GK 700RB or 800RB more punch than MB500

Rshafer · #1 05-21-2010, 11:54 AM

I currently play a GK mb2 500 micro head into a Mesa PH212 with a stringray. The tone I am after is almost there, but feel it is lacking a little bit of thump and punch. There is some, but overall it is pretty big and round due to the cab.

I run the EQ pretty much flat, with just the highs and high mids cut a bit to control clack and clank.

Would a 700rb or 800rb give a little more heft and punch?
I replaced a 1001rb with the micro head and feel the mb500 has more punch. The 1001rb is just a lot of clean headroom.

tallboybass · #2 05-21-2010, 12:15 PM

Just my opinion here but....to me, the MB2-500 has more heft for sure amd maybe more punch, than the other heads you mention. Tried dialing up the mids?

tombowlus · #3 05-21-2010, 12:21 PM

IME/IMHO, the 700RB-II seems to deliver the notes with a bit more gravitas and authority than the MB500 (which is no slouch, though).

Tom.

Rshafer · #4 05-21-2010, 12:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tallboybass

Just my opinion here but....to me, the MB2-500 has more heft for sure amd maybe more punch, than the other heads you mention. Tried dialing up the mids?

That's a good idea. I will raise the low mids a bit. I will also try to use the boost channel for a bit more bite.

BassMaster4s · #5 05-21-2010, 12:44 PM

I agree with what's been said. I ran my MB2 500 with a stingray both into an Avatar 212 and a GK 410RBH. I find the 410 to naturally have more "punch" than the 212. But an EQ adjustment should get you where you want to be.

tallboybass · #6 05-21-2010, 01:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BassMaster4s

I agree with what's been said. I ran my MB2 500 with a stingray both into an Avatar 212 and a GK 410RBH. I find the 410 to naturally have more "punch" than the 212. But an EQ adjustment should get you where you want to be.

Good point, 'usually' (but not always) a 410 will be punchier than a 212.

tallboybass · #7 05-21-2010, 01:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rshafer

That's a good idea. I will raise the low mids a bit. I will also try to use the boost channel for a bit more bite.

....and with the MB2-500, don't be afraid to roll off the lows a bit.

anonymous101511 · #8 05-22-2010, 04:29 AM

800RB is your answer

Foz · #9 05-22-2010, 05:45 AM

Quote:

800RB is your answer

+1

No Mr. Bond, I expect you to get punchy wit it!

gregwatts2008 · #10 05-22-2010, 05:58 AM

I use a GK 1001RBII with a SWR 4x10 cab and I get all the punch and thump I can handle. Perhaps its the cab and not the amp. Borrow a 4x10 cab and see if that helps.

MK1 · #11 05-22-2010, 06:07 AM

I love the 800rb. I also used a 1001 and it had a ton of punch. But both those heads were punchy through my 410sbx+. When I used them through an SVT 810 I lost a lot of the punch. My vote is for an 800 with the 410.

KJung · #12 05-22-2010, 06:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tallboybass

....and with the MB2-500, don't be afraid to roll off the lows a bit.

+1 I recently spent some time with an MB2-500. Both the low end and upper treble are incredibly goosed on this amp... HUGE low end extension (hi pass is set really low), and massive upper treble sizzle (lo pass is set really hi!). This sounds 'impressive' at home, but can get you into trouble in a mix (the lack of 'punch' that the OP is describing). The 700 does not seem to have this goosed voicing, and of course the 800RB is totally rolled off down low, making it super punchy (but a little thin down low for some).

The good news is, the MB2-500 has very nicely voiced EQ, and a touch of bass roll-off and a touch of low mid boost makes things much better IMO and IME.

chiplexic · #13 05-22-2010, 07:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KJung

The good news is, the MB2-500 has very nicely voiced EQ, and a touch of bass roll-off and a touch of low mid boost makes things much better IMO and IME.

+1 I find the MB-500 sounds very much like the 800rb when you bring down the lows. After trying, buying and selling a recent 700rb, I find it's tone much different than the 400rb/800rb tone I grew up loving for rock. The MB-500 can get there with a little EQ-ing.

G RICH 5 · #14 05-22-2010, 07:53 AM

+1 to all... I am currently using the MB2 500 with a Sterling 5 H (through a Schroeder 1210 L) and it is giving ME everything you seem to be looking for. I would just say follow the other instructions and "fiddle" with it for a while. I am sure that you will be able to find a useable tone.

Rshafer · #15 05-22-2010, 04:25 PM

I hear all of you and agree. I think up to this point I was all about taming those highs and the booming lows that I wasn't thinking that actually the low mid could use to be boosted some.

It's not like it doesn't have any punch, it does. I like the balance of smoothness and punch of the Mesa 212 over a 410. I used to use a GK SBX410. It's just missing a little bit of that punch in the gut feeling that hopefuly boosting the low mid knob will help. I'll find out on Tuesday at practice.

Rshafer · #16 05-26-2010, 09:57 AM

I boosted the low mids to 1-2 o'clock, bass at noon, high and high mids at about 11, and that helped bring out the more forceful thump I was looking for as well as a bit more of the grindy GK sound that cuts in the mix.

Lesson learned. As has been said many times on this board, don't be afraid to tweek your EQ knobs some, to find your desired sound.

Chowowbus · #17 06-11-2010, 03:16 PM

I just bought a MB 500 o7 about 2 hours ago. When I first plugged it in, ( I was using a GK backline 600) using my old settings. The high end was nuts. It has way more clarity than the 600. It does not seem as warm though. I am having a hard time running up on its rails to get the growl. I am using a 4 ohm Avatar 410 for the cab.
Ill keep em both.

ljazz · #18 06-12-2010, 04:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chowowbus

I am having a hard time running up on its rails to get the growl.

That is probably the biggest complaint I have with the MB500 heads that I've tried...... you just can't get that hitting the rails tone that you can with the RB heads. That, and it's got this "plastic" quality to the tone that I just can't put my finger on.

I really want to like this head, and buy one as a backup, but the tone I get with my 700rbII is just not in there. Tom's comment...... "a bit more gravitas and authority," is absolutely correct. Everytime I'm at the shop, I plug into one..... and I've borrowed my buddies for several rehearsals.... but no dice. I've resigned myself to the fact that I need to find a used 400rbIV or bl600 for a backup.

cacio · #19 06-12-2010, 04:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tombowlus

IME/IMHO, the 700RB-II seems to deliver the notes with a bit more gravitas and authority than the MB500 (which is no slouch, though).

Tom.

same impression i had when i try then a/b.And so i take the 700rb

WingKL · #20 06-12-2010, 04:44 AM

I'm not surprised you can't get the GK growl out of the MB500. It's a class D amp whereas the RB heads are class G. I don't think class D amps can "hit the rails" like class G. The growl would probably have to be modeled before the class D output stage.