Should I shed the weight?

Orpheus55 · #1 09-12-2011, 03:07 PM

I run an Avatar Neo 2x10 with a three year old GK700RBII for most gigs; really loving the idea of something smaller and lighter such as the MB500. Would I be sacrificing much? And, what kind of rack--if any--do the MB500 users go with? Looks a little exposed, but the weight savings would be wonderful. I guess the Ampeg PF-500 Portaflex would be a possibility as well. I have a nice SWR WorkingPro 12 as a backup and everything we play goes through house PAs.

rodl2005 · #2 09-12-2011, 03:48 PM

Dunno much re GK myself, but do know the class D amps have been getting better all the time. The Ampeg PF's are nice! But is your GK THAT heavy? Do you like it's tone etc...
Hopefully other GK users will help out here.
If you rack up a small class D head, imo, you're losing the lightweight benefits.
I use padded bags-like lap top bags & cases for my smalls

Orpheus55 · #3 09-12-2011, 03:59 PM

I like the GK tone but, to be honest, I miss the classic Ampeg tone I grew up with in the 60s and 70s. Now, I realize the new stuff won't sound like the old, but I am not crazy about some of the noisiness--as in hissing--I get from the GK700. I'm also constantly spraying the pots for scratchiness. I don't work it hard. The Avatar cab is great, and I don't think the Ampeg PF-500 would overwhelm it; the original lure was the lightness of the micro, but common sens emay be chiming in. In a rack, the GK700 is about 20 lbs. No big deal, but us 60+ year olds look for savings wherever we can get them.

JimmyM · #4 09-12-2011, 04:21 PM

You'd be surprised at how well the Ampeg micros cop that classic SVT/B-15 tone. I've done AB's with my PF350 and Micro VR vs a 64 B-15N and 69 SVT, and the B-15 and SVT are definitely better sounding

but dang do those micros cop a huge amount of that tone. Highly recommended.

**B-string** · #5 09-12-2011, 07:45 PM

If you miss the tube tone You REALLY need to try the G-K MB Fusion. Three tube pre with 500 watts @ 4 ohms class D under 7 lbs I believe?

brndn123 · #6 09-12-2011, 07:49 PM

+2 for micro vr

TC.65 · #7 09-12-2011, 08:20 PM

If you are looking for more of a tube tone I suggest you check out the Genz Benz Streamliner or The Ampeg SVT 7pro. I don't think you could go wrong with either one. I went with the Streamliner and love the big fat tubey tone I can get with it. The 7pro definitely sounds like Ampeg, but weighs 15lbs about the same as your GK.