Can a SD Powerstage 200 sub for my GK MB500?

[Samus C]

I know guitarists have options as far as a complete pedal board rig, and want to try to pursue the same. I love the idea of being able to fit everything into my bass case or simply a backpack and a gig bag for gigging at venues where they have a house cab or decent PA setups .

Currently, I'm running a GK MB500 into a EBS Proline 410 (eventual plans to move to the Markbass ultra light cabs if they're any good). I've recently acquired a Darkglass Microtubes X Ultra, and am wondering if I could just do a pedal board rig with my tuner -> Darkglass -> Powerstage 200

Playing live in a traditional style heavy metal band, two guitars, singer, drums. Ive never turned my MB500 over half on the volume knob even in the loudest practices, and have often had to pull it back live as well.

 

[Redbrangus]

Are you thinking a 200-watt amp might be enough power to drive your 410 cab because you don't ever turn the volume control of your 500-watt amp up past half-way? It doesn't really work that way, and from the description of your situation, it sounds like the chances are good you're already using most of the power your amp has. But really, trying it out with your band is the only way to fully know the answer to whether 200 watts is enough. My guess is no, but if you have the scratch (or credit) to order one with the plan of returning it if it doesn't work out for you, you might consider that.

My thinking is: if you're already schlepping a 410 cab around, how much more trouble is it to also carry a MB-500?

 

[Redbrangus]

Additionally, it looks like the EQ points of the Powerstage aren't particularly useful for a bass instrument; the bass EQ point (the -3dB point for a shelving equalizer, presumably) of 87Hz being an especially significant non-starter for me. The HF "Presence" control at 11.6KHz, again... not so useful. That might not be an issue for you, with your preamp pedal, but don't expect it to give you the same (bass-specific) EQ possibilities the GK has.

 

[crazyBassClown]

A GK mb200 into a 2x12 is enough for me to gig with, but we aren't crazy loud. My newly acquired handbox WB-100 100 watt tube head has been plenty loud for the last 6 gigs I've done with the same cabinet. A 50 watt tube head is loud enough for gigs in smaller rooms but needs the PA in larger rooms.
So the answer is it probably will be loud enough but it depends on how loud your band actually is, and how much low end you have in your tone.

 

[deff]

I was looking into this awhile ago. I found one video linked here. It seems like it should work. I can tell you that with guitar even the 170 is incredibly loud. The 700 shown here is still eq'd for guitar but seems to work pretty good for bass. The 200 would likely just be less loud. If your band isn't that loud then you should likely have enough power. I'm on the hunt for a reasonably priced 170 for a guitar rig as I'm pretty much just a one pedal on 100% of the time player.

 

[HappyChillmore]

Do you think the 170 would be good for bass and guitar just for home studio recording?