Genz-Benz

The Genz Benz El Diablo 60C is a dual channel tube amp that puts out 60 watts of power. It has a setting to switch it from pentode power (60w) to triode power (30w). There are 2 channels (Warm, which is like a clean channel, and Hot, which is the overdrive channel). Each of those channels has its own set of bass, middle and treble equalization controls, as well as a reverb control for each channel. A point to note is that the overdrive channel has a tube contour control, which basically adjusts the sweep of your EQ. It's cool if you want a radically scooped midrange sound or a very mid-heavy, focused sort of high gain sound. Another cool thing about this amp is that there's a section of three further switchable modes on the amp itself. The overdrive channel houses two of them. One is a switch to take that channel from more of a classic gain structure to more of a modern high gain type of tone, and the other is a switch to alter the dynamic range of the amp (IE: a more open, dynamic sound vs. a more compressed tone). Lastly is the master section, which houses the master volume, master reverb, and a global attack control (this basically acts like a presence control). When I first got the amp, I thought that it was great that it had all these features... so it must sound as good as it looks, right? UTILIZATION This amp was certainly a difficult one to get sounding how I wanted. A big part of this is no doubt due in part to the active EQ that the amp has. Instead of a typical "0 to 10" tone pot, these amps use a cut and boost active system that goes from -15 to +15. Being a longtime user of Mesa Boogie amps (with their sometimes painful system of EQing), I figured it was just a minor crutch and that I would be able to dial in a usable tone after playing around with it for a few weeks. This was not the case. Even after about three months of owning/using this amp, I was never able to get a good sound on the overdrive channel that I was happy with. It was a fairly depressing saga to be sure, as I used to drool over these amps back in 2005-06 when my local shop carried them... I guess tastes just change. If you're looking into buying one of these... I would STRONGLY advise trying it first to make sure the active EQ system works for you. Many people seem to have had decent results with these amps so I'm trying to be constructive in my recommendation. I didn't have the problems as much with (dialing in) the clean channel but even so, it certainly wasn't easy to dial in a tone I was happy with. SOUNDS When I had this amp, I was primarily using a pair of USA Gibson LPs, a USA Peavey Wolfgang archtop and a Parker Fly Deluxe. Basically, as it goes I could not dial in a tone that I was happy with. The clean channel was the lesser of the two evils. The tones weren't terrible by any means, but I found it difficult to get a full bodied, rich clean tone that had enough top end (treble) to cut through, especially with humbuckers. I was able to get a cool set of bassy tones for jazz/blues stuff, but the country sort of twang was hard to dial in to perfection. The overdrive channel just... did not work for me. I could say that it was terrible or useless, but that's not really my style. It always sounded like there was a can of bees inside. I'm not sure if the active EQ design makes for an inherent buzz, but I found that it was just not working for me. The tones were almost too high fidelity sounding for a guitar amp... I found that it sounded more like a high end stereo when distorted. You know how stereos sound bad with distortion and can get buzzy? Well, that's the conclusion I came to with this amp. I honestly thought I could hear a really good overdrive tone just hiding underneath all that additional top end buzz, so I tried different settings, guitars, room placement, tubes, etc, but I just could not dial it out by any means. As a result I traded it and haven't looked back. OVERALL OPINION This amp was definitely a letdown, since I had tried them in the shops about four or five years prior and I distinctly remember them being my favourite amp for a number of years. I got it on a trade because I wanted to downsize from my head and 2x12 to a single 1x12 combo... but in hindsight, it was a move backwards because the amp I got rid of (Splawn Quick Rod) was FAR superior and more suited to my needs than this amp or the Wolfgang I also got in trade was). All in all, I would just simply err on the side of caution if you are looking into one of these amps. The tone wasn't for me, and won't be for everyone, but who knows, maybe it will be your holy grail?

This is the 2x10 XB bass cab put out by Genz Benz. It is built to handle 350 watts at 8 ohms. It is black carpeted with an offset gray speaker baffle featuring 2 10' drivers, a tweeter and 4 ported holes on the bottom. I bought it off of Ebay for $100. I thought it was the deal of the century. New I think they went for $700. It was in great shape when I got it and I sold it with plenty of life left in it 4 years later. I loved how powerful it was. It was meant to be used as just a top speaker cabinet, but I would play many gigs with that as my stand alone cab. The tweeter was fully adjustable. I'd dial more highs in as my strings aged, even all the way up the tweeter was not noisy. The bass response was incredible. Mind you it had 4 ports and is very oversized for a 2x10 cabinet. The cab was bulky. It wasn't the cab you 'quickly' grabbed to throw in the back of your trunk to go jam with the boys. It was the last piece of gear your dreaded carrying up and down steps. It never fit easily in my trunk and the black carpet took a beating and started to fray and not look so attractive on stage. Wow! This cab was built like a tank. You could drive a car into it going 60 mph and you'd damage your car first! Well built, solid handles and an under estimated power rating. Plenty of times I ran a 1000 amp (not full power) into it and the speakers showed no signs of stopping. A great cab for those without back problems! The power handling was impressive as well as the tone. The only reason I got rid of mine was due to lack of storage. I'd buy another one if the price was right. This review was originally published on http://www.musicgearreview.com

I bought this amp head from Zeagler Music in Monroe Louisiana for $1300. It came stock with Svetlana EL34's but I swapped them for Sovtek 6L6's right away. This amp has some amazing features. It has 3 channels that can be used together for different sounds. It also has a selectable 6L6/EL34 switch and can accept 5881's as well. The clean channel has a very good fender tone to it. The first stage of the gain channel is very round sounding. You can get that SRV slow breakup or the clapton fuzz! Click the modern gain button together with the classic and you get a very heavy bet sharp gain. This is my favorite setting! There is a tube contour on this part of the amp that will change the tone from Mesa sizzle to Marshal fuzz in no time flat. This amp also has one of the best 3 bad EQ's I have ever used. You can select between 50/100w and in 50w you can get everything breaking up easier for that bluesy sound. I think 50w is more than enough for most medium sized venues. The reverb package is the only thing I thought fell short. This unit is built very well. It is heavy duty all around. The internals are laid out very well. I would never get anything other than this. You can save money from buying a Diezel or Soldano and it has more features than the Mesa's and can get the same sound. The tube contour is the best feature in my opinion. You can make the tone as sharp as a Dual Rectifier or as fuzzy as a Hywatt. Inbetween is where I like it as that is right around the Bogner/Diezel/Soldano sound. I only move the knob 1/4 either way to get any of those tones. This review was originally published on http://www.musicgearreview.com

I bought this amp brand new from the Bass Palace in Scranton, PA for $780 USD including the rack sleeve for portability. I was told by a couple of others in the biz that this is "the one". So currently being the owner of an Aguilar DB-750, and in the market for a good quality backup, I had to hear for myself. Not gonna sugar coat it....... Killer Tone, Tons of Volume, Amazing Versatility, Decent Weight. What was originally purchased as a backup has now become my main amp. Its not as loud as the Aguilar 750, but if Genz Benz came out with a 1000 watt version of the GBE600, it would be the Ultimate! If you can't get a great tone out of this amp, STOP PLAYING! You can tell this amp was designed by a bass player. Customer Service A++++!! The amp took a nasty crash out of the van. A fall that would have proved fatal to ANY AMP! After replacing the preamp tube, I was curious as to whether it still worked. I switched it on and it literally burst into flames! I called Genz Benz, sent it to them (med rare) to rebuild, got it back in 2 weeks totally rebuilt and fixed it under warranty!!! I did not expect that and maybe the letter I enclosed professing my love for the amp touched their hearts. But even if it wasn't covered, the overall experience of the repair was very pleasant. I literally can't think of anything I don't like nor think of anything anybody else wouldn't like about it. They thought of everything! Although manufactured in Taiwan, the construction and quality is second to none. Even though it was rebuilt once, it was at no fault to Genz Benz whatsoever. NO AMP WOULD HAVE SURVIVED THAT CRASH! The power rating they give it is VERY CONSERVATIVE.... Please consider adding this amp to your "gotta try it out" list and compare it to any amp in any price point. I think you would feel the same way I do... I wish I could give it a 10... This review was originally published on http://www.musicgearreview.com

I wanted a bass amp with punch and yet I did not want to be hauling heads and boxes. So a quality Combo was aim. I looked at TE, SWR and a few others ant they are expensive. I saw the Genz Benz on line but could not fine one to try. I was going to buy one from the net. I live in a small town of Placerville the odds of finding one there are so slim. I prayed for and played ML-200-115T and just 15 miles away I bought it. I paid $425. 8 month old. It was like new. It has 3Ps Power punch and performance. This has most all the goodies you want except noise gate. If it had that I would pay extra for it. The funky rubber handle on top of the cabinet instead of 2 spring loaded handle on each side that I will install later. It is hard to carry with one center handle. They must not had ever picked it up. M-LINE 200 Features: • Dual Output Design • 200 Watt Power amp • Active/Passive Input with Signal Status LED • Shape Circuit with Low Boost, Mid Scoop & Signal Attack • Active 3 band EQ with parametric mids • XLR Direct Output with ground lift • Pre EQ Effects Loop • Internal “Soft Limit” circuitry • Solid cabinet construction • Rear Ported • Unique cabinet shape • High-Output woofers • Compression bullet tweeters • Tuner Out The ML 200 combos are among the most elite in their class of bass amplification systems. The unique monitor shape allows these powerful combos to be ideally suited for the tightest of stages or by using them in the upright position, can be used like any conventional combo This review was originally published on http://www.musicgearreview.com

This is a great cab. Let me just say I have no interest in Lynch's tone, I was and never have been a big fan of his tone or his music. Though I respect that he can play quite well. The Gflex is endorsed by him but I didn't buy it because of him. I bought it because it was advertised to be as loud and full sounding as a 412. I have to say, it's pretty darn close if not, pretty much there. I wish I had more time to compare it with a 412 but at the time I only owned this cab and a Jazz Chorus combo. Interestingly enough, I've heard Lynch doesn't even use these cabs live and if he did it was for clean. I'm not surprised by this, most players who endorse stuff don't even use the gear they endorse. Anyway, back to the cab. Solidly built, a bit on the heavy side, and kinda bulky but that's what you get for such a huge sound. It projects quite well and does sound very very good at far distances. The 4 bass ports is really cool and is 'supposed' to help the bass travel. I haven't gigged in quite some time that needed something with such power, rated at 150 watts and is HUGE for a 2x12. Though if I did have to, I would definitely pick one of these up again. It does need wheels for easier transport though. And a lot of players prefer no wheels cause of the bass response, but that is faux bass response and is only felt within 5 feet of the amp, the mic doesn't pick it up nor does the audience from far distance so that's something players are usually deceived by. I had the Gflex when I was running a dual amp setup. Roland jazz chorus combo for cleans with a laney GH100L for dirt through the GFlex and I gotta say I pretty damn happy. Minus the rig-hauling to gigs, everything sounded pretty sweet. I sort of wish I kept everything that I had but bills bills bills. Anyhow, great cab, great build, great sound. I can't really tell you what it sounds like, it's not a modern rectifier cab sound nor is it a vintage marshall it's more like... its something of it's own and it sounds great. Like a higher resolution vintage marshall sound? Does that make any sense?