Fair enough...I am new to this board. I don't know the history of it like you and a few others. My intentions are honest. Just trying to keep things open, real, legit, and keep those w/ a vested interest in this particular head up to date. Wasn't looking for a reason or excuse to get into a whole debate on GK's overall reliability or CS quality. Above and beyond all this...I am a fellow musician. I live, breathe, sleep, eat, and poop music. Lol. And I have an inherent trait in that I cannot but help to look out for my fellow musician. I've seen and dealt w/ a lot of BS over the years as a consumer and even more so when I was a retailer. I've had to go to bat on many occasions for customers who would've got the shaft from the manufacturer (FYI...never GK, I never worked for a GK dealer) had I not been there to call them out and demand they do the right thing. So...yes..I have been vocal about my experiences and thoughts on this unit and have vigorously defended myself on this topic. BUT..it's all been in the name of wanting things to be right and fair for all. That's always been my only agenda. And as of the moment...yes, I am happy with my LMIII and GK NEO 4x10. And I agree...my thoughts and points have been made clear. I don't think there's anything more I could add that would be of help. So...good luck to all you current and future MB2 owners. I bid you adieu.
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Gallien-Krueger MB2-500: Part II
- Thread starter Kelly Lee
- Start date
Fair enough...I am new to this board. I don't know the history of it like you and a few others. My intentions are honest. Just trying to keep things open, real, legit, and keep those w/ a vested interest in this particular head up to date. Wasn't looking for a reason or excuse to get into a whole debate on GK's overall reliability or CS quality. Above and beyond all this...I am a fellow musician. I live, breathe, sleep, eat, and poop music. Lol. And I have an inherent trait in that I cannot but help to look out for my fellow musician. I've seen and dealt w/ a lot of BS over the years as a consumer and even more so when I was a retailer. I've had to go to bat on many occasions for customers who would've got the shaft from the manufacturer (FYI...never GK, I never worked for a GK dealer) had I not been there to call them out and demand they do the right thing. So...yes..I have been vocal about my experiences and thoughts on this unit and have vigorously defended myself on this topic. BUT..it's all been in the name of wanting things to be right and fair for all. That's always been my only agenda. And as of the moment...yes, I am happy with my LMIII and GK NEO 4x10. And I agree...my thoughts and points have been made clear. I don't think there's anything more I could add that would be of help. So...good luck to all you current and future MB2 owners. I bid you adieu.
Remember, reliability is not measured by the number of people who have no problems, but rather the PERCENT of users that do have problems. Even the worst products don't have anywhere near a 100% or even 50% failure rate. It's all about the PROBABILITY of having a problem. I believe most products deemed 'reliable' have an under 1% failure rate over a reasonable amount of time (usually measured during the warranty period... so 2 or 3 years). Once you get up to that 10% failure rate, the probability of any one user having a failure on a gig gets high enough that many will look elsewhere. That, of course, means that the vast majority of users are just fine... but unfortunately have that 'looking over their shoulder worrying about a failure' feeling that most aren't too happy with.
I'm in a similar boat. I was one of the first on TB with a MB2-500. I have an A00 and haven't had any issues with it. I've probably done 15-20 large gigs with it and just as many rehearsals, jam sessions, and recording dates.
It's a bummer that so many here have had issues. The thought is in the back of my mind on gigs and for a while I carried a back up, but I'm much more comfortable now. I can imagine how crushing it must be to have a head die on you on stage. You could get fired for stuff like that.
I am only reporting my personal experience, which is really all any of us can do here. It is impossible for any of us to have anything close to exact numbers or percentages unless you work for GK.
These 'self report' threads are pretty good at uncovering problems. Yes, you can't generate an exact percent, but it can sure be a good indication of issues (which, of course, to GK's credit, they admit to having). Usually, threads with a significant number of problem reports are a good 'tip of the iceberg' indication of general failure rates.
These self report threads are also loaded with the same users repeating their frustrating experiences, which often leads to others chiming in who don't own or plan to own the product being discussed. I Like the MB2-500 too much to give it up unless I can find a vaild reason. GK has treated me like family following my frst GK purchase and I am happy with my choice. I don't recall GK saying that they believe the newer A05 and A06 have any known issues. I think I have seen 4 or 5 folks report trouble with new models dropping out, but I don't think you or I can know if there are 100 A05's out there working fine....maybe even 500etc. I know these have had their share of problems and it is not my intent to argue cause that would be pointless. If there is a problem with the newer A05 design does anybody here have a clue what it is or how I can reproduce it without blowing my speakers.
+1
They are treating me beyond my expectations
Jason just sent me the most current updated MB2
I'll report back soon...I got some gigs coming up where I can let her run...
IMO the MB2-500 blows away all the "micro's" that I've owned
LMKII, Shuttle 6.0, Carvin BX500, F1 (close 2nd)
So I will keep it and work out the "bugs"
Absolutely un-beatable CS!
I love the sound of my MB2-500 and I like better than my LMII but my basses keep over-driving the gain. I have the -10db cut in but have to keep the gain set at below 8 o'clock or I get the clip LED flashing quite a bit. it does this even on my passive Birdsong basses. My Rob Allen Mouse and Landing bass (18v preamp) really push it and have to adjust the vol on those basses to keep to from clipping. Don't seem to have this issue as much with my LMII.
Anybody else have this problem ?
Anybody else have this problem ?
I can crank the gain as loud as it will go without any clip light, if I have the -10db engaged. I only have active basses and the clip light will only flash when I do not engage the -10. What you describe does not sound right to me. I normally use my Roscoe with 18v Bartolini and it sounds great, never clips with -10 engaged. I believe the clip light is only affected by the level of the input signal going into the amp. I don't think its really controlled by where you set the gain.
It seems the latest revision addresses this -
with my A06, I can leave the -10db off (08 Am Std P)
with the A05, I had to engage -10db
So far my A06 equipped with the newest revisions, is flawless
Having heard one of these amps (and being impressed), and skimming this thread, I have some thoughts...
1) I'll be willing to bet that some of the reported "Reliability" issues this amp has come from it's small size that results in it being treated like a widget, not an amplifier. I can easily see hauling this to a gig in a gig bag pocket, not in it's own case/bag/rack - and I can see how the pots might get damaged from force on the knobs, etc. I'm just thinking on this as a design engineer who encounters issues like this with medical products...
2) I'd *really* like to hear this side-by-side with the Carvin 500, as they seem to share the same basic market-space approach. Given that I'm predisposed to like GK from past experience, I'd guess that it would sound better... but still - a side-by-side would be enlightening.
1) I'll be willing to bet that some of the reported "Reliability" issues this amp has come from it's small size that results in it being treated like a widget, not an amplifier. I can easily see hauling this to a gig in a gig bag pocket, not in it's own case/bag/rack - and I can see how the pots might get damaged from force on the knobs, etc. I'm just thinking on this as a design engineer who encounters issues like this with medical products...
2) I'd *really* like to hear this side-by-side with the Carvin 500, as they seem to share the same basic market-space approach. Given that I'm predisposed to like GK from past experience, I'd guess that it would sound better... but still - a side-by-side would be enlightening.
I personally wouldn't assume that at all. Nobody I know would treat an amp like that in such a manner. I've had my Markbass F1 for a while now, which is essentially the same form factor, and nobody's had the urge to be careless with it. In fact, quite the opposite, because they thought it might be extra fragile because of its size.
Besides, to assume this would be to assume our TB friends as guilty of abuse, and then malice to post that the amp had faults. I prefer to assume the best in people unless given specific cause to think otherwise.
IMHO
I don't know of any issues being reported that are due to mechanical failure or something that may be caused by physical abuse. How much exactly are you willing to bet?
Physical abuse...whatever dude, I'll bet, of the reported issues, maybe .001%, if that, is physical abuse - c'mon man
Anyway, last night my A06 kicked A$$! flawless...Not one issue (as it should be)
the input stage is not as hot as my A05 was, which allowed me to keep the -10db off
The A06 seems to be "wider" and more 'open' than the A05 I had
I love this amp! & a huge kudos to GK for treating me so good
Anyway, last night my A06 kicked A$$! flawless...Not one issue (as it should be)
the input stage is not as hot as my A05 was, which allowed me to keep the -10db off
The A06 seems to be "wider" and more 'open' than the A05 I had
I love this amp! & a huge kudos to GK for treating me so good
Nope. I own both. Not better. Just different. Both sound great, the MB2-500 just seems to emphasize the region immediately above the fundamental. I think it's a great match for a bright-sounding bass. AND it has a deep switch that works, but without it the G-K still sounds like some other amps do when their deep switches are engaged (to MY ears).
Hmmm..! As Fender VI player I find this nugget to be very interesting!
As I understand it, Mr. Gallien's new MB212 combo (with 2x12" neos) uses the MB2-500 as its amp section.
The more we test the more I realize that matching heads and cabinets is key. The GK MB2-500 is a wonderful match for very accurate hi-fi type cabinets like EA's. The preamp tone controls work better than any I can remember so you can mimic other heads or fine tune the sound you are looking for, without sonic loss or mud.
