Genz Benz Neo-Pak - Opinions

[groover]

I am in the market to buy some light weight bass amp gear. A good friend of mine has a Genz Benz Neo-Pak for sale, asking $400. It is the model that preceded the current Shuttle series and is made in the US, not Taiwan like the current models.

 

225 wats at 8 Ohm and 350 Watts at 4 Ohms and weighs 8 lbs.

 

I know that there are many other smaller, lighter heads out there that have more power but I have played through GB amps and I really like the tone, although I have never played through this particular model. Also, the small rig will mostly be used for coffee houses so I don't really need 500+ watts of power.

 

Originally I was thinking about just buying a decent light weight combo, but this head looks awfully tempting to me. Maybe spend around another $400 - $500 for a small light cab to go with it.

 

My questions are:

1) Does this head look like a good deal? I know the guy very well and know he takes care of his gear. Also he is going to let me use it for a little while before I commit to buying it.

 

2) Any one have any experience with a Neo-Pak head? Any common issues?

 

3) What cab would you pair with it for coffee house gigs? I'll be playing with an acoustic guitarist, keyboard, Electric guitar/pedal steel and a percussionist. I will more than likely be using an MIJ P-bass and/or a Yamaha fretless, both 4 strings.

 

I know ultimately it will come down to my test driving it and trying it with different cabs to see if it works for me or not, but I value your opinions and will factor them in my decisions.

 

Thanks!

[jlrush]

I've been using a GB M Line 200 1x15 combo for a couple of years. I play a P Special and a Jazz bass through it and like the sound. I have also played alot on a friend's GB 3.5 Shuttle head through a Schroeder 12&10 neo cab and they sound pretty good together too.

The M Line 200 and the 3.5 Shuttle have nearly identical features and sound very similar to me, with the main difference probably being the speakers, 1x15 vs 12&10. When I bought the combo I originally wanted the 3.5 and 12&10, but could only swing the less expensive combo at the time.

[SteveC]

I used a Neo-Pak before I went to Shuttles. It's a great amp. Some like it better than the Shuttles that followed it. I used mine with a Genz NeoX 112 cab. Great little rig.

 

Where these amps are made has little to do with anything. They are all top notch - as is customer service.

[jeremy c]

I'm loving my Shuttle amp, if that helps. I sold my SWR amps after I got it.

 

Second on the customer service from Genz-Benz.

Jeff Genzler called me up the day I emailed him with a question.

 

Some years ago, he also promptly took care of something for me (involving a custom-made flight case).

[Russkull]

+1 for their customer service. I have an old Genz head that I bought as NOS. While deciding whether to buy, I talked to Genz-Benz and got prompt answers and a good deal of information from them.

[groover]

Thanks for the responses. I'm probably going to buy the head, will know for sure once I get to try it out. It's good to hear the positive comments about customer support, too many times I've bought a good quality product only to be later put off by poor customer support.

 

I'm still thinking about what cab to pair it with, the GB NEOX cabs are an obvious choice but I'm trying not to go much over $800 total investment. With my friend asking $400 (possibly negotable) for the Neo-Pak that leaves me with $400 - $500. I'll be searching the used market and may find a pre-owned NEOX 1x12 but I'm looking at all options for now both used and new. Any recommendation?

[rumpelstiltskin.]

used bergantino. i bought an HT-112 for $375. you can find them, too.

 

robb.

[SteveC]

A Bergie HT112 would be a nice cab with that...or almost any head really. Those are great cabs.

[Rodl2005]

IMO/IME it's VERY hard to go past Bergantino cabs!!!!

 

Ever since I got my 1st Berg. -a NV610- I've been totally blown away by their completeness!!(??) So much CLARITY without ever sounding sterile.

I've since sold my NV610, regrettably, but I have a NV215 & I had no room/need for 2 NV cabs- as MUCH as I would've LOVED to.

Now I've got an AE112 & an AE212 too & BOTH of those are superb. I've USED-not owned- a HT112, & it too was fantastic.

I've also since found a HS410 (in the guise of a SADOWSKY SA410... same cab AFAIK) & it too is superb!!!! But as I like 12"s & 15"s.... I MIGHT offload the HS/SA410... again, it'd be VERY reluctantly!

[rumpelstiltskin.]

i would love to pair an NV215 with my ampeg V4. but that's neither here nor there.

 

robb.