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Gallien-Krueger MB2-500: Part II

#4
I just got my MB2-500 used but basically NIB. I dont have my cab with me until tomorrow so I played with it through the headphone out and man it sounds sweet! I realize how mediocre some of my pickups are, and how I need to clean up my playing. I found the EQ section very workable, and its so amazingly small and light - like a big paperback book.
The only things I'm missing (coming from a 1001RB-II) are the presence knob, which I've found can be remedied via tone knob on my bass or the treble/high mid control on the amp, and possibly the lack of a volume knob on the DI. But its a fair tradeoff IMO.
I cant wait to rock this through my Dr. Bass 2460 Neo tomorrow, and then on friday in a band situation. I'll be sure to report back when I do.
 
#5
coolrunner989 said:
I just got my MB2-500 used but basically NIB. I dont have my cab with me until tomorrow so I played with it through the headphone out and man it sounds sweet! I realize how mediocre some of my pickups are, and how I need to clean up my playing. I found the EQ section very workable, and its so amazingly small and light - like a big paperback book.
The only things I'm missing (coming from a 1001RB-II) are the presence knob, which I've found can be remedied via tone knob on my bass or the treble/high mid control on the amp, and possibly the lack of a volume knob on the DI. But its a fair tradeoff IMO.
I cant wait to rock this through my Dr. Bass 2460 Neo tomorrow, and then on friday in a band situation. I'll be sure to report back when I do.
Click to expand...


I'm so glad it's working out. I knew you'd like it.
 
#9
AJ Brown said:
Has anyone received a response recently (in the past week) from Brian @ G-K about sending their MB2 in to get the A02/A03 update?
Click to expand...

I just heard from Brian the other day. He is working hard, and will take care of everyone, I am sure. Just give him a little time.
 
#10
I picked up a AO1 series head at GC the other day, and I am VERY impressed so far. Comparing to the Marbass heads I had been using (LMII/TA501/SD800), the GK head has a more pleasing high end, a more open and transparent sound that can be dialed in to be warm (whereas the LMII has a built in warmth), and to my ears is WAY louder.

In the past, I've always left the -10db button on when using GK heads, and this time is no different. In this setting, I leave the gain at about 1 or 2pm and then use the Master volume as I need.

Also, I don't know what everyone is referring to when they say that this early version has too much lowend. Its perfectly balanced to my ears.
 
#11
rovito said:
I'm holding out for the Rack ears and updates. I hope this will happen in the January release.
Click to expand...

yeah, that's what i'm hoping is happening. i won't mind the delay so much if it's because they've been working on all these updates. ahh, who am i kidding... i won't mind as soon as i plug it in and start playing. it'll be like a woman going through the pains of child bearing.... it hurts, but then they see their child and forget about the pain.

did i go too far with that analogy?
 
#12
Your's isn't the original version. A01 is the version where GK put in more mids and highs - A00 was the original version with 'too much low end'. Subsequent versions A02 and A03 address radio interference. Glad you like it, to my ears the A01 and above has he perfect balance.

ElMon said:
I picked up a AO1 series head at GC the other day, and I am VERY impressed so far. Comparing to the Marbass heads I had been using (LMII/TA501/SD800), the GK head has a more pleasing high end, a more open and transparent sound that can be dialed in to be warm (whereas the LMII has a built in warmth), and to my ears is WAY louder.

In the past, I've always left the -10db button on when using GK heads, and this time is no different. In this setting, I leave the gain at about 1 or 2pm and then use the Master volume as I need.

Also, I don't know what everyone is referring to when they say that this early version has too much lowend. Its perfectly balanced to my ears.
Click to expand...
 
#13
My version A00 MB2-500 sounded great at my last band gig. Plugged it into an Avatar Neo 2X10 and an Epifani PS-112, stacked vertically, tweeters aligned, with the 12 on top. Yeah, a little unusual setup, but it just KILLED!! :)

I don't see the need to send my unit in for any of the upgrades; I may have been one of the lucky ones. I don't rule out sending it in to GK "just to do it", but for now it serves me well.


Joe Hilgeman
 
#14
deekay911 said:
Your's isn't the original version. A01 is the version where GK put in more mids and highs - A00 was the original version with 'too much low end'. Subsequent versions A02 and A03 address radio interference. Glad you like it, to my ears the A01 and above has he perfect balance.
Click to expand...

Sorry, I actually mistyped. Mine IS in fact the A00 series. Not too much lowend for my tastes here either. Different strokes for different folks.
 
#16
Got my updated MB2-500 back from GK a couple days ago. My original version didn't stack up tonally against my 2001RB. It could be EQ'd to get close, but the 2001RB had something the MB2-500 simply didn't.

The updated version has actually edged out the 2001RB in terms of tone for me. GK absolutely nailed it with the updated version. I'm liking it so much that depending on how it does on gigs this coming Friday, Saturday and Sunday, I might just be getting rid of my 2001RB.

Very big props to Bob Gallien for answering my emails so promptly and to Brian Clark for facilitating all of the shipment in absolute record time.
 
#17
jshilgebass said:
My version A00 MB2-500 sounded great at my last band gig. I don't see the need to send my unit in for any of the upgrades; I may have been one of the lucky ones.
Click to expand...

ElMon said:
Mine IS in fact the A00 series. Not too much lowend for my tastes here either. Different strokes for different folks.
Click to expand...

I'm with you guys. Mine is an A00 and I don't hear any excessive low end either. I compare the A00 to a 1001RB-II and they sound very similar. I don't see any point in sending it to GK.

For those of you considering a MB2-500, I wouldn't worry too much about the batch number thing (A00, A01, A02, etc.). If by chance you do get one you're not happy with GK will stand behind it.
 
#18
so has anyone directly A/B'd this with the 1001? I'm doing that right now...

edit: Ok - so I set both amps to flat (noon) with the boost off of both, the presence control on the 1001 maxed. I'm running my Geddy Lee through my EBS multipcomp and into each amp, which is then going through my Dr.Bass 2460. I initially thought that the MB2-500 had less girth to the notes I played in the lower registers (First 5 frets of the E string) but that it was clearer and brighter in the upper mids and treble spectrum. Then I remembered that this is an A02 model, and that the EQ points had been shifted. I dialed the treble and high mid knobs down to 11:00 and bam! They sound almost exactly the same to me. I was dissapointed at first, thinking I might need to keep the 1001 but I'm actually really excited about the little 3lb amp right now. I'll do more review of the boost and how they differ on each amp later.
Now off to write my final papers...ugh
 

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