Mr. Gallien (My GKMB212)

shawshank72 · #1 08-24-2010, 04:59 PM

I am an MB212 owner and first would like to thank you for taking care of me when I had a problem (and also Brian)
I probably have gotten you at least 3 additional sales of the MB212 from others falling in love with my combo. I do nothing but brag about it and well... when I play live it speaks for itself. You have created the best combo amp I have ever played through, from the heart I would like to thank you for that and also the fantastic service you give to your customers and also to those that are just curious.
From a 38yr old with back spasms and bad feet, you have increased the years of which I can be a gigging musician, and also make it able to transport an amp to play with others.
Now a question and a suggestion for you regarding if you will be updating a future line of the MB212's.
If you will be doing so, please think about adding a standby switch and a tuner out. This would make this perfect, which it almost is anyway.
People like you and Mr. Hartke are a rare breed in this modern world. If your in a major label band or if your still playing in your bedroom, you treat everyone the same.
Thank you sir,
steve (new gk user for life)

tallboybass · #2 08-24-2010, 05:12 PM

Hey Steve, I agree 1000%!!!

If you use the 'headphone out' as a tuner send, it kills the signal while you tune, then unplug and you're ready to rock!

G RICH 5 · #3 08-24-2010, 05:26 PM

Another 1000% agreement. I have been using GK for 20 years(off and on-solid for the last 10) I have a MB2-500 that I use weekly, and love. Even though I bought it used, I was able to get it serviced w/no problems. GK is the real deal for customer service. My next purchase will be the MB212.

Keep up the great work GK, and lets hope others will follow.

MysticMichael · #4 08-24-2010, 06:28 PM

How does it sound? Talk tone to me, Steve...

MM

Montanamike · #5 08-24-2010, 09:00 PM

I had the same experience with the guys at GK. I have gone 100% GK and won't look back. I stopped at the factory for an amp repair (I dropped it) and they took care of me on the spot and gave a great tour. Bob even talked with me for a while, he genuinely cared what I thought of the gear and wanted feedback. Customer service and Humility goes a long way!!!

tallboybass · #6 08-25-2010, 09:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MysticMichael

How does it sound? Talk tone to me, Steve...

MM

Can't speak for Steve but for me it is 'the sound in my head', the one I've been chasing since selling my 800RB (within a year of joining TB).

MysticMichael · #7 08-25-2010, 12:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tallboybass

Can't speak for Steve but for me it is 'the sound in my head', the one I've been chasing since selling my 800RB (within a year of joining TB).

OK, Tall Boy. Then please talk to me about "the sound in (your) head"...

MM

Tangentor · #8 08-25-2010, 12:25 PM

I don't want to assume that Mr. Gallien had time to read my glowing but lengthy MB500 impressions thread at

http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showth...48#post9261248

...but, he did post a response to another user's question toward the end, and I smiled inwardly to imagine that he had time to scan my many weeks' worth of praise for the MB500 amplifier head.

I've been telling any bass player who will listen about this head.

I'm betting the MB212 is incredible, if it marries the MB500 with a lightweight, good-sounding cabinet!

GaryLC · #9 08-25-2010, 12:46 PM

I just sold my Trace Elliot 7215SMC combo, my Carvin B800 head and my Schroeder 115L cabinet.....all because I bought an MB212! I was using the B800 head with an Epi UL310 (which I kept for now), but the MB212 is killer! I will probably never need another amp for the two bands I'm in. I kept my GK 800RB & Avatar 212 cab for our practice studio, and a Carvin B1500 & Epi cabinet in case I ever need to pair up a couple cabs.....but I have a feeling I'll be selling them too.
This amp is warm, loud, easy to use, light as can be......it seems impossible to believe the sound that comes out of this box. Just plug & play. Never would have believed 10 years ago that a high powered, great sounding bass combo could be the size of this thing.

shawshank72 · #10 08-25-2010, 01:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MysticMichael

How does it sound? Talk tone to me, Steve...

MM

I agree with tallboybass, it was the sound that was always in my head. The growl and the punch that you can feel in your chest. I love that it can go from a junkyard dog just before it attacks to like having a cannon ball shot into a bucket of caramel. I use a pick and flats on a p bass when I play. The one band Im in is a punk/grunge/rock band and when I play the GK its like the junkyard dog. Growl and I mean GROWL and notes that come through the speakers that just make your head want to explode. But yet the other band Im in is a rock,indie,experimental kind of thing and with a change of the settings I get that deep percussive floating in the caramel sound. When you turn it up and play hard, its always on the verge of breaking up but never does. I can feel my bass from my teeth to my chest to my stomach, its just an onslaught. Then when you turn around, all thats there is this little amp. Like its smiling, just little ole me made that racket? Its awsome. The knobs all make a big impact on the sound with just minimal adjustments. I have found that I really need to cut the treble and hi mids alot as this thing can be very bright if you want it to or very boomy. If you slap bass I imagine you may just well....need a cigarette afterwards.
I always wondered why my 8x10 or my 4x10 just always was lound and boomy but never had that teeth knarling punch.
This is an honest statement, the first time I played this in our practice spot everyone else was like holy chit! turn that thing down! I just smiled and played on. I even go so far as to say this amp makes me play better, the sound just gets my blood rushing and that sound bouncing in my head just makes me dig in harder and get into it with pure passion. Yeah you can say I am in love.

Tangentor · #11 08-25-2010, 01:39 PM

"like having a cannon ball shot into a bucket of caramel"

Love that simile, shawshank72!

I think my MB500 playing through my Aguilar S410 makes ME play better, as well... somehow, all frequencies are represented and it makes me realize the potential is all right there in my fingertips.

MysticMichael · #12 08-25-2010, 01:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shawshank72

I agree with tallboybass, it was the sound that was always in my head. The growl and the punch that you can feel in your chest. I love that it can go from a junkyard dog just before it attacks to like having a cannon ball shot into a bucket of caramel. I use a pick and flats on a p bass when I play. The one band Im in is a punk/grunge/rock band and when I play the GK its like the junkyard dog. Growl and I mean GROWL and notes that come through the speakers that just make your head want to explode. But yet the other band Im in is a rock,indie,experimental kind of thing and with a change of the settings I get that deep percussive floating in the caramel sound. When you turn it up and play hard, its always on the verge of breaking up but never does. I can feel my bass from my teeth to my chest to my stomach, its just an onslaught. Then when you turn around, all thats there is this little amp. Like its smiling, just little ole me made that racket? Its awsome. The knobs all make a big impact on the sound with just minimal adjustments. I have found that I really need to cut the treble and hi mids alot as this thing can be very bright if you want it to or very boomy. If you slap bass I imagine you may just well....need a cigarette afterwards.
I always wondered why my 8x10 or my 4x10 just always was lound and boomy but never had that teeth knarling punch.
This is an honest statement, the first time I played this in our practice spot everyone else was like holy chit! turn that thing down! I just smiled and played on. I even go so far as to say this amp makes me play better, the sound just gets my blood rushing and that sound bouncing in my head just makes me dig in harder and get into it with pure passion. Yeah you can say I am in love.

Shazzam!

(So then I guess you kinda like it, huh?

)

MM

MysticMichael · #13 08-25-2010, 02:01 PM

Now I'm thinking it might be very nice to get one of the new MBE212 cabs in 8 ohms (or maybe even two) - not the combo - and run it with a GK 700RB-II.

Could rawk, eh?

MM

shawshank72 · #14 08-25-2010, 02:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MysticMichael

Now I'm thinking it might be very nice to get one of the new MBE212 cabs in 8 ohms (or maybe even two) - not the combo - and run it with a GK 700RB-II.

Could rawk, eh?

MM

Ummmm I think so.

Something about the neo speakers that just have so much more "response" to them than traditional speakers.

Yerf Dog · #15 08-25-2010, 02:23 PM

I'm toying with the idea of adding a MB210 to my MB212 to be unconscionably loud.

tallboybass · #16 08-25-2010, 04:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shawshank72

I agree with tallboybass, it was the sound that was always in my head. The growl and the punch that you can feel in your chest. I love that it can go from a junkyard dog just before it attacks to like having a cannon ball shot into a bucket of caramel. I use a pick and flats on a p bass when I play. The one band Im in is a punk/grunge/rock band and when I play the GK its like the junkyard dog. Growl and I mean GROWL and notes that come through the speakers that just make your head want to explode. But yet the other band Im in is a rock,indie,experimental kind of thing and with a change of the settings I get that deep percussive floating in the caramel sound. When you turn it up and play hard, its always on the verge of breaking up but never does. I can feel my bass from my teeth to my chest to my stomach, its just an onslaught. Then when you turn around, all thats there is this little amp. Like its smiling, just little ole me made that racket? Its awsome. The knobs all make a big impact on the sound with just minimal adjustments. I have found that I really need to cut the treble and hi mids alot as this thing can be very bright if you want it to or very boomy. If you slap bass I imagine you may just well....need a cigarette afterwards.
I always wondered why my 8x10 or my 4x10 just always was lound and boomy but never had that teeth knarling punch.
This is an honest statement, the first time I played this in our practice spot everyone else was like holy chit! turn that thing down! I just smiled and played on. I even go so far as to say this amp makes me play better, the sound just gets my blood rushing and that sound bouncing in my head just makes me dig in harder and get into it with pure passion. Yeah you can say I am in love.

....and I thought I loved mine!!

I just use one sound (the growly one Steve talks about ^ )....luckily the MB212 does that one quite well. One 38 pound piece of gear that sounds like you want it to, and always has enough volume (so far) for any situation can't be all bad.

Thanks again Bob!!

tallboybass · #17 08-25-2010, 04:49 PM

(Steve, hope you don't mind that I sigged part of your post!)

shawshank72 · #18 08-26-2010, 12:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tallboybass

(Steve, hope you don't mind that I sigged part of your post!)

Not at all

pbasswil · #19 11-11-2010, 10:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shawshank72

...
If you will be doing so, please think about adding a standby switch and a tuner out. This would make this perfect, which it almost is anyway.

This is a delayed response, but just in case you're still around: Rather than waiting around for the next version of this combo, consider getting yourself one of those Boss pedal tuners (or some competitor's equivalent), which you put inline before your amp input. Step on it to tune and your output is auto-muted. So convenient! And it's as good a tuner as any I've tried.

Cheers,

pw

WillTHEthrill · #20 11-12-2010, 06:13 PM

Great discussion in here guys...I just became an owner tonight...I bought the 212 and its my first GK...I have had Ampeg (the giant 1100w) and carvin 4x10....2x18 witha triple crossover folded 12's w jbl and ev speakers but now I need to experience GK. I will get it one week from today and paid 600.00 inc shipping with 3 yr warrantee...I CANT WAIT!