G-K MB200 or Carvin BX250?

[kallad]

Hi guys’, I have a small quandary. The Warwick 15.2 from H*** finally blew up just before Christmas so I need to replace the power head. I will keep the cabinet and just put a ¼” jack somewhere to tie in one of these amps. I play the unit at church and use a pre 1990 G&L SB-2, a, Michael Kelly Acoustic, an Ashbroy mini bass, and a Peavey USA Millennium 5 string (when I have to contend with the organ). Since the 150 watt Warwick never left me looking for power, (PA mics add me to the mix) I figure either the Carvin BX250 or the G-K MB200 will work fine.

I’m looking for durability as well as tone, since I leave the cabinet at church and just bring the power head. The size of either one is not a problem as I can leave the head in the choir room in a cabinet if necessary.

Soooooooo, what do you think of each as a selection?

[5port]

I own the MB200 and BX1500...

What kind of tone do you like?

MB200 will favor a fat bottom.

BX250 will favor boosted highs.

Some people will say they can get any kind of sound with the BX250 and that will be true. From exp with my BX1500 though you spend a little time taming the highs to get the sound you want.

MB200 being simple and straight foward doesnt bother me at all. I use a BBE sonic stomp which adds to the eq range. The MB200 has an amazing amount of bottom end for an amp its size.

BX250 has quite a bit more features like mute switch, gnd lift, etc.

Price:

Wait for a holiday sale and you can get the MB200 for around $225 free shipping. The BX250 running $269 now with shipping will cost you $290 or so.

I'm very happy with the MB200 so far. With a 4 ohm 2X10 I'm backing two guitars and drums no problem. Attach it to a 4X10 and 2X18 and the thing rocks. A very surprising amp.

[husky123]

I agree with the MB200 being a very surprising little amp. It amazes me every time I crank it.

[will33]

I may favor the GK as well for a default, plug-n-play electric bass sound. You do mention an acoustic bass in your post. Perhaps the Carvins more detailed eq would work better with that? Not familiar with the Warwick or what it's shortcomings may or may not have been. With a little knob turning, should be able to sound good on either amp.

[jeff7bass]

I favor the Carvin, which is built into my MB10 and which I have added (on occasion) an Avatar SB112 cab for a 4 ohm mini-stack. Great tone throughout the spectrum. Fairly easy to dial in once you get the hang of the MID controls. Point is you can target certain frequencies to get a very present, punchy and slightly overdriven tone. Great features for such an affordable amp. More power too.

[kallad]

Since I'm really just there to fill in the holes for the guitars, and don't really solo (nor do I have those skills), I need a good solid bottom, with some articulation, or crispness. Occasionally I have to add more than root notes and get a little more out in front for passing notes or add grace notes and runs to chord changes. The acoustic bass and the Ashbroy add greatly to my sonic pallet, which is why I asked about the two different amp. I've always liked the ability to have a very tight tone when needed. I don't slap or play very fast, if than means anything.

[jeff7bass]

Originally Posted by kallad

Since I'm really just there to fill in the holes for the guitars, and don't really solo (nor do I have those skills), I need a good solid bottom, with some articulation, or crispness. Occasionally I have to add more than root notes and get a little more out in front for passing notes or add grace notes and runs to chord changes. The acoustic bass and the Ashbroy add greatly to my sonic pallet, which is why I asked about the two different amp. I've always liked the ability to have a very tight tone when needed. I don't slap or play very fast, if than means anything.

All the more reason to go with the more flexible Carvin. You can dial out boominess without losing depth. You'll hear everything, it's up to you what you want to add or remove.

[::::BASSIST::::]

Originally Posted by 5port

I own the MB200 and BX1500...

What kind of tone do you like?

MB200 will favor a fat bottom.

BX250 will favor boosted highs.

Some people will say they can get any kind of sound with the BX250 and that will be true. From exp with my BX1500 though you spend a little time taming the highs to get the sound you want.

MB200 being simple and straight foward doesnt bother me at all. I use a BBE sonic stomp which adds to the eq range. The MB200 has an amazing amount of bottom end for an amp its size.

BX250 has quite a bit more features like mute switch, gnd lift, etc.

Price:

Wait for a holiday sale and you can get the MB200 for around $225 free shipping. The BX250 running $269 now with shipping will cost you $290 or so.

I'm very happy with the MB200 so far. With a 4 ohm 2X10 I'm backing two guitars and drums no problem. Attach it to a 4X10 and 2X18 and the thing rocks. A very surprising amp.

+1

I own the bx1500, mb200 and mb500. For your purposes I think the mb200 would be excellent. Easy to dial in a great tone. I also just have more confidence in the gk stuff over carvin. I almost bought a bx500 but after reading so many issues decided to pass. The other thing is that I would be the mb200 would have a higher resale value.

[oniman7]

I just bought my first Gallien Krueger (an RB, not an MB). I have never tried the Carvin either.


That said, if the MB is anything like the RB, it has no end of tight, articulate, punchy tones. And a solid bottom as well.