Because I've been using a Genz-Benz amp for years now and I'm familiar with their quality and support, I'd go straight to the Genzler. I don't think there's a better amp available today.
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What head would you buy and why?
- Thread starter Bassmaticmatt
- Start date
I would get the Quilter because it sounds great and has a real authoritative feel - the power is used very well.
It might not work if you need to tweak a lot or want some distortion/OD in your tone, unless you have pedals that will cover those functions.
I found the Quilter’s limited EQ controls intuitive, powerful, and well-voiced when I’ve used one.
It might not work if you need to tweak a lot or want some distortion/OD in your tone, unless you have pedals that will cover those functions.
I found the Quilter’s limited EQ controls intuitive, powerful, and well-voiced when I’ve used one.
To put it plain and simple Quilter and Genzler are great amps. I have both. I wanted to try them both and send one back. I've not yet decided which I like the best. Now they act as backup one for the other. ^^
Being an SWR fan they seems a bit "closed" to me, still they both sound great.
As a straight amp the Genzler has more features, but if you plan to use some external preamp to plug into the instrument input of the Quilter, you can take advantage of his awesome limiter. I've even used it with a guitar into an Helix and it was great!
However, if I'm not mistaken, both are rumored to be flat...
I'd like to try a Darkglass amp and, as other have stated, GK is a tone beast!
Apologize for english
Being an SWR fan they seems a bit "closed" to me, still they both sound great.
As a straight amp the Genzler has more features, but if you plan to use some external preamp to plug into the instrument input of the Quilter, you can take advantage of his awesome limiter. I've even used it with a guitar into an Helix and it was great!
However, if I'm not mistaken, both are rumored to be flat...
I'd like to try a Darkglass amp and, as other have stated, GK is a tone beast!
Apologize for english
Joeykun
pronounced ジョーイくん
- Jun 22, 2007
- 4,200
- 16,151
- Disclosures
- Endorsing: LAKLAND SADOWSKY GENZLER DARKGLASS NORDSTRAND TEMPLEBOARD KIRLIN DRSTRINGS ACCESS
Out of everything you mentioned the Genzler Magellan 800 should be at the top of the list. Punchy, clean, growls and everything in between. Plus, it goes down to 2.67 ohms......Mic drop!
I'm a big fan of Darkglass products. I own a Microtubes 900 head and it performs very well.
Bones
Bones
Yeah the Peavey will be the backup.Ahh yes. So the answer to my question would be..."I want it to actually work"
If it were me, the Genzler would be the obvious choice from that list because of the extra power and better preamp than the Quilter. If you don't need the power and want the overdrive, go with the Darkglass.
But from that list, the Genzler is the most versatile. I wouldn't consider the Genzler, Darkglass, or Quilter to be a backup to a Peavey though.
Very insightful coins sir. I really appreciate the feedback.Well I had a Bugera Veyron M for about 44 days and I hated it, so it's gone. I had a Darkglass M500 for almost as long and liked it better, but it had issues and I could not get the low end I wanted from it. So it's gone too.
I have a Genzler Magellan 800 and it is heads and shoulders above the other two. Plenty of low end, plenty of power, thick prominent notes, nice usable Drive, ridiculously versatile and reliable. And the construction screams quality.
And I also have the newer Orange Terror Bass and that amp is my favorite of all the ones you have listed. Ridiculous amount of power at 500 watts, ridiculous amount of low end (flat is treble off, mids maxed and bass off although I run it at 9:00, 4:00 and 9:00), thick prominent notes even on the D and G strings, beautiful cleanish tone with a hint of drive with gain below 10:00 and a growl/distortion/compression that makes the Darkglass sound fizzy.
I have no experience with the Bassman or the Quilter. So there is my 2 cents. Hope it helps.
Edit: I should also add that the Orange and Genz Benz Streamliner are the most tube like hybrids I have ever used.
Thank you. I try to be helpful and give as much info as possible on stuff I have used without coming off as going overboard.
The Hartke LH500 head. 500 Watts @ 4 ohms. and 350 watts @ 8 ohms. A well made head, and reasonably priced a well.
Off that list .. I concur... I have been a Genz fan for a long time now.. and the MG800 is actually so versatile.. it is almost as versatile as the Genz Benz Shuttle Max .... which on the surface sounds odd .. but it is.. from grind to punch to growl and thump .. you can pull it all out of that head.. and the 2.67 ohms is nice too ..
The Mesa D800 is also a fantastic head.. I imagine the WD800 and the 800+ are a more detailed flavor of the same tonal goodness.. Between these two heads I will not be buying another head for a long long time..
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Another vote for the Genzler. Very versatile preamp, great DI, the notes are authoritative in every register, customer service is among the very best. If you like to tweak the controls, they are very responsive. You can do 2.67 ohms - three 8 ohm cabs or an 8 and a 4. If you are a set it and play guy (I am), finding a great sounding setting is very easy. It just doesn't let you down. If you don't need the 800 watts and the 2nd channel, check out the Magellan 350 as well. It sounds virtually the same when at the same volume, has the same preamp minus the 2nd channel, and the same DI. It punches WAY above its weight class.
Well I had a Bugera Veyron M for about 44 days and I hated it, so it's gone. I had a Darkglass M500 for almost as long and liked it better, but it had issues and I could not get the low end I wanted from it. So it's gone too.
I have a Genzler Magellan 800 and it is heads and shoulders above the other two. Plenty of low end, plenty of power, thick prominent notes, nice usable Drive, ridiculously versatile and reliable. And the construction screams quality.
And I also have the newer Orange Terror Bass and that amp is my favorite of all the ones you have listed. Ridiculous amount of power at 500 watts, ridiculous amount of low end (flat is treble off, mids maxed and bass off although I run it at 9:00, 4:00 and 9:00), thick prominent notes even on the D and G strings, beautiful cleanish tone with a hint of drive with gain below 10:00 and a growl/distortion/compression that makes the Darkglass sound fizzy.
I have no experience with the Bassman or the Quilter. So there is my 2 cents. Hope it helps.
Edit: I should also add that the Orange and Genz Benz Streamliner are the most tube like hybrids I have ever used.
Do you use your orange terror with the clean switch engaged? I can’t decide which I prefer out of clean switch on or off. Great sounding amp. No one would know this is hybrid… sounds all tube and responds like it is also.
I posted this awhile ago and things change. I ended up going back to an Eden WT400. The Streamliner did not get along with my Epifani UL410, so it had to go.
I have a Quilter Bass Block 800 coming tomorrow. I'm intrigued by it's minimalist design and big power in a small pkge.
On the OP’s list Genz and Quilter are the only ones I know have truly great customer service. Modern amps being massively difficult for most DIY repairs this is a factor it’s risky to overlook in the long term.
Yes I always use the clean switch engaged and the gain at 9 or 10:00 depending on bass. It sounds great like this. Any higher or with the clean switch off and it is a little too crunchy for me.
I have to add though that this is all in a band mix content. At home, the clean switch off or on sounds good.
