Genz-Benz El Diablo Combo

[barbarianbrute]

anyone own/play this? what do you think? switchable with el34 or 6l6 - cool as hell. the clean channel is supposed to be superb.

i tried the black pearl, but all i could get is clean tones. extremely pleasing clean tones, but i don't know how to get distortion out of it. maybe you have to crank it. either way that's not my amp. but the el diablo combo sounds like it's a great buy. what are your thoughts?

 

[brit84]

Re: Genz-Benz El Diablo Combo

ive got the diablo 100 head and its killer, listen to the clips on their website for a demo! nice cleans and ultra tweakable eq can get any tone.

 

[barbarianbrute]

Re: Genz-Benz El Diablo Combo

anyone else have any input on these?

 

[Kosh Naranek]

Re: Genz-Benz El Diablo Combo

I like my El Diablo 60 head. I agree the cleans are superb.

The hot channel is very flexible. The EQ, dynamic/compressed switch and normal/high gain switch can get you anything from a classic rock overdrive to a scooped modern metal tone. And the high end on the hot channel is smooth and warm. You will not get an ice pick earpiercing high end even if you turn the treble and midrange up high. The attack level switch will get you a little more edge, but it still will not sound harsh.

The tube contour control is cool too. It changes the sound from a warm classic tone with a softer attack to an edgy 80's metal lead tone with a hard attack. It's great for fine tuning the sound of the amp to various rooms if you gig with it too.

Lots of tonal options, and it's pretty hard to get a bad tone out of it. There are some tones it won't do - the blistering Soldano type lead tone being one, although maybe with 6L6's...

 

[barbarianbrute]

Re: Genz-Benz El Diablo Combo

I like my El Diablo 60 head. I agree the cleans are superb.

The hot channel is very flexible. The EQ, dynamic/compressed switch and normal/high gain switch can get you anything from a classic rock overdrive to a scooped modern metal tone. And the high end on the hot channel is smooth and warm. You will not get an ice pick earpiercing high end even if you turn the treble and midrange up high. The attack level switch will get you a little more edge, but it still will not sound harsh.

The tube contour control is cool too. It changes the sound from a warm classic tone with a softer attack to an edgy 80's metal lead tone with a hard attack. It's great for fine tuning the sound of the amp to various rooms if you gig with it too.

Lots of tonal options, and it's pretty hard to get a bad tone out of it. There are some tones it won't do - the blistering Soldano type lead tone being one, although maybe with 6L6's...

cool thanks. have you played the combo? if so, what did you think?

 

[brit84]

Re: Genz-Benz El Diablo Combo

it would probably sound like my setup, i have the head as mentioned, and the gflex cab which is what the combo is basically built into. the cabinet is very responive and and great bass due to the porting. The combo doesnt have this but should sound pretty good anyway.

 

[Gearjoneser]

Re: Genz-Benz El Diablo Combo

There's 2 routes. Get the Genz Benz, be happy for awhile, sell it, then get the JVM, losing lots of money and time, or....

Sell off a bunch of stuff, add some money, and go straight after a JVM/1960AV halfstack, and be satisfied for years, knowing you bought the right thing the first time.

 

[brit84]

Re: Genz-Benz El Diablo Combo

or get the genz benz, preferably used, save a crapload of money, and have every tone the jvm can make with less buttons and junk, as well as real reverb if youre into it, and way better tone.
I agree on getting the 412 though.

 

[drpietrzak]

Re: Genz-Benz El Diablo Combo

I have the GB El Diablo 60C. It is a great amp. Great cleans and great dirt channel. It is probably the most versatile 2 channel amp I have played. It handles pedals well and runs an extension cab well. I have had no desire to buy a Marshall ... sorry.

 

[barbarianbrute]

Re: Genz-Benz El Diablo Combo

i am getting the jvm. that's why i'm trading my mesa express for the el diablo combo. it's about $400 cheaper and that's how much i need to get the JVM head. looks like i'm set.