MB200 contour mod possible?

SSCBA · #1 07-24-2011, 09:49 PM

Hi, I have a GK MB200 and so far I'm liking it very much, but I found the following "problem":

If contour switch is off I feel the sound is too middy for my liking, and if I switch it on it sounds too mid scooped for me. All this, obviously, trying with different eq settings (boosting and cutting hi and lo mids, specially).

I think the problem is that I don't like too much mids at around 500 Hz. Contour switch cuts them, but too much IMO, and with contour off I can't cut them (mid eq points are at 250 Hz and 1000 Hz IIRC)

So, it is possible to do any mod to the contour switch to make it variable? or should I use an external eq pedal/unit? (what I wouldn't like). Any other idea?

Thanks

WingKL · #2 07-25-2011, 03:34 PM

Almost anything is possible. It's going to be quite difficult seeing as how the MB200 is a compact unit without a whole lot of room for extra controls and SMD boards are not designed for humans to work on. Your best bet is to adjust your other tone controls (including boosting your bass and treble) to suit or get an MB500.

craig.p · #3 07-25-2011, 03:59 PM

I agree. The preamp board is all through-hole componentry, all analog, and "non-mysterious," but the components are tiny and packed tight. You'd be doing microsurgery with special tools under a 10x magnifier if you were to start changing components. Including time to follow traces to create a working schematic of the contour circuit, you'd probably be looking at the cost of the whole amp itself by the time a tech got done with the project, unless he'd already done one and had the circuit already drawn out. A third option is to get an eq stomp box.

wcriley · #4 07-25-2011, 05:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by craig.p

A third option is to get an eq stomp box.

A 4th option is to install a semi-parametric mid control in your bass. Something along the lines of the EMG BQC.

SSCBA · #5 07-25-2011, 06:13 PM

Thanks, I've recently bought an EMG 2 band pre for a custom bass, so it doesn't have mid control :s

I think I will use contour switched on and boost hi and lo mids substantially (4 or 5 o clock).

Surely I'll lose a lot of headroom.. but after playing with contour on (which IMO the mid scoop and bass and treble accentuation is exxagerated) I cant stand the mids with the switch turned off (plying live would be different, surely).

Appart from that I like the amp, and here it is very difficult/expensive to get an MB500. (I paid for the MB200 almost the price of an MB500 in USA)