Gallien-Krueger MB2-500: Part II

[Saluki]

OK. I have read through both threads and decided to take a chance on one. I must say that the Mesa M6 had its share of problems when it came out. I had to wait an extremely long time for my order to be filled as they were working out some bugs, but I love mine and it has performed flawless. The design design does have some quirks though. No different then any other amp as the manufacturers are always up against production cost and competition.

I had an order in for a F500 at Music123, but changed it to a MB2500. I am a bit concerned about a few things:
1) reliability and the fact that no one from GK has posted on this thread regarding it lately.

2)The fact that Music123 said the order may not be filled since the item was showing as possibly discontinued ( I asked about if that was by music123 or the manufacturer and they said by music123)

3) I received the Musicians Friend "bass" edition and in the GK MB series there is no mention of the MB2500 only the MB Fusion (which looks intriguing to me).

So is this model going to be extinct or can it be revived? At this point, the problems should be resolved with new models IMO so if there is any sign of problems with mine.. off it goes.

 

[brothernewt]

I bought one and used it for 1 gig. Worked well, sounded good, no issues. I returned it in favor of waiting for the MB212 combo since it's only a few bills more.

 

[lindseyp]

The G-K MB Fusion was announced earlier this year, I saw it in the MF catalog yesterday so I'm guessing it's available now. That may be the way to go for anyone who likes this form factor, since the Fusion includes a tube.

 

[Vic]

The G-K MB Fusion was announced earlier this year, I saw it in the MF catalog yesterday so I'm guessing it's available now. That may be the way to go for anyone who likes this form factor, since the Fusion includes a tube.

Actually, it includes THREE tubes. It's got the same exact front end as the Fusion 550, which is an all-tube preamp section (including EQ). Further, they drive the tubes with the proper high voltages, so they work optimally. No offense to the MB2 500, but the MB Fusion is definitely on my list of amps to spend some time with.

 

[banditcosmo]

It's on MF now and they show it's available to ship 10-12-09.

 

[Saluki]

Ya but what about the MB2 500. Is it going away? Will the MB fusion be more reliable?

 

[unclekebm]

Personally, I don't think the MB Fusion will be any more or less reliable than the MB2
It didn't take GK very long to fix the problems that some people had (me included)

It seems to me the 'kinks' are ironed out on the MB2
My A06 has been performing like a champ!
I'm purposely driving it hard just to test it, I'm happy...

ps: It's not uncommon for a new design amp to have a few issues in the beginning
Ampeg, Mesa, Hartke, Genz Benz, Markbass, Carvin, even the mighty Aguilar has had issues...
IMO & IME the MB2 is "fixed"

 

[Christian Waiau]

I have been gigging my new A06 for the past 5 shows and I have been worried about it shutting down on me.. however it has NOT yet. the other night i did a 45+ min set using a 4ohm cab with the gain and vol at noon. I have not used the GIVE circuit yet... The last unit i had that cut out was running a 4ohm cab with the GIVE circuit on the entire time and using the DI out...



not sure if the GIVE and DI @ 4ohm could be the recipe for failure... but i have not tried it at a show yet... I will try it next time I practice and see how it goes...


has there been much failures with the A06 units still?

 

[unclekebm]

This week I put my A06 through a good test ~ 3days of loud gigs...
last night my 'rig' ended up being the 'backline' - loud volumes for 4~5 hours @ 4ohms

It ran Cool to the touch & not even a 'hiccup'
I'm sure all the kinks are worked out -

I'm happy I stuck it out with GK - This amp Kicks A$$!
Of course my GB NeoX212 doesn't hurt...sweet rig

PS: thanks again to Jason, Brian & Bob @ GK

 

[Christian Waiau]

thats very good to hear... I a heavy month of gigging and I can't afford having a hiccup... If it survives this month with no problems I'll be a happy camper.

 

[Simon Langley]

SUBSCRIBED

 

[Saluki]

Well Music123 said my MB500 has shipped. It says the MB fusion is on order and expected in December now and the F500is still on order.

 

[Saluki]

Got mine today and a gotta say: I am impressed. If reliability is not an issue it will be great. Sounds really good through my Berg HT112ER and is plenty loud with a single cab at 8 ohm to handle most small stuff. I have a small church gig on sun night and I am just going to take the MB500 with the Berg HT112ER. I also tried it through my epifani UL410S2 and it sounded nice, but I preferred the low end and clarity through the berg better. I was using my pretty aggressive Nordy VJ5. I will report after Sun. I am taking my skjold for that gig.

 

[Freddels]

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.

I was playing mine through the Carvin LS1503 today and the tone was wonderful.

 

[trjazzluva05]

Thats whats im talking about!!!! the MB2-500 is finally getting the love it so richly deserves!!!! i mean some people had their problems but GK worked the bugs out and theyre great, solid amps. given i havent had a problem with my A02 version. to all those who gave up on the MB i tell ya, youre missing out on GOOOOOD tone!!! ive used mine live and recorded with it and its killin'!!!!

 

[unclekebm]

to all those who gave up on the MB i tell ya, youre missing out on GOOOOOD tone!!!

Cheers to that!
I'm happy I stuck it out - almost painless & well worth the little bit of hassle

awesome CS

 

[Christian Waiau]

did another half hour gig the other night and no problems running 4ohm with gain and vol at noon. Long rehearsal tonite... I'll run the G.I.V.E. circuit the whole time to see how that goes.

 

[peterpalmieri]

I would love to pick one of these up at $500 it seems like a great deal. I am however not all that confident just yet that I'd want to bring one of these on a gig. I'm not sure it has helped that they dropped the price and the GK guys stopped participating in the thread.

I guess I'm expecting GK to come out and announce that all the problems are fixed but I'm not sure they're gonna do that.

 

[unclekebm]

I guess I'm expecting GK to come out and announce that all the problems are fixed but I'm not sure they're gonna do that.

I've been dealing closely with GK on my issues..

I now posses the 'latest revised' MB2 - And I can say with total confidence
The issue(s) do not exist - the amp is fixed

I've been running this thing hard @ 4 Ohms with absolutely no problems for about a month now...

 

[peterpalmieri]

I've been dealing closely with GK on my issues..

I now posses the 'latest revised' MB2 - And I can say with total confidence
The issue(s) do not exist - the amp is fixed

I've been running this thing hard @ 4 Ohms with absolutely no problems for about a month now...

If that's the case, have they gone back and updated all the outstanding inventory or do you have to worry about checking the serial number when you buy one?

I'm not sure why the GK guys wouldn't pop in and confirm this?