Upgrade GK? From 400RB-III to MB-500?

[impactwrench]

My current head is a Gallien krueger 400RB-III and for backup a Backline 600. I'm happy with both using my avatar neo 112 and delta 210. I play rock and blues with fender basses. There is a great 15% off coupon for Guitar Center right now, and I have a giant giftcard to use. It would cut the price way down on an MB-500. Will it give me similar tone to a 400RB/Backline? Or should I look at a 700RB-II instead?

Also what was the difference between a MB-500 head and the MB2-500?

[G RICH 5]

I have been using GK heads for almost 20 years. I have owned/used mb 200 combos,400rb series 1-3,700rb , and 1001rb series 1&2. I am currently using the MB2-500, and love it. The "gk tone" that we like is there in all the models(some take more tweeking then others) I think you would be very happy making the move to the mb-500. The difference in the mb2-500, and newer mb-500 are the working out of some glitches, and the addition of the limiter, from what I can tell. Maybe somone else can elaborate. RAG ?
Good luck.

[impactwrench]

It looks like the MB-500 only has speakon outputs. My older B210 delta has only 1/4" inputs. I wonder how easily I could add a speakon to the crossover or just get another crossover from avatar? I guess that is a separate thread.

[G RICH 5]

If the outputs are the same as the mb2-500, they are combo-1/4"& speakon. 1/4 " fits in the center of the plug.

[impactwrench]

Originally Posted by G RICH 5

If the outputs are the same as the mb2-500, they are combo-1/4"& speakon. 1/4 " fits in the center of the plug.

I thought that was the case with all speakons, but it seems the one on my cab wont accept 1/4".

I think I read that the speakons on the MB-500 (unsquared) do not accept 1/4" plugs. That would be a drag.

EDIT: IT helps to read the owners manual. They do indeed accept 1/4" plugs. Sweet.
http://www.gallien-krueger.com/produ...0%20MANUAL.pdf
page 7

[impactwrench]

Im kind of disappointed that the 2x12 combo is already at 4 ohms. Im curious why Gallien designed them to run at 4 ohms (except the 210 combo). IT would be nice to have an option to add a 1x15 or a 2x10 to the 2x12 combo. Even the smaller combos should run at 8 ohms standalone IMO.

[BigOldHarry]

The 400RB head is a *great* head. Why replace it?

And that "Great" coupon from GC? Worthless. You'd be better off buying your gear used.

Were I you, I'd look at different cabs... You'll see a big difference tone-wise by matching that head up with some different driver options.