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800rb fried....now what? 3 weeks until tour!

#23
I have owned a 700 rb, 1001 rb, and played an 800 rb a good bit...I'd never touch a one of them after owning an MB500. It's everything they are and more and light.

If you need more juice, get the MB800. Still save some bucks.
 
#26
I play a 700rbII, and the rb800..... I have a buddy here who has the mb500, and I've gigged it a couple of times. Seriously, I can't stand the little thing. I really wanted to like it, 'cuz the form factor makes it a perfect backup. I picked up the 800 as a backup/rehearsal head instead. Heck, I'd rather play a bl600 than the mb500. I can't quite put my finger on it, but the mb500 is missing something, and the high end is quite "brittle" sounding..... not quite as "airy" on top as the 800 or 700.

I guess what I'm saying here is that if you're really into the rb800's tone, then I don't think you'll dig the mb500.

The 700rbII is perfectly capable of copping the 800's tone. Some will say you can't, but I don't believe that. I've a/b'd mine extensively, and I think what people hear is the growl developing at lower volumes on the 800. At stage volume, the 700rbII gets completely "growly". Having the variable presence and contour controls makes it a bit more versatile, and it's got a bit more power.
 
#28
I'm not stuck on the GK tone at all.......I like the grind....but anything that's more vintage sounding will fit the bill.
It's just what worked for me and what I thought would be reliable.

I like warm and punchy......even though I play stoner rock.....I don't need massive low end.
 
#30
ljazz said:
I play a 700rbII, and the rb800..... I have a buddy here who has the mb500, and I've gigged it a couple of times. Seriously, I can't stand the little thing. I really wanted to like it, 'cuz the form factor makes it a perfect backup. I picked up the 800 as a backup/rehearsal head instead. Heck, I'd rather play a bl600 than the mb500. I can't quite put my finger on it, but the mb500 is missing something, and the high end is quite "brittle" sounding..... not quite as "airy" on top as the 800 or 700.

I guess what I'm saying here is that if you're really into the rb800's tone, then I don't think you'll dig the mb500.

The 700rbII is perfectly capable of copping the 800's tone. Some will say you can't, but I don't believe that. I've a/b'd mine extensively, and I think what people hear is the growl developing at lower volumes on the 800. At stage volume, the 700rbII gets completely "growly". Having the variable presence and contour controls makes it a bit more versatile, and it's got a bit more power.
Click to expand...

Agreed 100% on all of the above...


- georgestrings
 
#34
I've really been digging my Earthquaker White Light OD in my Boss Line Selector clean blend loop.

Otherwise, my other mainstay is a Keeley RAT in the clean blend. :)

I do use fuzz too....but not nearly as much.
 
#40
I had a similar experience with my 800RB a few months back. It stopped working during the last song of our show. I sent it in to GK in CA and they had it back to me on the East coast in a little less then 2 weeks with a total bill of $116 including the fix, packaging for return shipment and shipping since it was not under warranty.
 

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