GK MB series questions

Rocks · #1 12-22-2010, 07:18 PM

I've been considering picking up one of the MB series amps from GK. I'm looking at these:

MB115 bass combo amp, 35 pounds and 200W

MB210 2x10 bass combo amp, 33 pounds and 500W

MB212 2x12 bass combo amp, 37 pounds and 500W

My main questions is how reliable are they for steady gigging? I've read quite a few threads and have seen a little of everything about reliability so I want to make sure its solid enough that it will run for a long time with no issues. I treat all my gear very well. I never push an amp or speakers very hard, always plenty of headroom. Just to give you an idea I have basses and amps I've gigged with for years that have very little wear on them.

I just want to make sure if I spend the money on a light weight GK that I can trust it to work every time like my good old Trace Elliot half stack.

blmeier7 · #2 12-22-2010, 08:10 PM

I just purchased a new MB115 a couple of weeks ago and have been happy with it. Overall, I think the quality is on par with the price. These are pretty inexpensive combos for what you get. I would like to see GK's quality bumped up a notch on the newer gear they are putting out there, but that means their prices would go up.

My MB115 had an issue with rattling/buzzing when it first arrived. I was able to loosen the four screws that hold the amp in place and this stopped the buzzing. I also noticed that the tolex/covering is very thin on these after I bumped into a doorway and it split the covering. The power to weight ratio is great and I'm happy with the tone and flexibility of the EQ section. The tweeter is fairly harsh and lets out a noticeable high frequency hiss from the amp, but I've mainly been playing this combo with the tweeter turned off and it haven't missed it. I wouldn't be too hesitant to use this amp as a steady gig rig, but since it is constructed in a manner to get the lightest weight possible I wouldn't expect it to hold up as well as some of the other gear out there.

perkidan · #3 12-22-2010, 09:29 PM

Well, I was hoping to be able to find out about the MB212 combo. BUT, I ordered a used one from Musician's Friend that was listed in "Like New" condition. When it arrived today, the grill had a big dent in it and it wouldn't power up. I tried several different power cables and outlets but nada. Sooooo, it goes back and I look elsewhere for something different. Hope your experience is a good.

SpectorDetector · #4 12-22-2010, 09:59 PM

I've had a MB210 pretty much since they first came out and I use it almost every day. Now I don't play out, so it is at moderate volume. I love it, put it on a Auralex platform and it just sounds amazing. I've never had one issue with it.

GRAHAM SG1 · #5 12-23-2010, 05:44 AM

I am pleased with my MB210, have had it about 9 months with regular rehearsals and most day home use .
It took a while to find my tone and get rid of the slight boominess by a combination of tweaking the EQ and putting some egg crate foam on the back cab wall .
I am enjoying it more now I have added an MBE115 to it, cant believe how good and loud it sounds now .

Bassdirty · #6 12-23-2010, 06:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rocks

I've been considering picking up one of the MB series amps from GK. I'm looking at these:

MB115 bass combo amp, 35 pounds and 200W

MB210 2x10 bass combo amp, 33 pounds and 500W

MB212 2x12 bass combo amp, 37 pounds and 500W

I'm also gonna pick one up..either the 210 or 212.

I've played the 210 and the 115..
I think I'd rather have the 210......

Quote:

Originally Posted by perkidan

... I ordered a used one from Musician's Friend that was listed in "Like New" condition....
When it arrived today, the grill had a big dent in it and it wouldn't power up..

I've also read every discussison here about these amps..sometimes I'm excited, other times I think I don't want one.BUT because I've read few "problems" some folks had..
I would NOT buy used...or "like new" (on this amp). It just makes me think about those people who had problems..and sent them back..

Who knows maybe theres only 1 or 2 bad amps..but they keep gettin passed around.

Anyway..not sure how you took my post, but I do plan on getting one.A new one though.
If the reliability is there..then I'm sold..everything else is a win so far.

0utlier · #7 12-24-2010, 07:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by perkidan

Well, I was hoping to be able to find out about the MB212 combo. BUT, I ordered a used one from Musician's Friend that was listed in "Like New" condition. When it arrived today, the grill had a big dent in it and it wouldn't power up. I tried several different power cables and outlets but nada. Sooooo, it goes back and I look elsewhere for something different. Hope your experience is a good.

I ordered one of those too. Mine was far from "like new" as well. Missing power cord, beer bottle stains on top of it, and of course one of the speakers were blown.

I called MF, was very nice and explained the situation. They sent me a UPS call tag for the used one and shipped out a brand new one for no additional charge.

Kind of a hassle, but a new MB212 for $539 I'll take.

**bass4worship** · #8 12-24-2010, 11:06 PM

Bought the MB210 and the MB210 ext cab. Played a couple of gigs but didn't like the sound so I traded it for a Markbass 112 combo.

KPJ · #9 01-05-2011, 09:18 AM

The majority of my gigs this past year with with a GK MB115. Small rooms, big rooms, indoors, outdoors, PA no PA. Also used it for numerous practices. The amp is extremely reliable, loud and light! What more could you want?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rocks

I've been considering picking up one of the MB series amps from GK. I'm looking at these:

MB115 bass combo amp, 35 pounds and 200W

MB210 2x10 bass combo amp, 33 pounds and 500W

MB212 2x12 bass combo amp, 37 pounds and 500W

My main questions is how reliable are they for steady gigging? I've read quite a few threads and have seen a little of everything about reliability so I want to make sure its solid enough that it will run for a long time with no issues. I treat all my gear very well. I never push an amp or speakers very hard, always plenty of headroom. Just to give you an idea I have basses and amps I've gigged with for years that have very little wear on them.

I just want to make sure if I spend the money on a light weight GK that I can trust it to work every time like my good old Trace Elliot half stack.

philter25 · #10 01-05-2011, 12:30 PM

Ive done about 15 gigs with it with my cover band. No complaints about relability at all.

One thing I learned though, is when people buy a product and it works, only really the enthusiasts post about it. But when people buy a product and have a problem, everyone posts.

People on TB IMO are the minority in bassland. Most bassist pick up their gear at their local store and play and we never hear a peep about it.

Like every piece of gear, it has its pros and cons, but I dont think reliability is one of them. And like every piece of gear, its not for everyone. But I think for what you get and the pricepoint, there still isnt anything comparable on the market.

And the 210 is 350 watts, or 500 with an extension cabinet. If you are looking at one for gigging, Id get the 210 or 212 unless you are playing low volume places where the 115 would work.

perkidan · #11 01-05-2011, 06:45 PM

I am super sure they are great products, and I think the thing that really left the bad taste in my mouth was the guy at MF ensuring me that the amp was in great shape and SOUNDED killer. It didn't sound killer, it sounded DEAD. Anyway, as another poster said, you hear all about the bad ones and most of the people who own the good ones keep their mouths shut. Would really love to hear one that worked to see how they sound. The weight would have been a nice help to my back. My caveat to anyone reading this thread is beware of buying used off the internet where you can't actually try out the product.

0utlier · #12 01-06-2011, 06:43 AM

Now that I have a brand new MB212 from MF it sounds great to me. As stated earlier the used, but "as new", MB212 I got from MF was far from "as new". MF did the stand up thing though and sent me a brand new one on their dime.

kaiser_sosea · #13 01-06-2011, 08:52 AM

So I bit the bullet and sold off all my other gear to help with Christmas this year and ended up replacing it with an MB212 from Musician's Friend (like new). The amp arrived around mid December and I noticed right away there was a rattle you could here from just carrying the amp around. So I got it home and fired her up and my first impressions were that the tone was great, really enjoyed it except a loud buzzing coming from the amp on almost every note, especially E's. I took the 4 screws holding the chassis off and had a look inside. The board with all the power gizmos had come off from the amp and was loose inside, hence the buzzing. I screwed the board back to the chassis (so i thought) put the amp back together and fired her up. Wow, this thing sounds great and about ten times better without the buzz. I just played it for a couple hours without stopping, it does really sound good. So I'm thinking everything is a go and take her to practice later in the week and the buzz is back, the board must have gotten jarred loose or something in transit but we needed to practice so I played it and ran through the PA as well (GK should have turned the DI jack as it's almost impossible to press the release tab with fingers alone). After trying to fix the amp once more during practice I determined it wasn't an issue with the screws coming un-threaded and I wasn't sure why the board wouldn't stay attached so I decided to consult GK. After sending a PM to Mr. Gallien here on Talkbass, I received a response within a few hours that Brian would take care of me after the weekend. Well he emailed me yesterday, got all my info and sent me a shipping label for the amp to go out today and he said they would send me a new amp out as soon as they had shipping confirmation via 2Day Air so I would have it in time for weekend gigs. That is some great service, on par with Genz Benz who in my opinion have set the standard for customer service in this industry. Kudos to GK for taking care of their customers no questions asked. I'm thinking/hoping the board issue with my amp was a fluke and I'll be gigging a MB212 for many years to come. After dragging separates, no matter how light to gigs, it's so easy with this combo to achieve the 1 trip load in! I'll post a gig review after this weekend providing the new amp gets here in time, but judging by Brian and Bob's commitment to their customers there should be no issue.

kaiser_sosea · #14 01-10-2011, 09:54 AM

The guys @ GK really took care of me. Got my old amp shipped to them on their dime and shipped me the new amp once they had UPS confirmation the old MB212 had been picked up. They sent the new MB212 out UPS 2Day on their dime so I'd have it in time for a couple gigs this weekend. Amp was put together tighter than a drum and the tone was great. I'm really digging this amps tone, never thought I'd go for all solid-state but this ones a keeper, especially considering the value of the MB212. Thanks again GK!

puremusic · #15 01-10-2011, 12:43 PM

I have an MB210 that I brought brand new close to a year ago from GC and I have been please with the sound and power of it ever since. I gig with it weekly and when I need extra power I grab my Hartke 410XL 8ohm I blow the walls LOL off of any building. Since I acquired the rig I have sold my SWR Silverado special 212, SWR Triad, Ampeg b2r and SVT 410 HLF. I traded weight with good tone and reliability for light weight with good tone and reliability. My next purchase will be a MBE115 cab to go with the 210 to get back to light weight equipment. P.S. Bob did state that these MB neo cabs use the same Paragon speaker as the neo series.

GRAHAM SG1 · #16 01-10-2011, 02:02 PM

The MBE115 goes nicely with the MB210, really powerful and full sounding

pbasswil · #17 01-10-2011, 02:16 PM

I tried the MB210 at a store. I found it loud, and impressively deep. But I wasn't thrilled with the mids; they weren't really there.

I read that the MB212 has a more balanced tone, so I ordered one of those. Glad I did -- it _does_ have better mids, in my opinion. Will come through a mix with better definition and pitch intelligibility.

Lack of line out is no problem for me, cause I'm never going to need to go louder or deeper than this combo does all by itself.

I haven't gigged mine much, but so far it's solid, with no rattles or anything.

ksandvik · #18 01-10-2011, 02:20 PM

I've been gigging with an MB121CD + 2x10 cabinet for years. Maybe the most trusted amp I've ever owned.

Yerf Dog · #19 01-10-2011, 02:22 PM

My MB212 has been bouncing around in my car's backseat weekly for over a year now with no issues.

DrVenkman · #20 01-10-2011, 02:30 PM

I've had an MB210 for about a year and have been really happy with it. I play in church and local coffee shops twice a month or so, absolutely no issues with the amp at all. I really like the way the amp sounds, and it's louder than I need.

Nitpicks: unless I keep the bass down around 9:00-10:00, this combo is too boomy for me. With the bass rolled off like that I love the way it sounds. I don't have an issue with twisting knobs to get the sound I like, but not everyone feels that way so I'll mention it.

The other nitpick is how the DI plug is mounted - it's just about impossible to get a finger in there to release the cable. I always use my car or house key instead.