GK MB-115 OR ACOUSTIC B200 COMBO AMP?

[guitardefector]

Hello TB community.

I'm looking into purchasing either the GK MB-115 or the Acoustic B200 combo amp. I already started playing with an Acoustic practice amp and I "really" loved the sound and tight punch. However, I hear lots of mixed reviews about GK amps, either they're great or lousy. The GK retails for $50 more than the Acoustic on MF, even though they're both 200w.

Anyone out there have either of these amps? What are your opinions of them? So far the the MF reviews look pretty uplifting at 5 stars for both amps. I need to hear more.

Thank you all.

ps. I know that Jaco used Acoustic amps.

[MIJ-VI]

Which amp brand has a service center near you?

[SurferJoe46]

If you want to go with the 'service center' availability - and that's a good thing - then if you are near a GC/MF then you have the Acoustic line-up covered.

GC/MF isn't so much a service center, but they will readily exchange a bad unit for another on site.

GK? Not too sure where to send that for service - but I bet the shipping and handling is on YOUR dime for getting it to them - wherever that is.

[gidbass]

Originally Posted by SurferJoe46

If you want to go with the 'service center' availability - and that's a good thing - then if you are near a GC/MF then you have the Acoustic line-up covered.

GC/MF isn't so much a service center, but they will readily exchange a bad unit for another on site.

GK? Not too sure where to send that for service - but I bet the shipping and handling is on YOUR dime for getting it to them - wherever that is.

Actually, for warranty work, GK was going to send me a UPS prepaid label, so shipping wouldn't have cost me anything. I ended up taking mine to a local authorized repair center. Here is the list of centers.

http://www.gallien-krueger.com/support_service.html#

I know nothing about the Acoustic, but my vote is for GK.

EDIT: From GK website - WARRANTY DOES NOT COVER:
Transportation costs are not covered under this warranty.

Strange that they were going to send me the prepaid label....

Good Luck!

[gregoire1]

If your still look'n, I own neither, but have compared them in the store; both are very good sounding combos but Acoustic is 75lbs, the GK only 35lbs! That alone makes it worth the extra 50 bucks!

[Sav'nBass]

Originally Posted by gregoire1

If your still look'n, I own neither, but have compared them in the store; both are very good sounding combos but Acoustic is 75lbs, the GK only 35lbs! That alone makes it worth the extra 50 bucks!

I was going to say that....

[blastjv]

I breifly owned the Acoustic B200. It was a very nice sounding amp. I don't think it's relevant that Jaco played Acoustic amps. He didn't play a B200. That said, I don't think the B200 would keep you from getting a Jaco-like tone, if your bass and your fingers do thier part...

I know nothing about the GK, but they look nice. The weight savings would be welcome, the B200 was kind of a bear. In that regard I find most 15" combos to be the worst of both worlds - too big to really be convenient and too small to really keep up with a loud band...


-JV

[SurferJoe46]

I rather like the GK 200 though. I'm also lovin' all the Acoustic gear I have, but I don't have the B-200 referred to here.

It's too small for me - I run at least 450 Watts most of the time.

The one thing that turned me off the GK200 was it's light weight though. Sadly incorrect as I might be - I equate weight with tone/sound/projection and I just like the heavier gear.

The 'patch bay' on the GK has much less control than the B-200 Acoustic - the EQs are fewer and I find that the B-200 has it all over the GK in that area.

Headphone jacks don't mean much to me in the GK either.

All in all: weight and better control is what floated my boat - though I went to the B-450 which prolly weighs about the same anyway and has the same control panel as the B-200 with one exception: the Notch Filter is addressable on the B-450 and not so on the B-200.

Acoustic B200 200W 1x15 w/ Tweeter Bass Combo Features:

* Power: 200 Watts @ 4 Ohms
* Speaker: 15" Heavy-duty speaker, built-in horn
* Channels: 1
* EQ: 6-Band EQ - sweepable
* Frequency notch filter
* Inputs: dual inputs (passive & active)
* Outs: XLR direct out
* Caster sockets (casters sold separately)

Acoustic B200 200W 1x15 w/ Tweeter Bass Combo Specifications:

* 20"W x 24-3/4"H x 15"D
* 75 lbs.

Gallien-Krueger MB115 1x15 200W Ultralight Bass Combo Amp Features:

* 200W digital power amp
* 15" Speaker
* Active 4-band EQ with contour
* 1/8" aux input
* Headphone jack
* Defeatable limiter
* XLR out

Your choice.