My review of the Genz-Benz El Diablo 60C

[GeoffreyB60]

Re: My review of the Genz-Benz El Diablo 60C

Thank for your review. I took a leap of faith a couple of days ago and bought one on eBay. I haven't received it yet but I am really looking forward to checking it out. Your review and all the outer comments gives me heaps of confidence that I have made a good choice. But I guess the real test is in finding my tone amid all the options. Thanks again to everyone who contributed here.

 

[Surgeon]

Re: My review of the Genz-Benz El Diablo 60C

Glad this was helpful. I no longer own the amp but wouldn't hesitate to buy another one if the occasion presented itself. It's a wonderfully versatile amp that can cover lots of ground (pretty much anything really), how well depends on your use and perception of the amp.

Just remember to be patient: it's a finicky amp in a good way (IMHO) and will take some getting used to as far as the active EQ goes. Furthermore, it has a unique tone to start with so making it sound to your liking may take some time.

I'm sure with a bit of tweaking you'll really enjoy the thing.

 

[Juanhanglo]

Re: My review of the Genz-Benz El Diablo 60C

Glad this was helpful. I no longer own the amp but wouldn't hesitate to buy another one if the occasion presented itself. It's a wonderfully versatile amp that can cover lots of ground (pretty much anything really), how well depends on your use and perception of the amp.

Just remember to be patient: it's a finicky amp in a good way (IMHO) and will take some getting used to as far as the active EQ goes. Furthermore, it has a unique tone to start with so making it sound to your liking may take some time.

I'm sure with a bit of tweaking you'll really enjoy the thing.

I have a combo and a head. All said above is true.

I will add the following:

They respond well to speaker changes. I like the way wgs et65s sound in them
I have settled on using my head with an avatar 2x12 traditional cab.

Get the master volume up to half way and adjust the channel vols to suit. They need some volume to come to life. Playing at bedroom low volumes sounds flat and cheap, with no top end sparkle.


In case you haven't noticed, I love these amps! I also had the 100w head, but I like the 60 watters better.

Spend some time with it. The eq is active and works differently than normal eqs.

Triode mode works best at very low volumes.

 

[Joelski]

Re: My review of the Genz-Benz El Diablo 60C

Pardon the necro post, fellas! I just gave my El Diablo 60 Head and 2x12" cabinet a workout, ranging from some Gilmour to SRV to Edward and Randy. That amp gets and holds a tone like no other in my stable of mostly Boogies. I love all of those amps, but the GB is still my go to amp for noodling and just picking up a guitar for a few minutes. Looking around, it seems GB has fallen off the map and I can't for the life of me figure out why. I've been away from serious playing for a few years, but what the heck happened?

PS: Agree on the 6L6 tubes as well. Anybody who owns a Genz owes it to theirself to own both sets of tubes just for this amp in order to enjoy everything the amp has to offer!

 

[Surgeon]

Re: My review of the Genz-Benz El Diablo 60C

Well, they built great amps but never got any recognition. They were pricey and lots of folks preferred to go boutique for that kind of money (that's my hypothesis at least). The diablo was insanely versatile but again, very expensive for a low-profile brand like GB that didn't have any boutique voodoo hype. I miss mine though. Sold it when I made a move towards Orange amps and now I play amps I build mysel, except for my rectoverb. Most GB guitar amps are a bargain on the used market nowadays...

 

[Lazarus1140]

Re: My review of the Genz-Benz El Diablo 60C

... it seems GB has fallen off the map and I can't for the life of me figure out why. I've been away from serious playing for a few years, but what the heck happened?

This is a memory test for me which I normally fail, but I believe Genz-Benz sold twice. If I remember correctly, first they went to Kaman Music Corporation and then ultimately to Fender. If had had to speculate, I'd guess that the big boys made Jeff Genzler an offer he couldn't refuse in a move to limit the threat of competition. Who knows? If GB is in business now they are only producing bass amps and perhaps cabs.

Add to my short list of regrets that I never bought a Black Pearl. I've never heard EL84s sound so sweet!