GK MB150 vs EBS Drome 12 vs Roland Cube 100

cocas · #1 08-22-2010, 06:32 PM

Hi,

I'm currently looking for a replacement for my Hughes and Kettner 200w amp, mainly due to it's weight (34kg). I don't really recall the model's name and since I'm away from home right now, I can't say for sure, but I'm guessing it's the predecessor of H&K Basskick200.
I play in an instrumental band with a drummer and e. guitar.
Now, I've heard nice things from these three amps, but I have some doubts about how loud they might get. The GK seems to be the perfect one for me, because of it's weight (11kg), but apart from this, what do you think?

PS: Pardon my french, I'm portuguese and I don't get many chances to speak english.

Son of Bovril · #2 08-23-2010, 01:35 AM

I have no experience with the GK but I love the EBS combos

vin*tone · #3 08-23-2010, 01:49 AM

Of the 3 - I've only played through the GK. It has a good reputation possibly because in its day it was the best around. IMO it is a bit boxy and middy sounding.

loopee · #4 08-23-2010, 02:23 AM

PS: Pardon my French, I'm Portuguese and I don't get many chances to speak English

???????????????????

So why disrespect French? Pardon my Portuguese, but I'm French and don't speak much English.......

I have the GK, great little amp but got a Markbass CMD121P which weighs 1kg more and it's 500w compared to 150.......

BokiGroove · #5 08-23-2010, 02:53 AM

I have roland cube 100, and all i can tell it's just perfect, very,very powerful amp with nice amp simulations...everything is just perfect except compressor IMO.

cocas · #6 08-23-2010, 10:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by loopee

PS: Pardon my French, I'm Portuguese and I don't get many chances to speak English

???????????????????

So why disrespect French? Pardon my Portuguese, but I'm French and don't speak much English.......

I have the GK, great little amp but got a Markbass CMD121P which weighs 1kg more and it's 500w compared to 150.......

It was just a silly joke, I meant no disrespect to any language.

I've looked to the MarkBass and is a bit out of my budget, but is it really that loud? I still can't believe in a 500w combo that weights 13.3kg, it's just too good to be true. I wished I could try any of theese amps, but I havent seen any of them around here...

62bass · #7 08-23-2010, 11:30 AM

I own the GK MB150S. It's a great sounding little amp. With an extension cabinet it can get loud enough for many gigs. But even by itself it has a big, full sound that's perfectly suited for real bass sounds. Sure, you can get all the more modern sounds too. The eq is very comprehensive. But it's a bass amp and just perfect for electric bass the way I like it to sound.

The Drome is a good amp. I don't like the sound as much as my GK though. The Roland too is a nice amp. But again I prefer the GK.

It's also very reliable and so easy to move around. The combo weighs 26 lbs. The matching extension cab weighs 16. That's light weight.

When I play through the thing people are looking around the room looking for what has to be a big stack. They can't believe all that sound from such a little thing.

The new GK Neo combos might be even better and well worth waiting for.

cocas · #8 08-23-2010, 11:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 62bass

I own the GK MB150S. It's a great sounding little amp. With an extension cabinet it can get loud enough for many gigs. But even by itself it has a big, full sound that's perfectly suited for real bass sounds. Sure, you can get all the more modern sounds too. The eq is very comprehensive. But it's a bass amp and just perfect for electric bass the way I like it to sound.

The Drome is a good amp. I don't like the sound as much as my GK though. The Roland too is a nice amp. But again I prefer the GK.

It's also very reliable and so easy to move around. The combo weighs 26 lbs. The matching extension cab weighs 16. That's light weight.

I was thinking how they could compare in terms of volume. The GK says 150w, but it is only 100w without the extension cab, like the Roland. Also, I've read that there are some heating problems with the GK when you push it too hard, so my main concern is buying it and then have to push it too hard to be heard, causing it to overheat or breakdown... Would you say the GK can compete with a loud drummer?

grovest · #9 08-23-2010, 12:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cocas

I was thinking how they could compare in terms of volume. The GK says 150w, but it is only 100w without the extension cab, like the Roland. Also, I've read that there are some heating problems with the GK when you push it too hard, so my main concern is buying it and then have to push it too hard to be heard, causing it to overheat or breakdown... Would you say the GK can compete with a loud drummer?

Heat issues, I wouldn't think so. Maybe, but not in my experience.

Compete with a loud drummer; not a chance in a million years.

cocas · #10 08-23-2010, 12:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by grovest

Compete with a loud drummer; not a chance in a million years.

How about the EBS Drome or the Roland Cube? My main concern is volume, do you know which of the three is the loudest?

62bass · #11 08-23-2010, 03:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cocas

I was thinking how they could compare in terms of volume. The GK says 150w, but it is only 100w without the extension cab, like the Roland. Also, I've read that there are some heating problems with the GK when you push it too hard, so my main concern is buying it and then have to push it too hard to be heard, causing it to overheat or breakdown... Would you say the GK can compete with a loud drummer?

No not by itself. With a big 1x15 cab (which I've tried) it can, but then you defeat the whole purpose of going light. With the matching extension it won't compete with a loud drummer but will work at sane volume levels to fill the stage. There is a direct out which can help. However, in my opinion the Drome or Roland won't compete with a loud drummer either.

I've pushed my 150 and haven't had any overheating issues. I imagine you could if you ran it wide open for a long time.

If you anticipate playing with a loud drummer where a 100 or 150 watt amp with one speaker won't handle it you're looking at the wrong amps. You need more speakers and more power, which means more size, weight and cost.

I'd consider a GK 400 RB and a pair of the new lightweight Neo 1x12' cabs. Still fairly light, lots of volume, reliable GK reputation and that GK sound. I used the 400 RB for 10 years driving a pair of Yorkville 1x15 cabinets. Great sound, lots of volume and pretty easy to haul around. I used 1 cab for small rooms and rehearsals.

vin*tone · #12 08-23-2010, 03:57 PM

Don't forget the Ibanez Promethean too.

cocas · #13 08-23-2010, 04:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 62bass

I'd consider a GK 400 RB and a pair of the new lightweight Neo 1x12' cabs. Still fairly light, lots of volume, reliable GK reputation and that GK sound. I used the 400 RB for 10 years driving a pair of Yorkville 1x15 cabinets. Great sound, lots of volume and pretty easy to haul around. I used 1 cab for small rooms and rehearsals.

How about the GK MB210? 350w, cheaper than the MB150 and just 15kg. Do you know if this model could handle a loud drummer?

cocas · #14 08-23-2010, 05:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vin*tone

Don't forget the Ibanez Promethean too.

If the EBS, Roland and GK can't compete with a drummer, I guessed the Promethean couldn't either, at least without an extension cabinet. I am currently checking the GK MB210, it seems to be a bit more powerful than all those mentioned above, but like the rest, this is only me guessing, I haven't found any of them to try around here

loopee · #15 08-24-2010, 12:51 AM

Not to worry - just a pet peeve of mine
When you're French and people keep saying that as if it's a bad thing it really gets to you after a while......

I have the GK with the extension cab - It worked fine in a bar with a drummer the he's not heavy hitting though the amp was very warm by the end of the set - which is why I got the Markbass though I still have the GK cause it's a great little amp. I have an old version so I don't know how the new ones would react but I've heard they're not as reliable as the old ones......It's hard to buy without trying it out so I hope things work out for you.....

Quote:

Originally Posted by cocas

It was just a silly joke, I meant no disrespect to any language.

I've looked to the MarkBass and is a bit out of my budget, but is it really that loud? I still can't believe in a 500w combo that weights 13.3kg, it's just too good to be true. I wished I could try any of theese amps, but I havent seen any of them around here...

noam · #16 09-12-2010, 01:49 AM

I'm a bit late with this thread, but had to reply... I've owned the MB150, which I used for years and eventually sold to buy a Drome (much louder amp); the Drome died after about 5 years of good service -- it needed repair beyond its worth. The GK never had any problems, just needed periodic cleaning. I also owned a Roland DB700 combo for a little while -- bought it new, and it developed severe hum problems very soon after purchase -- had it repaired, but the hum came back and it was out of warranty -- sold it as is really cheap. My feeling is that all amps these days sound just fine, as long as they're the right size and power for your use, and the important issue is reliability and service, and for that Roland seems to come dead last: their amp warranty is a mere 90 days labor, 1 year parts, with shipping costs to service center to be paid by the consumer. For that alone I now avoid their stuff.

AlexanderB · #17 09-12-2010, 02:10 AM

I have owned the "standard" (as in not the more expensive Neo and not the cheaper Classic) Drome 12 and I did not like it at all, so I quickly sold it. The bottom is hollow sounding and distorted and the S/N ratio is worse than other EBS amps I have tried.
The GK is an industri standard, although a bit "boxy".

The MarkBass combos are in a different league, IMO.

/Alexander

bmc · #18 10-01-2010, 02:26 AM

I owned the MB150 and now currently have the Roland. Both are very good quality.

In terms of gigging with a drummer and guitarist in pubs, with no PA support, the Roland takes it hands down. I did a gig last night with my Roland. The master was at about 70% and the gain at 40%. Volume on the Sadowsky at about 80%.

Trick is to keep the amp on the fllor.

The room held about 80 people. Small bar. But the band rocks and the violume is up.

I bought the Roland as a practice amp as I have a Markbass/SWR set up. The big rig hasn't been used in about three years.

For some unexplained reason, and with no basis at all, I just never equated Roland with making serious bass amps. This little unit checks so many boxes for me. Very impressed with it. It, like the Sadowsky, old Fender, Blade, is a keeper.

The only thing I would change it for is a built in handle and wheels.

The GK is a very sweet, transparent amp. I had a GK MB150 head that I used as a practice preamp for years, with no speaker hooked up. Bass>MB150 head>stereo system>headphones. While bother are 100 watts and have a 12 inch speaker, one has volume and good solid, gig worthy bottom end

jnewmark · #19 10-01-2010, 06:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by noam

I'm a bit late with this thread, but had to reply... I've owned the MB150, which I used for years and eventually sold to buy a Drome (much louder amp); the Drome died after about 5 years of good service -- it needed repair beyond its worth. The GK never had any problems, just needed periodic cleaning. I also owned a Roland DB700 combo for a little while -- bought it new, and it developed severe hum problems very soon after purchase -- had it repaired, but the hum came back and it was out of warranty -- sold it as is really cheap. My feeling is that all amps these days sound just fine, as long as they're the right size and power for your use, and the important issue is reliability and service, and for that Roland seems to come dead last: their amp warranty is a mere 90 days labor, 1 year parts, with shipping costs to service center to be paid by the consumer. For that alone I now avoid their stuff.

Sorry about the Roland. I have been gigging the DB700 for about 10 years now,with no problems. At one point, I was even considering getting the powered 115 bottom, but the two models won't stack right, not to mention the weight. I love the tone I get from it, and if the Cube is similar, I would'nt hesitate to get it, although purely as a rehearsal, small gig amp. As far as warranty stuff goes, there are authorised repair places, and I'm fortunate as to have one right in my own area, although it's way out of warranty now. The only problems I have had with it are cold solder joints which my tech does for me in one day.