Genz Benz Neo Pak 3.5 Bass Amplifier Head

As previously mentioned, all the features I need.
Power to spare too.
Definitely has its own sound, a good tone that can become harsh if pushed.
Its the first digital amp I've owned and I admit to being a bit nervous of this at first but there was no need to worry.
And as a bonus, with no output transformer, this is a 350-500watt bass head that your child could carry to the gig for you.

I normally use the big tube amps by Ampeg and Boogie, but I needed a portable spare and the is came up at the right price.
It took a bit of getting used to as it sounds very "polite" compared to what I have been using. Its been my main amp for small to middle sized gigs for 7 months, it copes with every style of music thrown at it.
A very quiet amp with no extraneous noise++
With my passive fenders, I have the preamp gain on 10 oclock, the preamp output on 2 oclock, the master volume varies between 10 oclock and 12...any more than this and the plaster starts coming off the walls.
A very clean sounding amp, my only criticism is that it can sound harsh and unmusical if driven hard.

I bought this unit secondhand and I did have a few problems with an intermittent cutting out of the volume. This turned out to be caused by a faulty fan. that was fixed 4 months ago and everything is fine now.

There is no dedicated service centre for Genz in the UK, this should change now that Fender have taken over distribution.
If you email Genz Benz, Jeff Genzler will reply to you personally, he is a very helpful and friendly guy who involved himself in ensuring my amp was fixed. Top marks.

I've been playing nearly thirty years and have finally got to the stage were I'm looking to carry lighter gear and save my poor back.
I'd heard of Genz Benz by reputation only but I'd recommend them to anyone.

This is a great bass amp with great features!! I bought it soon after the 1st and only time I used it in jam with some old friend of mine.
It is versatile. I love the blue LED behind the 12ax7 tube!! Wow! a gaseous tube!!a couple of features that would be kewl would be a foot switchable mute switch and a ground lift for the direct out.

The amp had plenty of power.when I played with a band that had a sound system it worked great,but when I played with a band that did not have a sound system. the protection circuit kicked in on me, shutting the amp off at the worst possible time..

I contacted G-B and Jeff Genzler answered me.. I discovered that I was running this amp at 2 ohms and not 4 ohms.. this is a 8-4 ohm amp.
This is why this amp was shutting down on me. I have since traded this amp in for a GBE-1200... I loved the Neo-Pak 3.5's features.. this new amp is even better..!!!

My primary bass at this time is a Wal Mach II fretless 5 string and an Alembic Series I 5 string. both are stock instruments.

I play a wide variety of styles and this amp suited me great..I highly recommend it.. the weight of it can not be beat! I have played in concert situations and in club situations.

I don't use distortion,so I don't have any experience using this feature.

I have used an Alembic F2B Preamp since the mid-70's on all of my bass rigs. I love the warmth of a tube preamp.

I would have to say that the reliability of the amp is great..It was my mistake that is used 2 4 ohm cabinets on it and caused the protection circuit to kick on when I was really pushing this amp.

I never had to get any repairs done to this amp. the dealer/ repair center is in my home town and is the best around!

I must say when I 1st had this problem of the amp shutting down..I contacted Genz-Benz and as others on here have said Jeff Genzler ,himself replied to me..Wow! What support!! Thanx,Jeff!

It was after chatting with him, I decided to trade this amp back in and get the GBE-1200 which runs at a 2 ohm load!!

I have been playing for 40+ years.. I own many different basses and also many different amplifiers.. I would buy another one if it were stolen or burned up.

The only thing I can think of I wish it had would be a foot switch for the mute switch, a foot switch for the effects loop and a ground lift for the DI out

2005. Has all the critical features I want. Enough POWER (225 watts at 8 ohms, 350 watts at 4 ohmns), Ultralight LOW WEIGHT (8.5 pounds), TUBE pre-amp (12AX7), simple EQ knobs. Not so complicated as to be intimidating. XLR Direct output, two speaker outputs (1/4" or Speak-On). Active/Passive switch for your bass input. Also Tuner Output and Effects Loop. Rack mountable, but I expect to use its carry bag (purchased separately).

Did I mention it weights 8.5 pounds? I've got nothing to prove by lugging a 50-pound amp head.

It's attractive. Sturdy metal case. Attractive blue (and sometimes red) lights.

There are some other features it could have, such as a headphone jack and support for 2 ohm speakers. But it's close to perfect.

I tested it, in the store, with my Peavey Cirrus 5-string (active) and a 4x10 Genz Benz cabinet. It sounded fantastic.

At home, I'm using it with a new B210 Neo speaker cabinet from Avatar Speakers. My passive 4-string bass sounds wonderful. The bass is an inexpensive but sweet Raven RB100, made in Korea (a terrific instrument, after having a neck adjustment and fret leveling).

So far, I'm less than thrilled with the sound from my other active bass, a USA Peavey Millennium, but I'm sure that the right setting is in there. Just a matter of experimenting until I get it. And maybe changing the strings and battery in the bass.

Too new to say. Haven't gigged with it yet, but I would use it without a backup. Genz Benz seems to be one of those under-appreciated brands whose customers love them. Just my type. Made in USA.

No experience with support.
3 year warranty.

I've been playing electric bass and guitar for about six years (acoustic guitar for longer), and have lately been upgrading from my "beginner" gear to more pro-quality equipment. I will still use my 25-watt combo bass amp, particularly when I need a personal monitor. I wanted this amp for the times when I need to play in a venue where the small combo amp isn't adequate, or I have to compete with electric guitars and a drummer.

It's exactly what I set out to find, much to my surprise. Ultralight, compact, reasonably powerful, good reputation company, 8/4 ohm output, Speak-On connectors, tone shaping controls. Portability is important.

The only other things I would wish for it would be a (1) headphone jack and (2) carry bag standard, not extra.

I compared it to other Genz Benz amps, ultralight amps from Yamaha and Ampeg, and also considered used models of other well-known brands. The excellent price I was offered (since it is normally advertised for $720-$800), combined with the desired features, sold me. No regrets. I don't know of another bass amp, at this time, that could please me as much.

It (with the 2x10" cabinet) also sounds great with my Ovation acoustic-electric guitars.