experience on GK MB500

MartinBorgen · #1 08-02-2010, 04:30 PM

I've heard different things about the GK MB500, and all that with the MB² 500, and just MB500, etc.

what's people's opinion on this amp? i mostly play jazz and soul, but want it to be versitaliate to handle most genres. i might just have a cab in mind in the event of a buy, but if anyone got a reccomendation, please share.

also, a tricky question: anyone tried using it for DB occationally?

thanks?

rpsands · #2 08-02-2010, 04:51 PM

The MB500 (which I own) is a fantastic value. Good amp. Usable EQ points. Decent power. Never used it for UB.

I like it slightly more than the Markbass F1 I owned previously and a lot more than the Shuttle 6 I owned before that.

MartinBorgen · #3 08-02-2010, 04:55 PM

by "decent power", do you mean it gives the full 500W/350 @ 4/8 Ohm, or does it start to distort too much before that?

rpsands · #4 08-02-2010, 04:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by psykopatsak

by "decent power", do you mean it gives the full 500W/350 @ 4/8 Ohm, or does it start to distort too much before that?

I think while watts are an objective thing, apparent volume feels pretty subjective. I don't have a tool to measure the output voltage but I suspect it puts out the full 500@4 and 350@8, and would not be shocked to see it potentially peak 50% higher than that.

It's at least as loud as the F1, with the 15/6 (8 ohm, ~98db sensitivity).

MartinBorgen · #5 08-02-2010, 05:07 PM

ah, i was just asking because all SS amps do not always sound good when runnig full RMS watts. (though i am expecting GK amps to handle it). i want backline loud + some more for good measure.

also, a completley different question. i read somewhere that the GK G.I.V.E (the boost effect) technology does not always sound good through a horn. any one who can comment on this? i think that was when reading about another amp, but i just want to make sure.

BigOldHarry · #6 08-02-2010, 05:17 PM

what *I* want to know is where is that MB200???

It has been failing to ship for... how long?

rag · #7 08-03-2010, 12:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BigOldHarry

what *I* want to know is where is that MB200???

It has been failing to ship for... how long?

The MB200 has been shipping from Stockton for two weeks.
Bob

MIJ-VI · #8 08-03-2010, 12:38 AM

G-K is indeed shipping amps.., including some to Yorkville Sound.

The GrooveSpot: Episode 11 - GK Factory Tour (Part 4 of 4)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z7KNCqlelxo

C'mon MB-Fusion!

MartinBorgen · #9 08-03-2010, 10:01 AM

BUMP please

Brubass · #10 08-03-2010, 10:09 AM

I play in a Hippie Rock cover band and I use an MB2-500 with an Avatar SB112 and occasionally a Hartke 4.5XL. I've never had a problem with volume even at outdoor gigs, although I always have PA reinforcement. I've never heard it distorting, unless that is what I want out of the GIVE Boost. Sometimes I use the GIVE boost for distortion, sometimes just to quickly increase my volume (separate Master Volume that the footswitch engages). I like the undistorted tone better, but that's just my preference.

KJung · #11 08-03-2010, 10:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by psykopatsak

I've heard different things about the GK MB500, and all that with the MB² 500, and just MB500, etc.

what's people's opinion on this amp? i mostly play jazz and soul, but want it to be versitaliate to handle most genres. i might just have a cab in mind in the event of a buy, but if anyone got a reccomendation, please share.

also, a tricky question: anyone tried using it for DB occationally?

thanks?

I've spent a bit of time with a late version of the MB2-500.

Very small and REALLY lightweight. Very loud. It has quite an aggressive voice (too aggressive for me).... HUGE, deep low end, and about the most sizzly upper treble response I've heard. It makes my very bright Markbass F1 sound dark!

If you like a deep, aggressive voice, with lots of aggressive top end, this is a pretty cool amp. I assume they worked out all the introductory bugs, but can't swear to that.

rpsands · #12 08-03-2010, 10:22 AM

I walked from music123 with mine with +2 years to the warranty for 440, so with like 4 years of warranty, 2 of which are transferable, I'll risk any bugs.

That said, mine has performed perfectly, even cranked up to absurd levels.

KJung · #13 08-03-2010, 10:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rpsands

I walked from music123 with mine with +2 years to the warranty for 440, so with like 4 years of warranty, 2 of which are transferable, I'll risk any bugs.

That said, mine has performed perfectly, even cranked up to absurd levels.

I have a feeling that MB500 sounds very nice with your 15/6 cab. The very, very wide voicing reminds me quite a bit of my Puma500 (although the Puma is much cleaner compared to the 'grind' built into the GK). I love the way the Puma sounds with the 15/6... the deep low end opens up that big 15, and the very crisp top end helps to liven up that 6" mid driver. I assume you get a similar, if more aggressive thing with the MB500.

keithbaynes · #14 08-03-2010, 10:39 AM

Just got mine a month ago. It's, to my ears, insanely loud and clean for it's size. I'm using it with a BassBomb 4ohm 2-12. My email to the builder. http://earcandycabs.com/newshop/inde...bassbomb-2x12/

rpsands · #15 08-03-2010, 10:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KJung

I have a feeling that MB500 sounds very nice with your 15/6 cab. The very, very wide voicing reminds me quite a bit of my Puma500 (although the Puma is much cleaner compared to the 'grind' built into the GK). I love the way the Puma sounds with the 15/6... the deep low end opens up that big 15, and the very crisp top end helps to liven up that 6" mid driver. I assume you get a similar, if more aggressive thing with the MB500.

It's solid for sure. I can't compare to a Puma; but it does have a bit bloomier bottom end than the F1 did -- and more on top too, but I'm still on the fence on how I feel about that. It is coaxing more life out of my old strings though

One thing I will note is the boost on these things does not sound much like the boost on a 700/1001RBII so I don't use it as constantly like I did with the RB series. It's a bit more overt and grittier if you will. Less warmth and more dirt. Not sure how I like it yet.

I do like the fact that you can have essentially two channels of volume though and I find myself using the footswitchable volume boost fairly frequently. Particularly in the Soul to Squeeze breakdown, where I've always wanted more volume and a little grit.

**nostatic** · #16 08-03-2010, 10:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KJung

I've spent a bit of time with a late version of the MB2-500.

Very small and REALLY lightweight. Very loud. It has quite an aggressive voice (too aggressive for me).... HUGE, deep low end, and about the most sizzly upper treble response I've heard. It makes my very bright Markbass F1 sound dark!

If you like a deep, aggressive voice, with lots of aggressive top end, this is a pretty cool amp. I assume they worked out all the introductory bugs, but can't swear to that.

So this is kind of the "anti-rh450"? I'm still pondering a backup amp for my LMTube, but sounds like with the Berg AEs the GK would be a bit too modern/hyped. I end up running the MB with the VLE about 9-10 o'clock most of the time.

rpsands · #17 08-03-2010, 10:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nostatic

So this is kind of the "anti-rh450"? I'm still pondering a backup amp for my LMTube, but sounds like with the Berg AEs the GK would be a bit too modern/hyped. I end up running the MB with the VLE about 9-10 o'clock most of the time.

It's got a treble knob and it works.

That said, for any dedicated Markbass player I think the superbooster DI is an invaluable purchase. not only can you add vpf/vle to any amp, but you can send it to a power amp or the house. One of those and an MB500 is still cheaper than an F1 or an LM2.

I'd go with the Mb500 + Superbooster over any Markbass amp except those with parametric mids (SD, F500, SA series), because the low mid EQ is far more useful with the MB500.

BigOldHarry · #18 08-03-2010, 11:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nostatic

So this is kind of the "anti-rh450"? I'm still pondering a backup amp for my LMTube, but sounds like with the Berg AEs the GK would be a bit too modern/hyped. I end up running the MB with the VLE about 9-10 o'clock most of the time.

Spend, spend, spend.

My back up = An old GK400RB that was sold to me like... 10 years ago (!) by... YOU... that didn't work! That I fixed and looks like crap but works. Throw it in the trunk, never stress. Now *that's* a backup amp!

BigOldHarry · #19 08-03-2010, 11:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rag

The MB200 has been shipping from Stockton for two weeks.
Bob

Well, whatdaya know!

Hopefully, they'll be in stores soon. I know they are still on "Pre-order" status on-line (at least at MF...)

**nostatic** · #20 08-03-2010, 11:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BigOldHarry

Spend, spend, spend.

My back up = An old GK400RB that was sold to me like... 10 years ago (!) by... YOU... that didn't work! That I fixed and looks like crap but works. Throw it in the trunk, never stress. Now *that's* a backup amp!

I've thought about that...but the used 400RBs are more than the new MB200. Actually for gigs where I have FOH I don't worry about a backup. But for instance this Thursday we're providing our own PA and for a 10-piece band and a smallish setup I'm not running through the mains. My backup though will be my K10 which I'm bringing as a monitor. I think that may be my "emergency" backup for other gigs. At least I don't have to buy anything else...