What's the general impression of Gallien Krueger amp heads for upright? there's no thread in the sticky for GK amps in general, just combos. I already have a 15 inch cab that I can use, but I'm looking for a reasonably priced head (really don't want to go over 400)... which ones have you played with upright that you liked or didn't like and why? also if you could tell which pickup you used that'd be cool
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Double Bass Gallien Krueger amps for upright
- Thread starter dbass87
- Start date
I have a geeky review of the GK Backline 600 head at my web page. Today, I would seriously consider the little MB200 head. I think that GK makes an honest, solid product with good tone quality.
The little MicroBass combo amps are favored by a lot of upright players, but would of course cost more than a head.
The little MicroBass combo amps are favored by a lot of upright players, but would of course cost more than a head.
Greg Clinkingbeard
Commercial User
From searching Gallien Krueger in amps:
http://www.talkbass.com/forum/search.php?searchid=5328872
I really like the 400RB with Fdeck's HPF pre although it sounds nice without it too.
http://www.talkbass.com/forum/search.php?searchid=5328872
I really like the 400RB with Fdeck's HPF pre although it sounds nice without it too.
I've done a fair bit of touring with my upright, and of all the backline I've had to use the GK's were the easiest to get a sound from without too much hoo-ha. I usually got 400 or 800RB's and a 4x10 or 8x10 .... It was a modestly loud blues gig and most venues were not expecting a doghouse. They are my second choice if I can't bring the Walter Woods.
- Apr 3, 2003
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The MB200 is surprisingly viable, and sounds great on upright. You can get one for just over $200, to boot. 
I think GK's sound better than many other brands for upright because of the input impedance. I could be talking out me arse here (as is often the case), but I believe they are 1 meg ohm. Anybody confirm that?
My first head was a GK 400 and later I used a 1001. Both were very nice for upright.
My first head was a GK 400 and later I used a 1001. Both were very nice for upright.
ok cool...yes, another member confirmed to me that they are I meg ohm, which is supposed to be better with a piezo pickup, which i would be using.
Bass Greaser,
Right you are, since the 200MB combo, the 400RB and the 800RB all had the same EQ voicing with more wattage as you went up the ladder. Fortunately the new MB 200 and 500 is very similar.
Ric
Also, the 800rb style preamp has a relatively high bass rolloff for a bass guitar amp - (I think it may be around 80hz) a "built-in" high-pass filter. Really tames the excessive boom and helps with feedback issues. This also gets the most out of the amp's power by rolling off power sucking sub bass.
I have been a fan of GK stuff for upright for some time now, and have been using a MB115 combo (same basic head unit as the MB200) for my country band gigs. It's the best sounding, loudest, and lightest 1-15 combo I have ever used by far. The sound is much more mid-present and clear sounding than any 15 I have used prior. Amazing amp for the budget price.
I have been a fan of GK stuff for upright for some time now, and have been using a MB115 combo (same basic head unit as the MB200) for my country band gigs. It's the best sounding, loudest, and lightest 1-15 combo I have ever used by far. The sound is much more mid-present and clear sounding than any 15 I have used prior. Amazing amp for the budget price.
A couple of years I bought the High School an amp for doubling. The RB2000 had the best sonic bang-for-the-buck, used and local, at that time.
Although there must be some exception that proves the rule, the rule is that 1 x 15 is not a choice sound for double bass. Keep considering.
Although there must be some exception that proves the rule, the rule is that 1 x 15 is not a choice sound for double bass. Keep considering.
[QUOTE
Although there must be some exception that proves the rule, the rule is that 1 x 15 is not a choice sound for double bass. Keep considering.[/QUOTE]
Duly noted... I did a little research and it has been said that you should go with a smaller speaker than a 15 for a better DB sound, i guess that's why the MB150s seem to be popular?
Although there must be some exception that proves the rule, the rule is that 1 x 15 is not a choice sound for double bass. Keep considering.[/QUOTE]
Duly noted... I did a little research and it has been said that you should go with a smaller speaker than a 15 for a better DB sound, i guess that's why the MB150s seem to be popular?
I've read many reviews by folks with the opinion the new GK115 is an exception to the rule and it works very well for DB. Oddly enough, the MB212 also seems well received for DB and it is the MB210 that is more often described as "boomy" .
I've been using an MB210 for DB for about 9 months and have been very happy with it using a Rev Solo II with an HPF-Pre. It worked OK without the HPF-Pre, but depending on the volume, other instruments, and the room I like having the phase reverse and being able to raise the HPF cutoff as needed. It's been said on this forum over and over, but the HPF-pre really is a great little unit at a very reasonable price.
The MB150 combo is an odd duck. It's one of those things that an engineer would look at and say: "This thing can't possibly work."
But it does work.
It has a massive cone and a soft surround, and sacrifices efficiency in order to achieve usable bass response. There's nothing else like it, not because it violates the laws of physics, but because nobody else has attempted the same kind of design.
The price of a massive cone is a stiff cone, translating into limited high frequency response. This is what you can either live with, or you can't, thus people tend to either love the MB150 or hate it.
But like Spirocores, there are enough advantages to make the MB150 a "standard" among a lot of players. You can make a lighter amp, but it's hard to think of how to make one very much smaller.
I only wish rag would come out with a neo version to go with the MB200 head.
I have read the same opinion many times over in the BG section. The MB115 is not a boomy amp unless you EQ it to be. I was very surprised at the midrange clarity this amp has.
I am probably going to be ordering a MB112 also here pretty soon, so I will post my thoughts after giving it a good workout and gig test it.
