's probably best suited for rock situations. There is a mid level scoop knob which can really help dial in a tone if you are playing hip-hop, reggae etc, but its not as warm of a sound as the genz benz. That being said I play an active J-bass and have never had a problem getting the tone I want.
Cons: The same box that makes this amp so durable also adds some weight. It's a bit heavier than the other amps I looked at, for me I could still carry my bass and this in one trip, but for some people it may be harder. I think the whole unit is about 45lbs (far lighter however than my previous 2x10 eden setup in which the speaker alone was 50+lbs).
Once you crank the volume up to 8 or above the tone changes. If you need more volume than the amp can provide you should either tell the soundguy to put some bass in your monitor, or you can attach another speaker to this amp making it 600W! I have an eden 1x12 speaker that I attach and the combo of 2x8's and a 1x12 sounds great.
All and all I think its the best, most versatile amp you can get new for $700 Canadian. If money is no object look into the Genz Benz but I bet this one will last longer in the tour bus.
Cheers!
Rob
Originally I was looking for a small lightweight combo amp for rehearsals and gigs. The three models I was debating between were the Genz Benz 1x12 Shuttle 6.0 setup, a Markbass 1x12 combo and the Traynor 2x8. All were around $1200 Canadian, light weight, powerful for what I was looking for. The main deciding factor in getting the Traynor was that Long and McQuade dropped the price to $700. Now don't get me wrong, I thought the best sounding and lightest of the bunch was the Genz Benz, however was it $500-$600 better? Not in my opinion.
Pros of the Traynor:
Lots of balls for two eight inch speakers. I was totally suprised how much low end this thing puts out, even with a five string. Easily enough power for a rehearsal, and I gig in small to medium size venues and I've never needed to bring an extra speaker for stage volume.
Durability: The amp in incased in a very strong box and looks like it can take a bit of a beating if it had to. The other amps especially the genz benz felt a bit more fragile.
Tone: Lots of tone controls on this beast, however it's probably best suited for rock situations. There is a mid level scoop knob which can really help dial in a tone if you are playing hip-hop, reggae etc, but its not as warm of a sound as the genz benz. That being said I play an active J-bass and have never had a problem getting the tone I want.
Cons: The same box that makes this amp so durable also adds some weight. It's a bit heavier than the other amps I looked at, for me I could still carry my bass and this in one trip, but for some people it may be harder. I think the whole unit is about 45lbs (far lighter however than my previous 2x10 eden setup in which the speaker alone was 50+lbs).
Once you crank the volume up to 8 or above the tone changes. If you need more volume than the amp can provide you should either tell the soundguy to put some bass in your monitor, or you can attach another speaker to this amp making it 600W! I have an eden 1x12 speaker that I attach and the combo of 2x8's and a 1x12 sounds great.
All and all I think its the best, most versatile amp you can get new for $700 Canadian. If money is no object look into the Genz Benz but I bet this one will last longer in the tour bus.
Cheers!
Rob
