Genz Benz Shuttle Series
I’m not gloating, but working here has its perks. It’s no cush gig (relentless deadlines, heavy workloads, and extreme multitasking take care of that), but there are substantial benefits to working at Bass Player. I get free CDs and occasional concert tickets, and I benefit immensely from the insight and music of the artists we cover, but, my lord, the gear. So much gear. Too much, actually. So it’s notable when certain pieces bubble to the surface and stay there—the gear that always seems to find its way out the door with a staffer on his way to a gig or rehearsal. The Genz Benz Shuttle-series combos are never around, and that’s a testament to their downright addictive versatility. Genz Benz nailed it. The Shuttle heads’ and combos’ ingenious design and impressive sound represent one of the industry’s most coherent realizations of lightweight amp technology.
The Shuttle line revolves around two heads, the STL3.0 and STL6.0, and a variety of neodymium cabinet configurations. The line’s basic premise is to mate a small-footprint, high-output neo cab to one of the two silly-light heads using a brilliant top-mounted aluminum “saddle.” The head is never permanently linked to a cabinet—removal is a simple operation, involving a couple of knurled thumbscrews and a slide out the front. Each head incorporates a Class D power amp and switch-mode power supply (SMPS). Only when paired to a cabinet do the Shuttles begin to even come close to approaching the weight of a typical head on its own. As a frequent gigger in a town that’s phenomenally annoying to park in, the Shuttle solution has been my go-to on many recent gigs—I’ve even bungied the 1x8 combo to my motorcycle for a few straight-ahead gigs in crowded parts of the city.
The Shuttle heads inherit many preamp features from Genz Benz’s other amps, elegantly stuffed into the small available space. Their efficiently laid-out front panels offer control over three bands of EQ (with semi-parametric midrange) and three switchable voicing filters: l.f. boost (guess what that does), mid scoop, and h.f. attack (take another stab). An array of power amp status LEDs monitor operational conditions, and a mute switch makes with the quiet. The rear panels are packed with goodies, including a full-featured direct output, tuner out, effects loop, and headphone jack. There are also jacks for an optional 4-button footswitch to control the muting and signal-shape controls. Other than their power output, the STL3.0 and STL6.0 differ most substantially in the preamp. The 3.0 gets a simple FET-based solid-state circuit, while the 6.0 utilizes a 12AX7 tube at the input stage. Both amps don’t have input pads for high-output basses, but Genz Benz says they were designed to accommodate a wide range of input levels without unwanted distortion.
The interior construction of the Shuttle heads is solid and nicely laid out, with thoughtful attention to harness dressing and overall neatness. Genz Benz sourced high-quality components to enhance the amps’ durability, like threaded-metal pot bushings and a substantial aluminum chassis. The attachment method into the cradle felt secure and able to withstand a lifetime of removal and installation.
The STL cabinets are as space-efficient and ruggedly built as the heads. Genz Benz partnered with Eminence for its neodymium speakers and spent a lot of time designing a ported cabinet that didn’t sacrifice low-end extension for portability. The resulting triangular ported design makes efficient use of space, and the lack of side-mounted handles maximizes internal volume. I usually want these handles, but the light and narrow Shuttle cabinets are easily schlepped via the top-mounted handle. The cabinetry and covering is solid; I particularly liked the durable-feeling exterior application.
Solid Sound
The Shuttle heads use Class D power amps and SMPS power supplies to reduce weight. Efficient Class D amps do away with heavy heat sinks, while the high-frequency switching of an SMPS dramatically reduces the size of the necessary transformer. These technologies have been around awhile, but they continue to improve, as demonstrated here. Whereas first-generation Class D/switching amps occasionally sounded notably less propulsive and robust compared to Class AB/linear amps, the Genz Benz heads sound strong and aggressive deep into the low frequency range. The output stages utilize the latest high-current switching devices to contend with low-impedance reactive loads, and the resulting tone is controlled and powerful, without a hint of shyness or unwanted delicacy. Output limiting is particularly crucial with Class D amps, so Genz Benz touts its Soft Limit circuit as integral to the Shuttle Series’ distinctive sound. Indeed, when pushed hard, the heads exhibit a pleasantly warm transition into clipping.
Genz Benz sent a variety of cabinet configurations with the Shuttle heads, and each has its unique sonic signature, the 2x10 being the volume king. My favorite, though, was the miraculous STL3.0-8T combo. This little 1x8 wonder has been plenty loud for a host of real-world jazz gigs I’ve done recently. Apparently this particular cabinet design presented Genz Benz with its biggest engineering challenge to date. The result is amazing— the deceptively loud cabinet always gets appreciative stares from bandmates for its full-bodied, deep tone. In testing with both the Shuttle cabinets and other brands, the Shuttle heads exhibited a quick, precise attack with sharp and dynamically responsive mids and a pliant low end. The midrange texture was colorful and rich—not totally syrupy, but appreciably sweet and refined. Each configuration has proved a faithful companion on gigs, except for one instance. For some reason (perhaps unreliable house power), the STL6.0-210T combo refused to operate at a recent gig, turning on but outputting no sound. The problem occurred one more time offstage, and hasn’t recurred since.
The Genz Benz Shuttle stuff is supremely capable and makes no sonic compromises for portability. While urban giggers will surely be drawn to the low schlep quotient, everybody should give these high-value amps a spin.
Second Opinion
Considering their size, the STL3.0-8T and -12T held up shockingly well at a moderately loud, two-guitar rock rehearsal, churning out respectably loud and clean lows with clear note articulation. As I pretty much expected, the 1x8 had a little trouble with B-string notes. The schlep, of course, was marvelous. —Bill Leigh
Street
STL3.0, $550; STL3.0-8T, $700; STL3.0-10T, $800; STL10T, $480;
STL6.0, $700; STL6.0-12T, $1,200;
STL6.0-210T, $1,300
Pros Remarkably portable and potent cabinets, heads, and combos
Cons One bizarre power problem; otherwise none
Bottom Line Reasonably priced, portable tone machines.
TECH SPECS
Input impedance 500kΩ
Tone controls low: ±15dB @ 80Hz (shelving); mid: ±15dB @ 150Hz–2kHz (semi-parametric); high: ±15dB @ 3.5kHz (shelving)
Signal shape l.f. boost: asymmetrical peaking gain @ 38Hz–67Hz; mid scoop: cut @ 800Hz–1kHz; h.f. attack: peaking gain @ 2.25kHz–8kHz
DI output xlr with line/mic level selection, pre/post eq switch, ground lift
Power amp topology Class D
Power supply Switch-mode
Power output Shuttle 3.0: 175 watts @ 8Ω, 300 watts @ 4Ω; Shuttle 6.0: 375 watts @ 8Ω, 600 watts @ 4Ω
Cabinet type STL3.0-8T, 1x8; STL 3.0-10T, 1x10; STL6.0-12T, 1x12; STL6.0-210T, 2x10; STL-10T, 1x10
Speaker manufacturer Custom-designed Eminence neodymium drivers with compression tweeter
Weight STL3.0, 2.75 lbs; STL3.0-8T, 14 lbs; STL3.0-10T, 18 lbs; STL6.0, 3.75 lbs; STL6.0-12T, 32 lbs; STL6.0-210T, 41 lbs
Made in Taiwan; designed and QC’d in U.S.A.
Warranty Three years
