GK MB500 users - can it growl?

husky123 · #1 03-15-2011, 09:02 AM

I'm seriously considering adding another amp to the stable. I recently sold my MB Fusion

and am now thinking about the MB500.

Are you guys getting it to growl like GK is famous for? I know a lot of that tone comes from cranking the amp to the voltage rails but I'm just curious if the little MB500 can get close?

Thanks fellas.

And I · #2 03-15-2011, 09:59 AM

the boost channel is plenty growly. even on the "clean" channel with the gain around 11 o'clock it's got it.

4Mal · #3 03-15-2011, 10:02 AM

not sure what growl really means but my MB2-500, last rev before the rebadging sounds like any of the GK RB-II series heads I've owned or played with...

stflbn · #4 03-15-2011, 10:10 AM

Maybe provide an example of what you consider 'growl' because there's approx. 293.5 different interpretations of 'growl' here on talkbass.

somegeezer · #5 03-15-2011, 10:13 AM

The main meaning of growl is that distorted mid range frequency. I'd like to know if it does too. Would be a great amp to buy next for home practise and band practises, where I can't take my full amp.

4Mal · #6 03-15-2011, 10:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stflbn

Maybe provide an example of what you consider 'growl' because there's approx. 293.5 different interpretations of 'growl' here on talkbass.

exactly. As a very long time GK fan (like since the late 70's and my original 400 head) - I still don't get 'growl'.

What I can say is that my head sounds very much lke my old 1001 RB II heads. In rock settings, I ran the Boost between 11 and noon on the dial on the larger heads. The MB2-500 (mine is an A07 version) is very similar tonally at similar settings. Which is why I own it. Sound just like a Gk but I can cary it in my gig bag's front pocket!

husky123 · #7 03-15-2011, 10:31 AM

The best description I have for "my" version of growl is Duff McKagan's sound. Now I know a lot of other things go into his sound (chorus, a pick, etc.). Take a listen to Rocket Queen:

YouTube - Rocket Queen Appetite For Destruction Guns 'N' Roses

That's good ole GK growl if you ask me.

armybass · #8 03-15-2011, 10:49 AM

I think you can. I get a pretty good GK growl with my MB210 and my 86 Yamaha BB5000. Bump the low mids, keep the hi's and mi mids set flat and I am pretty much there. II do not consider the GK growl distortion as I think some do, I think of it as a warm, fat, middy tone with out losing the clarity that Ii feel I did with Ampegs. It is more warm growl than grind IMHO.

GigJones · #9 03-15-2011, 10:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by husky123

I'm seriously considering adding another amp to the stable. I recently sold my MB Fusion

and am now thinking about the MB500.

Are you guys getting it to growl like GK is famous for? I know a lot of that tone comes from cranking the amp to the voltage rails but I'm just curious if the little MB500 can get close?

Thanks fellas.

What I want to know is WHY did you sell your MB Fusion???

m0ntels · #10 03-15-2011, 12:09 PM

I was ready to buy a MarkBass when I randomly plugged into a GK and heard the growl. I was torn between the 2 until I noticed the GK was plugged into a new Acoustic cab. Plugging into a 410 GK neo did me in. The first thing I thought of was that GNR bass sound before I even learned that's what Duff used.

Currently I'm in the backorder black hole with everyone else who's waiting for a MB500.

husky123 · #11 03-15-2011, 01:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GigJones

What I want to know is WHY did you sell your MB Fusion???

Couple reasons. Partly because I'm chasing a tone in my head I'll never catch and the other was it didn't have that growl I was used to with GK. Maybe I needed to spend more time with it.

jeff7bass · #12 03-15-2011, 01:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by husky123

The best description I have for "my" version of growl is Duff McKagan's sound. Now I know a lot of other things go into his sound (chorus, a pick, etc.). Take a listen to Rocket Queen:

YouTube - Rocket Queen Appetite For Destruction Guns 'N' Roses

That's good ole GK growl if you ask me.

I used to get Duff's tone with my old GK700RB stack! We played Night Train! He's a killer bassplayer.

tombowlus · #13 03-15-2011, 02:40 PM

I think that the MB500 would get you that tone, or darn close to it.

husky123 · #14 03-15-2011, 02:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tombowlus

I think that the MB500 would get you that tone, or darn close to it.

Thanks Tom! Would you say the Fusion and MB500 are voiced differently? Does the MB500 have more of that classic GK sound?

tombowlus · #15 03-15-2011, 02:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by husky123

Thanks Tom! Would you say the Fusion and MB500 are voiced differently? Does the MB500 have more of that classic GK sound?

Yes, the MB500 sounds more like the RB series heads, though the MB Fusion definitely has some similarity (to the MB500). The MB Fusion has more harmonics going on, and it's a very big, wide sound. The MB500 is a bit more focused in the mids (though still very big/powerful down low, and still fairly bright). I guess the MB500 is just a bit more solid from top to bottom, whereas the MB Fusion has a bit more "excitement" thrown in there, but perhaps at the cost of some focus, especially through the midrange.

Hope this helps, Tom.

husky123 · #16 03-15-2011, 03:43 PM

Helps a ton....thanks again.

garagebassman · #17 03-15-2011, 06:50 PM

I must add , several years ago, when I started using a pick more often, and rediscovering my old backup gk 400 rb with 80's gk 410's as a gigging setup again, GNR Duff what just what it sounded like (even though I was really going for Graham Maybe with Joe Jackson) especially with P/J basses.
Based on TBr's comments, (and i think they were right on) I bought the MB500 to be a lightweight more powerful 400rb...which is EXACTLY what it sounds like to me....
I have no experience with the Fusion (MB or other), but I think that also like the old 400RB, the MB500 is extremely simple, which is good for me too.