Author Topic: Genz Benz (Read 286 times)

hb3 · « **on:** November 23, 2010, 04:55:32 PM »

After the failure with Markbass I had a good opportunity to get a Genz Benz combo -- the 1X12 with the 600 watt head. An insane deal, actually -- seven hundred bucks, which is basically the cost of the head by itself. I was hesitating, so I called MF and asked how long this sale was going to last. The guy was like, Um, forever, I guess. I ordered it, then checked back later that day, and it'd gone back to 1200. In fact, I was actually in the process of writing a post notifying everyone here about the price when I found out it was gone. Weird, right? I keep wondering whether my phone call had anything to do with it, or whether it was just an amazing coincidence.

Anyway, it sounds great. I think where the Markbass missed with me is with its virtual speaker emulators -- cool for regular bass, but didn't really work for piccolo bass. But the Genz Benz...it delivers.

(Message edited by hb3 on November 23, 2010)

88persuader · « **Reply #1 on:** November 23, 2010, 07:58:41 PM »

Which Markbass amp did you have?

hb3 · « **Reply #2 on:** November 23, 2010, 09:17:53 PM »

I temporarily had the 2X10 combo...for about a day. To me, the Genz Benz is vastly superior.

88persuader · « **Reply #3 on:** November 23, 2010, 09:24:31 PM »

Interesting. I have the LMtube800 head and am happy with it. I run it through a 4X10 GC cab. The only thing I'm NOT happy with is the weight of the cab. I'm considering traing the head and getting a Mark bass Jeff Berlin 1X15 combo. Less power but also far less weight. They have a used one at my local guitar center for a decent price.

hb3 · « **Reply #4 on:** November 23, 2010, 09:37:11 PM »

I thought the markbass sounded good, but the controls seemed to be really centered around those filters. Which is certainly good in some cases. But the Genz Benz is magic. It's incredibly musical.

karl · « **Reply #5 on:** November 24, 2010, 02:22:32 AM »

I'm with you there, hb3 - I've been using the Genz Benz Shuttle 6.0 for the last couple of years and can't say enough good things about it. It's a lovely transparent amp - as you said, very musical. Out of the box, with the eq flat, it sounds exactly how I like my bass to sound.
Doesn't seem to matter which cabs I use with it - it always sounds great. Most of the time I'm running it through an Acme Low B1 as a stage monitor and sending a line out to the PA, but when there's no PA support, I send it through a beat-up old SWR Bigfoot 2x12 and the sound is glorious.
I've really come to rely on it, so much so that I'm now considering getting a backup, just in case (god forbid) this little box decides to die on me at a gig. Never had any reliability issues with it at all, but I realise it gets a heckuva lot of use (three or four long gigs a week, on average) and I'd be lost without it. So I'm considering the Shuttle Max 12.0, which is basically two 6.0s in a single box!
That would then also give me the option of running both the Bigfoot and the Epifani UL410 that I have on order right now simultaneously ...

Anyway, congrats on the score and enjoy that amp - I really think GB amps pair very well with Alembic basses - they seem to be very quick and responsive, with a certain sparkle at the top end that shows off the Alembic sound very nicely.

hb3 · « **Reply #6 on:** November 24, 2010, 11:47:01 AM »

Karl,

You put that well. Especially about the sparkle at the top end. The markbass struck me as a little harsh on the top. The GB is much more open -- as you said, quick and responsive. I'd also add forward and present. It's really freaky -- I'm actually thinking of selling my giant 300 pound rig. My first hope was that I'd just use this for gigging and keep the giant rig to practice with, but honestly, playing the GB, I feel quite satisfied. That's one twelve inch speaker competing with 8 ten inch speakers! It's shocking. I kinda want to call up the GB guy and tell him he's a genius.

(Message edited by hb3 on November 24, 2010)

alembic76407 · « **Reply #7 on:** January 05, 2011, 10:17:26 AM »

I just got a Genz-Benz Shuttle 6.0 and i will be playing my first gig with it this Saturday.
2.7 pounds with 600 watts, wow, It will be replacing my Mesa-Boogie 400+ for small gigs

now for small gigs
my new Hofner bass
Genz Benz 6.0
Mesa/Boogie 2-10 box

Sir David T

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alembic76407 · « **Reply #8 on:** January 05, 2011, 02:08:29 PM »

Heres my new Hofner

adriaan · « **Reply #9 on:** January 05, 2011, 02:33:04 PM »

Hofner - check.
Mesa Boogie - check.

A closet McCartney fan?

(Spell-check!)

(Message edited by adriaan on January 05, 2011)

sonicus · « **Reply #10 on:** January 05, 2011, 09:49:55 PM »

I will have to say that I was impressed by the sound that Bass player Koko Powell was able to derive with his little GENZ BENZ top and the SWR 4 /10 bottom at a recent Edgar Winter show that I had the good fortune of being at. I was able to get at the front of stage left so I was able to hear what was really coming out from his cabinet and it sounded good to MY ears .

hb3 · « **Reply #11 on:** January 05, 2011, 10:44:33 PM »

I'll be taking the GB combo with my Alembic to a full band rehearsal tomorrow night...

alembic76407 · « **Reply #12 on:** January 06, 2011, 06:18:14 AM »

McCartney fan?................SURE

BUT !!!!

The Hofner and the Genz-Benz together weights less
than my Series 1, but I still play my Alembic's on gigs

Sir David T

xlrogue6 · « **Reply #13 on:** January 06, 2011, 10:00:52 AM »

Glad you clarified, Sir D--otherwise the Alembic villagers mob would be on the way with torches and pitchforks.

hb3 · « **Reply #14 on:** January 07, 2011, 05:06:29 PM »

But he PLAYS the Hofner likes it's an Alembic -- so it's ok.