AudioKinesis Cabs Part VI...

[alaskaleftybass]

Thank you Duke! It's sounds fabulous here in the dining room. I'm looking forward to more of a real test this weekend at rehearsals for a friend's piece (it's going to be sort of Branca-ish if the instrumentation is any indication).

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View attachment 801268 Using my TC112v3 for an outside BikerNight w/ PA support. Can't friggin wait for my second one to arrive.

Wow you both have beautiful setups! Those two are in my finalist heads for my next purchase, to go along with my H1203.

Has anyone here had any experience with the Gallien Krueger MB500 Fusion? I'm sort of considering that because I think it does "grind" and some mild tube distortion. Then I read another TB'er said the MB500 also makes a nice grind for a solid state unit. I'm much more inclined to the MB500 because it doesn't have a tube, but that's probably my naivete showing.

Has anyone here paired their AK cab with any of the GK amps? Also if you own the Aguilar or Mesa Boogie, did you consider the GK MB Series?

Thanks! Good work, @DukeLeJeune !

 

[Marial]

I did not consider the GK MB or MB Fusion after checking one of them out (can't remember which) with the TC212 I had. Waaaaay too crispy on the top end for my taste. It required a pretty heavy EQ to tame. The caveat, of course, is that I don't typically go for a grindy tone as a general rule, and if I want some growl/grind, I want it to come from my bass. So that's why I like the Aguilar head, it's a little darker/bigger sounding.

 

[steubig]

(it's going to be sort of Branca-ish if the instrumentation is any indication).

branca! sounds loud.

 

[Marial]

branca! sounds loud.

As of now there are supposed somewhere between five and ten guitarists. Pedals have been discouraged, but even without OD/distortion, it's probably still going to be pretty loud, I reckon. So far there are at least two bass players, me and the other bass player in our weird 'post-post digital' (whatever that means) band. The composer will be using some sort of neural sensor/synth set up to generate his sounds. It should be a lot of fun.

 

[tombowlus]

Has anyone here paired their AK cab with any of the GK amps? Also if you own the Aguilar or Mesa Boogie, did you consider the GK MB Series?

I really like my TC112AF and TC115AF with my GK heads. I've done numerous gigs with the MB800/TC115AF, and that pairing works really well for me. With my Hathor cabs, the GK heads work fairly well, but I've found myself favoring slightly warmer-sounding heads. The Mesa D-800 works really well with the 1203's.

 

[steubig]

As of now there are supposed somewhere between five and ten guitarists. Pedals have been discouraged, but even without OD/distortion, it's probably still going to be pretty loud, I reckon. So far there are at least two bass players, me and the other bass player in our weird 'post-post digital' (whatever that means) band. The composer will be using some sort of neural sensor/synth set up to generate his sounds. It should be a lot of fun.

too many guitar players.

does sound like a fun time.

post-digital band. tell me more.

 

[Marial]

too many guitar players.

does sound like a fun time.

post-digital band. tell me more.

Hah!

I guess the idea is to pull off synthy/textured styles with real instruments. Two bassists, a guitarist/electronics player, and a drummer vibraphonist. There's a certain post-punk influence, some Neu, and minimalist/drone influences as well. We did a Harold Budd tribute that was a blast.

Edited to add: I leave the intellectualizing to the other members though. I'm thd blunt instrument in the band.

 

[steubig]

Hah!

I guess the idea is to pull off synthy/textured styles with real instruments. Two bassists, a guitarist/electronics player, and a drummer vibraphonist. There's a certain post-punk influence, some Neu, and minimalist/drone influences as well. We did a Harold Budd tribute that was a blast.

Edited to add: I leave the intellectualizing to the other members though. I'm thd blunt instrument in the band.

sound files?

 

[Marial]

I'll pm you some dropbox links. All we have are rehearsal recordings captured with a handheld, but they're not too bad.

Just sent a few. Be kind, we're not pros.

 

[alaskaleftybass]

I'll pm you some dropbox links. All we have are rehearsal recordings captured with a handheld, but they're not too bad.

Just sent a few. Be kind, we're not pros.

Heyyyy! I feel left out! LOL Just kidding.
Would you mind terribly posting a clip here?
Hope you have a great gig! Sounds like fun!

 

[alaskaleftybass]

I really like my TC112AF and TC115AF with my GK heads. I've done numerous gigs with the MB800/TC115AF, and that pairing works really well for me. With my Hathor cabs, the GK heads work fairly well, but I've found myself favoring slightly warmer-sounding heads. The Mesa D-800 works really well with the 1203's.

thanks much for the information. Living at the end of the trail in Alaska, I can't get my hands on either the MB800 or the Aguilar. I'm thinking I'll have to buy both from someone with an excellent return policy (probably Amazon!) then return the one I don't like... also need to try the GK MB500 Fusion....

 

[Mystic Michael]

Has anyone here paired their AK cab with any of the GK amps? Also if you own the Aguilar or Mesa Boogie, did you consider the GK MB Series?

Until a few months ago, I owned a TC112-4 v1, which I paired with a GK MB500. I thought it sounded fabulous. FWIW, I love high-quality modern tone, so chances are my tastes are different from Marial's tastes. But to me it did not sound overly crispy. It sounded deep, full, powerful, precise, well-defined, and very clean and clear.

Only reason I flipped it was to make room for a pair of TC112-8 v2 cabs (coming later this year), which I will pair with my GK MB800. I expect that rig will sound even better!

MM

 

[alaskaleftybass]

Until a few months ago, I owned a TC112-4 v1, which I paired with a GK MB500. I thought it sounded fabulous. FWIW, I love high-quality modern tone, so chances are my tastes are different from Marial's tastes. But to me it did not sound overly crispy. It sounded deep, full, powerful, precise, well-defined, and very clean and clear.

Only reason I flipped it was to make room for a pair of TC112-8 v2 cabs (coming later this year), which I will pair with my GK MB800. I expect that rig will sound even better!

MM

Thank you kind sir. I'm suspecting such... I know that there's a lot of love for the Aguilar but I'm leaning more towards testing the Boogie against the MB500. FWIW Along with older Peavey stuff I've had excellent luck with Gallien Krueger. It kind of became my tone when I finally retired most of my Peavey bass amps... But the MB800 sounds like a beast....

 

[LeonD]

Has anyone here paired their AK cab with any of the GK amps? Also if you own the Aguilar or Mesa Boogie, did you consider the GK MB Series?

Thanks! Good work, @DukeLeJeune !

I used an MB800 for a few years with my AK cab. Really liked the sound. I tried the Aguilar for a few hours with the cab. Sounded decent but not quite as distinct as the MB800.

Then a couple of years ago, I tried a Puma 900. Sold the MB800 and never looked back. The Puma is very intuitive to use and plays well with different cabs and basses.

 

[Marial]

thanks much for the information. Living at the end of the trail in Alaska, I can't get my hands on either the MB800 or the Aguilar. I'm thinking I'll have to buy both from someone with an excellent return policy (probably Amazon!) then return the one I don't like... also need to try the GK MB500 Fusion....

Sweetwater is the way to go for online/phone ordering. Amazon's my last resort for musical equipment.

 

[tombowlus]

thanks much for the information. Living at the end of the trail in Alaska, I can't get my hands on either the MB800 or the Aguilar. I'm thinking I'll have to buy both from someone with an excellent return policy (probably Amazon!) then return the one I don't like... also need to try the GK MB500 Fusion....

GK and Aguilar both make great gear. It's definitely a matter of personal preference. I love my DB750 and my 659/728 rig, but there's a little "congestion" in the TH heads that keeps them from nailing the bass tone in my head. With GK, I find that our "optimally flat" settings (cut Lows and Highs a tad, boost both mids a tad) works really well for me, especially with the TC cabs.

FWIW, I am primarily a fingerstyle player, and I prefer the neck pickup, so I tend to have a pretty full tone, that is not very harsh, right out of the gate.

 

[tombowlus]

Thank you kind sir. I'm suspecting such... I know that there's a lot of love for the Aguilar but I'm leaning more towards testing the Boogie against the MB500. FWIW Along with older Peavey stuff I've had excellent luck with Gallien Krueger. It kind of became my tone when I finally retired most of my Peavey bass amps... But the MB800 sounds like a beast....

BTW, the new Peavey MiniMega head is really, really, REALLY good, and well worth your consideration, in addition to great brands like GK, Mesa/Boogie and Aguilar.

 

[Passinwind]

Has anyone here had any experience with the Gallien Krueger MB500 Fusion? I'm sort of considering that because I think it does "grind" and some mild tube distortion. Then I read another TB'er said the MB500 also makes a nice grind for a solid state unit. I'm much more inclined to the MB500 because it doesn't have a tube, but that's probably my naivete showing.

Has anyone here paired their AK cab with any of the GK amps?

I tried 4Mal's MB 500 Fusion through my TC112v1 a while back, but only at home and only pretty briefly. It seemed just a little bit smoother than the MB500 to me, which is what 4Mal has also mentioned. I didn't mess with the distortion much, but it seemed pretty capable of going there.

Any chance you can make the Seattle GTG in May? Should be all those flavors and more in attendance, although I'm not sure which AK cabs will be there. TC112v3 and TC118 are already confirmed though.

Meanwhile, back at the ranch I'm building yet another DIY amp, this one formatted to fit nicely on top of my TC112 without overhang or having to stack pieces:

Hoping to have this one wrapped up in time for the GTG, which should be pretty doable.

 

[Marial]

Excellent!!!!

 

[TomB]

I tried 4Mal's MB 500 Fusion through my TC112v1 a while back, but only at home and only pretty briefly. It seemed just a little bit smoother than the MB500 to me, which is what 4Mal has also mentioned. I didn't mess with the distortion much, but it seemed pretty capable of going there.

Any chance you can make the Seattle GTG in May? Should be all those flavors and more in attendance, although I'm not sure which AK cabs will be there. TC112v3 and TC118 are already confirmed though.

Meanwhile, back at the ranch I'm building yet another DIY amp, this one formatted to fit nicely on top of my TC112 without overhang or having to stack pieces:

Hoping to have this one wrapped up in time for the GTG, which should be pretty doable.

That's pretty cool-looking! No glass tubes inside?