GK mb210 or 212 much difference?

IbanezSGfan · #1 12-25-2010, 08:31 PM

What up all, just need some opinions on the Galien Kruger mb210 and mb 212. Need a loud combo thats going to keep a good strong tone even when pushed. All constructive comments are greatly appreciated. Happy Holidays!!

AdamR · #2 12-26-2010, 06:43 AM

do a search, theres a 30 page thread on the subject.

GRAHAM SG1 · #3 12-26-2010, 11:40 AM

I have an MB210 with an MBE115 and would say that if you want just a 500 Watt combo with no extension cab to carry around then get the MB212 if its available to you and you can go the extra money .
If you can get by ok with the MB210`s 350 watts and cant go the extra money for the 212 then go the 210, you have the added choice of adding an extension later and boy does it make a difference

One other point to consider, the MB212 does not look as good as the MB210 on a cab !!!

IbanezSGfan · #4 12-26-2010, 02:00 PM

Thanks guys, I appreciate the help just new to bass and looking for a good starting combo.

lazyone2 · #5 12-26-2010, 04:54 PM

why combo?

pbasswil · #6 12-26-2010, 07:33 PM

These are solid, workingman combos. Not what you'd call Bergantino/Epifani/Accugroove-refined, but still very capable -- and so much better than anything you could get for the same $$ when I was younger.

I tried an MB210. It was real loud, and had impressive bottom end -- probably to the point of being out of balance with higher freq's. On closer listening, I found there was something missing in the mid-mids and high-mids. Punchy (low-mids), though.

I ended up buying an MB212. To my ears it has a better balance of lows, mids and highs. And for its size/weight, loud as @%$#!!

I didn't care that it doesn't have the extension speaker out jack, cuz I'll never need more volume than this. At any rate, even if I did, I'd rather haul one 4x10 than a combo plus a cab.

IbanezSGfan · #7 12-26-2010, 07:38 PM

@lazyone2 because I'm a college student working part time minimum wage and I've only been playing for about two months.

Low Key · #8 12-26-2010, 07:50 PM

The MB212 is killer. It has replaced carrying around an amp head and cabs for most situations. This is the first combo I have owned that hasn't needed an extension cab. It's not an option with this amp, but it's plenty loud enough. Great amp.

tallboybass · #9 12-26-2010, 07:56 PM

GK Combo Shootout...MB210 vs. MB212

IbanezSGfan · #10 12-26-2010, 09:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tallboybass

GK Combo Shootout...MB210 vs. MB212

Wow thankyou, I'm pretty new to bass and this site everybody involved in discussions seems really knowlegable and seem eager to share. Just hope before too long I'll know enough to help with reviews and such. You all have been a great help! I've found the best reviews on this site, You guys ROCK!!

jfh2424 · #11 12-30-2010, 09:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pbasswil

These are solid, workingman combos. Not what you'd call Bergantino/Epifani/Accugroove-refined, but still very capable -- and so much better than anything you could get for the same $$ when I was younger.

I tried an MB210. It was real loud, and had impressive bottom end -- probably to the point of being out of balance with higher freq's. On closer listening, I found there was something missing in the mid-mids and high-mids. Punchy (low-mids), though.

I ended up buying an MB212. To my ears it has a better balance of lows, mids and highs. And for its size/weight, loud as @%$#!!

I didn't care that it doesn't have the extension speaker out jack, cuz I'll never need more volume than this. At any rate, even if I did, I'd rather haul one 4x10 than a combo plus a cab.

Pbasswil, are you still happy with yours? I am thinking of the 212 and am in Montreal too.

Thanks!

John

azureblue · #12 12-31-2010, 08:20 AM

On GK MB series bass amps. I got the MB210 and totally loved it- it sounded like what I hear in headphones, with a big, solid sound. I pushed in the contour button and found the sound I wanted right away. But it was working hard at performance levels, with two guitar players (in a modern sort of blues band), one with with a H&K 2-12 and the other a Peavey 1-12 Fender deluxe type. So I swapped up for the MB212. It is much louder- I have the master on a little under 9:00, with boost at 1:00, gain at 11:00, everything else is more or less flat. The sound is a bit clearer than the 210, less solid, but fuller sounding- something in the low mids, I think. It is taller, a little heavier, and not as easy to move as the 210. The 210 I could pick up in one hand with my bass in the other and walk out. The 212 takes more effort. The guys in the band like the 212 more - one says it sounds bigger, and I agree. Clean and clear and loud.

And I suppose I could have gotten a 210 extension speaker cabinet to go under the 210 (the 212 does not have an extension speaker jack- it runs at 4 ohms, while the 210 does, and runs at 8 ohms), when I needed it, but my intent was to have a light amp I can move with one hand in one trip. Today I am going to work with the 212- when I got it I went straight to practice and didn't have time to tinker with the tone controls. Summary- I love both amps, and I think I will get what I want out of the 212, I doubt I will be disappointed at all.

Mike Shevlin · #13 12-31-2010, 09:42 AM

Tried them back to back at NAMM last year~ big difference. I know part of it is the full 500 going to those 12's, but....ah.....big difference.