Off Topic Markbass F500 or Genz Shuttle 9.0?

[Movielife]

We all know both these amps sound great with EBMM basses, but which would you choose and why?

 

[rizzo9247]

I've never played through either head so I can't give you an opinion, but it's all about personal preference and how you want to define your sound. For example, I use Mesa & GK heads. Why? I like them.


Can you test out both heads?

 

[Thornton Davis]

I'm a longtime G-B owner. I play my Music Man basses through my ShuttleMAX 12.0 which is absoutely killer! For cabinets I use two G-B 410-XB3 cabs.

I have tried MB gear in store, but never gigged with one, so I can't comment.

I can tell you that just like EBMM's customer service dept, G-B's customer service is just as outstanding in every way!

Personally, I haven't found a better sounding winning combination that surpasses EBMM + G-B.

TD

 

[cellkirk74]

I have a G.B shuttle 6.0 (slightly different EQ-center frequency for the basscontrol, 9.0 has more bass when in neutral position). and have played the MB F1 (similar to the F500 despite the mid controls) a lot. From that I can say both sound very good with every Music Man bass I plugged in.

The MB has a lot of thump right out the box and sits nicely in the mix. It sounds very fat and powerful and has a focus on the low midrange.

The GB to me sounds nicer in the highs and I like the extra color the tube gives to the sound. It does not sound that big neutral, but you can deal in pretty much everything with the EQ.

If I had the choice I'd say 9.0 or MB Tube 800.

 

[stomaraka]

Gb+1

 

[Infidelity]

I have a G.B shuttle 6.0 (slightly different EQ-center frequency for the basscontrol, 9.0 has more bass when in neutral position). and have played the MB F1 (similar to the F500 despite the mid controls) a lot. From that I can say both sound very good with every Music Man bass I plugged in.

The MB has a lot of thump right out the box and sits nicely in the mix. It sounds very fat and powerful and has a focus on the low midrange.

The GB to me sounds nicer in the highs and I like the extra color the tube gives to the sound. It does not sound that big neutral, but you can deal in pretty much everything with the EQ.

If I had the choice I'd say 9.0 or MB Tube 800.

I won't recommend the Tube 800 since I've read that the tube is heavy soldered on the pre-amp plus I tried it in a local GC the Tube barely affects the tone.

I love the tightness of F1/F500 though but I really wanna try a GB head..

 

[Double Agent]

I currently play through a Markbass LMII and have owned a GB in the past. First of all, I don't think you can make a "bad" choice between the two. Both are awesome, but different. While I understand the F1 is not the same amp as the LMII, if it were I would choose the Genz. There is a "tightness" to the Genz-Benz sound that Markbass does not possess. I prefer it. However, the Markbass amps are a little warmer to me than the Genz amps to me. That is not to say that Genz amps aren't warm-sounding, because they are, just not to the same degree as Markbass.

But, I gig with a Markbass and I don't dislike it enough to get rid of it for something else. Both amps are fantastic gear and you will probably be able to find great tones on either one. So, do you want the super-full, fat tones of the Markbass or the tight punch of the Genz-Benz?

 

[mynan]

The MB has a lot of thump right out the box and sits nicely in the mix. It sounds very fat and powerful and has a focus on the low midrange.

The GB to me sounds nicer in the highs and I like the extra color the tube gives to the sound. It does not sound that big neutral, but you can deal in pretty much everything with the EQ.

+1

I've not played the F500, but I've owned a LMII and a SD800 and currently own a Shuttle 9.0. The MB amps produce great tone and sometimes I miss mine, but I don't regret moving to the GB...I think it's a more versatile amp.

 

[Movielife]

The whole Genz CS is definitely swaying me. I have an RH450 as well, so I just wanted an amp that was totally different, yet STILL worked well with the EBMM basses (Ive never heard an amp make an EBMM sound bad ever, the basses are the key to a great sound!)

The tighter punchier F500 is attractive, but the Genz has more features in terms of iPod in and a better mute. I imagine the volume difference isnt huge.

 

[shakinbacon]

GB 6.0 here

The 9.0 is very similar but with more power

A note about their customer service.

I am very picky about my gear. I was having issues with the DI out (which turned out to be the venue's fault). Genz Benz sent me a new amp for me to swap. As I explained to them I had a gig and needed an amp I ended up having two of the amps for one day (they sent it overnight). This was absolutely unheard of for me in terms of customer service and has endeared me to them ever since.

Also, they answered my numerous emails on Talkbass and where extremely professional.

I've gigged the Genz Benz for three years straight and have had no issues. I have found that the DI out (which is world class in my opinion) needs a transformer isolation for some of the noisier venues I play at. But I suspect this will be true with any non transformer isolated DI and I don't fault Genz for this. (Jensen transformers are quite expensive and at the pricepoint nobody seems to use them). If it had a true transformer isolated DI it probably would be the perfect amp head. I currently know of only t.c. electronic and Aquilar that do this.

Markbass makes great gear but it just wasn't for me tone and featurewise (not having a mute on an LMIII is a dealbreaker for my needs). I also try to give my money to US companies when I feel it is justified.

As I see you are in the UK, the customer service issue might be different - you could possibly get better service from Markbass being so close. Dunno

 

[dmarotta]

I have been using the Markbass F1 since it was introduced. I use it as my travel amp for out of town fly dates when there is back line rented for me.It is my ace in the hole because the quality and selection of backline gear can get sketchy.
It works great with every cab I have used and is small enough to pack in my carry on.Lots of headroom and very easy to eq some life into a less than great rental cab.

 

[Movielife]

What is swaying me towards GB is the CS, the mute/ipod in, the size (im a bit unsure about how thin the F500 is) and the fact ED Friedland gets an amazing tone with EB MMs through the Genz Amps on his videos.

Dont get me wrong, I LOVE Markbass and the LM3 is great. I just perhaps fancy a change. Maybe I shouldnt! Hmm

 

[Manfloozy]

Both are great. The filters are different, and I prefer the Markbass filters.... but would be happy with either.

The features mentioned are indeed a plus for the GB, but Markbass wins the plug-n-play award for easy great tone IMHO.

 

[Powman]

Hey Movielife. There is nothing wrong with posting your question. However, you know that neither GB or MB are junk. On the contrary, they are both quality amps. You should also know that the GB users will sing praises about their rigs, as will the MB owners. (For the record I love my MarkBass rig...see there you go).

What would be cool is for you to play both of them, decide which one you like, then lets us know which one you picked and why. Plus we want to see some pics of all you basses and your rig.

 

[strummer]

I have an RH450 as well, so I just wanted an amp that was totally different, yet STILL worked well with the EBMM basses

I don't see either of the amps you're thinking about as being real different than the RH450, I'm afraid. All three are capable amplifiers, but imo similar.

 

[Movielife]

I am no doubt gassing for something I dont necessarily need. The F500 isnt that much different to the LM3, apart from the Mute (which in essence I wont use as its a pull push and not as good as the RH450) and the para mids, and it doesnt have the LM3 warmth. Id probably get it and say 'yep, exactly the same' and still prefer the RH450.

Hence the Shuttle 9.0 appealed to me. So, I should probably stop selling amps, enjoy what I have and buy a Bongo and Berg AE212!

 

[strummer]

enjoy what I have and buy a Bongo

That's the way to go!