GK MB Combos with active basses?

armybass · #1 02-21-2011, 01:21 PM

I have an MB210 and it is all I want volume wise with my passive basses but when I plug the active basses in there is a considerable drop in volume. I have not gigged this amp yet and I am not sure if I can at this rate. I do not use the boost as it seems to make the amp a bit woofy to me. I am happy that I have dialed in my passive basses pretty well and my active basses sound good too, just really concerned about the volume aspect for gigs? Anyone else have this problem? Suggestions?

ClassicJazz · #2 02-21-2011, 01:23 PM

I have both a MB212 and MB112 which I use with my Sadowsky basses.....no issues here with either one.

KPJ · #3 02-21-2011, 01:26 PM

All I have is active basses and all I own for amps are two GK MB115s. No issues at all! Are you using the active input? If so, don't. Use the passive input. Start with gain at 0. Put the master volume at 3 o'clock or up all the way. Slowly turn up the gain until you get to the desired volume. Works for me.

rovito · #4 02-21-2011, 01:32 PM

The active jack should be a bit quieter to reduce the higher output of active pickups. Not all active basses have a higher gain and will work as good if not better in the passive input.

armybass · #5 02-21-2011, 01:38 PM

OK, well I will try that. I am using the active input. I have always done that thinking I may damage the amp by running an active bass into the passive input. Guess after 25 years of playing I still have a lot to learn. I have never been really good with amp stuff. I just find one that sounds good flat and go from there.

Thanks

philter25 · #6 02-21-2011, 02:31 PM

It really shouldnt be labeled active and passive input, it should be 0db and like -15 db. I have an active bass and wondered the same thing when they first came out, I didnt know what the db rating of the active input was.

You only really need the active input if your signal is REALLY hot. Or maybe if you are running a preamp before your amp which is putting out a hot signal.

Play your active bass through the passive input and smile at the volume increase.

GRAHAM SG1 · #7 02-21-2011, 03:16 PM

I have always played my Ibanez BTB770 through the active jack on my MB210 and been hugely impressed by the power, I might just try the passive jack now to feel the difference, if any

armybass · #8 02-21-2011, 04:14 PM

OK, spent a good while with my G&L L2500 and the MB210 through the passive input. Very nice indeed. I was really able to dial the bass in using the preamp in the bass. Thanks guys. Great to have good advice and info at your fingertips. I just always assumed you could not do that.

musicserb · #9 02-23-2011, 05:57 AM

Hi to all, this is my first post. Can not believe that I have the same problem like ARMYBASS.
My new GK 210 combo is working nicely, but difference between active and passive input is huge. I play musicman stingrays 4 and 5, and when I plug them in to an active input GK working three times less in volume then in passive input. I know that difference in volume should be -14dB, but it seems to me that it is to much. Amp do not have a clip light, so I don't know is it cliping when I play it loud in passive input. Sound is ok.

KJung · #10 02-23-2011, 06:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by philter25

It really shouldnt be labeled active and passive input, it should be 0db and like -15 db. I have an active bass and wondered the same thing when they first came out, I didnt know what the db rating of the active input was.

You only really need the active input if your signal is REALLY hot. Or maybe if you are running a preamp before your amp which is putting out a hot signal.

Play your active bass through the passive input and smile at the volume increase.

+1 These amp companies need to stop using the outdated and confusing 'active/passive' labels for the padded and non padded inputs.

To the OP, active does not necessarily mean hotter output (like it might of 25 years ago). My hottest output bass is my passive Nordstrand P.

Some higher end amps use different input impedances on their active/passive input, but quite frankly, even this doesn't matter, since an active bass is not impacted by input impedance anyway.

Use the passive input for all your basses, and only use the 'active' input (whether your bass is active or passive) if you hear preamp distortion even with your gain knob set very low.

GRAHAM SG1 · #11 02-23-2011, 04:29 PM

Played through the passive jack this evening with my band and it was louder but not by a huge amount .

GKMB210 with GKMBE115 and Ibanez BTB 770 .

musicserb · #12 02-24-2011, 04:19 AM

Had a gig last night, in a club for 250 people. I had to push a passive input on 3, boost on 12 and master on 3. Just then I had enough volume to play next to a drummer and guitarist with fender blues junior. Played on musicman stingray V classic.
Think that mb210 is light enough for me, but not to loud.
On the end, You can't have it all.

KPJ · #13 02-24-2011, 05:38 AM

Make sure your speakers are wired properly. They could be out of phase. Otherwise, you are just playing music that requires much more volume than a 210 can provide. Add another 210 or go get a head and an 810.

Quote:

Originally Posted by musicserb

Had a gig last night, in a club for 250 people. I had to push a passive input on 3, boost on 12 and master on 3. Just then I had enough volume to play next to a drummer and guitarist with fender blues junior. Played on musicman stingray V classic.
Think that mb210 is light enough for me, but not to loud.
On the end, You can't have it all.

musicserb · #14 02-24-2011, 11:01 AM

I'm sure You'r right. My H string is more then MB210 can handle, but I need it becouse of how light it is. Would be happier with 1001RBII and 4 or 8 tens, but...

armybass · #15 02-24-2011, 11:25 AM

Well I am not redy to give up on the MB210 just yet. It will probably be more than comparable at 500 watts with the 210 ext cab. The issue for me was weight and portability and that can not be beat by any other GK product or other. My SWR 210 cab weighs more than the MB210 and the 210 ext cab.