Ibanez Promethean 5110 or GK MB210

gospelbassist · #1 08-30-2010, 08:56 PM

Hey guys,

I was wondering if you might help me make a choice on which amp to order. Now here is the situation. None of the stores in my area has either of these amps in stock so it's a special order... and I'd rather make the right choice from the start.

Ok... Here is what I'm looking for:

Compact enough,
Light,
Powerful,
Warm Tone,
Affordable,
And able to add an Extension Cab for added power.

Now my research has led me to two contenders:

The Ibanez Promethean P5110

http://www.ibanez.com/electronics/model-P5110

or

The Gallien Krueger MB210

http://www.gallien-krueger.com/products_mbCombos.html

If any of you have experience with either of these amps or just has some advice... please share with me. Thanks alot guys... All the best to you :-)

Play on...

Kwesi · #2 08-30-2010, 09:10 PM

I tried a GK MB-something-or-other (not quite sure which) and didn't like it. I feel like all (or at least the entire new line) GK gear has a really prominent mid-range scoop and I hate scooping, it's just not a tone that I could ever like. The Promethean on the other had has a very even frequency response even with the Vintage-Modern knob rolled mostly to one side. It sounds very clear and crisp but is a bit vintage sounding with everything flat (I roll the V-M knob like 50% Modern). I think the perfect description for it would be the Markbass LMII: Vintage Edition close enough to make me happy and vintage enough for those who dig that kind of tone.

I'd take the Promethean hands down and then get an extension cab

PaulNYC · #3 08-30-2010, 09:33 PM

volume wise with similar wattage, I'd give the nod to whatever has more speaker. However, small speakers are more portable. I really like my promethean. I like it even more with the VT bass I added.

gospelbassist · #4 09-05-2010, 06:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kwesi

I tried a GK MB-something-or-other (not quite sure which) and didn't like it. I feel like all (or at least the entire new line) GK gear has a really prominent mid-range scoop and I hate scooping, it's just not a tone that I could ever like. The Promethean on the other had has a very even frequency response even with the Vintage-Modern knob rolled mostly to one side. It sounds very clear and crisp but is a bit vintage sounding with everything flat (I roll the V-M knob like 50% Modern). I think the perfect description for it would be the Markbass LMII: Vintage Edition close enough to make me happy and vintage enough for those who dig that kind of tone.

I'd take the Promethean hands down and then get an extension cab

Thanks for the advice man

What kind of Cabs do you use with it? Do you stick to Ibanez or you've tried a few other cabs with it.

Kwesi · #5 09-05-2010, 10:19 AM

I've tried loads of cabs with it at this point and with the exception of maybe 2 or 3 they all sounded great. My personal rig is the Ibanez Promethean with a Hartke HyDrive 210 and 410. My favorite rig would either be mine or the Promethean with 2 GB 210T-XB2s.

gospelbassist · #6 09-05-2010, 06:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kwesi

I've tried loads of cabs with it at this point and with the exception of maybe 2 or 3 they all sounded great. My personal rig is the Ibanez Promethean with a Hartke HyDrive 210 and 410. My favorite rig would either be mine or the Promethean with 2 GB 210T-XB2s.

Speaking of Hydrive... I saw that you replied to my post inquiring about the LH500 head. If you had a choice between the Promethean P500h and the Hartke Hydrive LH500... which one would you go for and why? Thanks for your responses :-)

johnk_10 · #7 09-05-2010, 08:15 PM

this is probably silly and weird sounding to most people, but no matter how good it was, i just couldn't own a bass amp that was named 'Promethean' (and I'm 100% greek

).

Catbuster · #8 09-05-2010, 08:18 PM

I've got a GK. Have nothing bad to say.

parker 71 · #9 09-06-2010, 12:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by johnk_10

this is probably silly and weird sounding to most people, but no matter how good it was, i just couldn't own a bass amp that was named 'Promethean' (and I'm 100% greek

).

then you need GreeK

johnk_10 · #10 09-06-2010, 01:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by parker 71

then you need GreeK

i do have one, a GK 1001RBII, and i dig it.

JB36 · #11 09-06-2010, 09:17 AM

Both amps sound good to me and have good tone shaping options. I think the Promethean sounds more warmish than the GK. I have a Promethean on the way. I like both, but I'm a fan of the detachable head. The smallish 1x10 is more portable and I like the ability to remove the head and hook up to any cab combination. The plus for the GK is it probably has more head room w/ 350 going into 2x10.

gospelbassist · #12 09-08-2010, 02:49 AM

Hey guys,
I decided to buy the Promethean P500h Bass head and am still undecided about which cab to buy. So feel free to suggest anything that will give me the warm and punchy tones that I am looking for (keeping in mind of course that I'll be running it all from the P500h which runs 250watts @ 8 ohms and 500watts @ 4 ohms). Please send me your advice fellas. Thanks a lot.

Cheers,

gafbass02 · #13 09-08-2010, 04:10 AM

I've used the head into it's own combo cab and the p110c and it was easily loud enough at an outdoor festival and sounded amazing. Also sounded great through my barefaced compact and midget T.

VitalToner · #14 09-09-2010, 10:20 AM

Hey, I own the Ibanez Promethean head and i will honestly say that it is a pretty sweet little amp. Its got lots of good features like mute, 6 band eq, vibe (for colour) 250watts @8 ohms/ 500watts @4 ohms, im running it through a Bergantino Ae112. The cab sounds clean and clear in general but the head is also fairly clear and punchy when i use my Ibanez SR706. Never used GK but i like my LMtube800 head even when people say they don't like the sound of muffed up mids, i think it has good solid tones just like the promethean. 2 totally different amps but i think you know which one you want just gotta remember you can't own them all, so pick what you know or feel best about getting--- it your money after all, be happy!! Club bass helped me and they have good products

texasgooner · #15 09-11-2010, 05:05 AM

I bought one of these yesterday, based on reviews I had seen online, and a quick demo in store. Although it's pretty expensive, the money is well worth it. It's amazingly portable, well made, attractive and discreet. But the sound is where it really impresses; handles anything you throw at it, I played in a bar yesterday evening and it came through fine. Very happy with my purchase. And a good plus, I could carry it away that evening and not have to worry about it being safe for the night in the bar.

45cmckay105 · #16 09-11-2010, 05:20 AM

Well, Kwesi pretty much hit it on the nuts. I have the Promethean P5110 as well as the P110C Extension Cabinet. The extension cabinet is a slightly different NEO sub than the P5110 Combo. The headroom on this rig is pretty ridiculous for the size. You can carry your entire rig, one cab in each hand @500Watts!!!

I also have the Hartke LH500 which I have to say I LOVE compared to my older Hartke HA series heads. Played a gig a few weeks back with a "shared" bass rig. One set with the Promtehean stack, one set with the Promethean through an Ashdown ABM210T/ABM115 stack and one set with the Hartke LH500 through the Ashdowns. I use active and passive Jazz Basses, and while each set-up was slightly different, no mid-range scoop happening at all. The "vibe" dial, plus the ABM's was a pretty "vintage" sounding set-up. While the Promethean can do everything from hi-fi to a flatwound thump.

The LH500 has the easiest EQ out there to dial in any sound you are looking for. This is the first head with a "bright" switch that I have actually used rather than ignored.

For the money you save over a MarkBass, buy one of each!! I did!!

Next in line is a pair of Hartke HX112's to go with the LH500.
Will let you know how the Prometehan sounds through a Schroeder BMF1210 a little later this weekend.