i am looking for what are the tru difference in sound between GK MB800 & GKMB Fusion 800 and the difference between GK MB500 & GKMB Fusion 500. Does one produces punchier lows? Is one has brighter hights?
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Difference between GK MB &GK MB Fusion
- Thread starter otto B
- Start date
IMO, although there is a difference, it's not night and day. The Fusion is a bit warmer, but even though it has a tube pre, I would never describe the Fusion as sounding tubes. At a time I owned both, and did a A/B before deciding to keep one. Honestly, I would have been happy with either. They are two flavors of good. The Fusion and the MB have the same low end capacity from what I remember. The high end on the MB was a bit brighter.
Hey there. Could you expand a little on the distortion? Did the Fusion have a better distortion, or did the MB500's distortion sound good? I've heard some people say the tone controls are different on the Fusion? Is that true?
Thanks!
Funny you should mention this as I just finished a little test:
Both have tons of power
They are very similar with subtle differences
The MB - Can cut with surgical precision; huge tonal range with a solid bottom and very clean mids
The B channel is slightly darker and gets more tubey sounding
The Fusion has a softer attack and even though it can get bright, it’s natural voice feels a little softer
It’s not muddy but not as “Quick & Clean” as the MB
It feels like it may go slightly lower in frequency but I am not sure this is really true
I originally bought a MB500 and it had a little problem with the knobs
GK service is amazing and they shipped the new amp days before I shipped the old one back
This was through Rane Audio
When they replaced the amp, I liked it so much that I added some cash and went to the 800.
It has been flawless in perforce every time I’ve turned it on.
The only reason for the swap is that a good friend on this board had posted a trade and I thought if I don’t try it now, I never will.
These are prevalent on the used market and they make them brand new every day so it’s not hard to change your mind, used pricing is very fair.
Can’t help with the distortion question as I roll clean.
Either amp is pro level and could be used on any major tour.
Both have tons of power
They are very similar with subtle differences
The MB - Can cut with surgical precision; huge tonal range with a solid bottom and very clean mids
The B channel is slightly darker and gets more tubey sounding
The Fusion has a softer attack and even though it can get bright, it’s natural voice feels a little softer
It’s not muddy but not as “Quick & Clean” as the MB
It feels like it may go slightly lower in frequency but I am not sure this is really true
I originally bought a MB500 and it had a little problem with the knobs
GK service is amazing and they shipped the new amp days before I shipped the old one back
This was through Rane Audio
When they replaced the amp, I liked it so much that I added some cash and went to the 800.
It has been flawless in perforce every time I’ve turned it on.
The only reason for the swap is that a good friend on this board had posted a trade and I thought if I don’t try it now, I never will.
These are prevalent on the used market and they make them brand new every day so it’s not hard to change your mind, used pricing is very fair.
Can’t help with the distortion question as I roll clean.
Either amp is pro level and could be used on any major tour.
The MB fusion is softer in the upper mids and has more restrained highs. Over all I find it a warmer, more pleasant sounding amp than the MB. Even so, the MBF has uppr mids and highs to spare... It is just less harsh. I have said a few times that the MB Fusion is the bst GK yet - I am still of that opinion. That said, I like 'em both. I sold off my last mb500 recently. I'll probably buy another at some point...
I also roll clean for the most part. For me the clean, clear slam of a GK is one of the defining sounds of bass guitar. Yeah the fusion warms it up a bit but it's still a GK end of the day...
I also roll clean for the most part. For me the clean, clear slam of a GK is one of the defining sounds of bass guitar. Yeah the fusion warms it up a bit but it's still a GK end of the day...
Lots of excellent comments here. I own both the MB800 and MB Fusion 800. They are more similar than different. If you're going to use distortion, go with the Fusion - that's where the tubes make a bit of difference. They both sound great clean.
I know it's not an MB amp but my Carvin BX500 has a preamp tube that can be switched off. I really wanted a hybrid amp for that preamp tube (I'd never had one before). Once I got it I tried both settings. Turns out I actually don't really like the preamp tube, I actually like the solid state for what I'm doing. Don't be surprised if you actually prefer SS. Preamp tubes do seem to sound a little warmer and softer.
I agree with the comments so far - there's a difference, but not much.
I just replaced a Fusion 500 with a straight MB500. I had some issues with the Fusion, sent it back for repair once then after about a year it started distorting on me. Note this was an older (2010) made in China unit and I bought it used. Also the guy I sold it cheap to here on TB pulled the preamp tubes and cleaned the sockets and it has been fine so far. Not an indictment of Fusion quality - just giving the back story. I also have a (China) MB200 as a back-up. I pulled it out the last time the Fusion was giving me trouble - and I found I liked the "cleaner" sound of the 200's solid state pre. So I bought a new MB500. If I need any warmth or dirt I have a VT Bass pedal - for most live work I think the clean GK MB cuts through well.
I just replaced a Fusion 500 with a straight MB500. I had some issues with the Fusion, sent it back for repair once then after about a year it started distorting on me. Note this was an older (2010) made in China unit and I bought it used. Also the guy I sold it cheap to here on TB pulled the preamp tubes and cleaned the sockets and it has been fine so far. Not an indictment of Fusion quality - just giving the back story. I also have a (China) MB200 as a back-up. I pulled it out the last time the Fusion was giving me trouble - and I found I liked the "cleaner" sound of the 200's solid state pre. So I bought a new MB500. If I need any warmth or dirt I have a VT Bass pedal - for most live work I think the clean GK MB cuts through well.
As stated - no need for a load, and both the Fusion and non-Fusion MB DI out sounds great with my in-ears.
