What to do... GK advice? 800rb or MB210?

Din Of Win · #1 02-24-2011, 07:34 AM

Well, i've had my 70's Traynor YBA-3 for a half year now... and i love it!

BUT...

At practice last night, i ran my 80's GK 400rb... and man... that lil' amp is AMAZING!

So now i'm thinking i may want to look into another GK amp with more... i dunno... heft?

On the one hand; i've been eying an 800rb for years. It's one of those 'time tested' amps, and any time i've heard or used one, i've been VERY happy with it.

My concern is that, i have 3 good stand alone heads, and that the 800rb isn't that much more powerful/different that the 400rb to warrant it in my roster. Also, are some years 'significantly' better than other years?

Now, on the flip-side... i've also been eying the MB210. A good combo with extension capabilities is VERY tempting. However, i've never even SEEN one. So i don't know, really, how they sound/act. Now that they've been out for a while... can they even get 'that GK tone' that i like in my 400rb?

So, that's really what i'm looking at... maybe i should be considering another GK head... i haven't tried the MB or Fusion line at all... i had a bad experience with a crappy 700rb... and the 1001rb is, like, TOO much power for my needs (i don't think any of my cabs could even handel that).

Thanks for the help!

armybass · #2 02-24-2011, 08:21 AM

I have had both. I gigged the 800RB for many years...no complaints, always did the job. I now have the MB210 and I can not give you an honest assesment as I have not gigged it yet. I like it, it sounds good, it is light... but it does not have my confidence yet. If I could have scored an 800RB and a cab used for what I paid for the combo new...I would have. Hope some folks who have gigged the MB210 can weigh in.

Din Of Win · #3 02-24-2011, 08:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by armybass

I have had both. I gigged the 800RB for many years...no complaints, always did the job. I now have the MB210 and I can not give you an honest assesment as I have not gigged it yet. I like it, it sounds good, it is light... but it does not have my confidence yet. If I could have scored an 800RB and a cab used for what I paid for the combo new...I would have. Hope some folks who have gigged the MB210 can weigh in.

Hmmm... what about the MB210 hasn't given you the gig confidence?

With all that 800rb experience, have you used a 400rb? If you have, how different are they?

armybass · #4 02-24-2011, 09:29 AM

It just does not have the 30 year reputation the 800 has. And I have not developed the confidence in it just because I have not gigged it. I had the 400 and loved it more than the 800 but needed the additional power of the 800.

allexcosta · #5 02-24-2011, 09:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by armybass

I have had both. I gigged the 800RB for many years...no complaints, always did the job. I now have the MB210 and I can not give you an honest assesment as I have not gigged it yet. I like it, it sounds good, it is light... but it does not have my confidence yet. If I could have scored an 800RB and a cab used for what I paid for the combo new...I would have. Hope some folks who have gigged the MB210 can weigh in.

There's something about Class D amps that sounds less punchy than heavy amps...

birminghambass · #6 02-24-2011, 09:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by allexcosta

There's something about Class D amps that sounds less punchy than heavy amps...

+1
My 700rb2 killed my MB500 in volume, punch. and depth.

nanookofnj · #7 02-24-2011, 11:34 AM

In my case my MB212 blew the doors of my 800RB and 2x12 cabinet. Could be the extra 200 watts allowed it to sit better in the mix, but after A/B'ing both rigs and playing a dozen gigs with the MB212, the combo won hands down in terms of tone and volume without pushing it in the least.

GRAHAM SG1 · #8 02-25-2011, 02:45 AM

I am gigging my MB210/MBE115 tomorrow night so will post my findings, I have played one gig with just the MB210 in a pubs function room (private party) and it was pretty good, not brilliant though as I was still in the process of finding my tone which I now have with the MBE115 cab added, if you keep the bass EQ right down and the boost below half then these amps sound excellent IMHO

At rehearsal the other day I stood about 40 foot in front of the band and the amps sound was superb really filling the room

on about half on gain and master .

musicserb · #9 02-25-2011, 03:01 AM

I played two gigs on my new MB210, and I'm not satisfied with max volume. It is light (that's why I bough it), but it is not loud enough. Maybe because my fifth string, I don't know. Maybe it will work louder but clean on 4 string bass. Time will tell.

GRAHAM SG1 · #10 02-25-2011, 05:52 AM

You need an extension to get the full 500 watts out of your MB210, I was very happy with the extra volume when I plugged in my MBE115 extension cab

My band is quite loud now we have two guitarists and my MB210/115 easily competes with them, they both have valve amps, one a Blackstar 45 watt and the other a Marshall TSL 600 .

jtc_hunter · #11 02-25-2011, 07:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by birminghambass

+1
My 700rb2 killed my MB500 in volume, punch. and depth.

JMHO, but when I went from the 700rbII to an MB500, I didnt feel that I gave up anything. Except weight--

Standalone · #12 02-25-2011, 09:39 AM

maybe grab a cab that has more "heft" to open up options for the heads you already have... ? My 212 is super deep--- cabs have a lot to do with what your tone is all about.

armybass · #13 02-25-2011, 09:46 AM

I will be honest and say that I am apprehensive aboout a Chinese made bass amp that weighs less than some Peavey basses I have owned. But yes the MB210 does sound good to my ears. I am not sure if my apprehension is well founded but I think only time will tell with the reputation that these GK combo's develop.