Genz Benz Black Pearl 30 Head

I recently purchased a new Genz Benz Black Pearl 30 Head from an online retailer, so I assume it is a 2009 model. It is a single channel amp with 5 different voicings, switchable power levels between 7.5, 15, and 30 watts, with a boost switch. Other features include volume, 3 band EQ, top control, reverb, and master volume. Even though it is a single channel amp, I rate it as a 9 in terms of features due to the different voicings that you can get out of this amp. If it had a second channel, I would definitely give it a 10.

I'm using this amp with American Series Strats and a 72 Tele Thinline Reissue and this amp is great with both single coils and humbuckers. I play mainly blues and classic rock and this amp suits those styles VERY well. If you want a bit more gain, this amp is an excellent pedal platform and responds extremely well to any overdrive pedal that I've put in front of it. In my opinion, this amp can give you everything from Vox-like chime to a nice down and dirty Bassman type grind. There is plenty of headroom with this amp, and it has plenty of volume. My favorite setting is at 15 watts pentode. The EQ is very responsive and touch sensitive, with nice even harmonics. I play it through an Avatar cabinet with 2 Celestion G12H30's. By far, this is the best sounding amp I've owned.

I haven't owned it very long so I can't comment on reliability but can say that the build quality is outstanding.

I've been playing guitar now for 40 years, and along with my strats and tele, I also own a Peavey Delta Blues 210 and Blackheart Handsome Devil Head. This amp sounds ten times better than the Peavey (and the Delta Blues is a sweet amp) and I can't sing its praise enough. I love the tones I can get from the Black Pearl and appreciate that it doesn't give that spikey tone with single coils. I picked this hands down over the Bogner Alchemist and Budda Superdrive due to price, and reputation. The switchable power levels also influenced my decision as I play mainly at home these days.

This review is for a 2008 Black Pearl 30 head. To see all the features go to the web site. This thing is very versatile--one channel with great eq. Has a five position switch that changes the tone on every setting. Also has an adjustable boost that I feel every amp should have. The pearl also has different power levels adjustable with the pentode/triode switch and has the ability via a switch in the back to run 4 tubes or 2 tubes(very cool). The head also has a fan that you can switch off if you want to. Has settings for 4, 8, and 16ohms. This head is 30 watts class A power and it has plenty of clean headroom. I play in county band and a praise band and it can cover both of these venues with ease. I use pedals but run them through the front end of the amp and it takes the pedals well.

I have a telecaster with emg's and a tom anderson with two single coils and a humbucker. This amp sounds great with both of these guitars. I also have a PRS but have not tried it through the pearl yet. I run the master wide open and the gain about 11:00 o'clock and this gives me plenty of clean headroom and if I need some dirt I just stomp on one of my pedals. I am running a 1-12 genz-benz cab with a celestion g12H speaker and it sounds really nice.

The pearl really seems to be built well. I have not had any issues with it and don't expect to. It is really a great looking head IMO. A really nice piece of gear.

I had a few questions and Jeff answered them all usually the same day I e-mailed him. He seems to really care about his products.

I have been playing a long time and have had alot of gear. I currently own a maz 38 head and 1-12 bottom, a fender hot rod deluxe and the black pearl. The maz is my go to amp, but I also might use the pearl or the deluxe depending on the gig etc. I really like the pearl--it is a great amp. Go try one!

The Black Pearl 30 head is just like the combo version minus the speak cabinet. This head features 30 watts of pure Class A power, an effects loop, 5 EQ voicings, foot switchable volume (gain) boost, and a few extra EQ functions that allow the amp to come alive.
The only reason this amp gets a 9 instead of a 10 is becuase at the end of the day it is still a single channel amp. Also, it would have been nice to have the effects loop switchable and be given a pot to allow a mixture of the effect to be "blended".

100% amazing as far as sound quality goes. Genz Benz has always made exceptional sounding equipment but this amp takes the cake. I use this amp to dial in a clean tone that is dark and on the verge of breaking up as my main tone then I put a Boss DS-1 out in front to have a footswitchable distortion channel. From there I use the footswitcable volume boost as a lead boost to get my solos out in front of the band a bit.
This amp absolutely is an extension of the players attack and really allows you to create dynamics. The amp is quite, even with pedals in the chain, and just does an amazing job of allowing you to create your own sound. For blues, country, rock, and especially what I play, hard rock (thanks in part to the amazingly killer and affordable DS-1), this amp will crush the competition. Even without the DS-1 you can kick up the channel volume, as well as the volume boost to really get the tubes to overdrive, then kick in the volume boost full time and for a non-high gain amp, you would be surprised at the level of crunch you can achieve (anything rock or hard rock is totally achievable). I have played every amp under the sun (Mesa, Peavey, VHT, Hughes & Kettner, Marshall) and will not let go of this one until the day I die.
Finally, anyone afraid of 30 watts, you won't be with this amp. With the above settings and the tube switches all on I have this amp pushing 4 on the master volume and sit on top nicely over my band. I still have plenty of head room and a ton of tonal range if I need it.

This head, like anything Genz Benz makes, is bullet proof. Not only is she a beauty, but man it is solidly built. I have had the head for a month so long term I can not say but being a previous owner of the El Diablo (which will cut your head completely off and create everyon'es ear drums to burst) Genz Benz equipment is rock solid.

I have emailed and spoken with Jeff Genzler in person and he is 100% behind ensuring the consumer can use his amps. I have never seen the type of committment from another manufacturer like Jeff's ensures with his products.

My overall rating on this amp is a 10+. I have been playing rock and jazz for 22 years and have played a ton of equipment. Now I am in my early 30's and understand more about tone than ever and this amp is it for me. Great looks, excellent features and package size, and what a sound. Please look into this amp if you have ever thought about purchasing a single channel "Boutique" type of amp (I hate to even use this word as it typically implies expensive and not very flexible). You can not beat Genz Benz for quality, tone, and support.

New BP 30 Head made in 2006. A single channel amp with 5 position tone control as well as treble, mid, bass, and presence control. There is also a long pan reverb with single control and a master volume. Rated at 30 Watts and can get very loud. footswitchable boost.

I wanted an El-84 head with great build quality and reverb and got a great deal on this amp via Ebay. This head is a quantum leap above the current line of vox custom classic amps and tube replacement is simple. I love 60's British Invasion stuff and run the head through a custom cab loaded with reissue alnico celestion blues (2X12). The amp sounds absolutely wonderful with single coils, p-90's, or humbuckers. It is definitely on the loud side but can be lowered to 15 or even 8 watts. It also handles pedals very easily. In short, it is a vox AC30 with great build quality and the ability to get very aggressive like matchless, badcat, or tophat.

Time will tell about reliability, but it seems extremely well built along the lines of say Mesa Boogie. A lot of attention has been paid to detail.

I sent an email regarding a tube question and received a detailed and informative response within 12 hours from the owner Jeff. He obviously cares about his customer base. I expect that any questions or concerns would be promptly dealt with.

Been playing 42 plus years and have gone through my fair share of equipment. This amp is a keeper and nails early beatles, kinks, animals, yardbirds, stones, etc. Its great fun replicating those sounds I grew up with. This amp is a bargain for anyone wanting that EL-84 vox, selmer chime. I got mine on Ebay nearly mint at a great price.

This review is for a 2007 Genz-Benz Black Pearl 30 head with a custom made 1x12 cabinet that has an Eminence Red Fang (Alnico) speaker which is the same speaker that Genz-Benz uses in his cabinets. This amp has an outstanding EQ ....... it actually works. There's also a seperate switch which gives you 5 different voices in addition to the EQ settings. This is a single channel amp but boy................... what a channel it is!!!! (also has a gain boost function that's foot switchable)

I have 2 great overdrive pedals and the amp loves both of them, as a matter of fact it plays well with all of my pedals, so channel switching is not even an issue with this amp. I play blues, classic rock, some country and a few jazz flavored tunes. (Not a metal player's amp) I was never a fan of EL84's until I plugged into this baby. Man did I change my mind FAST. I use this amp in my home and with it's variable power settings of 8 watts, 15 watts & 30 watts this amp is also perfect for studio use or small gigs. If you need more volume run it through a 2x12 and there ya go!

I think that Genz-Benz's choice of the Eminence Red Fang speaker is so key to the overall sound of this great amp. The Black Pearl and the Red Fang just seem to be perfectly matched. My guitars' have never sounded sooooooooooooo good. Humbuckers, single coils and an acoustic electric. This amp brings out the best of each one and with the 5 way voicing switch it's effortless to change from one to the other without having to mess around with the EQ. My set up with the separate head and speaker cab is the best choice for a quiet running rig. With the dials set from 11 to 2 o'clock all you can hear is the internal fan, (and that's only if the room is dead quiet) but there's even a switch to turn it off if you're working in a studio. The harmonic content that this amp brings through is just unbelievable. Shimmering cleans or add some bite, it's all good! As a matter of fact it sounds so good I find myself just plugging straight in without the pedal board more and more. This is just one great sounding amp .......... period! (Try one and I bet you'll buy it)

Reliability? ........... too soon to tell. But I will say after looking in the back of this thing, it is built like one heavy duty mother, going for the "long haul." I don't foresee any problems with it. (Just normal, periodic, tube replacement)

Here, Genz-Benz shines even more than the Black Pearl. I had occasion
to talk with Jeff Genzler a few times and I can tell you this; The man actually cares that the people who buy his products understand their functionality and are happy with them, whether you're a "star" or just an "in-home" player like me. He's definitely tuned in to designing amps that have outstanding tone and he's very proud of what he designs. He's what I call a "genuine person," a real nice guy. I wish there was a higher rating than 10. (no, I'm not related and I don't work for him) Just telling it like it is.

Been playing on & off for 40 years and have gone through "too much gear" and maybe that's because I'm such a fussy bastard. I'm down to 3 guitars (1) '58 LP RI for humbuckers, (1) G&L Legacy with single coils and a Taylor T-5, a few boutique pedals and now, finally after selling amp after amp I found the Black Pearl. I'm finally "good to go." My wife and my wallet will be allot happier now too. Right now the price for these amps is a bargain, they're not cheap, but you get more than your money's worth. If you love great tone and you're in the market for a new amp, you gotta try one of these bad boys out. It's the best thing I ever did.