Help Me Decide

Bass-4-God · #1 10-17-2011, 12:38 PM

Gallien Krueger RB700II or MB500 which one and why.

father of fires · #2 10-17-2011, 12:53 PM

Tells us what else you have and your tone goals.

scottfeldstein · #3 10-17-2011, 12:54 PM

Unless you're actually going to use GKs biamp horn driving system--and have cabs equipped to utilize that scheme--get the MB500. Similar wattage, similar features, similar price... 1/4 the size, 1/4 the weight.

Joe Louvar · #4 10-17-2011, 01:08 PM

MB500. Because - price, weight, and Will said the 700 biamp isn’t as good as on the 800RB.

Bass-4-God · #5 10-17-2011, 01:19 PM

I don't have GK speakers, but I was considering the 410 Neo. How does the tone of each head compare to each other are they similar or distinctly diffrent.

scottfeldstein · #6 10-17-2011, 01:25 PM

In the grand scheme of things--similar.

Bass-4-God · #7 10-17-2011, 01:58 PM

Anyone else?

scottfeldstein · #8 10-17-2011, 02:20 PM

Just want to add this: I picked up (separately) this bag:

Gallien-Krueger Gig Bag for MB-500 or MB-Fusion Heads - www.rmcaudiodirect.com

Fits my MB500 like a glove, plus the footswitch, plus two 20' instrument cables, plus the power cable, plus two speaker cables, plus earplugs, etc. All about the size of a ladies large handbag.

Don't try that with a RB700.

Love the ability to carry that, my pedal train mini case and my bass case all in one go. Everything but the cabs, no problemo.

mouthmw · #9 10-17-2011, 02:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Joe Louvar

MB500. Because - price, weight, and Will said the 700 biamp isn’t as good as on the 800RB.

Why exactly isn't biamp as good as 800RB? I never heard that before. I hardly use the tweeter though to be honest, I prefer the sound without it and I use OD and fuzz often. I still plug my 700RB II to my gk neo cab bi-amp style rather than full range.

mouthmw · #10 10-17-2011, 02:23 PM

To the OP:
I'd rather get 700RB II, because it simply sounds better to me, and a lot of people think the same. 700 has that signature GK growly sound, and sounds IMO fuller and better than MB500.
I'd rather get MB Fusion if you're set on a light amp.

Joe Louvar · #11 10-17-2011, 02:45 PM

Will said that the 700 biamp section isn’t as good as the 800 because the crossover isn’t the same and its to high to work as well with 10s. You’ll have to ask Will33 if you need more info but that the talk on TB. Either way personally I don’t want to biamp anymore anyway.

Bass-4-God · #12 10-17-2011, 02:46 PM

I play gospel music does that play a part in my decision, would the MB Fusion be a better choice. And yes I do hear good things about the 700RB.

Joe Louvar · #13 10-17-2011, 02:58 PM

Gospel music is good but it doesn’t matter here - all three are good amps 700RB, Fusion, and MB500 are good amps. Personally I like the MB500 best because of price, size, weight, turner-out/mute, etc, I don’t need/want to bi-amp, and I never have to replace or worryabout tubes. But both the 700RB and Fusion look better (to me anyway).

scottfeldstein · #14 10-17-2011, 03:01 PM

If money were no object and I only had these three to choose from, I'd choose the MB Fusion. In the real world, however, getting a tiny little tube in the preamp wasn't worth the extra $.

jeff7bass · #15 10-17-2011, 03:59 PM

I’d go with the 700RBII if I was buying a GK bi-amp-able cab because it’s a proven workhorse and sounds great, a bit more definitive than the MB500 in my experience.
It weight/portability are a major concern I’d get the micro but I trust the 700RB more because it’s proven rock-solid technology.

scottfeldstein · #16 10-17-2011, 05:59 PM

Like I said before, if you are definitely going to use the bi-amp system and have cabinetry capable of utilizing it, get the RB700.

If not, get the MB500.

**B-string** · #17 10-17-2011, 08:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mouthmw

Why exactly isn't biamp as good as 800RB? I never heard that before. I hardly use the tweeter though to be honest, I prefer the sound without it and I use OD and fuzz often. I still plug my 700RB II to my gk neo cab bi-amp style rather than full range.

The 800RB and 2000RB have a variable crossover and more powerful second amps. The 700RB/1001RB have a fixed crossover at 5KHz for driving horns only 50watts at 8 ohms 75watts at 4 ohms.

Crabby · #18 10-17-2011, 09:15 PM

I owned and gigged an 800rb for many years and it was a fantastic amp. However, bi amping in general is an antiquated method that never really worked in my opinion as using a crossover and different cabs for lows and highs always tends to leave a "hole" in your sound that just sucks the life out of your tone.

I tried it repeatedly with the 800rb and numerous different cabs and it always sounded better full range. As mentioned the 700rb biamp setup is simply for running a tweeter separate from the rest of the cab. Only really works with certain GK cabs.

I now own an MB500 and it really has proven itself to be a fantastic amp. It doesn't get hot, it weighs nothing, its insanely small, it has tons of punch and volume and even at 8 ohms with a single cab really holds its own with a band.

Like Scottfeldstein, I bought the matching GK bag and its really great as it has two compartments and can hold all of your cables and stuff along with the amp.

Its hard to lug heavy gear once you get used to having an amp like the MB500 around. It doesn't sound as glorious as my Mesa amps but it sure is easier to carry around!

Bass-4-God · #19 10-18-2011, 08:42 AM

I've read where some have complained saying the MB 500 is a little noisy. Can anyone elaborate on that?

scottfeldstein · #20 10-18-2011, 09:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bass-4-God

I've read where some have complained saying the MB 500 is a little noisy. Can anyone elaborate on that?

I can't.