davebass66 Posted September 22, 2013 Posted September 22, 2013 Hey all, so I just sold my shuttle 6 as I was after something a little warmer.... I am now torn between the TH500 or streamliner 600... I have yet to play either in the flesh, hoping to try out this week sometime.. Would really appreciate some knowledge from those who have used either or (even better) both!..,. I am concerned that the GB might be too tubey - I've used class D for years now, never owned tube - but am tempted by the current price slash due to their closing down Aguilar appears to be a warmer sounding class D..... For the record I'm not interested in overdrive from either, though I know they can both provide this Pros and cons for both would be great please!!! Quote
franzbassist Posted September 22, 2013 Posted September 22, 2013 I've had both. GB was very nice but almost too much at some gigs. Sweepable mids on the Tonehammer would swing it for me, plus the ability to play around with gain and EQ via the "drive" setting. Quote
chris_b Posted September 22, 2013 Posted September 22, 2013 What's wrong with your LM3? I had the LM2 and it sounded great. I don't know GB amps, but I'd recommend the TH500 as I'm currently using one. It sounds punchy, fat and warm with my Bergantino cabs. Quote
davebass66 Posted September 22, 2013 Author Posted September 22, 2013 Nought wrong with the LM.....it's actually on (very) long term loan from a buddy of mine who never used it...no need to give it back anytime soon, but would like to always have one that I own as well! Quote
Ziphoblat Posted September 22, 2013 Posted September 22, 2013 Have you looked into the GK MB Fusion and Ampeg Portaflex amps? Quote
Kiwi Posted September 22, 2013 Posted September 22, 2013 I don't know who owned the Hughes and Kettner Bass Base 600 at the SE Bass Bash on Saturday but it sounded fantastic through the SWR Triad. Quote
Thunderpaws Posted September 22, 2013 Posted September 22, 2013 Have recently bought a streamliner and live it to bits. It can do a good clean sound too so wouldn't let the thought of permanent tube drive put you off. Just turn gain down and volume up on the preamp and it's all good. Though I have my gain at 12ish most of the time. Quote
Lozz196 Posted September 22, 2013 Posted September 22, 2013 Not tried a GB but did try a TH at The London Bass Show an really liked it, classic warm tones, to me it sounded like a "modern" Ampeg. Quote
Musicman20 Posted September 22, 2013 Posted September 22, 2013 Both are great. You miss quite a lot of the treble snap with the TH500 though, (treble is set at 4k) so if you like the 'winding on the strings' tone...eg lots of metallic and bright tones, the TH500 will totally smooth that out... Best bet is to get a Tonehammer pedal and the Streamliner, then you have both The Streamliner sounds stunning to me. The treble is like a passive tone control and you get very clear highs or more vintage rolled off treble. Quote
bobbytodd Posted September 23, 2013 Posted September 23, 2013 if you do try the streamliner don't be afraid to go nuts with the eq.i have the bass on mine at just 9-10 o'clock but it still sounds great Quote
Prime_BASS Posted September 23, 2013 Posted September 23, 2013 If you aren't after the tube like overdrive then both are pointless, stick with your shuttle, engaging the mid scoop and bumping the very low mids with make it sound like the streamliner. Quote
PTB Posted September 23, 2013 Posted September 23, 2013 Not tried the TH500 but I sold my Streamliner and went back to a LMII. There's also the fact that Genz Benz are no more: not sure I'd buy something from a company that doesn't exist even if Fender will no doubt honour warranty claims. Quote
Highfox Posted September 23, 2013 Posted September 23, 2013 (edited) I've had both and still have the TH500, it has just a little bit more attack for me and found the mids to be a lot more use-able. I swapped my Streamline and went back to a Shuttle and use that when I'm after a very clean tone. I think both are good, the TH is more versatile imo. edit, smelling Edited September 23, 2013 by Highfox Quote
molan Posted September 23, 2013 Posted September 23, 2013 I'm firmly in the Tone Hammer camp as well. To my ears the Streamliner sounds a bit 'flabby' and lacking in punch compared to the TH. Another possible might be the MarkBass Big Bang. I really like this amp but you don't see many of them out there. Has a lot if the MB sound but adds something a bit extra tonally and some genuinely useful features too Quote
Musicman20 Posted September 23, 2013 Posted September 23, 2013 Quick run down from owning/hearing the amps: Shuttlemax - Clear, bright, clean, punchy. Very modern, FET channel is pretty flat. TUBE channel can add warmth and some grit. Streamliner - Effortless volume, it will stay clean all the way unless you want it to have some hair on the notes, very much like plugging into a high end studio tube preamp. Very crisp, but warm and 'syrupy'. As with a lot of amps, it has a mid scoop with all controls at 12 (like GK's, etc). Boost the mids to 1/2, bass back to 10, and its pretty much flat. You can boost and cut the mid and treble all the way and it STILL sounds good. The treble is crisp and will allow it to be bright and snappy, but roll it back and its much more vintage. TH500/TH Pedal - Very much the Aguilar sound. Punchy in the mids. Warm and full. The treble can be an issue for some as it is at 4K. Lot's of volume available, grit available if you want it. Quote
Lozz196 Posted September 23, 2013 Posted September 23, 2013 [quote name='Musicman20' timestamp='1379886043' post='2217957'] Both are great. You miss quite a lot of the treble snap with the TH500 though, (treble is set at 4k) so if you like the 'winding on the strings' tone...eg lots of metallic and bright tones, the TH500 will totally smooth that out... Best bet is to get a Tonehammer pedal and the Streamliner, then you have both The Streamliner sounds stunning to me. The treble is like a passive tone control and you get very clear highs or more vintage rolled off treble. [/quote] There`s a lot of sense in this. Quote
davebass66 Posted September 23, 2013 Author Posted September 23, 2013 Thanks for all the advice, thoroughly appreciated, can def see the sense in getting the STM and then a tone hammer pedal!...very much looking forward to trying them out...I'm not a big fan of the super zingy sound so I don't think the TH eq would be an issue for me. Anyone know if u can rack the TH? Quote
chris_b Posted September 23, 2013 Posted September 23, 2013 [quote name='davebass66' timestamp='1379961869' post='2218836'] ....Anyone know if u can rack the TH?.... [/quote] No rack ears for the TH500. I use one of those foam filled aluminium cases from Maplin. Quote
MOSCOWBASS Posted September 26, 2013 Posted September 26, 2013 [b]I use a streamliner 900, i like nice clean warm bottom and hifi top end. I have a TH di box....this is my backup in case i loose a valve on the streamliner. TH preamp is a bit lacking on the hifi top end for me, but it is a solid quality box. I have to watch i don't overload the input on the streamliner with my Overwater J...Nordy big splits and J retro preamp....input pre at 10 o'clock with this bass.[/b] Quote
BigBassBob Posted September 26, 2013 Posted September 26, 2013 I'm a big fan of the TH 500. Its tone is almost ideal for me; warm, punchy and with present (but not unpleasant) high end. If you've tried one and found it lacking some trebley-snap, I'd recommend checking the cab you're using to see if you can increase the level of the tweeter/horn. I find using a TH500 and a pair of DB112s I can find warm, wooly tones or growly, aggressive clank from playing with the EQ and with the crossovers on the back of the cabs. Quote
BigBassBob Posted September 26, 2013 Posted September 26, 2013 Also, the Tone Hammer isn't hi-fi sounding in my opinion. This is good for me but others may be disappointed. Quote
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