GK MB112 Cooling Fan

ClassicJazz · #1 01-22-2011, 04:54 PM

Used my new GK MB112 at rehearsal today and very pleased with the sound. Has a nice tight punchy tone to it and handled the lows real well. It will not replace my MB212, but this is a nice little addition. But One Question to those with the MB112.

On the back is a small cooling fan. I noticed through the whole rehearsal it never came on. So one of two things.

It is thermostat controlled and only comes on when needed
It is broken and does not work.....

For those with the MB112, please check to see if your fan comes on when you turn on the amp.

Edit: See below Bob G from GK answer. It is a thermostat controlled fan.

metallicafan18 · #2 01-22-2011, 04:59 PM

I've noticed that my MB head's fan isn't always on. That's about all I can help with. lol

michaeln · #3 01-22-2011, 05:08 PM

I have an MB112 and haven't seen the fan come on just playing at home. I would bet it is thermostatically controlled and will come on when the amp gets hot enough.

And I · #4 01-22-2011, 05:09 PM

i have an MB 500 head. the fan doesn't run often, as the amp doesn't get very warm, being class D. i have seen it run though...

Wes Whitmore · #5 01-22-2011, 05:58 PM

If you are working it for 4 hours and it doesn't shut off, it's probably running when it needs to, or doesn't need to.

pbasswil · #6 01-22-2011, 06:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ClassicJazz

Used my new GK MB112 at rehearsal today and very pleased with the sound. Has a nice tight punchy tone to it and handled the lows real well. It will not replace my MB212, but this is a nice little addition.

ClassicJazz, there are a ton of TalkBassers waiting for a review of these; thanks for this first installment. :^>

When you have a moment, do you think you could flesh it out a bit??

"...tight punchy tone" sounds very promising. Some people find that one or two of the other MB combos get pretty boomy; and I personally found there was something not quite right in the mids of the MB210 that I tried.

Are you getting mids that you need with the MB112?
With that single gain control (power section permanently maxed-out), does it seem noisy at low volume?

TIA

armybass · #7 01-22-2011, 07:45 PM

Also, for those of you with the MB112, what are you running through it and what kinds of music are you using it for?

rag · #8 01-22-2011, 08:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ClassicJazz

Used my new GK MB112 at rehearsal today and very pleased with the sound. Has a nice tight punchy tone to it and handled the lows real well. It will not replace my MB212, but this is a nice little addition. But One Question to those with the MB112.

On the back is a small cooling fan. I noticed through the whole rehearsal it never came on. So one of two things.

It is thermostat controlled and only comes on when needed
It is broken and does not work.....

For those with the MB112, please check to see if your fan comes on when you turn on the amp.

It is variable speed thermostat controlled and will only come on as required.
Bob

shawshank72 · #9 01-22-2011, 08:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rag

It is variable speed thermostat controlled and will only come on as required.
Bob

This is why I am a GK user......

ClassicJazz · #10 01-22-2011, 09:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pbasswil

ClassicJazz, there are a ton of TalkBassers waiting for a review of these; thanks for this first installment. :^>

When you have a moment, do you think you could flesh it out a bit??

"...tight punchy tone" sounds very promising. Some people find that one or two of the other MB combos get pretty boomy; and I personally found there was something not quite right in the mids of the MB210 that I tried.

Are you getting mids that you need with the MB112?
With that single gain control (power section permanently maxed-out), does it seem noisy at low volume?

TIA

Along with new MB112 I have a MB212, which is an amazing amp. It has been my main amp now for quite a while and I get lots of positive remarks on my sound. Of course it does not hurt that I only use Sadowsky basses! No issues with mids or boomy tones from the MB212.

In regards to the MB112, today was the first time using it, and it was in a rehearsal setting. My band plays a mix of blues, funk and R&B. So I was slappin and finger style playing. At our rehearsal volume the MB112 easily held it's own. I do hear a bit of hiss from it, probably due to the single gain. But is nothing that is overwhelming. In fact I did not even notice it during rehearsal. When I first turned it on in my house, that is when I noticed it Tone wise, I had the bass and treble flat and the low mid and hi mid around the 1 o-clock position. It sounded great. Also note I had it sitting on an amp stand so it raises it up a bit and I am able to tilt it. So I pretty much had it pointing to my ears rather than my feet. I pretty much got this amp for rehearsals and home practice and I think it will do fine in that regards. For gigs, I still will use the MB212. For one it is 2x12 and 500W. And the MB212 is only around 12 lbs more!

ClassicJazz · #11 01-22-2011, 09:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rag

It is variable speed thermostat controlled and will only come on as required.
Bob

Thanks for the info. That is kind of what I thought.

pbasswil · #12 01-22-2011, 10:24 PM

Appreciate the reply, ClassicJazz, thanks. That's good enough for me, I'm going to order me one up.

I also have an MB212. I haven't gigged it yet, but it sure sounds fab so far at rehearsal.
But it's bulkier than necessary for repeated trips to a friend's house to play without drums; the 112 will be so convenient and effortless for those low key situations.

Cheers!

Quote:

Originally Posted by ClassicJazz

Along with new MB112 I have a MB212, which is an amazing amp. It has been my main amp now for quite a while and I get lots of positive remarks on my sound. Of course it does not hurt that I only use Sadowsky basses! No issues with mids or boomy tones from the MB212.

In regards to the MB112, today was the first time using it, and it was in a rehearsal setting. My band plays a mix of blues, funk and R&B. So I was slappin and finger style playing. At our rehearsal volume the MB112 easily held it's own. I do hear a bit of hiss from it, probably due to the single gain. But is nothing that is overwhelming. In fact I did not even notice it during rehearsal. When I first turned it on in my house, that is when I noticed it Tone wise, I had the bass and treble flat and the low mid and hi mid around the 1 o-clock position. It sounded great. Also note I had it sitting on an amp stand so it raises it up a bit and I am able to tilt it. So I pretty much had it pointing to my ears rather than my feet. I pretty much got this amp for rehearsals and home practice and I think it will do fine I that regards. For gigs, I still will use the MB212. For one it is 2x12 and 500W. And the MB212 is only around 12 lbs more!

michaeln · #13 01-23-2011, 06:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pbasswil

But it's bulkier than necessary for repeated trips to a friend's house to play without drums; the 112 will be so convenient and effortless for those low key situations.

Years ago when I played through big rigs I bought an SWR Baby Blue II for exactly the situations you're describing, and it was such a relief to not have to haul all that stuff when the volume wasn't needed. That amp weighed 45lbs, and even at that weight I thought it was light compared to the big rig. I'd have thought I'd died and gone to heaven with this 28lb 200W MB112!

JTFormula · #14 01-23-2011, 06:43 AM

I also got a MB112 which arrived at the house a couple days ago. I posted about it a few days ago when I finally got it set up. This is an awesome amp. I think the tone is rich and it has real deep bass when you want it and snappy tones when you need it as well. I still haven't figured out the settings I like best but it is a great amp for practice and even to use at smaller venues and bars. My wife was asking me to turn it down as the dishes were rattling in the kitchen and the volume was only on 3. My bass guitar never sounded so good.

As far as the cooling fan, I played for 1.5 hours and never noticed if it came on or not. It sits about 6-8" from the wall. I will have to check again the next time I play for any longer periods of time and report back.

armybass · #15 01-23-2011, 07:19 AM

I am planning on ordering one next month and hope to use if for small jazz gigs with my upright. Just wondering if anyone else is using it with an upright?

michaeln · #16 01-23-2011, 07:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by armybass

I am planning on ordering one next month and hope to use if for small jazz gigs with my upright. Just wondering if anyone else is using it with an upright?

I bought mine primarily for use with my upright. Due to whiney neighbors I haven't been able to give it more than a few minutes playing time, but given that short period it seems to sound great. My setup is Shen SB90 -> K&K BassMax -> HPF-pre -> MB112.

dogofgod · #17 01-23-2011, 07:51 AM

FYI...

MB210 is bass boomy, the MB212 does not have that problem. Actually the MB212 is f-ing great!

armybass · #18 01-23-2011, 08:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by michaeln

I bought mine primarily for use with my upright. Due to whiney neighbors I haven't been able to give it more than a few minutes playing time, but given that short period it seems to sound great. My setup is Shen SB90 -> K&K BassMax -> HPF-pre -> MB112.

I will also be using the K&K Bass Max with my Englehardt and the MB112. Thanks for the review!