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Gallien-Krueger MB2-500: Part II
- Thread starter Kelly Lee
- Start date
I finally had a chance to try one of these out at a GC the other day. They had one hooked up to a Goldline 810. I was using a Warwick Double Buck Corvette and a Fender 70's Jazz. I couldn't believe how much I had to CUT the low end. Wow! This thing is a monster. Great tone.
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FUNNY you should say that; last night I was setting up, realized I bumped the knobs and noticed the bass was fully counterclockwise. I couldn't remember where I set it the night before, so I set at Noon. Yep, that's the sweet spot.
Hey,
one month (or more) after A05 release, no more issues ?!?!!? I'm really looking for one of these MB2-500
one month (or more) after A05 release, no more issues ?!?!!? I'm really looking for one of these MB2-500
Well I got my A00 MB2-500 from fella TBer MAISKESO on Friday. The Transaction went smoothly and when I got it home from the post office I gave it a whirl. It fired up fine and I checked it out @ low volume (Apartment Dweller) and really enjoyed the sound. I found the sound to be low end heavy. Doesn't help that the Avatar B410 NEO that I use is a low end heavy cab to begin with. This isn't something that careful EQing can't fix though. I did notice a bit of hiss at high treble settings that I can't completely attribute to the MB-2. Could have been the 30 foot cheapo cable, or florescent lights in my kitchen. This may be RFI interference as well which should be fixed on later serial #s and again can be tamed with careful EQing.
My sound was right there from the get-go. I've read some complaints about how cold it sounds, but I found it to be the opposite. To me very warm and musical with a great burpy mid-range. I thought it brought out the best in my bass, a 98 Warwick Thumb BO 5 string. I also thought it handled the B string with authority. I can't compare it to other GK products but it sounds every bit as good as my 60 lb Yamaha PB-1/Ampeg SVP-1500 Pre/Poweramp setup.
I took it to a gig that night and it gave me a bit of a scare when it would power up but give no sound. After about a minute or two of rearranging speaker cables and turning it off and then on it finally fired up fine. I was using 1/4in speaker cable and before I fault the MB-2 I'm going to give a speakon cable a whirl and see if that resolves the issue.
The gig was at a small venue with low volumes. Amplified acoustic guitar, drums with metal brushes and the MB-2 played through the 4ohm Avatar B410 NEO. I had more than enough volume with the gain slightly above one o clock and the master around 11 o clock. I control a lot of volume from my bass and don't think I got past 2/3s of the way up on the knob. This setup was overkill for sure but will have to be how it goes till I get the cab I ultimately plan to use with this amp.
The best part of this amp is it's portability. This is the first ultra-lightweight amp I've owned and the fact that I can load in FX and Amp in one trip makes me very happy. The amp literally fits in the front pocket of my Pedal Tote. While this will probably not be where I keep it.
The plan for this amp is to pick up an Avatar B210 NEO at 4ohms to make load ins that much easier. For this gig I think I can compensate loss in air pushing with increased volume. The B210 is probably a perfect match for the MB2; rated at 500 watts and I'll be giving this cab all of it by having it wired at 4ohms. The B210 should also integrate nicely with my older Yamaha PB-1/Ampeg SVP-1500 pre/poweramp setup for louder gigs/bands.
Issues aside I'm pleased with this amp....I'm hoping that I can resolve any issues without service center intervention (IE switching to Speakons). If not, I have 100 percent confidence in GK's customer service and RAG's pride in his company. Kudos to GK for their entry into the ULW market. I'm sure that this little amp will give Genz and Markbass a run for their money.
My sound was right there from the get-go. I've read some complaints about how cold it sounds, but I found it to be the opposite. To me very warm and musical with a great burpy mid-range. I thought it brought out the best in my bass, a 98 Warwick Thumb BO 5 string. I also thought it handled the B string with authority. I can't compare it to other GK products but it sounds every bit as good as my 60 lb Yamaha PB-1/Ampeg SVP-1500 Pre/Poweramp setup.
I took it to a gig that night and it gave me a bit of a scare when it would power up but give no sound. After about a minute or two of rearranging speaker cables and turning it off and then on it finally fired up fine. I was using 1/4in speaker cable and before I fault the MB-2 I'm going to give a speakon cable a whirl and see if that resolves the issue.
The gig was at a small venue with low volumes. Amplified acoustic guitar, drums with metal brushes and the MB-2 played through the 4ohm Avatar B410 NEO. I had more than enough volume with the gain slightly above one o clock and the master around 11 o clock. I control a lot of volume from my bass and don't think I got past 2/3s of the way up on the knob. This setup was overkill for sure but will have to be how it goes till I get the cab I ultimately plan to use with this amp.
The best part of this amp is it's portability. This is the first ultra-lightweight amp I've owned and the fact that I can load in FX and Amp in one trip makes me very happy. The amp literally fits in the front pocket of my Pedal Tote. While this will probably not be where I keep it.
The plan for this amp is to pick up an Avatar B210 NEO at 4ohms to make load ins that much easier. For this gig I think I can compensate loss in air pushing with increased volume. The B210 is probably a perfect match for the MB2; rated at 500 watts and I'll be giving this cab all of it by having it wired at 4ohms. The B210 should also integrate nicely with my older Yamaha PB-1/Ampeg SVP-1500 pre/poweramp setup for louder gigs/bands.
Issues aside I'm pleased with this amp....I'm hoping that I can resolve any issues without service center intervention (IE switching to Speakons). If not, I have 100 percent confidence in GK's customer service and RAG's pride in his company. Kudos to GK for their entry into the ULW market. I'm sure that this little amp will give Genz and Markbass a run for their money.
Thanks...I forgot to mention that I had the -10db pad engaged on that gig as well. I think I had it engaged inadvertently.
Trying to play at any substantial volume is impossible in my apartment. Even with the gain and master volume slightly up on the -10db pad disengaged...I'm rattling all of my wife's knick-knacks and I'm sure to be pissing off the neighbors.
EDIT: I should also mention that I fired it up again this morning and it came right on....sooooo....no telling what the issue is. Still using 1/4in speaker cables.
Hey Hoy,
I pair the MB2 with a Avatar B210 (8ohm) and it is a great combination. I stand the 210 vertically. I have had a05 version for a week now with no issues, but I just got a Tascam GTR1 headphone amp/trainer/recorder, so I havent fired the amp up much this week (there is another amp where we generally rehearse).
The MB2 has yet to be pushed past 12 oclock on the gain or master and pumps alot of volume through the little and very light neo B210. Mine obviously has the revised eq points, so my eq is usually set pretty much at 12 o'clock across the board, with minor tweaking to suit the stage. I carry the mb2 in an old laptop bag, plenty of organized room for cables, tools, mailing lists etc... I went with 8 ohms so I can pair the 210 up with my avatar 212 on big or outdoor shows. I am not thrilled with the 212 on its own, but paired with the 210 it sounds sweet. I am glad you are aware of the issues with the 00, the 05 is flawless so far.
After all these years, its funny as hell to look in my back seat and see a 210, a laptop bag, and a double gig bag where 2 15's, 2 10s, 2 hardcases, any of many heavy heads, and a rack used to be. Life is peachy.
I pair the MB2 with a Avatar B210 (8ohm) and it is a great combination. I stand the 210 vertically. I have had a05 version for a week now with no issues, but I just got a Tascam GTR1 headphone amp/trainer/recorder, so I havent fired the amp up much this week (there is another amp where we generally rehearse).
The MB2 has yet to be pushed past 12 oclock on the gain or master and pumps alot of volume through the little and very light neo B210. Mine obviously has the revised eq points, so my eq is usually set pretty much at 12 o'clock across the board, with minor tweaking to suit the stage. I carry the mb2 in an old laptop bag, plenty of organized room for cables, tools, mailing lists etc... I went with 8 ohms so I can pair the 210 up with my avatar 212 on big or outdoor shows. I am not thrilled with the 212 on its own, but paired with the 210 it sounds sweet. I am glad you are aware of the issues with the 00, the 05 is flawless so far.
After all these years, its funny as hell to look in my back seat and see a 210, a laptop bag, and a double gig bag where 2 15's, 2 10s, 2 hardcases, any of many heavy heads, and a rack used to be. Life is peachy.
Thanks for the laptop bag idea. I'm approaching 30...and what makes me dread rehearsals isn't the playing or interacting with others....it's the schlepping that I've had about enough of. I can leave the "rock rig" at the rehearsal space and keep the MB-2/B210 NEO with me for other rehearsals and gigs. Makes me more motivated to rehearse.
FUNNY you should say that; last night I was setting up, realized I bumped the knobs and noticed the bass was fully counterclockwise. I couldn't remember where I set it the night before, so I set at Noon. Yep, that's the sweet spot.
cool... excuse the bad pic, but here are my settings...
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We have a raised platform and and if I turn the bass above noon, the singers start yelling that their feet are going numb... lol
I can't remember if I have the tweeter turned off or at 1/2, but i do keep the treble down. This week even a few folks in the congregation told me it was "warm" sounding... I have no problem with the mb2-500 - i have had a GREAT experience with it.
somewhere in the number will be an A followed by two numbers. either 00, 01, etc. it's pretty obvious. just look for the little white sticker on the side.
Happy to report that changing over to the NL4 (Speakon) seems to have alleviated all issues.
Will know more after a rehearsal tonight.
Will know more after a rehearsal tonight.
Noon and Noon (gain and master) are great starting points for this amp. My PA speaker doesn't have a tweeter control so I ride the treble, otherwise that setting would probably be different.
And there you have it. I just got back from a rehearsal. I'd call the Matt Russell project a medium volume band and this rig (w/ the B410 NEO 4 ohms) handles it swimmingly.
I kept the gain and master at about 11'o'clock and the volume on my bass about 2/3s the way up. Plenty loud, plenty musical. Didn't heat up enough for the fan to engage. Fired right up.
I'm very stoked on this amp. When I get the B210 NEO I'm confident that I can compensate in loss of air pushing with more volume.
I did notice when I pushed more bass into this rig the amp did want to try to vibrate off the cab. Honestly it was too much bass but besides a rack what possible solutions would one have for this. Cab is tolexed. Velcro? Maybe a little foam?
Aside from a Backline 210 that wasn't loud enough...this is the first GK product I've owned. Sounds great...keep up the good work.
I kept the gain and master at about 11'o'clock and the volume on my bass about 2/3s the way up. Plenty loud, plenty musical. Didn't heat up enough for the fan to engage. Fired right up.
I'm very stoked on this amp. When I get the B210 NEO I'm confident that I can compensate in loss of air pushing with more volume.
I did notice when I pushed more bass into this rig the amp did want to try to vibrate off the cab. Honestly it was too much bass but besides a rack what possible solutions would one have for this. Cab is tolexed. Velcro? Maybe a little foam?
Aside from a Backline 210 that wasn't loud enough...this is the first GK product I've owned. Sounds great...keep up the good work.
Cool. Let us know how you like it paired with the B210 NEO. I'm interested in that exact setup.
2nd attempt at getting an answer from rag,
RACK EARS,,, when can we get rack ears for the MB2 ?
thanks in advance for your answer
RACK EARS,,, when can we get rack ears for the MB2 ?
thanks in advance for your answer
- Oct 22, 2007
- 80
- 1
- Disclosures
- Artist Representative & Product specialist, Gallien-Krueger
2nd attempt at getting an answer from rag,
RACK EARS,,, when can we get rack ears for the MB2 ?
thanks in advance for your answer
Our rack ears for the MB2-500 are in the final engineering phase. They should be available in about 8 weeks.
