MB Fusion Was Worth The Wait!!

gruvlow · #1 10-02-2010, 02:06 PM

Here is my 2 cents...I received my MB Fusion on Monday Sept. 27th.

Seems like I have been waiting forever!!

Immediately I unboxed it and looked it over. It looks great and weighs nothing. It also seems sturdy for it's size. The only improvement I would make is to use an IEC compliant 14 gauge power cord instead of the smaller one that was shipped.

Now for my initial review.

At Home: Various types of cabs = Home made 10 inch (Carvin PS10 w/ no tweeter), Carvin Redline 2x10, and Seismic Audio 4X10.

It sounds amazing and strong through each cabinet. Eventhough these may not be your favorite cabs but each one really can do the job. For the 1x10 and 4X10, it is like I am really hearing them for the first time. The sound is meaty and dark (Lot's of Low end with awesome sound pressure) but it is very easy to dial in highs or to shape it with the voicing filters. For the 2x10, I used to pair it with an David Eden WT-500 and nothing beats that sound to me but this comes pretty darn close and weighs a 1000 pounds less. I actually could not turn it all the way up because I was afraid of damaging the speakers because it got so loud!!! It can get much louder because I have to use the mute on the input due to the 18v preamp in my Roscoe basses and the the gain was at about 10 o'clock and the volume was at 12 o'clock. I was the same way with my 4x10, the MB Fusion pushed it to the brink so I had to put a chain on the dog!!! I know...you are saying, how about a test through a real cab. I would say to that, go and A/B a Seismic Audio cab. It may not top your favorite cab but you will be surprised

at what it can do (SA 410H).

At the first rehearsal: SWR Goliath 4x10

The combination sounded great at low to mid-loud volumes. The cabinet could not handle the output and began distort slightly. This amp is strong, warm and musical. It was awesome in the rehearsal! The recording from the rehearsal was pleasantly surprising. I recorded with a sony handheld digital voice recorder ($29) and the clarity and thickness of the bass was amazing.

Going out to a gig with my 4X10 cab tonight for a gospel gin in a medium sized church...will update the thread with how it does.

gruvlow · #2 10-04-2010, 05:36 AM

Here are some Pics:

thumpbass1 · #3 10-04-2010, 08:36 AM

Congrats! Sounds like you found a great amp.

gruvlow · #4 10-04-2010, 11:44 AM

Sound samples are coming as well.

gruvlow · #5 10-05-2010, 08:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gruvlow

Sound samples are coming as well.

Here is the first sound sample:

http://www.box.net/shared/97xlhx0p9r

Signal Chain = Roscoe LG 3005->Monster Rock Cable->GK MB Fusion->SWR 410 Cab->Sony digital handheld recorder

thumpbass1 · #6 10-05-2010, 11:34 AM

For a quick, not perfect by any means recording, it sounds like a very capable and toneful amp. I also liked the music and your playing. Good job! Now you got me itching to go to my local GK dealer and have a look at the MB heads.

gruvlow · #7 10-05-2010, 12:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by thumpbass1

For a quick, not perfect by any means recording, it sounds like a very capable and toneful amp. I also liked the music and your playing. Good job! Now you got me itching to go to my local GK dealer and have a look at the MB heads.

Yeah man...sorry about the crappy recorder! I am working on my mobile recording setup.

You really should look into the MB series. Bothe the MB 500 and the fusion are great amps and they weigh less than my bass

gruvlow · #8 10-05-2010, 07:52 PM

Here are a few more sound samples:

http://www.box.net/shared/vtys667s5x How great is our God_No Other Choice (Marcus Hackney Arrangement; marcushackneyandta@yahoo.com)
http://www.box.net/shared/sszzc99ixm Glory To The Lamb (Marcus Hackney Arrangement; marcushackneyandta@yahoo.com)
http://www.box.net/shared/6k7tvnnh55 Heaven Belongs To You (Marcus Hackney Arrangement; marcushackneyandta@yahoo.com)

thumpbass1 · #9 10-06-2010, 08:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gruvlow

Yeah man...sorry about the crappy recorder! I am working on my mobile recording setup.

You really should look into the MB series. Bothe the MB 500 and the fusion are great amps and they weigh less than my bass

Nothing to apologize for. I'm an old geezer myself who has has to work with everything from cheap portable mono reel tape machines, casette tape decks, and a variety of basic stereo reel to reel tape machines in my youth, and all sorts of wonky gear just to get those quick thumbnail recordings. Yes I've done studio work, etc, etc, etc. but I sometimes find a charm in listening to some of the, lets say, rawer recordings from my youthful days, when it simply was just a lot of fun to be creating and playing music.

The new hand held digi-recorders can be useful tools for at leasting getting a quick sonic photograph of your music, when you ain't got much else available at the moment. I'm enjoying what you've put out so far, and as one who has done Christian Rock starting back in the Jesus Music era of the 70's I like what your band is doing in a jazzier vein. You got some good chops, and your new amp seems more than able to meet what you are doing as the musician you are. Good stuff. Thanks for sharing it, and keep on a grooving.