Genz Benz cabs . . . are they any good ?

SirJackdeFuzz

New member
I can get a 2X12 Genz Benz cab for very cheap (read : cheap for over here) in mint condition.

So, my question is . . . what to you think of the Genz Benz G-Flex 212 ?

genz-benz-gb-212g-flex-182444.jpg


One thing i do like about the cab, is that you have an 4/8/16ohm option on that back.
That is good news for my 4ohm Bassman.

But these are not very common over here, and i have not heard one in person.
Well, i s'pose anything is better than the Marshall 2X12 1936 cab.

Any feedback will be great !
 
Re: Genz Benz cabs . . . are they any good ?

I haven't played one and read a lot of reviews (which I'll leave to you to read or not directly) so I can't comment on the sound. However, I've owned an ElDiablo 60 Combo and I can say 2 things:

1- Genz Benz stuff is made like nothing else I've encountered. It's gonna be way more solid than anything else. Their cabs (in my case combo cab) was impressive, rigid, thick, big and built like the proverbial tank.

2- Speaker: if you have the same speakers I did in my combo (if I remember well it's their own brand/logo thing) it's gonna be oK but not mind blowing.

If it's that cheap I'd at least give it a try. They're not that well known or regarded but they do build nice gear IMHO.
 
Re: Genz Benz cabs . . . are they any good ?

I haven't played one and read a lot of reviews (which I'll leave to you to read or not directly) so I can't comment on the sound. However, I've owned an ElDiablo 60 Combo and I can say 2 things:

1- Genz Benz stuff is made like nothing else I've encountered. It's gonna be way more solid than anything else. Their cabs (in my case combo cab) was impressive, rigid, thick, big and built like the proverbial tank.

2- Speaker: if you have the same speakers I did in my combo (if I remember well it's their own brand/logo thing) it's gonna be oK but not mind blowing.

If it's that cheap I'd at least give it a try. They're not that well known or regarded but they do build nice gear IMHO.

Thanks for the feedback - much appreciated !
 
Re: Genz Benz cabs . . . are they any good ?

Just replaced a speaker in an older Genz Benz Bass cabinet , it is solid and well built. Everything was soldered well and it has been used for around 20 years . Single 15" speaker it is my Bass players small and light carry around cab. The last open mic night we went to the bass player had a pair of Genz Benz cabs a 15 and a 410 and they sounded pretty good. If it is cheap , you probably will be o.k.
 
Re: Genz Benz cabs . . . are they any good ?

They're cool cabs. Mine is a real early one, 1997 or so. It's made a little differently than the one pictured. It didn't come with a 4/8-8/16 though, it was 4/8-8 with no switch. I changed it to a 16/8-8 switch from a Randall cab. The speakers are Eminence, basically V12's, I like them myself. I've heard a rumor that when Lynch was testing them with V30's they kept popping, so they went to Eminence. Mine have been pretty much abused, and they still work and sound great.

The cab can be boomy with some amps, you'll want to roll the bass a bit lower than usual (most likely). That and I've heard that some amps don't get along with it so well (not my experience) are the only negatives. The higher sensitivity Emi's along with the design do allow it to totally keep up with Marshall 4x12's with T75's.
 
Re: Genz Benz cabs . . . are they any good ?

They're cool cabs. Mine is a real early one, 1997 or so. It's made a little differently than the one pictured. It didn't come with a 4/8-8/16 though, it was 4/8-8 with no switch. I changed it to a 16/8-8 switch from a Randall cab. The speakers are Eminence, basically V12's, I like them myself. I've heard a rumor that when Lynch was testing them with V30's they kept popping, so they went to Eminence. Mine have been pretty much abused, and they still work and sound great.

The cab can be boomy with some amps, you'll want to roll the bass a bit lower than usual (most likely). That and I've heard that some amps don't get along with it so well (not my experience) are the only negatives. The higher sensitivity Emi's along with the design do allow it to totally keep up with Marshall 4x12's with T75's.


Good info !

Thanks.

Looks like i will get it then.
If worst comes to worst, i can replace the speakers with Emi Swamp Thangs or Reaper 55's !
 
Re: Genz Benz cabs . . . are they any good ?

I'm sorry I saw your post so late. I would have commented sooner, but at least I'm here now. I worked in a store that sold Genz Benz products. I ended up getting the El Diablo 100 head. However, I hated the cabinet. To me, I was more than happy with my Marshall JCM 900, 1960. The one with the 75 watt Celestions. The Genz Benz cab was just overly mid heavy with a strange amount of bass. I am so happy with the El Diablo, but for a good while I thought it was complete crap due to the speakers. Once I changed cabs, it really opened up my eyes.

But in the end I'd say give it a try. It might be "your" sound. But for me, not so much.
 
Re: Genz Benz cabs . . . are they any good ?

I'm sorry I saw your post so late. I would have commented sooner, but at least I'm here now. I worked in a store that sold Genz Benz products. I ended up getting the El Diablo 100 head. However, I hated the cabinet. To me, I was more than happy with my Marshall JCM 900, 1960. The one with the 75 watt Celestions. The Genz Benz cab was just overly mid heavy with a strange amount of bass. I am so happy with the El Diablo, but for a good while I thought it was complete crap due to the speakers. Once I changed cabs, it really opened up my eyes.

But in the end I'd say give it a try. It might be "your" sound. But for me, not so much.

Thank you for sharing your experience . . . all info greatly appreciated !


;)
 
Re: Genz Benz cabs . . . are they any good ?

Like synzzzer, i had an el diablo 100 watt head and the gflex 2x12.
I didn't like the head so much ( but i love the 60 watt version).

The gflex had waaaaay too much bass and seemed almost one dimensional.
I sold it for an avatar open backed 2x12 that is loaded with wgs et65s.
Haven't looked back.

I wanted to like it, but my ears told me otherwise
 
Re: Genz Benz cabs . . . are they any good ?

I have 3 of the 2x12's, one el diablo 100 2x12 combo, and a 4x12 g flex. They are all great, I love the midrange punch and the good low end they have. Many claim the 2x12 g flex will keep up with most 4x12's but I only run mine in pairs usually. They can take a lot of abuse, and you can set them at 4 ohm for max volume or 16 ohm for less volume or to run another cab. I will run my head at 50 watts/16 ohm single cab when they mic us up real good to still drive the amp but not be as loud. I would buy another 2x12 if given the chance. From what I've read the speakers are tweaked eminence legends. Now I just need a splawn quick rod head.
 
Re: Genz Benz cabs . . . are they any good ?

UPDATE :


The Genz Benz G-flex 2X12 arrived today.

Gonna put it through it's paces tomorrow.
 
Re: Genz Benz cabs . . . are they any good ?

IMG_5463.jpg


. . . in the house.

Testing tomorrow.

Wonder how my 4ohm Bassman will sound through it ?
 
Re: Genz Benz cabs . . . are they any good ?

"Tomorrow" has come and gone. Where's the review? Very interested in the results of your testing.
 
Re: Genz Benz cabs . . . are they any good ?

OK, so two full days have passed since i connected the Genz Benz g-Flex to an amp.

First was the 5150, and today, the Thunderverb.

I want to try and get the Bassman connected tomorrow.

Not exactly sure where to start . . .


. . . so let me say that statement; 'this cab sound as big as a 4X12' is very, very true.

This cab sounds much B I G G E R than my Orange 2X12.
I love that Orange cab, but the g-Flex IS bigger in the bottom end, sounds bigger and fills the room with unquestionable authority.
For the first time, the 5150 sound bigger than the Thunderverb.

Second statement that i kept reading, when trying to do some 'research' on this cab is; 'the cab is dark and bass heavy'.
YES, and YES.
The cab is most deff much darker than my 2X12 cab with V30/Swamp Thang-mix.
And no, this amp is most certainly not muddy.
The attack is immediate and precise.
I do not know if the ports have anything to do with it, but this cab reminds me of a good bass guitar character.
It thumps the living daylight out of the room, and that was with my Tele on the 'middle' pos.
There si also a more modern feel to the character of the cab.
Speakers ? Actual cab design ? . . . not sure, but it does not have the same note decay as a Marshall 1960, or my cousin's old Laney 2X12 cab that came stock with his GH 50 L head.
Those cabs always felt to me that they can not do that super fast-N-tight Rammstein style chugga-chugga riffs.
THIS cab, was made for it.

Warm, huge sounding with a tight, and super quick attack with a very mellow top end.

This cab is a keeper - FACT !
 
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