"GK Growl" on the mb200 head

twangman · #1 03-10-2011, 07:50 PM

Hello everyone. I just bought a GK mb 200 head (wonderful head by the way)
Anyway, just wanted to know what would be the best way to get that classic GK growl sound from this little amp.

So far I have the treble up as well as the high mid but this is lacking bass.

Controls are :
Gain, treble, hi mid, low mid and bass

jelwood · #2 03-10-2011, 07:52 PM

Usually the GK growl comes from raising the boost and then cranking the amp. The MB 200 does not have the boost, your best bet is to just crank it. Maybe give it some more low mids.

Daniel Piper · #3 03-10-2011, 09:27 PM

That amp is getting so much love here recently, I am sure one of it's fans will put you right.

WingKL · #4 03-11-2011, 01:59 AM

If you mean the classic GK Growl as demonstrated here then it will be unlikely that the MB200 can produce it. I would be pleasantly surprised if it could. The GK Growl, according to Robert Gallien, comes from the amp hitting the voltage rails. Seeing as how the MB200 is a class D amp and does not hit the rails like a class AB or H of the RB series, it would be unlikely that it can growl the same way.

twangman · #5 03-11-2011, 10:10 AM

Yeah, I see what you mean. Any suggestions on how to get a similar, bright but punchy tone ?

UncleMattGuy · #6 03-11-2011, 10:18 AM

You can always find a used 400RB for around $200.00 on craigslist or eBay. That's the easiest way to get what you are after.

karter2000 · #7 03-11-2011, 10:24 AM

Mine growls just fine. You just have to push it, like the others mentioned.

twangman · #8 03-11-2011, 04:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by karter2000

Mine growls just fine. You just have to push it, like the others mentioned.

Hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm
What are your settings like?
What kinda cab are you using?
Is it punchy?

The Thinker · #9 03-11-2011, 04:15 PM

I have an MB200 and a 400RB. The MB200 is very clean to my ears and doesn't growl like the 400RB.

I also just bought (of all things) an Ibanez Phat Hed overdrive pedal. Believe it or not, if you put this pedal in the clean setting it growls pretty nicely.

ryansalmond · #10 03-12-2011, 12:09 AM

Soundclips would really help us tell if we're all talking about the same type of growl here.
/humble suggestion

karter2000 · #11 03-12-2011, 12:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by twangman

Hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm
What are your settings like?
What kinda cab are you using?
Is it punchy?

The cab depends on where I'm rehearsing, but I've played through a Hartke 4x10 and Trace 4x10, among others. The volume is usually quite high (I play in somewhat loud bands), around 2-3 o'clock, plus I use a homebuilt mosfet booster to drive the front end. Seems to be punchy to my ears, not to mention brutal on the amp but the tone almost rips your head off! Eq starts flat, then I adjust for the cab or room.

I don't have tons of experience with other GK amps, but from what I've heard the growl is there as like the others. It's just a little harder to get.