GK MB 115 "ultra light" for vintage warm tone?

TimBosby · #1 07-10-2010, 03:18 PM

So I'm thinking about snagging one of these bad boys:

http://www.gallien-krueger.com/products_mbCombos.html

The MB15 specifically. Since it weighs 4 lbs less than my 50 watt Ampeg BA112 and has 4 times the power at 200 watts. I have no experience with GK stuff and always have had the impression that their bass stuff is more trebly and suited for punk rock. I have no idea where that impression came from. Would this combo be good for warm, fat, more vintage tone? My favorite bass tones come from such artists as John Paul Jones and old Motown R&B stuff. I'm thinking about getting this from Musician's Friend, because that way I can finance it for 6 months and send it back within 45 days if I don't like it..but wanted some TB opinions first.

Thanks!

RickenBoogie · #2 07-10-2010, 04:20 PM

It's a great amp, but in no way would I describe any GK amp as warm and vintage sounding. Snappy, quick, articulate, punchy, yes, warm and fat, no.

TimBosby · #3 07-10-2010, 04:46 PM

Thanks for the input

Quote:

Originally Posted by RickenBoogie

It's a great amp, but in no way would I describe any GK amp as warm and vintage sounding. Snappy, quick, articulate, punchy, yes, warm and fat, no.

Gearhead43 · #4 07-11-2010, 12:29 AM

I use a VT Bass in front of mine for some shows and bam = old school.

vespasian1 · #5 07-11-2010, 01:45 AM

I bought the GK. I thought it was a pretty capable amp, but returned it and opted for a Carvin because I preferred the more neutral tone. The GK definately sounded like it was colored a bit more on the 'dark side' of the Force, so you might like it. It's a strong little amp, and definately worth trying.

joemer · #6 07-11-2010, 07:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gearhead43

I use a VT Bass in front of mine for some shows and bam = old school.

+1 on that, this is exactly what I do. I have had the mb115 about a month now and have gigged out 2x with it and have not been disappointed. First time was last week w/ my Am Std P bass and last night with my Ray 34. it also has a contour button which can be employed to get an old school tone.

TimBosby · #7 07-11-2010, 09:02 AM

Thanks everyone! I bought the MB115 last night "used" in "new" condition from Musician's Friend. Yay for interest fee financing. If I don't like, I'll send it back within 45 days. But I have a small-room gig coming up Saturday and I want to see how I like carrying something that's only 35 lbs.

TimBosby · #8 07-11-2010, 02:10 PM

So much for gigging with it this Saturday. Musician's Friend just e-mailed me and told me it's on backorder.

joemer · #9 07-11-2010, 04:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TimBosby

So much for gigging with it this Saturday. Musician's Friend just e-mailed me and told me it's on backorder.

Hope you get it soon...plenty of power for a small room gig

Stingray5 · #10 07-11-2010, 04:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TimBosby

So much for gigging with it this Saturday. Musician's Friend just e-mailed me and told me it's on backorder.

How is a piece of used gear on backorder?

TimBosby · #11 07-11-2010, 06:02 PM

That was my question when I called them. They said the "your item is on backorder" email is just the default email you get when the item is not available. For used items, it means they're gone. I called and told them I didn't think it was fair that my order went through for a used one when they were out of stock. Clearly their inventory isn't very well synced with their website. I asked the girl if I could get a new one at the used price and, after checking with a manager, she said that was fine. So I'm getting a new GK MB115 for the price of a used one, shipped out tomorrow. I should probably have it by mid week since their warehouse is in Kansas City, only a couple hours away (generally stuff I order from them arrives within 2 days tops.)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stingray5

How is a piece of used gear on backorder?

Stingray5 · #12 07-11-2010, 07:18 PM

haha yeah it's like the Seinfeld 'reservation' episode..

Good deal though on getting the new one at discount!

TimBosby · #13 07-13-2010, 08:15 PM

It arrived today. Shipped yesterday, arrived today! Gotta love being only a couple hours from the MF distribution center in KC.

Well all I can say is !@$% this amp kicks!! Definitely not "vintage" but capable of a wide array of tones. It's got some snarl but the best part is the punch. Lots of clarity, huge bottom end, plenty of growl where you need it. Tweeter is pretty much useless-it hummed like a hummingbird and the upper strings sounded all clacky when I turned it on. So I'll leave it off (unless I ever feel the need to play some Fieldy style bass--which will NEVER happen

)

Very lightweight amp, too, lighter than my 50-watt Ampeg B112.

All in all a sweet combo. It's like a scaled down version of my Hughes and Kettner 400-watt combo. And feels like one third the weight!

Atomic Cow · #14 07-13-2010, 10:34 PM

My wife likes hers. She uses it a monitor for her Roland vDrums. It does sound good for that with the boost turned down. I've tried it for bass but found it a bit brighter than I like. Guess I'm spoiled by my Walkabout Scout.

jackajesusfreak · #15 07-29-2010, 11:18 AM

I play in a praise band. We play every Tuesday night for our 12 step Celebrate Recovery Ministry. I bought an Acoustic B100 to use as a monitor as we play through a system on Tuesdays.
We started another once a month gig at a Wednesday night service at our newly acquired campus. I'm 56 years old and did not want to lug around that heavy Acoustic so I started searching and found the 115. I played through it and bought it on the spot at GC and sold the B100.

The Pastor at the new campus is starting a new Contemporary service this Sunday, August 1st. We were asked to be the praise band there. Even though the 115 is light, I didn't want to have to haul it back and forth every week and I also needed a decent amp at home when I setup the bass guitars I buy and sell. Solution?

I bought a used Trace Ellliot Commando 12 for 100 dollars on CL. It's also a heavy beast so I keep that one at home to use for my setups. I decided to buy a 112 and use it as a monitor on Tuesdays and keep the 115 at our new campus so I wouldn't have to haul amps at all. Problem was the 112 STILL isn't out. Searched for the 115s and every site had them back ordered until mid August. I called our local GC and they just happened to have one left still in the box! I got in on that promotion and get 60 dollars off! From what I'm reading in this thread, it looks like I made a good choice!
Jack