My GK Saga, then, now, and future

rojo412 · #1 06-20-2010, 10:52 PM

The first REAL bass rig I got was a 1001RB and an SWR Goliath. That rig blasted the doors off of just about anywhere I went with ease.
I eventually upgraded to a power amp/preamp setup, but my backup amp was a vintage 800RB. It always treated me right. When my SWR cab blew, it came to be my practice rig amp and never failed me... until I plugged a cab into it when it was powered on and it fried something. But I knew that I wanted that amp fixed, because I always loved the tone and the simplicity.

Just got the amp back the other day and I still love the tone. But the thing is, there are newer, smaller and more powerful amps available at very reasonable prices. So that puts me in a weird place...

Do I keep the old GK around? It's good, but lacks power and is hefty.

Do I get one of these new-fangled super tiny, superlight heads? I like the idea of smaller and lighter, but how do they sound by comparison? And what is the deal... they are the MB500 or the MB2-500? Which is the current one?

I did try a Genz Benz Shuttle 6.0 and while I liked the tone, I just couldn't love it.
The current amp setup I'm using at practice doesn't have the growl that the GK was always known for, so the 800 takes over on Thursday... on top of the Avatar 2x12 I got recently.

Greevus · #2 06-20-2010, 11:16 PM

I feel ya brother. I played a gig last night with my MB2-500 (MB-500 is current even though it seems illogical) and took my 800RB as backup. I get a nice snarly growl with the 500 watts. Light as a feather, carry it in my backpack. The 800 felt like a tool box comparatively. One thing I like about the 800 is that it seems to just have a different bottom end at rehearsal. It's like the MB screams louder and the 800 bellows. I got to admit I think I'm gonna get another micro for gigs. I will likely record with my other heads, but for live I'm digging the little thing. It's best audible quality is that it cuts through my guitarist's beastly amp very well. That MB has some sort of really cool snarliness. Don't get it from my other GKs.

JimmyM · #3 06-21-2010, 12:17 AM

wow, how do you blow a goliath 410? you must have putting buttloads of power to it!

rojo412 · #4 06-21-2010, 07:34 AM

No, age and neglect combined to wreck the speakers. It was 10 years old and saw a lot of weather changes, plus one speaker was a replacement.
I was pumping 1100 watts into it, though.

canadian*eh · #5 06-21-2010, 07:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rojo412

No, age and neglect combined to wreck the speakers. It was 10 years old and saw a lot of weather changes, plus one speaker was a replacement.
I was pumping 1100 watts into it, though.

Oh Yeah Welll I guess that Might of just cause a lil bit failure

... I dont know about these small lil amps i havn't had a chance to try them but i do know that i LOVE My 1001rbII... I just have a hard time seeing how something soo small would sound as good as my Amp Lover i have now!... But then again in this day and age everything is getting smaller...not sure about better but smaller!!! I guess only time will tell!! If they have the same kind of life span as these Tanks they have been making then that will be impressive!!

lowendblues · #6 06-28-2010, 01:59 PM

GK's RB series are tought to beat, but I've been playing around with the latest version of the MB 500 for about a week now and have really been impressed. I think its very similar sounding to my old 700RB II.

Its just very hard for me to get used to that kind of power and sound coming out of something that small and light.

rojo412 · #7 06-28-2010, 02:27 PM

Personally, if I could find an entire bass rig the size of a regulation lunchbox that sounds and projects exactly like a 4x10 half stack, I'd just close my eyes and enjoy it! I would "ride the freakout" of such a contrast.
"It ain't the size of the boat... it's the motion of the ocean!"

I'm glad to hear that the MB is a good unit because if I can manage to swing one after selling some gear, I will DEFINITELY buy it. And as much as I'd like to get rid of the 800RB, its worth so little as MONEY and so much as USABLE AMPLIFIER that it will be a fine backup... as it was before I blew it, I guess

The 800, by the way, still makes me happy to this day every time it works. The simplicity, the tone, hell the size is REASONABLE by comparison to most other big heads.
It's just the draw of something that is smaller, more powerful, and incredibly reasonable in price that sounds very much the same that keeps me lusting after its replacement.

(And to anyone reading this who has an MB500 that they don't like... PM ME!!! I will buy it.)

Chowowbus · #8 06-28-2010, 02:57 PM

I kept my old GK BL 600 for the same reason...its worth nothing used.
Oh...and I still love it, and a backup amp is a good idea..

canadian*eh · #9 06-28-2010, 06:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rojo412

Personally, if I could find an entire bass rig the size of a regulation lunchbox that sounds and projects exactly like a 4x10 half stack, I'd just close my eyes and enjoy it! I would "ride the freakout" of such a contrast.
"It ain't the size of the boat... it's the motion of the ocean!")

LOLOL But hey Remember it still takes a long time to get to England in a Row Boat...lol

lbwdog · #10 06-28-2010, 07:06 PM

If you can wait (hopefully just a few weeks longer) G-K will be releasing the MB Fusion. Same size, weight, and power as the MB500, but with a fully tubed preamp section. Should growl like a grizzly!!

Keep the 800RB.....they're good luck!

BTW: I've got a 1987 800RB, 700RB II, & a MarkBass LMTube 800. Waiting for the MBFusion, but can't even think about ditching either of my G-Ks.

rpsands · #11 06-28-2010, 07:26 PM

I'm looking forward to an MB-Fusion 900 or similar someday soon, to be my main head, with my MB500 sticking around as a backup

Punchy810s · #12 06-28-2010, 08:17 PM

Though I haven't gigged with it yet, I have really enjoyed my GK MB 500 in practice. Excellent GK sound and great value. Small clubs, so all I need. but very versatile and easy to tweak. Jury is still out, but so far -- can't beat it for value, tone and power.

As you probably know by now the MB 2 is a little confusing, due to the added number in the model -- but it is the older version. I saw one(squared) for sale at Guitar Center the other day and wondered if it was corrected and re-conditioned.

rojo412 · #13 06-29-2010, 06:45 AM

I'm not really a tube fan. I have tried a few in my life, but SS is always better for me.

I AM waiting for the people who bought the MB500 to replace them with the MB Fusion and sell off a bunch of slightly used MB500s, though

tombowlus · #14 06-29-2010, 06:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rojo412

I AM waiting for the people who bought the MB500 to replace them with the MB Fusion and sell off a bunch of slightly used MB500s, though

That's probably not a bad plan.

lbwdog · #15 06-29-2010, 06:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rojo412

I AM waiting for the people who bought the MB500 to replace them with the MB Fusion and sell off a bunch of slightly used MB500s, though

Yup....That will happen! G-Ks are such a good bargain anyway, as you can buy a new one for $450, or less if you catch a GC or MF sale. I may do the same as you and try to find one for $250-$300.