Review of AI Coda2R vs. GK MB150

musicman5string · #1 07-27-2007, 01:58 PM

I compared these two amps back to back today, using my 100year old German bass with Spirocore Orchestra gauge strings and an Underwood Pickup. My thoughts:

-The AI is a better sounding amp. No, it's not "my bass only louder"; I don't think there is such a thing. But: definitely a better sound than the GK. The GK has a more artificial sound, more boxy and a harsh high end, even with the treble rolled almost all the way off. I also tried the GK using the Fishman Platinum Pro Pre through the effects return and while this is a better sound than stright into the GK, I still though the AI was better. Now, for I've heard about the AI stuff over the last year, I have to admit I wasn't blown away by it. I also don't quite understand the recent thread about how the AI stuff doesn't sound good, and is too muddy, etc. Granted, I'm sure in different rooms the thing is going to sound sometimes good, sometimes bad. It's the way it is. However, I've used the GK now for 12 years and played in most imaginable room situations with it, so I know it's sound pretty well. The Coda had a nice mid range bump that didn't have any harsh highs or bommy lows, and that was set flat.
I also like the fact it has two channels, so maybe blending a mic into the 2nd channel will yield even better results. I'll have to try it.
As far as weight, the GK and AI seemed about the same.

clink · #2 07-27-2007, 03:16 PM

Interesting review.

After owning the GK for about six months, I agree that it is artificial with a harsh top end. It's been relegated to backup status.

Jaromir · #3 07-27-2007, 05:24 PM

What's artificial and harsh in one meter distance, can become quite natural in 5 meter distance...

musicman5string · #4 07-27-2007, 06:44 PM

Yeah, true but...
I gotta say that all in all the AI to me anyway, was sounding better. It wasn't a night and day difference, but I'm a big believer in A/B ing stuff; had I not heard them back to back, I don't know how much better I'd say the AI was.

B String · #5 07-27-2007, 07:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by musicman5string

Yeah, true but...
I gotta say that all in all the AI to me anyway, was sounding better. It wasn't a night and day difference, but I'm a big believer in A/B ing stuff; had I not heard them back to back, I don't know how much better I'd say the AI was.

I'm big on A/B'ing things too, but it really only matters
when you get it around other instruments. With all the
bass amps that have come and gone over the years, the
GK MB combos have been and continue to be a favorite of
top bassists for a reason. They work. It may not be your
sound, but it seems to be "the" sound for allot of guys. jmho

musicman5string · #6 07-27-2007, 07:50 PM

Sure, No question they work. Mine's worked for 12 years.
Point being, imo, I think I found something that'll work even better.

clink · #7 07-27-2007, 08:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jaromir

What's artificial and harsh in one meter distance, can become quite natural in 5 meter distance...

I understand and have been complimented on my tone when I thought it was cold and sterile at the amp. It works and can cut through the mix, but neutral it ain't.

mstclairmiller · #8 07-30-2007, 05:27 AM

The whole thing about cutting through a mix is interesting. I hated the sound of the GK150 in the shop. My beautiful double bass sounded like a cheap electric, but then I heard one used with a 12 piece big band, horns miked up (but not the drums), and the bass sounded great. I was stunned when I found out that the bass was not using the PA!. I sat in on bass too, and didn't like the sound from the amp, but all the honky sound just got swallowed up by the band, and what was left sounded just like a Duke Ellington record. Amazing. I guess it means we need to try gear at the gig, and then get someone else to sit in and go out the front for a listen. IMHO, etc.

Also, when I filled in with this band a couple of weeks later, using my Mark 2 AI Contra, the band grumbled they couldn't hear me during the first set, so I had to crank the thing right up to farty land on the low notes (I didn't know what the HP filter was for at the time!), and take a line to the PA. Despite the fact that the contra is definitely "louder" than the GK in a showroom A/B test. Interesting. Go figure...

clink · #9 07-30-2007, 07:13 AM

One of the bands that I play with also has used a guy for years that played a nice old German bass through a WW amp. I thought he just got lost in a sea of ,shall we say, undefinition.

The problem is that we can't both play and stand in the middle of the room to hear our tone the way everyone else hears it.

musicman5string · #10 07-30-2007, 08:52 AM

Actually, at least for my bass/setup/etc., I felt like the GK was less "defined" and the AI seemed to have a nice mid range bump that made it clear.
I didn't try them back to back in a band setting, but I do know how the GK sounds in different situations. I could be wrong, but I'm think the AI will sound better. I'm going to compare them again this week and also want to run a mic into the AI and see how that works.
Again, I didn't think the AI was "my bass but louder"; it's still an amp sound; for me I thought it was a more pleasing tone that didn't seem ill defined....
More later this week........

clink · #11 07-30-2007, 10:15 AM

IME, the AI has a punchier low end, but not much cut at the top (no bite).
The GK hasn't got much down low and cranking the bass just turns it to mud and it comes at the expense of eating power. It does have a brighter tone for sure.

BTW, my earlier post is not a criticism of WW, but an acknowledgment that the sound at the bass is not what's heard in the room.

anon_6j591b0 · #12 07-30-2007, 11:38 AM

After using the GK for years and going away from it for a decade in favor of high end "flat response" more "natural" sounding amplification I've gone back to the GK. A) I've heard several players recently get really nice sounds from them, B) they're inexpensive and durable, C) the DI is good, D) when nickel and diming for portability the shape wins out over everything else I've used. What sounds great playing solo often gets lost in the ensemble and while the GK is definitely not my first choice for stand alone sound it is again for a gig amp in the noisy restaurants and bars I work in.