This portable, lightweight, gigging Genzler packs a punch!

It is always great when I get a chance to review something that I have owned and gigged with extensively. The Magellan 800 bass head is the latest offering from who many consider to be the father of modern bass amplification, Jeff Genzler. For those paying at home, Jeff Genzler was an early pioneer of the class D craze under the Genz-Benz moniker. Many pros from Paul Jackson to the immortal Chuck Rainey endorsed Jeff’s design until the company closed up shop. A few years back, though, the Genzler name reemerged with the Magellan 800 head.

• Clean Channel –
• Pristine and Articulate
• Drive Channel –
• Voiced for a More Driven Tonal Signature and Harmonic Texture
• Dual-Curve Variable Contour Circuitry
• Curve A — Classic to Modern — Mid Scoop Curve
• Curve B — Thicker to Vintage — Low-Mid Bump w/Tapered Top End
• Flat Position — Full Bypass
• Active 3 Band EQ w/Parametric Mid Control
• Signal Mute Switch
• Input Pad Switch
• Thermal Sensing Variable Speed Fan Cooling
• All Brushed, Aircraft Grade Aluminum Chassis with Extruded Aluminum Front Panel
• Output: 400W/8 Ohms, 800W/4 Ohms and 800W/2.67 Ohms
• 2.67 Ohms Min. Total Load
• Dimensions: 11.25”W X 10.5”D X 3”H
• Weight: 6.25 Lbs.

Now, what is different about this amp from the plethora of class D offerings on the market today? Well there are a few things. First, this is one of the few heads on the market capable of running at 2.67 ohms on a regular basis. I ran it at this impedance throughout my time with the amp and I never got exploded once (cue the Deliverance banjos). Also, this head has a very great overdrive channel that gives you all of those great vintage grinds (get your mind out of the gutter). Lastly, and most importantly, the Variable contour circuit. This is what really makes this amp a one-stop-shop. I played in a variety of bands using this amp. I needed everything from the low-mid 60s R&B thump to an ultra-flat, modern response. This head delivered it all.

Unlike the Genzler speaker cabinets, the head is manufactured overseas. That said, it sports a very rugged exterior and is built very well. Another common complaint I have read about this head is that it isn’t as user-friendly as some of the other amps in it’s class. I never really experienced that. It seemed daunting at first, but the manual does a great job of walking you through the inner workings of those shiny little turn-y knobs on the faceplate.

The last thing I want to mention has to do with Genzler’s customer service. This can, and has, been a deal breaker for with companies over the years. A company is only as good as its product, and a product is only as good as the customer service behind it. Mr. Genzler is extremely accessible on all social media platforms and most of the big-name forums. He answers quickly and is always very kind and helpful. I had a question about my head at one point and he actually answered the phone when I called. You certainly don’t find that with a lot of companies these days, and it is refreshing that company with such a great product backs it up with great customer service. My amp never had an issue, but I get the feeling that the crew at Genzler would make it right if it ever did fail.