GK MB200 or Ashdown little Giant 1000

[McEvilpipe]

Hey I recently acquired an SWR Goliath Jr. III 8omh cab and I want to put together a small rig for bar gigs and smaller venues. The only real quality amps I have experience with are Trace Elliot.
I am currently deciding what head I should go for, my options are a Gallien Krueger MB200 or an Ashdown Little giant 1000. Please steer me in the right direction.

[acleex38]

I can't speak to the Ashdown at all, but for the last year or so, I've used a GK MB200 for a local open mic where I am the house bassist. I've run it into either an Ampeg SVT15e cab (at the 140 watts) or a pair of Hartke Hydrive 112s and haven't had any volume problems. It's a small-to-medium sized bar and I've gotten it "too loud for the room" without PA support without a problem. It should be fine.

[McEvilpipe]

cool this is the sort of thing I would be using it for also.

[acleex38]

There were bands that could come in and max it out a bit (it doesn't give you a tone of leftover headroom when the band doing 70s hard rock comes in with two overpowering guitarists) - but I never pushed the volume knob over about 2o'clock. I also tended to bump both mids knobs which helped. But still - with a 2x10 (maybe set vertically) you'll be pushing more speaker and air than my 1x15 can.

[johnpbass]

Also can't speak to the Ashdown, but I have an MB200 that I use as part of my "coffeehouse"/small gig rig with an Aguilar GS112. It's surprisingly loud especially when you add a second cab. I'd bet it would work great with a Goliath Jr. for a small gig rig.

[McEvilpipe]

Thanks for the help guys, I think I'm leaning towards the GK. I hear these amps are pretty reliable, have you had any issues?

[johnpbass]

None with mine, although some people have had problems in the past with a "hissing" noise.

[rockamimjazz]

Been using a MB200 with a GK 1x15 cab for over a year now. No issues at all. Love the simplicity and portability of a head that small.

[5port]

We have spontaneous jams after work (studio) with 2 or more guitarists,loud drummer and me using my MB200 and Carvin BRX2.10 vertical and have no problem with volume. First time I took out the MB200 I got laughs until I started playing. It helps to have a 4 ohm cabinet with multiple drivers.

[RickenBoogie]

200 watts vs 1000 watts is alot of difference. I have no experience with either, but I can tell you that with 200 watts, you will have very little if any headroom, but with 1000 watts, you will.

[Gintaras]

Played in a jam at my friend's studio last tuesday. I showed up with a MB200 and a Schroeder 15L 4ohm. Amp was between 4 and 5 and the bass was never more than 6 or 7. 2 guitarists, drummer and conga/harp player plus 2 people singing. Had plenty of volume. Of course I had a very efficient cabinet that it's reputation is the ability to cut through plus it is 4 ohm.

There are MB200's in the classifieds on a regular basis and usually averaging around $175. If it does not work then it will be easy to resell it on this forum.

[McEvilpipe]

I know the Ashdown is superior in power but the reason I am choosing it or the Gk is because I can get both for the same price. I am worried about the Ashdown because it seems very powerful for such a low price and also could my cab handle that power.
I have no experience matching Bass heads and cabs as I only ever owned combos until now.

[tbirdsp]

Another vote for the MB200 here. I have a Hartke 210XL and Genz Benz Focus 115, works well with either one. I'd say the MB200+GB Focus 115 is almost as loud as my Hartke 1155 combo (3500 head with 15+5). I don't think I've ever had the gain up past 2 o'clock on the MB, even with loud drummers and guitarists.

I've also been using it with an old SVT 810 which is in place at a rehearsal space for one band I'm in

[McEvilpipe]

I've been trying to do some research on the Ashdown head and information is sparse. I got burned with one of their Bass chorus pedals recently (horrible hum cycle and non working noise filter switch) So I guess its looking good for the GK

[JAUQO III-X]

The Ashdown little giant is not a strait 1000 watts, it a two sided 500 watt head that's none bridgeable.

It's very similar to the Ashdown EVO 900 head.












Ashdown endorser.