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Gallien-Krueger MB2-500: Part II

#601
Kelly Lee said:
Just for the record, the majority of manufacturers out there do NOT participate on this forum.
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True, and I should also point out that it is usually GOOD judgment for a vendor to avoid stepping in the middle of a beehive like this. That rarely goes well for anyone.

It's typically best to deal with problems like this privately and discretely, and let the resulting good word of mouth do its work.
 
#602
I've got one of the MB2 heads and have not had any issues. I bought mine because my friend had one and it sounded great. After reading through the series of posts here it looks like its the same guys posting over and over that gives the impression that everybody is having these blow up. Its just not the case.
 
#603
timmy13 said:
I've got one of the MB2 heads and have not had any issues. I bought mine because my friend had one and it sounded great. After reading through the series of posts here it looks like its the same guys posting over and over that gives the impression that everybody is having these blow up. Its just not the case.
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That is absolutely dead wrong. Have you actually read part 1 & 2?
 
#604
timmy13 said:
I've got one of the MB2 heads and have not had any issues. I bought mine because my friend had one and it sounded great. After reading through the series of posts here it looks like its the same guys posting over and over that gives the impression that everybody is having these blow up. Its just not the case.
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I think you are wrong - check the post and poll below - looks like about 30% of those responding had some kind of issue. Not the 1% quoted by GK...

GK MB2 Issue Poll
 
#607
deekay911 said:
I think you are wrong - check the post and poll below - looks like about 30% of those responding had some kind of issue. Not the 1% quoted by GK...

GK MB2 Issue Poll
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"There are three kinds of lies: lies, damned lies, and statistics"
-Mark Twain

Statistics can say anything you want them to say. I myself have had issues with the head and I'm not suggesting anyone who's had a problem with one of these is lying about it, but in a poll like that you're likely to get a slanted response.

Only 32 people responded to that poll, which is hardly a large enough cross section of MB2 users to get a valid poll. Until you have numbers like how many units actually shipped vs. how many have been replaced you really don't have any way to make claims about failure rates. 1% seems kind of low but 30% is disproportionately high, so the truth is probably somewhere in between. None of us here have enough of the facts to be telling others to get their facts straight.
 
#608
True that, it's statistically not significant to draw a conclusion. Still the issue exists with many, and I hope they sort it out soon. I had early interest in this amp and am sad to see the very evangelistic support turn very sour.
 
#613
deekay911 said:
I think you are wrong - check the post and poll below - looks like about 30% of those responding had some kind of issue. Not the 1% quoted by GK...

GK MB2 Issue Poll
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Some kind of issue is extremely vague. I don't really care if someone got one with a minor blemish or a sticky knob or some other minor issue which GK would quickly take care of. I've had a couple of these units replaced due to very minor issues that had no impact on tone or performance. I have pushed a couple of different MB2's to the extreme for extended periods and never had one of these do anything but amaze me. I do, however, sympathize with those who have reported the amp cutting out and I wish that we could all try to identify what might be common in the set up that results in this reported failure. I have been tuned in on this thread since it started and my impression is that these heads may be a little picky on the output side while being flexible at the input stage. Has anyone had trouble with just a 210 cab? I'm still throwing a single 10 cab on top of my 210 to get 500watts out and loving it. As long as my unit continues performing the way it is, I would not trade it for any other amp on the market, cause I like the tone, size, and features too much to give it up. I hope that the users who have had troubles with recent versions and don't give up on it will keep us posted.
 
#614
I run an older 1001RB thru a GK Neo 212 at church. It has served me well for the past 5 years or so. Being pleased with the sound of the 1001RB, I would like to have a MB2. However, I won't buy one until the problems are ironed out. I think they are up to version A06 already. That tells me the amp has problems.

When TB'ers stop reporting troubles with the MB2, then and only then will I spend any money on this amp. I do hope GK resolves the problem in the near future.
 
#615
Gtrslngr said:
Some kind of issue is extremely vague. I don't really care if someone got one with a minor blemish or a sticky knob or some other minor issue which GK would quickly take care of. I've had a couple of these units replaced due to very minor issues that had no impact on tone or performance. I have pushed a couple of different MB2's to the extreme for extended periods and never had one of these do anything but amaze me. I do, however, sympathize with those who have reported the amp cutting out and I wish that we could all try to identify what might be common in the set up that results in this reported failure. I have been tuned in on this thread since it started and my impression is that these heads may be a little picky on the output side while being flexible at the input stage. Has anyone had trouble with just a 210 cab? I'm still throwing a single 10 cab on top of my 210 to get 500watts out and loving it. As long as my unit continues performing the way it is, I would not trade it for any other amp on the market, cause I like the tone, size, and features too much to give it up. I hope that the users who have had troubles with recent versions and don't give up on it will keep us posted.
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1% of units with issues doesn't warrant SIX revisions in the first year. And I don't think a batch of sticky knobs would justify an engineering revision...

I am glad you are having luck with your unit, I so badly wanted to love this thing because I agree the tone was unbelievable.
 
#616
I can only say this for certain. Regardless of the actual % of these amps with problems...Based upon my personal experiences and from what I have read from others here, I can only conclude there are flaws in the design and the ones who have working MB2's are lucky. Having given an A05 and an A06 a shot with what should be an ideal cabinet and running things properly....and having serious issues with both...I cannot say I trust the MB2 whatsoever. I picked up a MarkBass LMIII and it performed flawlessly. Seemed to have way more output and a smoother tone all around. Most importantly....it worked w/o issue all night. Within a relatively short period of time...having 7 revisions (A00 being #1)...is not a good sign to me. Personally having major problems with the last 2...I feel it's my duty to inform others so they can educate themselves, make up their own minds, and decide wether or not to risk going through the headaches and stress I endured. If you have a flawless MB2, good for you....you are lucky from what I can tell. But let it be noted...more than a few out there have not been so fortunate.
 
#617
rockguitarist said:
I can only say this for certain. Regardless of the actual % of these amps with problems...Based upon my personal experiences and from what I have read from others here, I can only conclude there are flaws in the design and the ones who have working MB2's are lucky. Having given an A05 and an A06 a shot with what should be an ideal cabinet and running things properly....and having serious issues with both...I cannot say I trust the MB2 whatsoever. I picked up a MarkBass LMIII and it performed flawlessly. Seemed to have way more output and a smoother tone all around. Most importantly....it worked w/o issue all night. Within a relatively short period of time...having 7 revisions (A00 being #1)...is not a good sign to me. Personally having major problems with the last 2...I feel it's my duty to inform others so they can educate themselves, make up their own minds, and decide wether or not to risk going through the headaches and stress I endured. If you have a flawless MB2, good for you....you are lucky from what I can tell. But let it be noted...more than a few out there have not been so fortunate.
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Are you aware 100% of your TalkBass participation has consisted of posts critical of the MB2-500?
 
#618
rockguitarist said:
..I feel it's my duty to inform others so they can educate themselves, make up their own minds, and decide wether or not to risk going through the headaches and stress I endured. .
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I think you have more than fulfilled your duty with 14 posts advising everyone of your negative experience. Please, if you are so happy with with LMII then enjoy it and stop worrying about everyone else.
 
#619
I have had my A05 version for about 2 months, use it for practice through a gk neo 15". Have not had any probs yet, but have not run the amp super hard or at 4 ohms. Here is what GK told me about the A06 revision

"Rev6 is just a change in the I/O board (input output board) is not something that need to be changed in rev5, as upgrade or critical change".
 
#620
@ Heavy Duty- Uh...yeah...I am very well aware. I've been 100% critical bc the only experiences I've had were terrible and I was led to believe that this was generally..99%....a reliable amp by GK and it wasn't. You expect me to be anything other than critical?? Choosing to ignore the fact that I have been honest and separated facts from opinion in every post is on you. But I've been honest and fair based upon my experiences.

@ Gtrslnger- Along w/ most people..I appreciate knowing the real truth about a product before buying it. But I don't care to read 31+ pages of forum posts just to find out the latest on an amp's reliability. Unfortunately...I didn't do so in this case and trusted the info I was given by GK and it backfired on me. My posts started with inquiries...trying to get info and help. I have not simply reiterated the same exact thing 14 times over.

Seriously...why do either of you care? I'm not here to please GK loyalists or TalkBass board nazis. Had I known about this forum before buying w/ the MB2...I would've appreciated knowing as much as I do now and would have never bought it in the first place. I'm not concerned about what either of you think. I care about the guy considering spending his hard earned money on a faulty amp and being given...IMO....false information by the manufacturer and as a direct result...going through the same ordeal a second time. SO...hate all you want. Had you been in my shoes...you'd appreciate where I'm coming from. If YOU'RE so happy w/ YOUR gear...then why don't you stop worrying about what I have to say? Note that I have not one post on any MarkBass LMIII forum or GK cabinet forum on here or anywhere else for that matter. I am happy with both and have no desire to hate on those trying to help others who've had problems.
 

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