Finally Tried a Genz Benz Shuttle 6.0

[slinkp]

BTW- to return to the original topic...search the classifieds on Talkbass and you often can find nice used Shuttles.

That's exactly how I got mine.

So far it's my favorite amp I've owned hands down.

(if I recall correctly that list would consist of: early-80s roland cube 60, 80s peavey TNT-130, Randall RB140 or something, GK 200RB, Eden WT500, Eden WT300, Thunderfunk 400, AI Clarus, AI Focus II, AI Focus III, Genz-Benz Shuttle 6.0.)

Not only is it ridiculously loud for something so small (way way louder than the AI Focus III I used to have), the preamp is very easy to use and sounds good with very little tweaking.

The overdrive from pushing the gain hard isn't bad either, works for me anyway.

[Pilgrim]

That's exactly how I got mine.

So far it's my favorite amp I've owned hands down.

(if I recall correctly that list would consist of: early-80s roland cube 60, 80s peavey TNT-130, Randall RB140 or something, GK 200RB, Eden WT500, Eden WT300, Thunderfunk 400, AI Clarus, AI Focus II, AI Focus III, Genz-Benz Shuttle 6.0.)

Not only is it ridiculously loud for something so small (way way louder than the AI Focus III I used to have), the preamp is very easy to use and sounds good with very little tweaking.

The overdrive from pushing the gain hard isn't bad either, works for me anyway.

I agree on all counts!  I have never been able to understand why some people think it lacks power.  To me it's VERY loud.  I also find that the slight OD from the tube preamp sounds very warm and pleasing.

[rahock]

I agree on all counts!  I have never been able to understand why some people think it lacks power.  To me it's VERY loud.  I also find that the slight OD from the tube preamp sounds very warm and pleasing.

When you turn the volume up it stays incredibly clean and defined, unless you crank the preamp and gain. I think that this deceives a lot of people who associate that lack of clean with loud. Even when you do crank the preamp , it just warms it and gives it a pushy sound, not full blown overdriven distortion that is bordering on a fuzztone. If full blown overdrive is what you're looking for this is not the amp you want.
Rick

[Pilgrim]

If full blown overdrive is what you're looking for this is not the amp you want.
Rick

Problem solved...I have the Scott Humphreys bass mod version...

[rahock]

Problem solved...I have the Scott Humphreys bass mod version...

I didn't mean I thought it was a problem , I like it just the way it is . That one little tube gives it all the gain and push I want. On a lot of solid states the gain or overdrive control is pretty close to a fuzztone, on the Shuttle it is not, and that is just right for my taste. As I mentioned earlier,even the boost controls are toned down a bit from what many amps do for boost. At first I saw this as a negative, but it actually works much better being a bit more subtle. When I hit the bass boost or the treble boost  on my Seymour Duncan amp, I have to back the volume down a bit on the instrument or I will bury the rest of the band, not to mention vibrating unattended glasses off the bar. When hitting a boost switch on the Shuttle, it gives you just enough to stand out for a solo or to exagerate a line. It's not like pulling the pin on a grenade. The Shuttle head brings so much clarity and volume to my Avatar cabinet, it's like I bought new speakers too. No complaints from me...........only praise
Rick

[Pilgrim]

Cool, it just gave me the chance to share a photo.

I only use that box on one or two numbers a night - things like Jack the Ripper.

[slinkp]

It's no fuzztone, true, but on anything other than my low-output Danelectro (90's model DC2), there is way more gain and grit available than I need.  Lately I favor my Gibson LPB1 and set the gain around 1:00 or maybe 2:00.

When I need more, like Pilgrim I have a secret weapon:

... the Keeley-modded version, that is. Most transparent overdrive I've found so far.

[rich briere]

I've dealt with and worked for quite a few manufacturers through the years and have NEVER found a Company as easy to get along with as Genz-Benz. When I had a Genz Go down on me, I called and had a NEW amp on my doorstep the next morning. The part of that deal which impressed me the most is that they wanted the bad amp BACK.....to take it apart and see what caused the problem. Then they followed up to make sure I was fine with the replacement. IMHO....the Finest Manufacturer I've ever had the Pleasure of Playing With.....bar none.  "Gotta' Getta' Genz!"

I Believe it may have been Pilgrim who commented on their 12" cabs. Outstanding........Truly.

Bass-ically Yours,
RB

[uwe]

I played a Genz combo once (I think it was a 2x12, but it might have been a 2x10) and its sound was incredibly pushy, even penetrating, I've never heard myself so well on a stage even with much larger rigs. It was a "make way for me!"-sound, clean and mighty, but not sterile. Played it with my Epi Explorer with TB Plus pups and that bass with that rig commanded air superiority over all other instruments all night.

[rahock]

I played a Genz combo once (I think it was a 2x12, but it might have been a 2x10) and its sound was incredibly pushy, even penetrating, I've never heard myself so well on a stage even with much larger rigs. It was a "make way for me!"-sound, clean and mighty, but not sterile. Played it with my Epi Explorer with TB Plus pups and that bass commanded air superiority over all other instruments all night.

Since I bought this amp I find myself using the word "Definition"  much more than I ever did before. If there is a better word I need to find it  because I'm beating the hell out of "Definition"
Rick