All user reviews for the Genz-Benz El Diablo 100

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

Amplifier Type:
Six at the triode preamp (3-12AX7's) and 4 lamp amplifier (ships w / Svetlana EL 34's).

Power:
50w or 100w depending on the mood (with switch behind the head). But beware of the ears, at 50 watts and volume 4 / 10 I'm already very strong ... It has two channels but in fact each channel has a number of changes (adding crunch, boost, compressor, vintage ,...) which multiplies the possibilities.

Connections:
At the front (left to right):
1. Input jack
2. Switch clean / vintage used to boost the sound clean and crunch
3. Gain channel 1 (for controlling the rate of crunch)
4. Volume of channel 1
5. Tone Channel 1 (three knobs: bass, mid, treble)
6. Channel 1 Control reberb
7. Switch the channel 1 / 2 with light indication
8. Switch the channel gain between two classic / high, allowing to push the distal (channel 2)
9. Switch to the texture of the dynamic between channel 3 / compressed, allowing the sound to round
10. Gain of channel 2 (to control the rate-distortion)
11. Volume of channel 2
12. Contour (to switch to a vintage sound "dirty")
13. Tone Channel 1 (three knobs: bass, mid, treble)
14. Reverb Control Channel 2
15. Switch to attack (button boost for solos, up to 15 db ...)
16. Attack level control
17. Reberb level control (global: for both channels)
18. Total volume (both channels)
19. Standby Switch
20. Ignition Switch

On the back:
1. Switch to the voltage between 230 and 115 volts (for globe-trotters)
2. Din input to the pedal to 5 switches with very long cable (not very strong default)
3. We can add a pedal on / off for the reverb
4. Global effects loop
5. Loop inputs for Channel Hot
6. Loop inputs for channel Warm
7. Unbalanced line output
8. Balanced direct output
9. Line / direct output level switch (30dB to reduce the output power)
10. Ground lift switch (?)
11. Speakers outputs (2x)
12. Impedance Selector (4, 8 or 16 ohms) with impedance calculator
13. Switch power between 50 and 100 watts for the deaf ...
14. Switch if you want to change the power tubes (between 6L6 and EL34's)

That's about all. For more info (because I have not put any):
http://www.genzbenz.com/img/manuals/gb/EL_DIABLO_100-ownersmanual.pdf

Setting:
Simple but must spend time to find his "sound", but quickly come to find happiness.

Effect:
None except the reverb, but it's not a factory amp type (Johnson, Line6 ,...)

UTILIZATION

Configuration:
From simple to complex according to its requirements

The manual provided is very comprehensive but in English ...

SOUNDS

I think this amp is suitable for all music (I play all styles and I was not disappointed, even the waltz with a Cuban and electro-acoustic).

I play mostly metal and I can tell you that it's mind-blowing.

Clean sounds (with Seymour Duncan test):
Even if it is not his strong point (with good pedal style Xotic AC Booster or similar to the defect becomes obsolete) I think they are very good (Crystaline the knob on the guitar mic medium or low, crunchy on micro acute). It sounds hard to explain, because the possibilities are endless. I use my personal Xotic, equa, chorus and there you get a clean sound and perfect crunch (well, it's not the twin ... but the twin is not as good in distortion) at least I can get a hendrixien and it's good enough for me!

Its distortion (test with microphones EMG81 PARD):
There, Mr. Hyde appeared. I play in a metal band and I must say that with a good mix of pedal and boost equa ("V") is a distortion that makes spit takes off paint paper! Strong, accurate, and fat. Accuracy: Mandatory noise gate if you want not only that feedback too. The beast can pull 100W but not necessary. I play 50w and volume 4 / 10 I'm too loud ...

OVERALL OPINION

I've had one for over a year. I am completely satisfied.

I like its master key. I love everything about this amp (look, sound ,...), but the only minus is the cable from the switch a little fragile (already repaired after a year ... well I move bcp)

I tried bcp and models except engl or diesel, but twice as much amps bleufés to me, I would say I am very happy with this big machine.

I bought it at the time CHF. 2'400 .- + the cabinet Genz Benz (which is well worth a mesa or engl) CHF. 1600 ... It's been almost 2'550 .- Euros. Price / quality ratio very good.

I would do the same purchase separately if I buy a head Engl ... that I might soon ... but I will not give this head either.

PS: Another small point worth a visit. The possibility of effects in the sound clean only and other distortion in the sound only. I explain. Just by pressing the switch to change channels (one button), or alternatively you can activate a set of pedals (chorus, delay, rev) in its clean, is another series (equa, boost, wah ...) its distortion. Which avoids playing live tap, brilliantly thought!

That's good, it was long, but hopefully some will link these lines, because it is an amp that is worth seeing. A +

Everything has been said.

UTILIZATION

I think will be a little particular, because I tested this amp "in a hurry" I attended a festival providing the amps, so I found out on the job, not so easy to be able out its sound. I would so not too bad, and I will focus more on comparison with a marshall dsl-100 that I tested in similar conditions. I said again, I think the game will focus on this amp without preparation.

As for getting sound, well, honestly it was pretty hard, and during my set I did not like the sound I got. It is extremely difficult I think to get a clear well defined without too much treble or too deaf, and distos lack depth, although the volume and the desired power for distortion, but not enough to sustain and depth I think. The sounds are still adequate, it said, but compared to the marshall dsl-100, for me there's no photo, I found my sound in 2 minutes, clear as saturated.

SOUNDS

I play mostly funk and rock, and my music needs I can go from crystal clear sound and well defined in a very deep distortion and "fat".

And when I played on this amp, despite my attempts to settings, the opposite has happened: a clear, bold, that as soon as my j'enclenchais screaming wah-wah to become more power ( despite the treble knob set to the half, the sound is too dull otherwise, and the selector set my guitar on the neck pickup to overcome this acute overload) and distal (despite various boost switched on) not up from what I expected.

That said, I saw people out sound about right for this amp, but not at what I could get out on the dsl-100.

OVERALL OPINION

Clearly I put 5 because this amp has left me completely indifferent enough to play, but not enough I think to have a sound that suited me, perhaps it would have been different if I had time to exploit its full potential, but I repeat once again the head marshall dsl-100 seemed much easier to access, with greater sound capabilities.

Try it if you have the opportunity, but do not buy the eye (or rather ears ^ ^) closed, taking the price for a guarantee of quality.

One small detail that I liked is that diffuse the light head, throws ca ^ ^

See below

UTILIZATION

Amp emergenza official platform, as below essay in a hurry. So my perspective will apprciate with the terms of use. Résumé in the Merde. Can not have a satisfactory rglage, I speak not of the killing but just something little prs correct.

SOUNDS

C'tait deaf, not dynamic, whether it's really a lamp and if there is not just for Lumire clear. Unable to escape something. In addition to advertised as a 100W, the master half I got along with my not so Hot Rod 40w 2.5, I'm on the edge of diplmatique conflict with the rest of the group.

OVERALL OPINION

Official sponsor of emergenza, we can say that the two are found: an amp can to a crappy platform. To qualify, it can be an amp that demand be pushed in the research, I know. Can be silent as the head end of life.

This is a test that I wanted to write it-r-dj is a long time. A test well in my rat, suggesting my noobitude. Attention in the section sound, PART ONE talks about the game with guitar, the second refers to the bottom.

For starters I re-open my old quotes:

"Hard to say more than yupanky adj Describes"

I would just say again that the impression of solidity is reassuring (if we disregard the footswitch). The head is richly team well worth the lack of a troisime channel as well as knobs for CONTRL mix for the effects loop. The balanced output, with its simulation hp Russia and adjustable attnuateur (-0/-30db) depending on the mixer is carrment the ball to the head transplant live or home.
[8] slecteur to mix loops because a slecteur supplmentaire on the footswitch to turn on / dclencher rverbe and troisime the channel would have the Genz-Benz grab the note of excellence in this field, both attributes out of the mean.

UTILIZATION

The full ct of the head can make flexible use. This is a good thing. How many times do I have used as a power amp only? I do not remember, but often. Besides the effects loops allowing insrer a graphic eq for each channel. has left rveur when reliability.

A manual is provided explaining trs, but I advise you to connatre English.

The grip is anything but instinctive. The rglages interact strongly, the portards notched assist is resumed, but at the same time, sometimes turning of a single notch can evolve your exact to a track that one does not wish to explore. You will need to be patient to find one that goes rglage. Similarly, I do not recommend it with all the guitars. Rsultats good on guitar type superstrate, stratum or prs (I'm talking about types, not brands). Bad rsultats with lp's, flying, and plutt way with hollow-bodies.

The volume itself is also a stop using this stuff. The 100w sound terribly strong here. Despite a fairly progressive master, ds low volumes, the sound becomes unbearably strong and dj Manir increased steadily until the end of the race. This is either a strength or a weakness. Cel dpend your philosophy. But for bass players, the default becomes an advantage in all cases.

Add tural fragility of a footswitch which I, despite greater use rare, dj d change all slecteurs. This is the Chinese slecteur 4 cents.
[5] His dtails penss are nevertheless well, but the grip just empty that requires a lot of work drops the note.

SOUNDS

In clean, the Eldiablo shows a characters made of lights and low, with a little rowdy if ct attack just frankly. According rglage was this feeling to go through a strip tubes in a studio. It's pretty cool, especially for the funk. Mount trslgrement mdiums gain and tends to soil the clean. You can really say here that "a crunch too quickly." The transition to the crunch has a small chemical dsagrable ct, s o many amps are much better.

Distortion, it, a real intrt Submitted. It's a cataclysmic trs can drop down. Caution, however, the behavior in the extreme serious, although good, is specific. Listen to some Staind. It is exactly this signature. Bizarre eh? Yes. But extremely addictive if you are a fan. I also note a trend a little fuzzy, especially when you attack the lead. has not please everyone either.

The dynamics of the game is average plutt bad, in fact, here is plutt Defines how to select the overall dynamic. Transparency is also a term that one can not attribute this head is trs color and takes over the guitar.

One more point less for rverbe accoutronique, trs not smooth, which tends to give a tunnel effect if you push more than five.

Connecting to distortion pedals ... is special. The clean channel is not neutral colors trs Figure, which should be a good prsage. But suddenly, the sound stinks if you connect a transistor pedals that has not some personality.

[3] The gain is standard and the sound is unique; points by pulling down the overall rating are the lack of a boost for solos, a total lack of articulation, in a fuzzy ct the sound that hurts the precision and the ease with which it can be ct sound level depending on the instrument that he branch.

-------------------------------------------------- ---------------------------

Come in to in the second test.

In 2010 all beginners. I did some reason, I do not sell. So. I tried a few and have expriences the branch head of a good bass cab.

Is your exact phnomnal.

The foundation is warm, earthy and well Dfine. The guide allows himself clean several fawns, and even the sounds and high-gain crunch is here, perfect for many uses. Will integrate the possibility of note, per channel, a qualiseur graphic in the rear ddies loops for each channel. Providing a large flexibility trs.

The 100w tubes, do not seem on paper. But, big surprise. I want heads against the 100w not shoot compltement donf and drummer Dave Grohlien! The bass is directly place in the mix with a warm foundation, after all, still a commendable precision. All with a british ct commendable.

Trs trs good for bass.

OVERALL OPINION

I use it for some years.

The original price is too expensive, but the price in opportunity is allchant trs. As mentioned above Frache, strangely, I recommend the bass because it excels in this area.

Note [5] is the average home
[2] Well, for 1000 euros. Adj is something significantly more of the bad srieux REPRESENTATIVES JCM900 ranges, or other Valvestate Valveking. Conversely, these heads at the cost an arm and nine cotent the problem of quality of footswitch says a lot when the choice of components. Overall, I would not recommend this choice unless you your bass player. For if you your is a real big amp that will, in rock records, sounds terrible.

See previous

UTILIZATION

At first glance, aa look a bit complex but I'm not dwell on it because of time.

SOUNDS

I especially wanted to talk about his
It has played it in a platform (amp imposed by the organization) and the sound seemed very synthetic (my config rack seems very organic cot)
The clean dry and low in saturated harmonic and dynamic grain and synthetic.
Basically like he was missing something big sound.
It seems that it bent, it can optenir something decent and workable but nothing more, at least not the sound that'll boost its characters.

I come back after another test
Previous confirm my impression was the grain is really weird.
The clean sound is not great, not clear or crunch and lack of clarity and warmth
The Distortion channel is usable for the metal, it saturates trs fast, has a fairly tight grain and compress but synthetic.
For rock and blues, you can do anything with, I'd almost like to hear the grain of an amplifier with transo the trunk of a whole lamp.
Cot and safe power is what it takes and even too much.
This amp is extremely powerful, even on a big scne, suitable for bands like Manowar.


OVERALL OPINION

To beginners, I thought that an amp c'tait mtal destiny to see the color of the grain but the metal bands that have played on it did not sound that great either.
There was his own and listen, but nothing more.
Apparently, given the price of the amp, it is better to fall back on the peavey 5150 or even on the Marshall JCM2000

I think that has to be confirmed, the grain weird amp; trs, trs, too many too powerful to exploit the power tubes, not at all versatile unlike what is announced.
Anyway my advice is take as Reserved, I did not have the time or the conditions to test intgralement even if I think a good amp should sound quickly and without being obliged 50 of tamper parameter.
To test and compare its rivals

All dj t said. This is a full 100 W lamps with more than one connection complte, it lacks the afternoon. Apart from the traditional rglages, we have rglages "Tube" and "Attack". The first allows you to weigh between saturation "tube" and a saturation transistor (I'm not sure what I am saying, but the effect has given me). The other is actually a boost.

UTILIZATION

I read in the opinion that the config Previous n'tait not easy and, to some extent, yes. Before this amp, I had a Laboga Mr Hector. These two amps are really the opposite in config. The Laboga sounds right away: we put the knobs and five rings. on the other hand, impossible to have a different sound than the base: it is or anything. The Diablo 100 is exactly the opposite: you move a knob of graduation and your sound is Different. I would say that for those who do not quibble, it may hardu stepfather. on the other hand, if you seek to have "your" sound, it is gnial amp. All knobs ragissent beautifully. There is nothing that is not functional and frankly, do not spend three days on bte to grasp the quintessence. Everything is logical trs. The tone knobs are such marvels of efficiency.

SOUNDS

I play only metal, I oscillate between the industrial and death. I can say that in this registry, I am satisfied. I use the channel "Warm" only sounds clean (not often, o)) or the use of effects (we get a neutral sound very easy with this channel, which is convenient particulirement for use with a distortion and effects). Obviously I use the channel more Hot and I'm really pleased. I understand that opinions are so mixed previous ones, because I think this amp is built for metal and nothing else. I did not have fun trying other styles but I nanmoins essay combinations proposed in the manual and, indeed, it is not convincing. Sounds "crunch" in particular seem trs means (not a JCM800 Obviously ...). For cons, the register HiGain nothing wrong, he did not envy the Laboga I prcdemment. The sound is clean, does not bleed even with the gain donf, and DIFFERENT switches offer, with the same sound, multiple variations. I often switch between classic and higain in the same piece, to go on a "compressed" to bring out the harmonics and, of course, enable the "Attack" to boost a solo. In short, be more difficult to complete.

Although sr is a grain amp Love it or like it. But it still manages to even be diversified default be really versatile. Most amps Higain is a sound that's all. That's what I like about this Genz-Benz, has a well sr but with many variations.

Trs important point: it goes well trs rpt and live. No need to push a lot for it is heard. It's a shame because it has an impressive reserve of power. Dj I try to switch to 50W but I think the sound is worse.

Other printing, switch "Vintage" seems to act on all channels, added its heat to the higain.

Well, not need a noise gate, the background noise is unobtrusive trs (guarantee of quality components!)

OVERALL OPINION

I use it for 6 months and I am fully satisfied. Hsit I long to replace my Laboga Mr Hector dj that I found excellent (I kept a few months, telling me that the Genz-Benz would perhaps be weary) and I still prfr the Genz Benz. That it is better, but it offers more possibilities.

I had tried many and amp before buying it. Apart from Mr Hector JVM410H Marshall, Engl Powerball, NOS, 5150 III, XXX, ...

What I like most:
- Knobs effective
- Flexible
- Connection pltorique
- Power
- Reserve of monstrous gain
- Powerful and prcis
- Almost no background noise

What I like least:
- The cable pdalier weak
- Crunches dgueu

As I had a price in Canada dfiant any competition, I will not report qualitprix which in my case is simply indcent ...

Obviously I would do the same choice. I think to find better, you have to go the speed suprieure and I'm not saying I will not change one day (yes, the big default guitarists o)) but for a big Diezel like creature ...

• 50/100 Watt Output Selector Offers
The Tone and Feel of 2 Different Amplifiers
• Dual Speaker Jacks w/ Impedance Selector Switch and Imp. Calculator
• Direct Output section—XLR Freq.
Compensated w/GRND Lift; 1/4" Line Out;
0db or -20db Switch
• Effects Loops—Individual WARM Ch.; HOT Ch. & Global (serial) Effects Loops
• Reverb Cancel Jack—Optional Single Button Footswitch
• Foot Switch—Din Plug Input for 5 Button Footswitch (included)
• Power Inlet/Fuse Holder Plug
• 115/230 Voltage Selector Switch
• Tube Buffered Input Stage
• WARM Tube Ch.—Clean or Vintage Gain Sw.; Gain & Volume Preamp Controls
• ±15db Bass, Mid, Treble Tone Shaping; Reverb Level Control
• Channel Selector Switch
• HOT Tube Ch.—Classic or High Gain Sw.; Dynamic or Compressed Tube Texture; Gain & Volume Preamp Controls; Tube Contour Control; ±15db Bass, Mid, Treble Tone shaping; Reverb Level Control
• GLOBAL Section—Attack Sw. w/ Level Control; Master Reverb control; Master Volume Control
• Two Independent Tube Channels
• Six Triode Preamp Stages (3-12AX7 Tubes)
• Four Power Tubes (ships w/Ruby Tube EL 34's)
• EL34 or 6L6 Power Tube Capability
• Rear Panel Bias Pot
• Five Button Footswitch Included

This is basically a 2 channel amp with a buttload of features. The El Diablo is supposed to be able to get you the utmost cleans all the way to high gain brutal distortion.


UTILIZATION

This is a bit of a complex amp. It's got a lotta knobs and the LEDs are all so bright and pretty! So it may take some time to adjust to a sound that you like. I personally had to even email Jeff Genzler a few times to get some suggestions on how to tweak this thing right and get in the ball park.

The manual does definitely help!!

SOUNDS

I have owned this version as well as the 60 watt tribal head version, I tried both to see what the differences were and to see if I preferred one over the other and to be honest I now don't own either of them. I will review the 60 watt version soon.

CLEAN: Actually, this is probably the best sounding channel of the amp. It's not sterile, has loads of headroom and spank. It's not particularly bright like a fender but not too dark either, it sort of has it's own thing but you can definitely hear a good sparkly clean.

Distortion: This is where it came up short. I don't know why but there was always this buzzy/fizzy tone in the distortion signal that I couldn't get rid of no matter how I EQ'd the damn thing. This got to the point where I even emailed Jeff Genzler on this. He was very quick to reply and very helpful of course, his tips DID help minimize the fizzy tone I was hearing but did not eliminate it completely. I was quite upset overall though, the fact that this amp sounded like a solidstate amp for the price I paid and with all the tubes in the world, it couldn't change the overall sound. I guess it was just the design of the El Diablo, it's sort of a very modern tone and even on the vintage settings, still quite modern sounding.

Though generally it is a unique sounding amp and I've heard some rather decent clips from other players using it. But it definitely didn't take off like some other amps. The distortion was overall just a bit too sterile for my tastes and I ended up selling it and buying the 60 tribal as I heard it might've been warmer sounding..



OVERALL OPINION

Overall the amp's construction is great, the build quality looks very reliable and the service from Jeff is amazing. But the amp itself seems to lack something that most guitarist players are looking for. So it's worth a try but in my opinion, it sounded like a DECENT solidstate amp. I can't say that it sounds horrible cause it seems to have potential and I've heard good samples from others, but my experience with it was not super positive. The cleans were amazing but the distortion lacked something and had a fizzy character to it I couldn't dial out even with help from Jeff Genzler himself.

Everything has already been said, very full, too bad there are only 3 channels

UTILIZATION

The setup is simple? To qualify: first, there are many buttons but it's easy what they do
Manual: I did not even look
Do you get a good sound easy? Yes, but do we get easily the ITS? No

SOUNDS

That is what concerns us all. I totally agree with the opinion of rolandh but I'd add a few elements. First, with this amp, you have to play very hard, not below 4 for master as for channels. And there is a vamp! Useless to try it in your room, it will not work. We need a large room. Otherwise, you can switcher in 50 W (unlike rolandh, I have not found any difference in sound) but even then, you wake up the whole neighborhood. I've had quite a head amp: JCM2000, Engl Powerball, 6505 (I always) is the Genz Benz and I was most impressed at the power! The second guitarist has a Dual Rectifier and I can say it is at least the same level. So, for the power 10/10.
For the sound itself is very special. Rolandh said they like it or not and that's exactly right. If you take a look at forums in the U.S. or Canada (where, unlike here, she is plébicitée), you will see that often compared to a correct or 5150. This is true for the style but the grain is quite different. The sound is clean, do not base even with the gain completely. To compare it to my head 6505, I would say it is sharper, cleaner and, more importantly, he makes much less noise. I am not an expert on the subject but I would say it is incisive and powerful.
Please note, this head is also very temperamental. If you stick him in the mud at the front or back, it will give you the dirt on output. So, a good scratch, a good jack, and analog pedals for speakers that take the road (I have two 2x12 in V30 and it sounds impeccable. For cons, I tested with a 4 * 12 G12-75 and it seemed softer)
Note that I mostly play with the overdrive channel. Cons by the clean is a real clean, unlike the 6505 example.

OVERALL OPINION

I use it for two years and I've never had a problem except with the pedal with the cable seems fragile. I can not say that's fine because I'm captivated by this amp. I found it a little expensive when I bought it, but now it is found used at a great price. If we are not afraid to think outside the box, this head is worth its price. It is less flattering than a correct (no room for error, like an engl ...) but will live better, it is much quieter than a 5051 or 6065 and has a true clean. In short, she did not blush before the great and she has character.