GK MB150S with extension cabinet...

Hammertime3 · #1 06-20-2011, 01:06 PM

Anyone here have the GK MB150S with the recommended MBE112 extension cabinet?? How much more volume can I expect from the setup when I add the cabinet?? Everyone on here says you should use the cabinet designed for the amp, but why wouldn't any 8ohm cabinet work OK?? Getting ready to spring for a cabinet and want to make sure I get the right one.

Thanx..

DWBass · #2 06-20-2011, 01:12 PM

Any 8ohm cab will suffice. Just don't expect much more volume as you're only adding 50 more watts. 150w into 2 1x12's is still pretty decent sounding.

ghiadub · #3 06-20-2011, 01:15 PM

I use a bag end S-15 and it works great for upright and electric with my MB150.

If I need more volume, a 4ohm 2x10" seems much louder (with the internal speaker off)

robgrow · #4 06-20-2011, 01:30 PM

I have used a GK MB150 with various extension cabs. The GK 112MBX, which was designed as the MB150 series extension cab, works well and is small and light. I've also used a Bag End S-15 (1x15), and it helps get the most out of the MB150's available power (150 watts @ 4 ohms).

A word of caution though: the MB150's ability to cool itself is marginal, and it can run very hot with a 4-ohm load.

While the MB150 is a great grab and go amp for low-volume gigs, I found that I lost much of the advantage of the small, light amp when adding an extension cab. If I need more than the MB150, I use an EA Wizzy M with a Walter Woods M300, a rig that weighs less than an MB150 with 112MBX and can put out a lot more sound without breaking a sweat.

Slowgypsy · #5 06-20-2011, 04:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hammertime3

Anyone here have the GK MB150S with the recommended MBE112 extension cabinet?? How much more volume can I expect from the setup when I add the cabinet?? Everyone on here says you should use the cabinet designed for the amp, but why wouldn't any 8ohm cabinet work OK?? Getting ready to spring for a cabinet and want to make sure I get the right one.

Thanx..

I own and use the GK MB150S, and the MBE112 extension cab. I've used this setup for many, many years as my small cafe/coffee shop rig. I have only good things to say about this equipment. The combo amp and official extension cab stack well together, have a very small footprint which can be helpful in tight spaces, and when stacked the controls are at a perfect height for me.

You will get more perceived volume from using 2 cabs. True, the amp is pumping out more watts, but I think pushing air with 2 speakers rather than one is more of what you'll hear. This rig can get surprisingly loud.

Any 8ohm cab will work just fine. Just my $.02, but if the extension cab you end up getting is larger/heavier than the official one, you're sort of defeating the purpose of this setup and maybe you'd be better served with something else. Also, what the sound will be like mixing another make/brand cab with the MB150s will be an unknown, unless you have the option to try before hand.

Just for comparison, I also own GK Neo 112 & GK Neo 212 cabs. I have tried those as replacements for the MBE112 extension cab, and I actually preferred the MBE112. It's a different sound... very punchy, low end depth but not a lot of low end in-your-chest rumble. And the other cabs have such a larger footprint, are heavier, etc, that it simply defeats the purpose of this small rig.

Also, I've run both combo and extension cab for many, many hours at a time at some gigs. And did push the unit to it's max levels. Sure, the top gets warm, but not more than I would expect. It has performed perfectly and has never given me an ounce of trouble.

Hammertime3 · #6 06-20-2011, 04:44 PM

Slowgypsy...thanx for that reply, and also you other guys. Is there anything lost or gained by seperating the two, say by 20 feet or so, to spread out the bass sound, so to speak. Am I wrong... I don't have any experience with an extension cabinet.

Slowgypsy · #7 06-20-2011, 04:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hammertime3

Slowgypsy...thanx for that reply, and also you other guys. Is there anything lost or gained by seperating the two, say by 20 feet or so, to spread out the bass sound, so to speak. Am I wrong... I don't have any experience with an extension cabinet.

Interesting idea, but what kind of venue are you playing that you'd want to separate the cabs by that distance? What effect are you trying to achieve by that arrangement?

RickenBoogie · #8 06-20-2011, 04:50 PM

Seperating the cabs will only increase the likelyhood of serious comb filtering, (bad), while stacking them one atop the other will aid with coupling, and dispersion. Stack 'em = good, split them = bad.

**JxBass** · #9 06-20-2011, 05:16 PM

I had the MB150S with the MB extension cab. It's a really nice light setup, very portable and a great sound. It won't compete with a loud band at 150w but is terrific in low to moderate settings.

Hammertime3 · #10 06-20-2011, 05:18 PM

Somehow I got the idea that that was the purpose of having an extension cabinet, i.e., having bass on both ends of the stage, platform, whatever. I used the GK for an outside venue where we played on a semi-trailer, probably 30-35 long, and the musicians on the opposite end were having trouble hearing the bass. I just thought a cabinet on the other end, if I ever needed it again, would do the trick. But looks like I'm wrong as usual.

Gypsy..do you see a noticeable increase in volume with the stack??

Slowgypsy · #11 06-20-2011, 05:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hammertime3

Somehow I got the idea that that was the purpose of having an extension cabinet, i.e., having bass on both ends of the stage, platform, whatever. I used the GK for an outside venue where we played on a semi-trailer, probably 30-35 long, and the musicians on the opposite end were having trouble hearing the bass. I just thought a cabinet on the other end, if I ever needed it again, would do the trick. But looks like I'm wrong as usual.

Gypsy..do you see a noticeable increase in volume with the stack??

Actually, I don't think you're entirely wrong in that situation. I've played many outdoor gigs, and the stage has sometimes been that standard semi-trailer folding stage sort of thing. Sometimes I've plugged into the PA, sometimes not. On the occasions I've not plugged into the PA, I've run two GK Neo 212 cabs, and I've placed them on opposite sides of the drummer. It's worked out really well for everyone on stage, and comments from musician friends in the audience (field) have been very positive.

When running both the combo and extension cab, yes... I can definitely get more volume. It is noticeable. But that rig doesn't have, at loud volumes, that in-your-chest low end thump sort of thing... just not what that rig is made for. It really shines in the smaller cafe/coffee shop/dinner crowd/intimate sort of venue. It can keep up volume wise with a large group, but if everyone turns up to "rock 'n roll" volume levels... it's too small for that type of music.

The purpose for adding an extension cab is to get (1) full output power wise from your amp (2) add more cone area so you can "push more air" for more perceived volume (3) look cool with more gear

Hammertime3 · #12 06-22-2011, 11:17 AM

Back again...from what I can gather from RMC Audio and the GK website, they don't make an extension cabinet with a 12" speaker in any more. I'm checked with sales there and they quoted me on a 115 MBE cabinet. I guess this one takes the place of the 12" cabinet, but I thought sure I had seen the 12inch cabinet for sale somewhere. Anyone know anything about this??

Thanx..

lowendrv · #13 06-22-2011, 11:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hammertime3

Back again...from what I can gather from RMC Audio and the GK website, they don't make an extension cabinet with a 12" speaker in any more. I'm checked with sales there and they quoted me on a 115 MBE cabinet. I guess this one takes the place of the 12" cabinet, but I thought sure I had seen the 12inch cabinet for sale somewhere. Anyone know anything about this??

Thanx..

GK website still shows it..
Welcome to Gallien-Krueger: Power to Groove
Gallien-Krueger
2234 Industrial Drive
Stockton, CA 95206

Tel: 209-234-7300
Fax: 209-234-8420

Hammertime3 · #14 06-22-2011, 11:54 AM

What am I missing...I don't see the MBE112 or MBX112 listed anywhere on GK's website. I see one in the NEO series but as far as I know, that's not they recommend to go with the microbass. These two cabinets are what the guys who posted above used, and I can't see where they're available.

lowendrv · #15 06-22-2011, 12:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hammertime3

What am I missing...I don't see the MBE112 or MBX112 listed anywhere on GK's website. I see one in the NEO series but as far as I know, that's not they recommend to go with the microbass. These two cabinets are what the guys who posted above used, and I can't see where they're available.

Just click on this link and it shows it and where to buy it
Welcome to Gallien-Krueger: Power to Groove

Slowgypsy · #16 06-22-2011, 12:15 PM

Here's a link to RMC Audio. Just click on the link and it will take you to their catalog page:

Gallien Krueger 112MBX Extension Cabinet - www.rmcaudiodirect.com

kramerj · #17 07-17-2011, 10:21 PM

Another question about the MB150S: I've had one since the early '90's, and tone-wise it is my favorite amp. As a number of people have pointed out, this little guy is not well-suited for loud gigs. Does anyone know whether there is another higher-powered GK amp that is voiced similarly to the MB150S? I use a 400rb for rehearsals and it's a great head but sounds quite different. Granted the two amps are hard to compare since they're paried with different speakers, but when I used the MB150S with a 210 cab in the old days for higher-volume gigs, it retained a characteristic full,throaty sound.

garagebassman · #18 07-19-2011, 11:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kramerj

Another question about the MB150S: I've had one since the early '90's, and tone-wise it is my favorite amp. As a number of people have pointed out, this little guy is not well-suited for loud gigs. Does anyone know whether there is another higher-powered GK amp that is voiced similarly to the MB150S? I use a 400rb for rehearsals and it's a great head but sounds quite different. Granted the two amps are hard to compare since they're paried with different speakers, but when I used the MB150S with a 210 cab in the old days for higher-volume gigs, it retained a characteristic full,throaty sound.

Is your 400RB older version ?
I find my (86) 400RB to be closest to the MB150S, but I usually run it through 80's gk 410B.
I tried 700RBII, due to having contour knob vs sw, but it is a different animal, great amp though.
Actually, MB500 seems the closest (head) to the sound of my 400RB, and has the contour knob to fine tune as well

kramerj · #19 07-19-2011, 12:00 PM

Garagebassman, thanks for your reply. The 400rb is a relatively recent version (III). It growls beautifully on the E and A strings (through a Berantino HT115), but the G and D strings sound considerably weaker. The MB150S seems less growly but thicker and more even across the strings. How would you describe the 700rb?

basswalker2004 · #20 07-19-2011, 12:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hammertime3

Anyone here have the GK MB150S with the recommended MBE112 extension cabinet?? How much more volume can I expect from the setup when I add the cabinet?? Everyone on here says you should use the cabinet designed for the amp, but why wouldn't any 8ohm cabinet work OK?? Getting ready to spring for a cabinet and want to make sure I get the right one.

Thanx..

I use an Aguilar GS112 with mine and I'm amazed at how well it carries the room.