Danzilla Posted August 24, 2015 Share Posted August 24, 2015 For several years, I've wanted a Genz Benz Black Pearl amp. There's a music store near where my old band would rehearse, and I'd stop in there for smaller gear needs on my way to practice. They were a Genz Benz distributer, and when I had enough time, I'd play the Black Pearl and say "one day..." Well, the day has arrived. They were having a "Christmas in July" clearance sale, and I asked a friend of mine who is not an employee, but teaches there, to see if they were cutting a deal on the Black Pearl, not really expecting it to be within reach of my budget. Lo and behold, they wanted to get it off the books, and since Fender shut down GB, I got a sweet deal on it. http://i108.photobucket.com/albums/n2/Awestruckdan/Genz%20Benz%20Black%20Pearl%20front.jpg Primarily a clean amp, it can get some nice dirt when you crank up the gain, mess with the voicing selection, and use the boost. Nice tube-driven spring reverb, too. You can run it at 30, 15, or 8 watts, by selecting 4 or 2 power tubes, and running them at pentode or triode function. http://i108.photobucket.com/albums/n2/Awestruckdan/Genz%20Benz%20Black%20Pearl%20Control%20Panel.jpg http://i108.photobucket.com/albums/n2/Awestruckdan/Genz%20Benz%20Black%20Pearl%20rear.jpg I haven't put it through all of its paces to get a feel for its full range, but I did gig it immediately. Drummer and our manager both noticed a difference and liked it. The singer of the band playing before us only plays electric guitar on 1 track, and asked if I minded if he used my amp rather than having to set up his amp for 1 song. We worked to get a Marshall-ish sound by cranking the gain, using the Dark voicing and using the boost. He was satisfied. I was hoping that, with the wattage options, it could replace both my Laney VC30 and my Egnater Tweaker 15. However, due to the weight of the Black Pearl, I'll be keeping the Tweaker to carry around to practices and really small gigs. Anybody want to buy the Laney? http://i108.photobucket.com/albums/n2/Awestruckdan/Genz%20Benz%20%20Pedal%20Board%20%20ES%20335%202.jpg "Am I enough of a freak to be worth paying to see?"- Separated Out (Marillion) NEW band Old band Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Larryz Posted August 24, 2015 Share Posted August 24, 2015 Very cool amp, pedals and guitar rig! Congrats on the new amp! Take care, Larryz Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dannyalcatraz Posted August 24, 2015 Share Posted August 24, 2015 Great amp & a great deal! (Sad to hear Fender shut down GB, though.) Sturgeon's 2nd Law, a.k.a. Sturgeon's Revelation: âNinety percent of everything is crapâ My FLMS- Murphy's Music in Irving, Tx http://murphysmusictx.com/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
desertbluesman Posted August 24, 2015 Share Posted August 24, 2015 I hope it gives you years of tonal bliss........ Good luck with it. dbm If it sounds good, it is good !! http://www.soundclick.com/bands/default.cfm?bandID=143231&content=music Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
harvey Posted August 25, 2015 Share Posted August 25, 2015 Looks great...they look like EL84s in the rear shot. can you confirm or deny?! What is the control between the Treble and Reverb? Looks like it says Top to me. Guitar Speak Podcast www.guitarspeakpodcast.libsyn.com https://www.facebook.com/guitarspeakpodcast www.itunes.apple.com/au/podcast/guitar-speak-podcast Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Danzilla Posted August 25, 2015 Author Share Posted August 25, 2015 Yes, it has 4 EL84 output tubes, 2 12AX7 preamp tubes, 2 12AX7s for the reverb, another 12AX7 phase splitter, and a 5AR4 rectifier. Per the manual, The "'Top' control is more like the classic "presence" network within the power tube stage controlling high frequency content and clarity within the critical phase inverter stage." And the speakers are 2 12" Eminence Red Fang alnicos, if anyone cares. "Am I enough of a freak to be worth paying to see?"- Separated Out (Marillion) NEW band Old band Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
harvey Posted August 25, 2015 Share Posted August 25, 2015 Groovy...i usually dig EL84 amps. Good luck selling your VC30, I've got its cousin; the LC30. Guitar Speak Podcast www.guitarspeakpodcast.libsyn.com https://www.facebook.com/guitarspeakpodcast www.itunes.apple.com/au/podcast/guitar-speak-podcast Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
p90jr Posted August 25, 2015 Share Posted August 25, 2015 Sweet! Being a Vox fan I dug these, too, when I checked them out. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Caevan O’Shite Posted August 26, 2015 Share Posted August 26, 2015 VERY nice! Ask yourself- What Would Ren and Stimpy Do? ~ Caevan James-Michael Miller-O'Shite ~ _ ___ _ Leprechaun, Esquire _ ___ _ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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