So the MB210 has been my practice and gig rig for almost a year now, Ive been pretty happy with it but my bands planning on playing some outdoor gigs so Ive been thinking about getting something a little louder. Ive debated just adding another MBE210 cabinet for the full 500 watt lightweight 410 stack, but it wont fit in my G37 coupe. Ive been comparing other small micro combos and there just hasnt been anything comparable in the GK price range. I got a good deal on the GB Shuttle combo with a 30 day return policy, so I figured id give one a try. If I liked the sound, Id pick up the matching 12" extension cab and I would have a full 600 watt 212 stack, which WILL fit in my G37 coupe...... I know, just sell the car right.
Ive done a few reviews on the MB210, but in short, with all the EQ knobs at 12:00, its a little boomy. I have my bass at 10:30, treble at noon, high mid at 2, and low mid at 1 and it gives me a pretty flat sound to my ears. Ive played a good few dozen gigs with it, and I seem to have a good one. There seems to be more posts with people having issues with the GK MB line vs the GB Shuttles due to rattling and loud tweeters and the cabs being boomy, so Im glad I have a good one. My tweeter is silent and adds a little sparkle, and the amp has a lot of growl to it. The gain, boost, and master volume knobs give you a good amount of flexibility with your tone and overall volume. Its rated at 350 watts at 8 ohms.
The shuttle 6.0-12t is a little smaller and I like the tiltback option on it. For practices, its perfect and its about the same weight. For small gigs, it would be perfect also. The extension cab would fit in my car so I have the ability to get the loudest setup with the shuttle 2-112 setup. The shuttle combo is a little warmer than the GK combo and reminds me of my older ampeg ba115hpt combo which I loved, but weighed a ton and wasnt that loud, but it had a great clean warm tone and was punchy. Turn up the gain and you can get a little drive/growl to it. With the EQ set flat, it sounds flat to my ears. Overall volume I think is a tad less than the GK even though its rated at 375 watts vs the GK's 350 watts.
What I need from a combo is clarity and volume. Im in a cover band so Im running a VT bass deluxe or sansamp programmable as my floor preamp which gives me 6 or 3 sounds to switch from based on the song. Both amps IMO give a good amount of grind/growl with the gain turned up, although the Shuttle seemed to be just a tad warmer. I wouldnt be able to tell unless I played the side to side, but I also dont claim to have the best ears in the world.
If I was paying sticker price and had to choose between the 2, Id go with the MB210. For $599, although the Shuttle is just a tad warmer, the GK has more grind and a little more overall volume when turned up even though its only rated at 350 watts. The shuttle combo, at $1199 price, is a very very nice combo, a tad warmer, but still can get the grind and growl with the gain turned up. I think the shuttle has a tad more overall clarity whereas the MB210 seemed to be a little deeper. Personally, I think that speaks volumes for GK that they were able to put together a combo which sounds almost just as good and seems to put out more volume than a combo double its price.
However, for my goal of being able to get full power out of both of the heads and being able to transport it in my coupe, the Shuttle 2-112 combo would allow me to do that because it takes up just a little less space. The 12t combo is an easy schlep for practices, and Id be able to bring the 112 extension to gigs.
Overall, I think these soundwise are pretty comparable combos. Im even more impressed with the GK that it can stand toe to toe with something double its price. When I play with the VT bass or sansamp in front of them, I think they sound identical. So for all the guys out there who love the VT bass and always have it on, tonally, I didnt hear a difference between the 2 combos once I set the EQ "flat" to my ears. Due to the slightly smaller combo and smaller extension cab, Im slightly leaning towards a Shuttle 2-112 rig.
Anyone else out there compare the GK MB combos to the GB Shuttle combos?
And the obligatory picture:
